Wheel of Time MUD

Paid out for these in cash: 1050 gcs.

POV: Zoeargos
Main Character: Mindy
Main Character: Zoeargos
Letter Recipient: Relena Sedai

Relena Sedai,

I am writing to you from the Saldaean capitol of Maradon and hope my letter finds you well! It is not often a simple seeker of adventure would have an occasion to correspond with a member of the White Tower, but I felt compelled to tell you a story for I know that the Tower is in need of young ladies whose mettle has been sifted and found worthy to lead us into a battle that is both coming and here.

I sent messages by post to acquaintances in Tar Valon and Tear in search of a spear I had heard was available there. How the encounter occured, I know not, but I received back a letter from an accepted, Mindy, who would be journeying to Maradon. She had somehow found out about my need and offered to assist me in locating a mahogany spear. Knowing how busy Ladys of the Tower are in their attempts to preserve our way of life in ways hidden from the likes of me, I accepted on the condition that if I was too much of a burden or if a pressing need developed elsewhere that she depart at once with my blessing.

She arrived much faster than I expected, but when dealing with Aes Sedai, expectations are often misguided. She said that there was a small raiding party in the sevannah south and east of Maradon and that I could assist her in some small way dispatching them and also gain a spear as part of the spoils.

On our journey south she pointed out a small town and a land where Ogiers often help fight against the Shadow along with forests where even the trees will assist. When we finally arrived where the enemy had set up camp, Mindy led the charge. I admit to being a young man raised in old fashioned ways but when she made the enemy swing wildly as if blind, I quickly lost my preconceived notions and using my spear assisted Mindy as much as possible, which wasn't much and seemed almost trivial. Once I had possession of my mahogany spear, we headed back north towards Maradon. Mindy informed me that honing and hardening my new spear would be a necessity if I am to survive and offered cash to me for the blacksmith. We also ridded the countryside east of Maradon of a several bandits making passage safer for travellers and adding to my cash supply which Mindy then supplemented.

As we arrived in Maradon, Mindy received word of a massive onslaught by the Shadow and, as I expected, left to assist those in battle.
I hope these words aid in deciding how Mindy can best serve the tower. This young adventurer will always fondly recall the girl from Murandy with the curly brown hair whose beauty and courage in battle were an inspiration.

I hear of a class in combat that she may offer in the White Tower for those such as myself. I hope to attend so that this young warrior can perhaps learn more about the ways of defeating the Shadow.

And perhaps just have a cup of tea with the charming lass before returning to Maradon.

By my hand,

Zoeargos

Wow! I must say that such compliments were unexpected. I thank you for the time you spent to draft the missive, and for sending it directly to Relena Sedai. I do hope that your travels have fared you well since our meeting, and your spear has kept its edge keen. If you happen to find yourself in another situation where assistance is needed, all you need is to ask, and if I'm available, I will be there. Thank you again.

-Mindy the Tower Accepted
Green Ajah Apprentice

Main Character: Zoeargos
Other Characters: Relena, Mindy, Draz, Tolza

Diary:

Finding my way from the inn to the Tower was obviously very easy as it is the focal point of this entire island. Once inside, I encountered a maze. Knowing though that Accepted Mindy was pursuing a life among the Green Ajah, I circled back and forth along corridors until I saw one that sported tapestries of battle and accents of green. I saw a young lady slip into what appeared to be a large room at the far end of the corridor so I quickened my pace knowing that the gong for the half hour had sounded.

When I reached the door, my hand came up quickly to rap for entrance and just as quickly halted. What am I doing? Still young in this world and here in the seat of the powers that pulled the strings of governments near and far, I was about to request entrance to a room full of Aes Sedai and those hoping to one day become one. My hesitation was brief though for even at my young age, I have seen limbs dismembered by the armies of the dark one.

Youthful exuberance and a desire to learn quickly overcame my hesitancy and although the thoughts going through my head seemed to occupy me for 5 minutes or more, in actuality, no more than 5 seconds passed as my hand rapped on the door. Relena Sedai answered and looked at me with some amusment and perhaps a brief arch of the eyebrows. Hoping she had read my correspondence and would allow entrance, she did allow me to stay if I kept myself from being a nuisance. I moved to a corner of the room and observed that although I was slightly late, the class had not yet started.

