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.
The Amyrlin Seat
The Amyrlin is chosen by the Hall of the Tower and ends her reign in only three ways: death, being deposed by the Hall, or retirement from the order of the Aes Sedai.
The Amyrlin‘s full title is "Watcher of the Seals. The Flame of Tar Valon. The Amyrlin Seat," but she is usually just referred to as the Amyrlin. The Amyrlin is assisted in her duties by the Keeper of the Chronicles, who is second in command and traditionally sits in on most audiences.
The Amyrlin Seat conducts most of her business in The Amyrlin's Study, save for ceremonial events and addresses to the Tower. The study is connected directly to the Amyrlin's personal chambers.
She rules both the White Tower and the surrounding city of Tar Valon. She sits on a chair, also called the Amyrlin Seat, having been raised to it from any of the seven Ajahs. She forsakes her former Ajah to be "from all Ajahs and yet of none", symbolized by her stole striped with all seven Ajah colors. The Amyrlin is the supreme authority among the Aes Sedai, who formally refer to her as "Mother" and she to them as "daughter" or "child" for Accepted and novices.
She is widely recognized as one of the most powerful women in the Westlands, though she can be deposed for malfeasance by the Sitters of the Hall. This is referred to as being "stripped of stole and staff" and has only happened four times in recorded history.
Elected by all seven Ajahs, it is her role to rule over the Hall and Tar Valon, though it is expected that all decisions are discussed with the Hall prior to being made law.
As the head of the White Tower, the Amyrlin is expected to liaise with the Sitters of the Hall, maintaining the strength of the Tower; because the Amyrlin Seat is seen as only a first among equals in the Hall of the Tower. This balance is very important. It has been suggested that the reason Siuan Sanche was deposed was because she failed to maintain the balance. It has also been suggested that her youth was at fault, being the youngest Amyrlin raised at only 30 years old.
Previous Amyrlins
109 FA – Present
Katreine din Ziago Tempest Winds
80 FA – 109 FA
Silviana Brehon
54 FA – 80 FA
Sharina Melloy
13 FA - 54 FA
Saerin Asnobar
1000 NE – 13 FA
Cadsuane Melaidhrin
All previous known Amyrlins
