Intro to Saidar Class: Att Wilemi

[Elgee]

Esther entered the small class she had booked for this lesson, and rather nervously seated herself. Her meeting with Wilemi on the previous two days had been informal, only a matter of showing the girl around the Tower and making sure she understood the rules and regulations. This, however, would be a formal teacher and pupil situation as opposed to those more informal ones, hence her choice of setting. In fact, this was her first time acting as a teacher, since her recent raising to Accepted. She hoped she did not mess this up!

 

She smoothed her banded dress over her knees as Wilemi entered, and bade the child to sit down. Child. Strange, only a few weeks ago, everyone was calling her that. Esther tried to assume the dignity of an Aes Sedai as she addressed her first student.

 

“Before we get started I must explain to you a few rules. Do not, ever, touch the Source, or channel, without proper supervision. If you have already started channelling, you will stop today, unless told to do so by an Accepted or an Aes Sedai. If anyone catches you violating this rule, you will be sent to the Mistress of Novices, and your punishment will be severe!” She paused to make sure Wilemi had taken her warning to heart.

 

“There is a very good reason for this, Wilemi,” she told the studious girl, not without sympathy. She knew full well how difficult it was to refrain, once you had a taste of Saidar. "You don't have the discipline to control Saidar or to attempt to channel it safely. The feeling when you embrace the source is so immense and addictive that you can very easily take in more than you can safely handle. The consequences of doing so are bad … very bad …” Esther shuddered at the thought. “You could hurt or kill others, or yourself, or even worse, you could burn the ability right out of yourself! Only an Aes Sedai or Accepted can moderate the amount you attempt to handle and ensure that your flows do not lash out of control. This is for your safety, and the safety of everyone around you. Plus, Larindhra Sedai will strip your hide off you, even if by some miracle of the Light you have not done any damage! Control of yourself and your ability is the most important thing you will learn here at the Tower. It will take years and years of effort and discipline, which will start in this course and continue even after you are raised to an Aes Sedai. Learning never ends. Remember that and you will do well here, Wilemi." She smiled at the girl in what she hoped was an encouraging way, then stood and assumed a lecturing pose, as she’d seen so many Accepted do.

 

"The first thing you need to do, before you actually start learning how to Channel, is learn about what it is you are going to be dealing with. The One Power is classified in two ways. Saidar is the female half of the One Power, Saidin the male half. Only two to three percent of all the people in the known world have the ability to touch the One Power. When a person draws from the One Power and controls its flow to produce a desired result this is called channelling. What is Saidar exactly? Well, many people would give you many different answers to this question. What it seems to be is the very essence of energy in all things, in all life around us. A Sister channelling takes threads of that energy, the One Power, and weaves them to perform various tasks. The five threads of the One Power are Air, Water, Fire, Spirit, and Earth. Those people who have the ability to channel typically have a greater natural ability to deal with one or two of the different threads. Some rare individuals exhibit a great ability with three of the threads. Even during the Age of Legends, according to tomes we have, it was extremely rare to find someone who could handle four of the threads very strongly, let alone all five elements."

 

"In most cases, men were more adept with Fire and Earth, while women were more talented with Air and Water. Both are equally strong in Spirit it seems. Do not let this mislead you. Many girls believe just because men are usually stronger in Fire and Earth that they are stronger over all? This isn't always true. As you will learn in future classes the powers of Spirit, Air, and Water are formidable and should not be discounted. Use of the One Power is addictive. Channelling makes the person feel more alive, such that life without touching either Saidin or Saidar seems only a pale shade of what life should be. It is for this reason that channelling is dangerous - drawing too much of the One Power can at the least sear the ability to channel out of a person, at the worst it can kill. The feeling is very sweet and powerful that you will experience. You must learn how to remain strong in the face of that temptation. That is why girls who can learn to channel are brought here. Even if they do not desire to rise to the shawl, or do not have the inner strength needed to gain it, they must still learn to control the urges lest they hurt themselves or those around them. There have been many times in the history of the Tower when Aes Sedai have been cut off from the One Power as a punishment. This process is known as severing." Esther handed Wilemi a parchment she had prepared beforehand.

 

"These are the names of every Sister who has been Stilled in the History of the Tower and why. Memorize them. Go to the library, research each case, and write me an essay on them. Remember - only by keeping in mind our past mistakes can we succeed in not repeating them. Learn from them so you do not have to pay the price they did for foolishness. The day after tomorrow, we will meet here again for your first lesson in Saidar – you will hand me the essay then.” Esther nodded to Wilemi in her best imitation of a regal manner, then strode out of the classroom. She didn’t have gliding down pat, yet.

 

 

Esther Tremaine

Accepted

 

 

Ooc: Describe how your character feels about what she’s hearing, how this lesson compares with what she was expecting Novice training to be, and her research in the library.  Have fun!

 

As discussed, we are doing this in 5 posts each, so your first two posts together only need to add up to 250 words. Your 3rd, 4th and 5th posts must each be 250 words minimum

 

[Arani Lepenque Aes Sedai]

Wilemi hurried into the class, her arms just managing to hold on to the load of manuscripts and books that she had borrowed from the White Tower library. A roll of paper slipped off and fell with a thud to the ground.  Cursing mentally, she hurried to a nearby desk, grabbed the roll, and threw it on the table hurriedly and immediately curtsied to Esther.  She had liked Accepted Esther on first sight, and hoped to make a good impression in this first lesson, concious of the banded hem that Esther was wearing.

 

"Sit down child."  said Esther soothingly.  “Before we get started I must explain to you a few rules. Do not, ever, touch the Source, or channel, without proper supervision. If you have already started channelling, you will stop today, unless told to do so by an Accepted or an Aes Sedai. If anyone catches you violating this rule, you will be sent to the Mistress of Novices, and your punishment will be severe!”

 

Wilemi nodded inwardly.  That was one of the rules that Estean had ingrained in her.  NEVER channel or even attempt to embrace the source without guidance or permission, Wilemi.  This is for your own good and safety.  And I don't just mean punishment.  I know one girl who lost her ability by trying to embrace too much.  Estean had shuddered then.  Wilemi did not really understand the significance until she had had her first taste on the True Source

 

To be permenantly severed from it did not bear thinking about after that.

