The State of the World for 996 NE

This edition of the State of the World covers the time span of November 11, 1998 to April 1, 1999. In game time, that's Fall/Winter 995 NE to Fall 997 NE. A special thanks to Alrik and Alderic for helping creating interesting events in the NPC countries.

Raids and skirmishes continue on the Shaarad front, with the Goshien clan throwing in their efforts as an added bonus to the Miagoma's. A recent clan chief meeting with the Chareen has made the Miagoma situation more complicated, however - the spark of an age-old feud triggered raiding anew between the two clans, all the more fierce for remembered wrongs as well as new ones. With both clans acquiring additional preoccupations, the fate of High Cliffs Hold, currently in Shaarad-contested Miagoma possession, hangs precariously upon the winds of opportunity.

Trading prosperity has been on the rise of late within Sun Ridge Hold. Not only have a number of successful Aiel traders passsed through Sun Ridge's canyon, but a series of wetland peddlers laden with precious books, lace, velvet and even an assortment of trinkets. A mishap involving an Aiel child in peddler wagons soured the prosperity somewhat, but to no great harm.

Arad Domani incursions into the region continue. The region has no central government or organized army, but neighbouring towns do their best to raise a militia and band together to help one another. That defense can succeed against the occasional raid, but has little hope against the kind of concerted effort Arad Doman is beginning to make.

Only a few towns have fallen to the Domani, however. The Children of the Light have augmented the small force they sent into the region last year with greatly increased numbers, and proclaim it to be their duty to uphold the Fifth Treaty of Falme since no one else is. While some of the region's residents have suspicions about the ulterior motives of the Children, and whisper rumours of towns ravaged in the hunts for Darkfriends, most are all too aware that they need any armed ally that presents itself.

The southern towns have been offered some relief from Taraboner raids. That country is too occupied with its own troubles after a hard Winter to be causing problems for the Plain this year.

The coastal towns, however, a face a new source of attack - from the sea. As the piracy on the Aryth Ocean has increased, so have raids on towns on Toman Head. Last year the pirates barely touched the region, preferring to concentrate attacks on Arad Doman and Tarabon. The raiders are clearly interested in booty rather than mayhem, since they rarely kill villagers who surrender and let them plunder food stuffs and other staples. The villagers have been puzzled to see that sometimes the pirate ships seem to cooperate with one another, while other times they attack one another in vicious ship-to-ship fights.

The Sea Folk continue to offer some aid and supplies to the coastal towns, but they have their own concerns and refuse to keep their ships tied to the poor coast of Almoth Plain for very long at a time.

Altara suffered through the exceptionally difficult Winter that battered the Shadow Coast and the nation of Tarabon in 996. Many of Altara's traditional export goods like spiced hams, timber and lacquer ware are in short supply around the world, and those available cost much more than usual.

The poor have been particularly hard hit, as the Winter storms followed a season of flooding along the Eldar River the previous year. Numbers of the poor who lost their homes in the floods died as their temporary shelters collapsed around them during the Winter storms. The deaths continued throughout the Spring of 996 as people weakened by the weather fell prey to malnutrition and epidemics of fevers.

Ghealdan has been sending larger than usual shipments of grain and other staples into the region. The prices are reasonable, but beyond the reach of those unable to work due to illness or the destruction of their businesses in the storms.

News of troubles in the rest of the world, including the hard Winter on the Shadow Coast, the eruption of Dragonmount, and the military tensions in the Borderlands and Aryth Ocean coast is causing uneasiness amongst the the Amadician people. Never a country with much tolerance for the Power or anyone with unusual abilities, the backlash against such people has reached new levels.

Hundreds of women suspected of being wise women or channelers have been arrested, and a few men, as well. Rumours of vigilante justice and lynch mobs in smaller towns are carried by trader caravans to the rest of the world.

The nation has seen a slight increase in the incidences of common illnesses and deaths from them, particular during the Winter.

