The following information is compiled from information within
the Wheel of Time books, the World of Robert
Jordan's Wheel of Time, information available on several web
sites on the World Wide Web, and role play
1. Weapons
a. Spears
b. Belt-knives
c. Staves
d. Other Weapons
a. Bucklers
b. Pallets
c. Containers
1.
The Cadin'sor
2.
Headgear
3.
Footwear
4.
Accessories
2.
Taardad
3.
Shaido
4.
Chareen
5.
Nakai
6.
Codarra
7.
Daryne
8.
Goshien
9.
Miagoma
10.
Shaarad
11.
Shiande
12.
Tomenelle
General Customs
There are quite a few general rules that surround the
Aiel, ranging from what they wear, to what they use to fight with, how they
fight, exceptions for their craftsman, and how one becomes a Clan Chief,
or Wise One. Also there is even a custom as to how to gain permission from
a Hold roofmistress to enter her hold, a visitor must ask her 'leave to enter
your hold' and she may refuse anyone, including the Clan Chief.
Equipment
The Aiel utilize a lot of equipment that is specialized
to the lands they live in, as well as the customs their long history as evolved
them into.
Weapons
The Aiel will not use any weapon that cannot be used for
another purpose besides killing. History led them to utilize primarily
a specialized spear.
SPEARS
The Aiel use a spear that is two feet in shaft length,
tipped with a foot long blade of steel. All aiel warriors carry with
them three spears.
BOW
Most Aiel are also proficient with a bow for long range
combat.
BELTKNIVES
Most Aiel also carry a belt knife, which can be used in
battle, but is generally used for cutting meat off animals.
STAVES
Staves are generally used only in sparring and training,
but are considered viable options for an Aiel warrior to use in a fight.
Though it is rare that an Aiel would be without his or her spears.
Accessories
Besides the above items, an Aiel is often found with a
few more items vital to their survival.
BUCKLERS
Aiel warriors wear a buckler to help protect them in battle,
the bucklers are round and about 18 inches in diameter, and provide ample
defense to the agile warriors.
PALLETS
While an Aielman can certainly sleep nearly anywhere,
they enjoy the comfort of a nice wooden pallet when they can. They
seem to rest better, and heal from wounds quicker when they can utilize one.
CONTAINERS
Some Aiel warriors, when traveling, will use various pouches,
sacks and backpacks to carry the necessities of life in the Three-fold Land.
They also generally carry water skins to hold the water that is absolutely
necessary in the dry, often extremely hot air.
Clothing
A vital part of the customs of the Aiel people, are the clothing they
wear. From head to toe, their clothing is a combination of colors and
types to help blend with the surroundings, and bear the vast temperatures of the
Three-fold Land, as well as some customs, and history which help dictate the
gear. Due to the strong customs of the Aiel people, their clothing is
vitally important to them as well. An Aiel who does not wear the cadin'sor
as their outer most clothing, a shoufa about their head, and a veil when they
are fighting, or preparing to fight, would be outcast by the Aiel people.
Likewise, any non-Aiel wearing this gear is generally considered offensive to
the Aiel, and their history, and the Aiel strongly discourage such activity as
well.
CADIN'SOR
The coat and breeches that every Aiel man, and Far Dareis Mai, wears date
back to the clothing original worn by the Da'shain Aiel in the Age of
Legends. Literally, working clothes, they are made of a strong, but light
weight material called algode. They are dyed in drab shades of browns,
greys and greens so as to blend in with the terrain of the Three-fold Land, and
allow for easier camouflage.
HEADGEAR
About the head, the Aiel wear a shoufa, made of the same algode material used
for the cadin'sor, which covers the head and wraps around the neck protecting
those areas from the hot sun present in the Three-fold Land's daylight
hours. Attached to the shoufa is a small piece of algode, of the same
color as the shoufa, and cadin'sor, or occasionally, black, called a veil.
By custom the veil is only worn over the face, and in fact, is required to wear
it, if the Aiel intends to 'dance the spears'.
FOOTWEAR
Aiel wear a variety of footwear, most common is a pair of high laced boots,
however, on mirrorsmud the Aiel cobblers have discovered that gara skins can be
used to make very durable, light, comfortable boots as well, and have been
gaining in popularity since.
