Summary:
Aja approaches Sarinda with a host of questions about ways to defend herself in battle and to wield the One Power more effectively. Sarinda offers guidance and practical lessons, including advice on how to change her perspective and how her own apprenticeship with the Red Ajah assisted her with these same challenges. Aja wonders whether she might some day have the strength and confidence befitting an Aes Sedai, and possibly even from the Red Ajah.
POV: Sarinda
Main characters: Sarinda, Aja
Notes:
Processed using the RP-lizer, and removed all of the spam from repeated crashes.
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The Warders' Practice Yard
A large expanse of bare ground at least fifty paces across and nearly twice
as long stretches forth, its earth beaten hard. At intervals around it
under the trees stand wooden stands holding quarterstaffs and practice
swords made of strips of wood bound loosely together, and a few real swords
and axes and spears. A large gray stone building lies to the east, home to
the warder students and those warders who are not sharing quarters with
their Aes Sedai in the main Tower structure itself.
A sign hangs on the wall.
[ obvious exits: N E S W ]
Zone: White Tower Ground Floor
Door east: officedoor
An iron lantern hangs from the wall above the gate.
A weapon rack stands on the ground here, ready to store weapons.
Some elaborate figurines spew fresh water into a broad basin here.
Aja the Wearied Novice is standing here.
A warhorse is here, stamping his feet impatiently, being ridden by you.
A grim storyteller reads from a journal.
A warder's student stands here catching his breath.
A warder's student stands here catching his breath.
Coulin the Master of Arms is here teaching his students.
A gray haired weaponsmaster stands nearby.
Sarinda says 'Hello again, child.'
Aja says 'Hello, Sarinda Sedai.'
Sarinda says 'If it pleases the Light, I saw you awake a few minutes ago and was going to seek you out, but the world is...unstable of late. The Pattern ripples.'
Sarinda draws down her thin eyebrows into a frown.
Aja says 'Indeed it does and has all day. You never know where you will be or what you are doing when it happens either.'
Aja says 'I have been chasing Elami around the last few hours.'
Sarinda says 'Oh? Is that one of Sheriam's tasks?'
Aja nods at Sarinda.
Aja says 'Yes, Sarinda Sedai.'
Aja says 'I am only missing two of them now.'
Sarinda smiles warmly.
Sarinda says 'Excellent, child.'
Aja says 'Sheriam Sedai wants a book and I have no idea where to look for that.'
Sarinda says 'If it is one of the tasks that involves finding certain items, you might have success today. When the world is unstable, the items tend to show up more often.'
Sarinda says 'If it pleases the Light, I know that you had inquired about possible options for practicing weaves with Sheriam to play to your skills and Talents well. Did you have any interest in meeting to discuss that?'
Aja says 'Yes, Sarinda Sedai. I am interested in how to protect myself in both offensive and defensive ways, if that is possible?'
Sarinda says 'Tell me more what you mean, Aja.'
Aja says 'I saw you make a shield when Hypatia and I were speaking with you the other day. Is that something every Aes Sedai can do? And I need to learn how to use my Ice Spikes better. I aim for a tree and hit a deer.'
Game crashed...
Aja says 'Where was I?'
Sarinda stares concernedly at the sky and shakes her head.
Sarinda says 'If it pleases the Light, you asked about the Shield weave, and improving your aim with Ice Spikes.'
Aja says 'Yes! Do you know what it is like to try to ice spike a tree and hit a deer instead?'
Sarinda chuckles politely.
Sarinda says 'By my father's heart, but it has been a long time since I was so young and so inexperienced. But I am familiar with what you mean.'
Sarinda smiles warmly.
Aja says 'BUT.. I did intend on killing fathers bull, Bull! He tried to stampede me.'
Sarinda says 'The ability to Shield effectively is a secret among the Red Ajah alone. The concept of shielding others is known to all trained channelers, but only the Reds have the training in discipline to weave it under duress.'
Sarinda frowns.
Sarinda says 'I suppose if the bull were about to harm or maim you, then weaving could have been critical for your survival.'
Aja says 'People have asked me 'how many cows does it take for it to be called a stampede?' Well, when you are my size compared to that bull..trust me..it WAS a stampede of ONE cow!'
Aja says 'But I did scare my father enough for him to send me here.'
