The White Tower Organization » Casefiles

Daes Dae’Mar: Casefiles Feburary 2010

Little Miss — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 07:00:44 +0000

Hello and Welcome All to the interview of the Wonderful Kathana! In this month’s issue of Casefiles, we will press Kathana in hopes to see if perhaps she knows who killed Our Beloved Asmo… *shifty Eyes*

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Pacing back and forth, novice skirt swishing slightly, Limi waited outside of Kathana’s Special Projects Manager Office. Sweat rolled down her face as stress racked her nerves at meeting such an esteemed member of Dragonmount, and the Amyrlin Emeritus no less. Hearing a rather pleasant sounding “Come in”, Limi stops her incessant pacing, takes a deep breath, and enters the office never retur– I mean… enters and takes a seat in front of the large cherry wood desk adorning the room. Chatting over some tea and mini sandwiches, the investigation interview got under way……

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Taking a small turkey sandwich, I rearrange my skirts to balance the small plate and note pad before beginning.

“Thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule for us, we know you are a busy lady who does much to keep DM up and running. Now why don’t we start the questions? Tell me, do you have a favorite anniversary to celebrate?”

Taking a sip of her tea, she answered with a contemplative tone, “I suppose my wedding anniversary. I’m terrible at remembering dates, but my husband makes sure I know this one is coming and keeps my schedule clear.”

Nodding quickly and jotting it down, I press on. “Since your husband has to remind you of your anniversary, are you good at remembering any special or important days?”

She glances at what looks like an upside down desk calendar with a grimace on her face and says: “Me and the calendar aren’t usually on speaking terms, so no”.

Intrigued by the fact that there must be a certain date she doesn’t want to remember, I resist the urge to try and take a peak. Coughing and clear my throat, I try a different question. “So, since you have been with DM a while, what is your favorite past time on DM?”

She smiles at this and replies, “Currently, it’s lurking on the book discussion forums and getting an idea of what might be included in the WoT FAQ”.

Smiling back, I make a mental note to see what the facts on the killer of Asmodean were, before bouncing to the next question, “Now tell me, do you have one day do you wish people remembered more?” Looking around, what looks to be a little nervously, she pauses before answering me. “I really have no idea how to answer this one.”

Keeping my composure the best I can, I nod and try not to fidget from the billion other accusing questions burning to be asked. Instead, I take another sip of my tea and ask, “So, do you have a favorite thing you like to receive for remembrance? (I.e. getting a rose on your “such and such” every year, or some certain item every year)?” She points to and looks lovingly to an elegant vase on her desk and replies, “My husband is pretty good about surprising me with flowers for Valentines every year. It seems like I turn around and there are roses on the table that weren’t there before.” Pausing to think she adds, “The only other thing I can think of that qualifies would be that I make an effort to get my nails done before a convention. I find it very soothing. “

Trying not to mutter about how cool and calm this woman was, I bring up the next question I have jotted down. “If you could move a holiday to a different season of the year which would you move and why?”

She smiles and says, “Not a holiday per say, but I’d move Dragon*Con to a summer month so I’m not working the week before it. It would make my life so much easier.”

I take another sandwich while I peruse my list, and peg one that may give me another hint. “So, what days have special meaning for you?”

She promptly replies, “Fridays. Those are activity days at school, so I always have a good time. We played Quidditch this week.”

Trying to cover my grimace of disappointment, I try another way, “Are there any places have special meaning for you?” *cough-Caemlyn-cough*

She gives me a funny look before answering, “I feel a strong attachment to any hotel I’ve been in for a convention. The Hyatt Regency in Atlanta especially feels like a second home to me.”

I stifle a sigh and end the conversation on a happier note, “Alright, last question, what foods have special memories for you?”

A happy smile blossoms across her face and she says, “Chocolate pudding”.

Running out of question, I finish up the interview, and thank her again while giving her a curtsie and scurry off to finish my novice duties.

Well Folks, looks like the “obvious” suspect in Asmodean’s death has yet to be discovered… Stay tuned next month to find out more!