WOMEN
Aiel women, those not of Far Dareis Mai that is, wear different garb.
They wear a variety of blouses, skirts and dresses all in drab colors, similar
to those worn by the men. They are the only Aiel likely to wear jewelry,
and in fact many, particularly Wise Ones, adorn themselves with as much jewelry
as they possibly can.
ACCESSORIES
There are also many accessories that Aiel wear, among which are a variety of
belts, gloves, stockings, shirts, small clothes.
Craftsmen
The Craftsmen of the Aiel people are highly regarded, particularly the
blacksmiths, and are awarded certain exceptions to accepted customs of Aiel men.
Craftsmen and Battle
In battle, all men will take up the spear, save the blacksmiths. They do
not participate in battles, it is, however, generally accepted that should
shadow spawn attack, a blacksmith may very well defend himself, and his Clan.
Craftsmen and Ji'e'toh
There are exceptions to some of Ji'e'toh that apply only to the
Craftsmen. Most importantly is the issue of craftsman and gai'shain.
A craftsman who is taken gai'shain must be allowed to work his or her trade one
day out of every ten day week. Furthermore, a Blacksmith cannot be taken
gai'shain under any circumstance.
Battle
Aiel are widely respected for their abilities in battle. Both in one on
one combat, and their tactics on a battle field. To the Aiel, battle is
the Dance of Spears. There are several reasons an Aiel might enter the
Dance alone. But actual widespread battle is generally only used in
certain circumstances: fighting shadowspawn, and fighting in a blood feud are
the most likely times.
The Dance of Spears
The Dance of Spears is the term used by all Aiel to refer to battle, whether
a small scale fight of one warrior against one warrior, up to and including full
Blood Feud battles involving entire septs, or even clans, led by the Sept Chief,
or Clan Chief.
Blood Feuds and Warrior Societies
Occasionally, clans may reach a point between them that they come to
blows. Similarly to a war between nations, a blood feud is a large scale
Dance of the Spears. Even in a full blown blood feud there are always
lines of communication open between the feuding clans. This is because no
Aiel will Dance the Spears with a member of his or her own warrior
society. Also, the Wise Ones will not engage in any battle, allowing them
to wander between the feuding clans without being impeded in any way.
Rhuidean
The unfinished city of the Jenn Aiel, Rhuidean, is forbidden to all save
those who the Wise Ones have given permission to enter, either to become a Wise One,
or to become a Clan Chief.
Wise Ones
Wise Ones visit Rhuidean twice, once when they are to become an apprentice,
when they enter the city naked, and enter a ter'angreal of three connected rings
and eventually return up to seven days later. The second time, to become a full Wise
One, they go to the Heart of the city and enter the same ter'angreal that
potential Clan Chiefs enter on their trip to the city.
Clan Chiefs
Men who are chosen to become Clan Chiefs go to Rhuidean one time, if they
return, they will be marked with a tattoo on their right forearm of a golden
scaled dragon, marking them a Clan Chief. According to the Prophecies of
Rhuidean, a man will one day come from Rhuidean with dragons on both arms,
marking him the Chief of Chiefs, the Car'a'carn, He Who Comes With the Dawn.
The Clans
The Aiel people are spread among the Three-fold Land, organized by
clans. A child is a member of the Clan that his or her mother belongs
to. The Clans are further split into a number of Septs. When a sept
becomes too large for its hold, and sept splits in half, with one half leaving
to start a new Sept in a new Hold.
The Twelve Clans
The twelve clans are spread along the Three-fold Land, each inhabiting
different areas of the land. Currently, the only clan open for Aiel to
join on mirrorsmud is the Reyn. Others will follow as we have enough land
for another clan, and have a Hold, or at the least a small stand, for them to
call home.
Reyn
The Reyn Aiel inhabit the lands west along the Dragonwall, from just north of
the mouth of Jangai Pass, north to the southern lands of the Shaido, whose lands
extend to the Mountains of Dhoom. They continue east about one third of
the way to the Cliffs of Dawn.
