Aes Sedai
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The Aes Sedai are a society from the fictional universe of Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time series of books.
Brief history
In the Age of Legends
In the relatively utopian society of the Age of Legends, status and respect were gained from having the means and will to serve others. Men and women with the ability to channel the One Power aided all of mankind as scientists, healers and philosophers, constantly developing new innovations and technologies to make everyone's lives easier. They were therefore known as Aes Sedai meaning "Servants of All" in the Old Tongue. They convened at the Hall of the Servants in the city of Paaren Disen. The greatest Aes Sedai of the Age of Legends was a man named Lews Therin Telamon, also known as the Dragon.The One Power is divided into male and female halves, known respectively as saidin and saidar. Men who can channel do so using the male half and women use the female half. The greatest works of the Aes Sedai were always performed by groups of men and women channeling together.
Certain Aes Sedai felt that the separation of the two halves of the Power constrained them. Researchers working at the Collam Daan university discovered what they thought was a new source of power able to be channeled by both genders. Boring into it, they discovered that they had unwittingly enabled the Dark One, formerly imprisoned outside of Time, to influence the world. The former utopia began to slowly decline, until the outbreak of the War of Power, in which many Aes Sedai went over to the Shadow and commanded the armies of the Dark One. The thirteen most powerful 'dark' Aes Sedai were the Forsaken (or the Chosen, to those fighting for the Shadow).
In a desperate move to end the devastating conflict, Lews Therin Telamon and the Hundred Companions led a last-ditch assault on Shayol Ghul, successfully resealing the Bore and trapping the Dark One, as well as (almost) all the Forsaken, outside of the world. However, the Dark One's final counterattack tainted saidin itself, and over time all male Aes Sedai, including Lews Therin, were driven mad. In their madness, they began to channel wildly, causing almost total destruction to everything that hadn't already been wiped out by the war. By the time the last male Aes Sedai had died, the world map was all but unrecognisable, and the remains of humanity were scattered and destitute. This catastrophic period was called the Breaking of the World.
After the Breaking
On the eastern continent, the remaining female Aes Sedai eventually reorganised themselves on the island of Tar Valon, where they built the White Tower. The Aes Sedai there became a monastic order, taking in initiates and shaping them into fully-fledged sisters through years of hard training. Their elected leader held the title Amyrlin Seat and became as powerful as any king, queen or legislative body. The Aes Sedai ensured that any man with the ability to channel would be gentled, i.e. severed from the Power. The common people had a tendency to fear the Aes Sedai, knowing that they channeled the same power that had caused the Breaking of the World. As a result, Aes Sedai have often been the focus of mistrust and even hate, some being convinced that all of them were Darkfriends in service to the Shadow. As a way of making themselves 'safer' and more trustworthy, Aes Sedai began to employ the Oath Rod.On the continent of Seanchan, Aes Sedai set themselves up as local governors and rulers. Eventually these Aes Sedai would all be defeated and collared as damane, essentially rendered extinct. Within the Seanchan Empire, no-one may refer to themselves as an 'aes sedai' and all women able to channel are collared, without exception. Male channelers are simply killed.
Ajahs
Aes Sedai divide themselves into seven Ajahs. Originally, the Ajahs were distinct sects of Aes Sedai that formed after the Breaking, each separate from the others, but later merged together to form the current Sisterhood. Currently, an Ajah is a sub-society which has representation on the administrative councils for the entire Sisterhood; its own ideology and purpose for its members; its own ruling head or heads; and its own spy network, whose operatives are known as "eyes and ears". The Ajahs are (from largest to smallest) Red, Green, Grey, Brown, Yellow, Blue, and White. There is also an eighth Ajah, the Black, though its existence of is hotly denied by all other Ajahs, and, in fact, was only recently confirmed to exist beyond any doubt. Black sisters keep their allegiance a secret and belong to another Ajah in addition to the Black in order to make it difficult to determine if any particular sister is of the Black.
