Valeri wrote down the information given to her.  Erlene Hortencia - 16 - Murandy.  When she looked up after she had written it down, the girl seemed to have become crestfallen in a small amount of time.  Well, on a day like this, there was really no telling where one's emotions would take them.  She closed the Book of Novices and replaced it on the shelf.  Then, she opened a cabinet and sorted through various accessories until she found a white headscarf.

Setting it on her desk, she addressed the new novice.  "This would normally be the part where I would give you your novice whites, but it seems someone has taken that privelege from me today...they are called novice whites for a reason.  If you would please wear this, I'll keep your green one in a safe place until you reach the shawl."  She waited until Erlene had exchanged her green headscarf for the new white one.  Valeri folded the green one before continuing.

"Very good.  Now.  I want to see your clothes clean and free of wrinkles every time I see you."  Once she was sure her words had been understood, she went to the door, opened it, and hailed an Accepted, telling her to take Erlene to her new rooms.  As Erlene left to get a tour of the Tower and to be shown where she would be living, Valeri said, "Welcome to the White Tower, novice Erlene."

Rashi is correct!  :D

Aureli finished writing out her list.  She almost had the one hundred weaves required for the test to become Aes Sedai down and memorized, but one some of them, she needed a little reminding.  She had set up a meeting with Kira to practice with her.  Most Accepted did this together, with one making flashes of light and hitting the other with lashes of Air, trying to distract their partner as they attempted the weaves.  Aureli decided she probably wouldn't like that part...on either end of it.  But, with her notes in hand, she stood up from her small desk and made her way to Kira's room.

She wondered for a minute if Kira had them all memorized.  Her friend hadn't been an Accepted as long as she had, but that didn't mean she wasn't more talented than Aureli.  Well, she told herself, we all have different paces.  Some go for speed, some go for getting it right.  And to be ready, we need both.

Aureli stopped at Kira's door and put her notes in her mouth for a moment while she knocked.  When she finished knocking, she took the notes out and called out, "Kira!  Are you ready?"  They had agreed to practice in Kira's room, instead of Aureli's or somewhere out in public.  Aes Sedai weren't supposed to give hints on how the test would go.  And novices shouldn't be exposed to the 100 weaves at all.  So, as most Accepted did, they would be practicing in their own rooms.

Aureli made her way toward the classrooms in the White Tower.  She had gathered her things, and strapped them all together, a trick she had been using since her novice days.  Her friend Kira had mentioned the class earlier.  This was to be a class about the Blue Ajah.  Aureli still wasn't certain which Ajah would be best suited to her, so any extra information would help.  When she found the class, she sat next to Kira and gave her friend a quick smile before setting her things out in front of her.  She followed her friend's gaze to the quarterstaff in front of the room.  Well, that was certainly interesting.  She also spotted a blue shawl on the front desk.  By the time Alia Sedai began to talk, she was ready to take notes.

"Welcome Accepteds. I am Alia Mariadoon, Aes Sedai of the Blue Ajah. I am pleased to see so much interest in you for this class. As much as I would love to welcome you all someday to this Ajah, I am well aware that it is unlikely I will get that pleasure. Please do not feel the pressure to see yourself in one of these shawls."  Their instructor paused before continuing.  "This class is not about making you into Blue, or finding out if you have what it takes to join us. This class is about making you aware of what being a Blue Sister means and why it is that we do what we do."

Aureli was honestly surprised to hear so much chatter about that, but she kept her face smooth.  Did they seriously not know the intention of this class?  What kind of sister could you call yourself if you went with the Ajah that dangled the most baubles in front of you?  If you were to find your true calling, you had to gather as much information as possible.  Which had been her plan.  She had begun to narrow her choices down, but she still needed more information.

Alia Sedai mentioned learning about history in their times as novices, and after that she seemed to be waiting for the others to take out their notes.  Aureli waited along with her.  When they were all ready,  Alia Sedai posed a question: "So now, what does it mean to be an Aes Sedai of the Blue Ajah? At this point in your training you must have at least had some curiosity about the ajahs, and have formed some semblance of an idea on what you think the Blue Ajah is all about. So please tell me now what the Blue Ajah means to you."

Kira raised her hand and offered a fairly reasonable answer.  But, Aureli felt like there was more to them than that.  She raised her hand after her friend to offer her own input.  "The Blue Ajah is certainly about causes and justice, but I understand that a major part of that is keeping in touch with people surrounding their causes, in order to keep track of their needs as they change."

I could have one of mine give you a private lesson if you want, but there's already a full course posted (by me) in the White Tower Classroom board.  You just come in and take the class by replying to each first post.  If your novice needs any help, PM me.  :)

Here's lesson 1.