 

“There is a very good reason for this, Wilemi.  You don't have the discipline to control Saidar or to attempt to channel it safely. The feeling when you embrace the source is so immense and addictive that you can very easily take in more than you can safely handle. The consequences of doing so are bad … very bad … You could hurt or kill others, or yourself, or even worse, you could burn the ability right out of yourself! Only an Aes Sedai or Accepted can moderate the amount you attempt to handle and ensure that your flows do not lash out of control. This is for your safety, and the safety of everyone around you. Plus, Larindhra Sedai will strip your hide off you, even if by some miracle of the Light you have not done any damage! Control of yourself and your ability is the most important thing you will learn here at the Tower. It will take years and years of effort and discipline, which will start in this course and continue even after you are raised to an Aes Sedai. Learning never ends. Remember that and you will do well here, Wilemi."

 

Esther gave Wilemi as smile that Wilemi took to be encouraging, and that started to lecture about the One Power.

 

"The first thing you need to do, before you actually start learning how to Channel, is learn about what it is you are going to be dealing with. The One Power is classified in two ways. Saidar is the female half of the One Power, Saidin the male half. Only two to three percent of all the people in the known world have the ability to touch the One Power. When a person draws from the One Power and controls its flow to produce a desired result this is called channelling. What is Saidar exactly? Well, many people would give you many different answers to this question. What it seems to be is the very essence of energy in all things, in all life around us. A Sister channelling takes threads of that energy, the One Power, and weaves them to perform various tasks. The five threads of the One Power are Air, Water, Fire, Spirit, and Earth. Those people who have the ability to channel typically have a greater natural ability to deal with one or two of the different threads. Some rare individuals exhibit a great ability with three of the threads. Even during the Age of Legends, according to tomes we have, it was extremely rare to find someone who could handle four of the threads very strongly, let alone all five elements."

 

"In most cases, men were more adept with Fire and Earth, while women were more talented with Air and Water. Both are equally strong in Spirit it seems. Do not let this mislead you. Many girls believe just because men are usually stronger in Fire and Earth that they are stronger over all? This isn't always true. As you will learn in future classes the powers of Spirit, Air, and Water are formidable and should not be discounted. Use of the One Power is addictive. Channelling makes the person feel more alive, such that life without touching either Saidin or Saidar seems only a pale shade of what life should be. It is for this reason that channelling is dangerous - drawing too much of the One Power can at the least sear the ability to channel out of a person, at the worst it can kill. The feeling is very sweet and powerful that you will experience. You must learn how to remain strong in the face of that temptation. That is why girls who can learn to channel are brought here. Even if they do not desire to rise to the shawl, or do not have the inner strength needed to gain it, they must still learn to control the urges lest they hurt themselves or those around them. There have been many times in the history of the Tower when Aes Sedai have been cut off from the One Power as a punishment. This process is known as severing."

 

Wilemi then took a piece of parchment that Esther gave to her, and studied it.  It gave a list of names and actions.  She half listened to Esther while the other part was absorbed in reading it.  "These are the names of every Sister who has been Stilled in the History of the Tower and why. Memorize them. Go to the library, research each case, and write me an essay on them. Remember - only by keeping in mind our past mistakes can we succeed in not repeating them. Learn from them so you do not have to pay the price they did for foolishness. The day after tomorrow, we will meet here again for your first lesson in Saidar – you will hand me the essay then.”

 

After that, Esther left.

 

Wilemi Kailadel

Scholar of the Five

[Elgee]

Esther was quite pleased with the progress her first ever student was making. It had only been a few weeks, but the girl was finding it less and less difficult to embrace the Source. She had high hopes that Wilemi would be able to do so at will, any day now. Very high hopes indeed! It was therefore with a smile that she entered the secluded garden she had picked for today’s session, and greeted Wilemi.

 

“Already here, I see? Good. We can get started right away then.” She bade Wilemi to take a seat on a bench once the girl had curtsied and murmured a greeting. A novice curtsying to her still caused her to want to grin. Maybe in time she would get used to that, and take it as her due. Hopefully never unearned, though, she thought as she moved to a bench opposite her student. Seating herself, she folded her hands in her lap and gave Wilemi a serene smile.

 

“Now remember, Saidar is like a calmly flowing river, as long as you do not try to force it. You must remain calm at all times, and just guide. Well, once you are able to embrace the source at will. Let’s try that now, shall we? You’ve come very close in the last few days.” She nodded encouragingly. “Imagine the rose bud. See every petal of the flower. You ARE the flower. Imagine the bud ope … well done!” Esther exclaimed in her excitement, as Wilemi embraced the source much quicker than she ever had before. “Now just feel the flow of Saidar through you. Don’t try to do anything yet, just feel it. Later on we’ll move onto the different elements, like Fire or Wa…”

 

Esther let out a shrill shriek as the bottom of her banded dress suddenly started smouldering, then burning in earnest. She beat at the tiny flames, forgetting in her shock that she could smother them with Earth or douse them with Water. “Wilemi!” Esther’s voice came out as a high yelp. “Release the Source!” Her yelps turned into wails when Wilemi only stared at her with huge shocked eyes. The dress had burned to well above her knees before her wits returned. A hastily spun weave of Spirit cut Wilemi off from the source as a shower of water drenched Esther from head to toe.

 

Wiping her dripping hair out of her face, Esther glared at Wilemi. “Didn’t I tell you not to try anything?” She wanted to lambast the silly child further, but she well remembered her first time channelling. Poor Deanne was still wary of thunderclouds. Beside, Wilemi had been a model student so far – it wasn’t her fault things had gotten out of hand – Esther should have been prepared for something like this. Her slight flush turned into a fiery blush when she saw the state of her dress. The front now stopped well above her knees! “I can’t walk back to my room like this!” Scuttling to the nearest bush, Esther crouched behind it, whilst wailing at Wilemi in a low voice filled with embarrassment. “Go fetch me a cloak from my room. And run, child!” Nervously looking around, Esther hid behind her bush and prayed to the Light that no Aes Sedai saw her like this. If the Mistress of Novices got to hear how badly Esther controlled one student, she’d never allow her to teach a full class!

