Post by The Lace of Ages on Apr 16, 2020 15:20:40 GMT
From Daerin Eriff's A Modern History of the Fourth Age
Rahlin’s War, also known as the Tower War and Rahlin's Madness, was the first major breach of the Dragon’s Peace. Instigated by M’Hael Rahlin Dovreh, it remains one of the most devastating conflicts in the Westlands in the Fourth Age. It also cemented the current alienation between the Black and White Towers, once more dividing channelers and stoking renewed fears about the One Power and saidin in particular.
Rahlin Dovreh ascended to M’Hael in 69 FA from the Earth Legion. Clever, charismatic, and strong in the One Power he was an easy choice for the role, and his first year was a productive one. Rahlin was shrewd in his diplomatic overtures even to those less open to the Black Tower, forming cordial relations and possible alliances with Cairhien, Mayene and the Children of the Light, as well as Tear. Over the course of the year, however, there is a marked change in his demeanor; he becomes withdrawn, irritable, and prone to lashing out at perceived criticism.
70 FA sees a significant shift in his strategy as rumors begin to swirl around the Black Tower that the Aes Sedai have become, or perhaps always were, corrupt. Rahlin is a prominent critic of the Aes Sedai’s ties to other nations, particularly Andor. This divisive rhetoric begins to impact the Black Towers relations, as Caralain becomes increasingly isolated. At this time, there is vocal disapproval from some in the Tower, particularly those in the Fire and Spirit Legions who work closely with Aes Sedai frequently. The Fire Legion is especially incensed, as many of its members are bonded or even married to Aes Sedai, including each of its four Captains.
Tensions continue to rise in both the world and the Black Tower as Rahlin’s stances grow increasingly militant. For the first time since the Black Tower’s formation, rumors begin to swirl about the possibility of the War Council deposing the M’Hael. In response, Rahlin paints the whisperers as traitors who have been bought or Compelled by Aes Sedai. He closes the borders of Caralain to all traffic, and Asha’man begin to go missing.
Rahlin begins to consolidate power, primarily backed by younger members of the Earth Legion who believe the Aes Sedai’s corruption and their duty to the world to stop it. Members of the Fire Legion continue to protest, though less openly, fearing retribution.
Things come to a head in 75 FA. Rahlin recalls all active Asha’man to the Tower, and while some refuse many more obey. He accuses some of his more prominent critics of treason and has them executed, including the two Fire Legion Captains present, as well as their Captain-General. The next day the Asha’man are deployed in force against Tar Valon and Andor.
While tensions had been building for years, no one outside the Black Tower expected a breach of the Dragon’s Peace, and the response from the Compact is slow. The Asha’man are one of the most well trained armies in the Westlands, skilled channelers, and unbound by the Three Oaths. They have Tar Valon itself under siege in three months.
The siege continues for a year with little progress and numerous casualties. The combined forces of Andor and Tar Valon are able to resist long enough for other members of the Dragon Compact to mobilize. Even nations with strong ties to Caralain send troops; despite Rahlin’s overtures, even the Children of the Light sit out the war. The siege is broken by the full might of the Dragon Compact, including Tai’Seanchan damane at the order of Emperor Davindron, and the Asha’man are pushed back to the Black Tower.
At this time, a plot is hatched by the Asha’man, many of them still opposed to Rahlin. Led by notable members of all Legions, including future M’Haels Androl Genhald and Jadin al’Vyron, they plan a coup to end the war and capture Rahlin. The plan takes some time to position, and at this time Asha’man who refused Rahlin’s summons arrive to assist the forces of the Dragon Compact.
Early in 78 FA, Androl Genhald’s Talent with Traveling is utilized for bring an elite Asha’man force to confront Rahlin directly. He is captured after a fierce battle then delivered to the Dragon Compact, ending the war at last. For his crimes and the breach of the Dragon’s Peace, he is gentled by the Amyrlin Seat.