Sarinda says 'If it pleases the Light, the first few times that women with the spark will channel without conscious control is in response to strong emotions, including fear.'
Sarinda nods thoughtfully.
Aja says 'I have a question, Sarinda Sedai.'
Sarinda nods at Aja.
Sarinda says 'Yes, child?'
Aja says 'These shields that ALL can use..are they easily taught and do you think if that day was to happen again it would have stopped that charging bull and prevented me from taking harm?'
Sarinda says 'Ah. As in weaving to prevent damage?'
Aja says 'And yes.. I was afraid of BULL!'
Aja says 'Is that one the everyone can use and not just Red Ajah?'
Sarinda nods in agreement.
Sarinda says 'Yes, the weave for Warding versus Damage.'
Aja says 'Is that something you can guide me on, topic wise?'
Sarinda nods in agreement.
Aja says 'I love to get your insight, Sarinda Sedai.'
Sarinda says 'If it pleases the Light, the weave for Warding versus Damage requires 4 flows of Earth, 4 of Air, and 4 of Water.'
Sarinda says 'Forming the weave requires 25 SPs and 25 pulses of time, or about the length of two full rounds of combat.'
Aja gets a fruit from her pouch and bites into it, its juices running down the corners of her mouth as she listens intently.
Aja eats a strange fruit.
Sarinda says 'Because it is a costly weave to form, most who learn it choose to study it to a superb level of training, such as 91-93%, to minimize chances of failures.'
Aja says 'Is that one that can be cast while in combat?'
Sarinda says 'Warding vs Damage cannot be woven in combat, at least not that I am aware, although it is easy enough to test.'
Sarinda says 'The primary utility of this weave is that it creates a deflective shield around yourself, and repels weapons and resists against damage as if you were wearing a suit of armor.'
Sarinda says 'Importantly, it also absorbs a certain percentage of damage from offensive weaves, such as Ice Spikes.'
You begin to weave the appropriate flows...
-=+**+=- -=+**+=- -=+*
A carefully woven flow of Earth, Air, and Water forms an aura about your body!
Sarinda nods in agreement.
Sarinda says 'Like so.'
Aja says 'We wouldn't get hurt at all if hit? You mean, can enemies of the Tower use ice spikes against us?'
Sarinda says 'You can still be hit, for sure. But the blows, whether from a weapon or the One Power, are weakened significantly. Perhaps by about a third or more.'
Aja ponders the way she is questioning Sarinda Sedai.
Aja says 'If I were to try and fight, would I be required to learn that weave?'
Sarinda says 'The Armor weave is a simpler thing, using 2 flows of Spirit. It simply enhances one's natural ablity to dodge. It can be woven on yourself, or any other ally.'
Sarinda's white aura has faded.
Sarinda shakes her head. 'Plenty do not study the Warding vs Damage weave. Until recently, even I had let my practice of it go by the wayside.'
Game crashed...
Sarinda says 'If it pleases the Light, there are certain weaves that are hallmarks of any good, versatile practice setup.'
Sarinda says 'Most weaves can be conceptually categorized into offensive, support, and utility purposes.'
Sarinda says 'What are some of the weaves that you think all Tower trained channelers should learn?'
Aja says 'I have learned armor and I feel it helps against trees hitting me.'
Sarinda nods in agreement.
Sarinda says 'Armor is a support weave, one that can provide defensive aid to the channeler or an ally, and it is critical for any channeler who uses dodge-focused equipment.'
Aja says 'I learned the correct usage of Ice Spikes after getting here, but before I had to be mad and they just came out of my hands.'
Sarinda flashes a wolfish grin.
Sarinda nods in agreement.
Aja says 'I use Light Ball to see with, but that is mostly all I know.'
Sarinda says 'A majority of women will learn Ice Spikes because it is a classic, highly effective damaging weave in most weather observed in temperate zones, from Shienar all the way down to Murandy.'
Aja says 'Where would they be less effective?'
Sarinda says 'If it pleases the Light, I would classify Light Ball as a luxury weave that aids quality of life, but is easily replaced by using lanterns without sacrificing the ability to dodge.'
Sarinda says 'Ice Spikes do not form well in hot weather, such as the Blight, or in Illian or Tear. In 55 degrees or cooler, its damage is optimal. In 60 degrees or higher, its damage rapidly decreases.'