Queen Aislynn's studies at the Tower were finally deemed complete after five years that passed slowly for her people. During that time, Prince Consort Greydon governed the Andoran people very capably. Despite Greydon's abilities, however, some residents feared that his regency during Aislynn's abscence set a dangerous precedent for Andor -- which has always been ruled by Queens.

During the Winter of 997, when Aislynn returned to Caemlyn from the Tower, there were rumours of a few deaths from the breakbone fever. Notably, an entire Noble House (Miraval) was wiped out, and the surrounding countryside fears an epidemic. Additonally, rumours also abound of the need for Andor to break the traditional ties with Tar Valon. These complaints are generally voiced by malcontents, but it is unknown whether the Queen's return will ease the tensions that have been building against the Tower.

Arad Doman did not hesitate to take advantage of the weakness of its rival, Tarabon, after a hard Winter in 996. Domani troops are now openly sent against the towns on Almoth Plain along the Domani border. They've captured one or two towns, but most of the incursions have been repulsed by a significant force of the Children of the Light that has gathered on the Plain. King Vadin is rumoured to be gnashing his teeth over the interference of the Children, since their presence also prevents the possibility of sending forces across Almoth Plain to attack Tarabon directly in its time of weakness.

Observers believe that the expansionist desires of Arad Doman are a response to the prosperity and growth of its northern neighbour, Saldaea. Arad Doman fears that Saldaea may look south to keep its vast armies occupied since fewer men are needed to protect a quiet Blight. Saldaea has shown no aggression towards Arad Doman, but King Vadin has nonetheless decided to be prudent and is constructing and manning a few forts along the shared border.

Piracy along the Aryth Ocean coast abated during the turbulent Winter, but increased with the return of warmer weather, and was at higher levels throughout 996 than at any time during the previous year. Tarabon continues to accuse Arad Doman of sponsering the ship attacks and coastal raids, and the Domani continue to fling the accusation back at Tarabon. The Sea Folk suspect that both nations are sponsering the piracy as a way of waging war and garnering booty without harming their international reputations, but haven't been able to produce evidence to convince any of the coastal governments.

The strip of land making up the border between Kandor and Arafel is mountainous, but recently has been discovered to be rich in precious metals. The area currently controlled by Arafel between the Kandori border and the River Erinin belonged to Kandor until they ceded it to an Arafellian noble house about 450 years ago, as recognition for the heroic and sacrificial defense of Kandori lands from a Shadowspawn army. That particular noble house died out several years before the Blight went quiet, and its lands reverted to the Arafellian crown. Once the Blight no longer occupied Kandor's attention, they approached Arafel with the fact that the land had been given to that particular noble house, not to Arafel as a whole, and, as such, the land should have been returned to Kandor after the demise of the house. Arafel, of course, would allow nothing of the sort. Kandor moved troops into the area, and Arafel responded in kind.

With the presence of so many soldiers in such a confined area, it was inevitable that border clashes would break out, and they have from time to time. No one really knows exactly what started any of them, and losses were light, but neither side has backed down. Observers attribute the incalcitrance of both nations to the Borderlanders empahsis on honour, with neighter country willing to risk dishonour by backing down or conceding many points in negotiations.

Shienar has been hosting negotiations between the two nations and the Gray Sisters the Tower has sent to mediate. The first real breakthrough in negotiations was recently reported. Both nations have agreed to a ceasefire for the next stage of the discussion, and have pulled their troops away from the contested area.

Prince Jhafir, the fourth son of King Bromm, has travelled to the White Tower, sent by his father as a symbol of King Bromm's confidence in the Aes Sedai working to negotiate peace between Arafel and Kandor. Prince Jhafir is well-loved in his homeland, where he is considered a charming man and skilled swordsman. He served in that nation's Blight Scouts for many years.

Lady Cristasse of House Jacheni, an alluring and notorious noblewoman is rumored to the the King's new paramour, and was last seen departing from Shol Arbela with a full complement of golden bells in her hair, each worked in dainty filligree and far, far finer than those worn even by other Arafellin noblewomen, so costly that it seems only the royal purse could afford them. The courtier's gossip has it that the bells were a gift from Bromm, and Cristasse is not averse to the King's attentions, but she is biding her time in Tar Valon, waiting for Bromm to do something about Solanna, his Queen.