On the 20th of Taisham, 956 NE, Turan left from Whispering Springs Hold,
where his wife, and the Hold's roofmistress, Jerinha had seen him become Sept
Chief a few years earlier, to go with the Wise Ones to Rhuidean. They had
decided that he would go to become the next Clan Chief of the Reyn Aiel, after
Sireac had died in a battle with the Codarra Aiel only 3 weeks earlier.
Turan returned on the 14th of Saban as Clan Chief, and four days later led
the spears against the Shaido, who had begun raiding the northern lands,
thinking Turan a weak Chief. With him, Ianna led Far Dareis Mai, but
returned early, when it was discovered she was pregnant with Turan's
child. On the 14th of Aine, Ianna and Jerinha decided that Ianna would wed
Turan, and they would become sister-wives. Upon Jerinha's death due to a
mysterious illness, Ianna became the roofmistress of Whispering Springs Hold two
years later.
Currently, Janduin, new clan chief of the Taardad Aiel has been spotted
moving around the northern lands of the Taardad Aiel, raiding into the southern
lands of the Reyn Aiel. The two clans are now near Blood Feud, though
Janduin moves often, and hides well.
Taardad
Shaido
Chareen
Nakai
Codarra
Daryne
Goshien
Miagoma
Shaarad
Shiande
Tomenelle
The Clan That is Not
The Aiel often refer to the Clan that is not, also called the Jenn Aiel, or Truly
Dedicated, who built the unfinished city of Rhuidean. The Jenn Aiel were
originally called the Da'shain Aiel, who date back to before the Dark One was
freed from his prison.
The Warrior Societies
Aiel warriors are also members of twelve warrior societies. Each Clan
has members of all twelve societies, eleven for men, and one society for the
aiel women who choose the warrior path. Each society is capable of doing
many things, but each has one specialty, a purpose that they excel in beyond
what most Aiel warriors are capable of.
Far Dareis Mai
Far
Dareis Mai are the Maidens of the Spear.
They have wed the spear in truth and cannot wed another.
If a Maiden wishes to marry a man she must give up the spear and break
her three spears, freeing her of the oath and Far Dareis Mai.
Maidens are often used as scouts so they developed an intricate hand
code to allow them to communicate without sound.
A
Maiden is forbidden to carry the spear while she carries a child.
When a Maiden has a child it is given to an Aiel women in such a manner
that none know to whom the child belonged.
Far Dareis Mai is very strict about not letting men under their roof;
only members and the gai’shain are allowed inside.
Like
all people Maidens enjoy games. Some
of their favorites are cat’s cradle, stones, and Thousand Flowers.
They also have invented their own game called Maidens’ Kiss.
This game can be played with any number of Maidens and the one (lucky
or unlucky) man. The Maidens
gather around the man who has decided to play the game and they each press a
spear to his neck. They take a
turn giving him a kiss; if the Maiden enjoys it she eases off of with her
spear if she doesn’t like the kiss she presses harder.
Far
Dareis Mai, like all other warrior societies protect the hold and fight where
they are needed. Killing
shadowspawn has always been a favorite pastime.
by Zalevia, Far Dareis Mai of the Reyn Aiel
Far Aldazar Din
The Brothers to the Eagle are scouts, much like Far Dareis Mai, except that
they excel at scouting areas that are more rigid. Often they are used to
scout areas along the Dragonwall, and other mountainous regions in the
Three-fold Land.
Aethan Dor
The Red Shields serve as the Aiel Clan's peace keepers. It is their job
to ensure the safety of all the Aiel under their charge. They also
investigate claims of crime against any Aiel under their charge, whether it be
within their clan or sept hold, or in a raiding party.
Shae'en M'taal
The Stone Dogs represent the Aiel rear guards. They are well known for
their refusal to retreat even while being overwhelmed by greater numbers.
They ensure that their clan mates are protected as they pull out of a Dance.
Seia Doon
The Black Eyes are specialists in fighting during the twilight hours, and are
excellent at finding their way in little to no light. They often know the
land better my how the ground feels under their feet, and how small amounts of
light shine off surrounding landmarks, than by more visual sights.
