Green Ajah
This article is about the Green Ajah in the Wheel of Time books. For information about the Green Ajah at TarValon.Net see Green Ajah
Author: Atarah al'Norahn
Contents
Introduction
The Green Ajah, also known as the Battle Ajah, is the second largest Ajah in the White Tower (TWoRJTWoT, Ch. 24). During the Trolloc Wars, they fought with the armies in almost every battle; today, they are ready and prepared to do the same at Tarmon Gai'don, the Last Battle (TDR, Ch. 23; TFoH, Ch. 10). According to Alanna Mosvani, “to be a Green means to stand ready” (TDR, Ch. 23).
While they wait for Tarmon Gai’don to approach, Green sisters are seekers of justice (NS, Ch. 11), fighting “for justice where it often could be obtained only through their Warders’ swords” (NS, Ch. 7).
Although some sisters think that Greens are simply interested in clothing (TFoH, Prologue) and flaunting themselves (TFoH, Ch. 18), claiming that they are frivolous (KoD, Ch. 23), according to Elayne, “even those who seemed frilly or frail on the surface were cold steel inside” (KoD, Ch. 14).
Green sisters are known for their love of men, and for the fact that they belong to the only Ajah that allows a sister to bond more than one Warder at a time (TGH, Ch. 8). Despite the fact that many sisters of other Ajahs make jokes about this and view this practice as frivolous, having more than one Warder in the midst of battle is very practical (TWoRJTWoT, Ch. 24). For more on the relationship between the Green Ajah and their Warders, see the section on Warders.
Greens are known for their tempers, which are more often fiery than not (TFoH, Ch. 26; LoC, Ch. 7; Ch. 11), and are “more intent on action than on contemplation” (CoT, Ch. 7). They are also often flamboyant (NS, Ch. 2), arrogant (ACoS, Prologue), prideful (WH, Prologue), intense (WH, Ch. 13), direct (CoT, Ch. 27) and haughty (KoD, Ch. 21). They like to take charge (CoT, Prologue) and are not the best at hiding their displeasure (CoT, Ch. 3). Apparently, they also have a rough sense of humor (NS, Ch. 11).
Greens are also known for their bravery (ACoS, Ch. 32). According to Romanda, a Green does not need intelligence, only courage (KoD, Ch. 23).
The head of the Green Ajah is called the “Captain-General.” The woman who holds this position in the White Tower, among the Aes Sedai loyal to Elaida, is Adelorna Bastine (CoT, Prologue). In Salidar, Myrelle Berengari holds the title, despite having been Aes Sedai for less than fifteen years (LoC, Ch. 40). When electing Sitters, Green sisters usually nominate their choices for the Captain-General to choose among (CoT, Prologue).
Warders
One of the most widely known facts about the Green Ajah is that each Green sister is allowed to bond more than one Warder at a time. Although most sisters seem to have between two and four Warders, some have been known to have more. Rashima Kerenmosa, an Amyrlin Seat raised from the Green Ajah, had five Warders when she fought during the Trolloc Wars (LoC, Glossary). According to Moiraine, Greens always seem to be on the lookout for a Warder (WH, Prologue). It is almost unheard of for a Green to have no Warders at all (ACoS, Ch. 9; WH, Prologue)
Some Green sisters only have one Warder, but these are usually married to that Warder (TGH, Ch. 39; CoT, Ch. 23). Most cases of Aes Sedai marrying their Warders are from the Green Ajah (TWoRJTWoT, Ch. 24). Even when they are not married to their Warder, Greens are often as close to them as another woman might be to her husband (TFoH, Ch. 53).
Greens are choosy about who they bond as their first Warder (TPoD, Prologue), and often like to bond a more experienced man (CoT, Ch. 18). For later Warders, it is said that Greens like to bond them young (TGH, Ch. 8).
The relationship that all Aes Sedai hold with their Warders is complex, but among the Greens it is even more so (WH, Ch. 35). They are very jealous of their Warders (LoC, Ch. 43).
Sisters from other Ajahs often make jokes about the Greens having multiple Warders (TGH, Ch. 7; Ch. 8). Novices and Accepted who consider the Green Ajah often talk about Warders, claiming that they will have anywhere from between four and a dozen (NS, Ch. 3; Ch. 8; TGH, Ch. 39; TDR, Ch. 27).
Green sisters are often amused at the fact that other Ajahs refuse to bond more than one Warder (LoC, Ch. 11; Ch. 27). Apparently, what they think of Reds refusing to bond any is better left unsaid (LoC, Ch. 11).
