This is something I will have to get BT and probably Admin approval on. I'll get in contact with people for you and get back to you, as it is inter-divisional.

Arcon noted every facial expression, and inwardly felt a mix of both pleasure and disgust. She was no fool, that much was obvious. It was also the source of both of his emotions. Having such an individual as an ally gave him more options, and a far more reliable lever, should a fulcrum present itself. Unfortunately, he couldn't waltz in and get what he wanted with a few non-committal responses. Use what you have Arcon, to get what you need. His father's words, his impending return brought many such phrases to his mind. Are you growing nostalgic? He wondered to himself. He quickly banished the thoughts, he'd need to focus for this to go well.

The dreadlord listened to her words, and for once let his mask of perfect control break. He let a sigh slip through his lips, and he reached for his repulsive drink. Taking a shallow sip, he set it back down onto the table with a grimace. "What benefit do I get for seeking out the newest member of the Black? Quite simply my dear, you don't have the allies that you need." He let the words hang for a moment. Every bit of finesse his father drilled into him had to be abandoned, in order to be embraced. "In my time as a dreadlord, rivals have tried to kill me more times than I care to recollect. The shadows are deep, Seheria Sedai, and they are blacker than your new shawl. Our people are not known for suffering rivals to live, and I am willing to bet that within the tower things are the same. You want to know how I've stayed alive?" For the first time he pulled back the cowl of his hood, looking into her eye with his one good. The scar that ran from his forehead to jaw line, and even well below that, was prominent. The eye patch he wore only accentuated it. True, he had gained one of those marks before he had been a dread lord, but she didn't need to know that. No, he planned to use his disfigurements to strengthen his point. "By having ties to people who can make threats, and can follow through with them. By surrounding myself with people who have power that others covet, or by using people's contrived notions of those facts."

He took another drink of his ale, dearly wishing for a map with X's marked for every brew house on the continent. He would see them all destroyed had he that information. "If you want to know what I get out of this, I have already said it. I need some one with an ageless face, someone whom the entire world knows can not speak a lie." His voice leveled out, growing far quieter and holding an edge that had been missing before. "I need someone to tell a story, and I need that person to need me. Even wise dreadladies, whom spend every day within the halls of the Fortress with dreadlords have some measure of fear for us. I know when you embrace Saidar Aes Sedai." He seized Saidin, drawing on the source, but doing nothing with the power. He wanted to make it harder to try to shield him, nothing more. "But you have no idea if I draw upon Saidin. I should think your sisters would be decidedly uncomfortable if they knew you had a dreadlord in your pocket, no?"

Arcon pushed away his mug, having drunk enough not to draw the suspicion of the servers. He gave her a moment to consider his words, and to subdue any urges she might have. Males who could channel were rare, very few Aes Sedai ever encountered them. The cultural stigma of them ran deep, even for those whom had embraced the Great Lord. "That fear can be used, and all I ask is that you maintain that mask that you have learned as an Aes Sedai. If you refuse, there are others I can speak with who will not." He let the barely veiled threat hang in the air. By now her experience in the tower would teach her to read the true meanings behind people's words. I can channel, and you would never see me coming. Do you wish a rival to hold that dagger, or yourself? "Oh, and for the Great Lord's sake, next time you buy me a drink, I'd prefer it had a vintage."

Sereth stepped through the familiar slash, his silk coat fluttering meekly from the breeze. When he released the weave it settled. He shook his head; it was an odd night for the weather to be so still. It seemed the world should be in tempest. His boots crunched through the snow as he approached his home, pushing open the door and taking a moment to take it all in. It has been a long time… He felt an odd duality. So much had changed, the summer heat finally breaking, his promotion to Attack Leader, and… other things. Yet still, his home remained almost exactly as he had left it, a state of familiar disarray, and he knew he’d be able to find any book he owned. Question not the chaos… He nearly winced at the thought, and started weaving gentle flows of air, attempting to clean the thin layer of dust from his belongings.