Queen Healy, new to her throne and still trying to place the crown steadily upon her brow, is quietly shopping for a consort. All the noble houses of Cairhien are falling upon themselves to produce suitable candidates, in a most distasteful breach of decorum. The capital is experiencing a notable hiring boom in musical tutors and instructors in swordsmanship as the Lords and Ladies scurry to hastily train their sons in those qualities that Her Majesty is known to desire. A good many houses are foolishly overspending in their efforts to see their prospective suitors well turned out in royal splendor, and a good many other houses quietly whisper that it is all some great ploy of the Game on the part of Healy to ensure that some of her rivals bankrupt themselves to gain her hand.

In truth, if one were to listen to the discourse of Healy's own tirewomen, you would learn that Healy is casting her eye far and wide and even seems to be considering Prince Theowyn of Andor and a shameless young rake of a Tairen High Lord by the name of Sevastial.

There is still no indication of the intentions of the newly-returned Children of the Light to Caemlyn. Two dozen Children and an equal number of servants have taken up residence at a farm outside Caemlyn. The numbers of Children in Shienar have remained small since King Saagen took the throne in 988 NE. Only a small embassy in Fal Moran is maintained.

After six season's presence outside Tar Valon, the intentions of the Whitecloaks towards the city are still unknown. Tar Valon guards were miffed when the Children discovered a long-time embezzlement scandal at the Gaming Barge. After the eruption of Dragonmount and the subsequent destruction of the village Alindaer, the Children of the Light succored some of the refugees and were the first to announce plans to rebuild the village. In early Aine 996, the camp increased by about fifty men, to a total nearing two hundred.

With the swelling of Tear's army and Illian's defensive attention turned eastwards, the Children have had an increased presence in Altara. Whitecloaks have been spotted in numbers on the Almoth Plain. Reports of their activities vary from assisting those villages hardest hit by the Domani to ruthless campaigns of rooting out Darkfriends.

The Shadowspawn continue the eerie lack of activity that has puzzled and confused observers for over a decade. No Trollocs have attacked the Borderlands, and none have been spotted by scouts sent into the Blight itself. At least, none have been reported by those scouts able to report. A number have disappeared, and most of those who do return to their homes to report fall into a catatonic state that neither the One Power nor more conventional treatments affects.

While some people take the lack of Shadowspawn activity as a positive sign that the Light is triumphing over the evil forces of the world, others are not so sanguine. The Blight itself is as deadly as ever, filled with mutated animals and blighted flora, and it has not retreated one inch from the land it's slowly swallowed up over the past centuries.

And although beastly forces of the Dark are not to be seen, there are no lack of rumours about the activity of its human forces. Half of Jehannah in Ghealdan believes the merchant House of the Gilded Lily to be rife with Darkfriends. A mysterious figure styling himself the Shadow is making his presence felt in Tar Valon. And sages around the world are muttering that the eruption of Dragonmount may be a portent described in the Prophecies of the Dragon. They cite this passage:

His tomb fire shall rain,
The river run with gold,
When he returns again,
Our Hope, our Dread, this is Foretold.

Another translation of the Prophecies has a different interpretation for this passage that leaves some sages in doubt about whether it relates to the eruption of Dragonmount:

Our dread is the Grave of Fire,
On which all souls will burn
And drown in the River of Blood.
Our hope is the promised Return.

Ghealdan prospered from the hard Winter along the Shadow Coast in 996 by sending shipments of grain and other staples to Tarabon and Amadicia. Rather than charging exhorbitant prices, it made these supplies available at a reasonable, though profitable, rate. The cynical consider this less a gesture of good will than a desire to keep on the good side of nations more powerful and organized than itself.

There are also rumours that King Orsini has opened discussions with the Children of the Light. It's said the King would like to invite the Children into Jehannah to assist in quelling the wave of crime washing over that city. Many Ghealdin oppose this idea, even those that have been victims, and grumble that it's just another example of the Children sticking their noses into other people's business. Observers believe that Orsini initiated the discussions, since the Children already have a significant number of their forces in the field elsewhere in the world, but no one who knows the truth of the matter is confirming or denying any rumours.