 

 

Esther Tremaine

Accepted

 

[Arani Lepenque Aes Sedai]

She had been at this for a few weeks already.  Rushing into the gardens, Wilemi dropped a stack of books onto a nearby bench and curtsied.  She was fustrated at how slow she was progressing, although Esther had been assuring her that she was making much faster progress than most other Novices this young.  She supposed it was because of prior experience that she had had before she had arrived at the White Tower.  She certainly was doing better than Nenen, who was still struggling.  But Nesyer was catchin up rapidly with her.  Nesyer's potential outshone hers by some, but Wilemi was determined that she would make her own name.

 

"Now remember, Saidar is like a calmly flowing river, as long as you do not try to force it. You must remain calm at all times, and just guide. Well, once you are able to embrace the source at will. Let's try that now, shall we? You've come very close in the last few days. Imagine the rose bud. See every petal of the flower. You ARE the flower. Imagine the bud ope … well done!"

 

Wilemi had blushed at the compliment that Esther had given her, for she had thought that she was progressing rather slowly.  She was trying as hard as she could though.  That must count for something...

 

Then, when Esther had told her to imagine the bud, the flower had immediately popped into her head, and sunlight had flowed through her.  She felt Saidar well up in her.  Incredulous, she was stumped for a few moments, then overjoyed.  She had finally done it.  After days, maybe weeks of hard effort.  She had done it!  She had embraced Saidar on first try, almost at once.  She was so elated, she twitched, wanting to jump up and down, dancing with the thrill of life that was filtering through her by virtue of her connection to the Power.

 

A flame popped into her mind, right there and then, while she was staring at Esther, her eyes wide and rapturous.  And suddenly, something happened, some thread seemed to sweep down from the sky and hit Esther's dress, which immediately began to smoke.  Stunned, she watched as the smoke grew.  When Esther started noticing it, she started to shriek and tried to smother it out.  Wilemi tried to stop what she was doing.  She tried to release the source, but she did not know how.  She pushed it away, but it only served to make the flames bigger.  She started to panic, the flames had started to burn in earnest.  What was she to do?  How?  And suddenly, she felt something else happening, and something blocked her off.

 

She fell off the bench she was sitting on in shock, when she had got up, Esther was glaring at her.  "Didn't I tell you not to try anything?  I can't walk back to my room like this!" Scuttling to the nearest bush, Esther crouched behind it, whilst fairly hissing at Wilemi. "Go fetch me a cloak from my room. And run, child, NOW!"

 

Tears sprang to Wilemi's eyes in shame as she rushed out of the gardens and up the Towers, running past Aes Sedai, who stared in amazement as she rushed past them without curtsying.  She had not meant to do it.  She did not know what to do.  This wasn't fair.  Nenen started at the sight of her crying, but Wilemi brushed off Nenen and ran on to Esther's rooms, where she got a cloak, and ran back down, her sides burning, to the secluded gardens, to Esther.

 

Wilemi Kailadel

Scholar of the Five

Confused and Frightened

[Elgee]

Esther sat placidly at her small desk, waiting for Wilemi to arrive for her lesson. Nothing disturbed Esther for long – her nature was too phlegmatic for that. All the same, she had thought it best to conduct this class in as private a place as possible, lest the … mishap of the previous one be repeated. Her cheeks flushed slightly as she remembered having to explain to Larindhra Sedai why she needed a new dress and shift. Much to Esther’s surprise, the Mistress of Novices had burst out laughing instead of upbraiding her for not keeping proper control of her student. And then she had given Esther the loveliest smile, when Esther hastened to assure her that it was not Wilemi’s fault. Strange, that, mused Esther as she rearranged the plate of honey cakes and beaker of fruit punch obtained from one of the friendly cooks who always slipped her a little extra. The smell of the honey cakes suffused the room, giving it a homely feel. She was about to check – again - that the glasses were really clean, when a knock sounded at the door.

 

She got up to open the door herself, and found a rather nervous looking Wilemi, shuffling slightly from foot to foot. “Come in and take a seat on the stool, Wilemi.” Esther gave the girl a hesitant pat on the shoulder and smiled, a bit stiffly, but it was more warmth than she usually showed. “Today’s lesson is going to be a bit difficult for you, so I thought we would have it here where it’s nice and private.” She saw Wilemi’s nose twitch, and her smile became a little bit easier. “Also, this way we won’t have to share the treats. You will get one every time you succeed. Now let’s get started.”

 

She waited for Wilemi to make herself as comfortable as possible on the simple backless chair. "Today’s lesson is about control.  Not only of yourself, but also of the One Power. For an Aes Sedai, control will be an integral part of everything you do.  As the Source will be a big part of your life as well, it is essential that you learn control of it.  The most widely used technique for controlling the Source is called Pushing and Pulling. The objective is to embrace and hold the Source, but hold it as far away from you as you can without releasing it. This discipline will help you to back off from the Source before you reach a level you cannot control. This will also help you when it comes time to learn linking in your later studies."

 

"I want you to close your eyes and relax, then picture yourself as the flower bud again. Once the light of the sun has hit it and it has opened, just hold yourself there." Esther watched with satisfaction as the glow of Saidar winked into being around Wilemi and held steady. "Now imagine the sun’s rays being filtered by a cloud passing in front of it. As the light from the sun is diminished on the flower, so should your hold on the Source. Push it away from you, while still maintaining contact. The sun still provides heat behind the cloud, just as the Source can still flow into you at a smaller rate. To pull it back into you fully again, imagine the cloud drifting away from the sun, and the full light and heat back on the flower. Take care not to make the cloud move too quickly, as snapping it back can hurt." Esther watched Wilemi intently. As expected, the girl was struggling to push the Source away, which was not surprising; willingly giving up that wondrous feeling was the hardest thing for a Channeler to do. Her eyes brightened as she saw the glow diminishing ever so slightly around Wilemi. “Well done!” Reaching behind her, she took one of the honey cakes and handed it to Wilemi with a small grin. “Rest a moment while you eat that.”

