Post by Zeek on Sept 21, 2008 20:26:23 GMT -5
An island city in the River Erinin, within sight of the Dragonmount, and center of Aes Sedai power. "The Wheel of Time turns around Tar Valon, and Tar Valon turns around the Tower." Kings and Queens bow before the power that Tar Valon holds.
Tar Valon is modeled after the fantastical city of Avalon.
The City is accessible from the mainland via six bridges, three crossing the west branch of the Erinin, and three to the east. Roads from Tar Valon go to all the principal towns in the Borderlands, as well as south to Caemlyn and Cairhien. Additionally, there are two ports - Northharbor and Southharbor - for river traffic on the Erinin. Tar Valon thus functions as a hub of trade and commerce for the North, as well as being a centre of major political importance; besides the ever-present Aes Sedai themselves, petitioners (mostly women, but occasionally men) come in significant numbers to the White Tower to seek Aes Sedai aid and counsel.
Tar Valon is the home of the White Tower, where the Aes Sedai reside and train. The Tower, and much of the city, was built by the Ogier. Tar Valon is a city-state of sorts, over which the Amyrlin Seat rules. The "Shining Walls" of Tar Valon are thought to be impregnable, quite apart from the difficulty in taking a city filled with Aes Sedai, and the common belief is that no army has ever breached them. But this is an Aes Sedai deception. In the Trolloc Wars the armies of the Shadow actually managed to breach the Tower and burn part of it, though it is also said that the eventual rebuff of the Trolloc armies amounted to one of their greatest defeats in the Wars. Additionally, the armies of at least two false Dragons have reached the Tower in an effort to rescue them. In general, though, Tar Valon is a very difficult city to lay a successful siege to; a besieging army would need to hold both banks of the Erinin, while at the same time blockading the island.
The White Tower, the central feature of Tar Valon, is the home to the Aes Sedai, with different sections within the Tower for the different ranks and factions, including guards, Novices, Accepted and even the servants. The White Tower was built by Ogier and the Aes Sedai, and soars to heights unparalleled anywhere in the world.
The current Amyrlin Seat, Elaida do Avriny a' Roihan, is in the process of adding a massive palace to the Tower, parts of which will beat it in height. How she intends to carry this out, it is difficult to say, as the Tower's monumental height was only attainable through the extensive use of the One Power during its construction.
The City and Tower are presently under siege by the Salidar Aes Sedai, led until recently by Egwene al'Vere, and their army commanded by Gareth Byrne. In lieu of a naval blockade, Egwene and others have converted the harbour chains to cuendillar; it is likely that the harbour locks will be removed to permit vessel entry, creating a gap in the city's defences.
The White Tower may be borrowed in part from the White Tower which is a part of the Tower of London, where Yeoman Warders serve.
Tar Valon is modeled after the fantastical city of Avalon.
The City is accessible from the mainland via six bridges, three crossing the west branch of the Erinin, and three to the east. Roads from Tar Valon go to all the principal towns in the Borderlands, as well as south to Caemlyn and Cairhien. Additionally, there are two ports - Northharbor and Southharbor - for river traffic on the Erinin. Tar Valon thus functions as a hub of trade and commerce for the North, as well as being a centre of major political importance; besides the ever-present Aes Sedai themselves, petitioners (mostly women, but occasionally men) come in significant numbers to the White Tower to seek Aes Sedai aid and counsel.
Tar Valon is the home of the White Tower, where the Aes Sedai reside and train. The Tower, and much of the city, was built by the Ogier. Tar Valon is a city-state of sorts, over which the Amyrlin Seat rules. The "Shining Walls" of Tar Valon are thought to be impregnable, quite apart from the difficulty in taking a city filled with Aes Sedai, and the common belief is that no army has ever breached them. But this is an Aes Sedai deception. In the Trolloc Wars the armies of the Shadow actually managed to breach the Tower and burn part of it, though it is also said that the eventual rebuff of the Trolloc armies amounted to one of their greatest defeats in the Wars. Additionally, the armies of at least two false Dragons have reached the Tower in an effort to rescue them. In general, though, Tar Valon is a very difficult city to lay a successful siege to; a besieging army would need to hold both banks of the Erinin, while at the same time blockading the island.
The White Tower, the central feature of Tar Valon, is the home to the Aes Sedai, with different sections within the Tower for the different ranks and factions, including guards, Novices, Accepted and even the servants. The White Tower was built by Ogier and the Aes Sedai, and soars to heights unparalleled anywhere in the world.
The current Amyrlin Seat, Elaida do Avriny a' Roihan, is in the process of adding a massive palace to the Tower, parts of which will beat it in height. How she intends to carry this out, it is difficult to say, as the Tower's monumental height was only attainable through the extensive use of the One Power during its construction.
The City and Tower are presently under siege by the Salidar Aes Sedai, led until recently by Egwene al'Vere, and their army commanded by Gareth Byrne. In lieu of a naval blockade, Egwene and others have converted the harbour chains to cuendillar; it is likely that the harbour locks will be removed to permit vessel entry, creating a gap in the city's defences.
The White Tower may be borrowed in part from the White Tower which is a part of the Tower of London, where Yeoman Warders serve.