Aja says 'So, we can shield with WvD and armor, but ice spikes is limited where it can be effective or not. Is there not another way?'
Sarinda says 'In 60 degrees or warmer, it is more cost effective to weave Flame Strike than to try and weave Ice Spikes, even though longer offensive weaves typically have higher damage than faster ones.'
Sarinda says 'If it pleases the Light, Ice Spikes is less effective in any situation in which the channeler is routinely being interrupted with melee damage, or being bashed, because it takes 13 pulses to weave compared to faster weaves such as Flame Strike or Hailstorm at 9.'
Aja says 'Can one learn both weaves and be effective with each in different situations?'
Sarinda nods in agreement.
Sarinda says 'Yes, of course.'
Aja says 'But to do that, I imagine it would take away from learning healing weaves?'
Sarinda says 'Generally speaking, I will urge you to learn Armor, at least one longer and higher damaging weave, and one faster weave to begin. As you gain practice, you will benefit from learning one or both of the Locate weaves, and Refresh.'
Sarinda says 'I do recommend learning one of the Healing weaves. Even Cure Light Wounds is a strong weave in the right situation.'
Aja says 'I can Heal myself?'
Sarinda shakes her head.
Sarinda says 'Not for damage. That is not how Healing works.'
Sarinda says 'There are a few weaves that can target one's own body, however, primarily those that Heal status ailments, such as Cure Blindness or Cure Poison.'
Sarinda says 'If it pleases the Light, you are at the time in your life in which learning the One Power will come most easily to you as you gain experience.'
Aja says 'Yes! I do need more experience. I am aware of that.'
Sarinda nods in agreement.
Aja says 'I have so many things to work on.'
Aja says 'I need more experience.'
Sarinda chuckles politely.
Sarinda says 'Let us start with the basics, if it pleases the Light.'
Aja says 'I need to learn what weaves work for me.'
Sarinda nods in agreement.
Sarinda says 'Let me consider some calculations a minute.'
Aja says 'Yes, Sarinda Sedai'
Sarinda says 'Do you have any training in Shield Parry yet? Or just Staves?'
Aja says 'Only Staves, Sarinda Sedai'
Sarinda explains, 'This is a basic setup of good weaves to focus on. Ice Spikes, Hailstorm, Armor, Blind, Cure Light Wounds, Locate Object, Refresh, and Light Ball.'
Aja says 'Those would be nice for a Wearied Novice such as myself?'
Sarinda says 'Most women swear by Flame Strike, and I have that mastered myself at 99%. However, for women who do not have the strength in Fire, do not frequently go into warm regions such as the Blight, or do not learn multiple Fire weaves, it is more expensive to study this weave when Hailstorm might be perfectly adequate.'
Sarinda says 'Yes, you could learn all of these weaves at your level of experience and still easily afford quite a few more.'
Sarinda says 'Blind is a simple but extremely effective weave to stop one's enemies from being able to hit you effectively, or to join each other in a fight.'
Sarinda chuckles politely.
Sarinda says 'If it pleases the Light, I would not use Travel until you have received instruction in how to correctly do so, especially as a novice.'
Aja says 'I wouldn't Sarinda Sedai. I know I am not to leave the Island until I learn more.'
Sarinda nods in agreement.
Sarinda says 'That being said, the Travel weave can help you to find certain items that you seek, by helping you to Travel to them.'
Sarinda says 'If you learn the Locate Object weave, that is.'
Aja says 'Oooh! I could find that dirty laundry for Mistress Laras.'
Sarinda flashes a wolfish grin.
Aja giggles softly.
Sarinda says 'Support weaves with a longer duration, such as Armor and Strength, I typically study to about 60%. This is high enough that you only need 2-3 tries at most to finish successfully, so on the rare chance they expire during combat, it is not prohibitive to weave.'
Sarinda says 'If it pleases the Light, it is part of my training and mission in the Red Ajah to ensure that channelers know how to master their control of the Power, both to defend themselves and to ensure they are no threat to others.'
Sarinda says 'Unless, of course, they are -trying- to be a threat to others.'
Sarinda flashes a wolfish grin.
Aja says 'The other girls were laughing in the Well earlier. Why would I feel out of place with such behavior?'
Sarinda frowns. 'What do you mean, Aja?'