 

Once Wilemi had finished, she continued. “That was very hard to do, wasn’t it? I could see how you were struggling.” She nodded at Wilemi’s surprised look. “Oh yes - female channelers know when you are holding the Source.  It appears to us as a glow around you, like a nimbus.  As you become more practiced at channelling, you will also begin to see the glow around others.   My point is this: you will always be tempted to hold the Source simply to feel the joy of it, but that is being weak of mind.  It is an addiction, and if you cannot struggle against it then will not learn how to control it. In the end you will most likely burn yourself out or die.” Esther watched Wilemi’s face go pale as the import of her words registered.

 

“You understand now why this lesson is so important? Good – so please close your eyes again and concentrate." She made Wilemi practice for most of the class, giving her another cake every time she succeeded in pushing the Source away. Satisfied eventually that the girl had a good understanding of what to do, she instructed her to take a break again and poured them both some of the cool fruit punch.  After a few minutes, Esther continued with the final part of the lesson.

 

“In order to weave you must know what the elements are. The five elements are Air, Water, Fire, Earth, and Spirit. I’m going to show you which threads are which.” Esther embraced the Source and wove strands of all five elements together into a thick rope.  The threads wrapped tightly around each other in a spiral pattern; each thread stood out clearly. “You can see that each one is a different colour, and you’ll soon learn that the feel different too. Air is Blue, Water is Green, Spirit is White, Fire is Red and Earth is Brown.” She shifted her chair and told Wilemi to move over until they were sitting side by side. “Now I want you to point out each element for me in that rope to me.” She had Wilemi practice this for almost a candle mark, until the novice managed to point each one out instantly, no mater what weave she used, then dismissed her for the day.

 

 

Esther Tremaine

Accepted

Novices are just like puppies, aren’t they?

 

 

OOC: Write about meeting me at my room in the Accepted Quarters. RP how it feels to Push and Pull the Source.  RP identifying the threads with me. Which ones are easiest for you to identify?  Which ones are hardest? Realize this is not a statement of which element you’re strongest with according to your OP score but which comes to you easiest right now. Keep in mind that Fire and Earth will probably be most difficult for you.

 

What is your physical body doing when you pick out the threads? Some Aes Sedai find physical movements help them with working in the power. Perhaps you make gestures with your hands or maybe you have to think about something (like the calming exercise) to keep your concentration.

 

[Arani Lepenque Aes Sedai]

Wilemi knocked on the door hesitantly, afraid of what she would find.  She hoped that Esther had moved on from that disastrous incident yesterday, whereby she had accidentally set Esther's dress alight with what she had deduced was a weave of Fire.  After checking up on a book of the Five Powers from the library, she had wondered why she had woven Fire, particularly as female channelers were weak in Fire.  Going through the records of strength listings of the Five Powers, she had noticed that there were several Aes Sedai, and that included several still living, that some had talents in one or both of the Male Powers, Earth and Fire.

 

It would have been interesting if it hadn't been for that incident.  To her relief, nothing untoward happened this time.

 

Esther opened the door, and Wilemi shuffled guiltily from foot to foot.  Esther beckoned her in and motioned her to sit on one of the stools in the class, with a pat on the back.  With that, Wilemi was slightly more reassured that all had been forgiven from yesterday.  Esther also told her that every time she did well, she would get a treat, namely the honey cakes that she put in a plate in the room.  Wilemi's nose twitched as she relaxed and breathed in the scent of honey.  Sweet and comforting.  It made the room ... homey, somehow.

 

Sitting on the stool, Wilemi looked at Esther, who started the lecture.

 

"Today’s lesson is about control.  Not only of yourself, but also of the One Power. For an Aes Sedai, control will be an integral part of everything you do.  As the Source will be a big part of your life as well, it is essential that you learn control of it.  The most widely used technique for controlling the Source is called Pushing and Pulling. The objective is to embrace and hold the Source, but hold it as far away from you as you can without releasing it. This discipline will help you to back off from the Source before you reach a level you cannot control. This will also help you when it comes time to learn linking in your later studies."

 

Linking?  That was something new.  She would go to the library and learn about it later.  And come to Esther if she had any questions about linking.  Then, when she heard the other earlier bit, she blushed, remembering that fiasco.

 

"I want you to close your eyes and relax, then picture yourself as the flower bud again. Once the light of the sun has hit it and it has opened, just hold yourself there."

 

With some trepidation, Wilemi embraced the source.  It came towards her instantly, filling her with europhia.

 

"Now imagine the sun’s rays being filtered by a cloud passing in front of it. As the light from the sun is diminished on the flower, so should your hold on the Source. Push it away from you, while still maintaining contact. The sun still provides heat behind the cloud, just as the Source can still flow into you at a smaller rate. To pull it back into you fully again, imagine the cloud drifting away from the sun, and the full light and heat back on the flower. Take care not to make the cloud move too quickly, as snapping it back can hurt."

 

Visuallizing a cloud blocking off the radiance of the One Power, she found that she could not do any more than a thin sheer against that flow.  The difference was as there was none.  The One Power flowed still strongly through her.  Focusing all her effort on it, she imagined the cloud being thicker, and encountered some internal resistance.  Do I really want to do this?  She wondered.  Yes!  I must!  Look what happened yesterday.  I must try!  And suddenly, the cloud grew thicker and thicker until it almost cut her off.  Only self control prevented her from making it totally opaque.

 

“Well done!” Reaching behind her, Esther took one of the honey cakes and handed it to Wilemi with a small grin. “Rest a moment while you eat that.”  Relieved, Wilemi took the cake and ate it with relish.  Working with the Power made her hungry.  She listened to Esther as food flowed down her throat.

 

“That was very hard to do, wasn’t it? I could see how you were struggling.”

 

Wilemi gave her a very surprised look.  How had she known?

 

“Oh yes - female channelers know when you are holding the Source.  It appears to us as a glow around you, like a nimbus.  As you become more practiced at channelling, you will also begin to see the glow around others.  My point is this: you will always be tempted to hold the Source simply to feel the joy of it, but that is being weak of mind.  It is an addiction, and if you cannot struggle against it then will not learn how to control it. In the end you will most likely burn yourself out or die.”

 

Wilemi's head came up with interest as she heard Esther speak.  But at the last line, her face paled with the meaning of her words.  She had heard it before, and would hear it again.  But no matter how many times she seemed to hear it, it seemed to hold a foreboding warning of the price to pay for learning to channel.

