My stomach rumples at he mention of food. I nod at his suggestion and follow him.

"so no more of that mixture was given to me. and yet... How very odd. Seems like the only way to test what went wrong would be to test the individual components of the mixture on me. But I would rather not do that. It's rather unnerving to be so uncoordinated. Hmmm... Have you ever treated an Aes Sedai with that Mixture? I suppose most of the time they wouldn't need herbal healing if they have another Aes Sedai to heal them."

Master Flinn replies:
"I've only ever seen Aes Sedai a handful of times, and never spoken to one let alone had the need to administer a tincture. I'm not a fool, they are near royalty or perhaps they would say royalty is near them in stature... Why do you ask? I would imagine a man who can channel would be doing everything possible to not think about them at a time like this..."

He's looking at you with concerned eyes and winces at the end as he's talking about you channeling and the Aes Sedai.

I look around and make sure no one else is around.

"I suppose that is true for most men like myself. But, I need to think about them and learn all that I can. So that I can be careful and do what I need to do.

The reason I ask about you using that tincture on an Aes Sedai is because I was wondering if a herb you used adversely affects those that can use the One Power.

Although... there might be another reason for my long recovery. I might have burned up my insides when I tried something new."

I look wistful for a moment.

"I was training to be a Warder at the White Tower. I was the best in my Class and was about to train with the Master of Arms. I was friends with several Novices and an Apprentice. Which is why I knew what was happening when I felt the connection awaken. I thought I used it too early and was forced to go. Part needing to go and correct my mistake. Part running away so that they don't cut that part out of me. I have seen how men are after they do that to them.

I can't let them do that to me. The Final Battle is close and the Light needs all the help it can get. I just have to not go crazy before then. Or rot while alive.
You know drugs and herbs. You know how some of them can be addictive so that a man will do anything to get more. It's sort of like that but worst. It isn't just a feeling of power. But cosmic fire that can do anything you can force it to do with your will."

He nods sadly when you mention how men act that are stilled, and reaches out to put his hand on your shoulder reassuringly, but stays quiet and lets you finish completely before responding:
"What you say has some potential, I've never heard of anyone experimenting with herbs on Aes Sedai to see the differences, nor anything that they have made known on the subject. Though they are a secretive lot.

As to addiction, I have seen many struggles with the hooks different herbs put in them. It's one of the reasons that a herbalist's job is both so difficult and so valuable. I need to know not only what herbs will help, but in what portion for what period of time, and when the adverse effects of them are outweighed by the benefits they provide. I don't know whether it can be applied to the temptations you feel, but I find an outside party is often the best counsel on benefits versus detriments of substances. The benefits always look so great from the perspective of the one who will be getting them, because they are here and now and the consequence is not..."

He looks slightly sadder by the end of that, but still smiles at you in a warm comforting way.

"Well. There is a constant reminder of the danger of drawing on it. You can get anything without touching the taint. And that feels Horrible.

The Irony is that the temptation is connected to the Technique I use all the time. The Flame and the Void. I use that to focus with my swordsmanship and everything. But now I'm riding the razor's edge when I use it. Too weak and it is not much benefit, Too strong and I draw on tainted power.

I also hesitate to use it because I don't know how fast using it drives a man mad.

But. I also have a feeling that I might need to know how to use it soon. Messing up with it can be fatal. And I can't help but be curious about what this power can do. Can it be used to heal? What could I build with it? Things like that."
"
This message had punctuation tweaked by the GM at 14:49, Mon 13 May 2019.

After a few moments of quiet contemplation, Flinn says:

“Well, all I can speak to is the handful of tales of the Age of Legends that I’ve heard from passing gleemen. Back then, the power was untainted for men as well, and while the different genders had greater strength in different areas, there are stories of men healing and women with great destructive power. So clearly some had talents outside the natural bias of their gender.

And as to walking the razors edge, addiction is always like that. People always think they’ve beaten it, let their guard down, and that’s when it flares. I can’t speak towards its specific temptation, but I do warn to never assume you have full control over the temptation... if there is anything I can do for you, you have but name it. I’m just not sure how to help fully, past treatment of your wounds, which seem to have largely healed.”

"True true. Now that I am over that fever I can think clearer.

You have helped me quite a bit by just talking and giving advice. After I recover fully and feel that I could hold my own in a fight, I should leave. I am probably needed elsewhere where the Wheel is weaving.  I can't go back to the White Tower since that is a really dumb idea for one like myself. I guess I will need to go near Falme on the coast of the Aryth... "

Do I remember the sigil that I drew with the power to open up that portal with the platform of fire in a void?
This message was last edited by the GM at 20:05, Wed 15 May 2019.