As my eyes ran across the room, I saw several young ladies aspiring to learn the ways of combat. Some I am certain have never faced a trolloc. Having seen a few Aes Sedai in my lifetime, I somewhat chuckled as I observed some novices entering even after I did, even after the class started. I sure would hate to be Tolza and those others as I am sure their chores would be doubled this evening. I also noticed a Warder, Draz, who upon my entrance gave me such a look that I immediately knew to remove my spear from my hand!

The class proceeded along and I learned many things. Things that will help me in the battles I know I will face in the times to come which I will not pen here for battle strategies need not be known should this document ever fall into the wrong hands.

Throughout the class I observed many novices and accepted ignore the requests made by the warder and the instructor of the class to listen attentively. Many chose to eat and drink right in the middle of class against the admonitions of the warder and instuctor! Then as the class continued, hands were raised interrupting the class flow as the Accepted Mindy had to again remind them to keep questions until the end. The most amusing where those still carrying lanterns! It was hard to keep silence at such disrespect but I knew it would be addressed at a later time and that one day, one of these novices and accepted would perhaps come to my aid thanks to the training they receive here.

I had no idea that the White Tower trained so well though as once those destined to become Aes Sedai know very well how to conduct themselves in a proper manner!

At the end of the class, I thanked the Accepted Mindy and the Warder Draz for their valuable insights. I looked around for Relena to offer my gratitude for allowing me to attend, but she was no where to be found, already addressing some of that misconduct I observed!

Now after a nice meal here at the inn and having penned these letters, I plan to retire for the night. I have a long journey ahead of me as I mean to make my way to Baerlon and meet up with a retired miner there my father knew.

POV Zoeargos
Minor Character: Vannor

Diary Entry:

The trip to Baerlon proved uneventful enough. The old miner there knew my dad from way back. I knew only of my life being raised in Illian as dad talked little of life before. Apparently when I was 6 years old my dad uprooted the family and we moved from our farm in northern Saldaea outside Maradon by a days journey when the weather cooperated, with dad wishing to go as far south as land would take him. While I was apprenticed to the miner I learned several things about my dad I did not know . He had fought against the Aiel, gaining so much respect for them and from them that he gave up on the way of the sword and mastered the spear among them. An incredible feat knowing what I do of the fierceness of the Aiel. Perhaps that is why from my youngest days, I have worked with spears and staves. Mostly combined with a shield but have some knowledge of larger 2 handed spears.

At the end of my apprenticeship, my new friend, the old miner informed me that my training was behind me and I must venture forth into the world. Because he knew of my father my training was free, so I collected my belongings and headed south into the Mountains of Mist. I knew of a mine in the Black Hills area but wanted to mine undisturbed by beasts out of the north. Apparently those same beasts had scarred my mother's face on one of my last nights in Maradon. Another event the miner told me of that I shall pen at another time so that it is not lost to memory.

The mines were hard to find but I finally located them. The miners were welcoming and I was willing to work for my share but the mine guards would have none of it. 2 attacked me and died for their actions. Death is not an outcome I take lightly, preferring the way of the leaf as a philosophy mostly obtained from dad, but knowing the way of the spear for pragmatic reasons. Having obtained some Iron Ore, I returned to Baerlon and the miner set me towards a village in Tarendale, without my map in front of me, it is hard to remember the actual spelling but there I found a grand master of smelting and learned to make iron bars. From there I made it back to my childhood home of Maradon that I now know by only second hand memories although while there I encountered those who knew our family name and asked of ma and pa. There I learned the ways of making chainmail and spears. After trying my hand at a couple of items I headed south for adventure. I heard of a great battle happening in Tanchico but was unable to make it there before it ended. On my travels trying to find Tanchico with only a known general direction, I happened upon several muscular men. Very aggressive but I could find no reason why they were that way as there was nothing in their region of the world worth having.

Finally, I reached Amador and as I headed in the gates weary and seeking shelter, the dark friend Vannor attacked me such that flames appeared all around me. He tried holding the gate shut but in his haste to cut me down with his use of tainted saiden, the door opened and my bloodstock stallion knew the way to go.

Finally I entered the inn, ordered dinner and ale to the room and wrote these letters. Hopefully the next day will be more mundane as I have been speaking to Wisdoms, Ogiers, and Woodsmen along my journeys and expect to spend some time gathering herbs to make items of peace. The way of the leaf and the way of the spear. It is a balance after all and perhaps I can also save lives.

Zoeargos