Wheel of Time MUD

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Please say "RECEIVE" at a silver-haired sedai located in every Ajah wing.

Maddy 2
Tolza 3
Robinn 1
Vala 2
Roberto 2

Walking briskly up the stairs, folding the paper in her hand as she moved, Maddy bent and slipped the note under the door of the Brown Ajah Rooms. Quickly turning she ran, her soft footsteps tapping lightly on the stairs as she made her way to Sheriam Sedai's next class.


Dear Brown Ajah,

To update you on my continuing research on the Dream Spike, as per Tolza Sedai’s request, and to try to not duplicate information you have gotten from the other Accepted/Aes Sedai, a brief outline;

A number of Aes Sedai, Lord Roberto Al’Farath and many others have accompanied us to the area in question and we have tried searching, moving, and many other methods to try and trigger hiding places.

We have made it to Tel ‘aran’rhiod a number of times and searched with no luck.

Melosa Sedia searched room by room the area in and around the Tear, Mayene, The Seanchan post.

Accepted Amarea has since found additional no-locate areas, which center around Greegan/Southern Spine, so the area may be expanding. The current no-locate Zones are Treacherous Mountain, Spine of the World Southern Range, Deep in Haddon Mirk, the Drowned Lands, and High Upon the Spine of the World.

I decided to approach a few people that live and are familiar with the area for help searching for spots we may not be aware of and perhaps initiate a few new friendships for the Tower. I realize Bakkus Danan has been a bit of an issue while at the Tower recently, but he has always been kind to me, so I hoped to further my bond with him. He was quite helpful.

Firstly we went to the bandit Tariq in Shara. We searched the tents and area around, but the only thing of interest we found there was that someone can sneak and lead a horse someone else is riding and neither will get caned.

Next we moved up to the Fort and found some interesting rooms but could not move or trigger anything.
Some rooms of note:
The End of the Wing
Coming to an abrupt halt as it meets a wall of sheer stone, the Western Wing of the fortress extends to the south. A door blocks the path up, easily accessible by ladder. Weapons and armor line the smooth stone walls while the western side of the chamber is open to the sky. Huge stone pillars line the wing, rising high above to the ceiling.
The Backroom
Nestled discreetly behind the cluttered storage chamber, the backroom unveils an atmosphere of forgotten relics and dusty secrets. Dilapidated wooden crates, their timeworn surfaces etched with forgotten labels, form haphazard stacks against the cracked stone walls.

After that, we moved to Greegan. We tried to search while the bandits were still alive but the task was too daunting for the two of us.

The Room of note there is
A Hidden Cave
This well hidden part of the cave is littered with old documents, and small tubes that used to carry messages. A large table rests in the middle of the room, and the chairs that would be around it are scattered as though there was a recent fight here. A collapsing passage way lies to the west, creaking loudly as if an unbearable weight is pushing it down.
[ obvious exits: E W ]

We ran out of time so had to leave but Bakkus has agreed to venture back with me, but with additional people to help.

My next plan is, I have contacted a Winged Guard asking them to investigate the area of Shara they alone are allowed at.

Yours in the light,

Maddy Mantear, Journey Accepted

Tolza Sedai stood by the window of her study, the soft light of the setting sun casting long shadows across the cluttered desk. The glowing light balls hovering in the corners of the room added a warm glow, contrasting with the cool twilight outside. She sighed, her thoughts heavy with the recent political turmoil in Tear and the burdens of leadership that weighed on her shoulders.

The news of the White Tower's banishment from Tear weighed heavily on her mind. The accusations of villainy and darkfriend influence had created a ripple of unrest that demanded constant attention. Tolza was perplexed by how the High Lords of Tear could allow a low-ranking guard, with little understanding of politics, to make such a drastic decision as banishing the White Tower. With a deep breath, she turned to the stack of parchment on her desk, her hand hovering over the quill. Dipping it in the ink, she began to write, her script neat and purposeful.

---

Accepted,

Now that the treaty with Mayene has been signed and my suspicions regarding the unfortunate assassinations of Mayene citizens have been put to rest, I am comfortable sharing your research with my fellow sisters. The recent political upheaval in Tear, has demanded much of my attention. For my unavailability, I apologize.

Tolza paused, her mind wandering to the dedication of Accepted, Robinn, Maddy, and Vala. Their hope and ambition had not gone unnoticed. She continued writing.

---

I would like each of you to compose your findings so far and submit them to the Brown Ajah. I know some of you have shown interest in the Brown Ajah and even submitted applications that may have been overlooked. This is your moment to shine. Consider this an opportunity to stand out from the flock and put forth your best effort.

Tolza glanced out the window, the first stars beginning to twinkle in the darkening sky. The memory of the challenges brought by the turmoil in Mayene flashed through her mind, a reminder of the weight of her responsibilities. Yet, she felt a sense of peace, knowing that her guidance could help shape the future of these young women.

---

In the Light,

Tolza Sedai

---

She sealed the letter with a decisive press of her signet ring into the warm wax, the emblem of the Brown Ajah clear and strong. Summoning a novice, she handed over the letters, watching as the young girl hurried away to deliver them. With a soft sigh, Tolza turned back to her desk, the weight of her responsibilities feeling just a bit lighter.