Those who would like to see the Children in Ghealdan have garnered some support for their position from the continuing rumours of foul deeds commited by the mercantile House of the Golden Lily. Although its enterprises have scarcely been touched by the criminal bands, more than one of its properties has been vandalized by outraged citizens, and its merchant caravans are suspected of being sent out adorned with the sigils of other Houses lest they also be attacked.

Complete accord between the three branches of the Illianer government is impossible, but the King, the Council of Nine and the Assemblage are all in agreement about protecting the nation from the growing army of Tear, its traditional rival. Troops have been sent to bolster the defenses of towns, roads and key military positions along the eastern border.

The increased military presence has resulted in an increase of taxes, never a popular measure in any nation, and the less so in a nation of merchants and business people. The Assemblage is now openly petitioning the Council and the King to call a Hunt for the Horn of Valere. The common citizens originally considered this petition to be laughable, as it was driven by motives of greed for the fantastic business opportunities offered by a Hunt, rather than fears of an impending Tarmon Gai'don. Support for calling a Hunt has been growing since rumours of the portents surrounding the eruption of Dragonmount reached Illian, however.

The Guild has been keeping a low profile since arriving in Tar Valon, much to the disappointment of the city's youngsters who were hoping for regular displays of the Illuminator's art. Instead they have had to make do with the occasional display sponsered by the city government or an extravagant noble house.

The adults in the city are less disappointed, but are equally mystified about what the Guild is doing in the city if it isn't trying to earn a profit by selling and displaying its work.

Please see the entry for Arafel.

When Lady Aselain, sister to the First of Mayene, arrived in Tar Valon with her family in 995 NE it was said to be to promote Mayener trading interests. In a startling turn, Lady Aselain is rumoured to be tacitly recruiting a small force of mercenaries with which she plans stage a palace coup in her homeland. The source of these rumors are unknown but it is suspected that it is an effort on the part of the High Lords of Tear to create a fatal dissension within the ruling house of Mayene. Maesling Tenly, Aes Sedai of the Grey Ajah and advisor to the First has made a pronouncement that to the best of her information, there is no truth to the rumours. However, Lady Aselain and First Leilah have not exchanged correspondence in some months' time, and both have tripled their personal cordons of Guards.

Lord Renford of House Fiore has been advancing the interests of his House for some years now. He began with strategic marriages between his children and other Houses and has also gained the support of many of the common people.

For her part, Queen Sydelle has not remained upon her throne for twenty years by being lackwitted. True to her Mindean heritage she has exploded in a rage to shatter stone and has begun to forge a coalition of many smaller houses, and has made it known that she will be offering new estates and titles for "commendable service to the crown." What she has not made mention of is from where these new estates are to be carved but a keen observer can assume that this is a veiled threat to House Fiore and its allies. Sydelle's new coalition has several times the men-in-arms of Renford's suspected alliance, and it has his allies quietly rethinking their stances.

A house raising for Iaon coincided with a visit from a party of Shaarad Aiel in the Autumn of 995. Also in the Autumn, during the harvest festival of Bel Arvina, parts of the selcuded glade caught fire due to the negligence of an Ogier who was teaching one of the children how to build a campfire. Members of the community came together to "rebeautify" the area with winter-blooming plants and bushes, as well as clear away trees too fire-damaged to be considered safe.

The Tuatha'an River Band travelled to the Stedding and stayed the Winter of 996 to trade. A feast was held in their honour and both groups celebrated each other's peaceful cultures. It was also an opportunity for the two groups to trade with one another.

When word of Dragonmount's eruption came to the Stedding, Eldest Marith answered the call for aid in rebuilding Alindaer by putting together a party of masons and travelling to Tar Valon in the Spring of 996. Their first project was rebuilding the bridge, and once the Aes Sedai cleared away the solidified liquid fire that had covered the town, the Ogier contributed greatly to the rebuilding of Alindaer's homes, a project completed in early 997. Ogier builders have also been sighted on the Tower grounds, where they have just completed a new smithy. A young Ogier named Nita gave a public demonstration of Treesinging in the Fall of 996.