The Red Ajah
The Red Ajah is the largest Ajah. They have, for millennia, been seeking out men who can channel and gentling them. They do this mostly by detecting the residue of weaves made from saidin. Most Red Aes Sedai despise all men, whether they can channel or not, though some think of the Reds' priorities as their own, and take on the Red Ajah's task, though they rather like men. Red sisters generally do not have friends outside of their Ajah. Reds are rarely raised to be Amyrlin; only two known Amyrlins have ever been dethroned, and they were both Red. The last Red to be raised to the Stole was Bonwhin, whose attempt at controlling Artur Hawkwing led to an attempted invasion of Tar Valon by Hawkwing. She was removed and replaced with Deane Aryman, a Blue. Reds and Blues have been at odds ever since. The Ajah is governed by a leader known as the Highest. Elaida do Avriny a'Roihan, a Red, has recently been raised to Amyrlin, causing a divide between sisters of all Ajahs. Important Reds include Elaida, Galina Casban, Tarna Feir, Silviana Brehon, Tsutama Rath, Sashalle Anderly, Teslyn Baradon, Pevara, Duhara and Toveine Gazal.The Blue Ajah
The second smallest Ajah after the White, but has influence beyond what its size would predict. This is in part due to the fact that many Amyrlins over the years have been of the Blue. Blue sisters strive for causes and justice, and they also have the most extensive eyes-and-ears intelligence network of any ajah. They are closely allied with the Green, a friendship that has lasted a thousand years, and are on good terms with the Brown as well. The Blues have a long standing feud with the Red Ajah. All Ajahs have traditions; some of the Blue traditions include never wearing red inside the tower, they must wear all blue the first of each month, and they must wear blue stockings when leaving Tar Valon. The Blue Ajah is governed by a leader, known as the First Selector. When Siuan Sanche was removed, the Blues fled Elaida's wrath and organized the rebel faction of the Aes Sedai secretly at Salidar. Not one Blue remained with Elaida. Important Blues include Moiraine Damodred, Aeldra Najaf, Cetalia Delarme, Moria Karentanis, Siuan Sanche, Rafela Cindal, Aeldene Stonebridge, Kairen Stang, Reiko, Leane Sharif (after being Healed from her stilling, she switched to the Green Ajah), Ispan Shefar (she was also part of the Black Ajah) and Gitara Moroso.The Green Ajah
Greens call themselves "The Battle Ajah," as their primary purpose is to prepare themselves for Tarmon Gai'don, the Last Battle, when the Dark One breaks free and must be opposed. They are also the White Tower's counter to the Dreadlords, channelers (both men and women) who have openly gone to the Shadow and sometimes lead their armies in battle. Interestingly, Dreadlords have not been openly seen in recent events, despite the rising of the Dark One's power. Greens are also willing to bond more than one Warder and are known for their love of men; in this way, the Green is almost the ideological opposite of the Red. Greens are also known to marry their Warders, most Greens who do so only have one Warder, although there are rumors that some Greens have married several of their warders. However, they do not oppose the gentling of men who can channel, as the example of Cadsuane Melaidhrin clearly sets. They have a long history of friendship with the Blues, and generally oppose the Red, although they were siding with them in many issues before the Tower broke. While many Greens did side with the rebel Blues, many stayed with the Elaida in the Tower. The Greens are governed by a single woman known as the Captain General. Important Greens include Elayne Trakand, Cadsuane Melaidhrin, Alanna Mosvani, Myrelle Berengari, Joline Maza, Kiruna Nachiman, Adelorna Bastine, Vandene Namelle, Bera Harkin, and Leane Sharif (formerly of the Blue).The Yellow Ajah
The Yellows dedicate themselves to the art of Healing, a Talent which not all sisters possess, but which is considered a requirement for entry into the Ajah. The best Healers are always Yellow sisters, and it is said they will try to Heal anything. Until recently it was thought that stilling could not be Healed, although a new sister, Nynaeve al'Meara, has discovered a cure, giving a new role to the Yellow Ajah. They are a smaller Ajah and have a minimal eyes-and-ears organization. Their leader is called the First Weaver. Important Yellows include Nynaeve al'Meara, Narenwin Barda, Romanda Cassin, Salita Toranes, Corele Hovian, Samitsu Tamagowa, Nisao Dachen, and Amico Nagoyin who was later discovered to be of the Black Ajah. Ryma Galfrey, a former Yellow, has been captured by the Seanchan and made damane. She is now completely broken and has been renamed 'Pura'.The Brown Ajah
