Difference between revisions of "Two Rivers"

Revision as of 03:07, 12 December 2007

General

The Two Rivers is a region in the west of Andor, though most there don't know it (TEotW, Ch. 33), it has not seen a tax collector in six generations, nor the Queen's Guards in seven (TEotW, Ch. 40). It is bordered on the West by the Mountains of Mist, the north by the River Taren, the South by the Manetherendrelle and beneath that the Great Blackwood and to the East, the mire, an area of swampland. There are some dangerous passes through the mountains (LoC, Prologue, but the main way in and out of the region, has for centuries, been north, by ferry across the Taren. For this reason, and the fact that the area is sparsely populated, with little of great economic worth, few visit there and it is one of the most isolated places in the westlands. Other than merchants and pedlars, few people ever visit the region (TEotW, Ch. 2). Outside of the region, most have not even heard of it (TEotW, Ch. 14; Ch. 36), though Two Rivers tabac is known ad loved in many places (TEotW, Ch. 46; TSR, Ch. 13) and there is even a song, The Old Two River's leaf (TGH, Ch. 21)..

In the years of the Compact of the Ten Nations, it was the centre of Manetheren, and the village of Emond's Field marks where Aemon fell in the battle in which Manetheren was destroyed. Though the people remember nothing of the event, the long desperate fight to hold onto their lands changed them and this change still holds (TEotW, Ch. 9), Moiraine claimed that in the region, the Old blood was strong (TEotW, Ch. 18).

There are four villages in the region and a great number of isolated farms. Taren Ferry is furthest north, with Watch Hill, Emond's Field and Deven Ride on the road south

Organisation

Traditionally, each village ruled itself, under the organisation of the Village council, led by the mayor and chosen by the men of the village and the Women's circle, led by the Wisdom and chosen by the women. The two are often in opposition, though in theory, they have well defined boundaries, for example the Women's Circle is responsible for Women's affairs and for matters considered the responsibility of women, such as when to plant and harvest (TEoTW, Glossary). More recently, with the increasing troubles in the world and the Trolloc raids, the villages chose themselves a Lord, Perrin Aybara, who has authority over the region in general (TSR, Ch. 53; LoC, Prologue).

People

The people are mostly dark of hair and eye with few of the men over six feet tall (TEotW, Ch. 40). Women wear their hair long, in a single braid and being allowed to do this is a sign that the Women's circle considers the girl in question to be a woman, most eagerly awaiting the day (TEotW, Ch. 2).

They are known for their stubbornness and refusal to surrender (TEotW, Ch. 1; Ch. 16) but are also able to take a great joy in life, needing little excuse to sing or dance (TEotW, Ch. 1) and can be led if they feel the person is worthy (TEotW, Ch. 40). Taren Ferry was traditionally an exception to this, as it had greater mixing with the outside, and since the village was almost entirely wiped out by Trollocs, almost all who live there are outsiders (LoC, Prologue).

Quotes

"That was the way of most Two Rivers people. People who had to watch the hail beat their crops or the wolves take their lambs, and start over, no matter how many years it happened, did not give up easily. Most of those who did were long since gone" (Rand, The Eye of the World, Chapter 1).