"We are both the weapon and the whetstone."
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 War, devastation, loss. These things things are as indescribably horrible as they are inevitable in this new era and in so many past. They lurk like dark promises when Menphina is on the rise; likewise they plague our thoughts even in the most glaring light of day. As mortals we love and we lose; we gain and we suffer. These trials that affect all of us in some way or another can do one of two things:
They can mold us... or they can break us.
There are those of us who trudge through our lives; who try to ignore the darkness on our doorsteps, just outside the realm of our consciousness, hiding behind hollow laughter and the innumerable distractions of our days. There are others of us who seek that conflict, eager to reap from the spoils of chaos and profit from bloodshed. Distrust still breeds, multiplying, focused on our innocents as well as our corrupt, driving vast chasms between us.
Misfortune breeds jealousy, animosity, and fear.
 But those veterans of hardship and survivors of conflict, thought by many to be the most savage of us, know the truth - conflict brings us together. Those men and women who treat the training grounds like sacred sites, worshipping through their sacrifice in blood and their dedication to perfection, know that there is a kinship found in arms. We look to each other to learn, to grow stronger, to press on without trying to deny the existence of the darkness outside or within our walls. We ask nothing of each other, we care little for the histories of our would-be brethren, who they've been or who they've wronged; we know only that in that rigorous practice there is promise.Â
The promise of change and of strength.Â
We do not wait for others to step up and protect that which we hold dear; we spend every spare moment carving the knowledge we need into the very fibers of our being. We do not wait to be forged in the crucible of devastation; we strive to defeat the inevitable before it has a chance to find us lacking. We do not love war and what it brings... but we will become masters of it. Whether it is for fame and glory, for money, to preserve those we love and all we hold dear - the goals of fighters matter not to us, only that we might pit ourselves against those masters of the arts in fair conflict and rise higher than we have ever been.
We are here for one another. Brothers and sisters of sweat and steel.
We are both the weapon and the whetstone, pitting ourselves against our friends and rivals, teaching while we learn. To those who wish to teach, acquire, or test their skills, we welcome you to join us on the neutral field, within the sanctity of our own city-states in order to prepare for what is outside them.
All are welcome to sharpen their edges against us on the training field, for we are the Grindstone, and you are your own weapon.
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(The Grindstone is an unofficial coalition of fighters; armed or unarmed, novice or master, pit-fighter or soldier - we honestly don't care. This is a group for individuals seeking to try out their RP combat skills against like-minded people, to create new alliances and rivalries, and to further develop their characters. In an effort to keep the much-feared duel-drama to a minimum, there are some rules and restrictions; otherwise anyone is free to come and go as they please.)
This LS will be used predominantly for In-Character communications. For OOC conversations, please use parentheses. For information regarding the corresponding Free Company, please visit our website.
Our preset dates for meeting will be after 10 pm EST (7 pm PST) on Wednesdays (Training) and Saturdays (Tournaments) at Fesca's Wash outside of Ul'dah in Central Thanalan until further notice.Â
'The Grindstone' Linkshell is for spectators and Overseers only.
'Grindstone Coalition' is for individuals who aim to fight or heal.
Tournaments are announced in both Linkshells for the benefit of spectators as well as participants.
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*The icon used for this LS was created by the marvelous Torn Sky.