Orientation (Attn: Wolfbrother Kronos)

[claireducky]

Roudal sighed and pushed away his papers as a group of new Recruits shouldered their way into his office. It seemed that in these troubled times, he saw a new bunch of them every day. They were usually a rag-tag bunch of young men, with the occasional woman-- searching for steady work and regular meals, something not easily found these days.

 

This bunch was no exception, comprised of a group of unruly looking boys. They laughed and playfully shoved each other, until Roudal was forced to clear his throat loudly. He was not amused by the antics of young bucks, not in the slightest. They quieted down, and Roudal addressed them in his no-nonsense manner.

 

"Right, so I imagine you lot are here to sign up to be Children. That's all well and good, but before you go rushing off to swear your oaths, first you must go through basic training as Recruits. This period is for you to be sure that you have made the right decision in joining us."

 

A few of the youths began to protest that they truly wanted to be Children, but Roudal cut them off with a raised hand.  "This period is also for us to decide if we truly want YOU in our ranks, as well."

 

The recruits quieted down, nodding solemnly. Good, at least this group doesn't have wool in their ears. He brought out his recruit book, setting the heavy tome on the table in front of him.

 

"Now, each of you will sign your name in the Recruit book for our records. If you cannot sign, let me know and I will sign your name for you. It is nothing to be ashamed of if you cannot read or write, and we will soon remedy that lack if you remain with us. After you have signed, you will report to the Quartermaster, across the courtyard," he said, pointing out one of the windows in his one-room office.

 

"The Quartermaster will fit you with armor and plain white cloaks-- you do not earn the Sunburst until after your Anointing. After that is done, you all will report back to the pavilion outside my office and take a seat on the benches there. At that point, I will give you your introduction class on this great organization, the Children of the Light."

 

OOC: Wolfbrother, please RP signing the book, receiving your armor and cloak, and then arriving back at the pavilion. At that point, I will begin your class.

 

Here is Roudal's Bio.

Edited February 2, 2013 by claireducky

[WolfbrotherKronos]

Kyle entered the office with the group of boys he had traveled with from Andor.  They were an unruly and social bunch.  It was hard for him to fit in, but some of them had accepted him as one of their own.  The boys pushed each other in a joking manner, and Kyle stayed out of it.  He tended to be serious and to him, this seemed like a serious moment.

 

Kyle took in the sights in the office.  Most prominent was the man behind the desk.  He was a heavyset man with a dark forked beard.  He had an air of no-nonsense about him.  Kyle listened as the man explained what it is that they needed to do and made a mental checklist to himself.  First he had to sign the book.  He was worried for a moment as he had never learned how to read and write, but the clerk said that wouldn't be an issue.  Then he had to report to the quartermaster to get his armor and cloak and then he had to return to the pavilion for a class.

 

Kyle remained silent during the clerk's speech and waited patiently while the other Andorans signed their name.  He then walked up to the clerk, looked at the book, and said, "I'm sorry sir, but I cannot read and write, but my name is Kyle Kirnan and I would like to sign up."

 

The clerk nodded at him and signed the book.  Kyle then left to go to the quartermaster.  The quartermaster sized him up and then handed him some armor and a white cloak.  He then headed to the pavilion.

 

Kyle started to move towards the back.  He would be comfortable there, but he was joining an army and thought that maybe he should try to become friends with some of these other recruits.  He then moved to the front row, taking a seat next to one of the Andorans and waited patiently for the orientation to start.

[claireducky]

Roudal returned to his paperwork until he began to see the new class of Recruits filter back into the pavilion outside. He pushed back from his desk and headed outside, pausing to grab a copy of The Way of the Light from a side table.

 

The recruits were chatting quietly on the benches, admiring each other in their shiny new armor. As Roudal approached the pavilion, they took notice of him and quieted down. Roudal stepped up to the table at the front of the pavilion, examining the recruits silently. He always wondered what the group in front of him would turn out to be-- grunts who did nothing with their career, or future Lords Captain?

 

He paid special notice to a few of them-- the tall black-haired Andoran in the front row was among those who could not read nor write. The boy seemed attentive enough now, so hopefully he would learn quickly. Roudal's students always learned in the end, although some took much longer than others. 

 

Roudal cleared his voice and lightly stroked his forked beard. "Welcome, to the Fortress of Light. As new recruits for the Children, this period of training is to help you determine your future with us-- if you will have one at all, that is. You see, we don't just take anyone into our ranks. We must be sure that you are truly dedicated to spreading our message."

