Knowledge - Age of Legends
Knowledge - History
Amorial, sorry to hear about your friend. Also, check your inbox
Amorial considers what the Dragon has said and closes his eyes humming a woodland tune that he learned when he was a young Ogier. The humming goes along with only a slight interruption and crease to the Ogier's face then it returns and grows. The wind and the rustle of the leaves on the ground begin to pick up his tune until he ceases. Then he opens his eyes.
" I remember reading a story that I thought was a fable. But with your words Dragon now I know it was not.
In the age of legends, there was a fragment Aes Sedai group that taught that the creator didn't seek to destroy the Dark One, but instead sought balance. Very similar to Saidar and Saidan" The Ogier licks his lips as he says the words as if her were talking about food.
" "Each is powerful in its own special manner, but together worked in perfect harmony. Or at least it did until the taint of madnes fell upon men.
This group theorized that since the pattern is spun upon a wheel, and that wheels do not measure in perfect numbers, remainders and fragments of the pattern can accumulate. As such, it was necessary for the Wheel to be put into balance.
Thus, they hypothisized the existence of something that could cause this change of balance. The gray man [b]IS this singularity. It is the only conclusion that makes sense if what the Dragon has stated is true.
To find the gray man, no ONE person can do so. Equals, yet opposites, are needed to find the Gray man. The warlord needs his heart, his love, yet she must hate him equally as he loves her... And she must be the opposite of him. Honor, coward. Love, hate. Caring, cruel.
Therefore, in order for us to find the grey man, we must find our opposites in the Wheel. Or perhaps more specifically. For example, Ryland must fall in love with a Forsaken female in order for us all to find the gray man. Hypothetically speaking of course I suppose it could be any of us but who else wields a powerful Aes Sedai Artifact from the Age of Legends..."[/b]
"Ahem."
Ryvin lifts the glass key ter'angreal out of her collar, then drops it back in. She also raps her knuckles against the hilt of the luminous sword strapped to her belt opposite the mundane longsword.
For a long moment, Fiallain looks at the builder with an expression unreadable, but then tosses her head.
"I don't think Ryland is likely to go swooning after one of the forsaken, so I hope that was a random ill-considered example and not a hint of a plan, Amorial." she says in a very, very dry tone. "Besides, most of us here carry such artifacts, as does Rhoekk. How do we know which object is the correct one, or how to know or find our 'opposites'?"
Amorial shrugs, "I did not say it would be an easy task Fia. But then we seek a singularity in a Dream World, it should not be in theory or in practice easy to gain an audience with such a being.
It was indeed a random example though not ill-considered. We have gotten our hands dirty and will continue to do so it seems... we have all suffered much".
"Well, at any rate the first step must be to learn to use the Dream World. Some of us have rings that can help with this."
Ryland blanched and glances at Fia as he turns a dark shade of red. "No my friend, I do not see that happening."
Jasmine nods and says The Alantin is right, this will not be easy. However, if it is our destiny to serve the Light and pattern in this manner then we have a chance. My question is how should we begin and who will come?
Amorial places his hand on the shoulder of Argrand and whispers to him.
"My Lord Dragon, at least one Asha'man should accompany the group. I have spent some time with these people and I believe I can fulfill this roll..."
"But can you Dream?" Ryvin bluntly asks. "Or do you have experience with these rings that help you fake it? I still say we need at least a few sessions to train people in moving about the Dream."
Fia nods in wholehearted agreement with Ryvin.
Amorial shrugs, "If you believe that for the best Ryvin, then by all means let us all become at least proficient in his Dreaming..."
Keelix speaks softly, but in a voice that carries through the conversation, "I have no need for a ring."
Jasmine nods as well at Ryvin's statement, adding I can enter the dream without a ring as well and have some little proficiency but am by no means an expert. I have only recently begun my experiences as a Dreamer.
"We'll have our first outing tonight, then," Ryvin says. "You'll follow my lead on this one, folks. I've been Dreaming since... well, since I started turning from child to woman, come to think. I at least know a few of the pitfalls."
/me nods slightly. "Very well. Tonight we begin then."
All of you have taken refuge inside an old abandoned hunting lodge several miles from the Dragons camp. The roof is sound, the walls sturdy, but the windows have been destroyed by years of neglect.
The lodge is a large two story dwelling. It has a total of 8 rooms, 4 of which are bedrooms. Animal skins, once well maintained, now lay scattered about the building in disarray. In one of the rooms, the smell of animal scat is heavy, causing both Keelix and Ryland to both flinch and cough from the stench.