Daes Dae’mar- Casefiles: January 2010

Skechid — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 13:58:42 +0000

by Boopsy, Charis “Jr.”, and Little Miss

TRAGEDY HAS OCCURRED!! Asmodean, the cute lil harp player, who just HAPPENS to be a Forsaken was found dead. DEAD! Follow our two investigators, Charis Jr and Little Miss, as they go around ~~torturing~~ ~~interrogating~~ interviewing the key suspects at DM. Every few months we will feature a brand new mystery. Every week, we will let you know of the next witness and you will get to submit a question, and the top 1 to 2 questions will be featured in the issue. And at the end of it, YOU will get to vote as to who committed the crime.

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Interview with the Creator:

It was a dark and stormy night in the White Tower. And I was hungry. No, the two facts had nothing to do with each other. But dark and stormy nights do make me think of jelly. Novice thing, don’t ask. Anyway, as a novice, I was not supposed to leave my quarters at night, but I was never going to sleep amidst the thunder and my grumbling belly (Hungering for jelly). So, I slipped out of bed, slipped on my white novice dress, and slipped out into the night…

The tower was busier at night than I’d imagined. Servant tending to their more intrusive duties, Aes Sedai gliding along gracefully, their smooth, ageless faces, Warders creeping around “attending to duties”. I kept them a safe distance away as I crept toward the kitchen, all the while my belly (Hungering for jelly) drowning out the thunder and strange noises coming from the Aes Sedai Quarters. Was that “Fur covered handcuffs” I heard someone screaming?

Anyway, the pantry!

Also, and more famously now: Asmodean’s place of demise. By this time, the door to the pantry had been covered in Saidar seals, alarms that would bring everyone in Tar Valon running if the crime scene was violated. Also, very tasteful against the grainy brown texture of the door and the golden shine of the doorknob.
Spooning massive amounts of jelly into my mouth with my fingers, I set off. Unfortunately the spoons had all been kept, which left me trailing stick jelly as I walked. But I figured, it’d be raining, so who cared? Sure it’s raining outdoors and not indoors, but somehow… nevermind. Suddenly I realized I had something stuck to my sticky, jelly covered shoes. There was a moment of confusion as my sticky hands got caught on my sticky shoelace which in turn knotted up on my sticky blouse buttons and I had no choice but to drop to the floor, in a jumble. It was a piece of paper.

“If you want to find the Forsaken’s murderer, look to the top.” The piece of paper said, as I pulled apart my sticky fingers. ‘The top’? What could that mean? Surely it didn’t mean The Amyrlin Seat? And then it hit me: the top! The top of Dragonmount! And that could only mean one person: Jason. Creator and Founder of Dragonmount. Light almighty, could this be true? My mind boggled as I slipped in a jelly induced sugar coma.

After a morning of confusion and much cleaning of stickiness, I managed to stop into his quarter’s on one of my many errand runs for the solemn sisters of the Brown Ajah in the libraries. I found him at his computer screaming, “DIE! DIE, YOU TROLLOC SCUM! DIIIIIIIIIIIIIIE!”

It took me a minute to realize that he was enjoying one of his hobbies: Computer Role Playing Games.

Suddenly timid, I took a deep breath. Why had this all seemed so clear in the middle of the night? Why, in the harsh light of day, did I hesitate? Why was there this bit of jelly still not washed off? Nevermind that, I figured as I licked it up and knocked on the door of the Creator.

“Um, Jason?” I asked. “Could I ask you something… well, a few somethings?”

He gave me a long level look, and then he grinned. “ Sure!” He said. “A pretty young thing like you can ask me anything you want!”

Right.

I started with a question I had heard The Amyrlin Seat herself ask:

Q: Why did you never finish “Episode VI: Return of the Dragon”?

Whatever THAT was. These higher types had their own little secrets. Better for an ickle Novice like me not to know too much details.

A: You know, I actually had an outline for that once. I might even be able to dig it up. But mostly, I just made that stuff up as I went. … Which is probably why it was so bad. Apologize to Claire for me, will ya?