 

They then continued to try and control the amount of Saidar that was flowing through her.  Wilemi's self control improved with each try, and soon, with some effort, she could push away the source to a mere trickle.

 

“In order to weave you must know what the elements are. The five elements are Air, Water, Fire, Earth, and Spirit. I’m going to show you which threads are which.” Esther embraced the Source and wove strands of all five elements together into a thick rope.  The threads wrapped tightly around each other in a spiral pattern; each thread stood out clearly. “You can see that each one is a different colour, and you’ll soon learn that the feel different too. Air is Blue, Water is Green, Spirit is White, Fire is Red and Earth is Brown.” She shifted her chair and told Wilemi to move over until they were sitting side by side. “Now I want you to point out each element for me in that rope to me.”

 

By now, Wilemi could see clearly the weaving that Esther wove with envying ease.  She then concentrated on the mess in front of her.  It all seemed the same to her at first, then she realized that each thread was becoming more distinct in colour.  There was a Blue thread, a Green thread, a White thread, a Red thread and a Brown thread.  Wilemi poked each thread tentatively with the power in her.

 

Wilemi Kailadel

Scholar of the Five

Tentative

[Arani Lepenque Aes Sedai]

Wilemi studied the threads that Esther had woven.  They all seemed to be the same to her.  But when she looked closely, she saw that each thread was tinged.  Each thread was also giving off an emanation, which might be describing its personality.  Her attention was drawn first to the green thread.  This thread gave off a feeling which reminded her of the rivers flowing, it seemed to hold power that would and could wash away anything that stood in its path.  "The green thread is Water."  she said, looking up at Esther, who nodded.

 

Turning her attention to threads of other colours, she spotted one which was tinged red.  She studied it as hard as she could.  This thread seemed to be giving off heat.  All the time.  Unleashed, it could burn everything it touched.  Given power, it would.  But she was attracted to it somehow.  She knew that she herself would be able to control this particular thread.  However she knew, she did not know.  It was just a bone deep certainty that she could.  "The red thread is Fire."

 

Esther nodded appraisingly.  "Very good!"

 

Concentrating her attention onto another weave with a different feel, she saw that this one was a pale brown.  It gave her a passive impression, whereby she felt that it would not move no matter how hard she pressed.  Like stone.  "This one's Earth."  she said.  Esther nodded, smiling.

 

There were only two elements, and thus only two more types of threads to sort out.  The one her eyes fell on first was pure white, with no tinge of colour at all.  At first thought it seemed to be Air.  However, she felt no emanations.  It just sat there serene.  This did not corraborate to what she had deduced so far.  "This thread is all calm and still.  It is Spirit?"  she said, half questioningly.  Esther nodded, grinning openly.  "Why yes it is.  You're doing very well so far.  I think you can guess what the last one is."

 

"Air."  Wilemi said without thinking.  Looking at the last type of thread, she saw that it was a light blue, like that of the sky.  It felt loose, floaty.  But it also gave her the sensation that it was powerful in its own way.  She closed her eyes, and she almost felt the winds stirring in the room.

 

"Excellent.  Now that you know the elements and the colours of the thread that represent them, I am going to ask you to point out the elements in each different weave."

 

And the weave before Wilemi's eyes disappated.  And was replaced by a new one.  It contained large amounts of green, some blue, and white.  But there was little of brown and red.  "There is Water, Air, Spirit, and some traces of Earth and Fire here and there."  she said, pointing to the respective threads.

 

And they did this over and over again.  But there was one thing that Wilemi noticed, that Esther seemed to like weaving Water more than the other elements.  And she wove it in more quantities than the other usually.  Did that mean that Esther was strong in Water?  Or something else.  She would find out tonight.

 

Wilemi Kailadel

Scholar of the Five

Shocked

[Elgee]

OOC: Lesson 4: Air and Water

 

IC

 

For their first lesson in actually channelling, Esther had chosen a small classroom in a quiet corner rather than her own room or the gardens. Any distraction could have dangerous results, this early on. She was giving the room a last perusal to make sure anything potentially harmful had been safely removed, when she spotted a stack of parchments lying on a table in the far corner. Her mind flashed back to one of her own earliest classes, and she started to giggle. She would never forget the time Jerinia had set fire to her own notes! Her giggles turned into a shaking fit of laughter as she remembered some of the other … mishaps Jerinia had managed to get herself into. It was at this moment Wilemi chose to enter the room, probably forever spoiling the girl’s view of Esther as a cool and in control Accepted.

 

Not quite looking the girl in the eyes, Esther waved her to a seat. “Right. Yes. Well, today you are going to start learning weaves. We’ll start off with Air and Water.” Finally managing to gain the desired calm, Esther gave Wilemi a firm look.  “You are to be careful since you have not had any real experience at weaving.  Please watch carefully and go slowly so that you can get the hang of it. And before we start with the weaves I want you to promise me never to pick your weaves apart, but to let them dissipate on their own. Picking apart a weave is very dangerous and it can cause severe explosions or even getting burned out.” Wilemi got the same mulish expression on her face that Esther usually did, when told that something could not be done. Esther just sighed and shook her head. “Just trust me for now, child.” What else could she say?

 

She turned to her desk, pulled out a handkerchief and dipped it into the bowl she had placed on the desk earlier. She held the dripping wet cloth over the bowl and embraced Saidar. Weaving pure Water, she slowly drained the water in the handkerchief back into the bowl. When she was done, she held it out for Wilemi to see. Wilemi’s expression was intent. “Now you saw that I used a pure weave of Water to drain this right?” Wilemi nodded. “You can use Water to not only dry something, but also to gather water to you.” Esther took the glass she had placed on the desk and, weaving Water, she gathered moisture from the air around them and guided it to the glass. “Did you see how I did that?” She waited for Wilemi’s nod before continuing.