Bleary-eyed, Maddy sat cross-legged in her bed, swiftly writing the notes to the rest summing up tonight's research before succumbing to much needed sleep.

Dear Tolza Sedai, Lord Robert, Vala and Robinn

Firstly, Lord Robert, thank you for seeking me out and helping us with our research in the south. Your assistance is invaluable and very much appreciated.

What we found tonight below listed in point form:

Pahar- This site has boxes stacked and we were unable to move them. Could they be warded? No hidden exits found.

Greegan-This has a soft dirt floor, as if it's been recently covered, but we could find no way down. Perhaps we need to bring some people that are more talented with searching back with us.

The Stedding- Nothing untoward or different was noticeable.

The WarLord- The chest is not working. No hidden exits found.

Deranged- There was nothing outstanding that we could see.

The next steps will be to continue trying to enter the Dream world from this area and test locating and gating limits. We also discussed searching Tear and possibly the Stone.

Please correct me if my summary is incorrect, if I have forgotten anything, or if you have thought of anything additional since last night.

Yours

Maddy Mantear, Journey Accepted

Tapping the pen on her nose as she re-reads the missive, thinking, ‘Now that the treaty with Mayene is signed we will have more help with this research, which is a very good thing.’ Satisfied with the contents, she scrambles to put on her shoes and cloak. Making her way around the Tower, she slips the notes under each bedroom door. Once finished, she sets off to arrange for Lord Roberto to find his note in his pocket.

Once more, seated at her desk, Robinn Sena pens letters in triplicate, one each for Tolza Sedai and her 2 comrades in arms -- Vala Galanis and Maddy Mantear, drying the ink as she writes with minute threads of fire.

Greetings,

In my recent (mis)adventures, I was travelling the lands with Kitiara Sedai and Liia Sedai, and persuaded them to test the limits of the disturbance pertaining to the ability to create Gateways. I discovered that you could Travel rather close to the lair of Pahar, but not quite to his lair. Oddly, the same can be said of that poor deranged fellow with the rabid wolves. There may be a connection there that we should consider exploring.

Yours in the Light,
Robinn Sena, Accepted

Vala was halfway through dinner and suddenly wondering about her horse, of all things. Was he just as glad to be back home in the stable? The journey had been exhausting and still she had nothing to show for it. Shoving the plate aside, she took out a small writing case and began a letter.

---------------------------------------------------

Tolza Sedai,

The search thus far has been futile. I’ve found nothing unusual that might account for the disturbance, and certainly nothing like the dreamspike Robinn described.

I’ve also spent a good deal of time in the library going over maps with Esorna Sedai. There are a few places left that I’d like to search, and I still want to bring some tools and attempt to move those blocks we saw. I’ll continue looking around until I run out of ideas, but I’m beginning to think we won’t find anything in the waking world.

Research indicates an inactive dreamspike might be found and stolen like anything else, but once activated it’s then somewhere in the world of dreams. Among my limited experiences in Tel'aran'rhiod, I once found myself in the Mayene palace. Given the site of the disturbance, that dream location seems the most promising of those that I’ve seen.

We will of course need some additional people. The current banishment is not a huge problem because the Mayene palace dream can be reached from outside their lands. In my case, we were drawn there after defeating Greegan, and I assume any entry point into the dream world will suffice with a bit of luck.

Yours in the Light,
Accepted Vala Galanis

Wiping the sweat from her brow with the back of her forearm, Maddy placed the last dish on the rack. Wiping her hands with the towel, she rummaged around her bag for lotion. Unable to feel the familiar shape of the pot, she frowned as she carefully stacked the contents of her bag on the table. Nothing. Remembering she had a stash in her room, she quickly gathered her things and sprinted up the stairwell, hoping she could also make it on time to the next class.

Arriving in her room. she noticed a letter resting on her pillow. Eagerly she tore it open and read its contents. The decision was clear, she would skip class and seek out Lord al’Farath. Bolting out the door, a thought crossed her mind, how did he get in the Accepted quarters?

Roberto sat on his balcony overlooking the city of Bearlon attempting to enjoy some tabac and an evening drink before he was undoubtedly summoned to deal with a late-night emergency at the headquarters almost assuredly could have waited until the next day. About halfway through his pipe he heard a butler stride towards the door and a person was let in with nothing more than a quick bow.

“Almost got to finish this time. What is it Willow?”

Rather than being ushered in, behind him confidently strode a tall and slender woman and though she wore the latest fashions and walked on a marble floor, her footsteps were silent. Originally brought in by Carllyna Maeve to be a part of her unit, each member was picked for their beauty as much as their intelligence and ability to do violence when need be. Roberto had been so impressed by Willow’s abilities on her early operations that he had requested, no, implored Carllyna to transfer her to be his shadow. When she finally relented Roberto had thought he had secured a great victory, but a momentary glance at her reflection in a mirror as she walked out made him realize this had been her plan from the very start. He still had not regretted it for a moment.