He laughed and winked at me. I looked around worriedly and decided he was just suffering from the Taint. Sure wasn’t the “I didn’t have time, too busy murdering Asmodean” answer I was hoping for. Moving along…

Q: What’s your favorite non-WoT, non-literary pastime?

A: Sex.

And then burst out laughing,

Q: Ummm…

A: I’m sorry, you should have seen your face! In my day, Novices knew better. Let’s see. Beyond the Computer Role Playing Games, I like to watch movies and go geocaching.

Mystified by that idea, (why would roaming about the woods looking for hidden objects based on their GPS location, be fun?) I considered. He still seemed relatively harmless. Except for the constant winking and shifting in his seats. But I figured it was just his impatience to get back to his trolloc killing game.

Q: What are some of your other favorite authors and books?

A: Welllll… Although it’s pretty trendy to say this these days, I loved THE NAME OF THE WIND by Pat Rothfuss. One of my favorite trilogies is a series that Robert Jordan also very much enjoyed. We talked about it a few times actually. It was the TALES OF THE OTORI by Lian Hearn. Think of a fantasy version of Japan, with ninjas and samauri (but not called that) and magic. If you’re interested, start with the book titled ACROSS THE NIGHTINGALE FLOOR. The author also wrote a prequel and a sequel to the story. I did not enjoy those as much, although they were very well written. The reason I did not enjoy them as much is because the subject matter was just so much more difficult and heart-wrenching than the initial trilogy. I was definitely moved, but I had been expecting a light-hearted action-adventure with romance like the originals.

I’m a huge fan of the original DUNE novels.

I’m a long-time fan of Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman. The deathgate novels were my favorite series of theirs. Darksword and Dragonlance close behind.

Recently I read John Scalzi’s “Old Man’s War” trilogy and those were outstanding. I’ve got ZOE’s TALE queued up next.

In terms of non-fiction, I enjoy books concerning eastern religions and philosophies. I’m also a huge fan of classical Greek mythology, which is something I’ve been into since I was a pre-teen. But…

My fingers started going numb as I struggled to write the answers. I decided to go for something less… lengthy.

Q: If you could create a new pizza, what would it be?

I could practically feel the glee rolling off him as he answered. Not to mention the drool. Ick.

A: I’m pretty sure that every pizza that could possibly be made has already been made. But if I had to alter the fabric of the universe and make a combo actually work, I’d love to have a peanut-butter and jelly pizza actually be feasible. Currently the concept is disgusting. But as I said, if I could somehow MAKE it work, I’d like to see that.

I blanched. Did he know about the jelly? From my sticky jelly trail? OH THE SHAME! I wept inside as I considered the concept of a Peanut Butter and Jelly pizza. Promising.

Q: What was one new thing that you tried for the first time last year (2009)?

A: I joined a gym (well for the first time in a decade; not ever) and put on several pounds of muscle. I’m still tall and lanky, but hopefully not as much as I was last year at this time.

I considered the Peanut Butter and Jelly pizza a little more as he winked at me again. This would need thought. A lot of thought. Moving on…

Q: What’s one new thing you want to try this year?

A: I want to try finishing one of my side projects. Something I have an unfortunate habit of not doing due to family / work / personal commitments / DM duties /etc.

Side projects? The word flashed in my mind like a… a giant… flashing thing. Could this have to do with Asmodean’s death? I wondered. But something shiny caught my eye. A tiny drop of sweat had coursed down his sideburns and dripped on to his pants.

Q: Boxers or Briefs?

I blushed. I did not mean to wonder out loud.

A: Boxers. Duh.

He answered with a curious look in his eyes. I mentally shook myself.

Q: If you could add a holiday to the year, what would it be? Why? What would it mean?

He shrugged.

A: I’d create some sort of holiday where people got outside, and experienced nature. At the end of the day, there would be a tradition where as many lights as possible were turned off in the cities as was safe and feasible so that as many stars as possible could be seen.

Aww. What a guy. A nature lover and a romantic, all rolled into one. Boxers and no less. (Or much less) NO! Focus!

