In theory, the Ogier should have opened the book and left. You may need a reason, not necessarily one immediately apparent, for why some may have stayed behind.

It was early in the evening when a familiar face came to their table after another satisfied customer had departed and the curtains to their booth had opened to admit new clientele. Easy smile and drink in hand, she was warmly welcomed by Haran who stood along with Ashar until the customer had made herself comfortable. Looking to Haran, Ashar took note of his nod and closed the curtains to afford some level of privacy. As he turned around to sit, Haran coughed and smiled as he pointed to the curtains. "Really? Is that not unnecessary, yes?" Haran smiled as he shook his head. "I am fairly certain I shall be safe during this time, we are already fast friends. If you could ensure no one else enters and disrupts our business, you would honour me with such a service." Honour? How genteel Haran had become in the conduct of his business, far more considerate than the japes shared on the road but then, perhaps he was growing on Haran. Lifting a hand to his temple then his heart with only a subtle hint of mockery, Ashar stepped through the curtain to allow the pair to continue their deliberations. No doubt Haran had some prizes to offer, there had been a couple of exchanges during the day that Ashar had not witnessed so no doubt he would present something where a suitable level of discretion was advisable. That or he was making a show of it, either way that wasn't his concern. Ensuring the curtains were closed behind him, he yawned while he sipped from a tankard. Water while he needed his wits and a handy item to smack a man with before they could clear a blade, he allowed his eyes to wander yet see, unfocused yet aware to try and take in the entire room while looking for things that may require focus. The closer people were, the more they obvious they were while the further away the more they blended into the general movement and noise. Not that he anticipated a problem, but he was being paid and money was a language that knew no borders.

I actually read the character before I checked this post. 🙂 I need to work out if my merc is aged because the thread he is in currently was when we were still looking at the pre-TG timeline. Will talk to Arie about that. Either way, I think there'd be some good chemistry. He has power and wants to travel, but he may not be so worldly yet. Someone with more worldly experience but not those sort of powers to play off could make for some good adventures. Whether it is Kai goes for a wander or is on a mission, or my character ends up visiting Merrilor, multiple ways to get the ball rolling.

Bear in mind, Tar Valon and the White Tower were also raised during the Breaking of the World. While they had Aes Sedai and Ogier Stonemasons, they lacked male channelers that would be far more comfortable using Earth on average. Add to that all the other issues during the time like suppressing errant ajah and forcing unity with mass migrations and trying to stabilise things elsewhere while male channelers went mad and wrought havoc, 25 isn't so big an ask with the Dragon's Peace in place, regardless of its fragility.

A suggestion would be that after a certain point it isn't tied to how much you posted, but by staff estimation of the character's progression. To what degree that is writing versus activity I am not sure how I'd go, a younger me would have said writing mainly but I think that may get in the way of fun a bit. But a balance of believable RP that sells it for the character with being active and involved, that I think would work. Numerical scale to 15 I think, that way you split into three types basic/intermediate/pro. It has just enough breadth to make each area of progression meaningful, but not so much to be overbearing. In theory. 🙂

I'm happy to play with new people as they rock up. 🙂

I think either closed or open will work as long as it is consistent. Should we try (closed) to start?

Definitely a few options there. 🙂 Would you be interested in making another merc? Our characters could travel together and apart from their own adventures they can run into others. That'd be both of us serving as backing for other characters. One of the possibilities for my merc's character arc was to put together a band, maybe even a mercenary company later.

Hey Mat, what sort of character would you like to make and what sort of stories would you like to play? I have a merc that travels around a bit and will be up for hijinks.