Well, that was a common place for Raccoons. Keelix mutters, spitting.
Yet, for all its stench and slight decay, it makes for a safe place to perform training in Tel'aran'rhoid.
All of you will need to leave this area. I have laid numerous dream wards about this camp area. No need to have the Dark One know our plans, right? the Dragon says to no one in particular.
The added benefit for those within it when I laid out the ward is that it tends to linger upon them for several days, and it seems to last longer when they are closer to me. It would be wise for you to leave this area and stay away for some time before attempting your training.
which is what has lead you to this location, an old hunting lodge.
After scouting the lodge and surroundings to ensure the location was as private as appears, Fiallain approaches Ryvin. "You said you have walked Tel'aran'rhiod before? I know some things of this world, but it is only theoretical in my mind. The Wise Ones did not yet allow me much in the way of practical experience. It would be best if you take the lead on our training, though perhaps I will know enough to be of some aid. I do not recall if you were aware but some of us have rings which should help the others with our task."
"Yes, you mentioned those," Ryvin says, nodding.
The Ebou Dari pushes over an abandoned crate and sits down on top of it while she regards the others, her legs crossed at the ankles and her chin resting on top of one fist.
"First thing you need to know is this: Tel'aran'rhiod - the Dream - changes. If your will is strong enough, if you take control, you can make it do pretty much anything. Flipside is, the stuff you bring in there - your fears, your anger, all the bad stuff - can come alive as well if you lose control. It's the land of opportunity, but it's also got deadly dangers all its own. And if you get hurt in the Dream, you're just as hurt in the flesh. You can die there.
I recommend we keep the first trip short and sweet. Get in, look around, get out. When you go into the Dream, focus on being here, in this building. Remember, if you don't keep focus, you lose control. And losing control in the Dream can get you killed faster than walking naked through a Trolloc camp at dinnertime, and in worse ways. Like I said, anything can be done in the Dream, and that includes burning awful stuff."
"Agreed." Fiallain states and then looks at the others. "What she says confirms that which I learned among my people. Those given rings should not wear them except at times when we intend to enter Tel'aran'rhiod, you never know what may happen otherwise. Also we should never go there alone until we have learned the idiosyncrasies of the dream, or so I would advise."
Amorial soaks up the speech of the female channelers, "So our focus should be to only picture the location we are currently located in when we enter the "Dream"? How does travel work? By thought or by actual physical or I suppose the perception of physical movement? Can one who cannot channel channel in the Dream just by willing it?"
He turns to Argrand who has accompanied the group as a liason to the Black Tower, "Our Asha'man friend will guard our physical bodies as we sleep".
"Travel works both ways, but willing is faster. Still, it takes practice. As for non-channellers channelling.... dunno. I've always been able to."
Ryland sits cross legged on the floor after returning from scouting the surrounding area and listens to the others speak before slowly raising his hand. "What am I need to do? I have entered this dream world numerous times, but not because I have chosen to. How am I to help you? If I even can."
Fia looks over at her companion and warder with surprise. You have? Is this because of the wolf thing? she wonders silently. She does not answer him however, for even she was inexperienced in that realm, and had no idea herself how they were to seek their quarry together, particularly those untested and who might lack the talent. They all had a lot of learning to do, and likely not enough time to do so.
Keelix nods when Ryland speaks, "I too have been there many times. Some of my trips have been intentional, but most have not."
"Travel works both ways, but willing is faster. Still, it takes practice. As for non-channellers channelling.... dunno. I've always been able to."
"I suppose my question is more broad than I originally articulated. Let me pose it another way. Is the Dream world a place where one can will something into existence with a mere thought or are the laws of the Dreamworld more restrictive than that?"
"From what I have understood from listening to the wise ones, things such as objects can be willed to exist if your mind is focused and centered enough - I suppose it is much as Ryvin has described traveling when within the dream. Whether that extends as far as willing yourself to wield the one power? I dunno. That seems like it would be a tall order."
"The Power is not a mere object. It is the vital energy that drives existence and allows for objects to be."
Night falls upon the land, and camp has been setup inside the old hunting lodge. Bedrolls laid out, blankets arranged, food eaten, and a fire burns warmly in the fire place.
Argrand sits by the large window looking out beyond the immediate area, his face distant. Amorial pats him on the back and the asha'man grunts loudly, the color from his face drains quickly.
Too much too fastargrand mutters darkly, scowling at Amorial.
my apologies. I too am still learning this...thing.
sighing, Argrand straightens his back and again looks out.
