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 Fourth Age and the Children of the Light
For nearly one thousand years, the Fortress of the Light held firm in Amador. From there, the Children of the Light sought out Darkfriends with ruthless (and, their critics claimed, reckless) zealotry. They became one of the premiere military forces of the southern lands during the Third Age, a power in their own right that commanded begrudging acceptance, if not respect, throughout the lands.
In the tumultuous years leading up to Tarmon Gai'don, however, the Children faced many challenges, including the loss of a legion, the death of multiple members of the Council of the Anointed and multiple Lord Captain Commanders, and of course a final stand against the forces of the Dark One in the Last Battle.
In the aftermath, Lord Captain Commander Galadedrid Damodred attempted to rebuild and reorganize the Children of the Light into a force that could serve the Light in the new Age. With Amador lost to the Seanchan, they relocated to Mayene at the invitation of the First of Mayene, Berelain sur Paendrag Paeron. Galad introduced numerous reforms, including transforming both the Council of the Anointed and the Children as a whole into the three pronged structure they currently use. Less popularly, he also began to reach out to both the Black and the White Towers. Hatred of those who could channel, an unnatural force that many thought still could only be tied to the Dark One, was deep set in the Children and their teachings even years after Tarmon Gai'don.
It came to nothing, as both Galad and Berelain were killed under mysterious circumstances, leaving both the Children of the Light and Mayene itself leaderless. Blame was quickly cast at the Aes Sedai, reigniting long-simmering fear and anger in turn.
Into this void stepped Dain Bornhald, raised as Lord Captain Commander after several months of chaotic struggle between various factions. His position was widely regarded as precarious, and with the finger firmly pointed at the Aes Sedai attempts to connect with the White Tower fall away. Dain continued diplomatic outreach to the Black Tower, and meanwhile turned the attention of the Children to Mayene itself.
The country was in chaos following the death of the First and the disappearance of her heir. Numerous Seconds of Mayene each made the case that they, and they alone, should be the First, and it wasn't long before the conflict escalated beyond mere words. Eventually, all groups turned to the Children of the Light, seeking their support. Dain took another option, and in an effort to end the division and chaos dismantled Mayene's nobility and declared himself the new First of Mayene. This won the Children few admirers outside of Mayene, but the common people welcomed a return to normalcy.
Dain Bornhald ruled as both the Lord Captain Commander and the First of Mayene for decades, and upon his death his son, Geoff Bornhald, named after his late grandfather, assumed command of both. The younger Bornhald's time saw even more chaos; attempts to reach out to the Black Tower had been fruitful and positive under Dain's watch. However, in 69FA a new M'Hael took charge of the Black Tower. Rahlin Dovreh made even more forceful overtures toward the younger Bornhald. Mutual suspicion of the Aes Sedai led to cordial relations. The Children were nearly drawn into Rhalin's war against the White Tower, but Bornhald's prudence saved them, and the Children took no part in the war between the Towers. The M'Hael's descent into madness and war revealed the truth to the Children once more. Channeling was an affront to the Light, and none of them, Asha'man or Aes Sedai, could be trusted.
In the years since, the Children of the Light have been nearly silent in the wider world. Mayene has moved along as it always has, though the military might of the Children ended any threat from foreign powers. In secret, the Children have begun to study, refine, and create weapons of black powder, in violation of the Dragon Compact. This weapon, banned to preserve the peace, is the only way to ensure the peace and freedom of those who cannot channel in their eyes.
Following the death of Geoff Bornhald, the Children have once more begun to deal with matters of succession; though the organization is strong once more, it remains rife with factionalism and politics that make the next ruler of the Children of the Light, and Mayene, an uncertainty.
In the tumultuous years leading up to Tarmon Gai'don, however, the Children faced many challenges, including the loss of a legion, the death of multiple members of the Council of the Anointed and multiple Lord Captain Commanders, and of course a final stand against the forces of the Dark One in the Last Battle.