---

“Covai, I have to leave for a bit.” Sereth stood before his superior, arms lying laxly at his sides, standing with obvious tension. He was afraid the man would say no. “I had a mentor as a child, a philosophy teacher. He… He was the one who told me I could channel. He was always so knowledgeable, and seemed to understand principles that could be of use to us. I want to track him down, he could help us. I know it.” He spoke with the conviction he felt, and the words he had rehearsed. Though in truth, he simply wanted to find his old friend. It had been far too long, and he was curious. How had he been? Still mentoring over eager students in Andor? To his surprise, the storm leader agreed. Sereth bid his friends farewell, promising to return as soon as possible, and set off for his family home. Odd, how I’ve never even thought of how close I was to home…

His arrival was met with mixed feelings. His mother wrapping her arms around her son, embracing him and telling him how much she’d missed him. His father a bit more subdued, curtly shaking his hand. Sereth couldn’t say he was surprised. He’d just up and left his family, taking the education that they had bought him and joining the tower. All on the whim of a man they considered mad. The fact that this same son now openly wielded the One Power… Well he hoped his father would come around. “I’d love to stay folks, but unfortunately I am on assignment. My philosophy teacher…” He paused, noticing a stiffening of both parent’s spines. “I need to track him down. I believe he was a channeler. I need to find him.” For the first time in his life he saw anger in his father’s eyes, and a cold malice was in his voice. “Get out Sereth. We won’t have anything to do with that man. Ever again.” Sereth was shocked, looking to his mother, but she didn’t repeal the statement. She always did differ to him…

“I.. alright. I just wanted to know where he was. I’m sorry.”

“Get out!”

Heart broken, he left his family home. A bit down the street, he heard footsteps and turned, instinctively reaching for the source. It was his mother. “He is gone son, and I’m sorry, but he wasn’t the man we thought he was. When you left… “ She had to take a moment to collect herself. “I heard a rumor that he was headed to Carhien.” With that she quickly hugged her son, and left, leaving him dumbfounded. Still, he opened a gate to the city.

---

“I’ve followed you all over this continent teacher. What the hell have you become?” The man before him was ragged, wearing a cowled great cloak against the chill. The man laughed, spreading his hands out to the night air. “I am what I have always been boy. A man with The Power, and an idea. No, I believe it is you who have become something. Focus, close your eyes and tell me. It will be just like old times.” Sereth almost did it, but reminded himself of the rumors he had heard, the things he had seen. He had been away from the tower to long, but the search consumed him. How could the gentle philosophy instructor be the creature standing before him? At least he’d sent word. The nature of his search had changed, and he was hunting a killer.

“What have I become? While I suppose I’ve become a man with the Power, and an ideal. An ideal that it should be used to defeat the shadow, and help save this world.” His teacher snickered at the words, “So smart yet so ignorant. I’d thought that by now you’d know. This world isn’t worth saving.” Sereth gritted his teeth; he didn’t want this to happen. “You’re wrong.” At the words the first hint of anger snapped out from the man, and Sereth felt him seize Saidin. Instantly he did the same. “Question not the Chaos, boy! I am not wrong! I am never wrong! It is the failings of idiots who can’t see the truth! I’ll show you! ” The man wove fire and earth, splitting the earth and sending globes of melted rock at his former student. Sereth easily batted them aside with clubs of air. He nearly sobbed, taking this as the conformation of what he’d feared. The man had lost himself to the taint, that brilliant mind completely consumed by the Dark One. He should have known, after seeing those corpses. Burned to cinder, each one a different symbol carved into the ash. Sereth had recognized them from his days in this man’s tutelage.

