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I started re-reading this book last night and as I was reading I thought "Oh yeah! That's where that came from!" in regards to so many quirky things. I tend to notice small details, like the description of the White Tower being chilly. It seems in this book to be more austere and uncomfortable, while in later books there is an implication of a lot more opulence and comfort. I'm also noticing items that would be fun to have in the game as equipment; certain helmets, the hadori, blue riding gloves with embroidery...

What are you noticing in the first few chapters that just jump out?

Vivienne

I see I need to make an Oval room in the White Tower for general congregation. That seems better than having the Hall of Sitters for large meetings anyway, for roleplay reasons as well.

I love how in this book everything seems to be so direct, and not written in a convoluted manner. I'm seeing some direct statements about what Novices and Accepteds are allowed to do (or not), and I'm totally enjoying getting glimpses of some of the main characters in the White Tower as Novices or Accepteds.

Only half joking but maybe I should get some of the newer Imms to mobol some additional chores in the Tower, like being on duty for the Keeper and Amyrlin, making tea, god knows what else.

Not my fault the first few chapters are heavy on life inside the White Tower.

Vivienne

Though it was short, I think New Spring was one of my favorites. I loved learning more of the ins and outs of the Tower and seeing what goes into the life of an Accepted.

Changes to the Tower sound nice Viv!! Looking forward to reading more!

-Janielle

I actually did write a tea room into the, er...red(?) level, FYI . Or maybe Brown. Can't remember!


And I haven't even read New Spring!

The very first paragraph struck me as so amusing, with all the precautions the soldiers were making to not be seen by the Aiel. I just imagined Aiel scouts were likely watching them in the darkness and cracking jokes (in their odd Aiel humor) about wetlanders being so obvious and noisy.

Lan's reflection on Bukama has intrigued me. I had forgotton how deeply steeped in tradition, duty and honor the men of Malkier were. Something about Bukama wearing his helmet without the crest, though it was his right to wear it. I don't know, I just keep going back to that for some reason.

Finally on to chapter two, which I just started.

i literally have 4 copies of this book, paperback i bought myself, and 3 hardcovers. dang me not being specific when i said i wanted a WOT book for xmas.. of course there gonna buy the cheapest one

New Spring is probably the best source of White Tower RP, giving insights to daily life of the girls learning to be Aes Sedai.

As for little details, I found myself laughing at the Tairen officer in the first chapter. Funny how ignorant some Tairens could be with wearing the perfume and embroidered clothes that shine in the moonlight, especially in times of war.

Another interesting spot was in the second chapter, when it was said that Brendas and Temaile had one shift before Moraine and Siuan. I had slight chills thinking how close one future Black Sister was to hearing Gitara's Foretelling.

On the topic of White Tower roleplay, it's so clear in this book that we're being too lenient with Novices in the game. LOL!

But seriously - Novices not allowed to leave the White Tower, period. Accepteds allowed to leave the White Tower to go into the city itself, maybe, but usually with an Aes Sedai to supervise. Accepteds allowed to leave Tar Valon? It's written up as a NWIH and then commented upon how shocked everyone is that the Amyrlin Seat sends forth Accepteds -- albiet with required escort of Tower Guard -- to set up the bounty list for women who gave birth. Nice twist of this being an exceptional event and therefore an exception made, but they weren't allowed to go out on their own. Also, the Tower Guard was 100% in charge of them, no matter what they thought or said otherwise as Accepteds.

I also loved the consistent viewpoint that Novices think of Accepted as one small step below Aes Sedai, but Aes Sedai view Accepted as one tiny step above Novices. What a diversity of viewpoints right there!

Vivienne

My memory is super poor, so I'll apologize if I make people repeat the obvious...

