Aiel Information - Information on the Aiel

[Ghaul]

  Now, this is one of the two things and Aiel initiate should do. All tasks mentioned here are to be done OOC, by E-mail or instant messangers between the Aiel initiate and me, Ghaul( my contact are listed in the Aiel Information - Contacts List thread ), unless it says otherwise in the task and shall take place before the RPer joins any RPs. I personally suggest doing these at the stage in whcih you'll prepare your bio. Thank you in advance.

 

  The Waste and History of the Aiel

 

East of the Dragonwall and west of the cliffs and chasms of Shara lies the Aiel Waste (or as they term it The Three Fold Land – as they believe it is 1) a shaping stone to make them 2) a testing ground to prove their worth and 3) a punishment for their sin – this sin is unknown to most Aiel). Called Djevik K’Shar “The Dying Ground” in the Trolloc tongue, it is a harsh, rugged, and all but waterless land that appears uninhabitable. Yet this Waste is home to the Aiel, a race of people as fierce and hardy as their rugged environment. These tall and fair-haired people are lethal fighters and skilled trackers, with both men and women serving as warriors. Believed to the most deadly fighters on the continent, if not in the world, they veil their faces before they kill and have established a well earned reputation for defending their land from outsiders.

 

Only peddlers, gleeman the Tuatha’an Tinkers dare enter the TFL and Aiel welcome only the first two and fastidiously avoid the third. – Cairhien were also once also welcomed.

 

History

 

All Aiel are aware of the following history of the Aiel

 

The Aiel roamed as nomads after the Breaking and discovered only one people still capable of generosity. As they passed through the land now known as Cairhien the people there allowed them to dig wells for water. This Water Gift forged a strong bond between the two Nations and a hundred years later the Aiel made a gift to the Cairhien – Advendoraldera, a sapling of the one surviving chora tree

 

Once settled in the Three Fold Land the Aiel separated into different Clans which came to number twelve and each Clan grew to be as large as a nation, fighting with each other, and raiding each other and attacking almost anyone who dared enter the Three Fold Land – dubbed “wetlanders” by the Aiel. The Silk Road ( a trading route to the mysterious Shara nation) was allowed only to the Aiel and their allies the Cairhien. Peddlers were also welcomed while Tinkers were tolerated but never approached.

 

The Aiel have crossed the Dragonwall only once in their long exile. When King Laman of Cairhien cut down the Advendoraldera (976NE) in order to construct a throne four of the Aiel clans invaded the Wetlands. The nations of the western lands banded together to fight the Aiel but never defeated them. Laman was finally killed in the Battle of the Shining Walls, also known as the Blood Snow.

 

As of current Ghaul is the Clan Chief of the Dragonmount Aiel

 

Assignment: What do you believe is the most significant point in the history of the Aiel?

 

 

[Ghaul]

  Societal Structure and Kinship

 

The Aiel have a precise and complex system of structure and relationships as well as a specific term for every relationship of blood and marriage.

 

First brothers and first sisters are those who have the same mother, but not necessarily the same father. Among the Aiel having eh same mother means a closer relationship than having the same father.

 

Second brothers and second sisters are the children of one’s mother’s first brother or first sister (termed cousin in our world).

 

Sister fathers and Sister mothers are the first sister or first brother of the mother (termed Aunt in our world).

 

Friends who are as close as first sisters and first brothers are called near sisters or near brothers – near sisters often perform a ceremony involving the One Power that makes them first sisters – near brothers almost never do.

 

Sister Wives are those women who are both wed to the same man.

 

The Clans and Septs of the Aiel

 

Taardad

Maidi, Nine Valleys, Bitter Water, Jagged Spire, Four Holes, Iron Mountain, Bloody Water, Jindo, Four Stones, Chumai

 

Sharrad

Black Rock, Haido, Imran

 

Goshien

Stones River, Jhirad, Mosaada, Red Water, High Plain

 

Chareen

White Mountain, Jarra, Cosaida/Cosaada

 

Nakai

Black Water, Black Cliffs, Salt Flat

 

Codarra

Jaern Rift

 

Daryne

Shelan, Bent Peak

 

Tomanelle

Jenda, Shorara, Serai

 

Shiande

Neder

 

Ryne

Musara, Two Spires

 

Miagoma

Smoke Water, Spine Ridge, Cold Peak

 

Shaido

Domai, Jumai, Jonine, Green Salts and Moshaine

 

Societies

 

These are the mighty warrior societies of the Aiel, noted as the most fearsome on the continent.