 

He reached out and rested his hand upon the copy of Mantelar's book, laying on the table before him. "Some of you may know a little of the history of the Children, how and why we formed, and what we do. But most of what you have heard is probably not true, or only part of the story. So, let me give you a basic introduction."

 

"The inception of the Children of the Light dates back to the Hundred Years War, in which all lands fought for control of what remained of Artur Hawkwing’s empire. During that time, roughly 1020 FY, there was an order of priests from Amadacia, known simply as The Light. The knowledge of much of the order’s workings has since faded into history, but some is known about them. They were all pacifists, believing in silent meditation and prayers to the Creator above all else. They did not allow outsiders to enter their cloister, known as the Dome of Truth, and what they needed, they provided from within their own walls, becoming a small community unto themselves."

 

"Lothair Mantelar, a vocal young member of the group, started preaching that the order of priests should become more active in the current troubles. He believed that by spreading the message of peace instead of shutting themselves off in the Dome of Truth, the priests could make a difference in the war. He believed that another Trolloc war would come, and the nations divided as they were would fall one by one unless something was done to unite them. The older priests condemned Mantelar for his liberal thinking and were irate that a youngling would put himself forward as more wise than those members who had served for many years. The eldest among the priests wanted a reckoning, and the High Priest of the Light himself ruled on Mantelar’s case, banishing the boy from the Dome of Truth."  Roudal gestured to the Dome sitting in the distance behind the Recruits, who turned to look before returning their attention to him.

 

He continued, "And so Mantelar left the Dome and Amadicia, but he was not alone. Many of the younger members of the parish, those known to be in agreement with Mantelar’s liberal views, followed the banished priest out into a war torn world. The group traveled northward, stoping often to preach to the crowds of war-ravaged cities and encampments of refugees, and teach the people about the value of peace. In some places Mantelar’s message was accepted, but for the most part the priests were chased from town to town, sometimes even being forced to flee from angry mobs intent on killing them. There was little peace for the weary travelers, and much bloodshed. Over half of the men that left with Mantelar died on the journey north, and those that lived were aged tremendously by the struggle."

 

"A year later, Mantelar and the remainder of his group arrived in Andor, where instead of being chased off, they were welcomed by the Monarch. Queen Ishara ruled Andor at that time, and was widely known for her desire for peace. She accepted the men in to her homeland, and allowed them to preach behind the safety of Andoran guards. The priests became known as the Children of the Light, as they were literally young men cast out from The Light. In time, the priests became a powerful entity. Led by Mantelar, the group preached all throughout Andor. At that time, Mantelar also began to write a book based on the virtues put forward by the priests of The Light, adding to it the beliefs he held." Roudal held up the copy of The Way of the Light, before continuing on with his story.

 

"Though the priests were safe in Andor, Lothair believed that his true calling was to preach around the world. For this reason, Lothair and a now expanded group of priests, proudly calling themselves the Children, left the relative safety of Andor, and traveled east. The group planned to march from Caemlyn to Tar Valon, stopping to preach peace at every small hamlet they entered. At all stops, Lothair would speak to the people that had inevitably gathered to hear him preach, he also added a small segment to his book at each stop. He developed a following unmatched by any one of his era, and the Children of the Light grew. Because of the expanded size of the Children, they could not go anywhere peacefully. The large numbers attracted bands of warriors as a midden drew flies, and the Children’s trek to Tar Valon was streaked with blood. At first the priests had refused to commit acts of violence, but as they traveled and lost more and more men, they became less reserved."

 

"Eventually, the Children did reach Tar Valon, and by then they were being followed by one of the largest armies to gather since the death of Hawkwing. The army of Cairhein was neither small, nor particularly pleased by Lothair’s passage through their land, and they followed the Children to the island of Tar Valon. At that time, because of the war, there was only one bridge remaining into the city and many Aes Sedai guarded it. The Aes Sedai refused Lothair entrance into the city, claiming that he was stirring up dissension in the world. As a result of this act, Lothair and most of the Children of the Light were killed as the Cairheinen assaulted them from behind and trapped them with their backs to the river. It is from this act, and many others over the course of history-- that we know the Aes Sedai to be Darkfriends, because who else would let innocent men preaching for the Light be slaughtered like animals?"  At this point, Roudal paused for effect, noting the reactions of the men in front of him. Some appeared surprised, others angry or dismayed. Many did not know of the deceptions of the women of Tar Valon.

