Mythbuster: The Blue Ajah

Author: Estella Sharina Agadis, April 2008

Myths. Traditions. Prejudices. Every Ajah and every Company has its own selection - some of them are widely known, while others are kept private, hidden from the public eye. In a series of articles, the Tar Valon Times will present a few of the numerous myths, prejudices and traditions upheld by the Ajahs and Companies of TarValon.net. Previously, we have written about the Yellow and Green Ajah. Now, for fifteen minutes or so, it is the Blue Ajah’s turn to be in the public eye.

In the Wheel of Time-books, the Blue Ajah is the second smallest Ajah, and Blue sisters concern themselves with justice, causes and saving the world. They are individualistic, and many of them are working on personal schemes. The TarValon.net Blue Ajah, however, is one of the two largest Ajahs, tied with the Green. Similarly to the Blue Ajah in the books, several of the TV.net Blues are concerned with various causes, and a number of administrative and staff positions are (and have been) held by members of the Blue Ajah.

Unlike most of the other Ajahs, the Blue Ajah is not a subject to massive prejudices. It is hard to say why this is, but it might be because the Blue Ajah in the books has managed to become one of the most popular Ajahs. As a result of this, people join TarValon.net without the tremendous prejudices they might be having against the other Ajahs. At the same time, Kerna Sedai of the Blue Ajah says that she feels most people recognise that the Blues are individuals, and they don’t suffer the same misconceptions as other Ajahs.

A common belief about the Blue Ajah is that they plot. A lot. This opinion probably originated in the books, where the Blues are portrayed as conspiring and plotsy. Even so, saying that “all Blues plot” is wrong: there are some of the TV.net Blues who embrace their plotsy side, but not everyone lives up to this well-known stereotype.

Like the Blues in the books, the Blues at TarValon.net have loads of traditions. Many of them are known throughout the community, but there are also some secret ones, known only to members of the Ajah. Among the more widely known traditions we find Blue Brownies, Blue Healing, S’rediti and the Shendar/Serenla-relationships.

The S’rediti are the Blue Ajah’s official unofficial mascots. Like their RL counterparts, the elephants, S’rediti are strong and wise, and they do well in packs or on their own – much like their Blue owners. This tradition of Blues adopting S’rediti started years ago, after Melana al'Careira (then a member of the Blue Ajah) and a few other Aes Sedai had a race through the forums. The other Sisters used horses, while Melana opened a gateway to a menagerie and had them lend her an S'redit. That was the birth of the S'redit tradition, and it is still as hot as a freshly baked bun straight from the oven. However, as with plotting, not all Blues like S’rediti, and adopting an S’redit is not a requirement. Similarly, not all members of the Blue Ajah have a love for Brownies. One of them is even allergic to chocolate! Blue Brownies are (in)famous, but according to Adina Sedai, there isn’t a standard recipe for Blue Brownies – other than that they have to be made by a Blue Sister. Like many of the other Ajahs, the Blue Ajah has an unofficial drink, namely Baileys.

Another Blue tradition is that of Blue Healing. Many an unsuspecting, innocent member has found his- or herself a victim of this Blue speciality. Blue Healing requires the “patient” to be turned upside down, spun around, dunked in something and finally painted Blue, though the procedure varies according to the Healer’s preferences. That being said, painting seems to be something some Blues do with a pleasure – painting novices Blue was a tradition for a long time.

Something most might not know is that many Blue Warders are given a second name upon bonding into the Ajah. This tradition began a long time ago. The first three Blue Warders all had five letter names that started with “Ja”, but then came the fourth – without it! To avoid confusion, it was decided to change his name, so that he too would have a name starting with “Ja”. Ever since that time, all new Blue Warders get to pick (or have picked for them) a “Ja”-name.

As previously mentioned, the Blue Ajah has a Shendar/Serenla-relationship. A Shendar is an Aes Sedai “big sister” for the Accepted who guest or Aspire to the Blue Ajah. These Accepted are given the name Serenla, meaning “stubborn daughter” in the Old Tongue. The Aes Sedai then acts like a Blue mentor to the Accepted.

One of the mottos of the Blue Ajah is “Facets of All”. This means there are a lot of shades and styles of Blue within the Ajah. Each Blue is an independent woman, and the Blues are all very different, but, as Adina Sedai states, they are still bound by their mutual Blueness. They may not always agree with each other, but they will always support their Sisters no matter what.

The Blues of TarValon.net are friendly and funny. They are outgoing and social, and can be found in many areas of the forums. As their counterparts in the books, they are independent and strong, yet supportive and open. Usually, they are more than willing to chat and get to know people, and if you’re lucky, perhaps they’ll even throw in a good, old-fashioned Blue Healing for free. If you dare.