 

Aethan Dor (the Red Shields) function as clan policemen and peacekeepers. There job is to break up fights not start them. They have a wide range of skill level with several better than average fighters. The job description implies that self-defense is the primary objective.

 

Cor Darei (the Night Spears) warrior society specializes in combat at night. This group is mentioned very little in the book, but we believe they are used as night scouts and dependable warriors. At DM they used to call themselves “the society that runs around at night raiding people”

 

Duahde Mahdi'in (the Water Seekers) warrior society does not actually seek water (which is the Wise Ones job) but guard the water sources, the three fold land's most precious and scarce resource, and the hold cisterns. They are comprised mainly of good scouts and average warriors.

 

Far Aldazar Din (the Brothers of the Eagle) members are better than average fighters, and they are, most often times, used as scouts. Other than specializing in archery this society has particularly strong emphasis in stealth. This combination allows them to be utilized as an excellent reconnaissance unit. Whereas Far Daries Mai may also be used as scouts, this society contains the best scouts.

 

Far Daries Mai (the Maidens of the Spear) is the most well known society from the books. Comprised entirely of women, this society has a number of different qualities and jobs. 1) The maidens have an entire language of hand talk. 2) The maidens are dreaded for their game of maidens kiss. 3) The maidens are used as scouts and have the widest range of skill amongst their warriors. 4) The maidens carry the Car a Carn’s honor.

 

Hama N'dore (the Mountain Dancers) warriors are very nimble. Their specialty is balance. They are said to be able to dance on the edge of a knife. Their focus on balance makes them unsurpassed when it comes to fighting in mountains, ridges and all terrain of this type. They are among the best and most valuable warriors in the dance, and they are used as fast and heavy attackers. Since the Aiel do not ride horses, this society is the closest thing to a heavy cavalry that the Aiel have.

 

Rahien Sorei (the Dawn Runners) get very little description in the books, but we found enough information to realize they are messengers, glorified letter carriers, or in today’s terms postal workers. It is important to remember that the Ming Dynasty fell because of a disgruntled postal worker, so it is folly to underestimate this societies worth. In reality, the Dawn Runners' primary duty is to keep the lines of communication open during battle. Though the Dawn Runners have some of the weakest fighters (though a handful are above average) they are stealthy and have great endurance; this helps them do their duty even better.

 

Seia Doon (the Black Eyes) is a society of “stealthy assassin types” that focus mainly on being neither heard nor seen. No one is stealthier than the Blackeyes or more deadly on limited terrain. These are the closest warriors to spies and assassins, but they are not spies and calling them assassins would likely offend them. This society has the most unique understanding of Ji eh Toh, and only the newest recruit would believe he owed toh. Almost all the warriors of this society are far above average.

 

Sha'mad Conde (the Thunder Walkers) warriors make regular trips to the blight to kill Trollocs, which is there job. When it comes to shadowspawn these guys are the step ahead in tactics (because they know how Trollocs think and such), and unflinching bravery.

 

Shae'en M'taal (the Stone Dogs) warriors are the defense of the clan, focusing more on hand-to-hand combat than anything. From the books we know that Stone Dogs: never run from battle and are some of the most dangerous men in battle. Owning the largest armory and nicest roof. Because of their doctrine of never running from battle the Stone Dogs are trained to be better at everything than any other society EXCEPT for these 6 areas: 1) Hama N'dore in balance. 2) Siea Doon in stealth. 3) Sovin Nai in knives. 4) Shamad Conde in trolloc knowledge. 5) Far Aldazar Din in archery. 6) Tain Shari in tactics.

 

Sovin Nai (the Knife Hands) warriors are among the most well rounded warriors. They are nearly as good or as good as the Stone Dogs in most areas including stealth and tactics. They are slightly weaker than the Stone Dogs in archery and spear use. However, the Knife Hands outclass EVERY society in the use of knives, both throwing and hand-to-hand. The Knife Hands roof and armory is second only to the Stone Dogs, but the Sovin Nai oo'squai is the BEST IN THE THREEFOLD LAND (‘Nai Squai’ preferred by nine out of ten Wise Ones).

 

Tain Shari (the True Bloods) society is the home of the thinkers of the clan. Their main job is tactics, though they are mostly average to below average warriors, they work behind the scenes and come up with those vital battle plans that win the day. Truthfully this is the only society in which all the warriors do this planning. The only other people who help plan battles are the clan chief and the SL's. No other society even teaches battle planning.

