In one Age, called the Fourth Age by some, an Age yet to come, an Age long past, a wind rose in the Land of the Crystal Throne. It sped across the great Aryth Ocean to the Tai’Seanchan coast. It continued over the Mountains of Mist, picking up the scent of Two Rivers fine tabac and singing along to a tune made by a Tinker’s tea kettle. It swirled around the vast prairie known as the Caralain Grass, with it’s Black Tower fortress, and the island city of Tar Valon, home of the fabled Ogier-made White Tower...The wind swept through the valleys, skimming along the lake that once was Shadar Logoth, lifting the raven in flight. It howled through the Blight past the snorts and bellows of Trollocs, carrying on it the stench of their cookpots and rot as it whipped by a Myrddraal without creating so much as a ripple in its dark cloak. If you listen closely to the wind you can hear the sound of “friends” whispering in the dark as it whistles by you. The shadows beckon you to their warm embrace; where will the wind take you? For you must know, the wind was not the beginning. There are neither beginnings nor endings to the turning of the Wheel of Time. But it was A beginning.
M'Hael - The highest in military rank of the Asha'man, he is Elected by the War Council. M'Hael means "leader" in the Old Tongue. He both leads the Black Tower, and the country of Caralain.
Tsorovan'm'hael (Storm Leader) and The Baijan'm'hael (Attack Leader) are appointed by the M’Hael and they’re a bit like the MoN and MotY, but also advisors to the M’Hael and second only to his authority.
Captain General - The five Captain-Generals (one per per Legion) make up the War Council. The War Council meets rarely, It’s not as parliamentary as the Hall. They only convene when something particularly concerning to all Legions/the Tower itself comes up. Their biggest duty is electing new M’Haels, but they also serve as judges for any male channeler accused of crimes against Caralain, the Tower and/or the Dragon’s Peace. The M’Hael can override their decision (excepting obviously the raising or deposing of a M’Hael) but if the Tsorovan and Baijan’m’haels stand with the Council, his override is overridden.
Captain - Each Legion has four captains. Each of those is appointed to a certain theater:
North: the Borderlands + Blight (Saldaea, Kandor, Arafel, Shienar, Malkier)
South: Nations along the Sea of Storms (Tear, Illian, Murandy, Far Madding)
West: Nations along the Aryth Ocean (Arad Doman and Tai'Seanchan)
Central: Nations nearest to the BT (Andor, Manetheren, Cairhien, Caralain)
They make frequent status updates to their Captain-General via Traveler messenger and/or Dream Walkers, receiving orders in the same manner. The day-to-day running of the Legions is on the Captains, under the command of the Captain Generals, who answer to the M’Hael.
Lieutenant - Captains choose Lieutenants as point men on the ground in specific nations. They report directly to their captain and oversee the Black Tower's business in their assigned nation.
Asha'man - They wear the silver sword pin as well as a gold-and-red Dragon pin on the right side of their collars. They are equivalent to a full Aes Sedai in the White Tower. While they do have more freedom than Soldiers and Dedicated, they are still expected to follow the command of more senior Asha'man. Mostly independent agents, they operate alone or in pairs, carrying out missions and directives issued by their Lieutenants. They are typically stationed somewhere with a directive, but how they accomplish that is completely up to them. They report directly to their Lieutenant, especially in case of emergencies or large-scale conflict.
Dedicated - Those who have advanced to a certain level of skill; they wear a silver sword pin on the left side of their collars. They are equivalent to an Accepted in the White Tower. Their training is exploring the roles of the different Legions to learn and also to see which one they’d like to join. Depending on the Legion, that can mean that they are rarely in Caralain/BT and instead are sent on missions by Lieutenants along side the Asha'man.
Soldier - The lowest rank; they wear no decoration on the collars of their distinctive black coats and are equivalent to a novice in the White Tower. Unlike novices, Soldiers are required to carry out all chores with the One Power. Soldiers are only allowed outside of Caralain/BT if they have been given instruction to do so by a Lieutenant or Higher and are accompanied by a full Asha’man or Higher.
Tsorovan'm'hael (Storm Leader) and The Baijan'm'hael (Attack Leader) are appointed by the M’Hael and they’re a bit like the MoN and MotY, but also advisors to the M’Hael and second only to his authority.
Captain General - The five Captain-Generals (one per per Legion) make up the War Council. The War Council meets rarely, It’s not as parliamentary as the Hall. They only convene when something particularly concerning to all Legions/the Tower itself comes up. Their biggest duty is electing new M’Haels, but they also serve as judges for any male channeler accused of crimes against Caralain, the Tower and/or the Dragon’s Peace. The M’Hael can override their decision (excepting obviously the raising or deposing of a M’Hael) but if the Tsorovan and Baijan’m’haels stand with the Council, his override is overridden.
Captain - Each Legion has four captains. Each of those is appointed to a certain theater:
North: the Borderlands + Blight (Saldaea, Kandor, Arafel, Shienar, Malkier)
South: Nations along the Sea of Storms (Tear, Illian, Murandy, Far Madding)
West: Nations along the Aryth Ocean (Arad Doman and Tai'Seanchan)
Central: Nations nearest to the BT (Andor, Manetheren, Cairhien, Caralain)
They make frequent status updates to their Captain-General via Traveler messenger and/or Dream Walkers, receiving orders in the same manner. The day-to-day running of the Legions is on the Captains, under the command of the Captain Generals, who answer to the M’Hael.
Lieutenant - Captains choose Lieutenants as point men on the ground in specific nations. They report directly to their captain and oversee the Black Tower's business in their assigned nation.
Asha'man - They wear the silver sword pin as well as a gold-and-red Dragon pin on the right side of their collars. They are equivalent to a full Aes Sedai in the White Tower. While they do have more freedom than Soldiers and Dedicated, they are still expected to follow the command of more senior Asha'man. Mostly independent agents, they operate alone or in pairs, carrying out missions and directives issued by their Lieutenants. They are typically stationed somewhere with a directive, but how they accomplish that is completely up to them. They report directly to their Lieutenant, especially in case of emergencies or large-scale conflict.
Dedicated - Those who have advanced to a certain level of skill; they wear a silver sword pin on the left side of their collars. They are equivalent to an Accepted in the White Tower. Their training is exploring the roles of the different Legions to learn and also to see which one they’d like to join. Depending on the Legion, that can mean that they are rarely in Caralain/BT and instead are sent on missions by Lieutenants along side the Asha'man.
Soldier - The lowest rank; they wear no decoration on the collars of their distinctive black coats and are equivalent to a novice in the White Tower. Unlike novices, Soldiers are required to carry out all chores with the One Power. Soldiers are only allowed outside of Caralain/BT if they have been given instruction to do so by a Lieutenant or Higher and are accompanied by a full Asha’man or Higher.
Advancement decisions are made at the Captain level, who in addition to watching their own Legions, also evaluate new recruits who are recommended by regular Asha'men for advancement. Any Captain can promote a Soldier to Dedicated. Going from Dedicated to Asha'man requires approval from all four Captains of the Legion they wish to join. These Captains also elect the Captain Generals of their Legions who make up the War Council.
