As the Jenn Aiel settled in Rhuidean, their warrior counterparts went into the surrounding
deserts they named the 3 fold lands, forming clans who fiercely defended their territory
and deny access to most outsiders.
Exceptions were made for the Aes Sedai out of respect for their ancient ties, as well
as merchants and Gleemen, to provide supplies and stories from the outside world.
Another group allowed passage but for a very different reason were the Tuatha’an, as
the Aiel considered them so dishonourable it would bring shame to come anywhere near
them.
Over thousands of years, the Aiel developed a culture far different to those being established
in the Westlands, organizing themselves into 12 clans whole lived by Ji’e’toh, a moral
code that shaped their views on honor, duty and shame.
Living in the desert, water was considered their most precious resource, with the “water
oath” becoming the most sacred promise they could make.
Though men and women in their society often had strictly defined roles, they were in many
ways more egalitarian then their western neighbours.
While only males could become Clan chiefs, only females could hold property and become
Wise Ones acting who acted as healers, diplomats, historians and councillors.
If a woman displayed interest in a man, he was not permitted to show interest back unless
she verbally expressed her feelings.
Men can them give gifts and offer themselves as servants to win her affection, but only
the woman could propose marriage, to which he could agree or refuse.
Despite feeling no embarrassment with being nude in public, displays of physical affection
were considered strictly taboo.
When it came to relationships, the Aiel practiced polygyny, allowing for a man to marry multiple
wives, though the women must all be in agreement and willing to become sister wives, bonded
together through rituals performed by Wise Ones.
Focusing on spear based desert combat, both men and women could become warriors, trained
to believe there was great honor in defeating your enemies, but none in killing them.
This resulted in the development of an elaborate system of voluntary servitude, where defeated
Aiel became Gai’shain (GYE-shain), swearing an oath to practice the way of the leaf and
live as a servant for a year and a day to an individual master.
However, Blacksmiths, wise ones, pregnant women, young children nor their mothers could
not be taken into service.
Though it was not a requirement, dreamwalkers and channelers of the one power were automatically
given the chance to become Wise ones, but to earn the position, they underwent tests
that pushed them to their physical and psychological limit, ending in a journey to Rhuidean where
they learned the hidden truth about their past and the destiny that awaited them.
Men who wish to become clan chiefs also performed this ritual, but it was so dangerous only
about 1 of every 3 survived the journey.
In addition to learning the truth about their past mission for the Aes Sedai, they heard
the prophecy of the Dragon Reborn that described a mighty hero who would one day unite the
clans.
While Chiefs who survived the visit to Rhuidean were normally branded with a dragon tattooed
on their forearm, the prophecy stated that one day a leader would emerge with two markings
and he would be the Car'a'carn, a chief-of-chiefs, who would both lead and destroy them:
"He shall spill out the blood of those who call themselves Aiel as water on sand, and
he shall break them as dried twigs, yet the remnant of a remnant shall he save, and they
shall live."
Separated into 12 clans, the Aiel further divided themselves into septs to represent
their geographic region, and Holdings to describe actual settlements, which then have a central
hold.
Yet despite the allegiances their people developed to their neighbours, many owed their first
allegiance to one of their 12 warrior societies , with only one, the Far Dareis Mai (FAHR-
DAH-rize MY) or Maidens of the Spear, accepting women.
Those in this female warrior society were considered married to their spears, formfitting
the right to have relationships with men or bare children while remaining a member.
In order to prevent these clans and societies from destroying each other, rules of war and
conquest were established, with the victorious side allowed to carry off 1/5th of their enemy’s
possessions.
Yet even with these rules and regulations to help them survive, the desert surroundings
made it a constant struggle, with some of their leaders coming to believe they were
being punished for failing the Aes Sedai.
Nevertheless the warrior clans survived and multiplied throughout the area, while the
Jenn Aiel eventually died off leaving Rhuidean largely abandoned.
Nearing the end of the years after breaking, hordes of trollocs and shadowspawn invaded
the continent from the north, wreaking havoc across the westlands.
Though they also tried to invade the three fold lands, the harsh conditions and fierce
resistance led them to retreat and name the region the Dying Ground.
During the Free Years, when Artur Hawkwing conquered the Westlands, he too sent his armies
into the eastern wastes, and was initially successful in winning territory as the Aiel
refused to face them in open battle, instead retreating into the deserts and mountains
to launched an unending guerrilla war, harassing and bleeding the enemy until they had no choice
but to withdraw.
Centuries later in the year 509 of the New Era, the Aiel learned that their ancient allies
in the west who helped them during their great journey, had settled the nation of Cairhien.
During those difficult days, the Aiel faced enemies on all sides, and so were extremely
grateful to find a group who did not attack and instead offered help by providing them
clean water.
To honor this kindness, the Aiel reached out and offered alliance, granting them safe passage
through the desert which in turn allowed them to start trading for silks and spices with
Shara in the far-east, making them incredibly wealthy.
The Aiel also sent them a Chorra tree, a few decades later, as a symbol of their friendship.
However 4 centuries later in 976 NE, King Laman Damodred cut down the sacred tree in
order to carve himself a throne, enraging the Aiel who felt insulted and betrayed.
Four clans then joined together under the famous chief Janduin, to invade the Westlands,
determined to kill the King.
Armed with spears and a righteous cause, 90,000 Aiel descended upon the Westlands, destroying
any army that dared stand against them.
When they realized the gravity of the threat they were facing, the nations of the west
banded together in a defensive alliance, but even so could not achieve victory.
Despite being outnumbered, the Aiel chased King Damodred all the way to Tar valon, where
they fought the Battle of the Blood Snow in 978 NE, finally killing their hated enemy.
At this point, having defeated the West, they might have continued to occupy their territory,
but the Aiel had no such motivation, instead immediately returning to their homeland after
justice was served.
Serving in the armies of the West during these years, a young soldier named Tam Al’thor
happened to find what looked like an abandoned Aiel baby, after the fighting on Dragonmount,
choosing to raise him as his own son in the village of Two Rivers.
Around the same time, the Aes Sedai Gitara Moroso had a vision proclaiming the Dragon
has been reborn, leading them to start searching for the child.
In time, the boy, Rand Al’thor, learned that he was both an Aiel and the prophesied
Dragon Reborn, going about fulfilling his destiny by emerging from Rhuidean with two
forearm tattoos, in order to rally support from the clans for his war against the Dark
One Shaytan.
Although 11 of the Clans followed him, the Shaido refused and joined the enemy, only
to be defeated by the armies of the Car'a'carn.