“What is it this time?”
With a smile she responded, “I do so enjoy it when you happen to be wrong. Juilin has assured me that there will be no need for you to go back in today. Instead, he sends me with this missive that came directly from the White Tower. It seems as if they wanted to go through official channels this time.”
With his interest piqued he motioned at her to sit in the chair next to him as he asked what he though would be the most obvious question. “Which Ajah?”

Willows smile was almost as infuriating as it was dazzling as she let out a throaty laugh. “None! Can you believe it. This request came directly from an Accepted! I don’t blame you for missing that one, to have so much confidence already, she may end up as a terror once she shawls!”

He was too interested to respond to her good natured barb, quickly reviewing what she had written.

“So, she is writing on behalf of Tolza, leave it to the Browns to have Accepted reach out when they should, but that is to be expected. I see, those bandits near the spine may be even more than meets the eye.” He had focused on one word that elevated this to a level where he can see why the tower was getting directly involved. He took a puff of his pipe then lowers his voice, “She mentioned a dreamspike, every musing I have heard about it ties it to old technology, and the forsaken. Go get the other room involved and up to date, I will write a response immediately.”

Willow didn’t need to respond, just nodding before vanishing into the other half of the apartment as the attendant didn’t even attempt to move to guide her. Roberto moved into his office where Aran, his faithful retired bloodhound, lazily looked up at him from by the fireplace with a questioning glance. Taking a moment to find the quill and paper in a desk he barely touches he penned a response that some would even consider curt.

Greetings Maddy,
I agree to your audience, and you were right to seek one. Please let Tolza know that she may need to put down the book this time. Please remember I have a secure place for such discussions, if you so choose to take advantage. Worry not when and where you decide to meet, I will know and be there.

Roberto al’Farath
Thiefbane Majoris

By the time he was taking his qama out to use the hilt as his seal, Willow was returning. “Take this to Maddy yourself. I wish I could have you here from tonight to go over all the intelligence but there is no one I trust more than you to see it done personally. Then hurry back, we will have to work double to be ready in time.”

Willow nodded, not using her playful grin at this time. “I will personally see this delivered into her hand. Do not worry about my making it back, this mystery intrigues me, I want to be the one to crack it.”

As she was walking out Roberto spoke one last time. When she turned to face him, it was his turn to have a dazzling mischievous grin. “You know what, I take that back, do not put it in her hand.” She could tell by the look in his eyes that he was making her life five times more difficult. “Have her find it on her pillow.”

Breaking the seal, Tolza reads the letter left on her desk. Tolza sat back in her chair, considering Robinn's request. The flickering candlelight cast shadows that danced across her cluttered desk, highlighting the urgency of the situation. After a moment of contemplation, she leaned forward, her quill swiftly moving across a fresh sheet of parchment.


Lord Aldwyn,

I write to request an extension of the privileges you have granted me to allow Accepted—Maddy Mantear, Robinn Sena, and Vala Galanis—to investigate the lair of Pahar within your borders and wherever else their research may lead. I have recruited them to research the disturbance in the Pattern I described to you, and they have uncovered numerous promising leads. I understand this is a significant request, especially considering the recent tensions between our nations, but I assure you their only focus will be to uncover and dismantle this threat within the lands of Mayene. You have my personal assurance they will respect your nation.

May the Creator shelter Mayene,
Tolza Sedai

Tolza pressed her signet ring into the warm wax, leaving an imprint that signified her authority. She summoned a novice to deliver it.

Maddy walked slowly out of the meeting with Tolza Sedai, her mind so full of questions and things to do that she ended up on the wrong floor, nearly stumbling into the Green Ajah rooms. Quickly recovering, she hurried down to the library to compose her thoughts, and a letter to Lord Roberto.

Settling into a desk at the back of the room she grabbed her notebook and pen from her bag before setting it on the floor and nudging it between her feet. Tapping the pen on her chin as she gathered her thoughts she bent her head to the paper beginning to write.

Dear Lord Roberto Al Farath,

I hope you are well and not overwhelmed training all the new hands you have recently added to your clan. Once again, I reiterate, please have them call on me for any help they may need while learning the ropes.

I am writing to you today to request an audience with you, to see if you have any knowledge, be it great or small, on a matter we are researching under the direction of Tolza Sedi. Gating and even locating some objects have become problematic in the vicinity of Mayene. We suspect it's in relation to a dreamspike.

We also know around the same time the issues started, a bandit named Pahar set up camp in the vicinity. Unfortunately our ban from the area hinders our investigation. I’m requesting a meeting with you to see if you have any insight on him, his compatriots, his hideout, or even his activities, or any other bandit in the area you may have information on.

Thank you in advance and waiting in anticipation of your response.

Yours,

Maddy Mantear, Journey Accepted.

Biting the end of her pen while giving the letter a careful check, she nodded, satisfied it was complete. Folding it carefully, she addressed it, gathered her things and made her way to the stables to commission a pigeon.

Retracing her steps to the Tower, missive sent, her mind was buzzing with ideas for the next steps. With a gleam in her eye which reflected her excitement, she went in search of Robinn and Vala.