Q: How does it feel to be the Creator of such a phenomenon that is DM?

He winked at me. Clearly not taking this interrogation seriously. Probably needing some discipline. Furry handcuffs? Now where did THAT come from?

A: It’s a phenomenon? It’s a real honor to be associated with the series in this way. Although there’s often a lot of crap to put up with, and challenges related to keeping the site up and running and healthy from a technical POV, it has overall been extremely rewarding.

I wondered if he knew about the fanfic and slash stories about him circulating in the novice quarters. Probably. After all, he WAS the Creator. And also very hot. I blushed at the last thought. Panicking I read a random question.

Q: If you could create a new Ajah what color would it be and what would study/believe?

Light, why did I ask THAT? But he seemed quite happy.

A: I’d make two of them. The first is the Silver Ajah. Concerned with creating art. The second would be the Gold Ajah. Which is concerned with economics and generating wealth. (I could see the former having warders who made excellent live subjects, and the latter would have warders trained as lawyers)

I picked my jaw up off the floor. A lifelong hope of mine was a dream of his? I had long wished that artist Aes Sedai were part of the tower. On that thought I decided I might as well go for he kill…

Q: If you could add a new suspect to the mystery of Asmodean’s killer, who would it be?

I had no doubt in my mind that he was innocent, the winking, I mean sincerity seemed to say so. But if he knew anything, he might be able to shed some light on the subject. His face turned deadly serious. After a long moment, he answered.

A: Narg the trolloc. I have a special place in my heart for him. And if a trolloc can figure out how to speak, it can figure out how to murder one of the Forsaken and frame everyone else in the series.

A special place in his heart for a trolloc? Wow, he was such a caring person! I struggled to come to grips with reality as I tried to understand how the Creator could love an ickle Trolloc. Did an ickle Novice have a chance too? Maybe I had time to… NO. I thanked him sweetly, gave him my best curtsy and wink, then whirled and tore off for Luncheon. Just in time as the Tower Bells began ringing noon.

NEXT ISSUE: We investigate Kathana Justinia Trevalaer, Community Administrator & Co-Webmaster and all round previous Amyrlin! Was it a pudding induced comawalk that made her do it? Should she be confined and banned from the pudding mines? Will she never stop picking her nose? Ask your question, FIND THE MURDERER, for poor Asmodean’s sake, people, for poor Asmodean’s sake.

This is issue we highlight the possibilities that JASON DENZEL: Creator, Founder and ALL ROUND NICE GUY of Dragonmount, could be a suspect. Insanity? The Taint? Too much ~~deviant se-~~ computer games? That’s what our investigator for the week, Charis Jr, is trying to find out.

Daes Dae’mar- Casefiles: December 2009

Skechid — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 14:00:44 +0000

by Boopsy, Charis “Jr.”, and Little Miss

TRAGEDY HAS OCCURRED!! Asmodean, the cute lil’ harp player, who just HAPPENS to be a Forsaken, was found dead. DEAD! Such travesty! How did it happen? Who would want this sweet lil’ man, who JUST happens to have tortured and killed many other innocents, dead?

Follow our two investigators, Charis Jr. and Little Miss, as they go around ~~torturing~~ ~~interrogating~~ interviewing the key suspects at DM. Every few months, we will feature a brand new mystery. Each issue, we will let you know of the next witness and you will get to submit a question, and the top 1 to 2 questions will be featured in the issue. And at the end of it, YOU will get to vote as to who committed the crime.

Needless to say, punishments will follow. Hands cuffed, feet tickled, much torturing and rejoicing all around. It will be a party! A CASEFILES party! So, let’s start this week with the 2 people who were closest to the scene of the crime. Our Keeper of the Chronicles and Editor in Chief, Elgee, and her right-hand man(A very dodgy job title, if you ask me) Boopsy Sedai(Also a very dodgy name, if you ask me)!

