Post by Zeek on Sept 21, 2008 20:34:57 GMT -5
Rhuidean is a city located in the Aiel Waste that was built by the Jenn Aiel. Smaller in size than either Tear or Caemlyn, it is still considered a great city. It is filled with many buildings that are all said to be majestic palaces, although many of these remain unfinished. Found in the center of the city is a plaza filled with items wrought with the One Power and Avendesora, the Tree of Life, which is growing at the very center.
Before the city was reopened to all by Rand al'Thor, the city was magically protected and few who went in returned. The Aiel sent men to Rhuidean to see if they were deemed worthy enough to become clan chiefs, and Wise Ones sent their apprentices to see if they were strong enough to become Wise Ones themselves. Men were allowed to enter only once, while women went twice. Aiel who entered were tested by using a ter'angreal which would show the history of the Aiel through the eyes of their ancestors from earlier eras, as far back as the Age of Legends. This revealed the truth of the Aiel's past, that they were originally a group of pacifists charged with serving the Aes Sedai, a task at which most Aiel failed, only the Jenn completing their mission. Female Aiel, on their first trip to Rhuidean, also enter a ter'angreal which shows possible futures, many of which as memories blend together or are forgotten very quickly, leaving the most dire possibilities remembered.
Until recently, the city was abandoned and protected by a thick fog presumably generated by the One Power. It was also warded in some way to make it inaccessible in Tel'aran'rhiod. During his battle with Asmodean there, Rand al'Thor inadvertently dispelled the protective wardings and revealed a nearby underground lake. After also causing the fountains of the city to flow again, he left it to be repopulated.
Before the city was reopened to all by Rand al'Thor, the city was magically protected and few who went in returned. The Aiel sent men to Rhuidean to see if they were deemed worthy enough to become clan chiefs, and Wise Ones sent their apprentices to see if they were strong enough to become Wise Ones themselves. Men were allowed to enter only once, while women went twice. Aiel who entered were tested by using a ter'angreal which would show the history of the Aiel through the eyes of their ancestors from earlier eras, as far back as the Age of Legends. This revealed the truth of the Aiel's past, that they were originally a group of pacifists charged with serving the Aes Sedai, a task at which most Aiel failed, only the Jenn completing their mission. Female Aiel, on their first trip to Rhuidean, also enter a ter'angreal which shows possible futures, many of which as memories blend together or are forgotten very quickly, leaving the most dire possibilities remembered.
Until recently, the city was abandoned and protected by a thick fog presumably generated by the One Power. It was also warded in some way to make it inaccessible in Tel'aran'rhiod. During his battle with Asmodean there, Rand al'Thor inadvertently dispelled the protective wardings and revealed a nearby underground lake. After also causing the fountains of the city to flow again, he left it to be repopulated.
