Sul'dam

Unless stated otherwise, all information herein is taken from TWoRJTWoT, Ch. 17. )

SOOL-dam

General

In Seanchan, women who control damane through means of an a'dam. They are selected at the same time as the damane in a yearly testing and in Seanchan it is considered a high honour to be chosen. It is not commonly known amongst the Seanchan that they are actually women who have the ability to learn to channel, but will not do so without training. Over time however, they develop an affinity so they can sense when others are channelling, and are always able to tell if a woman they are linked to has tried to touch the source (TGH, Ch. 40). This can develop such that they can be held by an a'dam (TGH, Ch. 46), though this is generally not known. Sul'dam are considered the highest ranked of the Seanchan exotic handlers. Sul'dam wear dark blue dresses with red panels and silver lightening on the breast and sides.

Some sul'dam give their damane new names, whereas others allow them to keep their own, similarly some will allow their damane to speak with permission, and others allow considerable freedom as long as the damane is careful in what she says (TGS, Ch. 40). As there are more sul'dam than damane, each damane will be controlled by more than one sul'dam, though the sul'dam that first takes her will have primary responsibility (TGH, Ch. 42). sul'dam refer to being linked with a damane as being complete.

Controlling Damane

Damane and controlled by sul'dam through the a'dam. A sul'dam has an awareness of all the damane is feeling, and can add to the sensations to inflict pain, or give pleasure to their charge as they choose (TGH, Ch. 45) . They also break the spirit of many damane, who are often convinced that they need to be collared as they are too dangerous to be allowed to go free (This passage needs a reference). As there are many more sul'dam than damane, most damane will have many sul'dam controlling their leash (TGH, Ch. 40). Damane can become fiercely loyal to the sul'dam who control them and look to them for support. Ddamane are regarded as valued slaves, and are seldom killed, even for infractions that a lesser slave would be put to death for, thought they are often threatened with mutilation. such mutilation is rarely carried out as it is seen as a failure on the part of the sul'dam to impose proper discipline (This passage needs a reference) and comfort (This passage needs a reference). Channelling while not linked makes a damane feel sick, the more they channel the sicker they feel, nor can they move the a'dam (TGH, Ch. 42). they are also unable to touch a weapon or anything they consider using as a weapon (TGH, Ch. 42).

Sul'dam Characters

Main article: Sul'dam Character List

Quotes

When a damane is punished, it is always her fault, even if she does not know why. A damane must anticipate what her sul'dam wants. But this time, you do know why. damane are like furniture, or tools, always there ready to be used, but never pushing themselves forward for attention. Especially not for the attention of one of the Blood (Renna, to Egwene, The Gathering Storm, Chapter 40).