Emphir's Journals

The Emphir's Journals, formerly known as the King's Journals, are personal journals kept by each ruler of The Brilliant Empire (and it's predecessor the Kingdom of Ostar).

Purpose

The first journals were written by Angar and Tanima Talat, the parents of the first King of Ostar, Taylan Talat. The two nobles document all aspects of their lives, personal and professional, from the time their courtship began until they died. They encouraged young Taylan to do the same, and when they died and he was able to refer back to their thoughts and beliefs in their journals after that, which he found extremely valuable and so he continued to write in his own journals and encouraged his heirs to begin to do the same.

From that point, all of the Kings and Emphirs have seen the value of this practice as they have been able to consult the thoughts and words of rulers past, so each has continued the tradition.

Content

The contents of each journal can be slightly different. Some rulers write extensively, chronicling their every thought and feeling about official and unofficial matters. Others only write the minimum, such as their justificiation for important official decisions. A ruler can also choose, at their discretion, to include the personal journals of other close family members, spouses, consorts, non-heir children, advisors, etc. into the collection.

Document Structure

References

A ruler might reference any number of other documents in their journal - laws, military reports, official decrees, books and other texts, or anything you can think of. It is part of the Journalkeeper's job to archive copies of these referenced documents alongside the journal collection so they are always accessible as the journals are being reviewed, for context.

Publication Status

The journals are private to the current ruler unless they choose to share them. Customarily, the ruler would not share the entire contents of the collection with anyone except an heir or consort, but they more often might share relevant snippets that pertain to things that are happening. Those snippets can be shared more widely, with the entire family, an entire council, those involved in a dispute, etc.

The only other individual with access to the collection is the Journalkeeper. This individual is appointed, usually for life, by a ruler. Their job is to be familiar with the contents of every journal, beginning to present, so as to help the King, Queen, or Emphir find things they may need or want to review at any time. They also spend time familiarizing themselves with other historical texts and documents that a ruler might want to cross-reference with the journals.

Historical Details

Legacy

The Journals hold some secrets that have never been revealed outside of the Imperial family.

Term

This document is ongoing, and has been in progress for almost 700 years. Each individual ruler keeps theirs from the time of their coronation until the death, and may choose to include journals kept before their coronation as well.

Read the Document

Emphir's Journals

Emphir Emrah Talat the Younger, 28th day of Risinglight, 12,100 AE

It still feels strange to write in this journal as Emphir, instead of as Prince. Momma always said a ruler should commit their thoughts to parchment to better understand themself, but I wonder if she ever felt as lost as I do. She never seemed to falter—her decisions were swift, her words always filled with strength. Even the way she walked the halls commanded respect. She was not just Emphir; she was a force of nature, like a storm or the sun. How am I supposed to measure up to that?
Then there’s Uncle Alaric. He’s clever, and smart, and Arion is flourishing under his rule. Even Momma admired him, and I know he and Papa write back and forth reguarly. But every time I hear of his success, it’s like a shadow grows longer over me. I’m fourteen, barely old enough to wield a sword properly, and I’m supposed to lead a whole Empire? How do they expect me to inspire anyone when I’m not sure I even trust myself?
Sometimes I think about what would happen if I failed. Would the people hate me for it? Or worse, would they pity me? That thought feels heavier than any crown. I hear advisors call me “Your Radiance,” but there’s so little radiance in me. Momma used to say that a good ruler is like a tree—strong and steadfast, with roots deep enough to hold firm through any storm. But what if my roots aren’t deep enough? What if they break, and I take the whole kingdom down with me?
I wish I could talk to her again, just once, and ask her what she would do. Uncle Alaric wouldn’t hesitate, I know that. He’d probably say, “Strength isn’t something you wait for; it’s something you seize.” But I’m not him. I don’t even know if I want to be him.
Maybe I’ll figure it out. Maybe the answers will come, the way people say they always do. For now, all I can do is try to walk through the great hall like I belong there. Maybe one day, I’ll believe it myself.

Close

Emphir's Journals

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Type

Journal, Personal

Medium

Paper

Authoring Date

About 12100 to Current

Authors

• Angar Talat
• Arda Talat the Younger
• Berak Talat the Younger
• Emrah Talat the Younger
• Evren Talat
• Hesna Talat
• Melker Talat
• Sibel Talat
• Tahir Talat
• Tanima Talat
• Taylan Talat
• Vadim Talat

Header photo by John-Mark Smithon Pexels. Other image generated on imagine.art.