Requirements
You’ve read the page about Character Ranks, but how does one advance from rank to rank? Look no further. These requirements are designed to help your character progress logically from level to level, to develop within the Wheel of Time world as has been laid out in the books. They’re also designed to help you practice your writing skills, and you’ll note that the requirements get tougher as you move up–because we believe that you’ll be able to handle it. We also give you more responsibility as you move up in the ranks, since it won’t be long at all until you have something to teach those of a younger rank.
There are also writing structures for those of full rank. These are not mandatory (though they are highly recommended), but are necessary to complete before your character can be considered for additional in character rank.
Becoming Aes Sedai — Becoming Gaidin — Other Characters
Becoming Aes Sedai
Novices are the first rank in becoming Aes Sedai. To become Accepted, novices must complete each of the following:
- An embracing lesson
- Five elemental lessons, one of each element (Earth, Air, Fire, Spirit, Water)
- A role-play of a penance of some kind, one that they’ve earned through some kind of mischief, or assigned from any higher ranking character
- Two interactive role-plays with any character from any section or rank
- A major role-play (MRP) that is generally completed towards the end of their time as a novice, showing something major happening in their life, or a profound realization of their position in life
- Demonstrated in character and out of character enough maturity and dedication to be raised to the next rank
Once a novice has finished their requirements and successfully finished writing their raising through the Three Arches, they are an Accepted. To become Aes Sedai, Accepted must complete each of the following:
- Six channeling lessons (elementals, combinations, or skills)
- Two Talent lessons
- Teach two lessons to novices
- Two interactive role-plays, one with a novice and one with any character from any rank (hint: you can assign penances!)
- Two role-plays exploring their options for Ajahs
- A role-play demonstrating their training and practice for the testing to become Aes Sedai
- A major role-play
When an Accepted has shown their absolute conviction to become Aes Sedai and has demonstrated maturity worthy of the shawl, she will be asked to complete the testing and swear the Three Oaths. If she has proven her dedication to her favourite Ajah during training, she will be invited to join their ranks.
More about the Aes Sedai writing structures.
Becoming a Warder
Students of Aes Sedai’s Warders are in for a difficult and gruelling time. They must prove their abilities to other weaponmasters as well as prove themselves able to protect and guard some of the most widely feared and respected people in the world. As they progress through their training, these Warder’s students (also called Trainees) are given marks of their accomplishment:
- a Flame of Tar Valon for their dedication to the White Tower
- a few links of chain representing the chains that protect Northharbour and Southharbour and therefore, Tar Valon
- a wheel to represent the Wheel of Time and their everlasting oath to protect
- and traditionally presented last: an emblazoned weapon, personalized to their specific talents, to represent skill with weaponry in times of great need
These marks of honour are presented in fine silver pins to be worn on a lapel on feastday best, in embossed leather badges to be sewn onto garments, in headbands and armbands for everyday wear, and may be presented in other forms to denote accomplishment.
To earn their first mark of merit, a Trainee must complete:
- Two beginner’s weaponry lessons (one must be sword)
- One intermediate weaponry lesson
- Two interactive role-plays, one with a higher ranking member of the Training Grounds, one with any character from any section
- One role-play to specifically prove their dedication to becoming a Warder, proving their deserving one of the first three merit badges
To earn their second mark of merit, a Trainee must complete:
- Two beginner’s weaponry lessons
- One intermediate weaponry lessons
- One advanced weaponry lesson
- One skill role-play, such as: Woods, Rough, Dancing, Culture, Tactics, Horsemanship, etc.
- Two interactive role-plays, one with a channeling member of the White Tower, one with any character from any section
- One role-play to prove their dedication in becoming a Warder, and another merit badge
To earn their third mark of merit, a Trainee must complete:
- Two intermediate weaponry lessons
- Two advanced weaponry lessons (one advanced lesson must be sword)
- One skill role-play
- Teach (or assist in) two lessons or skills
- One interactive role-play with an Accepted or Aes Sedai, protecting them outside of the Tower
- One role-play to prove their dedication in becoming a Warder, and another merit badge
To earn their fourth mark of merit, a Trainee must complete:
- Two advanced weaponry lessons
- One expert weaponry role-play (you creatively show your dedication to one weapon in particular; this will be your merit badge)
- Teach one lesson or skill
- One mentorship role-play with a younger Trainee
- One role-play to prove their dedication in becoming a Warder, and another merit badge
After receiving their fourth mark of merit, a Trainee is considered ‘bondable’ by the Tower standards. They are only considered a Warder (or Gaidin) once they have been bonded by an Aes Sedai, and only then receive the Fancloth, which is the final mark of a Gaidin.
Interested in becoming a blademaster? Read on for Warder writing structures.
Other Characters
While we currently have no definitive writing structures for other kinds of characters (Tower Guards, citizens, Wolfkin, Gleefolk, Tinkers, and so forth), we invite you to nonetheless create these characters and role-play them to your hearts content. We’ll monitor your writing and invite you to raise your character by levels after you’ve demonstrated active posting, maturity of character, and a willingness to interact with other characters on the site.
