Arad Doman
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| Arad Doman | ||
| Sigil | A silver hand grasping a silver sword by the blade, point down. Known as "the Sword and Hand". | |
| Banner | The Sword and Hand on a field of four green and three blue horizontal stripes. | |
| Capital | Bandar Eban | |
| Ruler | None | |
| Throne | ||
| Crown | ||
| Palace | ||
A similar entry appears in the Wheel of Time Companion, confirming the information. Other information is also included in the Companion, but we did not use it in the TarValon.Net Library.
Author: Leora Oldessroth
Pronunciation: AH-rahd do-MAHN
General
Arad Doman is a country on the coast of the Aryth Ocean, known mostly for their very skillful female merchants, who wear scandalously tight clothes.
The Domani believe that they are descendants of those who made Avendesora, the Tree of Life (TWoRJTWoT, Ch. 30).
Domani razors are a rare breed of horse that are not, generally speaking, sold to outlanders. Razors are marked with black meeting white in straight lines that could have been sliced by a razor (KoD, Ch. 6). Razors are favored by Domani bloodborn (KoD, Ch. 8).
Prior to the Last Battle, Arad Doman was in chaos. The King had vanished, taken out of the country by Aes Sedai (ToM, Ch. 32), and Graendal had taken other members of his family and the Merchant's Council. There was no leadership, except in a small number of cities and the capital, Bandar Eban had been flooded with refugees, looking for the food brought there by the Sea Folk under the orders of the Dragon Reborn. They faced starvation however, as the food all spoiled in a matter of seconds (TGS, Ch. 42). The nation had also been under threat from the Seanchan who sent a large army after Rodel Ituralde after he defeated an earlier, smaller invasion. It was being defended by Rand al'Thor and the Aiel until he failed to come to an agreement with the Seanchan (TGS, Ch. 35) and abandoned the country (TGS, Ch. 42). Alsalam was since found, but as much of Rodel's army was killed in Saldaea, it is not clear if the Domani will be able to continue to defend their country (This passage needs a reference).
Geography
Relation to Previous National Borders
According to the maps, during the time of the Compact of the Ten Nations, the land that would become Arad Doman was part of the nations of Jaramide and Safer. After the Trolloc Wars, the land was occupied by part of the nations of Darmovan, Indrahar, and Abayan, and all of the nation of Oman Dahar.
Borders
Arad Doman is bordered to the east by the Mountains of Mist, by the Almoth Plain to the South and by the Aryth Ocean to the north and west. It does not share a land border with any other nation (TWoRJTWoT, Ch. 2).
Geographical Features
- Bodies of Water
- Hills and Mountains
Government
The Throne
Arad Doman has a king who is elected by the Council of Merchants. The king of Arad Doman is Alsalam Saeed Almadar (TWoRJTWoT, Ch. 30). He is reunited with Rodel Ituralde by Rand al'Thor in the Stone of Tear (ToM, Ch. 32). Alsalam later joins the meeting at the Field of Merilor and signs the Dragon's Peace (AMoL, Ch. 6).
- Council of Merchants
- Main article: Council of Merchants
The Council of Merchants is the body in Arad Doman that appoints the king. Once appointed, he may be removed by a three quarters majority vote (TWoRJTWoT, Ch. 26).
Nobility
- Noble Houses
- Almadar (Alsalam, Ramsid)
- Ituralde (Rodel) Rodel however, was born a commoner (This passage needs a reference)
Military
Arad Doman has very little in the way of military because a body of soldiers would shift the balance of power unacceptably from the Council of Merchants to the King (TWoRJTWoT, Ch. 26). Rodel Ituralde did manage to raise a large army to defend against the Seanchan, but much of this was destroyed in Saldaea, defending Maradon (This passage needs a reference).
Cities, Towns, and Villages
- Cities, towns, and villages in Arad Doman
- Bandar Eban (capital) (location of the Terhana Library) (Glossary)
- Coron Ford
- Darulna
- Kandelmar
- Katar
- Lake Somal
- Maseen
- Solanje
Relations and Trade
Arad Doman and Tarabon have a history of small wars between them (TWoRJTWoT, Ch. 14). For the past 300 years this conflict has often involved manoeuvring for control of Almoth Plain, which lies just south of Arad Doman (TWoRJTWoT, Ch. 30).
Domani merchants carry on major trade with the Sea Folk, dispersing their goods to inland consumers (TWoRJTWoT, Ch. 30).
Arad Doman also trades heavily with Tarabon and Saldaea (TWoRJTWoT, Ch. 30).
Most Domani merchants are women and the nation owes its wealth to their success; very few men will come off the victor in trade with a Domani woman but they often consider losing worth the experience. (TWoRJTWoT, Ch. 30).
People and Customs
People from Arad Doman are referred to as Domani (TWoRJTWoT, Ch. 30).
Domani are known for their temper (KoD, Prologue).
Domani women are legendary for their grace and ability to get men to do what they want. Only Sea Folk women move with more sensual grace and no other women can compare to Domani women when it comes to the art of seduction. Mothers start teaching their daughters this art in girlhood (TWoRJTWoT, Ch. 30). Very few Domani Aes Sedai choose the Red Ajah, and those who do are usually mean (TFoH, Ch. 32).
Domani men are known for their temper as much as Domani women are known for their beauty. Some say this comes from having to deal with Domani women, others say it is from eating with sursa (TWoRJTWoT, Ch. 30).
Many Domani claim to believe that the Dark One is dead but still will not risk naming him (TGH, Ch. 8).
Feasts and Festivals
Arad Doman is noted for some of the grandest celebrations of holidays. Festivals celebrated in Arad Doman that are not celebrated by all nations include Chansein, The Feist of Freia, Bailene and the Festival of Lanterns. Arad Doman is one of only two nations that celebrates The Feast of Fools during Tammaz instead of Saven (TWoRJTWoT, Ch. 31).
Appearance, Clothing and Dress
Domani have coppery skin (TWoRJTWoT, Ch. 30).
The clothing worn by Domani women is considered scandalous by most others. Their dresses cover their bodies from neck to toe but are barely opaque and cling to every curve. They reveal nothing while hinting at everything (TWoRJTWoT, Ch. 30). However, even Domani women dress circumspectly when visiting the White Tower (TFoH, Ch. 15).
Domani men are recognizable by their long, thin mustaches and earrings (TWoRJTWoT, Ch. 30). Domani men wear black velvet beauty spots on their faces in different shapes (CoT, Prologue).
Men and women of nobility wear jewelry engraved or embossed with the symbols of their House (TWoRJTWoT, Ch. 30). No Domani would ever wear the symbols of a house other than their own (TGH, Prologue).
Food
Domani food is famous; it is usually spiced meat slivers and vegetables in a variety of sauces. Instead of using forks or knives, Domani eat with two thin sticks, used as a pair, called sursa. These sticks are held in one hand and maneuvered to pick up slices of food (TWoRJTWoT, Ch. 30).
Expressions
Characters from Arad Doman
- Main article: Domani Character List
