[In Works] The Dragonmount Tuatha'an (Please Comment!!)

[Guest Arie Ronshor]

The Dragonmount Tuatha'an ~ The Travelling People

 

 

Introduction:

 

Robert Jordon only left us with a very simple understanding of the Travelling People, also known as Tinkers. Originating as far back as the Da'Shain Aiel, they follow a life of peace and song, also known as "The Way of the Leaf", while looking for the human half of the Tree-Song (Ogier) or "The Song".

 

But who are they? Where can they be found? What is it like to be a Tinker?

 

[Cue music.. soft flutes and fingers picking at a lute or two. A fiddle harmonizes in the background.]

 

Listen in, Lost Ones, and we will answer all that you ask.

 

History:

 

Unknown to all, the Tinkers share ancestors with the Aiel. Back in the AoL before the collapse the Aes Sedai charged the Aiel to guard Angreal and other items to the Da'Shain Clan. The Da'Shain Aiel (OT: dedicated to peace) were not war nor cause-minded people. Many were unhappy with this, and found it a useless and unworthy cause and turned away from the Aiel. Forsaking the Oaths they made to the Aes Sedai, they instead took up a far more worthy path. To Seek the Human half of the Tree-Song. (See The Song). Adopting the Ji'e'toh, the newly appointed Tuatha'an instead followed the Siedre.

 

Althought the memory of the offense lasted long in the Aiel waste, the actual deed was not. Because of this the Aiel avoid contact with the Tinkers as much as necessary, allowing them to pass through the waste unmolested.

 

 

The People:

 

There are never declared specifics to how many groups of Tinkers there are at any given time in the WoT world. Very little beyond their existence and simple way of life is known. 

 

Tinkers are split into 3 main Families which become 8-12 Children Families, or Atha'an. Over the years the families expand and diminish in numbers based on numerous variables (death, birth, joining, violence *shutter*). They all travel in various directions, sometimes meeting up with other families to share their fires and songs.

 

Atha'an (Old tongue) means "People".

 

mahdi'in = seekers

 

 

The Hierarchy:

 

In each group of Tinkers where is a Mahdi (The Seeker) who leads the Caravans. Below him is a group of succssion based on skill and age (Varies from caravan to caravan). It is also favoured that the Mahdi to have a form of Listening to the Wind. It is hard to say exactly how it manifests in a Tinker as they do not touch the One Power. But it is believed thier peaceful ways play a very important part in the balance of the Pattern (or Web) of Randland.

 

Other higher ranking members of note are:

 

Dagda - LoreMaster (Wisdom or Herbalist)

-- Dagd'in - Women with the skills in herb lore. They answer to the Dagda like an Aes Sedai to her Ajah Head.

 

The Lugh (the "loo") - Master Crafter

-- Goi'lugh - SmithCraft

-- Cor'lugh - Woodsmith

 

(etc... need more crafts and names. Look to Celtic Lore for name and OT consistancy.)

 

Siedre ~ Way of the Leaf:

 

What does it mean to follow the Way of the Leaf?

 

See the leaf on the tree. The leaf lives its appointed time on the branch, fighting neither wind, rain, or cold, and does not resist when the time comes to fall from the branch. So we should live our lives. We do no violence against another, because to do violence causes hurt not only to the target, but to the one who does the violence.  You take a nice sharp ax and you chop a tree down.  The tree is damaged and falls, and the ax is unharmed. That's how most see it, but it is not true.  The wood and sap dull the blade, even corrode it with time, damage that causes the blade to have to be cleaned and sharpened. So it is if a person does violence, though the damage may only be to the sole.

 

If a person come up to you and punches you, do not punch them back. Instead ask them why they did it, as only through seeking answers can we find peace and understanding. If they punch you again, then run away. Better to run away then to keep letting your attacker harm themselves as well as you.  The same if they threaten you with the sword. Better to run away, or except the end of your life, then to harm another. And hope that in harming you he is not harmed too much himself.

