Tar Valon
Encyclopedia
Tar Valon is a fictional city in Robert Jordan
's fantasy series the Wheel of Time
.
. It is the home of the White Tower, which is the center of Aes Sedai
power. A saying used by Aes Sedai sums up the importance of Tar Valon and the White Tower: "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.
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.
, and they are among the oldest constructions since the Breaking of the World. 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 serves as the headquarters of the Aes Sedai. The White Tower is protected by a weave of saidar, repelling all rats and ravens from Tar Valon, who are thought to be the Dark One's spies and source of intelligence.
The Tower itself is divided into different sections for the various ranks and factions, including guards, Novices, Accepted and even the servants. The Tower grounds include training areas for guardsmen and Warder
s, as well as numerous gardens. While much of Aes Sedai business is conducted in the Tower proper certain rituals are conducted in the sublevels of the Tower, including the test for the Accepted and the test for the Shawl. These sublevels also serve to house items of the One Power which the Aes Sedai have collected since the Breaking. It also houses an underground prison used for those of the Black Ajah
.
The Amrylin Seat, Elaida do Avriny a' Roihan
, was in the constructing a massive palace, parts of which were to beat the Tower in height, before her capture by the Seanchan. With the reunification of the White Tower under Egwene Al'Vere, the fate of this palace is unknown.
, Salidar's Amyrlin Seat
, has united the White Tower under her rule.
, the Younglings are mostly former students of Warders in the White Tower. When Siuan Sanche
was deposed and a number of Warders attempted to rescue her, Gawyn and several of the Younglings opposed them. Several on both sides were killed in the fighting, and the Younglings pledged their allegiance to Elaida
, the new Amyrlin Seat. However, after numerous instances in which it was clear that they were to be disposed of, the Younglings have become extremely distrustful of the Tar Valon Aes Sedai.
from the Arthurian Legend, and the city may be modeled after Avalon.
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.
Robert Jordan
Robert Jordan was the pen name of James Oliver Rigney, Jr. , under which he was best known as the author of the bestselling The Wheel of Time fantasy series. He also wrote under the pseudonyms Reagan O'Neal and Jackson O'Reilly.-Biography:Jordan was born in Charleston, South Carolina...
's fantasy series the Wheel of Time
Wheel of time
The Wheel of time or wheel of history is a concept found in several religious traditions and philosophies, notably religions of Indian origin such as Hinduism and Buddhism, which regard time as cyclical and consisting of repeating ages...
.
The City
Tar Valon is an island city in the River Erinin, within sight of the DragonmountDragonmount
Dragonmount is a fictional location in Robert Jordan's The Wheel of Time series of novels. It is a colossal mountain in the vicinity of the island-city of Tar Valon, close enough that its shadow brushes the city each evening....
. It is the home of the White Tower, which is the center of Aes Sedai
Aes Sedai
The Aes Sedai are a special society in the fictional universe of Robert Jordan's The Wheel of Time book series. Aes Sedai means "Servant to All" in the Old Tongue. They are the wielders of the One Power...
power. A saying used by Aes Sedai sums up the importance of Tar Valon and the White Tower: "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.
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
Cairhien
Cairhien is a country set in Robert Jordan's The Wheel of Time series of fantasy fiction novels. Cairhien is located in the east central part of The Westlands, on the east it borders with the Spine of the World. The sign of Cairhien is a golden sun rising on a field of deep blue...
. 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.
The White Tower
The Tower, and much of the city, was built by the OgierOgier (Wheel of Time)
The Ogier are a race of non-human creatures who have an intense love of knowledge. They are also great architects and stonemasons, responsible for many of the most impressive structures and cities of the world. Ogier stonework is known for its organic nature, often appearing to have been grown...
, and they are among the oldest constructions since the Breaking of the World. Tar Valon is a city-state
City-state
A city-state is an independent or autonomous entity whose territory consists of a city which is not administered as a part of another local government.-Historical city-states:...
of sorts, over which the Amyrlin Seat
Amyrlin Seat
The Amyrlin Seat is a fictional title from Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time series.The Amyrlin Seat, or Amyrlin as it is often shortened to, is the leader of the Aes Sedai in Tar Valon. The term can also refer to the actual seat upon which the Amyrlin sits...
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 serves as the headquarters of the Aes Sedai. The White Tower is protected by a weave of saidar, repelling all rats and ravens from Tar Valon, who are thought to be the Dark One's spies and source of intelligence.