Rahien Sorei
The Dawn Runners are often used by Sept and Clan Chiefs as the first to
attack, or many times are most able to change the 'front' of the battle into an
area seen as more favorable to their Chief.
Sovin Nai
The Knife Hands are often considered the best hand to hand combatants of the
Aiel, it is said that one of the most interesting spars found among the Aiel are
two Sovin Nai fighting with only hands and feet. Some have even been known
to prefer fighting in this manner, and leaving spears as a last resort in the
Dance.
Hama N'dore
The Mountain Dancers excel at combat that occurs in mountainous regions, they
are most capable of using the mountainous terrain as an advantage, rather than
its typical disadvantage. Often times, they are envolved in hunting along
the Dragonwall, or even assaulting a flank near a mountainous region.
Cor Darei
The Night Spears are generally used as night guards on encampments, and on
holds. While it is true that all Aiel guard in turn, the Night Spears
often excel at such duties, and thrive on the opportunity to do so, to a point
they will occasionally insist on protecting holds and encampments.
Sha'mad Conde
The Thunder Walkers are generally used by Chiefs as reinforcements wherever they
may be
needed. Often they will be put into spots of apparent weakness in the
flanks to defend, or added power to opposing flanks that appear to be on the
verge of falling.
Duadhe Mahdi'in
The Water Seekers are adept at locating hard to find water in the Three-fold
land, and are best at getting meat from dead animals and using that meat to
create palatable meals from them. They also are well trained in discerning
the difference between dangerous plants, and edible ones.
Tain Shari
The True Bloods are very secretive about what their specific purpose
is. They do, however, excel at many things, they will scout, they Dance
well, but many, particularly the newer members seem to have a need to prove
themselves to the other warrior societies, as good warriors. This is
assumed to be due to the obscurity of the specific purpose the True Bloods serve
to the Clan Chiefs.
Wise Ones
“We often guide but do not tell”
Among the Aiel, Wise Ones are women chosen by other
Wise Ones and trained in many things, among these, healing, herbs, and
channeling. Wise Ones are required to go to the unfinished city of Rhuidean
twice. The first time they go before beginning their training to be a Wise One.
On the second journey to Rhuidean these women must face the glass columns, which
reveal the history of the Aiel.
While not all Wise Ones can
channel the One Power, all Aiel women who can channel eventually become Wise
Ones. In the wetlands some women
who are born with the spark must teach themselves to channel or die trying,
while the Aiel Wise Ones find each and every Aiel woman who can channel. Their
methods of teaching are different from Aes Sedai, but Aiel channelers are better
at some things than Aes Sedai, including dreamwalking.
The
Wise Ones, as a whole, often make Aes Sedai seem malleable and weak. But the
Wise Ones are firm in their duty to the Aiel people. They make every effort
possible to ensure that as many of the Aiel as possible survive the coming of
the Car’a’carn.
by Elyvia, Wise One Apprentice
Ji'e'toh
The Aiel follow a complex code of honor (ji) and obligation
(toh).
Honor and Obligation
here are numerous paths to honor. In battle, for example, the smallest is
gained by killing your opponent, while the greatest lies in touching a live,
armed enemy without harming them. In ji'e'toh, honor is valued above all.
Opposing honor in ji'e'toh is shame. Shame is worse to an Aiel than injury or
death.
On mirrorsmud, Aiel are expected to comply with ji'e'toh. Shame can be
gained by wearing clothing and equipment that do not fall within the guidelines
of proper Aiel RP. This includes, but is not limited to, Swords (this is
the single most shaming offense known to Aiel), jewelry (save an occasional
single piece a Maiden may have, or the Wise Ones, and general female population
who can wear as much as they wish), wetlander cloaks, coats, and armor.
Toh
Toh, or obligation, must be met in full if it is incurred. Aiel will
accept even shame to fulfill a debt. No Aiel would tell another that
he/she owes him/her toh, toh is one's own to acknowledge, accept, and
repay. How toh is incurred, and how it is repaid is not a simple thing to
understand. Speaking with a Wise One while veiled could incur toh,
repaying that toh is largely up to the offender, but someone who chooses a
repayment that is too much, will be accused of being too proud, too little, and
he/she could be accused of not recognizing his/her own worth.