Much better!  :D

There's a format to copy and paste from the Novice Reqs sticky.  It's just easier to keep up with them that way.  :)

http://www.dragonmount.com/forums/topic/80708-novice-reqs-updated-all-novices-please-ru/?p=2844202

Okay, this is what the staffers have decided:

We are willing to let Kira teach the class with both Tywin and Ariani, but only as long as they are the only students in the class.

The timeline will be in retro, so while it is character building, your character will not have memories of that class with thos particular characters.  If you wish to reference the class afterwards, just say in your narrative that it was a random Accepted who taught you and that you took it with a random novice/trainee.

Also, since it's unusual to have novices and trainees together in a setting like this, Kira will be there not only to teach, but to monitor and supervize behavior.

Sound good?  :)

Kronos - it's all retro, so sure.  lol

Taymist says she won't be signing up, so that's all Accepted accounted for.  lol

When do we start?  ;)

I say let's go with option 3.  I asked Seia about it, and she seems fine with it too.  :)  I think as long as we make it clear that this is happening in the retro, so that it may as well have not happened when Ariani gets to Aes Sedai, and make it clear that Kira will be there to supervise and monitor behavior as well as teach, it should be fine.

When Aureli dismissed the class, she felt a little sad in seeing them go.  She'd likely see a few in other classes, but each class had its own spirit.  This class would never meet again for the same reason again.  This class would never assemble the exact same way.  In a way, she had given them the metaphorical wings they would need to overcome fears and shortcomings.  And even though she couldn't spend a lot of time with each one individually, she grew attached to her students.  So, when Kira and Hallia turned to her and thanked her personally for teaching them, she couldn't help but beam at the both of them.  Any attempt to keep the Aes Sedai mask that Accepted were expected to practice faded away, and she burst into a full smile.  "You're very welcome.  And I thank the both of you for being my students.  Good luck in the rest of your studies."

She waved at them and watched as her students strode through the door.  She closed it and looked back on the classroom.  She cleared her throat that had suddenly started to tighten.  She liked teaching.  Saying good-bye to her students was always hard for her, though.  She took a deep breath, told herself that they would be fine without her, and started to clean up.  It didn't take very long.  The classrooms in the White Tower were always left very clean, even after a lively class like the one that had just finished.  Now, with her full basket, she left the room and found herself in a good mood.  A new class would be starting soon, and she had her own studies to conduct.

Valeri smiled when Erlene said she was still interested in enrolling as a novice, even after everything that had happened to her.  But then, she asked a question.  "Ah, yes.  The shawl is what denotes an Aes Sedai.  When you reach the rank of Aes Sedai, you will receive a shawl, one of the color of your choosing.  The shawl represents which Ajah you choose.  There are seven Ajahs: the Red, Yellow, blue, Green, Brown, Gray, and White, and each has their own mission and purpose within the Tower.  You'll find out more about them later, though.  Our purpose today is to make you a novice and settled in."

With that, she stood up and retrieved the enormous Book of Novices.  She set the book on her desk and flipped the pages until she found the first empty slot.  "To do that, I'll need your full name, place of birth, and your age."

OOC:  Nah, each character is a lot to remember.  lol

IC:  Valeri copied down the information that Ariani gave her, Ariani Cairawyn, Andor, 15 years.  She replaced her quill when she was done and closed the book.  Then Ariani asked her when she would start, and when supper was.  She smiled at that.  Ariani thought she would be taking on a job.  Well...being a novice was a lot like having a job, truthfully.  "You'll start immediately," she said, standing up.  She replaced the Novice Book on the shelf where she had retrieved it, then turned around to another cabinet.  This one housed all the novice whites.  She searched until she found a set that looked like it would fit Ariani.  

Turning back to her desk, she set the clothes on the desk.  "These will be your uniform.  Once you are shown to your room, you will wear these every day, and keep them clean and pressed.  I don't want to find you with stains and wrinkles in them.  Everything is white: the dress, the shift, the shoes, the belt, and the coin purse.  If you wear things in your hair, ribbons, bows, and scarves will also be white.  If these do not fit, you may visit the seamstresses to have them fit you better."  Once she had gotten that out of the way, she returned to the other question.  "As far as supper is concerned, it won't be served for another two hours, but during your tour of the Tower, you may stop by the kitchens and ask for something to tide you over if you need it."

"Do you have any other questions?"

