May 2007, Tar Valon Times
EDITOR'S NOTE by Sela Narian
Welcome to our new website, our permanent home for the Tar Valon Times! Now we're über-serious and stuff - and to prove it, we have staff bios. That's right; staff bios equal big leagues. I deem it so, and since I'm a dictator, my declaration is really all that's needed. :D
The Department of Communications is now, as of this month, one of the largest Departments on the site, with 24 staff members. That's some awesome stuff right there. And with so many staffers, you can bet that we're spying around everywhere, and will be regularly finding stories of interest - or lacking that, making them up.
There are a few things you should look for in our May issue - the first of which is webcomics. Heck yeah. I've enjoyed working with the new comic artists so far, and I am very excited to be publishing six different TarValon.Net/WoT-themed webcomics for you, all with different styles. I could ramble on about the 'character of the artists being portrayed in their work' and noble stuff like that, but really...in the end, they're just really cool to read. Check 'em out.
One of my favorite new features is our New Member Interviews, conducted by our reporter, Ark'chios. Take a look at her section to meet a few of our newest members. She also wrote this month about her own experiences as a newer Citizen, a perspective which is refreshing for older members to read, and probably helpful for the newer.
One final thing worth noting about this issue is the absolutely new, ultra-formal Awards, over which we are giving each and every one of you the power to vote. The Honored Ones to receive this award have been our friends throughout our internet existence. No, I'm not talking about your fake friends like Tom at MySpace, or that kid from halfway around the world that you had a really deep conversation with on IM one evening who keeps pestering you three years later. I'm talking about something with much more heart: our emoticons.
It's time to give them their due, people. They've earned it. So from now until May 20, we're going to be taking ballots for the winners of the first ever TarValon.Net Emoticon Awards - or (get this) The Emmies. Aren't we clever? Yes. Yes we are, and special, too. We also have a couple op-ed pieces from Mirandha and Karalyne, waxing poetic about those lovely emoticons. Yeah, there are two of them. I couldn't shut them up. :\
All in all, it's a fun issue to read. Complaints, of course, may be routed to my Assistant Editor, Karalyne. She will personally apologize to each and every one of you, taking the blame wholly upon herself, while I remain apparently free from any perceived imperfections. It's hard being a Director; I don't want to put my staffers in these positions, but I know it's for the good of the site! Thanks for taking one for the team, Karalyne. Go you.
THIS MONTH AT TARVALON.NET
There's a new library format! Congratulations to our Department of Research for releasing the new library, in wiki format. The search option is fantastic, and the articles are, as always, rather thorough and interesting.
Tinnlin Gaidin, our Philanthropy Coordinator, is heading up a couple of major projects this month: our Servant of All competition and our Ziggurat Con drive, which is raising funds and other donations for a gaming convention sponsored by military in Iraq. Donations are only being taken until May 15, so that we can have enough time for shipment to Iraq. Click on the appropriate links above to learn more about both philanthropic endeavors.
Also - and this is quite exciting - the site is starting to release Membership Manuals! These have been worked on by a number of people for many, many months, in order to bring the members of TarValon.Net a valuable resource. Read all about them here, and look for new manuals to come!
The Membership Manuals already finished are:
- Being made real - Chat Guidelines - Code of Conduct - Mission Statement - Pseudonyms, Avatars and Signatures - Posting Guidelines - Sponsorship to the Tower - The Hall - What does the Hall look for in raisings?
In order to view the myriad subjects yet to be detailed in the Membership Manual, you may see the full contents outlined here.
RECENTLY RAISED
To Senior Member Asalyn al'Morin Aes Sedai of the Red Ajah
Rienn al'Etyra Gaidin of Val'Cueran Rikka al'Vorik Aes Sedai of the White Ajah Wen Chang Aes Sedai Sedai of the Green Ajah
To Accepted/Soldier
Brienen Ruthegar Calypsa al'Nicolai
Dorelei Verreuil
Ebona din Casei Lyara Tieran
Mystica Ari'Yena
Sidar Crand Sonea Ilandred Tsubasa Kamui
RECENTLY BONDED
Adina al'Mari and Maeric Kelskaith
POSITIONS RECENTLY APPOINTED
- Darim Pelegro - Director of Membership Services
- Tinnlin Fundon - Philanthropy Coordinator
- Doneavan al'Keavin - Head Marshal (appointed in March)
- Yelenia Hylraren - Tailor's Guildmistress