 

After giving a moment for the message to sink in, Roudal continued, "Some Children managed to escape, one being Lothair’s servant Arslan, who carried with him a copy of Lothair’s book. Arslan and the remainder of the Children returned to Andor, where they once again received shelter. Arslan took Lothair’s book, The Way of the Light, and released it to the masses, bringing new interest to the Children of the Light. Over the following years the Children grew and expanded, culminating in an organization that was a full-fledged military unit by the year FY 1111.This time around, the Children were warriors first, peacemakers second. They retook the Dome of Truth, long abandoned by the failed priests of The Light, and built a mighty Fortress around it. That is the Fortress of Light which you see today."

 

"Above all, they hated Darkfriends and other servants of the Shadow. They also hated Aes Sedai, and preached against them, blaming the Aes Sedai for the death of their founder, and claiming that such an act against peaceful missionaries named them as Darkfriends. After all, was it not the Aes Sedai who also Broke the World? For a few decades more, the Children worked hand-in-hand with the nation of Andor, with designs on bringing peace to the rest of the world, but the alliance was not destined to be permanent. Betrayal by the Queen led to bad blood between the fledgling military group and the great nation-- a disconnect that still has not been resolved to this day."

 

Setting the book down again, Roudal concluded this part of his lecture. "All this time, the Children have remained true to the original message of Lothair, despite our methods changing since his time. We are dedicated to bringing Truth and Light to the world, by defeating the Shadow wherever we encounter it. Our goal is simple -- we know that some day, the Last Battle will come, and if humankind is to survive, the nations of the world must be united under the Light to face it."

 

He pointed at the recruits, his voice growing firm. "You, you recruits-- YOU are the ones who will be responsible for carrying out that mission in the years to come. If your heart does not accept the message, or you feel yourself to be too weak to carry out your duty-- go, now. If anyone desires to leave, you may do so at any time during your basic training with no fear of persecution. But once you have taken your Oaths, you are ours-- for life. Anyone who deserts their post after taking up the mantle of a Child is dealt with harshly-- the penalty for desertion is death."

 

Roudal surveyed the faces of the crowd of recruits, looking for any sign of weakness, although it was impossible to tell for sure who would break and who would stand true. "I will pause now for a few minutes while you think on what I have said. Any who wish to leave, turn your armor back in to the Quartermaster before you go. You can get a hot meal from the kitchens, but then you must leave the Fortress."

 

He sat down in the chair behind the table with a heaving sigh, slightly out of breath from his long monologue. He wondered if any would leave this time. Sometimes there were none, other times, half the class would leave. Only time would tell.

 

 

OOC: Please RP listening to Roudal's speech on the history of the Children (you don't have to copy/paste the whole speech, by any means). Were there any sections your Character particularly responded to? What do they think about the Children now that they know their true history? What are their thoughts on their future as a Child of the Light?

Edited February 2, 2013 by claireducky

[WolfbrotherKronos]

Kyle remembered some of this from when he had spoken to the recruiters at the inn in Four Kings.  This was much more in depth though.  He listened with fascination in his eyes.  A scowl reached his face as Roudal began talking about the Aes Sedai.

 

How could they attack a peaceful people. This proves more than anything that the witches serve the Dark One. Kyle thought nodding as Roudal named them Darkfriends.

 

That brought Kyle to thinking about his past.  He had done some dark things too.  He had grown up on the street and had been forced to become a thief to survive.  Kyle felt the guilt rising inside of him.

 

Does that make me a darkfriend? he thought. No, that is nonsense.  I had been forced to do that to survive.  It doesn't mean I serve the Dark One, but it doesn't make it right either...

 

Kyle thought that he should maybe discuss this with one of the older and more experienced Children.  He might be able to make it right.

 

The more Kyle thought about it, the more he realized how much he felt at home here.  He had spent the last twelve years trying to find a place to fit in.  For once, he felt content, at home, and at peace.

 

He listened as Roudal said, "I will pause now for a few minutes while you think on what I have said. Any who wish to leave, turn your armor back in to the Quartermaster before you go. You can get a hot meal from the kitchens, but then you must leave the Fortress."

 

Kyle remained seated.  There was no way he was going to leave.  This would become his home.

[claireducky]

Roudal waited patiently for a few minutes as the new recruits reflected on what he'd said and talked quietly among themselves. He was pleased when none appeared to have second thoughts about their choices. He stood again behind the table, and the group quieted immediately.

 

"It is good that you have decided to remain. Remember, at any point during your recruitment period, you may leave of your free will. But once you have taken our vows, you belong to us, heart and soul." He nodded for emphasis, hoping to drive the point home. Nothing was more tragic than when a new Child had to be hanged for desertion mere weeks after taking his vows.

 

"Now that we have spoken of the history of this great organization, I will now give you an introduction into our ranks and divisions. The Children of the Light are divided into three major areas, each with a different focus and aim. Depending on your skills, you can choose to join any of these divisions that suits you best. While you may be 'guided' towards one or another by your advisors, we believe in free will and will not force you into a job that you feel unsuited for."

