Analin Mendiana's page

Sorry, guys, but work has gotten ridiculous in the past couple of months. I was hoping it would level out eventually but it hasn't happened. I just don't have as much time to post anymore so I'm going to have to reduce my number of active games. Thanks for letting me play. I had a lot of fun and I hope that I can come back some time when my schedule calms down.

Analin flops out of the bed and turns toward the shouting. "Argrand, Landa, free the Dragon if we find him."

If there's a door in between them and the shouting women, Analin will blow the doors open with Arms of Air.

Please don't post things like 'Argrand picks up Analin and slings her over his shoulder.' That did not happen. Plus, the enemy Aes Sedai (Chosen, probably, since that was the True Power instead of the One Power) is gone. We do need to get out of here, though.

Analin growls as she realizes what must have just happened. "She was one of the Forsaken! Light blind her!" The blonde Aes Sedai turns for the doors. "We probably won't make it out of the Tower before this place shakes down around us. Stay close; I can ward us against rubble and falling, but you will need to be within arm's reach of me."

Can Analin catch the weave that made the tear in reality? That looks like it could be useful.

Weavesight: 1d20 + 22 ⇒ (9) + 22 = 31

Frowning at the closing tear, Analin pulls against Argrand's arm. "A moment, Warder Argrand!"

Argrand sputters at Analin, "Analin Sedai, what power did she use! Have we a chance of even stopping her!?"

"A forbidden weave." She shook her head. "It does not matter. It does not make her invincible, simply reckless and dangerous. We are dangerous, too."

Sorry, work has been a bear. I'm catching up with game stuff now.

Analin nods at Argrand. "If the Light is with us, most Aes Sedai will be distracted. But if we have the Dragon Reborn and I tell you to run, run. Getting him safely out of the Tower is our only priority." She's looking directly at Landa, but her words are meant for all three men.

Anything for Ana and Dengorin or are we waiting for Argrand to catch up?

Analin shakes her head and nods at the last person still remaining who was neither battling Chen nor running back down the steps. "Dengorin, with me. We go to rescue the Dragon Reborn." She turns to start back up the stairs toward the Amyrlin's chambers.

"We need to go upstairs! We are wasting time!"

Does the man look like what we've been told the DR looks like? Are we near the Amyyrlin's chambers/where we think the DR is being held?

"His destination is unimportant. The Dragon is what we need to focus on." When Fia stops at the next floor, Analin ignores her and keeps walking up the stairs toward the Amyrlin's chambers.

Analin nods at Dengorin. "I agree entirely. Keep up the stairs."

It would be kind of funny if we run into Chen and he TPKs us. ;)

"We need to ignore him and go straight to the Amyrlin's chambers to find the Dragon!"

Why would we have stopped to check out a door instead of going straight to Elaida's rooms, where we think Rand is being held? Rand's our goal, not Chen.

Analin nods at Ryvin. "I can lead us there."

Analin grimaces as she tears her gaze away from Suana's body. "They're fighting a monster that they can't stop and the Power can't touch; they won't notice us until it's too late unless we draw attention to ourselves." She gestures at Ryvin to put away her sword. "Remember our purpose. Follow me. The question is whether they're keeping the Dragon Reborn in the dungeons or if Elaida is keeping him close at hand to gloat."

Did that help Argrand or is he still stuck outside? Who's in and who's outside?

Analin quickly walks toward the Tower, ignoring giant wolves and teleporting non-channelers in an effort to get away from the madness before it brings the guards down on them.

Ref: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (18) + 5 = 23

Moving with a frustrating air of nonchalance, Analin clears the closing gates with ease.

I'm assuming a lockdown wouldn't be broken just because one random AS says so?

She nods at Fia. "Follow me."

What was our plan again?

Unlike the rest, Analin is not pleased by the bridge captain letting people through by intimidation. She waves the others through the gate while she stands and questions the man. "Your name, captain."

Analin steps forward, gesturing for Landa and Argrand to follow. She makes sure her Aes Sedai features and serpent ring are clear to see. "Do we stop innocent travelers at the gates now, captain (she says the correct rank the gold knot signifies, if it's not captain)? These people have been traveling with me for mutual safety." Not an untrue word spoken, and it wasn't her fault if a listener assumed the unrelated question and statement were related.

The problem is that if you're playing where a nat 20 always hits, enough mobs swarming somebody like Chen will eventually bring him down by sheer weight of numbers. If you've got 100 level 1 guards with bows shooting down into a courtyard at him, the averages say that's 5 natural hits per round for average 20 hp per round. Chen's dead in less than a minute in that scenario.

