Rebuilding the Tower - a Wheel of Time Community

The Guide is a set of Rules and Guidelines by which all members are expected to abide.

I. Before You Join

A. Who We Are: Rebuilding the Tower is an eclectic blend of Wheel of Time Community and Role-play environments. We have existed for over two years, but one thing that cannot be said of us is that we are stale. Our Hall is continually working on revamping the site for our members' greatest enjoyment: deleting what doesn't work, introducing what could work, and polishing those programs that we all enjoy. If you have any suggestions, please feel free to contact any Administrator or Moderator with your thoughts!
B. Why Should You Join?: Rebuilding isn't just any old site. Set after the Last Battle, we have let our creativity run wild with our structure with the institution of our Allegiance Program.

II. After You Join

A. Expectations

As soon as you finish the registration process you are considered to be a member of Rebuilding, so we have a few simple Expectations of you as a member, which fall under two categories.

1) Courtesy

All members, regardless of Rank, are expected to maintain a courteous and respectful attitude towards their fellow members at all times. This includes (but is not limited to) the use of honorifics, refraining from harassing or "flaming" other members and following all posted Rules and Regulations (both included in this Guide and others).

2) Appearance

All members are expected to maintain a certain frame of Appearance on the forums. This Appearance is designed to give you a "face" and a "personality" to match with your username. This Expectation falls into two parts as well.

a) Avatar: Your Avatar will stand as your "face" here on Rebuilding, and is used as a main way of recognizing you on the boards. As such, before you select an Avatar, please make sure to check and ensure that it is not currently in use by any other members. Your Avatar must be 110X170 pixels in dimension, this is designed to ensure that the boards display uniformly for all viewers. Your Avatar must be humanoid and reflective of your gender (though physical resemblance to yourself is not required). If the Administration finds your Avatar to be inappropriate in any way, it may be removed without contacting you. Please check to make sure that the artist of the image allows for people to use his or her work as Avatars, the Administration and site are not to be held responsible for any legal ramifications caused by copyright infringement.
b) Signature: Your Signature stands as many things on the boards, but usually is used as an indication of your "personality" as well as personalizing all of your posts. You Signature may be either graphic or textual, so long as it follows the regulations. Graphic Signatures may include up to two lines of text above or below the image. The actual image may be no larger than 400x125 pixels, and may not be animated in any way. As with Avatars, please ensure that the images you use are legal. A textual Signature may contain up to ten lines of text. Any offensive material may be removed from your Signature without contacting you.

Any violation of these Expectations is subject to an examination from the Hall and may result in any variation of consequences from a warning, to a penance, to banning. If you are unsure of what is appropriate for your Avatar or if you are violating the Courtesy Expectation, please ask an Administrator or Moderator before you act.

III. Being A Member

A. Allegiances

Did we pique your interest earlier? Well relax, all your questions are about to be answered! Upon joining you are asked to state your Allegiance with the Light, the Shadow or the Neutral. You may change your Allegiance at any time during your membership. These Allegiances serve the function of uniting members from the various ranks, as well as planning the Site Events, both large and small.

B. Ranks

There are five levels of Rank that you may be a member of.
1) Novice: This means you are welcomed as an official member of the Tower. This Rank is also known as being a "Junior Member" or a "1st Level Junior Member." At this Rank you are expected to show deference to those of higher Ranks. To become this Rank you need only post in the Sign-up Thread.
2) Accepted: If you are of this Rank, you have been promoted up from the previous Rank due to your completion of the Raising Requirements. This Rank is still known as being a "Junior Member" but you are also known as a "Mid Level Junior Member." At this Rank you are allowed to join or visit one of the Ajahs. To be Raised to this Rank you must complete the Raising Requirements and be approved by the Hall.
3) Aes Sedai: When you have reached this Rank, you are now known as a Senior Member, and fully fledged member of Rebuilding. There is no way to rise to a higher Rank through a regular Raising procedure. In order to make it to this Rank, you must complete all Raising Requirements and be approved by the Hall.
4) Administration: If you become a member of this Rank, you are most likely a Senior Member, though not always, and preside over one of the various Ranks, Allegiances or Ajahs. In order to become a member of this Rank you must complete the Application Process and be approved by the Hall. These positions entail a great amount of responsibility, so when you apply, we ask that you do so sincerely and seriously.
5) Wanderer: This rank is reserved for members of Rebuilding who will be on a leave of absence for an extended or unknown period of time. Members of this group may reclaim their former title(s) upon their return unless they were added to this group involuntarily through a Roll Call demotion.