Aja says 'My father taught me to be stern. He never ever laughed even with me around, so how am I to be able to learn how and when I can laugh with them? Am I too serious?'
Sarinda says 'Ah, I see.'
Sarinda smiles softly. 'If it pleases the Light, we all come from different walks in life, different places and cultures. Some of us have humor that others might find odd. Some are more bubbly, and others more reserved.'
Aja mumbles, 'I so wanted to just tell them all to get more serious! And it's not just because I am in the Tower now as a Novice, but because I wasn't brought up that way.'
Sarinda nods. 'My father was the same way, if it pleases the Light.'
Aja says 'But I did giggle earlier. Am I the pot calling the kettle bad names?'
Sarinda says 'In time, I found my own balance, between being warm and stern.'
Sarinda says 'To be Aes Sedai is not to ignore or suppress these feelings, but rather to maintain outward serenity in the midst of danger and stress, even terror.'
Aja says 'I can understand that.'
Sarinda says 'One can feel frightened, or amused, or overjoyed. But we must learn how to control our expression of emotions so they do not dictate our behavior, and rely on our emotions instead as information to be evaluated.'
Aja says 'I still would feel out of place with the other girls right now I admit.'
Sarinda nods in agreement.
Aja says 'I have a lot of things to ponder now after speaking with you tonight.'
Aja says 'But the One Power shall give me guidance.'
Sarinda says 'If it pleases the Light, you do not need the other girls' approval to earn the shawl. However, you do need to learn how to comport yourself well and to collaborate with others. An Aes Sedai must know how to serve others and leverage a situation to achieve her goals, and often times this requires combined efforts among like-minded Sisters.'
Aja says 'Are there times the Aes Sedai do NOT agree with each other?'
Sarinda flashes a wolfish grin.
Sarinda says 'The Aes Sedai might have a shared interest or goal, but their Ajahs may have different perspectives on the best way to achieve those goals.'
Aja says 'I can understand that.'
Aja says 'If it pleases you, Sarinda Sedai, I would like to go train more. You have given me a terrific lesson and I will apply everything.'
Sarinda says 'Now, we have spent most of this time talking about your studies with the One Power.'
Sarinda says 'However, as much as we learn to wield it effectively as a tool and weapon, you should also learn to be a well-rounded woman who can defend herself without the Power.'
Aja says 'Oh..of course. Please continue, Sarinda Sedai. Your teachings are more important than what I had in mind.'
Aja's lips curl into a vibrant smile.
Sarinda says 'If it pleases the Light, if you have studied a fast weave such as Hailstorm or Flame Strike to superb (90+ %) training, I could also spar you for training.'
Aja says 'I only know Ice Spikes, but I am pretty good with them I feel. I killed a tree finally and not a deer.'
Sarinda chuckles politely.
Sarinda nods in agreement.
Sarinda says 'If you intend to retrain yourself, then perhaps it would be prudent to discuss how you plan to study your other practices without the Power.'
Aja says 'I hadn't thought of that.'
Sarinda says 'Until you have more worldly experience, using 2-handed staves is a good idea.'
Sarinda says 'You can later study Shield Parry if you choose to, although not all women do.'
Sarinda says 'Studying how to use both a shield and staff will provide you the greatest single defense, but requires you to be rather selective in your other choices.'
Aja says 'I think I would like to use a sword and shield ( ooc - if my 14 strength allows it )'
Sarinda says 'Most blades are not the most effective at defense, such as parry ability. Fencing blades might be a viable option.'
Sarinda says 'But most medium blades, and especially long blades, are subpar at defense and will make you more likely to take hits while attempting to weave.'
Aja says 'So staves are still good for me even as I get more experience?'
Sarinda says 'If it pleases the Light, the One Power is your single greatest weapon, and your defenses should revolve around maximizing your ability to use it. This means selecting equipment that opens up the most opportunities for you to avoid being hit so you can weave uninterrupted.'
Sarinda nods in agreement.
Sarinda says 'Do you see what I am using?'
Sarinda stops using a yew staff.
Sarinda wields a yew staff.
Aja says 'That is pretty.'
Aja flexes her arms. 'Do you think I would be able to wield such a weapon?'