The Browns dedicate themselves to knowledge and history and generally forsake the mundane world. They can be usually found in the Great Library in the White Tower (which they administer), looking for something new to study. Min Farshaw's viewings and Perrin Aybara's status as a Wolfbrother have come under their scrutiny more than once. They are the wisest concerning Tower and One Power history, although not infalliable. For the past few centuries they have been at odds with the Blue Ajah, but they are not enemies. They are not governed by a sole woman, but by a ruling council. Important Browns include Verin Mathwin, Demira Eriff, Kumira, Masuri Sokawa, Morvrin, Jesse Bilal, Nesune Bihara, Adeleas Namelle, Danelle, Takima, Saerin Asnobar and Theodrin Dabei.The White Ajah
The smallest Ajah in the Tower, and the only Ajah without eyes and ears. They ignore the social causes that define the Blue, Grey, Green and Red Ajahs and also have no room for the worldly knowledge that the Browns and to some extent the Yellows seek. They preoccupy themselves with questions of philosophy, truth, and logic, and it is said that they have no room in their hearts for passions. It was White sisters who first made the connection between the Reds' gentling crusade and the dwindling numbers and strength of female channelers, as half the people with the "channeling gene" were being exterminated. They proposed to the Tower that male channelers should, either before or after gentling, be allowed to mate with Aes Sedai. The Hall of the Tower flatly refused the idea (especially after one Green Sitter joked that, since the Whites had come up with the idea, they should be the ones to bear the children, which the Whites flatly refused). Whites are friendly with Blues, and generally oppose Reds; however, when Elaida became Amyrlin, it was a White, Alviarin, who became her Keeper of the Chronicles. The Head of the White Ajah is called the First Reasoner. The First Reasoner in Tar Valon is Ferane Neheran. Important Whites includes Alviarin Freidhen, Sarene Nemdahl, Seaine Herimon, Norine Dovarna, Daigian Moseneillin and Falion Bhoda.The Gray Ajah
The diplomats of the White Tower are Grays: they are ambassadors, conflict mediators, and treaty drafters. They also provide justice through the law, whether it is in a palace or on a farm. Little else is known about them, although their leader is called the Head Clerk. Worth mentioning is the Grays tried to hold together the coalition of nations that fought against the Aiel during the Aiel War but failed. Though it has not been confirmed, it is logical to assume that Grays are skilled at political maneuvering. Important Grays include Merilille Ceandevin, Annoura Larisen, Andaya Forae, Beonin, Merana Ambrey, Yukiri and Delana Mosalaine.The Black Ajah
The Black Ajah is an unofficial and secret Ajah, comprised of sisters which hide in other Ajahs and who have forsaken their Oaths as Aes Sedai and have sworn to serve the Dark One. Until recently Aes Sedai denied fervently the existence of the Black. The Black Ajah is administered by a Supreme Council of Thirteen. It is thought that the Black Ajah was founded by Ishamael himself, who was not bound completely into Shayol Ghul as the rest of the Forsaken were. Reports of its existence were only recently accepted by other sisters, and not even by all sisters, when Liandrin Sedai fled the Tower along with twelve other sisters which were: Temaile Kinderode, Rianna Andomeran, Eldrith Jhondar, Joiya Byir, Chesmal Emry, Berylla Naron, Jeaine Caide, Asne Zeramene, Amico Nagoyin, Marillin Gemalphin, Falion Bhoda and Ispan Shefar- stealing several ter'angreal and killing a number of Tower personnel. The Ajah is currently controlled by Mesaana, who is living in the White Tower in disguise and gives orders in secret. Black sisters are not bound by the Three Oaths, having forsworn them at some point after becoming Aes Sedai, and swear three currently unknown oaths in service of the Shadow. Their meetings are shrouded in secrecy and they meet hooded and cloaked. The highest-ranking member of the Supreme Council of the Black Ajah is Alviarin Freidhen, who observes that only a few other Black sisters know her identity within the Ajah. Alviarin Freidhen knows the identity of every member of the Black Ajah. Other Blacks include Galina Casban, Talene Minly, Katerine Alruddin and Elza Penfell.Black sisters are organized into units called "hearts," each of which consists of a group of three women who all know each other as members of the Black, and who each know one sister in another heart.