 

"The three divisions of the Children are the Army of the Light, the Hand of the Light, and the Eyes of the Light." Roudal ticked the divisions off with his fingers as he spoke.

 

"Now, the most well known of these three is the Army of the Light. It is our main military force, and contains the largest amount of our members. It is likely that many of you will find your way into the Army of Light. The entire Army is mounted, so you will learn to ride if you cannot already do so. Like most armies, we have units of lancers, swordsmen, bowmen and crossbowmen. If you enter the Army, you will be trained in one of these weapons. There are also many other duties for those in the Army. If you are a blacksmith, a cook, or a builder, then the Army is for you. Your skills will be put to good use in supporting our fighting regiments. If you perform well, you will advance in the ranks, perhaps to become a Hundredman, or even a Lord Captain someday."

 

Roudal noted that some of the Recruits sat up taller and traded small smiles with their friends as he talked of the Army. It was naturally the way of things; most men liked the glory of being in a fighting force. He pointed to the Dome of Truth behind them, and the recruits turned to look as he began to speak again.

 

"The Dome of Truth is the home of the Hand of the Light. They are known derisively in the world as our 'Questioners', but you would be wise to not use that term here. They call themselves 'The Hand that digs out Truth', and that should give you some idea of what they do. Their role is one of law and order, crime and punishment-- bringing Light where ever there is Shadow. Whenever someone is accused of a crime, their interrogations and investigations inevitably lead to the truth of the matter. When there is a dispute between two parties, they are often asked to arbitrate the issue. They are the closest thing we have to the original order of priests of The Light, and they can sometimes be found teaching the unenlightened about the words of Lothair Mantelar. Many of the uneducated fear them, but those who understand know that you only have to fear the Hand of the Light if you have something to hide. If you have an inquiring mind, a desire to help restore order, or a wish to bring justice to wrongdoers, then the path of the Hand is for you. If you excel at your duties, you may rise to be an Arbiter or even an Inquisitor during your career."

 

The group seemed more hushed during this section of his lecture, and with good reason. Roudal knew the rumors about the 'Questioners' were often unsavory, and would likely put off all but the most dedicated from joining.

 

"Finally, our third division is also our most unheralded. The Eyes of the Light is, for lack of a better term, our spies. They serve as scouts for our Army, and as a conduit of vital operational information to us. Due to their nature, not much of their division is revealed to outsiders, even within the ranks of the Children. If you take this path, you will learn of stealth and secrecy, politics and intrigue, disguise and deception. Our agents are stationed in all countries, providing us with intelligence that the Council of the Anointed uses to determine missions and policy for the entire organization. You will find a wide range of Children in their Ranks, though they are unlikely to let you know they are a member of the Eyes. You cannot mark them by insignia or any other device, as they appear to be like any other Child, while their true nature is a closely guarded secret. A wide range of people are found in their ranks, from former nobles to former thieves. If you have a capacity for politics, woodscraft, or making friends of strangers easily, then the Eyes of the Light is for you. If you do your duty exceptionally, you may find yourself promoted to be a Ranger or even a Spy."

 

Roudal paused, gauging the sun in the sky. It was near supper time, and these Recruits would undoubtedly be hungry soon. He turned back to the group assembled before him. "I have only one part of my lecture left, on the leadership of the Children. If you will excuse me a moment, I need to run a quick errand, and then I will return to finish your orientation."

 

He nodded curtly at them, then turned on his heel and walked as briskly as his bulk would allow toward the Kitchens.

 

OOC: Please RP your character listening to the descriptions of the three divisions. (no need to copy/paste the entire thing). What are his thoughts on each division? Is there one that he feels interest in more than the others? Is there one that he is not interested in at all?

Edited February 2, 2013 by claireducky

[WolfbrotherKronos]

Kyle waited patiently while Roudal paused.  Roudal waited to see if any among the group would leave.  Kyle looked around and saw that like him, all had remained in their seats.  Roudal seemed pleased.

 

Roudal continued talking.  This time he focused on the divisions of the Children of the Light and Kyle found himself surprised.  He had thought that the Army of the Light was it.  He listened intently as Roudal spoke of the Army of the Light.  He would have to learn how to ride a horse, but he felt as if he could manage and would be trained in one of several weapons.  When he came to Amador, Kyle thought that this is what he would be doing, and felt he would fit in there, but kept listening all the same.

 

Roudal then spoke of the Hand of the Light.  From what Kyle could understand, they seemed like a force of justice that made sure laws were upheld.  Kyle didn't know why, but he felt as if he wouldn't fit in there.

