Aridhol
A similar entry appears in the Wheel of Time Companion confirming the information available in the main story arc.
Unless stated otherwise, all information herein is taken from The World of Robert Jordan's "The Wheel of Time", Chapter 10.
Author: Atarah al'Norahn
Contents
Geography
The nation of Aridhol was located in what is now largely unclaimed territory, near the northern half of the Mountains of Mist. To the north was Jaramide, with Aramaelle to the northeast, Coremanda to the southeast, Manetheren to the south, and Safer to the west.
Cities, Towns, and Villages
The capital city of Aridhol was also called Aridhol, and was located where Shadar Logoth stands today. There was a Waygate in the city of Aridhol (LoC, Ch. 20).
Other cities in Aridhol included Abor'maseleine and Cyrendemar'naille.
Formation, Government, and Nobility
Like the other nations in its time, Aridhol was formed sometime after the Breaking of the World.
The ruler of Aridhol who signed the Compact of Ten Nations was Queen Doreille Torghin.
At one point during the Trolloc Wars, Aridhol was ruled by King Balwen Mayel, also known as Balwen Ironhand.
Before the Trolloc Wars
Nothing is known of Aridhol before the Trolloc Wars.
The Trolloc Wars
Like the other nations of the Compact, Aridhol stood against the Shadow.
During the Trolloc Wars, Aridhol fell from within. It was a shadow that consumed it, but a shadow that was not of the Dark One. A man called Mordeth arrived at Aridhol and became an advisor to king Balwen, feeding him and his people the illusions that to win, they must be more cruel than the Shadow and less trusting (LoC, Ch. 21). In the end, the people of Aridhol became so suspicious and hateful that they turned on each other, breeding an evil that later became a mist roaming around the abandoned city. When soldiers from Manetheren came to the walls of Aridhol, they found no living thing in the city, only the deadly Mashadar (TEotW, Ch. 19).
After the Trolloc Wars
By the end of the Trolloc Wars, the nation of Aridhol had been destroyed.
This section contains spoilers relating to the end of Winter's Heart. Please expand to view.
The ruins of the city of Aridhol could still be seen at Shadar Logoth up until Rand cleansed saidin, destroying Shadar Logoth.
According to the maps, the nation of Masenashar and part of Oburun, and later the area near the northern half of the Mountains of Mist, grew out of the ruins of Aridhol.