Chapters

1. New Leaders

The Vision:

Exert from the writings of Chaldier Neissante, Aes Sedai of the Brown Ajah

"The three towers of Tar Valon rise from the cobblestone and field of expansive fighting ground called the Grey Grounds. They form a triangle of power in the center of the city, dominating in such a way that they have become it's heart. None central...none foremost...they live in workable balance. Even a newcomer to the city has no difficulty deciding which Towers serve which purpose. This is because each Tower carries something of a personality, speaking volumes in their individual characteristics.

For instance, the Tower of Will, fortress of Asha'man, is a straight pillar of jetblack that seems perfect in form. It seems so until a second look, when the eye is jarred with disturbing angle and cold, hard curve the sword of erratic architectural winds that give the whole building an unsettling, subtle feeling of wrongness. Black clad and half mad Asha'man watch Dedicated and Soldiers drilling endlessly to perfect their skills and become the living weapons of war. The Tower of Will, a creation of a efficient and chaotic maker, suits and serves it's own.

The Tower of Wyrd, however, is in stark contrast to the Tower of Will. Clean and white, it seems so simplistic and serene that the indulged opulence of graceful arches and spires of delicate stone work is almost overlooked. More difficult to overlook, would be the two-score or so young girls, Novices and Accepted, scattered about the grounds, in this mists of demeaning chores, for many of them had never experience such hard labor. They are suffering the humility of learning the physical aspect of discipline and self-control; many things are necessary for surviving the harsh laws and rules that simply will not be negotiated, and they will learn them all just to be raised to full Aes Sedai.

Yet another tower stands upon the Grey Grounds, a tower born to unite the Towers of Will and Wyrd. A thoughtful grey citadel of stone, the Tower of Way is the bond between the Aes Sedai and the Asha'man where black and white mesh together to create the sacred color of grey. In the Hall of the Hart, the two powers meet as they have met in ancient times. The Tower of Way is a sharing ground that honors all who seek the vision, a path and wayside for those residing in the Towers, from the Gaidin Barracks, to the Aiel, to the Towers of Will and Wyrd. From it's quiet halls and high-vaulted libraries come the great thought and deeds that will send the world afire.

Located in the training central of the Tower of Way, resides the battle-hardened warriors whom for they does hardship and blood shadow their shorten futures. Upon entering, all Disciplines and Gaidin in Training will come to realize that life is a precious thing indeed. They are named Sacrifice, and must carry that title with pride and honor, for only they truly know what that means and who they serve. The Gaidin Barracks are located in the back of the back of the Tower of Way. Some say that it symbolizes that the Gaidins are the backbone of the Towers, for when the One Power can do no more, these men and women will give up their very lives to see their duties done. They are the men and women whom Fear fears itself; would the world tremble beneath their powerful gaze and hiss of a blade descending down upon the Shadow..."

End of Exerts

In one was to recall, the Age of Legends were aptly named for the marvels created, many of which we couldn't even dream of in this day and time. Yet all of that was to abruptly come to an end when several power-hungry men and women attempted to free the Dark One from his bondage, sparking the devastating War of the Shadow, also referred to as the War of Power. In a time where the very concept of war was unheard of, these people soon gained all the tarnished keys to the Door of Deception. In that sad way -in many ways- was the Dark One's shadow casted upon the land.

The world was thrown into a state of turmoil and the chiming bells of laughter was only dimly heard in stolen moments of rare happiness. Children were corrupted by the dark, creatures of peace and light were tainted, brother was faced against brother, cities fell, cities rose,... all were blinded by this atrocious thing called war, and did not see it so. Neither side gave in to the other, a long and hated battle continued to rage for many years. It was not long till few knew what they were fighting for any more. But they were all fighting for survival.

Finally, in a desperate, and often considered foolhardy attempt, one hundred male Aes Sedai, the only ones willing to do so, struck a fatal blow against the Forces of darkness that ended the gruesome war by resealing the Dark One's prison, along with the thirteen Forsaken. However, this was not without calamity. The Dark One's counterstroke fell like the heavy hand of Judgement Hour as the male half of the One Power was corrupted beyond belief. The male channelers went mad, beginning with the Hundred Companions. They ravaged the World to one unrecognized as the people wept tears of blood, screaming to the deaf ears of the Light for mercy. Thus did the Breaking of the World come about and stayed so for a hundred years...

Endeavoring to revive the Hall of Servants, the remaining female Aes Sedai joined together once more to create the White Tower, named for it's white walls and purity of the Power and of the heart. Three vows were they all to take, three vows to seal their fates, three vows that will either make them...Or break them. One was never to speak a untruth, one was never to forge a weapon through the Power, one was never to do harm unless certain lives were in danger. Many will argue at the foolishness of this, but the vows were made. Each of the Aes Sedai, with the exception of the Amyrlin, chose an Ajah with a specific purpose. (Blue, Brown, Green, Grey, White, Yellow, and Red. Rumors hint of a Black Ajah, but that remains a mystery for now.)

One Ajah have devoted, in their shame for abandoning the Hundred Companions to their fates so long ago, themselves to finding men who can channel and helping them live for as long as possible. The Red Ajah, a name to remind them of the blood staining their hands, have chosen this, and are deeply misunderstood for it. Though they may appear cold and aloof, most certainly in areas concerning the male gender, this is not without reason. Their duty, and their burden, is to specifically find and deal with male channelers. It is because of this, that their hearts have erected thick barriers of stone and thorns to protect, even as they weep in anguish in the dead of night. Just imagine befriending these desperate men and after being with them as long as possible, not only convicting them of Insanity, but having to preform the mercy killing as well... It did not take long for the Red Ajah to swear off men as both comrades and mates, even when Warders came about.

As the years followed, the Aes Sedai is a looming force that hangs over the land. Though hated and feared by many, they hold considerable amount of power, and even kings and queens defer to their judgement. Their power is immense, as is their hord of knowledge.

Now that the Last Battle is drawing near, Rand al'Thor has created an amnesty that welcomes and protects male channelers. In fields of thunder did they lay, a grim solitary pillar of strength and secrets. As time wore on, and the Last Battle marches closer, the Black and White Towers have decided to merge forces to better prepare themselves for the inevitable doom that lurks ahead. With the theme of Unity and striving towards the Greater Good, they have changed their names to the Tower of Will, the Black, and the Tower of Wyrd, the White. Between the white and black towers, is massive portion of grey, twice as large as either towers to symbolize that together, they are at their strongest, should anyone think to forget. This grey ground was titled the Tower of Way.

We are all aspiring for a vision within the Towers, a vision of Light, if one wills. This dream is the Vision of our future. Should we fail our unified mission and lose to the Shadow Forces, then there is nothing, nothing but darkness left for our miserable souls. All hope will be lost.

We must win, fighters for the Light. We MUST.

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