Gai'shain
One of the most well known ways to repay toh is to become gai'shain to the
person you offend. Gai'shain wear distinctive white robes, and serve one
year and one day. They cannot fight in battle, and do not speak of what
they were before becoming gai'shain. They are gai'shain, when their time
is up, only then will they be anything but gai'shain. There are those who
cannot be taken gai'shain, those include: Blacksmiths, Wise Ones, a child, a
woman who has a child under the age of ten, and a woman who is with child.
History
The Aiel history goes back to well before the Breaking, to the Age of
Legends, before Lews Therin sealed the bore, and even before the Aes Sedai
created the Bore, when they were known as the Da'shain Aiel.
Before the Breaking
The Da'shain Aiel (which means something like dedicated to peace) where, in
fact a peaceful people, but then, prior to the Bore being drilled, the world
knew nothing of war at all. The Da'shain Aiel served the Aes Sedai, back
then male and female Sedai. It appears that the Aiel sang a song during
battle.
Wandering
One male Aes Sedai, after going insane listened to the Aiel sing as he killed
them off, and listened for several hours to the last Aiel with him before
finally striking him down with the Power. Knowing that defeat was upon
them, the Aes Sedai gathered up items of the Power and entrusted them to the
Da'shain Aiel to watch over and protect until they found a new home.
This began the years of wandering as the world broke around them. The
Da'shain Aiel wandered, finding no help from others as they searched for a new
home. In fact, the peaceful Aiel were often victimized, children wear
stolen, valuables were stolen, and no Aiel ever fought back, as they were docile
people.
During this wandering, some of the Da'shain Aiel decided that protecting the
Aes Sedai treasures was not a worthy task and left, those, the Da'shain called
the Lost Ones. Those are the only descendants of the Da'shain Aiel who
still follow the Way of the Leaf.
Eventually, some of the younger men were fed up that the Da'shain were being
taken advantage of, and decided to try to stop this. They intended only to
take back what had been stolen from them, but one of them picked up a spear,
and, in defending himself, killed a man. This is the root of the Aiel
people's use of the spear as a weapon. When he returned to the Da'shain,
seeking support from his family he was told "hide your face, I had a son,
once, with a face like that. I do not wish to see it on a
stranger." This began the custom of Aiel veiling their faces before
killing.
These cast out Aiel continued to follow the Da'shain, protecting them, though
the Da'shain ignored them completely. Eventually, a woman, whose child had
been kidnapped, went to the cast out Aiel, and asked to join them. The men
broke off a spear short for her and gave it to her. This is the root of
Far Dareis Mai, and the shortened spear that all algai'siswai carry in battle.
As the Da'shain dwindled in number, due to nature's hazards, and those cast
out to the other Aiel, they came along the Spine of the World to lands that
would someday become Cairhein. The Aiel approached the leader of a town,
asking permission to access their water. The leader agreed, provided the
Aiel dig the wells themselves. This act was later remembered by the Aiel,
and is known as the Water Gift, causing the Aiel to give the Cairheinin a
sapling of the Tree of Life, and granted it's merchants access to the Silk Path
to Shara.
The Jenn Call
Eventually, the Da'shain Aiel found a home across the Spine of the World, or
Dragonwall, as the Aiel call it, to the Three-fold Land, so called because
they believe it is: first a shaping stone to make them; second, a testing ground
to prove their worth; and third, a punishment for their sin. They were
then called the Jenn Aiel, or True Aiel, by the rest of the Aiel. As the
Aiel spread across the Three-fold Land, and began to form clans, the Jenn began
building a city, Rhuidean.
As the last of the Jenn Aiel began to die, they called the leaders of the
Aiel clans, warning that any who do not come, will result in their clans
destruction. The Jenn told the Clan leaders of their long forgotten
history, and sent them out, their leaders and Wise Ones to return to Rhuidean
when chosen new, and learn of the prophecies of He Who Comes With the Dawn, or
the Car'a'carn. This is why all men and women must trek to Rhuidean to
become Clan Chiefs and Wise Ones.
Current gametime: