The Guiding River Banks

A forum to leave your non-sensitive roleplay logs, stories and other roleplay contributions that deal with Tar Valon affairs.
Sarinda
Posts: 687
Joined: Wed Jan 12, 2022 3:10 pm
Location: Kalamazoo, MI

The Guiding River Banks

Post by Sarinda » Tue Jun 14, 2022 10:13 pm

Summary:
When returning to Tar Valon from travel abroad, Sarinda observes a young woman with an unfamiliar face wandering the streets in awe. She meets with this girl and learns that she has the spark, the ability to channel saidar, and has already unknowingly begun the process of touching the True Source. Sarinda guides her through a meditation exercise to teach her how to safely embrace saidar, and instructs her in how to gain experience in the world so that she can one day sign her name into the Book of Novices.

POV: Sarinda
Main character: Akella
Briefly seen in passing: Tolza, Glave, Helgi, Cera

Notes:
Processed using the RP-lizer and lightly edited to remove noise from random mobs, reorder a few emotes into a more logical order, and clean up spam.

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Fire Avenue
This area exudes the magnificent skill of the Ogier masons. The stone
edifices appear to be both on fire and made of fire. Buildings seem to
be pushed up by pillars resembling curling bonfires. The roofs curl around
and about like wisps of smoke. The fountains, also carved to resemble
flames, spout up cool clear water, ironically. Looking westwards, one can
see the White Tower. And from the north and south, Merchant Street runs
past like a wind blowing through a fire.
[ obvious exits: N E S W ]
Zone: Tar Valon
An oil lamp, set in a steel cage, hangs from a high wooden pole.
A warhorse is here, stamping his feet impatiently, being ridden by you.
A woman goes about her daily business here.
Akella of Two Rivers is standing here.
A Tower Guard watches for signs of trouble.

Sarinda nods at Akella.

Akella bows deeply.

Sarinda says 'Hello there.'

Akella says 'Why hello.'

Sarinda says 'If it pleases the Light, are you new here?'

Akella says 'Yes I am.'

Akella says 'I did not mean to ask you why you said hello.'

Akella chuckles politely.

Sarinda says 'It is good to meet you. If it pleases the Light, I am Sarinda din Rovan, Aes Sedai of the Red Ajah.'

Akella says 'It is good to meet you as well, Sarinda Sedai.'

Sarinda says 'Do you require any assistance or information to help you?'

Akella says 'Yes I do, thank you for asking. I am trying to find out how to become a novice of the White Tower.'

Sarinda smiles knowingly.

Sarinda beckons everyone to follow her.

Akella starts following Sarinda.


(We relocate to the main Tower Square.)


Tower Square
This side of the square is the southern section of the Tower Square.
In the center is the walled off White Tower. To the south a large
boulevard opens up leading to the Southharbor. To the north you see
the southern gate of the Tower grounds. The square continues east
and west.
[ obvious exits: N E S W ]
Zone: Tar Valon
Door north: TarlomensGate
A marble bench, flecked with gold and bronze, adorns the floor.
An oil lamp, set in a steel cage, hangs from a high wooden pole.
An elaborately sculpted marble fountain splashes merrily.
A stout wooden barrel stands nearby.
A warhorse is here, stamping his feet impatiently, being ridden by you.
Tolza of Murandy is resting here, riding a warhorse.
Master Helgi al'brawdrifynn, the Sea Merchant... is standing here, riding a bloodstock stallion.
An astonishingly tall and broad man stands here, with large tufted ears.
The Tar Valon town crier stands here, spreading the news.
Akella has arrived from the east.

Sarinda nods in agreement.

Sarinda says 'We can discuss things here, if it pleases the Light.'

Akella says 'Of course.'

Sarinda says 'Tolza, this one is brand new to the world, and inquiring about the White Tower.'

Sarinda says 'Do you already know how to embrace the True Source, Akella?'

Akella curtseys before Tolza.

Tolza peers up at the girl over thick glasses.

Tolza says 'Welcome to the city of Tar Valon child.'

Akella says 'I do not. The extent of my adventures has been to fight off a quite aggressive raccoon, then be killed by a bandit.'

Sarinda winces.

Sarinda says 'You can REMOVE your LANTERN for now. You will not need it during the day.'

Helgi waves.

Tolza gives you a faint smile as her eyes dart to her book.

Helgi beams a smile at Tolza.

Cera has arrived from the west, riding a warhorse.

Helgi leaves west riding a bloodstock stallion.

Akella puts a lantern in a backpack.

Sarinda smiles happily.

Tolza looks at Cera.

Sarinda ponders life, the universe, and everything.

