Wheel of Time MUD

Aelrena says 'The second leads from the first, though I suppose to a lesser extent. The reign of a Blue perhaps often strengthens the Tower at its heart, and once the center of the Wheel has been strengthened, a Gray comes to power to strengthen the spokes.'

I particularly liked Aelrena's response here. It shows that she grasped one of the points I was trying to make in a very nice analogy.

Awesome! A very enjoyable read, thanks!

Awarded with Holidaze 2x:

Keshara 6 (log, extra good editing, summary)x2=12 qps
Aelrena: 3x2=6qps

Accepted Aelrena asked Keshara Sedai for a lesson on why the Blue Ajah has fostered the most Amylrins Raised, despite being such a small Ajah. This is to help her with her ongoing research and eventually class on Amyrlins, and has been asking several Aes Sedai relevant questions on the topic.

Main Characters: Keshara and Aelrena


Conservatory of the Blue Ajah
During daytime, bright light floods in from tall, arched windows set in the
eastern wall, which offer a view of the many spires of Tar Valon as well as
the eastern bank of the Erinin. On clear days, the peaks of the Dragonwall
can be seen, far away to the east. Bookshelves, tables, maps and charts are
all present as the Blue sisters prepare for whatever tasks currently occupy
them or as they plan business away from the Tower. On one wall hang two
large portraits of Ciel Sedai and Adaire Sedai, with white ribbons of
mourning tied into the latticework of the frames.
[ obvious exits: W ]
A chair made of red oak rests next to the table. [2]
A large desk made of fine, thick wood stands across the room from here.
A silver-haired Aes Sedai sits here, reading.
A Blue Sister is here, planning her next journey.
Anaiya Sedai of the Blue Ajah stands here.

Someone knocks on the carveddoor from the other side.

Aelrena has arrived from the west.

Aelrena's lips turn up slightly at the corners.


Aelrena curtseys before Keshara.

Aelrena says 'A pleasure to see you, Keshara Sedai'

Keshara says 'It is good to see you again, Accepted Aelrena. I got your message that you wished to speak?'

Keshara motions with her hands for Aelrena to take a seat.

Aelrena sits down on a stout oaken chair.

Aelrena says 'Well Keshara Sedai, as I said in my letter I've been gathering information and studies to teach another class.'

Aelrena says 'Or well, prepare another class might be the most proper way to put it I suppose. The topic itself being Amyrlins, what it means to be amyrlin, and what it requires to serve as first among the Aes Sedai.'

Aelrena stares at the sky.

Keshara taps a finger on the wooden desk, considering the topic.

Aelrena says 'What I'd intended to speak to you about however, was your own thoughts on such. We touched upon why the Blue might have fostered the most Amyrlings in our last meeting.'

Keshara looks up at the Accepted and nods.

Aelrena shifts in her seat, her gaze locked upon the Aes Sedai as she waits quietly.

Keshara says 'I see. This topic is rich in areas to dive into. Since you mention my Ajah as having the most Amyrlins, I would like to steer the conversation towards the Raising, versus the individual.'

Aelrena nods in agreement.

Keshara smiles warmly at the Accepted as she continues.

Keshara says 'Looking at the annuls of the Amyrlins, it is easy to have the conversation in their individual greatness, abilities, and actions after-the-fact.'

Aelrena nods in agreement.

Aelrena's head bobs up and down as she listens, quietly murmuring agreement.

Keshara says 'But there are many Aes Sedai who could have fulfilled that station and performed admirably if the situation had been different.'

Aelrena says 'Balladare perhaps?'

Keshara says 'Raising an Amyrlin is not dictated by the Light, but rather choosing the best person to accomplish the goals of the White Tower at the time.'

The sleeves of Keshara's robe billows about in the air as she gestures to the accepted to continue her train of thought. ( Keshara )

Aelrena darts an eye to the sleeves, a smile touching her lips at a passing thought before her gaze returns to the Aes Sedai's face.