The aftermath of the conflict is devastating to both Towers. The Red and Green Ajahs, as well as the Fire and Earth Legions, are particularly weakened. Many bonded pairs lost one or both members in the fighting, and the aftermath is especially damaging to the Black Tower’s reputation. The world begins to seriously consider whether or not it was the taint that drove Rahlin’s actions, a theory advanced largely by a newly militant Red Ajah. None can say with certainty, but all agree that even decades later the Towers are still working to repair their reputations and relations.
Burnt letter, unknown author:
The Great Lord's work in the Fourth Age has been, by necessity, discreet. The failure of his Chosen during the Last Battle sent the Friends of the Dark into hiding across the world, where they were not summarily destroyed by the victorious forces of the Light. However the Wheel turns, and the Great Lord's return remains inevitable. In the Fourth Age there will be new Chosen, and new opportunities for those who serve. The Tower War was one such opportunity, and though there were certainly complications it remains the greatest victory against the Light in the Westlands.
In 69 FA, a young, malleable M'Hael ascended to lead the Black Tower. Rahlin Dovreh was charismatic, reckless, aggressive, and overconfident. Avyanna Sarat of the Black Ajah and Zamon of the Shadow Legion were the agents of his downfall. With subtle care and deliberate manipulation of his mind and dreams, they stoked in him paranoia, ambition, and hate directed against the White Tower. The threat of men and women working the One Power in unison was too great for the Great Lord to ignore, and through his instrument he stoked division. It worked; in fewer than 6 years the Towers were brought from tense cordiality to outright war. The losses to the Light were staggering, and those who remained were firmly divided against one another, each fearing and distrusting the other.
There were losses to the Shadow, of course, but they were trifles in comparison. The Shadow Legion was weakened, as those close to Rahlin were forced to flee or die in the wake of the coup that finally ended the war. Zamon XXXX successfully escaped, raised in the esteem of the last remaining Chosen. Avyanna Sarat, of course, was never implicated. And while the Light struggles to mend the rift between the Towers, the Dark readies its next strike.
Rahlin’s War, also known as the Tower War and Rahlin's Madness, was the first major breach of the Dragon’s Peace. Instigated by M’Hael Rahlin Dovreh, it remains one of the most devastating conflicts in the Westlands in the Fourth Age. It also cemented the current alienation between the Black and White Towers, once more dividing channelers and stoking renewed fears about the One Power and saidin in particular.
Rahlin Dovreh ascended to M’Hael in 69 FA from the Earth Legion. Clever, charismatic, and strong in the One Power he was an easy choice for the role, and his first year was a productive one. Rahlin was shrewd in his diplomatic overtures even to those less open to the Black Tower, forming cordial relations and possible alliances with Cairhien, Mayene and the Children of the Light, as well as Tear. Over the course of the year, however, there is a marked change in his demeanor; he becomes withdrawn, irritable, and prone to lashing out at perceived criticism.
70 FA sees a significant shift in his strategy as rumors begin to swirl around the Black Tower that the Aes Sedai have become, or perhaps always were, corrupt. Rahlin is a prominent critic of the Aes Sedai’s ties to other nations, particularly Andor. This divisive rhetoric begins to impact the Black Towers relations, as Caralain becomes increasingly isolated. At this time, there is vocal disapproval from some in the Tower, particularly those in the Fire and Spirit Legions who work closely with Aes Sedai frequently. The Fire Legion is especially incensed, as many of its members are bonded or even married to Aes Sedai, including each of its four Captains.
Tensions continue to rise in both the world and the Black Tower as Rahlin’s stances grow increasingly militant. For the first time since the Black Tower’s formation, rumors begin to swirl about the possibility of the War Council deposing the M’Hael. In response, Rahlin paints the whisperers as traitors who have been bought or Compelled by Aes Sedai. He closes the borders of Caralain to all traffic, and Asha’man begin to go missing.