"The White Tower is likely the most dangerous place in the world for you right now, I agree. But don't underestimate the influence the Aes Sedai have in most cities of the world. Most Kings and Queens have an Aes Sedai advisor and if they can tell that you can channel, they won't stop until they've found you.

But you have a long journey to reach Falme... but I won't try and stop you, it's as good of a place as any to try and avoid the reach of the Aes Sedai."

Yes, you have a pretty clear memory of the sigil you used.

"I guess I will focus on resting and recovering for now..."


I'll walk with him the rest of the way to the camp fire then try to carefully prepare breakfast for myself. Unless they already have food ready. In which case, I will eat what they have prepared and are willing to give me.

I will give my body 3 days to recover. Then we will see where we are at the end of it. I will try to be as pleasant and helpful as I can in my condition.

OOC: How much do I know about this world's metamagic(how magic works) based on what I overheard from Moiraine's and the Others  conversations about the One Power? I remember the basics of there are male and female halfs to the Source. And Male and Female Channelers draw on them very differently.


This message was last edited by the GM at 18:28, Thu 16 May 2019.

OOC: You know the following (list form as it's easier for future reference)

*Men and Women draw on different sources
*There sources have different strengths though share many elements
*There are several different elements that are woven into specific patterns to create an effect, Improper weaving can have very unpredictable effects
*Men's side of the power is tainted, causes eventually insanity and withering of the body.
*Women's side does not seem to have this problem, and is called Saidar
*The two sides of the power collectively are referred to as The One Power
*Women embrace the power by allowing it to flow through them, described to you as opening yourself and allowing it to wash over you while gently guiding it. Your limited experience with the male half of the power was very unlike this.
*Women have a mental exercise to embrace the power, likewise you find the flame and the void brings you closer to the power.

That's all I can think of that you would know. If there are specific questions let me know, I could have overlooked something.


You walk to the campfire, and while you feel incredibly sore you feel you have decent control over your body at this point. You find there is stew already prepared when you get to the campfire.

Over the three days, you begin to feel more normal. The first day lessening your muscle ache to a dull throb. The second day it's only when you end up moving slightly wrong, and the third day you have freedom from pain as long as you don't over exert yourself.

OOC:Cool. I'll keep it in mind.

Not quite fully recovered. I'll give it three more days.
I'll chill on the first day. Then do stretches and some light exercise on the second day. On the third day I'll see if I can do my sword forms.

If I am satisfied with what I am capable of on the third day(I am pretty much back to normal), That night I will check on Rand and the other Ta'Verin with the link. Sitting down and meditating. Focusing on where the Wheel is weaving the destiny of the others. I am mainly focused on determining where they are.

You rest three more days, and begin testing out how well you've recovered. By the third day you can confidently do sword forms again, with some mild discomfort. That discomfort is entirely assuaged if you embrace the flame and the void. I wasn't clear whether you intended to do so or not.

When you focus on Rand and the others, your mind snaps to Rand first. You see a swirling image of him laying with blankets up to his waist. His face looks rather pale and you see a large bandage across his midsection that has turned dark red over his lower left side. The image of it snaps you out of your meditation and causes you to wince painfully as if you felt some of his pain.  You get the feeling they are still near Falme, but don't have more of an inclination than that.

Ok time to go.

I'll pack my things and then go talk to Master Finn. I will ask for a few days supplies. But I am going to pay for them. I have 42 silver marks left if I am remembering correctly. So I am going to give 10 Marks to Master Finn for the food and taking care of me. 5 Marks to the Trader for stopping and letting me rest. And 2 each for the guards for putting up with not moving. So that should leave me 23 marks left.

After that is taken care of I will walk off until they can't see me.

I am going to Channel again to go to where Rand is near Falme. or at least near him.
Once again I fully Embrace the Flame and the Void, Sensing the tainted light. Once again I grab it and Pull. Forcing it to obey my will. I pull strands of power out and layer and weave them into a sigil like I did before. Once I am done, I let the threads of power snap into place to perform it's effect.

Then I will step onto the flaming platform in the void. Then I will Direct it to Falme near Rand.

Each person gives a polite objection, mentioning that they weren't caring for you for any money. They do accept the marks with significant thanks if you insist, however.

With that taken care of, you walk off and find a wooded area that doesn't have much of a line of sight to anything. You find it takes you a few minutes, as when you try immediately after getting there something just feels wrong and you can't bring your concentration about correctly. But that passes, and you are able to weave the sigil,  and the last strand snaps into place and a portal rotates into existence. On the other side is the void with a flaming red disc waiting to carry you away.

As you step on and think about Falme, it lurches in a direction and the portal you came through rotates closed. You note it takes a lot longer than the last time, where you were only in the void for a little over a second last time, it's a minutes this way. It's tough to tell exactly how many, as the void has an element of sensory deprivation to it. But eventually the disc comes to a stop, and you the portal rotates into existence. There looks to be a sparse forest on the other side.