Keshara says 'Please continue, you mentioned Balladare Sedai of the Brown?'

Aelrena says 'Well Keshara Sedai, I merely mentioned Balladare Sedai since she's considering by many to have been a weak Amyrlin. Perhaps in a different era, with different circumstances she might have been considering great.'

Keshara says 'Indeed, I agree with you. I would also say that having a weak Amyrlin at certain times is what the Tower needs. This brings me to my main point.'

Keshara runs her hand along the fringe of her blue shawl and says 'Since this conversation is framed in the context of the Blue Ajah and what we bring to the stole, so to speak.'

Aelrena blinks, her head cocking to the side in a movement reminiscent to her mentor.

Aelrena nods in agreement.

Aelrena says 'I'm curious as to how a weaker leader might serve the Tower as a whole, Keshara Sedai. Is it not better to have a clear heading when turning toward a storm?'

Keshara returns her hands to the desk and says 'I think it is important to not only understand the situation at the time of choosing an Aes Sedai, but specifically in terms of the last Administration. If you look at each Transition of AMyrlins I think you will find a sort of normalization occurring. A strong Amyrlin who has created an international stir followed by a seemingly more subdued or 'weaker' one..'

Keshara says 'I think you'll have your answer if you look into the case study of one of the Blue Ajah Amyrlins, Deanne Sedai.'

Keshara says 'She follows the formula of being rather opposite of the previous Amyrlin, and I believe was selected to BE a weak Amyrlin, due to her limited time in the Tower, but in fact became a Strong one. I think you'll find many pieces to your puzzle in her story.'

Aelrena ponders life, the universe, and everything.

Aelrena says 'Keshara Sedai, might a raise a point?'

Keshara says 'Let me ask you a question first. If the Amyrlin is considered weak, then who is strong during that time?'

Aelrena says 'Most likely the Hall of the Tower, though I suppose it's also possible for a Keeper to take power were she clever.'

Keshara says 'Or even a very crafty Head of an Ajah. But yes, exactly.'

Aelrena ponders life, the universe, and everything.

Keshara says 'It isn't that the White Tower lacks strength or direction, just that the functions are performed differently.'

Keshara says 'That is labeled as weak, but really it is just a different sort of administration.'

Keshara nods her head at the Accepted and says 'Now, you have a point you wished to make?'

Aelrena says 'I see, so perhaps it is instead a matter of perspective rather than a matter of skill.'

Keshara says 'That is how I see it. That the skills needed by that Amyrlin are different and less...direct than those attributed to a 'strong' or direct Amyrlin.'

Aelrena says 'Well Keshara Sedai, the point I was going to make was that that Deane Sedai succeeded in part where Bohnwin Sedai failed because the latter was focused instead on her own personal power, rather than on the tasks she should have been focused upon.'

Keshara says 'As I said before, certain Amyrlins are raised to contrast the last, and to serve a purpose. The Amyrlin after Bonwin was installed to not rock the boat and to repair the relations harmed before.'

Aelrena nods in agreement.

Aelrena says 'I believe I understand Keshara Sedai.'

Aelrena nods at Keshara.

Aelrena says 'The Amyrlin's role is service, and those who are chosen to fit it are chosen by the Tower to serve its needs in the moment of their raising.'

Keshara says 'I believe there have been so many Amyrlins Raised from the Blue AJah because of our diversity in covertly handling the affairs of the White Tower. Focusing on ourselves as well as not putting overt preassure on our partners during times of strife.'

Keshara says 'Consider the trends of the Ajahs before and after an Amyrlin of the Blue AJah.'

Keshara says 'You'll notice a few Red to Blue transitions, where the words 'damage control' could be aptly applied.'

Keshara says 'But you'll also notice quite a few edges where we share with the Gray Ajah.'

Aelrena nods in agreement.

Aelrena says 'Green as well, right Keshara Sedai?'