Rahlin begins to consolidate power, primarily backed by younger members of the Earth Legion who believe the Aes Sedai’s corruption and their duty to the world to stop it. Members of the Fire Legion continue to protest, though less openly, fearing retribution.
Things come to a head in 75 FA. Rahlin recalls all active Asha’man to the Tower, and while some refuse many more obey. He accuses some of his more prominent critics of treason and has them executed, including the two Fire Legion Captains present, as well as their Captain-General. The next day the Asha’man are deployed in force against Tar Valon and Andor.
While tensions had been building for years, no one outside the Black Tower expected a breach of the Dragon’s Peace, and the response from the Compact is slow. The Asha’man are one of the most well trained armies in the Westlands, skilled channelers, and unbound by the Three Oaths. They have Tar Valon itself under siege in three months.
The siege continues for a year with little progress and numerous casualties. The combined forces of Andor and Tar Valon are able to resist long enough for other members of the Dragon Compact to mobilize. Even nations with strong ties to Caralain send troops; despite Rahlin’s overtures, even the Children of the Light sit out the war. The siege is broken by the full might of the Dragon Compact, including Tai’Seanchan damane at the order of Emperor Davindron, and the Asha’man are pushed back to the Black Tower.
At this time, a plot is hatched by the Asha’man, many of them still opposed to Rahlin. Led by notable members of all Legions, including future M’Haels Androl Genhald and Jadin al’Vyron, they plan a coup to end the war and capture Rahlin. The plan takes some time to position, and at this time Asha’man who refused Rahlin’s summons arrive to assist the forces of the Dragon Compact.
Early in 78 FA, Androl Genhald’s Talent with Traveling is utilized for bring an elite Asha’man force to confront Rahlin directly. He is captured after a fierce battle then delivered to the Dragon Compact, ending the war at last. For his crimes and the breach of the Dragon’s Peace, he is gentled by the Amyrlin Seat.
The aftermath of the conflict is devastating to both Towers. The Red and Green Ajahs, as well as the Fire and Earth Legions, are particularly weakened. Many bonded pairs lost one or both members in the fighting, and the aftermath is especially damaging to the Black Tower’s reputation. The world begins to seriously consider whether or not it was the taint that drove Rahlin’s actions, a theory advanced largely by a newly militant Red Ajah. None can say with certainty, but all agree that even decades later the Towers are still working to repair their reputations and relations.
Burnt letter, unknown author:
The Great Lord's work in the Fourth Age has been, by necessity, discreet. The failure of his Chosen during the Last Battle sent the Friends of the Dark into hiding across the world, where they were not summarily destroyed by the victorious forces of the Light. However the Wheel turns, and the Great Lord's return remains inevitable. In the Fourth Age there will be new Chosen, and new opportunities for those who serve. The Tower War was one such opportunity, and though there were certainly complications it remains the greatest victory against the Light in the Westlands.
In 69 FA, a young, malleable M'Hael ascended to lead the Black Tower. Rahlin Dovreh was charismatic, reckless, aggressive, and overconfident. Avyanna Sarat of the Black Ajah and Zamon of the Shadow Legion were the agents of his downfall. With subtle care and deliberate manipulation of his mind and dreams, they stoked in him paranoia, ambition, and hate directed against the White Tower. The threat of men and women working the One Power in unison was too great for the Great Lord to ignore, and through his instrument he stoked division. It worked; in fewer than 6 years the Towers were brought from tense cordiality to outright war. The losses to the Light were staggering, and those who remained were firmly divided against one another, each fearing and distrusting the other.
There were losses to the Shadow, of course, but they were trifles in comparison. The Shadow Legion was weakened, as those close to Rahlin were forced to flee or die in the wake of the coup that finally ended the war. Zamon XXXX successfully escaped, raised in the esteem of the last remaining Chosen. Avyanna Sarat, of course, was never implicated. And while the Light struggles to mend the rift between the Towers, the Dark readies its next strike.