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Elgee’s Holiday Interrogation:

Hello folks! *cue spot light, on occupied comfy chair* Crystal Lynn reporting here, to bring you the most informing, most exciting, and most action-packed peek into our esteemed and beloved Keeper’s Holiday Social Life!

Knocking on the door to the Keeper’s study I wait for an answer; after not receiving an answer I shrug and figure that I might as well let myself in and take a seat while waiting for her eventual return. Glancing around I notice two things immediately, one is the very large amount of red colored furnishings and the second being that the poor woman’s desk was covered in mounds of paper work. Only seeing one chair in front of her desk and deciding that it looks extremely hard and uncomfortable, I pass it up in favor of pacing the otherwise homey office.

Walking past the desk, I know not to go through her paper work… but somehow I still manage to get a tiny glimpse of a paper with the words “whip, paddle, whipped cream, and rum” jotted on it…Going red faced I decided it’s in my health’s better interest to not stay by that side of the room. After a few more minutes, Elgee walks in and we sit down and have some tea before getting down….. to business that is.

Taking a sip of tea, I ask an age-old question,

Q. So Miss Elgee, Holiday Fruit Cake or Not to Holiday Fruit Cake?

Her prompt reply was:

A. I’m an all-year-round Fruit Cake.

Shuddering with disgust and internally cringing, I immediately ask the next question.

Q. If you could design one cheesy Christmas sweater, how would you describe it?

Deciding that as the Keeper, she was too good for the likes of ‘cheesy’ and was a sensible woman with ‘tastes’ (Like fruitcake -_-), she says:

A. I don’t do cheesy … lol

Sighing over the not-so-exciting answer, I decided to press the issue a little more.

Q. So just go with it for a moment and pretend that you had made one, kk? Who would you make wear the atrocity sweater?

She thinks for all of two seconds, before her superimposed horns stick out and replies:

A. Kara, for sure *grins evilly*

We both giggle till we’re out of breath before getting back on track.

Q. So there are plenty of holiday traditions in the world, like decorating a Christmas tree, “The Santa Clause” and such; what holiday tradition do you feel you most resemble?

She eyes the top drawer of her desk (no doubt where the aforementioned rum is held) while pretending to think, and answers with a big grin:

A. Probably the hangover.

Ahhhh! Now it all makes sense…the whip…the rum… I mean… Anyways… Let’s move to the final question shall we?

Q. All righty Elgee! This is the last question for the interview so really give it to us! What wintertime holiday do you celebrate, and what is the most important/fun/meaningful part?

Smiling and taking a moment to compose her last answer she replies:

A. I’m in the southern hemisphere – we don’t really have holidays in winter. But I LOVE winter, so I think the whole of it should be a holiday *nods*. If you are referring to the Funny Season: we don’t really celebrate, just get together as a family and stuff our faces.

“Stuffing our faces.” Spoken like a true woman who knows how to celebrate right! Never mind the rum! It’s the food that’s the important part! ^^

As I walked over to the quarters of Boopsy Sedai, something smacked me RIGHT IN THE BRAIN. I had utterly forgotten to ask Elgee about Asmodean! Light, what a brain fart. It was the rum. IT WAS THE RUM. As I squatted in a corner clutching my head, and ignoring the looks of passing Novices, I mumbled the various curses against all alcohol in general. Then when I decided enough time had passed, I stood up and continued my skipping over to Boopsy’s quaint little ~~palace~~ room, tra-la-laing as I went along. I was NOT disappointed to see the moat, tall towers rising to the sky and his gorgeous garden. These facts all announced one fact– announced it as well as trumpet fanfares could as I approached.

I knew I had reached the Quarters of Boopsy Sedai.

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Boopsy’s Tell All Exclusive!

Well now! Fancy meeting you here! I thought you’d NEVER show up… So I guess you being here means that you want the down and dirty facts on the ever infamous and ever lovable Boopsy Kins right? Right?! *narrows eyes* -_- Great!

Now…let’s get to why you came!

This was the day… the BIG day…the one where the horrific honest truth would come out on our dear Blue Aes Sedai.

I knew I had reached the quarters of Boopsy Sedai when I find it decked out in various hues of tastefully matching blues… although the dead giveaway way was the silk pillows strewn over the place…with the occasional fluffy one as well…Poking around a little, I find my victim interviewee sprawled on an overly large pile of cushions while some poor novice (who’s name will not be mentioned for the sake of privacy) fanning him.

I coughed to announce myself, which sent the frightened little novice scurrying away while me and Boopsy Kins sat down over coffee and cookies.

Q. Good afternoon, Boopsy Sedai; thank you so much for humbling our newspaper with an exclusive tell-all. Now, let’s begin. One of the most-asked questions about your most personal life and routine has to be, do your ears hang low?

Boopsy immediately sits up from his sprawl and vehemently replies:

A. Hang low? Like Mistletoe? ARE YOU ACCUSING ME OF KISSING NOVICES AGAIN? I thought we got over that. I was not kissing you! I was… LIES, ALL LIES!

By the time he has finished, foam has gathered at the edges of his mouth and a wild look has entered his eyes… I decide that if I want to leave these quarters alive and not be stuck licking shoe polish for the rest of my immortal Novice life, that it would be a really good idea to move onto another subject. Poring over the noted questions, I find a fairly safe one to ask.

Q. SSssoooo… um… how about this one? If the WT could have one pet other than Bob? What would it be and why?

Switching gears quicker than I could blink, he immediately was bouncing up and down like a little puppy at the idea of this and answered:

A. I would love an ickle Novice as a pet to fetch my slippers, to feed my fish, to entertain me once in a while, to lick my- Whoa, sorry. Drifted away there. *misty eyed*

I fight to maintain my cool Aes Sedai mask of serenity as well as having to forcibly swallow down the bile that had risen in my throat. Glancing at my notepad again, I decide it’s time to get to the tougher questions… and AWAY from anything that can even remotely involve Novices…..

Q. Tell me, oh wise and all-knowledgeable Boopsy– Bela: Creator? Darkfriend, or just a Two Rivers pony?

Glancing sideways towards a large walk-in closet, that apparently has blue satin curtains instead of doors, he quickly says:

A. I’m going to go for Creator.

Yet my sharp reporter ears picked up quick muttered prayer of “hopes no one found my Bela shrine yet.” Jotting this down as little tidbit as innocently as possible, I quickly change tactics and hit with curveball.

Q. Now that the Bela mystery is solved… What’s your view on Asmodean’s betrayal to the Forsaken? Cowardly? Brilliant?

Even though Boopsy eventually chose the Blue Ajah, the Brown Ajah has always been a second home to him, and as such, any prospect of something new or an interesting topic as intrigued him. He took his time and formed his answer:

A. Absolutely brilliant! Actually, I always wanted a harp playing pet. You think I could get him onboard?

I interrupt him at this point adding, “Boopsy Kins… He’s dead. Gone. Vanished. Murdered.”

A. He’s dead? Sorry? When did THAT happen? I ummm… never knew.

Now, take note of the shifty eyes, people… and the supposed innocence here. Now why would one who LOVES knowledge NOT know that Asmo had been offed? Perhaps there is more going on than we all thought…

Q. Final question for the day…(for now) So… How do you do with the guilt?

Faking an obvious look of surprise at this question he stammers for a second and says:

A. Guilt? What guilt? I DID NOT KISS THE NOVICES DANG IT! *sulks* Oh, Asmodean again. What’s with this chick anyway? How’d he die?

Yeah. Right. Likely story. Take a good look at that question, my lovelies. I was just asking about how he dealt with guilt in general… nothing to do with Asmodean… perhaps shock at finding out about his death? or Something else?

Stay tuned for more intrigue, interrogations, blackmail, and juicy details in the next issue of Daes Dae’mar! Our next subject of interview will be Jason (Dragonmount site owner and erstwhile Dragon Reborn). If you would like to submit a question for him, please email us at daesdaemar@whitetower.org with the subject line “Casefiles”. Be sure to include who your question is for!

Crystal Lynn – Signing off <3