Keshara says 'Where we talk about the Red, we often have differing objectives and focuses. But with the Gray, the functions and goals are very similar, but who we accomplish the tasks differ.'

Keshara says 'What does it say to you that there are so many blocks of Gray and Blue together?'

Aelrena ponders life, the universe, and everything.

Aelrena says 'Well, I have two immediate thoughts that it could mean Keshara Sedai.'

Keshara nods at the accepted, her necklaces jingling lightly at the motion.
Keshara emote: Keshara nods at the accepted, her necklaces jingling lightly at the motion.

Aelrena says 'The first, is that following the reign of a Blue, there is need for mediation between different nations of the world, that there is a need to have an Amyrlin focused upon the diplomacy and politics of both the World and the Tower.'

Aelrena says 'The secound leads from the first, though I suppose to a lesser extent. The reign of a Blue perhaps often strengthens the Tower at its heart, and once the center of the Wheel has been strengthened, a Gray comes to power to strengthen the spokes.'

Keshara says 'All valid insights, Accepted. But for me I would say it plainly as they are accomplishing the same mission, it just depends how queit or overt we want to be. '

Aelrena stifles a laugh behind her hand.

Aelrena says 'So the Blue and Gray Ajahs work closely in other endeavours as well then?'

Keshara says 'You react, Child, but there are times when publicizing and having a presence has great return. And others where we can accomplish more by going after those goals a little quieter. It depends on the state of the world and our relations.'

Keshara says 'That is how I see it, Child.'

Keshara says 'The point I would like to emphasize, from this whole lecture, is to consider what the White Tower is trying to accomplish by instilling a certain Aes Sedai as Amyrlin at that time. '

Aelrena says 'Apologies Keshara Sedai, it was not disagreement. It was merely the... straightforwardness of it that made me laugh.'

Keshara says 'The initial cornerstone of this discussion was what makes members of the Blue Ajah so apt to fill in to meet those goals when considering someone to Raise.'

Aelrena nods in agreement.

Keshara says 'At a risk of sounding flippant, it is our flexibility in our missions, that we often have an internal focus that has often been needed, and yes, our propensity for Administration is often needed to bolster to the Tower.'

Keshara gently taps her hand on her desk.

Keshara says 'That covers the main points of my lecture on the topic. What questions or thoughts has that raised for you and your studies?'

Aelrena's head slowly begins nodding up and down, her eyes distant for a moment as she thinks.

Aelrena says 'There are a few thoughts, Keshara Sedai. I believe you've shown me a new way to consider the endeavour, which I can never begin to thank you.'

Aelrena nods in agreement.

Players
-------
Lady Alison San, Logician [White Ajah Sitter]
Doyle Norris, the Bearded Woodsman
Durn of Andor
Ric of Two Rivers
Ruby the Sister [Red Ajah]
Aelrena Solyan, Tower Accepted [White Tower]
Mistress Divya the Master Trader [Kandori Merchants' Guild]
Keshara of Illian
Narmi al'Luscetto
Ylsa the Merchant [Kandori Merchants' Guild]
Lord Adael Le'Ada, Knight of the Rose Crown, Captain of Queen Morgase's Elite [Queen's Guard]
Yrina of Saldaea
Sergei of Illian
Ashlynn Alessandri [Yellow Ajah]
Rezhan of Arafel
Lorrah of Arafel

16 players displayed.

Aelrena says 'Of questions, I have fewer, at least for the moment. The idea that the difference between a gray and a blue Amyrlin is... subtlety on the Tower's part has left me, not shaken, but thoughtful.'

Aelrena nods at Keshara.

Keshara says 'I have another appointment that is about to start. If you have any other questions, please send me a latter.'

Aelrena says 'I will do so, thank you for your time Keshara Sedai'

Aelrena clambers to her feet.

Aelrena curtseys before Keshara.

Keshara nods at her.

Aelrena leaves west.