Relationships
The Green and Blue Ajahs have had an alliance for a thousand years, since the time of Artur Hawkwing. According to Moiraine, “they [have] all but spoken with one voice” during this time (TGH, Ch. 4). There have been few breaks in this alliance (NS, Ch. 14).
Traditionally, the relationship between the Green and Red Ajahs has not been strong; not only are their attitudes towards men completely different, but so are their views on the very purpose of Aes Sedai, to the point that a Red and a Green can barely speak to each other without coming to shouts. However, recently, there has been an apparent alliance between the two Ajahs; Siuan thinks that it might have something to do with her being the fifth Blue raised to the Amyrlin Seat in a row, and that perhaps the Green Ajah feels that “the Blue way of thinking no longer suffices in a world full of false Dragons” (TGH, Ch. 4).
Despite this seeming change in alliances, however, the Green Ajah largely supports Siuan after her disposal. Not many Greens remain in the Tower under Elaida’s command, and Warders from both the Blue and the Green Ajahs had planned to stage a rescue for Siuan and Leane before they were stilled, though their plans were stopped by Gawyn and his Younglings (TSR, Ch. 47).
Recently, there has been tension between the Green and Yellow Ajahs (TPoD, Ch. 26; CoT, Prologue).
Eyes and Ears
The Green Ajah’s eyes-and-ears keep a lookout for information that concerns military matters (TWoRJTWoT, Ch. 24).
One of the Green Ajah’s agents is a butcher in Caemlyn (LoC, Ch. 11).
Quarters
The quarters that the Green sisters live in at the White Tower are flamboyant (NS, Ch. 12).
On each of the floorstones, which are white, there are impressions of full-sized swords; there are a couple dozen different styles, with swords that are single-edged, double-edged, curved and straight. In addition, each door is carved with a sword that is point-up; the rooms of Sitters have swords that are gilded, and others have swords that are silvered or lacquered. Kerene Nagashi’s room has a sword that is lacquered in red, gold and black (NS, Ch. 7).
The walls are adorned with tapestries of battles, alternating with battle standards from ancient lands that have been preserved with the One Power. There are gilded stand-lamps that have bases that look like stacked halberds (NS, Ch. 7).
Green Warders often live in the same apartments as their Aes Sedai, rather than having rooms in the Guards’ barracks or the city, as Warders from other Ajahs often do (NS, Ch. 7).
Miscellaneous
- When Moiraine sees Kerene Nagashi doing needlework, she thinks to herself that it seems incongruous to see a Green doing needlework of a field of wildflowers (NS, Ch. 7).
- There used to be a tradition that had to do with apple blossoms; Leane comments that even the Greens cannot remember what battle that tradition was supposed to commemorate (NS, Ch. 11).
- On the way back to Tar Valon from Fal Dara, the tent that the two Green sisters who accompanied Siuan share looks almost festive (TGH, Ch. 12).
- Rand thinks that Melaine, had she been an Aes Sedai, would have been Green (TSR, Ch. 50).
- The Greens in Elaida’s embassy to Rand are very angry at the rumors of someone posing as a Green Aes Sedai (LoC, Ch. 25).
- Seaine can think of a dozen Greens who are long past due being taken down a few rungs (TPoD, Ch. 26).
- In Yukiri’s opinion, “Captain-General” is a ridiculous title for a head of Ajah (CoT, Prologue).
- Delana thinks of Egwene as Green, even though she never belonged to an Ajah before becoming Amyrlin (CoT, Ch. 16).
- Leane pays minute attention to her clothes since being Healed and choosing the Green (CoT, Ch. 17)
- The Greens are anxious to have Elayne as Queen of Andor (CoT, Ch. 18).
Members
- Main article: Green Ajah Character List
Green Amyrlins
Since the War of the Hundred Years there have been seven Green Amyrlins. Before that, Rashima Kerenmosa was an Amyrlin.
- Selame Necoine
- Kiyosa Natomo
- Nirelle Coidevwin
- Shein Chunla
- Varuna Morrigan
- Myriam Copan
- Aleis Romlin
Green Sitters
Other Notable Greens
Members of the Green Ajah in positions of power or responsibility:
- Aisling Noon: Advisor to King Easar
- Chowin Tsao: Advisor to Artur Hawkwing
Black Ajah Greens
Verin's List had 38 members of the Green Ajah. Known members of the Black are:
