FAQ - The Grey Tower

2.1 Where do I send my email?
That all depends on what your email is about. To make it easier, there will generally be one of two places it will go. The collective Admin/Officer email is greytower1@yahoo.com. The admin who read it will make sure it reaches the folder of the person that is best suited to help you. You can almost always expect a response within a few days of sending the email. If the email is of a more sensitive nature, such as an official complaint, or just needs to be read by the leadership of the Tower only, send it to the 13th depository.

2.2 How do I submit work or a revision to the Tower Library?
The Tower Library has submission forms for new fanfiction, role-play transcripts, artwork etc. If you need a revision made, send an email to the admin email account with Attn: KoA or KoC in the subject line and explain the details of the changes you need made to your existing work.

2.3 How do I update my member listing?
Also in the Library is a submission form for biography changes.

2.4 How do I report an error?
Any error or typo can be reported through the admin form or by sending an email with the details to the admin email.

2.5 Who can help me with my problem?
There are several ways you can get help with problems or questions you might have. You can simply post about it on the Main OOC Message Board, or send an email to the admin email account. We are always willing to help with anything we can, it's our job after all.

2.6 What is a Mentor? How do I get one?
A full description of the Mentor system can be found on this page.

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3.1 What are the rules for my behavior?
The rules of the Tower are outlined in the Aims and Rules of the Tower. Each tower member is expected to read and understand the content of that page as they submit their joining form.

3.2 What happens if I break them?
The consequences of breaking the rules of the Tower from the page linked above can range from temporary restriction of posting priveleges to banning from the site. These decisions are ultimately left up to the Amyrlin, the M'Hael, and the Master of Arms. Should someone feel wronged by one of these officers, one may appeal to the Keepers, or to the Hall of Sitters as a group.

3.3 What are the rules for my character's behavior?
A general set of guidelines for IC behavior for all members of the Tower is currently under revision. A schedule of daily activities for the learning ranks can be found here

3.4 What happens if s/he breaks them and how is that determined?
The punishment of IC offenses made by your character are dealt with by the Mistress of Novices, Master of Soldiers, or the Master of Training respective to who committed the offense. Please remember that IC offenses can often be great character development and do not reflect poorly in any way on the writer as long as they are willing to let their character face the consequences of their actions. Note that all IC punishments must be played out before a character can be raised.

3.5 Has anyone ever been expelled from the Tower?
Yes, but only rarely. As mentioned above, expulsion is generally only used to punish major infractions of the Grey Tower's rules, or in situations where the disruptive behavior is ongoing. Here are the people who have been expelled from the Grey Tower:

LeBow Elb (A former Trainee who may Rejoin *if* he roleplays at another site long enough to get Raised, even a single rank.), Joe al'Sheen, John Halvorsen, Joson, Piper, Sephiroth Darksbane, Sebastian, Vairen Tammal, Qhu al'Otaoas

3.6 What is Godmoding?
Godmoding can happen in a number of ways. The three most common ways are to, first, write a character that is unrealistically powerful in any aspect, second, to have a character with no weaknesses or flaws and thus be unrealistic, and the third and perhaps most offensive and abrasive is to write for another player character's thoughts, words, or actions. All of these are considered unacceptable and may lead to disciplinary action.

3.7 Can I have more than one character?
Absolutely, one of the best parts of writing is exploring different types of characters. There is currently no limit to the number of characters you may play, but there are stipulations as to at which point you can create another character. The rules for multiple characters can be found here.

3.8 I don't like my Mentor, s/he's not as helpful to me as another person might be. What can I do?
Your first course of action should be to talk to your mentor about your concerns. Be open and honest, but polite. Remember that these are also real people with real lives. Should this not work out you should contact your respective Officer(either the Mistress of Novices, Master of Soldiers, or Master of Training). They will help you to find a solution.

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4.1 Do I have to pay to play?
Absolutely not, this is a completely free community, and we welcome any who want to join us here and abide by our policies. The site does need money to run and donations are accepted. If you want to donate contact one of the officers and we'll tell you how to make that happen. Once again, donations are completely voluntary, and in no way affect your status as a member here.

4.2 Are there passwords for this site?
There is a secret word that we use at the site which you have to have to view contact information and to post anything on our message boards. This word is given out upon joining the Tower and is updated twice a year with each census. Do not give out this word to anyone, if you know someone who should have it but doesn't, direct them to an officer.

4.3 How do I join?
To join, go to this page, read the information and follow the instructions there. You will hear back within a few days after completing the form.

4.4 How should my character biography be done?
Full information is found in the joining information pages when you create your character. Basic guidelines is to flesh out your character, either in first or third person, and establish how they came to the Tower. Most importantly, be realistic, and leave room for character development.

4.5 Is admission to the Grey Tower selective or exclusive?
Not at all, in reality all we are really looking for are people who love to write, can get along with people in a community environment, and are willing to abide by very few and simple rules and structures.

4.6 Can I join as a character in one of Robert Jordan's books?
This is something we do not allow, with absolutely no exceptions. Everything from RJ's books are his Intellectual Property and are not to be used without his express permission, which of course we do not have. All characters must be originally created by the players here.

4.7 What are the types of groups, or ajahs, that I can join?
Channelers aspire to join one of the seven ajahs. Non-channelers of course will aspire to be Warders at the Tower. Should your character be of a...darker nature, channeler or not, there is another, secretive option.

