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Guidelines of the Realm

Yes, like any functioning and well-thought out community, the Realm of Tar Valon has a code of rules that must be followed. It is advisable to read this before joining because if you didn't, we will most likely be able to tell. Rather than being a bunch of rules, however, there is much explanation of the way the RoTV works, so it is all useful to know. Enjoy!

Valia Sedai
Amyrlin Seat

Section One: The Basics

• The Realm of Tar Valon is a WoT-fan community that bases its system on the White Tower after Tarmon Gai'don. We portray a White Tower where men and women once again channel side-by-side, as well as fight side-by-side--the RoTV is a community where men and women may be either Aes Sedai or Gaidin/Gaidar. The purpose of the RoTV is to allow men and women to aspire to the association they wish, to unite WoT fans and meet new friends, to discuss and theorize about the Wheel of Time series, to go deeper into the world of WoT, but mostly to be able to form friendships with others of common interest. The RoTV focuses on the well-being of our group as a close-knit community, and on strivriving to bring fans together in a unique and caring atmosphere.

• All applicants are asked to be at least 14 years of age, due to the nature of some discussions, along with maturity and privacy issues.
  
• Applicant must have read the rules and regulations so that they can understand how our community works.
  
• Once you have sent in an application and registered at the boards, post anintroduction in the appropriate forum with a little information about yourself, as well as whether you plan on becoming a Recruit or a Novice.
  
• YOU MUST POST IN THE JOINING THREAD AND BEFORE YOU ARE GIVEN ACCESS TO MEMBER FORUMS! YOU MUST POST IN THE THREAD TO BE CONSIDERED FOR ACCEPTANCE!

• All members of the RoTV are requested to have 110x170 px avatars for the message board and memberlist, and if you are unable to find and/or host an image of your own, there are members available to assist you after you have joined. Human/humanoid avatars are preferred. Changing avatars is allowed, but overly frequent changes are discouraged ("frequent" is at Mother's discretion). Before choosing, though, go through the memberlist and make sure that the avatar you choose isn't taken.
  NOTE: Individuals are responsible for any copyright infringments with their avatar--NOT the site--as they are the ones who choose and exclusively use that picture.
  
• We ask that members have the following in their sigs: fictional name and membership level. Anything else can be added to them, but we ask that picture-signatures are kept to 350x100 pixels, with no more than four lines of text below them, or no more than 10 lines of writing in an all-text signature. Quotes and associations are perfectly acceptable, but we ask that any lewd or offending comments are left out.

• At the Realm of Tar Valon we ask that all "junior members" (Novices, Recruits, Accepted, and Aethan) address all "senior members" (Aes Sedai, Gaidin, and Gaidar) with the honorific 'Sedai,' 'Gaidin,' or 'Gaidar' after their first names. They have worked hard to attain these positions of honor. The Amyrlin Seat shall be refered to as Mother, or other variations.
  
• Not only should senior members be given due respect, but also your fellow members. All members are to be treated by one-another with respect and friendliness (if not possible, at least tolerance). If there is a major dispute between two or more members, they will be assigned a Gray Ajah mediation session to work out their problems.
  

Section Two: Membership

A. Levels of Membership

• Member - A member is someone who has joined the Realm of Tar Valon but has not chosen an association to join.
  
• Honored Guest - An honored guest is a visiting Aes Sedai, Gaidin, or other type of member from other WoT communities. They are to be treated with respect, like any member.
  
• Novice/Recruit - This is the lowest level of Tower membership. They will be assigned roommates/bunkmates as well as Mentors/Guides upon reporting to the Mistress of Novices/Master of Arms.
  
• Accepted/Aethan - This is the middle level of Tower membership. They will now be able to teach classes, as well as join an Ajah/Company that they wish to aspire to.
  
• Aes Sedai/Gaidin/Gaidar - This is the highest and final level of the Tower membership. They have the ability to teach classes/spars, to mentor/guide a junior member, to bond, as well as run for Sitter/Represenative of their Ajah/Company.