Maybe have it that people can nominate that their threads are open by just putting (Open) in the title? That way if someone has a focused/set story, they can do their thing, but anyone can just start an open and let it run? I think also it'd be worth having a couple of players that are happy to use their characters as greeters. I think under old DM RP we always had a few people that did that in each of the groups. But basically, the moment someone signs up or create a character we know that they're going to contact the new person and talk to them about setting up a story. I was already planning on doing that with my merc because he can travel, he can be anywhere really for RP. But he might not be suitable for every character. I like the gamification as an encourager as well. Also, going to start a new thread for you Mat about a new character, I'd like to see if my character could link up. 🙂

The Weeping Willow had been a welcome respite, both from the road and the grime that had come with it. Ashar had expected a place that sold a shoebox for a silver, but he hadn't even had to pay a dime. Haran's treat for his efforts, and also most likely to keep him on hand and feeling somewhat indebted to work a little longer. It worked. Ashar had stayed, washed the road from himself and even fished his nicer tunic and breeches from his own pack. A chance to trim his beard and rinse his hair, he definitely felt more like himself afterward and a nice lunch with a few drinks to tide the afternoon over, it had been easy to have a quiet one in this place. Tables in the centre of the floor and spacious booths for those who claimed them for the purpose of commerce, they'd spent the better part of the afternoon ensconced in one such place as Haran had several visitors come to him. Some came to buy, others came to sell, coin had flowed readily and by the end Haran was holding more coin than he had spent and a few trinkets in hand for the evening. Presumably Haran had secured them on behalf of the woman who was to come tonight or, failing to sell there, to flog to nobles or merchants with more money than sense. Still, he was able to play his part as he sat to the side with a dagger at his belt and his blade sitting next to him in it's sheathe unobtrusively. It drew little attention as he was not the only armsman present who served the role of keeping the peace. Their notable boredom set Ashar at ease, though that did not diminish the attention he paid for Haran's sake. As afternoon turned to night and their dinner meals came, Ashar kept an eye on the new clientele that came for their meals and drinks. Some merchants still kept their booths though a few used curtains to pull theirs shut. Perhaps they would do so with the night clientele as they sought to consult with Haran, but for now they remained visible for those who would speak of finer things.

I'm with Mat, make electricity and industrialisation part of the story arc that people can engage with rather than be present in a larger fashion. Story opportunity there for antagonists trying to stop it, impacts on the city, etc. I'd still like to see separate channeler groups in the world, gives a point of interaction for channeler characters and may present issues in the countries they are present in. For example, a kingdom co-opting channelers into it's structure.

"Such things are beyond a poor peddler's reach." Haran smiled as he leaned forward conspiratorially to the woman's ear. "Such things might be available for private viewing at the Weeping Willow this evening, depending on your taste such trinkets may indeed be treasures." Ashar saw an exchange but could not make out the words, but Haran's manner was not that of a disappointed man. Those that passed by glanced at their business, but otherwise they kept moving. It would do for them to wrap up their business and continue onward, it was one thing to provide commerce to one person, but to set up shop here in the street with more people looking for goods might cause the town watch to be sharp in their reproof. That was what marketplaces were for, and also where they took their cut. "Perhaps we should continue on, Haran? I imagine the guards here will be displeased if we tarry overlong in this place to do business, yes?" Haran's smile at Ashar was genial but with it was a thoughtful nod. "I think you are right, please roll up our gear and we shall continue on. Then we will discuss matters further, I might like to retain your services for an extra day." Market stall duty probably, well, that should be easy enough coin. Jehannah was relatively peaceful. Ashar turned his attention to the gear as he began to roll and bag it up while Haran spoke to the woman. "It was a pleasure to meet you, hopefully our paths shall cross soon."

