Novices

At the World of the Wheel Role Play Site, only women can train as Novices to become Aes Sedai. They are enrolled from as young as 13 to as old as 18 (any older and women with the spark are expected to have died, or have mastered the One Power enough that they are too set in their ways, though occasionally women as old as their mid-twenties may be accepted). Novices are welcomed from all walks of life, although it is uncommon to see Aiel, Sea Folk, Seanchan or Sharan Initiates. 

Novice Enrollment

Once a prospective-Novice enters the Tower they are taken to the office of the Mistress of Novices (MoN) where they are tested and, if they pass, are added to the registers. The MoN will ask questions of the new Novice to determine background such as level of education and even strength of mind and character. Whilst the new initiate is being questioned a room will be readied and Novice Whites will be provided for the new girl. Following that the Accepted on duty will be asked to give a guided tour before escorting the new Novice to her quarters. 

Novice Quarters

Novice Quarters Novice Quarters are very small, square and windowless, just enough living space for one person. (This means NO room mates, guys!) The only commodities with which they are provided are;

• A bed
• A small shelf
• Pegs for hanging belongings
• A washstand and three-legged stool

An example of the layout of these quarters is to the left; this may differ slightly from room to room, although the bed is built against the wall. The door is situated on the front wall in the right corner and is NOT fitted with a lock.  

Novice Talents

In general novices will not yet have discovered their talents. So that authors may receive feedback from other members and the Admin a post should made on the OOC board before writing a talent for the first time. Alternately a PM may be sent to the Admin in special circumstances. (i.e: a members requires that their novice's talent be kept a secret from other members..)
 

Novice Raising to Accepted

To become an Accepted a Novice must pass through the "three arches".

The arches are a ter'angreal kept in the lowermost floors of the Tower, activated with large amount of the one power channelled by Aes Sedai over-seeing the raising.

The novice must step through the arches, completely naked and unprotected and is advised under no circumstances to channel within the arches as this has resulted in women being "burned out".

The novice is presented with three realities, one for each arch.

The first arch presents an experience of a past reality- "for what was". The second is "for what is"- the present- and the third "for what was"- the future.

In each of these arches, the Novice's memories will be altered, potentially affecting or removing her knowledge of channelling and Novice-hood. In each reality, the Novice will eventually be presented with an Arch identical in appearance to the ones through which she originally stepped. She must leave through that arch, conquering whatever challenge is presented to prevent her from doing so, be it a fear, temptation or obstacle.

Before beginning the test the Novice is informed that should she enter the arches she may not return, and is offered the option to refuse the test. She may refuse twice; after a third refusal she is expelled from the Tower.

The arches are often a terrible or highly personal experience, and are traditionally not spoken of publicly, if at all.

Should the novice return relatively unharmed, she will be given a banded dress and a Great Serpent ring, which signify that she is now among the Accepted.
 

Novice Specific Rules and Regulations

• In Character, Novices are not allowed to engage in romantic relationships; they are still looked upon by the Aes Sedai as children who are too young for impractical romantic flirtations. However, Out of Character we will not punish you for engaging your Novice in a relationship with a Youngling, World of the Wheel Character or a White Tower frequenting Black Tower member.
• Novices are not allowed to leave the White Tower alone; they are not allowed to leave Tar Valon at all. Extreme caution is advised before considering this action.
• Novices are not allowed to channel without supervision, punishment is expected for any Novice caught channelling without a tutor present.

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