• Novices/Recruits
  
  - Minimum 2 months before raising
  - Must participate in classroom/practice yard
  - May complete a project related to the series or site (Encouraged...gain brownie points when it comes to discussion time!)
  - Must have been at least somewhat active, generally
  - Must be working on or have finished the WoT series
  - Must be approved by appropriate association
  - Must pass test with at least 21 out of 30
  
  
• Accepted/Aethan
  
  - Minimum 2-3 months before raising
  - Must participate and/or teach in classroom/practice yard
  - Must complete a project relevant to the site or series and must have the project approved (preferrably before it's started) by their Head of Ajah/Company Captain, MoN, MaA, the Keeper or the Amyrlin
  - Must have been at least somewhat active, generally
  - Must show maturity and understanding of community
  - Must be working on or have finished the WoT series
  - Must have been a good representative of Ajah/Company
  - Must be approved by appropriate association
  - Must find three sponsors, write oaths, etc.
  
• Note: The Amyrlin Seat reserves the right to raise any member at the pace she sees fit. Raising is a privelage--not a right!

• Any Aes Sedai or Gaidin/Gaidar is eligible to run for a position in the Hall of Sitters and Represenatives. Applications will be sent to the HoA/CoC who will then post them in a poll topic so that the other Ajah/Company members can vote. Simply this: the one who ends with the most votes and is approved by Mother is awarded the position of Sitter/Representative.

D. Leaves of Absense

• If a member is going to be absent from the Realm of Tar Valon for more than a week, it is asked that they post an LoA. The post should include where they are going, and when they will be back.
  
• If a junior member is gone for a month and a half without posting a leave, they will be removed from the memberlist and will have to re-apply to the community. However, Aes Sedai and Warders who do not post LoA's will be able to retain their position when they return, if they were gone for more than a month and a half without posting a leave. If a member in a position of power (i.e.: Head) is going to be gone for a period of time, it is advisable that they choose a temporary replacement to act in their stead. However, if a member of the Hall will be absent for more than 2 months, they will be permanently replaced.
  
  

Section Three: Relationships

A. Different Options

• Near-siblings - A declaration of close friendship between two members, based on the Aiel.
  
• Bondmates - A bond between an Aes Sedai and a Warder to signify thier close friendship and dedication to one another.
  
• Souvra Bond - A bond between two Aes Sedai, in which they become Souvra'din or Souvra'dar, meaning Soul Brother/Sisters.
  
• Ashan Bond - A bond between two Warders, in which they become Ashandin or Ashandar, meaning Sword Brother/Sisters.

B. Process

• Near-siblings - No ceremony or permission is needed--just announce it yourself in the Announcement forum!
  
• Bondmates - The Head of the Grey Ajah must be contacted, and the pair will be given access to the Mediation Hall. After a discussion with a Grey Aes Sedai, it will be approved, or not, and announced officially in the Announcement forum
  
• Souvra Bond - Same as the above.
  
• Ashan Bond - Same as the above..

C. Particulars

• Blue, Brown, Grey, White, and Yellow Ajahs - May bond one Souvra'dar/din and one Warder.
• Avende and Dieb Companies - May bond one Ashandar/din and one Aes Sedai.
• Green Ajah - May bond one Souvra'dar/din and two Warders.
• Red Ajah - May bond two Souvra'dar/din.

D. Disolving of a Bond

• If a bond is no longer functioning between two members, it may be requested that the bond be disolved. An email or PM must be sent to the Amyrlin from each of the pair saying why they wish the bond to be disolved, and why it stopped working. Disolving the bonds is strongly discouraged. A member leaving the community is a valid reason for disolving the bond, though a disolution must still be requested and will NOT take place automatically.
  

The Wheel of Time, characters, logos, and all related indicia are © TOR Books and Robert Jordan.
Character names and projects are property of their respective owners.
Details unique to the RoTV are NOT to be used elsewhere.