Blue Ajah

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This article is about the Blue Ajah in the Wheel of Time books. For information about the Blue Ajah at TarValon.Net see Blue Ajah


Author: Atarah al'Norahn

Introduction

The Blue Ajah is one of the smallest Ajahs, second to only the White, and concerns itself with justice, causes, and saving the world. Other sisters often see the Blues as so ready to save the world that they lose themselves (TGH, Ch. 22).

Unlike the Green Ajah, and like the other five, Blue Aes Sedai only bond one Warder at a time. While they are not as fond of men as the Greens are, they are not Red in their nature towards males. Alanna Mosvani of the Green Ajah thinks that a Blue sister likes men as long as they share her causes and do not get in her way (TDR, Ch. 23).

Like all of the Ajahs, the Blue has its own Head of Ajah, which they call the First Selector (NS, Ch. 11).

More Amyrlins have been raised from the Blue than any of the other Ajahs. One of the strongest Amyrlins, Deane Aryman, was Blue before she was raised. When Siuan Sanche was deposed and the Tower split, Elaida exiled the Blue Ajah from Tar Valon, and even went so far as to remove the Blue stripe from her stole.

Traditions

All of the Ajahs have their own special traditions and customs; the Blue Ajah is no exception.

One of the more "fun" traditions of the Blue Ajah is that the sixth person to welcome a new sister once she has been raised to the shawl receives a pie from the new sister. The newly raised Aes Sedai has to bake the pie with her own hands (NS, Ch. 11).

Due to the animosity between the Blue Ajah and the Red Ajah, the Blue sisters do not wear red when they are inside the Tower. Gems are the exception: firedrops, rubies or garnets are allowed, but clothing is forbidden (NS, Ch. 14). It is also customary for Blue sisters to wear blue stockings when they leave Tar Valon (NS, Ch. 11).

Secrets

Just like the customs and traditions, the Blue Ajah also has several secret weaves that are, supposedly, known only to the Blue Ajah.

One of these is a way to repel insects, and to be able to make them gather to bite or sting. Moiraine uses this weave on Lan after he, due to surprise, throws her into a nearby pond (NS, Ch. 21).

Another of the secret Blue weaves is a weave of Spirit that can plant an idea into someone else's head. This is not Compulsion, as it does not force anyone to do anything; it simply plants a suggestion into someone's mind; the person is able to throw off the suggestion. Moiraine uses this weave when an innkeeper tries to get her to take a drink that has some kind of powder in it; Moiraine suggests that the innkeeper drink it; she almost does, but breaks free of the weave. Even when she is offered a similar drink in several other inns, Moiraine does not use this weave again. She thinks to herself that if word got around of such a strange thing happening, any Blue in the city would know that another Blue was there (NS, Ch. 23).

Relationships

As can be expected, both alliances and animosities have grown between the Ajahs over the years since their creation.

The Blue Ajah and Green Ajah have had an alliance for the last thousand years, and have seen few breaks in their accord (TGH, Ch. 4; NS, Ch. 14). They usually side together in the Hall.

The Blue Ajah and Red Ajah have never really been on good terms with each other. This is partly because the only two Amyrlins (until Siuan) to be publically stilled were Red, and both were replaced by Blues (TGH, Ch. 5). The Blue and Red oppose each other very often, as a matter of course; at times, this opposition nearly brings the Hall to a standstill (NS, Ch. 14).

As the White Ajah and Red Ajah also do not get along well, the White usually sides with the Blue (TSR, Ch. 1). However, there is a slight strain between these two Ajahs, and that the reason for this strain is known only to the White Ajah (NS, Ch. 14).

There is also some quarrel between the Blue Ajah and the Yellow Ajah, and it is more tense than that with the White. The purpose of it has something to do with sisters of each Ajah interfering with the others actions in Altara some hundred years past (NS, Ch. 14).

The Blue and Brown Ajahs do not have any specific alliance or disagreement between them. The Browns support the White Ajah against the Blues, but at the same time support the Blue Ajah against the Yellows (NS, Ch. 14).

Eyes and Ears

The Blue Ajah is known for its extensive network of eyes-and-ears, which is the largest out of all of the Ajahs.

During the time when Siuan and Moiraine were raised to Aes Sedai, Cetalia Delarme was the Head of the eyes-and ears (NS, Ch. 12). After Siuan was raised to the Amyrlin Seat, Aeldene Stonebridge became the Head of the eyes-and-ears (TFoH, Ch. 11). However, after the split in the Tower, the leading Aes Sedai of Salidar agree to let Siuan run the eyes-and-ears for them (TFoH, Ch. 27).

Not much is known about the actual Blue Ajah agents. There are known agents in Four Kings and Lugard. Duranda Tharne is the agent in Lugard (TFoH, Ch. 11).

Blue Ajah Quarters

Within the White Tower, all of the Ajahs have their own personal quarters. The Blue Ajah quarters are not as flamboyant as those of the Green and Yellow Ajahs, but are not quite as plain as the Brown's or White's (NS, Ch. 12).

The doors leading into the Blue Quarters are plain and polished (NS, Ch. 11). Within, brightly colored winter wall hangings adorn the walls of the main hall. They show scenes of spring gardens, field of wildflowers, brooks running over stones, and birds in flight. The walls themselves are pale, and the standlamps are gilded, but simple in decoration. The floor tiles are set in a wavy pattern of blues, from pale morning sky, to the deep violet of twilight (NS, Ch. 12).

The personal apartments for the sisters are located in side halls that branch off from the main hall. Each of them contains a spacious bedchamber, a large sitting room, a dressing room, and a study (NS, Ch. 12).

Members

Main article: Blue Ajah Character List

Blue Amyrlins

Blue Sitters

Other Notable Blues

Members of the Blue Ajah who have held a position of power or responsibility:

Black Ajah Blues

In Verin's List, twenty one Blues are listed. Five of these are known:

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