Arafel

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A similar entry appears in the Wheel of Time Companion. Other information about the character is also included in the Companion, but we did not use it in the TarValon.Net Library.


Author: Atarah al'Norahn

VArafel.jpg
Arafel
Sigil A red rose and a white rose
Banner Three white roses on a field of red, quartered with three red roses on a field of white.
Capital Shol Arbela
Ruler Paitar Nachiman
Throne
Crown
Palace


AH-rah-fehl

General

History

Unless stated otherwise, all information herein is taken from The Wheel of Time Roleplaying Game, Chapter 12.

A similar entry appears in the Wheel of Time Companion confirming the information available in previously published official sources outside of the main story arc.


Like all of the Borderlands, Arafel became a nation near the beginning of the War of the Hundred Years. Concerned about the ongoing war, the governors of the five northern provinces held a meeting; the outcome of this meeting was an agreement to form five independent nations. Because the purpose of these nations was both to work together against the Blight and to protect themselves against the fighting in the southlands, for the most part Arafel did not take part in the war outside of self-defence (TWoTRPG, Ch. 12).

Much of the Last Battle takes place in Arafel, at the Field of Merrilor (AMoL, Ch. 37).

The first Queen of Arafel was Mahira Svetanya.

Geography

alt a map of the continent, outlining the position of Arafel in the northeast

Relationship to previous national borders

According to the maps, during the time of the Compact of the Ten Nations, all of the land of Arafel was part of Aramaelle. After the Trolloc Wars, the land was part of the nations of Elsalam and Rhamdashar

Borders

Arafel is one of the Borderland nations that is devoted to protecting the Blightborder. It lies between Kandor to the west, and Shienar to the east, with the Blight to the north. The eastern border between Arafel and Shienar is formed by the Mora River and the southern border by the Erinin.

The terrain of Arafel is much more rugged than that of its neighbor, Shienar, and is at least partly made up of grasslands.

Geographical Features

Bodies of Water
Hills and Mountains
Miscellaneous

Government

The Throne

Nobility

Noble Houses

Military

Being one of the Borderlands, Arafel, of course, has a strong army as well as a strong military tradition. The warriors of Arafel are skilled in the way of the sword; they wear two swords, one hilt over each shoulder and both strapped to their backs. They often use both swords at once.

Cities, Towns and Villages

The capital city of Arafel is Shol Arbela. Though it is a large city, it was not built by the Ogier (LoC, Ch. 20). Shol Arbela is the residence of the royal family of Arafel.

Tifan's Well, a small farming village is also located in Arafel. It lies in the grassy plains of the country (TGH, Ch. 22).

Relations and Trade

Not much is known of the political ties between Arafel and the other nations in 'The Wheel of Time.' It is, of course, rather obvious that Arafel maintains good relations with the other Borderlands, Shienar, Kandor and Saldaea. As the fallen nation of Malkier was also once a Borderland, at one point in time Arafel and Malkier most likely had the same kind of political relations. The relations between the Borderlands are often solidified by marriage; the son of Queen Ethenielle of Kandor is married to one of Paitar's granddaughters (TPoD, Prologue).

Other than this, it can be speculated that Arafel has a relatively good relationship with Tar Valon, as Aes Sedai seem to be well respected in the Borderlands.

People and Customs

General

Some people consider the people of Arafel to have a strange sense of honor and debts (TDR, Ch. 29).

Appearance, Clothing and Dress

Native Arafellins are characterized by their large eyes and pale skin. While the men wear their hear in two braids, women do not wear braids. Both men and women frequently wear silver bells in their hair.

Food

Expressions

  • A popular saying among the people of Arafel is, "The dancing is sweeter on the edge of a sword."

Characters from Arafel

Main article: Arafellin Character List

Some of the well known characters from 'The Wheel of Time,' come from Arafel. Kiruna Nachiman, Aes Sedai of the Green Ajah, is sister to Paitar Nachiman. Samitsu of the Yellow Ajah, Alanna of the Green Ajah and Asha'man Jahar Narishma, were also born in Arafel.