In regards to the political situation, the Dragon's Peace has been mentioned multiple times . . . I feel like the existing entities that were signatories still be bound to it but those that are established have now had a generation of new young come through, anxious to make their mark in the world and the old ready now to seek advantage in a new world where they cannot be 'aggressors' but still seek to assert their rights. Then you may have new associations and groups that have either not been recognised enough to be invited to sign or have formed and as of yet haven't. In fact these groups may be one of the first friction points, not guaranteed by the peace and possibly not recognised as valid authorities in their own right. Say for example, your idea of a Red Ajah trad group going their own way. It may be worth heavily butchering both the WT and BT numbers. Think of it as opening the way for a new generation, meaning both the WT and BT have to change how they train their members. You could have Novices and Accepted that accompany Aes Sedai into the world due to the lack of sisters, but still able to link and assist while 'learning on the job'. It also asks the question of what kind of sisters the WT wishes to produce post-TG. Likewise with the BT, they were made as weapons during the lead up to TG. How do they see themselves after TG? Guardians? Do they take on other aspects such as ambassadors, help communities, etc? They don't have the same level of tradition binding them that the WT does, and they were heavily depopulated by the Shadow turning and would then have losses during TG. May some of them have decided that with Tarmon Gaidon done that their service is finished and left? On that note, it may be worth killing off most/all main characters. If you have it so the ending of TG saw the wipe out of the main leadership, the signatories and representatives for the Dragon's Peace, that would make it more precarious. Second stringers that never expected to have authority then being thrust into positions of authority. It makes it easier for some of the more established groups like the WT to then have people break away like your red trad idea, or for kinswomen to go their own way, etc.

Aha! I was able to post on this thread again. I agree with Mat with having one or two focal points for players to jump in, yet have other things happening in the world that people can interact with/expand into. I particularly like the idea that if many players lean into certain narrative points that the world is shaped accordingly. It was one of the hard parts of the older DM RP setups, they were constrained by the main storyline and when people weren't prepared to advance the main storyline, others felt held up. We got lots of 'in the past' rps or lots of stories happening within an impossible space of time. I think 25 years forward is a solid choice. It allows for characters that were born post-TG that only know the new world, as well as the older ones that lived during the final days before TG and with their own experiences. Some thoughts possibilities for a post-TG world: - BT/WT cold war conflict could take a few forms, but being recognised as a supreme authority by the remaining nations as well as new ones could be a major factor. Gives people points to have conflict/compete on while developing different nations. They'd have their own problems post-TG. - Normally nations have baby booms post-war. I mention this because there are notes that birth rates were dropping over the centuries before TG, with theories that this was due to the Dark One's influence and one of the reasons that so much land was effectively unclaimed and unsettled by the existing nations. - Post-TG diaspora from people fleeing Seanchan lands, fleeing the lands devastated by the Shadow just before TG, any backlash post-TG, there are options here. New settlements/self-proclaimed leaders, they'd either have to be strong enough to be independent or rely on support of others, either nations or organisations like WT or BT, to operate safely. - Separate channeler groups are a possibility. Not only do you have WT/BT, any splinter groups (like the Trad Reds mentioned), hardliner BT'ers that refuse to work with female channelers due to a history of being hunted, Sea Folk, who are reclaiming the seas, Kinswomen that refuse to affiliate with WT, any group founded by someone who deserted and found new acolytes, sul'dam/damane that escaped the main Seanchan forces (maybe set themselves up as rulers, confirming Seanchan fears of women channelers from their history but motivated by their realisation that the only difference between them is the end of the leash and united by a fear of all being leashed). A longer story arc could be looking at the idea of a unification of all channelers, if not in organisation at least in federation and binding themselves to certain rules to maintain a peace. -It also may be worth thoroughly decimating the Aiel. Not wipe out, but remove them as a major power. It is unlikely to get many players there. Issues surrounding them could be taking huge losses during TG and accompanying disruption in society that comes from losing generations that would normally guarantee stability and also hand down their expertise. Loss of people to the Tuatha'an with the revelation of shared origins Loss of people from their culture after extensive interactions with the Westlands after centuries of minimal contact. Particularly the knowledge that there are green lands unoccupied to settle. War with the Sharans after TG - Ogier: Post-TG, did they use the Book of Translation? In which case, did they all leave? Is there a way to follow them? Was there a purpose to their departure beyond ensuring the Fourth Age could begin? - Children of the Light: Would they have reclaimed a more respectable image after TG for having fought the Shadow? What is their purpose and identity after TG? - The Ways: Saidin has been cleansed, Mashadar has been obliterated, Padan Fain who carried the last vestige of Mashadar within him is gone. What are the chances that Machin Shin is also gone? In which case could the waygates be reclaimed? What other secrets could be discovered within them? Lost locations, maybe even sites within the ways themselves. - The Blight: Is it healed and new turning into verdant land? Could it have been warped again by the sheer scale of power used during TG? Weaknesses in reality, new fauna and flora coming forth (like the Seanchan exotic creatures, etc), new challenges that come with that. Not just for reclamation of Malkier, but also something as simple as an invasive species of plant moving south and threatening crops/livelihoods/lives. - Surviving darkfriends: What are they doing? Any attempts to reunify a remnant? Trying to bring back the Dark One? Ambitious and trying to grab power as they can despite the lack of Dark One? People who may have given their oaths out of fear or otherwise compelled now trying to blend back into society? Are all the Shadowspawn gone with the Dark One cut off? Heaps of story points that could be explored or considered, but not necessarily be a focal point for players.