Sarinda says 'This is a 1-handed staff. With this and the standard shield, the silver etched shield, I am able to parry and block attacks better than with a 2-handed staff. But it means I need to devote a great detail of my studies to my weapon and shield.'
Sarinda says 'Most channelers will settle on either 1- or 2-handed staves, depending on their preference.' coming to the Tower, I've never had anyone to really look up to."
Sarinda says 'Yes, child. If it pleases the Light, ask your question and I will answer it as I can.'
Game crashed...
Aja says 'Well.. I lack confidence. Even speaking with you and the Accepteds Aelrena and Mariah, I get nervous. The thought of fighting makes me shake so bad. Would you happen to have any advice for me that would help me better adjust?'
Sarinda nods in agreement.
Sarinda isn't in touch with saidar to release anything.
Sarinda smiles knowingly.
Sarinda says 'If it pleases the Light, there are two things that will serve you immensely in these endeavors.'
Aja says 'I am listening, Sarinda Sedai.'
Sarinda says 'First, once you reach the banded dress of the Accepted and can leave Tar Valon again, start making notes on where you can obtain various pieces of equipment to get a full basic set of gear together. When possible, try to have a full set in backup, either through the chest with Dian or in your own personal storage. This will reduce any concern or distress you might have about lacking equipment if you fall in combat.'
Aja nods in agreement.
Sarinda says 'Alternatively, you can purchase a full set of equipment for a few hundred gold crowns. Ifyou learn how to make money quickly, you can simply purchase the gear you are missing.'
Sarinda says 'Second, you must learn how to change your perspective.'
Aja says 'You would think being a noble I would have confidence.'
Aja says 'But I trusted in my father and servants totally to do everything.'
Sarinda says 'One of the most influential things Aloisa told me while I was studying with the Red Ajah for my apprenticeship is that she walks into every battle with the mindset that she is the single most dangerous person on the battlefield, and that when she does, it shows in her actions -- and her enemies start to respond differently.'
Sarinda says 'If you fall in combat, then it is a lesson on how to be more dangerous the next time. You must learn how to fall, and to fall graciously, before you can learn how to stand up and learn from the falling.'
Sarinda says 'There is a reason that the Shadowspawn flee when too many channelers are in combat, or even if one is in combat when they are gravely inured.'
Sarinda says 'Channelers excel at securing the victory blow, at crushing injured opponents, because of our ability to channel at specific targets no matter how many are in the room.'
Aja mumbles, 'That poor deer I wasn't attempting to kill'
Sarinda flashes a wolfish grin.
Sarinda says 'It becomes easier, with practice.'
Sarinda looks around the practice yard slyly.
Sarinda leans forward to whisper to Aja.
Sarinda whispers to Aja 'If it pleases the Light, I still might feel myself shaking when entering combat, at times. But now, I view it as an old friend, ready to prepare me for deadly combat, to energize me.'
Aja whispers to you, 'It sounds like the adrenaline my father said his bull had when it charged me.'
Sarinda nods in agreement.
Sarinda flashes a wolfish grin.
Sarinda says 'Precisely. Learn to be the bull, child.'
Aja says 'You make me happy knowing that if I fall, I just pick myself up and learn from it..moving on. Always forward and not back.'
Sarinda nods in agreement.
Sarinda says 'Do not mistake me. There will be a great deal of falling.'
Aja tries to stifle a giggle, 'I will try to take at least two steps forward before taking one back'
Aja says 'Or having to take a step back that is.'
Sarinda says 'Look at the failures as opportunities to improve, and endeavor to not make the same mistakes again. A good death is one in which you correctly realize what you could have done better.'
Sarinda says 'If it pleases the Light, this is why I sparred other Tower members so often when I was an Accepted. It gave me practice at fighting so many other women, all with their own thinking patterns, skill levels, and style of attacking.'
Aja says 'You have such wisdom.'
Sarinda says 'The Red Ajah can provide a great deal of wisdom and training. And when it comes to mastery of the Power, we are second to none.'
Sarinda smiles knowingly.
Aja says 'I hear the Red Ajah don't take on warders?'
Sarinda says 'Correct. We do not need men to watch our back.'
Aja curtseys before Sarinda.
Sarinda smiles warmly.
Sarinda says 'May the Light illumine you, and see you safe to your journey's end.'
Aja says 'Thank you, Sarinda Sedai'
Sarinda nods in agreement.