Of course, if he's just rampaging down a corridor and meeting Warders and younglings in small groups he'll be a bull in a china shop.

This will be interesting to watch, regardless of the final result.

"If they are unwilling to even slow it seems unlikely they will agree to stop and allow us to craft disguises for them. I think our best use of them is to get to the gates before they are spotted and take advantage of the deep sheepdip they cause when they arrive."

Analin looks appraisingly down at the items. "Amazing," she says, simply.

Hope everything goes well, Rizzen.

Analin shrugs. "We need to get the city ahead of them. The gates will be shut as soon as anyone sights a tenth this many wolves, much less that one."

Analin shrugs. "Wolves, no matter how many of them there may be, have no chance of taking the White Tower. If they are determined to attack, we may as well put their deaths to some advantage."

Analin secures the marble key so it can't slip out of her pocket and nods at Ryvin. "They have no chance of taking the Tower, but if we can get over the bridges and through the gates before they make it to the shining walls they will make a very impressive distraction." She looks at Ryland. "Can you slow them long enough for us to get into the city? We don't want the gates shut before we get inside."

We're pretty sure Tar Valon has an alarm system for gateways, so I don't think the grove on the WT grounds would be a good idea. Good thing we have horses. I'm fine doing the warder bond dealie off-screen so we can keep things moving.

Analin nods at Argrand. "Come with me and Landa, Argrand. We have some things to discuss."

Sure, let's bond. Aren't we not popping straight into Tar Valon? I thought we'd discussed the city being booby trapped for gateway users. In my head we're talking about jumping near the city and walking in.

Analin gives Ryvin a thin smile. "I have been impressed with your potential. The White Tower could benefit greatly from your presence, and you from our training. Please accompany me to the Tower." She quirks a sardonic eyebrow. "That should suffice."

RM, what's the current Tower's feeling on adult recruits? It took a lot of convincing for the Salidar AS to start admitting women older than teenagers.

Analin gave Ryvin a small nod. "Fair, though I would prefer that so long as we are not in the Tower itself we prioritize flight over fight. In the city we stand a good chance of fleeing, whereas in the Tower it is a matter of winning or being captured. And I would emphasize that our first and best option, better than either fleeing or fighting, is to talk rather than fight."

She glances at Argrand. "I can hide my weaves from sight, but our best option is to save any channelling, even that we think is hidden, until it is absolutely necessary. If we come to combat today we will need all our strength to survive."

"So long as we are careful and quick, a group of women looking for dresses that resemble novice white may go unremarked for long enough that we can reach the Tower before any eyes and ears report to their Aes Sedai. If you don't wish to pose as Aes Sedai and risk being questioned about not having rings, that is our only option."

Prestidigitation sure would come in handy right now. White dresses? *snaps fingers* No problem.

"Men with swords," Analin glances at Rhoekk, "or spears, can pass for Warders. Women who can channel can pass as Aes Sedai- our only problem there is the lack of rings, but that could be explained away if questioned." She nods at Ryvin. "I believe she does, but I would not want to draw this Amyrlin's attention to myself, given the choice."

Analin looks curiously at Fia. "I... am not sure I understand your suggestion." I don't get what Fia's suggesting with the novice thing.

Analin nods at Landa, then at Argrand. "If you wish it, once we are finished here we will go somewhere more private to lay the Bond."

Analin looks over at Argrand. After a moment she nods and looks at Landa. "Landa has lost a pair of brothers recently. If he would consent and you wish it, I will bond you, regardless of the risk."

She nods at Fia. "Tar Valon is designed to be a trap for intruders. Even if you are not killed, you are likely to be captured and brought to the Tower as prisoners if you create a distraction significant enough to draw Aes Sedai attention."

Analin nods at Ryvin. "You do all need new clothes, but I don't think we will be able to gather much information from anyone outside the Tower. And questioning anyone in Tar Valon about goings on inside the Tower puts us at risk of someone's eyes and ears noticing us before we enter."

She purses her lips as she looks at the other women. "The clothes will help, but your lack of rings will be noticed. And there isn't a dressmaker in the city who will sell anyone anything that looks like an Accepted's dress. Novice white is easy enough to duplicate, but no one will believe any of you as novices."

Are we back in the house or are we all in a featureless room?I was going to have Ana suggest Rhoekk could go look in the closets but realized I wasn't sure where we are.