Saldaea continues to prosper and grow. After ten years of having its men at home more due to the unusually quiet Blight, the nation is experiencing a significant population boom. The number of babies born in the past decade is almost double that of the previous decade. The increased manpower available to concentrate on farming and production has led to great financial prosperity, as well.

With her new thriving populace, Beah has adopted an expansionist posture and has been reasserting control over remote regions and creating new estates and holdings, as well as strengthening her border garrisons. To allay the fears of her neighbors and traditional Borderlander allies, Beah has dispatched embassies to the nations of the Borderlands, large, grand ones with honor guards, and full retinues of courtiers. Queen Beah has named her nephew Adram of House Zadnere as Ambassador to Shienar, and dispatched him with a sizable entourage and staff, including his lady-wife who is none too pleased with this disruption to her usual routine.

Saldaea has not forgotten the risk that lies to the north, however. Men remain stationed along the Blight border at all times, and discipline and traditional defenses are strictly maintained. Queen Beah has been growing increasingly concerned over the disharmony between Arafel and Kandor, and has joined with Shienar and the Gray Sedai sent from the Tower in the negotiations. Some believe that Saldaea's participation was a key catalyst for the recent ceasefire between the two battling Borderlands.

The Sea Folk have been trading less than usual to the nations of Arad Doman and Tarabon, and charging higher prices when they do stop in those ports. When Sea Folk ships are in the area they often put in at the coastal towns of the Almoth Plain to offer them what aid they can (for a reasonable price, of course). It seems as if the pirates troubling the Aryth Ocean area have learned better than to attack Sea Folk ships or approach their islands.

By contrast, trade between the Sea Folk and the nations bordering the Sea of Storms has been brisk this past year. Silk from Shara is particularly plentiful, and as a result cheaper than usual, delighting the ladies and lords of many nations who're outfitting themselves with fine additions to their wardrobes.

The royal family of Shienar and a large retinue traveled to Tar Valon in the Fall of 995. They were welcomed by the White Tower and stayed there for the duration of their visit. Delegates from Arafel and Kandor traveled to the city at the same time, and all three groups met with Aes Sedai to negotiate the conflict between Arafel and Kandor, but little headway was made at that time.

Queen Tabitha also brought with her some of the catatonic scouts in hopes that the Tower could treat and restore them, as well as news of events (or lack of events) in the Blight.

While on a tour of the city, the royal family happened upon a fracas between a Kandori and Arafellin lords at the Great Tree Inn. The Queen recognized one of the participants as her own husband, Saagen. He had been missing and thought dead after falling in a bandit attack some years previous. Those who witnessed the unusual reunion reported that the man the Shienarans called Saagen used another name and denied all their claims of who he was before being spirited away to the Tower.

The Shienaran party, with the addition of their newly rediscovered King, returned home in Spring 996. Soon after the nation of Shienar enjoyed its bi-annual Tourney which includes not only displays of the arts of combat and sport, but the more mental pursuits of riddle solving and bardic displays. Adriajan was declared the overall winner of the grand event.

King Saagen was nowhere to be seen during the Tourney, and has rarely been seen at any public events since. There is quiet muttering among some of the citizenry that perhaps he is not right in the head, and even quieter muttering that perhaps he isn't Saagen at all.

The Shadow Coast and the neighbouring nations of Tarabon and Amadicia suffered an exceptionally hard winter in 996. The weather affected agricultural production, and reduced the availability and increased the price of trade goods like rugs, teas and dyes imported from Tarabon. Crime in the cities of Tarabon has increased sharply, probably because the poor are hardest hit by shortages and easily driven to desperation. Ghealdan is charging a reasonable price for its relief shipments of grain and other staples, but it is still beyond the grasp of the poorest people, and the higher levels of Taraboner society have done little to assist the lower classes in this time of need.