 

The next division was the Eyes of the Light.  They were spies.  Kyle thought much about this one.  He might be able to fit in there.  The skills he had developed as a beggar might come in handy for that type of role, but he still felt a stronger pull towards the Army of Light.

 

So, thought Kyle as Roudal explained that he needed to go on an errand and would be back soon. I should either join the Army or the Eyes.  I will keep an open mind and ask for the advice of the instructors before making a decision.

[claireducky]

Roudal returned to the pavilion, the arrangements made. The recruits ceased their conversations and turned their attention to him.

 

"Well, I only have one more thing to cover, and that is the leadership structure within the Children. If you are to make it through your training successfully, you will need to know who to defer to, and when."

 

"The Children are led by the Lord Captain Commander. He is the absolute leader of us all, and handles the day-to-day running of the Children. If you are ever called to his presence, remember that no swords are allowed while you are near him. One unfortunate Child was called to serve the Lord Captain Commander supper one evening, about a week after he had taken his vows. He forgot the rule against wearing a sword, and he spent a week under the careful questioning of the Hand of the Light before they determined that he had made a mistake and was not an assassin sent by the Tar Valon witches."

 

The recruits looked at each other nervously, no doubt imagining themselves in the same position if they put a foot wrong. Roudal stifled a smile-- my, but it was easy to put the fear into the new ones.

 

"The Hand of the Light is led by the High Inquisitor. He is responsible for all of the Children in the Hand, and is a step below the Lord Captain Commander himself. You would be wise to give him a wide berth, as he brooks no nonsense in the ranks. Under the High Inquisitor, the Inquisitors are the 3rd Tier of officers, the Arbiters are the 2nd Tier, and Seekers are the name for the newest Children to join the Hand."

 

"The Army of the Light is led by the Lords Captain, of which there are 13. Each Lord Captain commands around a Legion of soldiers for the Light. There are many intermediate ranks, but the main ones you should know are the Captains, which are the 3rd Tier of officers, the Hundredman, which are the 2nd Tier, and the basic soldiers in the Army are simply known as Child."

 

"The Eyes of the Light are commanded by the Spymaster. His identity is only known to the Lord Captain Commander, but the Spymaster controls the actions of the Eyes completely, through the use of intermediaries, coded notes and messages. Under the Spymaster, the Spies are the 3rd Tier of officers, Rangers comprise the 2nd Tier, and new Children of the Eyes are known as Scouts."

 

Roudal paused a moment, wiping his brow with a handkerchief before continuing.  "The Council of the Anointed is a group of our top leaders, who meet on occasion to decide policy or major issues for the Children. They are made of the Lord Captain Commander, the 13 Lords Captain, and the High Inquisitor."

 

"That concludes your orientation into the Children. I have arranged for supper to be served to you all in the Kitchens, over there," he said, pointing towards a low whitewashed building to their East.  "After your dinner, someone will assign you temporary sleeping quarters. If anyone has an questions on what I have covered, please feel free to ask me now; I will linger here for a few minutes before heading to supper myself. Otherwise, go in the Light."

 

OOC: If your character has any questions, now is the time to ask them.  We will start a new thread for your welcoming dinner!

[WolfbrotherKronos]

Kyle took in the rest of the orientation and was excited to hear that supper would soon be had.  He had gotten used to having three meals a day and had put on some weight since he started traveling with the recruits, but he was feeling pretty hungry right now.  He had one question for the clerk, so he waited until some of them had cleared out and approached the clerk.

 

"Excuse me sir.  You mentioned the possibility of learning how to read and write.  I would like to learn if possible."

 

OOC: You don't need to respond to this, but I'm leaving it open for another potential RP for him - learning how to read and write.

[claireducky]

Roudal looked up as one of the Recruits approached him. It was the black-haired Andoran he had noted earlier. The young man shuffled his feet a bit as he asked, "Excuse me sir.  You mentioned the possibility of learning how to read and write.  I would like to learn if possible."

 

Ah. Well, it is a good sign he is showing initiative.

 

He nodded at the man and replied, "Yes, that can be taken care of-- Kyle, was it? Yes, we can start your lessons soon, even on the morrow, if you like. I will make sure you are literate, boy, no doubt about that. After your basic training session is done tomorrow morning, report here to my office and we will begin. I'll put in a word with your officer, so they know not to schedule you scrubbing pots or digging latrines all afternoon."

 

Roudal gathered up his things, and bid the man farewell. "I must be going now; I have some more paperwork to attend to before I can eat. I will see you on the morrow."