Maradon
Author: Atarah al'Norahn
MAH-rah-don
General
Maradon is the capital city of Saldaea, located in the northern part of the country (TWoRJTWoT, Ch. 28). It is located on the River Arinelle, north of Whitebridge, Maradon is the only place to safely cross the river (TWoRJTWoT, Ch. 27). The city is has four very straight sides and is laid out almost as a square, with gates at the north and south to bridges over the moat that surrounds it (ToM, Ch. 18). According to the maps, the northern gate leads east and west, and the southern gate to the Tar Valon Road
It is said that you can see the Blight from the highest towers in the city (TEotW, Ch. 20).
It is mentioned that Denhuir is a village east of the Black Hills on the Maradon Road (TSR, Ch. 17).
In the time of the Compact of Ten Nations, Maradon was known as Derenbar, a city in Jaramide (TWoRJTWoT, Ch. 10).
Within the city lies the Cordamora palace, which was severely damaged when used as a trap against Trollocs (ToM, Ch. 32)
The Shadowspawn Siege
As the Last Battle approached and Tenobia took a large part of the Saldaean army south with the Borderland army, Maradon came under attack from a large Shadowspawn army and was defended by Rodel Ituralde, who was unable to use the city's defences because the Darkfriend noble Vram Torkumen had claimed that Rodel was an invader and so would get no help from the Saldaeans (ToM, Ch. 18). The Domani were only able to enter the city when Torkumen was overthrown (ToM, Ch. 24). Once inside the city, the Shadowspawn attack was increased and rogue male channelers were used to destroy part of the northern wall (ToM, Ch. 28). The city was eventually saved after Rand al'Thor arrived with Davram Bashere and forced the remaining Trollocs out (ToM, Ch. 32)
Miscellaneous
- There was a time when Thom Merrilin was known in every royal court from Tear to Maradon (TEotW, Ch. 35).
- Bayle Domon acquires one of the seals of the Dark One's prison from a shopkeeper in Maradon (TGH, Ch. 9)
- The expression "from Tear to Maradon" is used more than once in the books (TEotW, Ch. 35; TDR, Ch. 23)
- Siuan Sanche tells Min and Leane that the war in Arad Doman has stopped trade from Saldaea, and that the pinch is making unrest in Maradon; Tenobia may even be forced off the throne by it (TSR, Ch. 17).