Things I was pondering:
-Do we ever find out why the Aiel sidestepped Lan and the soldiers he was with in chapter one? Makes me wonder if the Wise Ones had some sort of foretelling or maybe a message in Tel'aran'rhiod about the Car'a'carn, much like Gitara did shortly thereafter.
-Are there any examples of powerful female channelers that were not born with the spark? I was curious if those whose gift had to be drawn out were generally less powerful than those who would eventually channel on their own.

Things I missed from previous readings:
-Accepted dresses had bands at the cuffs - not just at the hem. Always envisioned them differently.
-Even full Sisters could be set a penance for speaking about the age of an Aes Sedai

aiel knew of him as a skilled fighter, and an honorable man. they however werent there to fight anyone, they were just there to execute laman. they only killed ppl cause they got in the way. after they killed laman, they left, there was no need to kill him.




i believe i read in an interview from RJ that there is no discernable difference b/t a sparker and a learner int terms of how strong their potential is.

since most wilders are found by AS just passing thru a town and feeling them near to channeling, they are more likely to stop to pick up the stronger ones than the lesser ones.

most AS are sparkers, because the only learners they get are royalty and girls that come to the tower to be tested.

I read through the book already twice since starting this, so now I'm going over it again. I found it interesting that Accepted also have cloaks with a banded hem. Probably not worth me making yet another piece of clan equipment overall, but wow... talk about always being 'in uniform'!

Vivienne

I found it interesting to read that even our new Tower is wrong. Novice and Accepted quarters were in the west wing. There were two Accepted wells of 9 stories each (they were on the 3rd floor, with 6 floors above them still). Also four Novice wells, presumably also that size.

I always have the distinct feeling that the Amyrlin's appartments are one the second floor or something, overlooking a private garden. Ours is way up high.

There are several references to the Domani being skilled fighters, even though they weren't commanded by Ituralde but under Lan's command. The Altarans and Murandians suck, apparently, never mastering the hammer and anvil tactic...

Just a general lament: Why is this book so concisely and well written, with such a wealth of information and imagery, while other books drag on for seven pages about the color of a flower? arrrrrrrrrrgh...

Vivienne

Just read it second time through after reading Game of Thrones and a flurry of Sanderson books (Mistborn and Way of Kings). Just speculation, but Jordan may not have intended to write any more prequels, so he had no need to drag out the scenes to generate his usual word count.

Tower layout is different in ANS, that is clear to me now that I re-read it after reading Elysia's comment. So much detail, I would very much like to have a copy of Jordan's sketches on what he thought the Tower looked like. Maybe he just worked from notes rather than sketches. Our new Tower layout is expansive, but good for pk. In general I like it even if its not a good match with the ANS descriptions and the work and thought that the designers put into its construction is evident. The central staircase provides a choke at each floor all the way up to the top floor. I enjoyed chasing CoL and MCs in there. Fun! I also love the rooftop garden.

The Tower in the mud is definitely easy on novices in the game as compared to the books. But being a game, its still needs to be engaging and fun. Sometimes I feel being a TA is where you really feel the discipline burn in the Tower. Becoming a TA was when I really started to feel like an initiate in ANS. The need to impress, pk, be active, do assignments, interact with both initiates and particularly Aes Sedai all rushes in on you once you reach Tower Accepted. But I dont think most players with novices would enjoy sitting outside an Aes Sedai's office for hours reading Hearts of Flame *grin* One time Alayla asked me to bring her tea in the Brown Ajah study once and when I got there she was chatting with another Aes Sedai Brown Ajah, asked me to put the tea down and dismissed me. I felt like I was living ANS as my Accepted. Leaving the room I asked myself, 'did that just happen?' Very simple, but effective use of rp--ok I like the little things I guess!

The interactions with Elaida are interesting in ANS. I think the Tower needs more pranksters! Mice in the bed! *falls over laughing* I wonder if Siuan ever left a new novice in the restricted section of the library without letting her know how to get out...?

Rereading this last night, I was surprised by how explicit Siuan and Moiraine's "pillow friend" relationship was:

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