There is an old saying, you never miss what you have until its gone. Those words were never more true when it comes to Tales of Ta'veren MUSH. What is Tales of Ta'veren MUSH? Well, picture an interactive novel, a version of Robert Jordan's epic series The Wheel of Time that you were able to log into and interact with, play Daes Dae'mar with bickering nobles of every nationality, take tea with a haughty Aes Sedai, watch battles and feuds occur outside your front door, get caught up in the fate-twisting influence of a ta'veren. It was all of that and much more.

Originally, I had no idea what a MUSH even was (Multi User Something Or Other), and I had no intentions whatsoever of getting involved in yet another online hobby, but I was drawn to Tales of Ta'veren (Tales for short) by its Worldbook, a lovingly created resource that detailed the nations and cultures represented in the series, which were also recreated to an uncanny accurate degree on the game. The Worldbook was so well thought out and maintained that I figured I had to see what the MUSH was all about.

And from there, I was hooked. The MUSH staff was so helpful and considerate to a total neophyte like me, their training and theme resources were endless and superb, and the players themselves were amazing and witty, like I just wandered into a room of long lost friends I didn't even know I had.

As a new player I watched the intrigue and diabolical goings-on of House Ildevwyn, a sinister and notorious Cairhienin house, which had a presence in the online area of Tar Valon. Led by Lady Ibaethien and her assistant Lady Cionaeve, they were so much fun to watch I decided that I wanted in on their fun. But then, I was hit by an idea! Instead of joining their house, why not create a rival house of my own? It was from that thought that House Vanderode was born, a Cairhienin house brought low by treachery, its ranks thinned by poison and the assassin's blade, a house led by a woman chastened by scandal and danger, Saralleine Caelle, who worried for the safety of her children while she dabbles in power struggles and intrigue. What can I say, one of my favorite books is The Count of Monte Cristo, and I just extrapolated that to an entire noble family! Revenge is sweetest when it takes years to attain!

The resources on the MUSH were stupendous and the staff, namely Alderic (area leader of Tar Valon) and Callandor (the administrator for the noble houses called the 'Wizard') were so helpful and full of suggestions that it was a breeze to bring the house to life. In no time, other players joined the house, Araine, a niece who enrolled as a novice in the Tower, both Lilavaeres (two players of the same character), my hoyden of a daughter, Ryles, my nephew and Araine's twin, with a channeling curse, the players of my sons, Paetrid and Thomaenes, Erienna, my long lost cousin, a fey maiden with a gift for sensuous poetry. Daenielle, who was the head house keeper, and also my bastard sister, and many more. My brother Benjaen, and his rascal of a son, Evaen. In time, as my real life started to draw my attention, more and more, Araine took over as co-leader, and finally OOC leader of the House, even revamping the house pages. Lastly, although we interacted very rarely, I am indebted to Paelitar, who joined as my hitherto unknown brother, and ended up in a spectacular romance with and ultimately marriage to the Amyrlin Seat herself! It provided jolts of interest and creativity that I appreciated very much.

Sad to say, I soon got caught up in real life, though, with a wedding to plan and a move from one city to another. Saralleine and her burgeoning, yet fictional, family had to take a back seat to all that. When I finally got resettled, I was saddened to learn that Tales was on its last legs. All of those marvelous staffers were working for free, and had to devote their precious time and energies to outside endeavors, much like myself. They simply couldn't keep up with the demands of running a thriving MUSH, and who can blame them? I understood, but I felt like I was a little girl being forced to move to a new town, switching schools, losing all my friends.

And now it is gone. I recall website upon website that displayed Tales' content, logs of role-play, sites created for the varying noble houses and individual characters, informational websites about nations, Ajahs and societies, disappearing off the web like dead leaves falling off a tree. I decided that I would preserve my own little bit of that, the pages for House Vanderode, and would like to invite any of the former players to contact me and send me little passages detailing your memories and impressions. While not much, this is my own small attempt and preserving what a great way to lose yourself in a novel, make new friends, and engage your creativity.

Sarah Hough

• I have resurrected the webpage for House Vanderode, and added the textual descriptions I saved of the House possessions, homes and interior rooms.
  
• While I was at it, I also created a page for House Moendivell, a vassal and ally of Vanderode to which several players belonged, although there never was a separate organization for it. It was basically a house branch.

• I am also creating individual pages for the characters that I played, and those of my friends whom I remain in touch with:
  • Lady Saralleine Caelle of House Vanderode, Lady of the House and Organizational Founder.
  • Lady Ellisaene Theonae of House Moendivell, Saralleine's niece and ward, sister of Rolaen.
  • Lady Merilleise Carielle of House Vanderode, Saralleine's sister, an ambitious woman who resents her accomplished older siblings.
  • Lord Benjaen Caedric of House Vanderode, Saralleine's brother, also the Lord-Commandant of the house levees.
  • Lord Rolaen Aledrid of House Moendivell, nephew of Saralleine as well as Ellisaene's older brother.

Links for Tales Resources, Characters and Organizations, and those Inspired by Tales:
(Many of these are for organizations and characters that originated on Tales, but have been transplanted elseMU*, and others are new creations, inspired by the intricately detailed world of Tales, with the blessings of some of their original creators and/or sources of inspiration).