 

Accept what comes as the will of the Creator and the Pattern, and know that all things happen for a reason. Accept your place in the Pattern willingly, and do not struggle against where the Weaving takes you.

 

The Song:

 

"What is the song"

 

 

Ways of Traveling:

 

"About the Caravans"

"Where they Travel"

 

 

The Lochlann (in Cairlain Grass Plains (??))

 

It is said that the Tinkers gather once a year to be one large family greeting and then seperate again to travel. Where they meet is a closely guarded secret, and the fact remains that it is actually never in the same place twice.

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

This is about what I started.. People are more than welcome to help fill it out.. i'll probably add mroe here and there, but just to give everyone a heads up as to where this is.. been tinkering with is at work on the odd quiet times.. *chuckles*... pun unintended..

[Guest Arie Ronshor]

*Moved to FL Public*

[bcxanth]

Actually hon, I was just reading in Knife of Dreams last night, and there's a bit of info there about the yearly gathering.  From a PoV provided by Mat we learn that the tinkers have spontanious celebrations whenever 3 or more groups meet. However the main celebration happens once a year, on Sunday, but there isn't just one gathering spot. There are "several predetermined meeting spots" that are all used.  The impression given is that the Tinkers all know where those spots are, and they head toward whichever one is closest.

[Guest Arie Ronshor]

bah.. didn't know that. .but certain good to know :) I will add it in and cintinue to sort this out when i get back. :)

[bcxanth]

Yeah, I figured you didn't know, because you're a horribly slow reader. :P

[Guest Arie Ronshor]

Shush.. 

[bcxanth]

What does it mean to follow the Way of the Leaf?

 

See the leaf on the tree. The leaf lives it's appointed time on the branch, fighting neither wind, rain, or cold, and does not resist when the time comes to fall from the branch. So we should live our lives. We do no violence against another, because to do violence causes hurt not only to the target, but to teh one who does the violence.  You take a nice sharp ax and you chop a tree down.  the tree is damaged and falls, and the ax is unharmed. That's how most see it, but it is not true.  The wood and sap dull the blade, even corrode it with time, damage that causes the blade to have to be cleaned and sharpened. So it is if a person does violence, though the damage may only be to the sole.

 

If a person come up to yuo and punches you, do not punch them back. Instead ask them why they did it, as only through seeking answers can we find peace and understanding. If they punch you again, then run away. Better to run away then to keep letting your attacker harm themselves as well as you.  The same if they threaten you with the sword. Better to run away, or except the end of your life, then to harm another. And hope that in harming you he is not harmed too much himself.

 

Accept what comes as the will of the Creator and the Pattern, and know that all things happen for a reason. Accept your place in the Pattern willingly, and do not struggle against where the Weaving takes you.

[Liitha]

OK, as far as Tinker meetings. We find a little about it in KoD.

 

(SPOILERS)

 

 

When Perrin goes to get the forkroot with the Seanchan he sees that there are a couple groups of tinkers there. He thinks that there is feasting when two groups of Tinkers meet. Even longer feasting when three meet and you never see more than that meeting except on Sunday (summer solstice[sp?]) when they meet in their meeting places (but he doesn't mention where they are).

 

When Mat chases Tuon on her horse and the Tinkers come to them is where we hear that the Tinkers are travelling to Seanchan controlled lands to take advantage of the security to be found there.

 

 

 

Hope that helps.

 

 

 

 

http://forums.dragonmount.com/index.php/topic,21705.0.html

 

tinker discusion started by me to retrive info from those who enjoy rereading and discuss book stuff

[bcxanth]

I thought it was from Mat while he was riding with the Show from Abou Dar and keeps remarking on all the Tinkers they meet heading toward the city.  Either way, teh part about Sunday I already told her. :)  I forgot to mention the Ebou Dar thing though.

[Guest Arie Ronshor]

You have been given your assignment. :P End of the week, boy! ;)