C. Role-Play

Here on Rebuilding we have a small Role-Play environment in which you may participate in. You may participate at any Rank, so long as you have submitted an up-to-date Biography, and it has been approved.

IV. Rising Through the Ranks

A. Raising Requirements

1) Novice to Accepted

a) Requirements

i) Must be an active member for at least four weeks.

ii) Must complete one Class.

iii) May complete one Project (Must be completed anytime before being Raised to Senior Member).

iv) Must request a Recommendation from a Senior Member (he or she will send it separately for you).

v) Must pass the Test with a minimum score of twenty out of a total of twenty five points. The Test covers both general Wheel of Time and community specific knowledge. This Test will be administered by the Mistress/Master of Novices.

b) Process

Please send a Personal Message to the Mistress/Master of Novices containing the following.

i) Subject: Raising of (Username) to (Rank Desired)
ii) Requirement Completion:: * Username:; * Join Date:; * Class Completed: (name or teacher, if it has been archived it will be found); * Project: (if completed, include brief description); * Senior Member Recommendation: (username of who you asked)
iii) Questions: Answer these questions fully; one sentence will most likely not get you Raised.; * How do you see yourself contributing to Rebuilding as an Accepted?; * Explain how you are mature enough to handle the increased responsibility.; * Why should we raise you? Please note that Raising is a privilege, not a right.

2) Accepted to Aes Sedai

a) Requirements

i) Must be an Accepted for at least six weeks.
ii) Must complete one Class.
iii) Must complete one Project (mentioned in Requirements for previous Raising).
iv) Must do one of the following:: * Complete two additional Classes; * Complete one Class and one Project; * Teach one Class
v) Must obtain two Senior Member Recommendations.
vi) Must participate in an interview administered by the Amyrlin Seat.
vii) Must gain acceptance into an Ajah.

b) Process

Please send a Personal Message to the Keeper containing the following:
i) Subject: Raising of (Username) to (Desired Rank)
ii) Requirement Completion: * Username:; * Join Date:; * Raising Date: (if unknown, ask Mistress/Master of Novices); * Class(es) Completed: (Class name or teacher); * Project(s) Completed: (include brief description); * Class Taught: (if applicable); * Senior Member Recommendations: (Usernames of those you asked for Recommendations)
iii) Essays: Please write short essays to the following prompts.; * Explain how you will serve Rebuilding as a Servant of All.; * Explain why you chose your Ajah and outline how you exemplify the traits which your Ajah values.; * Explain how you intend to continue to contribute to Rebuiling the Towers as a Senior Member.

B. The Classrooms and Classes

As you probably noted, Classes are required for Raisings, and so this area is monitored and moderated by the Mistress/Master of Novices. You must be at least a Mid Level Junior Member to teach a Class. Members of all Ranks are strongly encouraged to attend Classes that interest them.

C. Projects

As another portion of the Raising Requirements, these are mainly monitored by the Mistress/Master of Novices, who is responsible for judging if something counts as a "Project Credit." A set of relative benchmarks will be continually updated in the Office to offer you a good idea as to what is expected. We ask that you seek permission before starting a Project, as a specific Project idea may not fall into one of the categories, and a new benchmark would need to be created.

V. Being an Active Member

A. Factions- The Ajahs

These Factions are only open to those members of the Mid Level Junior member Rank to visit and Senior Member Rank to fully join.

The Factions for this Path are known as Ajahs and based off of the seven Ajahs found in the books. They are the Red, Yellow, Green, Blue, Brown, Grey and White Ajahs.

B. Relationships

Relationships are a fun tradition on many Wheel of Time sites that you should consider participating in.

