Aes Sedai

The Aes Sedai are an organization that feature in The Wheel of Time.

History

The Aes Sedai (Old Tongue: Servant of All)

In the Old Tongue, Aes Sedai (pronounced: /ˈaɪz sɛˈdaɪ/) means "servants of all," and the Aes Sedai of the Age of Legends lived up to this definition. They aided mankind as scientists, healers, and philosophers. Women used saidar and men saidin, although it is believed that channelers in the Age of Legends were much stronger, or at least more knowledgeable, in the Power than their modern equivalents; it is believed that they could fly, and things that would seem miraculous today were supposedly commonplace to them. Some of their lost Talents, such as Traveling and Dreaming, have only just been rediscovered. One thing is clear, however; the greatest works were wrought by male and female channelers working together. Additionally, due to the social structure of the Age of Legends being based on how well one served society, the Aes Sedai as an organization were held in extremely high regard and were very well respected due to the fact that, with the advantage of being able to channel, the Aes Sedai contributed extraordinarily to the betterment of humankind.

It was an Aes Sedai research team at the Collam Daan that ripped open the Dark One's prison. The researchers, headed by Mierin Eronaile, thought they had found a power that both men and women could wield. They were not entirely mistaken, but it allowed the Dark One to manipulate the darkest desires of those that lived in the Age of Legends. What followed was a general collapse of civilization over the course of 100-110 years, concluding in the War of Power. It is said that, during this time, almost half of all Aes Sedai went over to the Shadow. In the end, the Dragon, with the help of the Hundred Companions, sealed the Dark One and the Forsaken in his prison at Shayol Ghul, and the Dark One's final counterattack tainted saidin itself, eventually driving all male channelers mad.

Overview

Aes Sedai rank themselves according to a strict hierarchy based on the levels of powers in saidar and also the ruling positions established by elections (as the Amyrlin Seat, the Ajah Heads, the Sitters in the Hall) or directly chosen and appointed by this women to another ruling position (as the Keeper of the Chronicles, the Mistress of Novices, the Head of a delegation, etc.). Usually the women chosen in such ruling offices stand already in a high hierarchical position being among the strongest in the levels of power. Despite the strict hierarchy based on strength in the One Power, a Sister's strength or standing compared to other Sisters is not usually openly discussed, and it is considered rude to do so. Rather, Aes Sedai naturally expect weaker Sisters to submit to the authority of stronger Sisters which younger initiates learn on their own without explicit instruction.

Members

• Moiraine Damodred :
• Egwene al'Vere :
• Nynaeve al'Meara :
• Elayne Trakand :
• Cadsuane Melaidhrin :
• Elaida do Avriny a'Roihan :

Notes

• The Aes Sedai were created by Robert Jordan where they featured in the setting of the The Wheel of Time universe.

Appearances

• The Wheel of Time:

External Links

• The Wheel of Time Wiki Entry

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