 

“Next, we're going to move on to Air. Would you please stand up?”  The Novice obliged, pushing back her chair to stand in front of Esther. Still embracing Saidar, she snared Wilemi in flows of Air, which snaked out and wrapped around the girl’s torso. Gently and slowly, Esther lifted her up off the floor. She stopped when Wilemi’s eyes looked about to pop. “Don’t worry – I won’t drop you,” Esther assured her with a comforting smile. “This can actually be fun – just imagine you are flying like a bird.” Esther gave her a grin and swooped her slowly around the class. “I’ve always thought it a pity we can't do this to ourselves …”

 

"Anyway, Air can be pretty handy when you are trying to protect yourself." Esther lowered Wilemi gently into her chair. She loosened the threads only to quickly wrap her up in another weave of Air. The young woman struggled against the bonds but was totally immobile. "As you can see, or feel….you cannot move at all." Not wanting to frighten the girl, Esther released her from the weave quickly. "Not only can Air be used to protect but it can be used to attack or damage as well," she added.  She tossed a rawhide ball into the air and then with a blunt flow of Air she smashed it and sent it flying across the room.

 

"Air and Water are the two elements that are also used in weather control. Should you develop the Talent of Cloud Dancing, those would most likely be your strongest elements. Regardless, you will learn some small amount of weather control, at a later time when you are capable of it. These are the two elements that women are usually more proficient in than men.  Strength in Spirit is shared equally among the genders."

 

Reluctantly, Esther let go of the Weaves. She loved using these elements, especially Water. “Now, this is your time to practice these weaves while I can watch you.  You can use the handkerchief and bowl for it, but try with this feather for the weaves I showed you using Air. You won’t be able to lift anything much heavier than that for a while yet.” Esther watched Wilemi carefully as the novice practiced, holding onto the Source in case she needed to intervene. When the girl seemed close to dangerously tired, Esther bade her stop.

 

“One more thing before you go.  Remember I told you that every female channeller can see when a woman is using the Source, because a glow springs up all around them the second they hold it? I want you to try to see this glow, I will walk around the room holding Saidar. You are allowed to embrace the Source, as it makes it easier to see the glow in the beginning, but try to see it also when you are not holding Saidar.”  Esther walked around the room while holding Saidar.  She watched as Wilemi squinted and followed her with her eyes.  Suddenly, a big smile broke over the young woman’s face.  With a grin of her own, Esther rushed over to Wilemi and gave her a gruff hug. This was a truly amazing moment for every woman who could channel, as if it suddenly made everything seem … real. “I’m very proud of you, Wilemi!  You now can see when a woman is holding the source.”

 

 

Esther Tremaine

Accepted

 

 

OOC:

 

To do IC: Please RP seeing the glow around me, your reactions to my lecture (how did you feel when I lifted you up and held you?), and practicing with the objects I mentioned.  Does your character have a hard time with these things?  Or is it easier than she expected?  Your strengths in the various elements will now come into play. Finally, please RP seeing the glow around me and how it makes your character feel.

 

To do OOC: At the end of your RP, make a list of the weaves that were used, which elements were used in each, as well as the strength and skill required in each element. The weaves list can be found here: http://www.aliciawilkerson.com/whitetower/

 

[Arani Lepenque Aes Sedai]

Wilemi entered the class and caught sight of Esther shaking with laughter.  Raising an eyebrow with a smile of her own, she sat down where Esther gestured.  Esther did not look at her in the eye, probably slightly embarrased by this show.  Accepted were supposed to try and show dignity like Aes Sedai.  Pretending that she had not seen anything, she sat down and waited for Esther to teach her how to channel.  When Esther managed to regain back her composure, she spoke.

 

“Right. Yes. Well, today you are going to start learning weaves. We’ll start off with Air and Water.  You are to be careful since you have not had any real experience at weaving.  Please watch carefully and go slowly so that you can get the hang of it. And before we start with the weaves I want you to promise me never to pick your weaves apart, but to let them dissipate on their own. Picking apart a weave is very dangerous and it can cause severe explosions or even getting burned out.  Just trust me."  she added, as she read Wilemi's disgruntled and slightly disbelieving expression.

 

Esther turned and dipped a hankerchief into a bowl full of water, and took it out soaking wet.  Tendrils of Water extended from Esther's hand, forming together to become a pure weave of water.  It settled on the cloth, and moved downwards.  As it did, water oozed out of the cloth and dripped back into the bowl of water.  “Now you saw that I used a pure weave of Water to drain this right?” Wilemi nodded. “You can use Water to not only dry something, but also to gather water to you.”

 

Wilemi saw Esther change the weave subtly.  Now the tendrils of Water were converging at one end, and the other ends were spread out around, as if like a fan.  Then, she saw Water emerging from the points where they converge.  At the same time she felt her lip tighten as moisture was sucked out of the air.

 

Interesting.

 

"Did you see how I did that?"  Esther inquired.  Wilemi nodded eagerly.  “Next, we're going to move on to Air. Would you please stand up?”  Wilemi obliged, pushing back her chair to stand in front of Esther. Still embracing Saidar, Esther snared Wilemi in flows of Air, which snaked out and wrapped around the her torso. Gently and slowly, Esther lifted her up off the floor.  “Don’t worry – I won’t drop you,” Esther assured her with a comforting smile. “This can actually be fun – just imagine you are flying like a bird.” Esther gave her a grin and swooped her slowly around the class. “I’ve always thought it a pity we can't do this to ourselves …”

 

Wilemi felt frightened and nervous as Esther lifted her up.  But in spite of herself, she was interested about the dynamics of this.  But questions later.  This was almost flying, except for the support of the bonds of Air.

 

"Anyway, Air can be pretty handy when you are trying to protect yourself." Esther lowered Wilemi gently into her chair. She loosened the threads only to quickly wrap her up in another weave of Air. Wilemi struggled against the bonds but was totally immobile. "As you can see, or feel….you cannot move at all.  Not only can Air be used to protect but it can be used to attack or damage as well," she added.  She tossed a rawhide ball into the air and then with a blunt flow of Air she smashed it and sent it flying across the room, just as Wilemi was released.

 

"Air and Water are the two elements that are also used in weather control. Should you develop the Talent of Cloud Dancing, those would most likely be your strongest elements. Regardless, you will learn some small amount of weather control, at a later time when you are capable of it. These are the two elements that women are usually more proficient in than men.  Strength in Spirit is shared equally among the genders."

 

"Now, this is your time to practice these weaves while I can watch you.  You can use the handkerchief and bowl for it, but try with this feather for the weaves I showed you using Air. You won’t be able to lift anything much heavier than that for a while yet."