4.8 How do Talents, Weapon Skills, and other systems work here?
Information for the following systems are available in depth at the following pages: Talents, One Power Strength, Weapon Skills, Non-Channeling Abilities Abilities, and Benefits.

4.9 Why can't I jump in and play an advanced character?
The systems we have in place are to help assure a balanced quality of role-play for all those who write here. It is also an attempt to curb godmoding and to keep the writers honest and assist in character development.

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5.1 What is expected of a member?
There are no minimum requirements for posting or activity to be a member of the Grey Tower. We want to include all those of every level of participation that their ability and real lives let them. We understand that this community is based around a hobby and that other real life concerns take priority. No member should ever feel to be in less standing than another because of their inability to write as much, teach as many classes, etc, as another member.

5.2 Where can I check on the rules?
The Grey Tower Aims and Rules contain the core rules of the Tower. Everything we do from a rule or policy standpoint branches off from there. Please read and understand this page, it's not long, but is crucial to the combined happiness and success of the writers here in this community.

5.3 How do I raise through the ranks?
The raising requirements for channelers can be found here, and for Warders in Training they can be found here.

5.4 How do I become an officer?
When an officer position becomes vacant there will be a week of time following when the leaders of the Tower will post the job description of the position in question, and ask for those interested to step forward. After that period there will be a vote among the members of the Hall to fill that position. The three leaders of the Tower, the Amyrlin, the M'Hael, and the Master of Arms, are subject to yearly elections, while the other positions are vacated simply upon members stepping down from them.

5.5 How do I become an Ajah Head or a Sitter for my Ajah?
Ajah Heads are selected through election by the remnants of an Ajah should an Ajah Head step down or be removed. Sitters are appointed, three per Ajah, by the Ajah Head.

5.6 Can I return with a previous character?
Of course you may, though there are a few things required of you. The returning characters page has all the details.

5.7 What is a bond?
A bond is a One-Power-forged link between an Aes Sedai or Asha'man and a Warder. Aes Sedai may bond a Gaidin, Gaidar or Asha'man as a Warder, while Asha'man may either be bonded by an Aes Sedai, or bond a Gaidin or Gaidar of their own, but not both! By accepting the bond, the Warder pledges his life in the defense and service of his Aes Sedai or Asha'man, in return for faster healing, the ability to sense Shadowspawn, and the ability to go for longer periods without food or rest.

Asha'man may only bond Warders if they have not been bonded as Warders to an Aes Sedai.

5.8 What does the word "promise" mean?
A promise is simply an agreement between two people to bond each other when they reach the appropriate rank. It is not a requirement for bonding.

5.9 What are the requirements for bonding?
As above, an unbonded Asha'man can bond a Gaidin or Gaidar as their Warder, while an Aes Sedai can bond an Asha'man, a Gaidin or a Gaidar. OOC, the players of both characters must agree to the bonding.

There is a limit to the number of Warders an Aes Sedai or Asha'man can bond. An Aes Sedai or Asha'man bonds only one Warder, unless (s)he is of the Green Ajah, in which case (s)he may bond up to four Warders.

5.10 How do I get bonded?
Please fill out the bond form to inform admin of the bonding and get posted on the Bond List. An announcement at the Main MB or a ceremony at the Day to Day is customary, but not required.

5.11 Can I get unbonded?
No. A bond cannot be broken as long as the Warder is alive. There are only two ways to remove a bond.

Death. If your bondmate dies (IC) or leaves the Tower (IRL) then you are released from the bond.

Inactivity. If your bondmate is inactive for more than two months IRL without warning, you may choose to release yourself from the bond by terminating his/her character.

You also may pass the bond of a Warder to another suitable Aes Sedai/Asha'man, if there is a suitable reason, but this is rarely done.

5.12 Can I play a ta'veren character?
It is possible, but the use of ta'veren is limited. Your character may be temporary ta'veren as long as the correct procedures and restrictions are followed. They are:

Those who wish to use the ability must send a detailed application to the Amyrlin for female members of the Tower, or the M'Hael for male members, stating how they plan to use it and for how long they expect to use it. Should either feel they should not make the decision it will be passed to the Indigo Ajah Head. These officials do have the right to refuse the application.
The use of the ability is limited to a single major roleplay, fanfic, lengthy thread, or story line.
The use of the ability is restricted solely to the person(s) who applied for it.

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6.1 How do I find a specific member?
Check for them in the member listings.

6.2 What are the Message Boards and what are their rules?
The message boards are separated into OOC and IC from the Tower's main page. The Tower Rules are in full effect in each of them.

6.3 What about Message Board Etiquette?
The Tower Rules explain everything we expect of our members. The baseline is to be courteous and respectful in dealing with others. Flaming is absolutely unacceptable. We also ask that all members maintain a level of PG-13 content in their posts, as we do have members that young here.

6.4 What are the abbreviations and what do they mean?
You might feel as you come into the Tower that people are speaking a different English than you knew and are throwing around all kinds of acronyms. We have a list of common acronyms that you might run across in your time here.

6.5 How do I get people to RP with me?
Post that you want to on the main message board, or if you want to, just post on any of the IC boards with ATTN: Anyone in your subject line and wait for someone to join in. It happens all the time.

6.6 Where do I hold a RP?
All of our role-plays are done by message board, and the list of IC boards can be found from the GT main page.

6.7 How do I chat?
Go to our chatroom, type in a screen name(typically your character name, though not always), and chat away!

6.8 Whom may I RP with?
You may write a thread with any willing member of the Tower. We're all here for the same purpose, and people are always looking for new RP opportunities.

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