Focused on troubles at home, Tarabon is in no position to send troops into the Almoth Plain region to try and counter the incursions of Arad Doman, its historical rival for control of that area.

Piracy along the Aryth Ocean coast abated during the turbulent Winter, but increased with the return of warmer weather, and was at higher levels throughout 996 than at any time during the previous year. Tarabon continues to accuse Arad Doman of sponsering the ship attacks and coastal raids, and the Domani continue to fling the accusation back at Tarabon. The Sea Folk suspect that both nations are sponsering the piracy as a way of waging war and garnering booty without harming their international reputations, but haven't been able to produce evidence to convince any of the coastal governments.

Members of the prominent Tarabon noble House of Sulamaad have taken up residence in Tar Valon, as Lady Benasir Shevat ibn Ramayaad wishes to be nearer her daughter, Raziah, who is studying at the White Tower.

Alderic Andivell was inaugurated as High Councillor in ceremonial splendor in the Fall of 995, and has since convened his Council. They are: Andrin Devarin as Councillor of Finance, Masune Tandi as Councillor of Trade, Eurinde Spantos as Harbormistress and Kenry Hardwen as Councillor of Justice. Word has it that the Amyrlin is growing increasingly impatient with Alderic for taking his own fine time in seating a Councillor for the Tower from the pool of candidates she has put forth as a courtesy.

The inaugural festivities were marred by tragedy as Dragonmount erupted more violently than it had in generations and wreaked total devastation upon the bridge town of Alindaer. Happily the loss of life was minimal. Sadly, the reconstruction efforts were turned into a cause for partisan bickering as the High Councillor and the Lord Captain Commander of the Children of the Light engaged in a war of oratory over who had the truest intentions and who was best serving the people of Alindaer. A delegation of Ogier was requested to assist in the rebuilding, and between the three groups, with a little assistance from the Aes Sedai, the restoration of Alindaer was completed in early 997.

Lady Ibaethien Ibaswen of House Ildevwyn, a cunning and notorious Cairhienin noblewoman, acquired a mansion near to Alderic's own and has been surreptitiously accommodating disreputable members of her house within her manor. Lady Benasir Shevat ibn Ramayaad of House Sulamaad in Tarabon also arrived in Tar Valon with a spectacular train of attendants and carriages and has taken to residence in a manor within the city, so that she may be at hand to her eldest daughter, Raziah, who studies in the Tower.

Maudine Altamont, the capable new Mistress of Ceremonies of the Hall of Song is basking in public acclaim for recently staging a successful night's event of music and balladeering. This "Gleeman's Night" is widely considered to have been the event of the musical season.

On the social front, the recent wedding of Councilor of Finance Andrin Devarin and Social Secretary to the High Councillor, Maggae Felix, was by far the most lavish celebration Tar Valon has scene since the wedding of former High Councillor Morant and Esancha Sedai. The Amyrlin Seat herself deigned to attend, escorted by Prince Jhafir of Arafel, and High Councillor Andivell arranged for a display of illuminations out of his own coffers. The wedding was the crown jewel in Tar Valon's burgeoning social season of 996.

Still, for all the joy and feasting going on, Tar Valon seems a warier place of late. The dreaded Black Suns Cartel is rumoured to have sprouted anew in the city, like some monster of legend that grows a new head no matter how many times you lop it off. High Councillor Alderic and Blue Sister Shantal Arbenne maintain that there is no cause for concern and the Black Suns will be uprooted as they have been time and time again.

The Lords of Tear continue to move tenants off of their traditional farms so they can turn them into pasture for the huge herds of profitable Tairen horses in demand around the world. Most of the dispossessed flock into Tear and other cities, swelling the ranks of the poor and downtrodden.

Crime in the cities has increased as a result, and it's not uncommon to see murders committed for the sake of a few silver coins. Some citizens are even desperate enough to attack the wealthy, despite the harsh justice awaiting anyone convicted of such a crime - the Defenders have had to hire extra executioners, and there are more arrest warrants than competent thief-takers to take them on.

The one honest living available to an unemployed common man is work in the ever-expanding army, funded by the profits of horse sales. Much of the army is deployed on the western border nearest its traditional enemy of Illian. Troops have also been sent after groups of dispossessed farmers who have moved into the southern border of Haddon Mirk, where they are trying to carve new lands out for themselves beyond the borders of their former nation.

Haddon Mirk is also a subject of many rumours in the region, as river boats travelling along the Erinin have reported hearing strange sounds from the forest. A few even claim to have seen strange creatures moving among the trees in twilight, but most scoff at them and believe it to be nothing more than fugitives and farmers fleeing justice.

Tuatha'an bands continue to avoid the turbulent areas of the Almoth Plain and the Kandor-Arafel border. The Mahdis are troubled by the continuing increase in the Lost (Tinkers who have abandoned the Way), but rarely speak of it to outsiders.

Despite the best attempts of its Mahdi, the River Band has encountered more excitement than it might like this past year. The Band was camped near Tar Valon when Dragonmount erupted in late 995, and like so many others in the area, fled the volcano's fury to seek shelter in the city of Tar Valon. The Tinkers took up residence in the common market, selling their wares until the seeker decided it was time to move on.

Next the River Band travelled to Stedding Maotai, where it enjoyed a period of fruitful trade with the Ogier during the Winter of 996. The Tinkers and Ogier exchanged both goods and cultural information. Eventually the Mahdi decided it was time for the Band to leave, and the Tinkers travelled to Shienar, arriving at Fal Moran just in time for the Tourney competition in the Spring of 996. Although the Tourney's combats are festive rather than bloody, many Tinkers still found themselves troubled by what they saw there, and the Mahdi soon moved the River Band on to Andor, encountering another party of travellers on the way.

Skye recently stepped down as Mahdi of the River Band, and the Band's new Mahdi is Rasad. Skye continues to serve her people by acting as Wisdom to the River Band.

The royal family of Shienar and delegates from Kandor and Arafel arrived at the Tower to take part in negotiations in the Fall of 995. Queen Tabitha of Shienar also brought reports from Aes Sedai investigating the unusually quiet Blight and the catatonic state of those sent to scout it. The other notables at the Tower were joined by Prince Greydon and his retinue in the late Fall 995. The Andorans had travelled to the city to escort Queen Aislynn home after her Tower studies are complete, but this return trip was not made until recently, during the Winter of 997.

In the Autumn of 995, the Tower sheltered panicked citizens during the eruption of Dragonmount. Rumours circulated throughout the Winter that the Aes Sedai were troubled by the portents accompanying the eruption, and a team was sent to investigate the volcano in the Spring of 996 when it had cooled. Sisters strong in Earth recently assisted the rebuilding of that village by breaking up the solidified liquid fire so that homes could be rebuilt by the visiting Ogier, who have also built a new smithy on the Tower grounds.

The Borderland visitors returned to their homes in early Spring 996. Soon after they left, Jhafir, a prince of Arafel, travelled to the Tower. He was sent as a goodwill gesture of faith in the abilities of the Aes Sedai trying to negotiate a peace between his people and Kandor. Sisters of the Gray Ajah remain in the Borderlands, and recently celebrated a small success as Kandor and Arafel agreed to a ceasefire while the negotiations proceed. A small party from the Tower travelled to Shienar for news of the negotiations and Blight border, arriving in time for that nation's Tourney in Spring 996. It is believed the Tower also continues to send Grays to negotiate between Tarabon and Arad Doman.

Barely a year after her appointment, Marielle Sedai of the Brown Ajah retired from her position as Keeper, returning to her old duties as Head Librarian. Amyrlin Deianeira must have decided to minimize the chances of another retirement because her newest Keeper, Naya, is a young Green. The Green Ajah elected another young Sedai, Jacinthe, as its new head. Some of the more mature Sedai are beginning to grumble about the concentration of unseasoned Sisters in important positions.

The Tower has been scouring Tar Valon to find a male channeler named Delanthear since the Autumn of 996, but they do not seem to have had any success yet.