Achieving the Shawl
To become Aes Sedai is a long process. Girls with the spark or who can learn to channel are taken to the Tower at a young age, usually in their teens. They start out as novices, and wear a white dress. They attend classes taught by sisters and Accepted concerning the One Power. They have hardly any time for themselves, because when they are not training they are usually doing chores. They live a meager existence, with their dorms a small room with hardly any material possessions. They are governed by the Mistress of Novices, who is appointed by the Amyrlin. When Aes Sedai feel that a novice has proven herself worthy and respectful, she is summoned to a ceremony which will raise her to Accepted. She has the right to refuse the ceremony twice, but on the third time if she refuses she will be put out of the Tower. The ceremony consists of the novice walking naked through three archways, and once she starts she cannot stop, or she will be put out of the Tower. The Archways are a ter'angreal. When the novice walks through the first, she is faced with a fear from her past. She is usually bewildered and does not know how she got there, remembering nothing. When she comes out, she walks through the second archway, where she is presented with a fear from the present. The third archway is for a fear that is to come. No one knows if the fears come true, or if the world they are transported to is real. Though it is uncertain if the world they are transported to is real, novices have returned bearing real injuries they suffered within the arches. It has been suggested that the world they are transported to is a form of Tel'aran'rhiod, the World of Dreams. When they are in these dimensions, novices do not remember anything from their lives, including their ability to channel, and so do not always remember that the way out will only come once; this is the challenge of the ter'angreal, and some women never come back. There is also a compelling reason to stay, such as a husband to love or a friend to protect. If they channel while within the arches, the novice may burn herself out and permanently lose the ability to channel. Novices are also not allowed to speak of what they saw or did in the archways. Most remain novices for five to ten years, though three years is not unheard of.
Once Accepted, the women have more privileges and are not usually forced to do chores. They can also wear the Aes Sedai serpent ring, but only on their ring finger. They train harder and also teach courses to novices. They spend several years more as Accepted, although when they are deemed ready to become full Aes Sedai they are summoned for another testing ceremony. The Accepted is brought to a chamber where sisters cause a ter'angreal to activate. The Accepted steps in. In this world, the Accepted seeks out a symbol on the ground one hundred times and weaves a hundred very complex weaves while retaining perfect composure. The sisters simulate distractions to try to throw her off. Again, the world may or may not be real, but the dangers leave real wounds.
The Oath Rod
When an Accepted passes the test, she is brought to another ceremony with the Amyrlin Seat and representatives of all seven Ajahs present. They are presented with the Oath Rod, a ter'angreal that binds Aes Sedai to whatever oaths they swear while channeling into it. The Accepted then swears the Three Oaths. The Oaths were not always a part of the Aes Sedai tradition, and some sisters wish it still wasn't. The Rod was discovered some time between the Trolloc Wars and the War of the Hundred Years. Unknown to the Aes Sedai is that the Oath Rod is in fact a ter'angreal which was used in the Age of Legends to bind criminals against further acts of law breaking.
