"Now, imagine a flame, a single flame, in your mind.  Feed all of your thoughts, feelings, emotions ... all of it, right into the flame until nothing remains but the flame and an emptiness, a void, remain in your mind.  Once you can achieve this, we can really begin."

Tai'Dashan felt uncomfortably hot in his black uniform. The sun was just up and already there was an annoying trickle of sweat between his shoulder-blades. The night before had been fairly interesting, ending in nightmares of Aria and going mad, sometimes both in the same horrid nightmare. As anxious as he was to wield it,  the One Power had a way of frightening a man. Arath had been quiet enough on the way out of the inn after his meeting with Linten. Tai'Dashan had been surprised to find his mentor was 7 years younger than him and wondered if like himself, Arath Faringal had demons he hid as well. But today was not about curiosity over his mentor. Today was to be his first instruction Arath had said, and he meant to show him how quick a learner he was. Closing his eyes and taking deep breaths to center himself, Tai'Dashan imagined a tiny flame. He imagined himself floating in front of the flame, breathing slowly and evenly. Feelings, thoughts, everything that flowed through him slid into the flame, directed with a thought. The heat of the day, the remaining weariness from the night before, all of it fed the flame made it bigger.

With no sense of time, Tai'Dashan fed the flame endlessly. larger and larger it grew, higher and more intense until nothing existed but him and the flame. Tai'Dashan fed all he was into the inferno the flame had become. Thought, emotion, sensation, his very being fed the flame. The only thing that existed, that ever had existed, or ever would exist was the flame. Tai'Dashan fed the last scrap of his being, the last shred of conscious thought into the raging inferno and felt himself become the raging heat of the flame. As he dimly recognized losing his identity, the flame became a searing, liquid, lightning bolt of ice. It raged within him wildly, writhing and wildly pulsing with decay. Desperately he grapled to keep his head above the proverbial water. His eyes shot open and the world crashed back in around him bringing him to his knees. Tai'Dashan trembled weakly and licked his lips. The tiniest brush with a power that indescribably massive had brought him to his knees, how was he supposed to control that? The rotten slime of decay had felt like he had turned himself inside out and bathed in it. The thought made him shudder and loose his breakfast weakly in the grass.

Slowly he got to his feet. Wiping his mouth with the back of one hand he scrubbed the other through his hair. He looked at Arath levelly,  wondering if the man had had a similiar experience. He had wanted to impress Arath with how fast he could learn. Now the stench of his breakfast drove away any chance of that along with his dignity.

"Now what?"

"I hope you listen better than my last mentee did."

Arath had smiled slightly and Tai'Dashan felt his own mouth crack in a hearty grin that had nothing to do with the ale. "No worry about that Arath sir." Tai'Dashan found that he liked his mentor and was even surprised to hear the word friend in his mind when he thought about him. Quietly he had studied Linten while he spoke of Aes Sedai and had purposefully left his reply about them non-commital. The man had a face to make an Aes Sedai proud, but there was no hiding his eyes from Ta'Dashan. What he had seen had made his skin crawl. Not that he didn't like Linten. He seemed a good enough sort, the kind he might even trust his hide to in a battle. It was just something about his eyes when he had spoken of Aes Sedai had reminded him of the alley dogs back home. They looked tame enough until you got close. then they went for your throat just to taste some fresh meat and blood. It made him decidedly nervous. As Arath turned to go, Tai'Dashan slightly exagerated his drunken state and grabbing Arath's sleeve, fell off of his chair. As the man helped him stand he said. "I am a little two drunk for that regrettably Arath. What I really need is a place to lie down for the night and clear my head. We can do all that tomorrow eh?" With his back to Linten he looked meaningfully at Arath and hoped the man would understand. They could speak more about it later if Arath was so inclined but in all honesty a bed was all he truly wanted. Tai'Dashan had traveled since sun-up and was indeed travel weary, helped along by the ale. "No offence Linten." he offered drunkenly. Arath studied the two for a minute and Tai'Dashan held his breath.

OOC: Good to have you back Arath. tismeb4u, thanks man for stepping in and keepin me company, I am thoroughly interested in how things are developing with Linten and would like to RP that in the future and see where that goes! btw LOVED you guys' writing in the watchers RP!  ;D Yeah, im up to speed. hehe ;)

OOC: Thanks :D

Tai'Dashan saw a man in black motion to a mug of ale and an empty chair in front of him. His eyes aching with unshed tears, Tai'Dashan decided he could use another mug if only to steady himself. Gathering his things he made his way over to the man. As he sat down, he looked into the green eyes of this man that had offered him a chair and a mug. "Thanks for the mug." He said smiling. 'Looks like I don't have to worry about friends too much after all' he thought to himself drily. For a long time Tai'Dashan had had a hard time looking anyone straight in the eye with green eyes. Now he met the man's gaze levelly and introduced himself. Linten was this man's name and he was a Dedicated. The man in front of him had the look of someone hardned by his share of trouble but a friendly enough sort. Tai'Dashan asked after what kind of meal was good here and after ordering some mutton, he ordered a mulled wine for himself and another ale for his new found acquaintance. It was then that Linten spoke.

“Not much for belongings. But it won’t matter. Everything is supplied that is required for necessity, even these stylish black outfits.” His hands pulled the front of his tunic slightly with a sadistic smirk. “The hard part is the loved one’s we leave behind. Once you enter the service of the Black Tower, you lose all claim to a past existence. Too easy for the w … the women of the White Tower to trace. You don’t want and Aes Sedai finding your family do you?”

Staring into his mulled wine, Tai'Dashan kept in mind the man was ignorant of his past and forced his tone to soften when he answered softly, "I have no family, no loved ones to leave behind that haven't been left already. As for Aes Sedai," He shrugged, grimacing into his wine. "as long as they stay out of my way and do not try to stop me in my service to the Dragon, they have their place in Tarmon Gai'don. They too serve the pattern as the wheel weaves them." His last comment he added, looking up at Linten with a rueful grin. "As long as that is far enough away from me."

Tai'Dashan glanced out the nearest window and realised that what remained of the day when he arrived was quickly coming to a close. "So friend," he started comfortably, a little too comfortably thanks to all the ale, " where do I hang my hat and rest my travel weary bones? Do I have to shack up with all the other new recruits? Do I get a place of my own? Who do I talk to tomorrow?" The questions tumbled out of him almost faster than he meant, which he blamed on all the ale and wine, and he finished somewhat appologeticly with an abashed look and a yawn.

I have been reading through the watchers RP and WOW! I take my hat off to all of the writers in the thread. You guys have done an excellent job! Good writing guys! Once again I am thrilled to be a part of such a vividly composing team of RP'ers here on this site.

OOC: Arath had to go to scout camp with his brother or some such and sadly this has left me stuck at the gate so to speak. :) my character knows he can channel but that is all. with this I wanted to open up a little about some of Tai'Dashan's motivations and inner demons. That way all you RP'ing folks can get to know him better. Anyone feel free to help my character settle in, get a space to call his own etc. And Arath once you are back jump right in! Covai or Jocelyn if you have the time I'm not afraid to start training :D Lets do some RP'ing! see the following link to understand the previous exchange and my arrival at the BT:

http://forums.dragonmount.com/index.php/topic,17944.0.html

With Arath called away unexpectedly, Tai'Dashan was left a little dumbfounded at the Inn of the Black Tower. He could channel. He had hoped for it, wanted it with everything he had in him. A black coated Asha'man had strode purposefully into the inn and bent low to whisper to Arath. Arath had sighed and smiled at Tai'Dashan, excused himself and told him that someone would be by shortly to get him settled. That was where he sat. sipping the ale Arath had bought for him and letting it all sink in. Some may have described Tai'Dashan as handsome, as he caught his reflection in his ale he chuckled sullenly. Aria had thought so. Tai'Dashan was about 5'11, nothing to remark on, with a strong jaw framed with dark rugged hair he never could seem to tame completely. Aria had laughed when he commented on his jaw-length mane once, she said it was like him, never quite tamed completely. his startlingly blue eyes looked back at him with a deepness he hadn't expected to see reflected in his ale. But what did he expect thinking of her?

Aria was his lost love. The one secret in his past he never spoke of, even with his closest friends. They had met shortly before his mother died and Aria was a great comfort in the times that followed. They had shared love like something out of a gleeman's tale and talked often about marriage. Well...he had. She always laughed, ruffled his hair and kissed the tip of his nose. One day he had seriously questioned her about it. He knew she loved him. She had said that they were too young. 18 just wasn't old enough, and he had his business besides. Things were tough after that but they loved one another pure and simple until that night 4 years later. They had been so happy. Tai'Dashan felt the tears comming and drained his ale to push them back. He set his mug down with a sigh, pulling himself out of his reverie. Where had all that come from anyway? He ran a hand through his hair and looked around wondering what was next.

Three cheers for Jocelyn who worked her tail off and put up with all of us new guys!

[move]Hip-hip-hooray ,Hip-hip-hooray,Hip-hip-hooray                                                                                                                                   [/move]

Oh, and welcome back Covai *salutes* Look forward to having you around. Best wishes.

OOC: sounds good to me. I know you are going out of town for the next week but what is the next step? training? Finding me a house? Helping you build your house?  :D Needs to get done sometime haha.

Continuation as follows:

http://forums.dragonmount.com/index.php/topic,18203.msg487673.html#msg487673

Yeah! I just found this post as well and my mentor is leaving for a week anyway so im kinda stuck knowing that i can channel and thats it lol. So just let me know what you have in mind.

I love the BT and all its madness. Welcome Alden! I'm fairly new as well. You are going to love it here, ppl are really nice and the roleplays are inventive. hope to have you around for a long time :D

Previous posts from old board.

[glow=red,2,300]1.[/glow]

Tai'Dashan slowed as he approached what everyone he talked to had been calling "The Farm." The dirt path he was on led to ominous, slick-looking, black stone walls. "Looks nothing like a farm." He mumbled to himself. On The outside, The Farm was a formidable looking structure, if unfinished. Through gaps in the strange shiny black walls, Tai'Dashan could see a bustling mass of people. He felt a stab of apprehension as he saw those people moving about purposefully and wondered if he would fit in.

'What are you thinking you goat-brained fool?' He thought to himself harshly. 'You aren't exactly here to make friends. It doesn't matter if they all hate you! You are here to test. Pass or Fail. Period.'

Already Tai'Dashan was missing his trade and his home back in Mayne. He sighed heavily in resignation and walked over to the only building that even looked somewhat familiar, an Inn. Scanning the Inn, his blue eyes finding the door, he saw men walking in and out with those black coats everyone seemed to be wearing. They seemed to wear grim looks as easily as their coats.

'What am I doing here? I probably wont even be able to channel. What good am I, a jewelry merchant, to these strong and confident men? ' He ran a hand through his dark hair and hoisted his pack to a better position. "I'm just tired from travelling and its got me acting like a child, nervous and doubting myself." he grumbled. A woman walking by with a basket of wash, hearing him speak, paused to give him a puzzled look. 'Great, already have people looking at me strangely.' He thought.

A long way from home, having given up everything he owned and loved for a dream, feeling quite despondant, alone and lost, Tai'Dashan sat on an overturned barrel next to the Inn's door and waited for some kind of direction.

[glow=red,2,300]2.[/glow]

Arath rubbed his eyes in his study, tired from reading over training reports. He had been excited for his promotion at first, until the paperwork had begun. Now being an Attack Leader wasn't so glamorous as he'd originally supposed. How did Isha put up with it? Setting down a report on a training accident, he looked out the window gazing at the grounds of the Farm. The inn drew his eye in particular. An escape from the monotany of his day.

Buttoning up his black coat he stepped outside into the afternoon air and set off at a brisk pace toward the inn. As he approached the door he noticed a man sitting on a barrel a little to the side of the door, and looking thoroughly lost. Judging by the man's clothing, he wasn't a soldier. Yet.

Standing by the door he addressed the man. "You look like you could use a drink friend. And if you don't now you may well need one soon." With a sweeping gesture he invited the man inside, and entered himself. Sitting down at a nearby table he waved down a nearby serving girl for drinks, then returned his attention to the other man who looked a little aprehensive. "So. What brings you here? Most people don't come looking for this place, and since you didn't come straight to my office, a recruiting party didn't find you." Noting the blank look in the other man's face, Arath realized he had not yet introduced himself. Holding out his hand he did so. "Arath Faringal is my name. I'm Attack Leader in charge of new recruits here."

OOC: Intro's, first impressions, yada yada yada. Make a good impression on me, since I'm your mentor now  And then we'll get on with your testing and all that fun stuff.

[glow=red,2,300]3.[/glow]

Tai'Dashan had just about convinced himself that he was foolish to ever come here, when one of the many black coated men stopped on his way in to the Inn and offered him inside for a drink.

Quote:

"You look like you could use a drink friend. And if you don't now you may well need one soon."

Following the man inside he thought to himself, 'Well, there is no turning back now.' The man asked some questions that didn't make much sense, and then thrust out his hand explaining who he was.

Quote:

"Arath Faringal is my name. I'm Attack Leader in charge of new recruits here."

Well, it sure was nice to be welcomed at least. Tai'Dashan took Arath's hand and smiled, intorducing himself in return.

"My name is Tai'Dashan. I-I heard that y-you guys test to see if men can channel." He stuttered in apprehension at first, growing in confidence with the last few words. "I want to test. I want to fight the forces of the shadow and rid the world of darkness!" His earlier apprehension and doubts faded with his confident words. His startling blue eyes blazing, daring this man in front of him to deny him. "At any cost. What do I have to do?" He finished.

[glow=red,2,300]4. [/glow]

Arath stared at the other man for a moment before responding. "Is that so? You wish to test for Saidin? It is a rare thing indeed for someone to come looking for us. Rarer still for those people to know what they're asking of us.