In the aftermath, Lord Captain Commander Galadedrid Damodred attempted to rebuild and reorganize the Children of the Light into a force that could serve the Light in the new Age. With Amador lost to the Seanchan, they relocated to Mayene at the invitation of the First of Mayene, Berelain sur Paendrag Paeron. Galad introduced numerous reforms, including transforming both the Council of the Anointed and the Children as a whole into the three pronged structure they currently use. Less popularly, he also began to reach out to both the Black and the White Towers. Hatred of those who could channel, an unnatural force that many thought still could only be tied to the Dark One, was deep set in the Children and their teachings even years after Tarmon Gai'don.
It came to nothing, as both Galad and Berelain were killed under mysterious circumstances, leaving both the Children of the Light and Mayene itself leaderless. Blame was quickly cast at the Aes Sedai, reigniting long-simmering fear and anger in turn.
Into this void stepped Dain Bornhald, raised as Lord Captain Commander after several months of chaotic struggle between various factions. His position was widely regarded as precarious, and with the finger firmly pointed at the Aes Sedai attempts to connect with the White Tower fall away. Dain continued diplomatic outreach to the Black Tower, and meanwhile turned the attention of the Children to Mayene itself.
The country was in chaos following the death of the First and the disappearance of her heir. Numerous Seconds of Mayene each made the case that they, and they alone, should be the First, and it wasn't long before the conflict escalated beyond mere words. Eventually, all groups turned to the Children of the Light, seeking their support. Dain took another option, and in an effort to end the division and chaos dismantled Mayene's nobility and declared himself the new First of Mayene. This won the Children few admirers outside of Mayene, but the common people welcomed a return to normalcy.
Dain Bornhald ruled as both the Lord Captain Commander and the First of Mayene for decades, and upon his death his son, Geoff Bornhald, named after his late grandfather, assumed command of both. The younger Bornhald's time saw even more chaos; attempts to reach out to the Black Tower had been fruitful and positive under Dain's watch. However, in 69FA a new M'Hael took charge of the Black Tower. Rahlin Dovreh made even more forceful overtures toward the younger Bornhald. Mutual suspicion of the Aes Sedai led to cordial relations. The Children were nearly drawn into Rhalin's war against the White Tower, but Bornhald's prudence saved them, and the Children took no part in the war between the Towers. The M'Hael's descent into madness and war revealed the truth to the Children once more. Channeling was an affront to the Light, and none of them, Asha'man or Aes Sedai, could be trusted.
In the years since, the Children of the Light have been nearly silent in the wider world. Mayene has moved along as it always has, though the military might of the Children ended any threat from foreign powers. In secret, the Children have begun to study, refine, and create weapons of black powder, in violation of the Dragon Compact. This weapon, banned to preserve the peace, is the only way to ensure the peace and freedom of those who cannot channel in their eyes.
Following the death of Geoff Bornhald, the Children have once more begun to deal with matters of succession; though the organization is strong once more, it remains rife with factionalism and politics that make the next ruler of the Children of the Light, and Mayene, an uncertainty.
The Fortress of the Light
The Fortress of the Light stood for centuries in Amadicia. The building still stands, now re-purposed to the Tai'Seanchan's use, but the Children have moved on and created anew. The Fortress of the Light in Mayene is a massive walled structure, uniquely stone that was imported into Mayene at great expense. It is large enough to house all 12 legions of the Children currently operating, as well as the Hands and Voices of the Light. Each branch of the Children has their own dedicated quarters, while the Voices have a personal, private library and study and the Arms have a mustering ground that makes up the bulk of the Fortress proper. The largest structure in the Fortress is the Dome of Truth, which is open to any Mayener seeking justice. It is a large wooded structure topped by a dome of stained glass, the central feature of which is an enormous sunburst. Trials are conducted within the Dome of Truth, under the supervision of the Hand of the Light.
Recruitment
Children of the Light are recruited from the population of Mayene, as well as outsiders on a volunteer basis. Members of both the Voice and the Hand of the Light occasionally act as recruiters when searching out individuals with the unique talents their organizations need.
Relations
The Children of the Light have strained relations with much of the Westlands. More to come.