1) Near-Sibling: This relationship represents a best or close friend type of relationship. Some also choose to enter into this relationship if they or their partner are not currently eligible for another type of Bond. This relationship may be held between you and any other member, and there is no limitations on Rank (you may both be Junior Members or one Senior Member and one Junior Member). There is no formal mediation process for you to go through. There is also no limit as to the number of Near-Siblings you are allowed so long as it remains within reason. Should a concern arise about how many Near-Siblings you have, it will be brought before the Hall.
2) First-Sibling: This relationship represents that you recognize a fellow member as being as close or closer to you than any blood relative. Both you and your prospective Sibling must petition the Head Clerk of the Grey Ajah (or if there is no Head Clerk, the Keeper) to begin the formal process. As with Near-Siblings, there is no maximum placed on the number of First-Siblings you are allowed so long as it remains within reason. However, you may only enter this Bond if both you and your soon-to-be Sibling are Senior Members. Should a concern arise about how many First-Siblings you have, it will be brought before the Hall. Keep in mind that this Bond is not dissolvable, as it is considered to be the same as a real-life blood relationship.
3) Cubiyar'din Bond: This relationship is the level between near-sibling and first-sibling, and is akin to a Warder Bond on other Wheel of Time sites. The name Cubiyar'din, Brother of the Heart, and Cubiyar'dar, Sister of the Heart, are meant to represent how much you value this relationship. This relationship is a Bond between any two Senior Members. There is no limit to the number of Cubiyar'din Bonds you may hold, within reason. Should a concern arise about how many First-Siblings you have, it will be brought before the Hall. To begin the formal process, both you and your future Bondmate must send a petition to the Head Clerk of the Grey Ajah (or if there is no Head Clerk, the Keeper).
4) Other Bonds: Rebuilding the Tower will officially recognize any other type of Bond, within reason. Official Bonds are still limited to two or more Senior Members. All members involved should petition the Head Clerk of the Grey Ajah (or if there is no Head Clerk, the Keeper) to begin the process.

VI. Other Information You Should Know

A. Administrative Structure

1) Administrators

The Site is led by two Administrators who, in tandem, run the site and the Hall. They hold the titles of Amyrlin Seat and Keeper of the Chronicles. The Amyrlin Seat runs the site as a whole and the Hall of the Tower, and the Keeper of the Chronicles runs the Allegiances and the Tower itself.

2) The Hall of the Tower

The Hall of the Tower, run by the Amyrlin Seat, is made up of Sitters representing each Ajah. The number of Sitters from each Ajah depends on the number of active members in the Ajah. Once an Ajah has two active members, they will have one Sitter. Once they reach seven active members, they will gain another Sitter. These positions are voted on on an Ajah-by-Ajah basis.

3) Membership Moderators

These Moderators serve in the Hall in their capacity of monitoring the various Ranks and Ajahs.
a) Senior Member Moderators: Also known as the Heads of Ajah, these Moderators are responsible for the addition and removal of members from their respective Ajah. These Moderators may also serve in some auxiliary capacity such as Bond Counseling and the running of the Library. Ajahs do not gain an Ajah Head until they reach a total of four active members.
b) Junior Member Moderator: This Moderator, also known as the Mistress or Master of Novices, is responsible for helping Junior Members through the raising process, and keeping accurate and detailed records about the Junior Members along their Path. This Moderator also serves as the contact for Junior Members should any questions arise.

4) General Moderators and Staff

These Moderators and Staff members serve in the function of easing the burden of certain forums or tasks from the Administrators or Membership Moderators so that they may continue with their other duties. This group includes any assistants and Role-Play Moderators.

B. Legal Issues

1) The Site: Rebuilding the Tower is a fan site based off of the work of James Oliver Rigney Jr. under the pen name Robert Jordan. We seek to exist in his world as strictly as possible, deviating only to allow for a more structured and engaging environment, without the intent of altering the spirit of his work.
2) Our Members: The site is not held responsible for the actions of its members. We do our best to moderate and oversee what occurs on the boards, but certain channels are not moderated (Chat and Personal Message). Should you be offered advice and choose to take it, the site is not responsible for any negative ramifications, even if the advice is given by a member of the Administration.
3) Your Personal Data: All data submitted is kept completely confidential, and will not be shared with any member under any circumstances. Should you choose to release your personal data in a public way or to another member privately, the site is not responsible for the effects of your choice.
4) Our Appearance: It is the sole responsibility of the member to obtain permission for the use of any image for an Avatar or Signature. Should a member violate copyright laws, the site is not to be held responsible. Should the Administration notice a copyright violation, the member in question will be notified, however the chances of this occurring are slim so take the initiative and obtain permission.