Cera curtseys gracefully.

Sarinda says 'Perhaps killing a bandit would offer you some better equipment.'

Cera leaves west riding a warhorse.

Akella says 'I would like some revenge, Light willing.'

Sarinda grins evilly.

Glave has arrived from the west, riding a dun mare.

Sarinda says 'Let us find a more private room.'

Glave waves.

Sarinda beckons Akella to follow her.

Akella starts following Sarinda.


(We relocate to the Warders' practice yard.)


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.
A warhorse is here, stamping his feet impatiently, being ridden by you.
A warder's student stands here catching his breath.
A warder's student stands here catching his breath.
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.
Akella has arrived from the south.

Sarinda nods in agreement.

Sarinda blinks, eyes focusing again.

Akella tries to mimic Coulin's stance but falls flat on her face!

Sarinda says 'My apologies. If it pleases the Light, I was lost in thought for a moment.'

Sarinda smirks.

Akella says 'Please do not be ashamed, I do the same.'

Sarinda says 'As a member of the Red Ajah, it is my duty to prevent the misuse of the One Power. But this purpose can also include finding young ones such as yourself and ensuring that they learn properly and safely.'

Sarinda sits down.

Sarinda rests her tired bones.

Sarinda says 'Please, take a rest.'

Sarinda drinks the water.
Sarinda doesn't feel thirsty any more.

Akella says 'I did not know that I could channel until 3 days ago. A man attacked me and I felt something come over me. Later, after cleaning the blood off my knife, I set out for the White Tower.'

Akella sits down and rests.

Sarinda nods slowly.

Sarinda says 'So you have begun the process already.'

Sarinda says 'Some have the innate talent, but without training, it will remain dormant.'

Akella does not want that to happen to her.

Sarinda says 'Others are destined to touch the Source, intentionally or not. It can be dangerous without training. Wilders often burn themselves out, losing the ability to touch the Source permanently, or die in the process.'

Akella shivers uncomfortably.

Akella says 'How do I keep that from happening to me, Sarinda Sedai?'

Sarinda says 'If it pleases the Light, close your eyes.'

Akella closes her eyes.

Sarinda says 'Imagine yourself as the sea, rolling wild and furious.'

Akella says 'I am trying, but it is hard to concentrate when I am this thirsty. Might I pause for a drink of water?'

Sarinda nods in agreement.

Sarinda nods at the fountain.

Akella opens her eyes.

Akella stops resting, and clambers on her feet.

Sarinda says 'Talk about water making you thirsty?'

Sarinda smirks.

Akella chuckles politely.

Akella sits down and rests.

Sarinda says 'You may DRINK from this FOUNTAIN here.'

Akella says 'If it pleases the light, I am ready to try again.'

Akella closes her eyes.

Sarinda nods in agreement.

Sarinda says 'Again, you are the ocean sea, strong, untamed. The currents are strong, but moving towards the shore.'

Sarinda says 'Imagine the water moving inland, passing through large river mouths, and across the land.'

Akella says 'I find it easy to become the untamed, wild sea, but control of my anger has always eluded me.'

Sarinda nods in agreement.

Akella closes her eyes again and becomes the water moving inland.

Sarinda replies softly, 'If it pleases the Light, our emotions are like the sea, but we can learn to ride the currents.'

Akella ponders life, the universe, and everything.

Akella nods in agreement.

Sarinda says 'As you move inland, the water is calmer, warmer, and surrounded on either side by the river bank.'

Sarinda says 'Imagine the river banks guiding you, as you flow endlessly and steadily.'

Sarinda feels the flows of saidar coursing through her body.

Akella slows her breathing.

Sarinda channels razor-thin flows of Air and Water, summoning a light breeze.

Akella gasps in astonishment.

Sarinda tsks and says, 'Quiet yourself, Akella.' She smiles nonetheless.

Akella nods and closes her eyes.

Sarinda channels again, this time Water, pulling a trickle of water from the fountain and forming it into a small trail, swirling around Akella.

Sarinda says softly, 'Feel the banks of the earth guiding you. You cannot jump the banks, or flood the plains. The banks guide you. But you move, calmly, and with purpose.'

Sarinda says 'When you are ready, EMBRACE the water, and allow it to carry you forward, letting go of any effort to control your direction but moving with its power.'

Sarinda senses Akella connecting to the True Source.

Sarinda smiles warmly.

Sarinda says 'There. Do you feel that?'

Akella wants to dance with delight, but controls herself.

The sky starts to get cloudy.

Akella says 'Yes! I do.'

Sarinda continues softly, 'At first, it may be hard to hold the Source for too long. You will find that it eludes you at times.'

