I’m so pleased to be here. They tell me ‘Ishmael’ is taken, so call me Tatiane instead. In real life, I have the height of a Cairhienin, the coloring of an Aiel, and a father who was nearly a dead ringer for, of all characters, Darlin Sisnera. I picked what I like to imagine sounds like a Cairhienin name in part because Moiraine is one of my favorite WoT characters generally and in part because New Spring is probably why I’m here. Another interesting fact about me and WoT: the first book I read was Winter’s Heart. A family friend managed to rescue a box of books from her church’s planned book burning (this was in the height of Harry Potter’s popularity, around 2003 I think; locally, it was not uncommon for churches to burn any fantasy and sci-fi they happened across as a reaction to Pottermania) and let me rummage through them. An old library hardcover copy of WH, spine broken to the point the book was near collapse, caught my fancy, or at least the cover did. For a very long time, I thought that “ter’angreal” meant ‘chair’ and, somehow, that Elayne had dark hair. I can’t say I’d recommend that someone new to WoT read WH first, but I don’t regret that I did, and I still love it intensely. Other favorites include The Great Hunt, The Shadow Rising, A Crown of Swords, and The Path of Daggers. About me personally...I’m twenty-eight, obsessed with tea, a (as yet unpublished) writer, and the only things I might love more than researching anything that catches my interest are my three little yapdogs. I enjoy trying to learn languages, but don’t have a strong talent for it; I have been working on Russian for two years, with mixed results. I also have very slight knowledge of French, German, and Spanish. Flowers delight me far more than is reasonable. The rest...well, I have to save something for the rest of getting to know you all, yes? Again, I’m happy to be here and thank you for allowing me to visit your home - I hope to find my own here as well.
Welcome to Tar Valon, Tatiane. Last year at Bel Tine, the junior members (myself among them, then) instigated a blood feud between Clan Kaf and Clan Tea which swept all within the Shining Walls into its swirling vortex. Members of all ranks, Ajahs, and Companies swore fealty to one side or the other, and the White Tower was painted slightly brown with the caffeinated beverages that were spilled in our very halls and streets. Eventually, a tepid peace was steeped in the common kettle of mutual self-interest. It was a dark roasted time, that is now, of course, well behind us. However, should you feel so inclined to escape the filthy has-bean coffee addicts *spits*, and find a place among fellow tea lovers, may I direct you to this thread here: https://www.tarvalon.net/index.php?threads/tea-cult-lets-get-this-par-tea-started.29813/ Your timing is fortuitous, for Bel Tine is upon us once again, and tomorrow (the 8th of April) a special forum will open up, and many people will dress up (their avatars) and take part in fun activities planned by the various groups in the Tower. What shenanigans will beset the unwitting residents of Tar Valon this year? Please feel absolutely welcome to take part and join in the fun, as this is one of our two freeweeks (the other being Shaoman), and things are usually quite different around here than they normally are. We often engage in some light roleplay during freeweeks, and less often at other times as well, though we aren't a roleplay site. Welcome, again, and if you have any questions at all, please ask
Hello and welcome to the community! Your very first post alone tells me that you will fit in here beyond well. We are at your disposal for any questions you might have, of course. In the meantime, please feel free to explore any and all threads you can see - and once you hit 25 posts, you can apply for Citizenship (the first of four ranks we've got here) and then you'll gain access to even more awesome threads. I know it must have been horribly confusing to start with Winter's Heart, but goodness, did your story make me laugh. I love everything you've written here. Are there any flowers that delight you in particular, or is it just the sight of any of them? Languages are a passion of mine and I do teach them, so if you ever need any help... P.S. @Anujun Trahearn Your post. I am loving all the puns. Never stop.
This is actually the second time I hear a person has started from Winter's heart The first case was not a success though, they didn't like the series, as far as I can remember which makes me happy that you stuck to reading the other books Welcome to TarValon I hope you enjoy it here!
How did I not know there is a Tea Cult?! LONG LIVE TEA! Welcome, Tatiane! As I also love and adore books, tea, and learning languages (with mixed success)...you rock. I opted to go with Japanese instead of Russian, years back. I was bored working an overnight job and wanted to learn a language that didn't use the Roman alphabet. I teach English to non-English speakers, and I've been trying to pick up Spanish (intermittently) as a result to better communicate with their parents. I took German in high school.
Clan Kaf vs Clan Tea was pretty epic! Speaking of Bel Tine, if you're interested in dressing up with us Citizens, you're more than welcome. We're doing 80's rockers! I'm going to send you some info, you should get a notification on the mail envelope or "Conversations" tab.
That...is a really cool story for how you picked up the series. I'm glad you got to rescue a book like that, and I'm glad you found us because of it! Welcome to Tar Valon, Tatiane!
As Chief Bean of Clan Kaf, I'm obligated to respond this bit of shade you've thrown here. *rattles spears* Clan Tea is nothing more than a weak, watered down imitation of the real brew! Hello and welcome, Tatiane! My sister is trying to learn French, we both have a small knowledge of German from our school days and can read it fairly well, and I'd like to learn Spanish one day as my area has a high concentration of Hispanic residents I currently speak English and Plautdietsch (a Dutch/German dialect and my mother tongue, though I speak English far more fluently)