Analin only raises a silent eyebrow at Landa's outburst, but she nods at Argrand. "In the morning, then."

Analin shakes her head at Argrand. "You, alone in the Tower, would quickly be captured and likely severed as soon as they realized you are a channeller. The only possibility is subterfuge, with me and the other women as your escorts." The Green Aes Sedai briefly at Fia and Ryland then looks back appraisingly at Argrand. "Perhaps I should make you another Warder in truth, not just as a cover. There are... benefits."

Analin looks curiously at Landa. "If we were assaulting the Tower, I would agree. But if this turns into a fight our numbers aren't great enough to survive the full weight of the Tower. What do you think we need the assistance of these men who can channel to do?"

I figure if the GM is chiming in with an NPC voice I might as well listen. ;)

I don't think there is, but it's an easy thing to houserule in.

Analin nods at Ryvin. "You're right, we should rest."

Analin nods at both Ryvin and Rhoekk. "Whichever you prefer, Rhoekk. Once you're ready we can go." The blonde Aes Sedai gives Landa a smile. "Indeed, Landa. We have more than enough reason to report to the Tower."

How are we getting there? Use the Keys to somewhere near Tar Valon?

Analin nods at Argrand. "I can help you escape notice in Tar Valon. Nothing I can do will help you if you channel within the city, though." She looks at Rhoekk. "I won't ask you to carry a sword, but your Aiel spears are very distinctive. Would you be willing to carry a wetlander spear if we can find one?"

"I would prefer to escape notice rather than alert every Aes Sedai who is interested in either healing or Shadowspawn."

I'll wait to see what Rizzen has to say about the possible wards before responding to the rest.

Analin nods appreciatively to Rhoekk and Ryvin. "Indeed. I would be glad to lead a group into the Tower to ask the Amyrlin's guest if he wishes to leave." She looks around at the assembled group for a moment. "We will be less likely to be stopped if that group is only women or men who are clearly Warders, however. An Aiel and a male channeller will be cause for alarm even if they do nothing overtly dangerous."

Analin shakes her head. "I understand the argument, but the Amyrlin is the Amyrlin. I even agree that the Dragon should be free to fulfill the prophecies. But I cannot substitute my judgment for hers; to do so is treason against the White Tower, and I will not turn my back on the Tower. The Blue Ajah has done enough to sully our reputation in the world."

Has it been proclaimed publicly that the Dragon is a 'guest' of the Tower?

3 is good. Thanks, Rhoekk.

Galina's own hard gaze doesn't falter under Elaida's stony look. "I merely asked the question of who determines the White Tower's causes, Mother, since you have made it a requirement for this new Blue Ajah. If they do not choose their own path, who does- the Amyrlin Seat or the Hall?"

She glances over at Litheene. "I will be present at any questioning. Representing the Red Ajah, if we are each to have a representative present."

Analin shakes her head. "An assault on the White Tower is not only foolhardy, it is foolish." She nods at Argrand. "A man channelling in the halls of the Tower would bring every Sister in Tar Valon. And even the most amazing party of warriors will eventually fall to the combined numbers of every Warder, guard, and trainee in the Tower. You would be crushed by the sheer weight numbers. Your only chance is guile."

I think if Argrand wasn't talking about freeing the Dragon Analin could go along to get Chen and Vala. She could rationalize that somehow. Freeing the Dragon is straight-up treason, though, even though she disagrees with Elaida's decision to take him prisoner. Anybody have a counterargument I can work with?

Rhoekk's got some deep thoughts for somebody with no ranks in Kn:Arcana. ;)

Analin shakes her head. "It stands to reason that if the Dark One reaches all realities, all worlds, and is the same... entity wherever He touches the worlds of man, then if He can be defeated anywhere He should be defeated everywhere. I am no philosopher, but if He can be bound in any reality, should he not be bound in all of them?" If she was bothered by the implication that her world was not the keystone world, the blonde Aes Sedai did not show it.

She nods at Ryland. "It also stands to reason that it will be easier to defeat Him in a world where the Dragon Reborn is free to follow his own destiny."

Analin nods at Ryvin. "By the same token, however, if the Dragon defeats the Dark One in one world, wouldn't he win in all of them? I cannot assist in an assault on the Tower, though I do think keeping the Dragon Reborn prisoner while the Last Battle takes shape all around us." She purses her lips, thinking.

"Do I owe my allegiance to all the White Towers in all the mirror worlds? That is a question for a White. I will need to think on it."