The Aiel Waste

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The Aiel Waste
Political information
Demonym Aiel

The Aiel Waste Tis the almost-waterless stretch of land between the Spine of the World in the west and the Cliffs of Dawn and Great Rift in the east. It has been inhabited by the Aiel, since the same period of time in which the Aes Sedai built Tar Valon. To the north are the Mountains of Dhoom and to the south the Termool desert. As such, there are few ways into or out of the Waste; it is very well isolated. The Aiel themselves refer to it as the Three Fold Land - a shaping stone to make them; a testing ground to prove their worth; and a punishment for their sin. They allow few to enter the Waste. Gleemen and peddlers are welcome, as long as they have a guide, while Tuatha'an are ignored. Until the Aiel War, Cairhienin were also allowed passage, but this changed when Laman cut down Avendoraldera. As what seems to be the remains of a port is located high in the Jangai Pass, it seems likely that much of the Waste was underwater before the Breaking.

History

The Trolloc Wars did not really touch the Waste. Those times the Trollocs did invade, they were defeated. They now refer to it as Djevik K'Shar, the Dying ground.

Aiel Holds

There are no towns and cities, other than Rhuidean in the three fold land. The equivalent for such a concept for the Aiel is a hold. Holds are usually natural landforms that have been built upon to accommodate Aiel septs.

Aiel are known for their traveling and they seek their rest in so called stands. Stands are much smaller than holds, and are usually built near a source of water. They generally consist of few buildings and are often used for grazing purposes.

  • Bent Valley Hold
  • Cold Rocks Hold
  • Colrada Hold
  • Comarda Hold
  • Hot Springs Hold
  • Mainde Cut Hold
  • Red Springs Hold
  • Shende Hold
  • Shiagi Hold
  • Smoke Springs Hold
  • Sulara Hold

Places in the Waste

Alcair Dal

Alcair Dal, the Golden Bowl, is a meeting place in the Waste, a few days from Rhuidean, where something similar to the peace of Rhuidean holds. It is almost perfectly round, its gray wall sloped all the way around except at the far end, where it curls inward like a breaking wave. Rand announced he was the Car'a'carn at Alcair Dal.

Chaendaer

Chaendaer (pronounced CHAY-ehn-DARE) is a mountain right next to Rhuidean, where Wise Ones and Clan chiefs wait when a person goes to Rhuidean. It has a Portal Stone, suggesting it may not have been underwater in the Age of Legends.

Imre Stand

Imre Stand is a place in the Waste known as a source of water - a pool approximately two paces across, arising from a small spring - and as somewhere for herdsmen to rest. It has several buildings that blend into the background, with arrow slits for defense. It had been attacked by Trollocs before Rand reached it.

Rhuidean

Rhuidean was built deep within the Aiel Waste, in the valley beneath a mountain named Chaendaer, by Aes Sedai who survived the Breaking. The design of the city was probably inspired by their memories of cities before the Breaking. It has tall buildings of many-coloured shining glass reaching into the sky, exquisite statues and wide avenues. The last surviving chora tree, Avendesora, was planted in the central square.

Rhuidean lies in the land of the Jenn Aiel; until recently, only women seeking to be Wise Ones and men seeking to be clan chiefs were allowed into the city (TGH, Ch. 28). Women may only enter twice, men only once and only those of Aiel blood.

Aiel do not speak of Rhuidean to outsiders. No blood may be shed of one traveling to or from Rhuidean.

The Portal Stone symbol for Rhuidean is two triangles, each surrounding a fork of lightning, one pointing left, one pointing right.

You cannot enter Rhuidean in Tel'aran'rhiod.

Animals & Plants

Not many animals live in the Aiel Waste, but the ones that do are usually as treacherous as the land itself. The Waste has a number of animals not found elsewhere, many of them poisonous or venomous, though the Aiel typically know how to safely eat them. The Aiel Waste has almost no vegetation and what little exists is small and virtually useless. The only known Chora tree, Avendesora, also known as the Tree of Life, resides in Rhuidean's central square.

Algode A plant, likely cotton

Crockobur A nest making animal with a penchant for the dramatic.

Gara A poisonous brown and yellow lizard that can bite through a boot but is too slow to be truly dangerous.

Lopinginny A bird that acts tough but is cowardly. The term is also used for people.

Meegerling An animal known for its stupidity.

Scarlet Puffer A non venomous snake.

Segade Simblossoms A plant.

Sorda A rank tasting rat that not even cats will eat.

Two-Step A small brown highly venomous snake, named for the speed with which it kills.

Zemai A food, likely maize.

See also: Category: Aiel
See also: Category: Aiel (people)

References