In the beginning the Creator formed the Wheel of Time with seven spokes, each representing
a different age.
The wheel turned through the power of the true source, and was like a loom using living
beings as threads to weave the pattern of the ages.
Yet when the Wheel came into existence, so too did a being of pure evil, a cosmic force
known as the Dark One, which was imprisoned outside the pattern.
The Dark One wanted nothing more than to destroy the wheel of time, after which it might recreate
the universe in its own image.
Given the dark nature of this being, many wondered why the Creator would allow it to
exist.
Yet some believe that human traits such as selfishness, greed and violence came from
the existence of the Dark One, and so his presence allowed sapient beings free will
to choose the path of their own lives.
Whereas the Dark one sought desperately to interact with the world and the beings within,
“The Creator had made the world and then left humankind to make of it what they would,
a heaven or the Pit of Doom by their choosing, The Creator had made many worlds, watched
each flower and die, and gone on to make endless worlds beyond.
A gardener did not weep for each blossom that fell."
Within one of the many worlds formed by the Creator, the true source could be accessed
through use of the One Power.
A form of magic which cast spells of Earth, Spirit, Water, Air, and Fire.
This energy was divided into two opposing forces called Saidin, channelled by men, and
Saidar, channelled by women, and through the use of this power created mighty empires and
great civilizations of advanced technologies reigning over long periods of peace.
Yet, a lasting peace was not to be found, as free will constantly led humanity to become
divided, warring against each other and destroying the progress achieved.
Although humans and other sapient beings could change the pattern of the ages in small ways
as they lived their lives, the overall pattern could not be disrupted.
When someone’s actions or a great event started to alter the design, the wheel of
time sent a being with unique abilities known as a ta'veren, to correct the pattern.
These beings can range in their power and influence, and while their existence is necessary,
they are known to bring times of great struggle and hardship for the people around them.
The ta'veren themselves, live lives of destiny, and do not possess the same level of free
will as other beings, as they were spun out of the wheel for a specific purpose, and are
driven to complete their task.
Although no one can know how many times the wheel has spun, items and constructs from
previous ages sometimes survived into later time periods, and gave glimpses of both the
past and possibly the future.
The first spoke on the wheel, seemed to represent the First Age and some have come to believe
that this reflects a period of time in which humans named their planet, Earth.
Stories from later ages speak of mighty heroes and events from this era, such as Lenn who
"flew to the moon in the belly of an eagle made of fire", and Salya his daughter who
walked among the stars.
This may be in reference to the astronauts John Glenn and Sally Ride flying into space
aboard a rocket ship.
There was the war of giants between Mosk and Merk, who possessed spears or lances of fire
that could reach around the world, which may be the Soviet Union and United States of America
who developed nuclear weapons capable travelling great distances.
There are also references to Elsbet, Queen of All who may be Queen Elizabeth, and Materese
the Healer, mother of the wondrous Ind, which may be Mother Teresa.
Paintings and artefacts have also been found which may refer to the first age, like images
of giraffes and a relic with a 3 pronged star, which may possibly be hood ornament from a
Mercedes-Benz.
Some also believe that portal stones, used to travel instantly across the world, may
have been developed in this time.
After the events of these years came the second age, better known as the age of legends, when
Aes Sidai channelled the one power as Saidin and Saidar, using their abilities to help
forge an advanced civilization.
Though only a small percentage of the population was born with these abilities, those with
such abilities grew to be extremely powerful and could amplify their magic through the
use of angreal, sa'angreal, and ter'angreal.
Yet all were held to account by the Hall of Servants, who prevented abuses of power.
Led by a worldwide parliament, or "council", of democratically elected officials, the central
seat of government was found in the city of Paaran Disen.
Having eliminated poverty, all basic need was met and life expectancy rose between 150
– 200 years, while some Aes Sidai could live to be over 700.
Other technology of this age include Glowbulbs which provided light without the need of recharging
or replacement, 4 wheeled Jo-cars , floater jo-cars which hovered above the ground, Show-wings
used to travel overseas and a process called skimming which could be used to slip into
the void and quickly re-emerge in another location.
They also used portal Stones, activated by the One Power, to travel to other dimensions
and worlds within the universe of the Wheel.
Having passed beyond viewing material wealth as a measure of status, respect and recognition
could only be gained through service to the community.
In this way they might earn a third name, which was only granted to those of high reputation.
During this age, a man by the name of Lews Therin Telamon rose to become First Among
the Aes Sedai, sitting atop the high seat, and wearing the Ring of Tamyrlin, able to
summon the Nine Rods of Dominion.
In addition to being a great leader and brave warrior, he was the most powerful Aes Sidai
alive, rivalled only in ability by Elan Morin Tedronai, a great philosopher and theologian.
Although stories make this age seem like a utopian society, there were in fact a great
number of social problems growing beneath the surface, which were largely being ignored
by the ruling government.
And while these underlying issues may have grown larger in time, civilization actually
began to collapse with the discovery of a new source of magic.