 

Wilemi narrowed her eyes, and tried weaving Water first in the method that Esther showed her.  It was uncannily difficult to do so.  Oh, the weaving was all right, she managed to weave the weave without much difficulty, but it was horribly difficult to summon enough Power to dry the cloth efficiently.  She glared at the paltry weave, so pale white you could almost lose the green in it.  Sweat poured down her face as she forced more Power.  Sweetness was growing in her, building to pain, as drop by drop water trickled down from the cloth into the bowl.

 

Gasping, she let go of the weave when the cloth was nearly all dry.  Then, concentrating, and biting her tongue, she tried weaving the other Water weave.  It was as difficult as she had come to expect.  That she was horribly weak in Water spoke little for her success in other areas, for Water was the feminine element.  Drop by small drop water filled the bowl.  Wilemi maintained the weave, though it took most of the Power that she could presently hold.

 

Letting go, she tried the weaves of Air.  To her surprise, Air came very very easily.  She concentrated, and wrapped flows of Air around the feather, and lifted it up.  It floated up quite easily.  Esther smiled a beautiful smile at Wilemi, who blushed with pleasure, feeling quite pleased with herself.  Wilemi then proceeded to try and lift up one of the heavier objects, like the rawnball from previous.  The rawnball was more difficult.  Much more so, but she managed to lift it off the floor an inch or so.

 

She tried everything until she was ready to drop due to exhaustion.  Esther stopped her then.

 

“One more thing before you go.  Remember I told you that every female channeller can see when a woman is using the Source, because a glow springs up all around them the second they hold it? I want you to try to see this glow, I will walk around the room holding Saidar. You are allowed to embrace the Source, as it makes it easier to see the glow in the beginning, but try to see it also when you are not holding Saidar.”

 

Esther walked round the room, and Wilemi followed her footsteps, looking at her body with narrowed eyes.  Suddenly, a light seemed to spring into being around Esther.  Wilemi smiled beautifically and triumply, and Esther, grinning, rushed over and started praising her.  Tears overflowed in Wilemi's eyes.  She had finally managed to please her teacher.

 

Wilemi Kailadel

Scholar of the Five

Elated

[Arani Lepenque Aes Sedai]

OOC: Weaves.

 

Dry - Water: 2, Skill: 10

Create Water - Water: 2, Skill: 8

Air Lift - Air: 2, Skill: 7

Arms of Air - Air: 2, Skill: 7

Air Club - Air: 1, Skill: 4

[Elgee]

OOC: Lesson 5 : Fire, Earth and Spirit

 

IC:

 

Esther welcomed Wilemi back into the same classroom they had used the day before. “Today we’re going to talk about the other three elements, Earth, Fire and Spirit. It’s going to be another hard lesson, but an important one.  So, let’s start with Earth. Earth can be used for helping crops to grow, finding mineral and ore deposits, detecting fault lines, and for destructive purposes. It also is used to search the ground for other things such as unstable areas that can be used to your advantage. Everything can be buried under Earth but you can also use it as defence by creating a wall to block an enemy’s path. Another thing you can do with Earth is Shaping things.”  Esther embraced the Source and concentrated. She wove fine threads of Earth and intertwined them until she had a sword made of pure Earth. “Now I don’t expect you to make something as large as this right now, but I want you to try to Shape something of your own.” She watched over Wilemi’s shoulder as the young woman inexpertly recreated the weave she had shown her. She seemed to struggle to make it form anything, but eventually succeeded. Esther patted her on the back. “You’ll do better as you gain your strength.”

 

“The next element for today is Fire, it can be used to make campfires, for warmth, and for light, among other things.  The one crucial lesson about Fire is to never draw the heat out of a fire to extinguish it.  You would cook yourself alive. Instead, use a dome of air to seal it off, or water to douse it out." She picked up a small unlit candle and placed it in a candlestick holder. “Next, we are going to light a candle. Please watch carefully. You do not need to use a large amount of Fire. You simply take a tiny strand of Fire, wrap it around the wick until it touches itself again, and the wick should ignite. As soon it ignites you can stop the flow.”  As promised, the wick of the candle sprung alight with fire.  Esther snuffed it with a quick flow of Air wrapped into a sphere around the wick.  “Now I want you to try and light the candle.” Esther was amazed when Wilemi managed to weave Fire on her first try, and with much less effort than she’d needed with Earth.  “Excellent!  Now, I showed you how to douse the candle with Air, I want you to practice that same method.  Once you have it out, please light it again and then snuff it. When snuffing it the second time, use the exact same type of spherical weave, but with Water instead.”

 

Esther thoughtfully tapped her lips as she watched Wilemi weave Air with no trouble, but seemed to struggle with Water.

 

“The last element of this lesson is Spirit. Spirit is the least understood and most underestimated of the five elements.  Many people think it is not a very useful element, but that is absolutely not the case.  It is used to bind together other elements in a weave, it can make the effects of your weaves strong and longer lasting.  Spirit is used in Healing weaves and with other weaves that affect the body.  It has also been used for mind control such as Compulsion, or Milking Tears.  You will not be taught weaves such as those last two because they destroy the free will of the victim.  Spirit is also used to Bond a Warder. The Bonding weave settles upon the body of both Warder and Aes Sedai, linking them physically and somewhat mentally as well. Additionally, it is utilized for wards, which are meant to guard anything from a campsite to a jewellery box.  Spirit is the only element that you can use while asleep, and you can even use it to guard your dreams from outside influence. Spirit is also a main element in the skill of shielding another channeler from touching the Source.  You will not learn that skill until much later, but it is essential you learn it eventually, as it might save your life if ever you are confronted with a male channeler.”  Wilemi’s eyes widened at the mention of male channelers. Esther wasn’t very comfortable with the subject herself, so she rushed on.

 

"Now the final thing Spirit can be used for is Severing. There are many names for this such as, Stilling or Gentling. This is the act of permanently removing the ability to channel from a person. Similar to being burned out, which can be done accidentally or as a conscious decision, Severing is only done for punishment or by force.”

 

The subject gave Esther the chills. What would it be like to live without the wonder of Saidar? Trying to shake off such depressing thought, Esther smiled warmly at Wilemi. “That’s enough for today. Why don’t you go take a walk in the gardens before your chores?” She bid Wilemi a friendly good bye, then trotted off to the library.