Aureli surveyed her class, watching carefully for those that would not let go, or drank too deeply.  Whenever she saw one that took in too much Saidar, she would simply touch their shoulder to let them know that they should ease up.  She had already discussed that Saidar was dangerous, and she had been told that one novice would have trouble, because she had started off as a wilder.  Having been at the Tower for so long, this was her first class with the other novices, having finally broken her block.  Nyanna seemed to have done well, though.  She embraced Saidar and seemed to be able to hold it well enough.  

She noticed one of the girls was from Ebou Dar, like her.  She watched Kira, and she seemed to be having trouble, and she seemed nervous, too.  When she looked up after failing to embrace Saidar again, Aureli gave her a kind, encouraging smile.  She just had to make herself calm to be able to hold on to it.  It would make the class to complicated to say it, but the rosebud technique was just a technique for making them calm.  They could have imagined anything if it made them calm enough to reach out.

Once she saw that everyone had held Saidar successfully for the first time under her supervision.  "Wonderful," she said.  "Everyone did wonderfully today.  Release Saidar now.  We will continue in the next class.  And just a reminder...remember, don't channel, even just reaching out to touch it without supervision from an Accepted or an Aes Sedai."  She looked around, and once everyone had winked out, she dismissed class.

Valeri smiled when Ariani admitted that she couldn't read.  She was fishing for excuses, but she could tell she had her.  "Aes Sedai know much more than just their letters.  And you are not the only one to come to us, not knowing them.  But that will be part of your training as a novice.  You will start off as a novice, and when you are ready both mentally and in the One Power, you will be tested for Acceptedhood.  Accepted are those in white dresses, but with the colored bands for all seven Ajahs.  When you reach a certain point in your studies and training then...you will be tested for the shawl.  And by then, you will know much more about the world and yourself than you do now."

She reached up and flipped the enormous book open and turned the pages until she found the first blank entry, waiting for Ariani's name and information.  "Now.  I'll need your full name, your place of birth, and your age," she said as she dipped her quill into the ink.

I finally got these updated!  o.O  They're closer to done than I thought.  lol

I have no idea why Lesson Two doesn't have a url link...

Aureli listened to Seheria.  What she said made sense.  But she also knew that her channeling would likely have a limit on Healing others in most cases.  Whens he left, she may have to leave her patient with something to stave off further damage or preventative measures.  But Seheria Sedai also had a point.  Saidar could do much more than herbs.  But growing up with only one arm had given her a frame of mind to always be prepared for anything.  She had told herself early on that she wouldn't find herself in a hopeless situation.  And now that she was on her way to becoming Aes Sedai, if she herself was in a hopeless situation, others would suffer as well.  Seheria Sedai asked her to get her basket and show her some of her skills, or what she thinks should be done.

Aureli set her tea down and brought her basket closer.  She searched through the small samples she had brought and found two samples of sage: one dried, and one freshly picked from the gardens.  She brought out the fresh sage and laid it on the table.  "I know that sage has good healing properties, and its oil can be harvested for that.  I think to extract the oil, one would use a mortar and pestle, or a flat of a knife if one can't be found," she said.  "I think in either case, I'd need to use Air to hold something down.  If I was using the knife technique, I could spread my fingers out, but I likely wouldn't collect as much oil that way, and it doesn't seem as safe as using both hands...  And I'd still have to hold something to catch the oil in..."

I'm okay with it if they're the only two in the class, if that makes any sense.  Most of the characters in WoT can already read, so they'd be a big minority.

Plus, if there are only two of them, the Accepted could monitor them a lot easier.

Rashi is right.  An Accepted could teach the class.  If you need to, Kronos, just shoot me a PM if you need help.  :)

Buuuuut, I'm not sure about teaching a novice with a Warder trainee.  I'd have to talk to Warders Yard RGL.  :P

I'll just go drop her a PM.  :)

I've gotta read the whole thread.  Gimme a minute.  lol

So, the Blues have posted their outline for an Ajah class.  That was a new one for me, but after reading over it, I thought it looked very objective and cool.

Basically, an Ajah class would be for Accepted to take to learn about an Ajah in more detail.  There is no pressure to join the Ajah.  It's really more to get to know you a little better, and what role you would fill in the Tower, and really, if you would fit in with the Ajah sisters at all.

So, I invite you to create your own.  I think these are really handy, especially for Accepted (like mine) that are a bit confused as to where they should go.

Aureli Yenda is in!

That's 2/3 of the Accepted.  lol

May Report for Novices and Accepted

1) Total:

13 Members

13 characters 

New:

2 Members

2 characters 

Maurelle - Erlene Hortencia

Tonnalea - Ariani Cairawyn

Yahna - Venka Barashti

Active:

11 Members

11 characters

Elaevia - Saelia Triana (Novice) - Last Active May 2013

Hallia – Hallia Shessair (Novice) - Last Active April 2013

Leala Gymorraine – Aureli Yenda (Accepted) - Last Active March 2013

Maurelle - Erlene Hortencia (Novice) - Last Active June 2013

Nyanna al’Meara – Nyanna al’Dynn (Novice) - Last Active March 2013

Panchi - Pankhuri Xena (Novice) - Last Active April 2013

Taymist - Kiyisalle Chevra (Accepted) - Last Active May 2013

The Bard Babe – Ceridwyn Taereth (Novice) - Last Active April 2013

Tonnalea - Ariani Cairawyn (Novice) - Last Active June 2013

WolfbrotherKronos – Kira Tuvunenia (Accepted) - Last Active May 2013

Yahna - Venka Barashti (Novice) - Not yet active

Inactive:

2 Members

2 characters

Duriya Olandrian (Novice) - (Tamerya) - Last RPed July 6, 2012

Kastyana Amharadar (Novice) - (Silver Neccho) - Last RPed January 2013

MiA:

3 Members

3 characters

Kaylynn Tasil Saeed (Novice) - (Kaylynn) - Last RPed April 22, 2012


Liana Alore (Novice) - (jozan) - Last RPed May 25, 2012

Sora Mantolias (Novice) - (Otpelk Cainam) - Last RPed July 30, 2011

2) RP's done by Novices and Accepted characters during June

1.  Kira Tuvunenia (WolfbrotherKronos)

Letters Home

http://www.dragonmou...s-home-solo-rp/

Kira writes home, telling her family about her success in becoming an Accepted.

2.  Saelia Tirana (Elaevia), Valeri Sedai (Leala Gymorraine)

To enter The Tower

http://www.dragonmou...nter-the-tower/

Saelia comes to the White Tower to become a novice.

3.  Kira Tuvunenia (WolfbrotherKronos), Loraine Kilaine (U4ea), Kathleen Vandiar (Kathleen)

Tea in the Garden with the Greens

http://www.dragonmount.com/forums/topic/82951-tea-in-the-garden-with-the-greens-attn-greens-any-noviceaccepted-who-wants-to-play-along/

The Greens hold a tea in the gardens to get to know novices and Accepted.

4. Ariani Cairawyn (Tonnalea), Valeri Sedai (Leala Gymorraine)

The Shining Walls

http://www.dragonmount.com/forums/topic/82942-the-shining-walls-attn-mon/

Ariani comes to the White Tower to enroll as a novice.

5.  Erlene Hortencia (Maurelle), Valeri Sedai (Leala Gymorraine)

Down the Rabbit Hole

http://www.dragonmount.com/forums/topic/82999-down-the-rabbit-hole-attn-mon/

Erlene comes to the White Tower to enroll as a novice.

3) Problems, ideas, etc

Problems:

June seemed to go pretty well, I'd say.  Not that that's a problem...

Ideas:

Time to poke some novices.  It seems I wasn't the only one who was busy...

News OOC:  Tonnalea, Maurelle, and Yahna have joined our ranks!

News IC:  I've gotten threads started with Tonnalea and Maurelle, and I'm still waiting to hear from Yahna.  Other than that, I think a certain novice named Hallia is close to finishing her novice reqs.  :)

Valeri listened to the girl's story and was frankly appalled by the Aes Sedai's behavior.  Girls weren't to be dragged away from their families.  How under the Light would they ever get any recruits if the White Tower dragged girls away just because they could channel?  That certainly did leave a lot to be explained as well.  She nodded when the girl was finished.  "I do apologize on behalf of the Aes Sedai who brought you here.  She should have let you speak with your father, and she certainly shouldn't have dressed you in novice whites before you enrolled."

She let that sink in before she continued.  She had to let this girl know that she was on her side.  "It is good to know that you have been tested, however.  That, she did right, and she would not have sent you to me if you had not been proven to have the ability.  She brought you here to offer you the chance to become an Aes Sedai.  The first step toward the shawl is what we call a novice.  As was explained to you, novices wear all white.  We will have to find a white headscarf for you soon, after you've enrolled.  But, I cannot in good conscience enroll you without letting you know what you face when you enter the Tower.  You will have a great amount of duties as a novice.  You will study many things, including the One Power, and you will be assigned daily chores.  If an Accepted or Aes Sedai asks anything of you, you will help them.  Of course, an Aes Sedai will hold rank over an Accepted.  But every day, you will learn more about your power and how to control it."  She paused again to let that sink in.  "Knowing all this, do you still want to enroll in the White Tower as a novice?"