The Grey Tower

I'm here because I'm a moderator, but figured I would use that access in a sneaky way to ask for help with a plot!

I posted in the Wanted forum a while back that people might suspect Jaryd of being Black Ajah because of the random crap that keeps happening around him. Recently, however, I started asking myself "what if he were actually under Black Ajah control?"

Jaryd is NOT a Darkfriend. However...he IS basically a walking target for BA machinations due to his strength, skills, and history. It's entirely possible/plausible that he has been under Shadow control for some time, and just doesn't know it- but I want him to KNOW it now.

My sketchy thoughts so far are either a) Someone threatens his family (Kaia/Katrie) and forces him to swear oaths to keep them safe, or b) Compulsion. I want this plot to be rather long term (i.e. not just one thread). He'd be used to do some unsavory things, which Ravak would sniff out and start to cause problems over. I sort of want him to be aware that he is being forced to do them (as opposed to mindless Compulsion), because there are a lot of RP prospects in that scenario.

Eventually (i.e. when I get bored or something else comes up), he would get caught and tried, or he would get freed (there are various ways for this to happen, including his soon-to-be bond to Kaia, and a loophole in the BA Oaths) and then turn himself in. I'm assuming/hoping that since his participation in his crimes was involuntary, he would be exonerated...and then he'd be a hell of a lot more careful about where he walks alone.

Anyway, are there any Shadow folk interested in this idea? It is still very nebulous so we could certainly work out details.

This sounds so fun! What sort of unsavory things are you thinking of making him do?

Things for Rav to sniff out? I don't know. That's sort of what I was hoping to plot out. How could having a Keeper on a leash be of assistance to a Black? How could we twine this into a bigger plot?

I need to do some fanfic work to get his recorded Talents and Weapon Skills to match what he is in my head, for the record, but even without that, there is *so* much to work with in his history. He used to run a good portion of the Rahad like a machine. He trained in the Black Tower for a while. He's former M'hael, he's Keeper. His friend Amadie died under suspicious circumstances, Carra has now disappeared twice, and he brought a Red from the WT back and is now living with/ will soon be bonded to her. He fights with a karambit (nasty bit of work), he speaks the Old Tongue fluently, and he's one fanfic away from having Daes Dae'mar Mastery. He's Red Ajah, so he literally lives in the basement and is fairly isolated. He has a strict honor code, which means that even if people actively dislike him, they are unlikely to suspect him of actually being dishonest. Etc.

I'm hoping to break him free of the Oaths (I'm not sure how else this plot could work without him getting caught immediately). If that means he swears the Black Ajah Oaths on pain of his loved ones deaths, so be it. Between Rav and Kaia, he can get rescued eventually. I'm not too worried- weirder and more extreme redemption arcs have happened in the history of this site. *lol*

I am really loosey-goosey with my characters, for the record. I will roll with almost anything, and actually rather enjoy breaking them to see what happens. My only restrictions are that he cannot be forced to betray Kaia, and he cannot die. Other than that...bring on the thumb screws.

I need to do some fanfic work, too. Ever since Bridget and Bree left/went on Shara, I haven't developed Mirin as a Black Ajah member, but now I'm beginning to feel inspired!

Which part would you like to tackle first? You want him to break free of the Oaths, but how does Jaryd feel about that?

Part of the appeal of this plot to me is that he is so totally against it and will struggle every step of the way.

He is not a Darkfriend, and has fought his entire life for what is right and honorable. The only way he will forswear himself would be if he knew that if he did not, his family would suffer/die (Kaia is his life- Jenn and I are mid-process in writing a thread that shows that <3). He would find no joy in freedom from the Oaths, especially if they were replaced with others.

I don't know how much help I could be, but Seira is available for dark shenanigans. I need to plot more with her anyways, although it's always a twisty thing with that character...

What is/are the current plots for the Black Ajah? I understand something is happening in the MRP, but I'm unclear what.

When the Seanchan attack, I figured that the Black Ajah would split. Some would defend the Tower (Emmond) arguing that it's better to fight than to be enslaved to the Seanchan. Others would flee (Mirin) because of their cowardice/selfishness but for her specifically at least, she will be pursued by Seonin. I figure that this argument would be brief as there is little time to have a long, drawn-out debate. I was simply going to write a quick conversation between Emmond/Mirin.

Would you like Mirin to stop by Elia's door on her way out?

That's all I really got so far.

Elia's natural reaction would be to defend the Tower, although Mirin could persuade her away.

sounds great. Mirin will stop by and try.... and I guess we'll see hehe.