Hello, friends! The Wheel has turned all the way around to Thursday again, which means two things: the weekend is not too far away, and it's time for our Rotating Features blog!

This week we return to our semi-regular look at some of the parts and pieces that make up Dragonmount in our Features of Dragonmount series of articles, and specifically I am going to be telling you a little bit about the White Tower and Warders Guild Social Group.

We discussed Social Groups a few weeks ago in this article if you want to refresh yourself as to what they are and what their purpose is.

The White Tower section of the forums, found here is probably the biggest and busiest of all the Social Groups, as the Aes Sedai and Warders are such a fundamental and appealing aspects of Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time series. Many people are drawn to sign up as members there and meet like-minded people and enjoy participating in online events, activities and discussions. By doing this, they can then rise in rank, either from Novice, through Accepted, and all the way to Aes Sedai, or even Sitter, Ajah Head, or maybe even Amyrlin one day (!) or the equivalent ranks of the Warders Guild.

The following is lifted from the White Tower 101 post to give you a taste of what is involved:

The term "Aes Sedai" means "Servants of All" in the Old Tongue. The White Tower and Warders Social Group has used the philosophy of Servants of All to create a social setting based on the hierarchy, purpose and set-up of the White Tower and Warders in the WoT series. This inspires the way in which we interact and some of the activities which we organize, although we are a social community and not a role playing group.

We offer people of varying common interests - related to the books or otherwise - a chance to find their niche with like minded people in one of the Ajahs or the Warders guild. Whether you become a Warder or an Aes Sedai (here males can be Aes Sedai and females can be Warders), at the White Tower and Warders Social Group, you can live out that philosophy and have fun doing it!

And this from the Warders Guild equivalent--my own little corner of Dragonmount.

It took a unique kind of man to show this kind of dedication, this kind of vigilance. This kind of humility…men like Sleete quietly did the work of heroes, each and every day. Without glory or recognition. If they were remembered, it was usually only by association with their Aes Sedai. Or by other Warders. You didn’t forget your own- TGS [The Gathering Storm] Ch13.

 

Just as in the books, the Warders here are men and women who live to serve and protect. The difference is a change of focus. Instead of dedicating our lives to an individual, first and foremost we serve the White Tower by protecting it and all of its members against all possible threats.

 

How do they do that on a community site like the social side of DM? Well, we stand ready to aid and assist wherever needed. Be that by participating in Ajah activities, helping new initiates get around, offering a listening ear to the Aes Sedai, assisting the Mother in Tower events and filling in whenever activity levels come under threat anywhere within the Tower. We keep the Tower alive and healthy, through whatever means necessary, at whatever cost to ourselves. That is the path of a Warder, so think carefully whether you wish to dedicate yourself to it! This way, we serve the Amyrlin, the Aes Sedai, and the White Tower as a whole.

We have a lot of fun and form truly lasting friendships, so come by and check us out and you might find yourself staying around for a long time...

Have fun!

Until next time friends!