"Saidin is an amazing thing. A power you've never even imagined before. A power that will destroy you on the spot if you ever lose control. With it you can travel across the world in an instant, lay waste to an army, and a myriad of other things. But it comes with a cost. The light cursed taint for one. Every time you touch Saidin, you touch the vile taint. Many go mad the instant they brush against the thing. And they may be the lucky ones. Even if the taint doesn't drive you to insanity, it begins to tear apart your body. A wasting sickness that consumes you alive. To make it worse, Saidin is addictive. Once you begin to channel, you can't stop. You'll crave Saidin like a man in a desert craves water. And the only way to get it is repeatedly diving through the taint.

"You wish to fight the forces of the shadow? Rid the world of darkness? The cost is to take them in, and make them a part of you." Arath smiled a little at the wide eyed look of Tai'Dashan. "I don't tell you this to disuade you. Light knows we need every soldier we can get. But you should know the truth. If I test you and you can channel, there is NO turning back. Your life will belong to the Black Tower. So, do you wish to proceed?" A small flame sprang into being, suspended in the air between them about a foot above the table. "Or escape while you still can?"

[glow=red,2,300]5. [/glow]

Quote:

"You wish to fight the forces of the shadow? Rid the world of darkness? The cost is to take them in, and make them a part of you."

Tai'Dashan heard the man's words and remembered a time his mother had taught him something similar, over a gold ring set with a ruby she was crafting. "You see the imperfections in the ruby? That is what makes it valuable. Don't look at me like I just ate a trolloc boy." She chuckled softly and ruffled his hair. "The imperfections make it real." she explained.

His mother had taught him a valuable lesson that day, one that he would hold dear the rest of his life. Flaws make a thing real. Nothing is perfect. The old saying went, "Take what you want and pay for it later, just make sure you have enough to pay your debt."

A small flame hung in the air, as did Arath's words.

"Escape is for cowards and fools!" Tai'Dashan spat as his eyes locked on the strangely floating flame in front of him. It drew his eyes and held his focus almost unwillingly. When he spoke next, eyes never leaving the flame, his voice was silk wrapped steel. The flame dancing in his eyes almost hauntingly, he spoke. "I hear the Dark One is threatening everything we know. And the Dragon Reborn is gathering an army to fight." Arath was struck by the man's sudden intensity. "Sacrifice is something I am no stranger to. I have lost much because of the Shadow." Suddenly the man's eyes snapped up to bore like augers into Arath's, with a voice to match. "What means a little more? As I said, 'At any cost'."

Tai'Dashan's eyes settled almost apologetically back to the flame.

[glow=red,2,300]6.[/glow]

"Very well." Arath was more than a little curious about this man's story. His intensity spoke of much hurt in a short time. But that would be for another time. "I want you to concentrate on this flame. Let the flame fill your mind. No thoughts of the shadow, or Saidin, your family . . . anything. The flame is all that is." Arath wove a small sound ward around them, blocking out the noise of the inn to aid Tai'Dashan's concentration.

The silence dragged out between them for a time, the Attack Leader's focus on his testing friend, the recruit trying to maintain focus on the small spot of fire. Twenty minutes stretched themselves out and passed before Arath felt it happen. A tiny pulse in the flame, and the resonance from the man in front of him. He could channel. His crazy ambitions might well be realized now. Only time would tell.

Arath released the flame and the silencing ward abruptly, startling Tai'Dashan slightly. "It is over. Enjoy your last few moments as a civilian. Have a drink, get something to eat. Once you leave the inn, you will be a Soldier of the Black Tower. A weapon of the Dragon Reborn. A wielder of Saidin."

Arath settled back into his seat and took a drink from his long forgotten mug. "Any questions for me before we start your new life? We'll be heading over to my office for a moment, then we'll get you squared away. Whenever you're ready."

[glow=red,2,300]7. [/glow]

The flame. All there was, all there had been, and all there ever would be, vanished abruptly and with it Tai'Dashan's hopes. He hadn't felt a thing, he had failed. He had tried so hard to see or feel anything, anything at all- Arath's words broke into his thoughts and told him something different. He had passed?

"Any questions for me before we start your new life? We'll be heading over to my office for a moment, then we'll get you squared away. Whenever you're ready."

Shocked, he quickly searched for something to say. Everything flooded into his mind at once. All those nights sleeping on the side of the road. All the money spent just to get here. His hopes to pass and fear of failure, everything seemed to spiral in on his mind and just...disappear. Finally he was calm.

"Thanks Arath," Tai'Dashan smiled. "I think I am ready. Where do we begin?"

OOC: Ok Arath, I copied and pasted these over so that we can continue on here. If you would like to do it differently or start another thread completely pm me and I will let the mod know. Thanks.

So I have been sick with a fever, chills, aches, migraines etc. basically I think Semirhage snuck into my room and had fun with me.  So I have been out of the loop and just recently found my way here. A thread I have been posting titled First Leap has not been copied over. how do i go about getting that copied over. Or do I just keep posting on the old forums?