Even though all Sisters were bound to their respective Ajahs, they needed a common set of goals and principles to bind sisters of every Ajah together. The Accepted swears to:
- never speak a lie
- never make a weapon for a man to kill another with
- never to use the One Power as a weapon, except
- * against Shadowspawn,
- * to save her own life, or her Warder's, or the life of another sister.
There are several side-effects to the use of the Oath Rod. The most apparent is a tightening of the skin, which eventually leads to the appearance of agelessness commonly associated with Aes Sedai. It also shortens the person's lifespan, potentially by hundreds of years in the case of a channeller. Unknown to most channellers is that the Oath Rod also has the facility to unbind, useful for those Sisters who become members of the Black Ajah and swear new oaths to the Dark One. Channellers are also freed from the Oaths when severed from the Power.
The Hall of the Tower
The Hall of the Tower is the administrative body of the Aes Sedai and White Tower. It is comprised of 21 Sitters, who act like senators, three from each Ajah. There is also an Amyrlin Seat and the Keeper of the Chronicles. The Hall creates all official policy for Tar Valon.The Amyrlin Seat
The Amyrlin Seat, or simply the Amyrlin, is possibly the most powerful woman on the continent. She is appointed for life by the Hall, and sheds any affiliation she has to her Ajah. The Amyrlin is from no Ajah, and from all. She wears a stole with all seven Ajah colors, although Elaida do Avriny a'Roihan removed the blue from hers upon becoming Amyrlin. She is the head of all Aes Sedai, they refer to her as Mother and she to them as Children ("Daughters"). She is assisted in her duties by the Keeper of the Chronicles, who is second in command, and is usually from the same Ajah as the Amyrlin. Her full title is 'The Watcher of the Seals, The Flame of Tar Valon, The Amyrlin Seat' (in reference to the seven seals used to shut the Dark One's prison, though until quite recently, no-one knew where any of the seals were). The actual chair the Amyrlin rules over the Hall from is also called the Amyrlin Seat. The Amyrlin's relative power depends on her political power and ability; some Amyrlins have been able to bend the Hall to their will, while others have found themselves subject to it. Although the Amyrlin is bound by Tower law and custom, any proclamations she makes are usually considered (depending on how powerful the Amyrlin is) effectively law or as good as it.The Keeper of the Chronicles
The Amyrlin's second-in-command, the Keeper's duties include being secretary to the Amyrlin and overseeing the official business of the Tower. What is known is that the Amyrlin chooses her and that she, too, is appointed for life (either hers or the Amyrlin's, whomever passes away first). Traditionally, the Keeper comes from the same Ajah as the Amyrlin, but there have been exceptions. Recently, Elaida a'Roihan (of the Tower) has chosen Alviarin Freidhein, a White sister, as Keeper, although Elaida herself is a Red. Unlike the Amyrlin, the Keeper does not shed her Ajah affiliation. Recent Keepers include Leane Sharif, a Blue sister, for the former Blue Siuan Sanche; Alviarin Freidhein, a White sister, for the former Red Elaida do'Avriny a'Roihan; Tarna Feir, a Red sister, also for Elaida; and Sheriam Bayanar, a Blue sister, for Egwene al'Vere. Elaida's former Keeper, Alviarin, was replaced by the Hall of the Tower after her frequent absences from the Tower were deemed to be interfering with her duties. The Keeper wears a stole in the color of the Ajah from which she was raised.Sitters
Sitters are highly esteemed sisters who have been chosen within their Ajah to represent their Ajah and its interests in the Hall of the Tower. Typically, the leader or head of the Ajah is not a Sitter. The Sitters often jealously defend the Hall's power, and an Amyrlin's reign is often judged by how well she manages to keep the Sitters under her control.
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