The welcoming arch of the city gates, the feeling that imminent freedom helped put a lightness in Ashar's steps that had otherwise been lacking for days. They just needed to get to whichever inn that Haran planned to visit and then they could be done. Each step was marked by the jab and riposte of discussions on his final pay, even though Haran had him at every turn he had to admit he respected the man, hard life making a living travelling from place to place, he was even beginning to like their banter a little. But as amusing as the companionship had been, he had little intention of signing on as a pack mule again. His plan was not to make a living by hauling freight, it was going to be made with a sword and spear, he would wi- Stopping as he heard a feminine voice inquire with the peddler, Ashar turned to see a short woman with brown curly hair and an accent he couldn't quite place. Haran was already greeting here with an expansive hand gesture while Ashar was still processing what had been said. "We are but newly arrived here in Jehannah. Normally I would say tomorrow in the markets bu-" Haran looked to Ashar meaningfully and he in turned cocked his head at the older man and mouthed 'don't', "-ut I would be delighted to make my wares available to you now." There was no mistaking the emphasis on that last word, Ashar reminded himself he was still bound by the agreement as he began to lay down a blanket to the side of the path as Haran continued to speak to the woman. "After all, it is impolite to make a lady of both beauty and discerning taste wait, wouldn't you agree, Ashar?" Haran was not just smooth, he was plausible with a genuine enthusiasm. Not just for the customer, but also because this would mean he'd get extra labour out of him. He would have made a superb quartermaster in another life. "It is as you say, yes." The pack unrolled onto the blanket, each item secured by a strap which both made it easier to haul and reduced the noise. It was nice to have it off for a moment, he'd had to kneel just to control it's movement it was so large. Even if he knew deep down he was also the one who would have to pack it back up before they continued, his shoulders were able to at least drink from the sweet oasis of liberty from the fetters Haran had foisted on him for a moment before true freedom came. Haran had also taken his smaller pack and quickly spread it upon the blanket. Ashar's had been general goods, pots and pans, knives, nails, anything that had weight to it. Haran's own selection were books, papers, ink, quills, a few luxury items, in case anything had gone wrong, the peddler had been certain that if he was to lose his finest goods it was only because he would be having his thread spun into the pattern once more. Ashar took a moment to lean back against the wall and survey the street and those passing by as Haran and the woman traded.

Drudgery. It described both the toil of placing one foot before the other in menial service and rhymed with another word that came to mind when it came to Ashar's current mode of transportation. A large pack strapped to his back that jingle jangled like a pair of Arafellin women duelling with whips but twice as painful. Still, it would not do to complain, the peddler Haran Sufeil who was whistling happily next to him was the only one going north and he had little interest in visiting Amadicia. It was too peaceful for his vocation, and practising his vocation there was liable to bring some undue attention from . . . some very righteous and upstanding citizens who wore cloaks of white just to ensure everyone knew how pure they were. Not for him. At least Jehannah was now in sight and a welcome one at that. Pausing for a moment to take in the sight, he could see from their vantage point the layout of the city itself, not as grand as elsewhere but still far better than Samara in the south. Of interest was the Jehannah Road, if things did not work out in the city he could always use that to head east. Maybe not Lugard though, Andor was peaceful but where there was enmity there'd always be someone willing to hire a sword. That was what he was, for the right price. "Oof." Ashar grunted as his ribs were poked by a stick wielded by an amused Haran, his wrinkled face split with a grin that made it clear that he thoroughly enjoyed getting his attention this way, much as he had all trip. "Money doesn't sleep and neither will you till we get there. Come on lad, we make it before midday and maybe I'll throw something extra in." Pit of Doom he would, Ashar knew that wasn't likely and Haran knew he knew, but he began walking again all the same. "You sure you don't want to swap? It wouldn't do well for the fine citizens of Jehannah to see someone else carrying your goods, they might think you are a peddler who does not trust what he sells." "Or think me a successful peddler that I can have someone else carry for me. Move." Grunting at another poke, Ashar considered dropping the bag and walking. Just for a moment, but this close now and Haran being that old . . . No, he carried his own goods normally, the appeals on the first day for aid based on age and alleged infirmity were just Haran getting the best deal. He dismissed the idea, he'd given his word and he'd do it. Wasn't like it was going to kill him. Probably.

The sun was an unkind mistress as Ashar leaned against the wall of a building at the edge of the marketplace. Even under a wide brimmed hat and his bottle of water in hand, he was definitely feeling dusty. At least he wasn't working for now, rather, he was looking for work. A marketplace like this one in Samara was as good as any to find something. His last contract was done and he liked to eat, people who spent coin and earned coin all came through here sooner or later. Even a village could yield an opportunity for work, even if it was only for food and company until he reached somewhere more accommodating to a man of his skills. Further north there'd be more liberal opportunities in Jehannah, Ghealdan wasn't the richest nation but it was at a crossroads and the merchants were nearly as powerful as the nobility. If that didn't work, he could always strike east for Murandy. Lugard had its own work between different factions and the country nobles occasionally launched marauding parties against their neighbours, or so he had been told. As the hours passed, Ashar made note of the merchants who had closed their stalls early or were nearly out of stock. They'd be the ones he'd see tonight, flush with coin and keen to keep it, one of them would find it useful to have an extra blade. Even if they had no faith in his ability, an extra body was an extra body. With any luck, he'd even be able to ride on a wagon, he knew how to manage the horses so someone might be keen to relax on the road knowing it wouldn't careen off into the bushes. It was definitely going to be his day tomorrow.

Dovinhald, Ashar - Commoner (Mercenary) - Currently doing a thread just to explore what they are like and their tone. They can be anywhere in the Westlands effectively though to RP with others.

CONTACT - PM TIMEZONE - +10 GMT WANTED LINK - ? INTRO: I like writing. CHARACTERS: Ashar Dovinhald - Commoner - Mercenary - Bio MISC: No misc, only writing.

There are multiple ways to work with the 15, lets say we split it into three brackets: - Basics - Intermediate - Expert Maybe have tag it so that as you reach a certain point, you get to pick up more. Lets say 2-3 in basics, hit intermediate you pick up more, when you hit expert you can pick up more again. I'm not sure if the discipline specialties add so much in that . . . the system is there to help regulate players in terms of their writing, but it doesn't actually function as a game mechanic. For example, we put two of our characters together, there is no dice roll, even if your WS is higher your character doesn't wing unless we decide to write together that they win. The old discipline style helped give flavour to the writing, but that in itself didn't decide who won or lost, the writers did. So I think it is more a question of how much the system will be useful to scaffold people in their writing versus how much it may need to be regulated. Realistically, even a simple WS with no secondaries could effectively work, people just decide what their characters are good with and what they are not. If someone is going to be amazing at everything, chances are they will end up amazing only with themselves because people won't play with someone who never loses and never gives back. In terms of admin it would definitely be a lot easier, tracking one number rather than 8.

You could also do the old Broken World format. 10-20 years after Tarmon Gaidon, cataclysmic aftermath that allows you to limit the areas of play (they turned northern nations into a New Blight), with the major characters lost in the cataclysm there isn't anyone to weld people together into a united front so you have new conflicts in the aftermath. It gives you the following plot points to run with: - Surviving nations and their status - Seanchan remnant - What is left of the surviving Shadow followers (possibly without a Shaitan) - WT/BT relations - Exploring a new world (new factions/nations rise) - Exploring the transformed nations (finding remnants of the old nations, trying to find families, survivours, new creatures, etc)

Awareness crept upon Ashar like a drum being beaten by an enthusiastic child, without rhythm or reason save for the sheer joy of causing nearby adults to wince. In this case the adult was a man tepidly greeting the morning with a groan from amidst stale sheets that seemed to cling to his every movement with a texture more appropriate to sandpaper than the cotton they were spun from. Ripping them off as he blinked his eyes, Ashar peered over the side of the bed to confirm what his nose had vindictively alerted him to, the bucket that was for his waste had found it during the evening, even if it had been expelled from the high end of town. Pushing the bucket away, it teetered dangerously as it slid across the floorboards but failed to spill into a pool of ale, potatoes and self-recrimination. Rolling over to the other side of the bed, there was a distinct lack of grace as Ashar pulled himself onto the floor and hugged the cool floorboards, he felt far too warm and the tight breeches were not doing him any favours. Slipping them off as far as his ankles, he took in reality as he rolled onto his back to sooth his aches. The sun was filtering through the shutters, probably what had woken him up, or perhaps it was the sounds of commerce and and people in the streets that had caught his attention. Now that he thought about it as he blinked blearily, the sun was unusually high, why was it so high? Rolling over again, Ashar could see the wash basin in his dilapidated accommodations, no more than an elongated wooden bowl with water in it, but that would have to do. He just needed to drown himself in it, maybe that would rid himself of the infernal pounding in his temple, but he doubted the wheel planned to weave his thread so short. That and it was too shallow. But maybe, just maybe, he could clean himself up enough that he could present himself downstairs, pay for a meal that would settle his stomach and drink enough water to drain the Andahar, if he were anywhere near civilisation like that to start with. Sooner he got out of this place, the better. Crawling over to the basin, Ashar frowned as he looked down. Breeches, ankles, kicking at them one foot came free but the other one remained, where it was caught on something. It took the better part of a minute for him to realise it was a boot. He wasn't sure what was worse, that he'd fallen asleep with a boot on, or that as he looked around the room he could not find the other one. It was almost enough to make him give up on the day, but Ashar didn't have it in him to quit. He would happen to the day, the day would not happen to him. Sighing as he girded himself for the fight ahead, he renewed his wiggle toward the wash basin with the alacrity of a worm praying that the sparrow will find it.

I'd suggest doing a check on who is active at the moment and wants to play. We can look at the characters and figure out what sort of RPs can be run from there. Whether it is small level interactions and meetings to missions/adventures. Tower business used to be a good way to bring sisters and warders together, for example.

In terms of story, I like the idea of an alternative timeline to the books. Means that we aren't bound to it completely and can make alterations as suits the players. I'd also like to see the nations more active, in the books they tended to be more passive and reactive compared to the big players (the Towers, Children of Light, Seanchan, Shadow and Aiel). Andor got a bit more love than elsewhere, but it felt like the world was happening to them rather than them having agency. Admittedly, that is the nature of the cataclysm that is occurring, but there could be more opportunity for stories there.