Wheel of Time (Culture)

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Nations and Nationalities

The Westlands

Main article: Nations of the New Era

Although the lands of the Westlands, from the Aiel Waste to the Aryth Ocean are diverse with many nations, there are some aspects that are common throughout. There is little if any formal education, though literacy rates are high and many people are able to read, for example in the Two Rivers, where literacy is valued, parents teach children, parents send their children to locals known to be knolwegeable. Sometimes a village might hire a sort of schoolmaster, but this is usually thought to be a waste of money since the parents between them have enough knowledge to teach most subjects to the extent necessary (November 22 2005).

Nobility rule in each land, which were formed in the War of the Hundred Years. Most nations have a strong sense of self identity, with Murandy and Altara being the exceptions, in which people more often associate themselves with the local Lord or lady than the king or Queen

Other Cultures

The Aiel
Main article: Aiel

The Aiel are a people who inhabit the area of the Dragonwall known as the Aiel Waste. They have no nobility and are ruled by Clan chiefs, one for each of the twelve clans, with Sept Chiefs under them and Wise Ones and Roofmistresses alongside. The leaders of each of the Warrior Societies also have great influence.

The Sea Folk
Main article: Sea Folk

The Atha'an Miere, or Seafolk, are a group of people whose ancestors fled to the sea to escape the chaos of the Breaking and who now live almost exclusively at sea, spending little time on land. Those who do spend time on land, such as the governors of the various Sea Folk Islands will return to sea to give birth, even if this is on a small row boat (TSR, Ch. 19). In both the Aryth Ocean and the Sea of Storms, there are many Islands under the control of the Sea Folk, the Sea Folk Isles. Porcelain from them is highly thought of, though in fact, this so called "Sea Folk porcelain" is made by the islands inhabitants, the Amayar. They have a strict hierarchy and each knows their place and would not step beyond it.

Seanchan
Main article: Seanchan

The Seanchan empire has a complex class structure. At the top is the nobility, the Blood, divided into the High blood and the Low Blood (WH, Ch. 21). Originally, these were descendants of the nobles that accompanied Luthair, but it is possible for commoners to have their name added to the Blood and to become nobility, or for nobles to be adopted into the Imperial family (TPoD, Ch. 24). The Imperial family rank above both of these. Under the blood, are commoners with slaves, da'covale, typically occupying the lowest rung of the ladder. so'jhin are da'covale, but do not fit entirely within the structure, as the so'jhin of the blood are considered of higher rank than commoners, and so'jhin of the high blood, or imperial family are often considered of higher rank than the low blood. Seanchan people do not meet the eyes of those of higher rank than them, and if the difference is great, they will not even look directly into their eyes.

The Tua'athon
Main article: Tuatha'an

The Tuatha'an, commonly called the Tinkers or the Traveling people, are a group of itinerant wanders, living in wagons, small houses on wheels, tall wooden boxes laquered and painted in bright colours, reds and blues and yellows and greens among other hues. They follow a pacifist way of life, moving from place to place, avoiding anything larger than a small village, never staying long in any one place, seeking the song, which they believe will bring back the lost days of peace. They have the origins in the Dai'shan Aiel during the Age of Legends

Military

National Armies

Most standing national armies are small, a few thousand men at most and are only increased when needed, This is done though intermediaries, who use their own money to recruit and promote men in their own ranks (Template:Bwb26. National armies include:

  • Amadicia: Guardians of the Gate
  • Andor: The Queen's Guard
  • Ghealdan: The Legion of the Wall
  • Illian: The Companions in Illian
  • Mayene: The Winged Guards
  • Tarabon: The King's Life Guard and the Panarch's Legion
  • Tear: The Defenders of the Stone in Tear

The Aiel

The Aiel do not have their own national army, but each clan is capable of raising a force from each of the Warrior Societies. Members of the same Society will not fight each other.

The Seanchan

Main article: Seanchan (Military)

The Children of the Light

Main article: Children of the Light

The Legion of the Dragon

Main article: Legion of the Dragon

The Band of the Red Hand

Main article: Band of the Red Hand

Aes Sedai Forces

Main article: Younglings
Main article: Tower Guard

Other Groups

Aes Sedai

Main article: Aes Sedai

The Ogier

Main article: Ogier

The Illuminators

Main article: Illuminators

Valan Luca's Circus

Main article: Valan Luca's Circus

Darkfriends

Main article: Darkfriends

Dragonsworn

Main article: Dragonsworn