The Tower itself is divided into different sections for the various ranks and factions, including guards, Novices, Accepted and even the servants. The Tower grounds include training areas for guardsmen and Warder
Warder (Wheel of Time)
A Warder in the world of Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time series is a person bonded by an Aes Sedai through the use of saidar to become her bodyguard as she travels....
s, as well as numerous gardens. While much of Aes Sedai business is conducted in the Tower proper certain rituals are conducted in the sublevels of the Tower, including the test for the Accepted and the test for the Shawl. These sublevels also serve to house items of the One Power which the Aes Sedai have collected since the Breaking. It also houses an underground prison used for those of the Black Ajah
Black Ajah
An Ajah is a sub-organization within the Aes Sedai of Robert Jordan's The Wheel of Time series. The Black Ajah is a secret society of Aes Sedai who have forsaken the Three Oaths. This Ajah supports the Dark One, and its members are also active members of the other seven Ajahs to keep their...
.
The Amrylin Seat, Elaida do Avriny a' Roihan
Elaida a'Roihan
Elaida do Avriny a'Roihan is an antagonist in the Wheel of Time fantasy series by Robert Jordan.-Background:The youngest daughter of a minor House in the north of Murandy, Elaida was the first novice to be raised to Accepted in only three years. She was raised to the shawl after Siuan Sanche and...
, was in the constructing a massive palace, parts of which were to beat the Tower in height, before her capture by the Seanchan. With the reunification of the White Tower under Egwene Al'Vere, the fate of this palace is unknown.
Current state
Egwene al'VereEgwene al'Vere
Egwene al'Vere is one of the main characters of the Wheel of Time fantasy series by Robert Jordan.-Description:She is described as beautiful, with large brown eyes and long dark hair. Like all adult women in her home village of Emond's Field, she initially wore her hair in a long braid, but as soon...
, Salidar's Amyrlin Seat
Amyrlin Seat
The Amyrlin Seat is a fictional title from Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time series.The Amyrlin Seat, or Amyrlin as it is often shortened to, is the leader of the Aes Sedai in Tar Valon. The term can also refer to the actual seat upon which the Amyrlin sits...
, has united the White Tower under her rule.
Younglings
A group of young men led by Gawyn TrakandGawyn Trakand
Gawyn Trakand is a fictional character in the Wheel of Time fantasy series by Robert Jordan.Lord Gawyn of House Trakand is the son of Taringail and Queen Morgase, as well as the brother of Elayne and half-brother to Galad Damodred...
, the Younglings are mostly former students of Warders in the White Tower. When Siuan Sanche
Siuan Sanche
Siuan Sanche is a character of the Wheel of Time fantasy series by Robert Jordan.The sharp-tongued daughter of a fisherman from Tear, Siuan Sanche joined the White Tower at the same time as Moiraine Damodred...
was deposed and a number of Warders attempted to rescue her, Gawyn and several of the Younglings opposed them. Several on both sides were killed in the fighting, and the Younglings pledged their allegiance to Elaida
Elaida a'Roihan
Elaida do Avriny a'Roihan is an antagonist in the Wheel of Time fantasy series by Robert Jordan.-Background:The youngest daughter of a minor House in the north of Murandy, Elaida was the first novice to be raised to Accepted in only three years. She was raised to the shawl after Siuan Sanche and...
, the new Amyrlin Seat. However, after numerous instances in which it was clear that they were to be disposed of, the Younglings have become extremely distrustful of the Tar Valon Aes Sedai.
Historical and mythical references
As with many aspects of the Wheel of time, Tar Valon is influenced by mythological and historical references. The name 'Tar Valon' resembles that of AvalonAvalon
Avalon is a legendary island featured in the Arthurian legend. It first appears in Geoffrey of Monmouth's 1136 pseudohistorical account Historia Regum Britanniae as the place where King Arthur's sword Excalibur was forged and later where Arthur was...
from the Arthurian Legend, and the city may be modeled after Avalon.
The White Tower may be borrowed in part from the White Tower
White Tower (Tower of London)
The White Tower is a central tower, the old keep, at the Tower of London.-History:The castle which later became known as the Tower of London was built by William the Conqueror in 1066. It began as a timber fortification enclosed by a palisade. In the next decade work began on the White Tower, the...
which is a part of the Tower of London
Tower of London
Her Majesty's Royal Palace and Fortress, more commonly known as the Tower of London, is a historic castle on the north bank of the River Thames in central London, England. It lies within the London Borough of Tower Hamlets, separated from the eastern edge of the City of London by the open space...
, where Yeoman Warders serve.