Again the man came at him, weaving fire and earth with abandon, cutting the ground and trying to burn Sereth. He countered with thick slicing weaves, and advanced on the man. He had never had the grace with the power that those like Covai or Arath possessed, but he had experience with dueling other channelers. He launched a brutal counter assault, sending corkscrews of air laced with fire, creating lances to impale and burn the man he’d admired. The man dodged, again and again, sending back his flimsy fire weaves. Eventually Sereth cornered him, and his teacher fell, exhausted. Sereth summoned his full strength, slamming a shield onto the man and cutting him off from the source. “I came here to find a man worth taking to the tower. A man to teach thought to the men there, give them a reason to live for tomorrow. To think beyond the last battle, and what our return as men who wield the power would mean. Instead… I find you.” His hand fell to his sword. He’d been taught to use it so well over his time at the tower. “You are a murderous wretch Teacher, a man without conscious or purpose. No, you are so much worse…” He remembered the last corpse… So small, how had he not burned the teddy with the weave? “You are a slayer of children and for that,” Sereth drew his sword, raising it high; “you will die!” The blade fell, the moonlight shimmering off the piece of forged steel. Red misted the pure snow.

---

Sereth Arian stood in his room, still holding a dripping blade. He took a deep breath, and applied the same weave he’d used to clean his house on the sword. He put the droplets of blood outside with the dust, before sheathing the weapon. He methodically took off his boots, and headed to his sleeping quarters. It had been to long since he had slept in his own bed, though he doubted he’d sleep well now. At least unassisted. I’ll have to report in tomorrow. The thought galvanized him. He’d have to be alert to stand before the Storm Council, and he rummaged until he found a small packet of herbs. With Saidin it was easy to boil the water and make a sleeping draught. His last thought before going to sleep was simple, I’m home.

Arcon’s heart leapt into his throat as the serving lady returned, filling his ale back to brimming. Though he felt like seizing Saidin and burning the place down, he graciously thanked her, and turned his eyes to the woman who sat across him. He took a moment to appreciate her dress and mannerisms, noting that she seemed to dress far above him. His mind cycled through possibilities. Would that quality have been less noticeable in this crowd? He scanned the room and found no other gem stone coated cloaks. No, then I suppose there are only two options. She either blundered into choosing a noteworthy style, or she is sending a message. His uprising forced him to believe the latter. You should have expected this, she is Aes Sedai afterall.

His inspection of her continued for a few moments. He noted how young she appeared, though in truth that meant very little for an Aes Sedai. She was Andorian, which would only work in his favor. Oh father, how did it go? Like an Andorian in a council meeting? The phrase had similar connotations to another, like a bull in a china shop. Still the people were known for their pride, and being Aes Sedai would only enhance it. Self suffering fools… He’d have to play to that. Caution, and allow her to think she had the upper hand. His plan took less than three heartbeats to form, it was time for the Great Game to begin.

Arcon gave her a measured nod, with holding a smile for now. He had to give the appearance of respect, and that he thought of themselves as equals. Briefly he seized Saidin, weaving a ward to silence their conversation within the booth, and alert him if any drew near. He tied the weaves and ceased his grapple with the power, long since shielded from the Taint that the Great Lord had placed upon it. “We can speak freely, Seheria Sedai. Allow me to introduce myself. I am Arcon Dadread, originally from Carhien, but have long since made my nest in the Fortress within the Blight.” He took a brief pause to allow her to acknowledge him and his rank. “I’ve come to you for a very simple reason. Due to your status as Aes Sedai, you wield a certain amount of political power. I, as Dreadlord, control another.”

Arcon paused, sipping on his ale and hiding a grimace. It wouldn’t do to have that pesky serving woman interrupt them; as such he had to maintain appearances. I swear I will throw every brewmaster to the same beast I feed Mr. Sweeper. It had been years since he had thought of that atrocious first mate, and he was surprised to find he had to suppress the urge to set his jaw. He would get his revenge, but first he had to get to a place where he could terrorize the man without fear of recrimination. Step one was this meeting.

“I will make this very clear for you; I propose that we act together. You will have a friend in the Fortress, and I in the tower. It will give us an edge, and the Great Lord knows that we need every one we can find.” He hoped the last remark not to subtle; he was quietly pointing out the new color of her shawl. Yes, Arcon could make a very powerful ally for the new Black Sister. “Nothing to grandiose, but in times of need, where say our particular spheres of influence collide unfavorably, we call upon the other. At the very least, having one with my particular,” he paused for a moment, emphasizing his next word, “masculine traits could come in handy. Let alone all of the friends I have access to.” He stressed that word as well, referring to his greater access to shadow spawn, and contacts with circles of dark friends outside of Tar Valon. He had to sell himself to the woman, forsaking his normal approach of double talk and misted meanings. He was a merchant, presenting his wares, and if there was one rule of that trade, it was not to show how badly the customer’s coin was needed.

Howdy, our beloved division leader Liitha is on a 3 week LoA. This means that I, who for whatever reason agreed to be ADL of the CotS, am currently in charge. I full expect you to be fantastically behaved members of CotS, and politic and back stab until the cat comes back. In other words, don't let progress slow down any more because she is gone, I am more than capable of helping/raising you if you meet the requirements for the next level. So please, frollic, kill, maim, do something. I'll be here if you need me.

Alright, well I've got one taker. Anybody else need a dastardly villian?

Arcon’s finely manicured hands pressed firmly upon the polished wooden door to the tavern. He tried to enter with little fanfare, and thought he chose the location fairly well for such a reaction. His silks were hidden under a woolen cloak, and the silk patch replaced with one of far lesser quality. Though of course, his hood was up. The tavern was far from the seediest in town, though honestly in Tar Valon even that wasn’t much to sniff at. It was however, that wonderful middle ground where a man and a woman could be expected to meet. He knew his slender build, and if anyone looked too closely, youthful looking face would only work in his favor tonight. Let them assume I’m out on some trist. As long as she is smart enough to keep her face hidden, all should go well. He hoped the young woman would show at least that much wisdom.

As he passed a serving woman, Arcon put a bit of a nervous tremor in his voice. “Please, may I get some ale for my nerves? I’m meeting someone here tonight…” He nodded towards a booth. The woman smiled a sly grin, “Of course sugar, but if it doesn’t work out you let me know.” She closed with a wink, and the dreadlord actually managed to fake a shy response. She giggled, and he made his way towards the booth, making sure to sit out of the deepest shadows, preferring to let the lady take that. All it would take was one peek, and he would draw far too much attention. The serving girl returned a few minutes later with a frothing glass mug. The nobleman managed to suppress the urge to grimace, and thanked her. “She didn’t stand you up, did she?” Arcon laughed nervously, she’d regret it if she did. “No, it’s early yet. Still plenty of time.” A pouty lip and a shrug was his response. What some people are willing to do to get a tip around here…

Arcon settled deeper into the booth, managing to sip the ale without emptying the contents of his stomach. I swear, if the Great Lord had coated Saidin in this filth men would have finished the job at the breaking… He sighed, doing what he could to avoid growing impatient. The friends of the dark said the message was successfully delivered to a new inductee into the Black Ajah. He needed someone young, someone he could sink his fangs into. God only knew how long he’d need the woman, especially if his plan to make his grand return home was to come to fruition. An ageless face would be needed to validate the story he planned to tell, of a gentled son returning home after so many years on the run. His father would have to do the rest, and Arcon found that he actually had faith in the man.

And so the spider sat, sending out the first strands of black silk, and began to weave.

Either one of you is welcome to PM me, he still needs even basic sword training and the like, though he was quite far into a survival req I can't seem to find.

I've added you, I just don't know when you are actually online.

Ahh yeah, those were some of the last major events I took part in.

He is currently at the yards, and his bio is in the archives. I haven't looked at his reqs yet, primarily because I've been rather busy lately, but I'm assuming he is -very- low on the pole.

I poked you, willing to RP with any of the characters, though the BA makes the most sense. It actually could help with Arcon's reintroduction.

Last I recall mine was learning more advanced weapon's play from Matalina, though not even sure if she is still around lol. I will have to dig out his reqs soon, I liked the pasty dude.

Haha! I've got my fade as well. We can meet up in the blight if need be, or you can come to my Dreadlord. Both work, though I'd really like help raising my Lurk.

Basic sword forms even are appreciated, I figure once he gets the basics down, he will be able to extrapolate his own style. But yeah, I'm willing to do just about anything to help get him going as a trainee.

If all else fail, trolloc target practice. I've had some ideas for upper level thought provoking RPs. Sereth left on a binge to find his old mentor to help the tower, but after that whole deal relized that if he wants to help people, he is going to have to do it himself. I'm assuming I'm gonna get a stern reprimand or something from Arath for being gone so long IC, but after/during that I should be free.

Well, it looks like our dearest Eqwina is away for a bit, I do have a rather poorly trained warder of my own in Adamin. Hopefully we get his twin Del back in action, but I've got some catch up work to do on that front anyways. I have no idea were the reqs are, and think I've only done 3 posts with him, most of which didn't get finished. As such, I need some help getting him up and running and training with his side sword (think a more functional rapier, edged but still an incredibly nimble weapon, a gentleman warrior's weapon.)

Any takers?

Alright, arcon is fully raised, and I'll get started on putting him on the council, but I've got I believe an Acolyte and a very low level fade to raise as well. Gonna need to one, find my reqs for my other dready, and two get some teaching down on my Fade. I really want to begin getting the shadow back out into the world, and can do so now with only one character. Liitha, wanna help me out on pushing out some reqs? Or anyone else for that matter.

Annnnd one again I have no access to the hidden boards! Sign me up, lets breathe some life back into the dark side!

So, I've noticed that the CotS boards are quite frankly disturbingly dead. I still have several posts on the front page... and that doesn't make me happy. As the baddies are kinda an integral part of the overall storey, I feel we need to breathe some life into them, and well, perhaps do something bad. As such I offer up my Dreadlord Arcon Da'Dread, I'll have to double check with Liitha, but I have a vague recollection of him picking up the travelling weave at some point, or the two of us can work on a reason why he'd be out. He is a Carhien to the bone, and about as proud and arrogant as possible. Really an incredible character for me to play, and I find most people find it really easy to hate him! As such, is there anyone, anywhere who wouldn't mind starting up an RP with him? I am writing up a "where has he been" that states that he has been making a stir in Carhien, claiming to be the returned-gentled son of a now far more influencial noble house. The rumors surronding that state otherwise, as his father has been playing up that he may very well have a channeling son to snipe down enemies.

Of course none of that is confirmed, or maybe not even true. Arcon would only go after his own rivals, and more likely through proxey. Still, could be an interesting plot? Or him mucking about in any of the other cities, building ties for his house and gathering support for the shadow. If there are any aspiring dreadlords out there, I'd even be willing to play the pick-up game, and same for darkfriends. All in all, I just really feel we need the shadow's influence back in main randland. In the books DFs are everywhere, and we need to represent that. I've got a second dreadlord to raise, and if I can get nyn back into it, a Myddraal to make into a true terror.

Welcome to the tower, I plan on reviving my old attack leader Sereth, and will be availible for raising requirments.

I added you, and we can definitly do that. I'm gonna work on updating Arcon's profile. Anything significant happen in the last three years? Cities taken over, cleansing of Saidin, that sort of thing?

Alright, I'll begin working on what I need to. I'll offer up my services as an Attack Leader, so training and what not is definitly on me.

Hey, I used to be a very freqent member of these boards years ago, and with some recent IRL soul crushing stopped, I'd like to revive some of my old characters, namely Arcon Da'Dread, an ambitious Carhieren ((Been so long, probably misspelled that.)) This place drasticly needs some blood pumped into it, I can tell because my posts are still on the front page, and I'd like to begin that process.

Anyone with me?

Hi!

Three or so years ago I played a character hre named Sereth Arian, and he was advanced through the ranks and was at one point a failry prominent member of the BT community, and I'd like to make him so again. I've missed this place, and the character, and am trying to figure out exactly where he stands, as he was an attack leader, but its... been three years so...

Anywho, after I get this all sorted out, I'd really like to reintroduce him to you guys, though honestly the more I'm reading the more I"m thinking this place may have died... But maybe it just needs some new-old bloods to pump it up? Iunno. Oh, and is Covai still around, or has he gone?