Member Spotlight: Morwynna Raevyn
Author: Alwyn da'Cara, March 2013
For this month’s Member Spotlight, I have tracked down one of the more elusive members of TarValon.Net. Despite being a member of the community since January 2004, Morwynna Raevyn (or Morrie, for short) is not one of the most prolific posters, and so some members might be unaware of her particular brand of Healing!
Morwynna has served in a number of different capacities, from her terms as Heart, Head and Sitter of the Red Ajah, to her roles as Soul of the White Ajah and a member of the Welcoming Committee. Morwynna is one of the many members whose life has been changed as a direct result of the Wheel of Time series and being a member of the TarValon.Net community.
Morwynna’s flirtation with the Wheel of Time series came through many hours browsing in the Barrow-in-Furness branch of the now-defunct Ottakar’s Bookstore. “I discovered the Wheel of Time series through browsing the fantasy section, looking at the cover, reading the back and thinking ‘Meh, that’s not very descriptive’ and putting it back. I finally decided ‘What the hell?’ and bought the first one. Got through that one and went back to the shop and bought the next three books!”
Morwynna’s passion for fantasy novels had led her to role-playing on Harry Potter sites, but searching for Wheel of Time sites led her to Salidar.net. It was here that she met Mar'Alex Gelis (a now-absent Red Aes Sedai) and Tyla al'Mere (now Aes Sedai of the Green Ajah, formerly of the Gray Ajah). These ladies, along with a certain Dee ar'Emm Gaidin of Dai M'Hael, convinced Morwynna to join the community and so she registered, moving through the ranks of Novice and Accepted quickly.
On being raised Accepted, she joined the Red Ajah, which she remembers fondly. “Ah, the Red Ajah. It was pretty obvious where I was heading when I became a Novice; even being bitten by Yenie didn’t put me off! My time in the Red Ajah helped me to become a stronger person. I’m a lot less likely to put up with trouble from other people now and I won’t allow myself to be steamrollered into things, or just give in for an easy life.”
After serving as Head of the Red Ajah, Morwynna demoted and started looking for a new home. She found it in the White Ajah. “I felt almost instantly comfortable in White. They seemed to get me, and in the end it wasn't a hard decision to make. I love the mix of people we have. Yes, there are quite a few of us, but it doesn't feel too large and I've yet to see us get all steamed up over something. Even if we disagree with each other, we stay calm and I very much appreciate that. Yes, I'm a bit lurky, but so are lots of Whites. I'm very proud to call myself a White Sister. Dar d'jenn tia!”
Of course, TarValon.Net brought Morwynna more than friends, and she is engaged to marry Dee ar'Emm, Gaidin of Dai M'Hael, in 2014, after joining in a Handfasting ceremony at Summer Euro Party 2006. When asked about what TarValon.Net means to her, she focuses on not only the people that she has met and become firm friends with, but also how the community has allowed her to grow and develop as a person, including having the confidence to join a coven and explore her spirituality as a practicing Witch.
Outside of TarValon.Net, Morwynna is a Medical Secretary and Personal Assistant to a Consultant Gastroenterologist and two Specialist Nurses, something which keeps her extremely busy in Real Life. She is obviously extremely valued, receiving a silver Tiffany necklace as a Christmas present, and although her department is busy, says that she couldn't imagine doing anything else in her career.
For such a well-loved and special person, I wondered what a perfect day would look like for her. “Sitting in a very comfy chair," she answers. "A constant supply of tea or hot chocolate, my Kindle and some music playing in the background. I'm easy to please!”
Dee Gaidin, get on it!