 

 

Esther Tremaine

Accepted

 

 

OOC: 

 

To do IC: Please RP using Shaping (think of something creative to make with Earth), lighting and snuffing the candle, and describe your reactions/feelings to the information about Spirit.

 

To do OOC: At the end of your RP, make a list of the weaves that were used, which elements were used in each, as well as the strength and skill required in each element. The weaves list can be found here: http://www.aliciawilkerson.com/whitetower/

 

[Arani Lepenque Aes Sedai]

Knocking on the door, Wilemi tried to balance a thick stack of books whilst waiting for Esther to appear.  Just Esther appeared, Wilemi dropped the thick pile of books onto the floor with a resounding crash.  Blushing, Wilemi hurriedly picked up the books, and did not return Esther's smile.  Not looking at Esther, her cheeks red, Wilemi put her things on another table while waiting for Esther to start.

 

"Today we’re going to talk about the other three elements, Earth, Fire and Spirit. It’s going to be another hard lesson, but an important one.  So, let’s start with Earth. Earth can be used for helping crops to grow, finding mineral and ore deposits, detecting fault lines, and for destructive purposes. It also is used to search the ground for other things such as unstable areas that can be used to your advantage. Everything can be buried under Earth but you can also use it as defence by creating a wall to block an enemy’s path. Another thing you can do with Earth is Shaping things."

 

As Esther embraced the source, Wilemi watched avidly as Esther wove brown flows of Earth, weaving them until she obtained a sword of pure stone.  Wilemi noted Esther's look of concentration, and guessed that Esther was not really that strong in Earth.  When Esther finished, she turned and looked at Wilemi.

 

"Now I don’t expect you to make something as large as this right now, but I want you to try to Shape something of your own."

 

Nodding, Wilemi embraced the source and attempted to weave Earth.  To her appalled horror, she could not summon enough power to create anything decent, even a ball of stone was almost more than she could manage.  Maintaining the weave, she frowned harder at the weave and threw all her power behind her will, bearing down on that stubborn weave which wavered, and finally strengthened somewhat.  Changing the shape of the weave, she made a star of stone.

 

Looking at Esther, who patted her reassuringly on her sweaty back, she smiled tremulously.  Esther smiled back and nodded.

 

"The next element for today is Fire, it can be used to make campfires, for warmth, and for light, among other things.  The one crucial lesson about Fire is to never draw the heat out of a fire to extinguish it.  You would cook yourself alive. Instead, use a dome of air to seal it off, or water to douse it out." She picked up a small unlit candle and placed it in a candlestick holder. "Next, we are going to light a candle. Please watch carefully. You do not need to use a large amount of Fire. You simply take a tiny strand of Fire, wrap it around the wick until it touches itself again, and the wick should ignite. As soon it ignites you can stop the flow."

 

As Wilemi watched, Esther wove red threads of Fire, very thin flows, and touched the candle wick, which lighted up immediately, the flame glowing bright and threateningly before settling down to a small and steady flame, then snuffed it out with flows of Air.  When it was time for her to try, Wilemi embraced the source yet again, feeling wonder at the hightened senses it gave her.  Bracing herself, she reached out for Fire, and Fire came, easily, nearly as easily as it had for Air.  Surprised, Wilemi threw as much Power into the weave and slammed it onto the candle.

 

The candle lighted up, very brightly, then burst into flames, melting the candle up and down.  Wilemi shrieked, and, on impulse, wove Air and slammed it down onto the flames, which puffed out immediately.  Looking embarrassedly at Esther, who had sat, her eyes wide at the scene, she shrugged apologetically and took another candle.  Careful to weave little amounts of Fire this time, she touched the wick, and the wick immediately lighted up.  Esther then instructed her to use Water this time to put out the fire.  Blanching, Wilemi complied.

 

It wasn't easy, she could not summoned enough of the Power to put out the candle wick properly, it kept spluttering back whenever she removed the weave.  Finally, she lost her patience and simply wove as much Water as she could and held it there.  The candle wick spluttered and went out.  But still she held it there.  And upon releasing the weave, the candle wick did not relight.  Smiling, she looked at Esther, who was tapping her lips thoughtfully as she watched Wilemi.

 

"The last element of this lesson is Spirit. Spirit is the least understood and most underestimated of the five elements.  Many people think it is not a very useful element, but that is absolutely not the case.  It is used to bind together other elements in a weave, it can make the effects of your weaves strong and longer lasting.  Spirit is used in Healing weaves and with other weaves that affect the body.  It has also been used for mind control such as Compulsion, or Milking Tears.  You will not be taught weaves such as those last two because they destroy the free will of the victim.  Spirit is also used to Bond a Warder. The Bonding weave settles upon the body of both Warder and Aes Sedai, linking them physically and somewhat mentally as well. Additionally, it is utilized for wards, which are meant to guard anything from a campsite to a jewellery box.  Spirit is the only element that you can use while asleep, and you can even use it to guard your dreams from outside influence. Spirit is also a main element in the skill of shielding another channeler from touching the Source.  You will not learn that skill until much later, but it is essential you learn it eventually, as it might save your life if ever you are confronted with a male channeler.  Now the final thing Spirit can be used for is Severing. There are many names for this such as, Stilling or Gentling. This is the act of permanently removing the ability to channel from a person. Similar to being burned out, which can be done accidentally or as a conscious decision, Severing is only done for punishment or by force."

 

Wilemi's eyes widened in fear at the subject of male channelers.  She, like all others, had heard of the tales of the Breaking of the World, where male channelers, tainted by the Dark One, maddened by Saidin's corruption, had gone mad and changed the world irreversably.  She sighed as the subject moved on to cutting one of from the True Source forever.  What would it be like?  Wilemi shuddered at the thought of not being able to experience the joy of Saidar after being severed.  But she could not, not ever since her first touch.  Sighing, she looked down on the floor.

 

Then, Esther spoke, and Wilemi's head came up.

 

"That’s enough for today. Why don’t you go take a walk in the gardens before your chores?"

 

Wilemi nodded, curtsied, and picked up her books, whilst Esther walked out of the classroom.

 

Wilemi Kailadel

Scholar of the Five

Depressed yet Intrigued