 

Other Important Roles

 

Clan Chief

Sept Chief

Wise Ones, those who have been chosen and completed two trips to the City of Rhuidean.

Roofmistress, who has the ability to turn anyone away from water and shade, even her own husband (always the Clan Chief) if she desires.

Blacksmiths are highly revered among the Aiel and not able to serve as gaishain.

Weavers, who use textiles such as wool and algode to weave a variety of fabrics. The wool is acquired from sheep goats of the herds and algode from the roof gardens.

Miners, the Aiel mine their own gold and silver, as well as rubies, sapphires, moonstones and firedrops.

 

Assignment: Where do you believe Jordan received his inspiration for the Aiel?

[Ghaul]

  Culture/ Rhuidean/ The Lost Ones

 

The Aiel begin learning survival skills and the handling of the spear at a very young age, with games designed to enhance skill, speed, and accuracy. But they are also taught ji e toh and politics, as well as basic arithmetic and reading. Though they appear to live a barbaric life they value books and literature highly and are usually well educated.

 

No longer nomadic they have carved out strongholds among the cliffs, hills and canyons of the Waste. Each sept has its own holds. In most Holds the dwellings are clay and brick on the surface, with flat roofs for gardens, but usually burrowed deeply into stone to form spacious and comfortable rooms well insulated from the heat.

 

Aiel rooms are carpeted with layers of rugs, hung with tapestries, and furnished with comfortable mats and cushions, shelves and tables – never chairs – the Clan Chief alone owns a chair which he only uses for pronouncing judgments. Though the Aiel dress plainly their homes are usually draped in bright colors and a variety of textures. Fine statuary, porcelains and a wide variety of books line the niches of many.

 

The Fifth – a tradition of looting in which a fifth of the goods in any raid or war is allowed to them to acquire rare items. Their trade with Shara has brought them silks and ivory as well.

 

The Aiel enjoy a varied diet including fruits, grains and vegetables harvested by gaishain from roof gardens, goat meat and milk from the herds.

 

The code of dress among the Aiel has changed little since they were the Da’shain Aiel, the cadin’sor worn by all men and Maidens is an adaptation of the Da’shain working clothes and roughly translates from the Old Tongue as such. The classic coat and breeches are colored in browns or grays that fade into rock, sand or shadow. The Aiel add soft, laced knee high boots and the shoufa a scarf-like garment that is wrapped around the head and neck, leaving only the face bare. When preparing to kill the Aiel pull the shoufa over the nose and mouth, veiling the face according the tradition. The cut of the cadinsor si individual for each clan and has slight variations according to sept, though and outlander might not notice the differences. All Aiel men and the women who are Maidens wear their hair short except for a tail on the nape of the neck. Women who are not Maidens wear their hair shoulder length and longer, but rarely braid or gather it up. They frequently pull it away from their face with a scarf. Their long skins, blouses and shawls are in drab desert colors, and they adorn themselves with many bracelets and necklaces, often carved ivory or precious metals. High ranking women are likely to display an abundance of valuable jewelry. Maidens often posses jewelry but rarely wear more than an occasional piece at a special event. Men wear no jewelry at all.

 

 

Rhuidean

 

Most Aiel only know that Rhuidean was built by the Jenn Aiel and each Sept and Clan Chief is required to visit the cloud shrouded city. Such men bear the mark of a chief, placed in his skin at Rhuidean, that has the look of a strange metallic bracelet (a dragon twining around a single arm) Those who would be Wise Ones are required to visit twice but are not marked so.

 

The true Legacy of Rhuidean (until the unveiling by Jarron (our Rand) when he was named the Caracarn) is known only to those who pass through its walls.

 

The Lost Ones (or Tinnkers or Tuathaan are the descendents of the most original Dashain Aiel who still follow the Way of the Leaf. Only Sept and Clan Chiefs and Wise Ones are aware of this connection prior to the unveiling of Rhuidean by the Caracarn)

 

Assignment: If you were Jordan what would you have changed about the Aiel and why? Past/present or future.

 

[Ghaul]

  How to Speak Aiel

 

The Aiel often use the Old Tongue, especially when naming a place or adversary. Below are the links to both an Old Tongue dictionary and the Wise One Website page listing commonly used words and phrases.

 

http://www.geocities.com/wiseoneroof/speakingaiel.html

http://www.angelfire.com/tx/jcs97b/otd.html

 

Assignment: Please start a thread here http://forums.dragonmount.com/index.php/board,72.0.html and rp your character arriving at the Dragonmount Hold and meeting various members utilizing what you know about the Aiel. Please post your link here!