When you step out, you see that you're on a wooded hill overlooking the town of Falme. There is obvious damage of a recent battle here, but people are moving about on the streets down below working on repairing the damage.

I wonder,
Huh? what caused that?,
when my concentration was interrupted the first time.

Once I get there.
... now that I think about it I should have brought Master Flinn with me. Although it would be hard to go in unnoticed with him.

I can see Falme. Do I also see the Black Ships from the Invaders?

The first thing I will do is confirm which Direction Rand is in again with the Meditation. Exploiting the connection to get a bearing towards him.

You do not see any black ships, only a hand full of merchant vessels.

When you think of Rand you get a piercing headache as colors overwhelm your vision. You see a camp nestled into the mountains and the dragon banner flying above one tent. You get the sense that they are nearly due east.

Well. I might be over using that. Anyway,  I now have a bearing.

I'll head east to try to find them in the Mountains.  Heading in what feels like the right direction.

I wonder if Perrin is with Rand.

What type of provisions do you have, and what are you wearing/is your sword visible? It’ll impact how your travels go and how people react to the sight of you.

When you think about Perrin, or any of them really for more than a passing second, you get the same swirls of color and brief glimpses of them. You see Perrin and Matt talking in a clearing in the mountains and feel sure it’s with Rand.

I got a few days of provisions from Master Flinn but we didn't detail what they are.

I should still be wearing my training uniform since I didn't have the time to get
Looks back.
Huh. I did buy some traviling cloths. So I am down to 22 marks.
They are brown pants, shirt and a cloak.
I'll try to keep the sword out of sight with the cloak.

You set out east, finding a relatively small road that heads generally towards the mountains.

Camping at night is a little rough, as it rains heavily on the first night, making the second day of travel miserable both for slogging through the mud as well as because there wasn't adequate sites to stay completely dry.

The second and third night go by much smoother, and the mountains in the distance are beginning to look larger. Your provisions are starting to grow scarce however, with one full days worth of meals at a normal diet. Do you intend to try and hunt for more, ration what you have to try and make it last, or try and find a place to get more? Or something different altogether?

I would probably realize fairly quickly that it would take awhile to get to those mountain and that I would not have enough supplies to make it.

Have I seen people traveling along the road?
I would probably ask who ever I meet if they would be willing to sell some of their food.

If I see an Inn or somewhere else I could buy food along the way, I would buy food.

If I don't fine anyone to buy food from, I would start hunting while I walk in the direction of the mountains. I'm walking with my bow out and an Arrow nocked. Embracing the Flame and the Void (But not Channeling the One Power) to help me notice prey before it runs or flies off.

When I stop to rest I will build a fire, cook up what I managed to kill and then eat.

You don't see any fellow travelers for the first two days, so you supplement your food with various animals you're able to find in the woods near the road. There doesn't seem to be much game to hunt, but you get a few rabbits which cook up nice.

On the third day, you see an approaching traders caravan. The leader of the caravan is a short man in a rich looking coat. It takes quite a bit of effort to hail them to stop, at which point he looks down from his wagon and raises an eyebrow at you, “Yes, what is it you be wanting with me?”

Edit:finished post
This message was last edited by the GM at 12:30, Sun 19 May 2019.

Is he heading in the Direction I am going or is he heading towards Falme?

"I wish to do business with you. If you got food to sell I would Like ten days worth of supplies for myself. Surly a caravan of such size as yours would have that much extra."

”We are on our way to resupply Falme, we hear it’s been the sight of a great battle. It would be unethical for me to part with food meant to help those in need where we be going...”

He says the last bit with a smirk, and you get the clear impression that ethics don’t keep this man up at night. He reminds you of an arms dealer that sells to both sides while dropping little bits of provoking comments to keep a war going.

This man is going to gouge the snot out of Falme. There is not much I can do against such corruption at the moment.

"I am but a refuge myself. Surly you would be willing to sell such a trifling amount to a refuge moving away from Falme? Would 6 sliver marks be a fair price For ten days worth of food?"

I have a feeling that he is going to try to gouge me as well. I think I offered a generous amount at 6 silver pennies per day of food. I will accept up to 9 marks for the food and take him up on the price.

If he demands a price too out of line. (I would consider 10 or more marks for 10 days of food, out of line.) I will Suggest
"I see. Perhaps you would prefer a wager. Surly such a trifling amount is nothing for a merchant as obviously rich as yourself."

I pull out my coin bag and shake it a bit to prove that there is quite a bit of money in there.

"How about 20 silver marks against your 10 days worth of food. Your best guard against myself in a sword dual to first blood with live steel. Winner take all."