Forum Focus: The Olde Warder and Hen
Author: Alyccea Nymaessene
The Olde Warder and Hen is the oldest and best-loved tavern in the City of Tar Valon, and has been known as a popular meeting place for members since its establishment. Being outside of the Tower grounds, many of the Olde Warder and Hen’s regular patrons are Citizens. However, when Citizens choose to join the Tower as a Recruit or Novice, they are confined within the Tower and therefore are prevented from accessing the tavern. After all, we wouldn’t want our sweet, innocent Novices and Recruits to become corrupted by the drunken and debaucherous behaviour that goes on in such establishments, now would we?
But Recruits and Novices, take heart! Upon being raised to Accepted or Soldier, members are once again allowed to venture out into the city, and can thus once again visit Olde Warder and Hen, as it is assumed that they now possess the maturity and wisdom to handle the goings-on in a manner befitting their status as future Aes Sedai or Gaidin. Ahem.
But what can be found within the dark corners of the Olde Warder and Hen?
The first thing one might notice upon entering is the rainbow of colours represented by the different threads. One for each Ajah, in fact. The Companies, too, each have their own threads. This is a great place to get a taste of each of these individual groups, along with a taste of the local brew. If you are a Citizen, be on your guard - these darkened alleyways are Senior Members’ hunting ground, where they prowl the night, searching for the next Citizen to sponsor to the Tower, put in their pockets, or occasionally set alight. The Olde Warder and Hen caters to all tastes, so if this sounds like your cup of tea, then jump on in and join in the conversation!
In addition to the Ajah and Company threads, there are also a handful of tables that, through some clever and complicated form of Travelling, manage to exist in disparate locations all over the world, while simultaneously being within the same Tavern at the same time. These threads provide a place for members of a particular geographic area and their friends to meet over a drink and discuss whatever takes their fancy. Such as accents. Swoon-worthy accents. Um, where was I again?
There are also a few miscellaneous tables scattered throughout the tavern. Some of these are devoted to particular membership groups, such as the Citizen’s Table and the Accepted and Soldiers Table. Others, such as the Table of Swordsmanship and Martial Arts, provide a place for those sharing similar interests to discuss their craft over a pint.
The conversation is generally light-hearted and congenial, and the tavern’s patrons are a welcoming, hospitable bunch. It is common to see strangers pull up a chair at a random table and immediately be included as part of the conversation. Some pubgoers will remain at the same table for a while, while most can be seen moving among the tables, joining in a dozen or more conversations with all the skill of a master juggler. Some conversations are thoughtful and methodical, others are more on the rowdy side, and some are the sorts of conversations that are made in hushed voices in dark corners… but I digress.
The tavern is carefully operated under the watchful eye of Mayor Zandera, and her assistants, Luna Morn and Anarie De’Thain from the Department of Moderators. Anybody who tries to start trouble may quickly find themselves tossed into The Gutter - a deplorable place, filled with all manner of eyebrow-waggling innuendo. Then again, there are plenty who frequent The Gutter quite by choice!
So if you are looking for somewhere to buy a drink or several while enjoying the laid-back conversation and the company of your fellow members, look no further than the Olde Warder and Hen. The first round is on me!