Ok everyone, i got this. Go into TAR and if anything happens here, i will wake you all up. And i have a ward set around the building to get you all a chance to wake if anything were to happen to me. Basically it is a loud noise and water falls upon you. he finishes the last and points up.
looking up, you see a strange dark swirly movement upon the ceiling and it only takes you a moment to realize that it is water that is wide enough to make the entire room wet, not just yourselves.
think id rather take a knife to the leg than get hit with that Ryvin mutters to herself,yet loud enough to be heard.
smirking, Argrand says simply that can be arranged
Laughing, everyone settles down and slowly drifts off to sleep...some faster than others.
the world shifts and you suddenly find yourself standing inside the hunting lodge. that strange no sunlight light comes in from the outside and gives you just enough light to see.
you both awaken outside in the field surrounding the hunting lodge. the voices of numerous wolves inundate your mind, taking you back from the sheer volume of them.
you know you are awake. but it is pitch black. blacker than black. even darker than the back of your eyelids. A smell fills your nostrils, one of death, decay, and also...nothingness. a hollowness, as if there were more smells, but they have been removed, yet their presence is still there.
Slowly you spin around, your ear straining. At first, the sound of your feet sliding upon the floor(ground?) sounds like thunder, and then no sound.
Looking around, you first miss it, but then see it. There! a light...but no, its not a light. Is it? It is black... but it provides light. you tilt your head to the side and suddenly more lights flare up around you. Some close, some far.
the voice hammers into your skull much like a sledgehammer upon stone. Loud, vibrating not only the teeth but also your mind, you cannot help but fall to a knee in shock.
Fear provides strength, and you look about. where there was nothing except darkness, now there is someone...NO! Two someones. A tall hook nosed male, and a Fade, larger stronger than any other Fade you have ever seen.
My Lord. One must take risks to gain the larger reward the man known as Demandred, a known Forsaken, says with absolute fear and respect, like a child grovelling to not be punished.
he left it hang, a threat yet a promise.
The Forsaken and halfman leave, going a different way. The arch way is open...
"Right, then," Ryvin says as she straightens to her full length and tugs at her clothes. "Here we are. Now where are our wayward companions....?"
Fiallain appears in full Cadin'sor, complete with three or four spears. She frowns at the weapons, and after a moment her clothing changes to the tan skirt and white blouse of a wise one once more. Looking at Ryvin, she nods. "Yes, let's."
With a final glance around the hut, she moves to the door and steps outside.
He tries to clear his mind so as to think nothing of his friends, instead he fills his thoughts with pages of history learned over his century of life. He approaches the archway, or he envisions himself doing so, hovering near (about 15') but not entering it.
"Who are you?" His simple question hangs in the air.
Keelix watches the exchange between Argrand and Amorial with mild interest, though truth be told, it is far from the oddest thing one of his companions has done.
***
Keelix stares around at the great gathering of wolves, stunned and surprised to see so many gathered in the Wolf Dream.
Fort sv:
Ryland statrts at sounds of all of his brothers and glaces at Keelix before adding his voice also.
death! destruction! defiled one! Death! the images flood into your mind. the feeling reminds you that of a wolf pack's desire to take down a Fade. yet this, this runs so much more deeper than that.
What does she see outside the hut?
And with that, amorial your entire world spins and you find yourself standing next to keelix and Ryland.
@fia:
you stand outside the hut, and look around. the scenery is like that as when you walked up to the hut. a vast grassland with the very tips of snow capped mountains in the very far distance.
about 200 meters away from you, you see both ryland and keelix standing together in the field.
"I've found our wayward companions. Some of them anyway." Fia says, turning back to Ryvin. She then smiles and waves at the two men as she starts walking towards them.
Fia sees the Ogier appears out of thin air, a look of consternation upon his face... he says nothing.
Ryvin steps out of the building, sights on Keelix, Ryland and Amorial -- and suddenly she is just standing next to them without walking over.
"Wotcha, gents," she says. "Instant travel. One of the handiest tricks in a Dreamer's book. How are you liking Tel'Aran'Rhiod so far?"
A single blink is the only reaction the Aiel woman gives to the sudden appearance of the Ogier, followed by a look of speculative concentration as she wonders how he did that and whether she might also be able to travel in such a manner... Or had he somehow been invisible....
Fia notices the distress plain on the Ogier's face. Though she is a mixture of curiosity and concern, in typical Aiel fashion she says nothing about it as she arrives and stands next to Ryland. It is impolite to point out another's discomfort after all.
Ryland shakes his head as Fia aproaches and stands next to him. "Something is wrong here. My wolf brothers speak of a defiled one. Worse than a fade but i am unsure of what they speak."