Sarinda says 'With practice and experience, however, you can learn to channel, if it pleases the Light.'

Sarinda says 'When you are ready, imagine the river banks slowly shrinking, and the water empties into a still, peaceful lake, and you can RELEASE the Power.'

Akella says 'I find that the harder I try to control the Source, the more difficult it becomes to do.'

Sarinda nods in agreement.

Akella calms her breathing again and releases the Source.

Sarinda says 'Well done. You must indeed have already been channeling, as this came naturally to you.'

Akella nods in agreement.

Sarinda releases the Source as well, sighing softly as it escapes her. The water trail around Akella falls to the ground, sinking into the pavement, and the breeze fades.

Sarinda says 'You have the gift, then, if it pleases the Light.'

Sarinda says 'Obviously, this is critical to becoming a novice, for without the ability to touch the Source, you cannot ever hope to one day become Aes Sedai.'

Akella says 'I am relieved to hear you say that, Sarinda Sedai. I was afraid of what came over me 3 days ago.'

Sarinda nods in agreement.

Sarinda says 'When this man attacked you, did you harm him? Did something strange come over him and hurt him?'

Akella says 'I do not know, Sarinda Sedai. He attacked me and he died. It must have been me, for no one else was there.'

Sarinda nods slowly, frowning.

Sarinda says 'The One Power can be channeled to affect the world around you. It can be used to Weave the Winds, to summon storms and precipitation.'

Sarinda feels the flows of saidar coursing through her body.

Sarinda stops resting, and stands up.

Sarinda suddenly weaves thick cables of Air and Water intricately intertwined and sends them into the air,
summoning snowfall.

channel 'change weather' worse
You begin to weave the appropriate flows...
-=+**+=-

It starts to snow.
Sarinda says with a dark expression, 'It can also be used to harm others.'

Sarinda flicks her wrists, and suddenly spikes of ice form in her hand like knives as she channels Air and Water again just so.

Akella says 'If it pleases the light, may I ask if it was wrong that I harmed him? I did not intent to hurt him. I only wanted to protect myself.'

Sarinda intones, 'If it pleases the Light, all will be well. All will be well, and all manner of things will be well, if it pleases the Light.'

Sarinda says 'It is a saying, among my people, the Atha'an Miere.'

Akella listens intently.

Sarinda says 'The wave that has passed cannot be called back.'

Sarinda says 'What is done, is done.'

Sarinda claps her hands together, and with a trickle of Fire, the spikes explode into a small spray of snow.

Sarinda feels the flows of saidar coursing through her body.

channel 'change weather' better
You begin to weave the appropriate flows...
-=+**+=-

The snow stops.

Akella says 'I think that I understand. I can learn to control my emotions. I know I can! But I will not be a victim, either.'

Akella calms herself again, and becomes the water flowing inland.

Sarinda says 'If it pleases the Light, you must learn to guide the One Power, to control how you use it.'

Akella listens intently.

Sarinda says 'We can train you. However, we do require that all girls must have more experience in the world before they can enter their names in the Book of Novices.'

Akella feels the waves surging again, but slows her breathing.

Sarinda says 'Learn your basic skills, how to hunt, how to ride a horse and wield a weapon. Come to us again when you have the experience of twenty women (level 20), and you can join the White Tower.'

Sarinda says 'In the meantime, there is a woman known as Selaana in the small city of Whitebridge, due west of Caemlyn.'

Akella says 'If it pleases the light, I will accomplish that task.'

Sarinda says 'She provides lessons in how to safely navigate the process of learning to channel, and how to form some basic weaves. She offers tutelage to those with no clan affiliation.'

Sarinda says 'Before we go to her, I can offer some advice on some basic skills to study.'

Akella says 'Thank you, Sarinda Sedai. I have a room at the inn in Caemlyn. I saw a sign for Whitebridge. I will strike out tomorrow, if it pleases the Light.'

Sarinda nods in agreement.

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Epilogue:
After this lesson, Sarinda leads Akella south to Caemlyn, and then west through Four Kings and finally to Whitebridge. Just outside the gate, however, they are assaulted by a myrddraal known by the name of Byrg. Sarinda defends Akella with the One Power and sends her inside to Selanna to relative safety while she trades blows with the Eyeless.

There are neither beginnings nor endings to the Wheel of Time. But it was a beginning.

Aloisa
Posts: 968
Joined: Tue May 30, 2017 8:24 pm

Re: The Guiding River Banks

Post by Aloisa » Wed Jul 20, 2022 1:44 pm

Awarded Sarinda and Akella

Post Reply