Altara
Encyclopedia
Altara is a fictional country in Robert Jordan
's Wheel of Time
fantasy series.
and Amadicia
. The river Eldar forms its western border.
Recently the Seanchan
conquered Ebou Dar and the southern part of Altara. They allowed the queen at the time, Tylin Mitsobar, to remain on the Throne of the Winds as a client queen
. Shortly afterwards, though, Tylin was killed by a Gholam and her son Beslan Mitsobar has since ascended to the Throne. Before his ascension, Beslan was engaged in anti-Seanchan activities in Ebou Dar. Following events in The Gathering Storm
, Beslan has sworn his loyalty to the Seanchan and was subsequently placed on an even footing with Seanchan nobility.
Women in Altara are dominant, especially in Ebou Dar. In fact, in many situations an Altaran woman has the right to kill a man unquestioned. Knives and swords are an important part of Altaran life. Both men and women fight duels over trivial disputes, often with fatal results. Altaran women carry marriage knives, which serve both as a formal way to broadcast marital status (its color and decorations describe marital and motherly status), and a way to deal with their men.
. Abandoned and forgotten till recently, it is the place the Rebel Aes Sedai
flee to after Siuan Sanche
is deposed and Elaida is made Amyrlin
. The secret location of the Rebels was hidden in a play on words, "Sallie Daera". The location is chosen for symbolic as well as practical reasons; it is the birthplace of the Blue Ajah
Aes Sedai who replaced the last Red Ajah
Amyrlin before Elaida, and its proximity to the Whitecloaks in Amadicia makes it appear unsuitable to anyone happening to look for them.
Salidar serves as a gathering point for the rebels while they decide what to do next; while some suggest making peace with the White Tower and returning under Elaida's rule, most support establishing a parallel structure. They raise their own Amyrlin, Egwene al'Vere
, and convene their own Hall of the Tower
. A number of other significant events happen here as well, including Nynaeve al'Meara
's discovery of how to Heal a person who has been cut off from the One Power
.
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 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...
fantasy series.
Geography
Altara is located between IllianIllian
In the fictional world of Robert Jordan's fantasy series The Wheel of Time, Illian is a powerful merchant nation north of the Sea of Storms, with a capital city of the same name. It is a center of commerce specializing in fishing, shipping, shipbuilding, and smuggling. Political deadlock often...
and Amadicia
Amadicia
-Geography:It is a landlocked nation in the southwest of the main continent, stretching from the southern end of the Mountains of Mist to the northern edge of the Shadow Coast .-Politics and government:...
. The river Eldar forms its western border.
Politics and government
The nation is not united and often some nobles have more power than the King or Queen. Its capital, a port, is Ebou Dar, located in the south. The banner of Altara is two golden leopards on a field checked four-by-four in red and blue.Recently the Seanchan
Seanchan
In the fictional world of Robert Jordan's fantasy series The Wheel of Time, Seanchan is the name of a continent, the empire that occupies it, and the people that live in the empire...
conquered Ebou Dar and the southern part of Altara. They allowed the queen at the time, Tylin Mitsobar, to remain on the Throne of the Winds as a client queen
Client state
Client state is one of several terms used to describe the economic, political and/or military subordination of one state to a more powerful state in international affairs...
. Shortly afterwards, though, Tylin was killed by a Gholam and her son Beslan Mitsobar has since ascended to the Throne. Before his ascension, Beslan was engaged in anti-Seanchan activities in Ebou Dar. Following events in The Gathering Storm
The Gathering Storm (novel)
The Gathering Storm is the 12th book of the fantasy series The Wheel of Time. It was incomplete when its author, Robert Jordan, died on September 16, 2007, from cardiac amyloidosis...
, Beslan has sworn his loyalty to the Seanchan and was subsequently placed on an even footing with Seanchan nobility.
Culture
Ebou Dar celebrates more festivals and feastdays than any other city on the map. Even so, it is a wild and dangerous place, especially in the Rahad, where the poorer classes live. Outside the city, the country consists of inhabitants who associate themselves with a particular town or lord rather than the Queen or Altara.Women in Altara are dominant, especially in Ebou Dar. In fact, in many situations an Altaran woman has the right to kill a man unquestioned. Knives and swords are an important part of Altaran life. Both men and women fight duels over trivial disputes, often with fatal results. Altaran women carry marriage knives, which serve both as a formal way to broadcast marital status (its color and decorations describe marital and motherly status), and a way to deal with their men.
Salidar
Salidar is a small village in Altara on the border of AmadiciaAmadicia
-Geography:It is a landlocked nation in the southwest of the main continent, stretching from the southern end of the Mountains of Mist to the northern edge of the Shadow Coast .-Politics and government:...
. Abandoned and forgotten till recently, it is the place the Rebel 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...
flee to after 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...
is deposed and Elaida is made Amyrlin
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...
. The secret location of the Rebels was hidden in a play on words, "Sallie Daera". The location is chosen for symbolic as well as practical reasons; it is the birthplace of the Blue Ajah
Blue Ajah
The Aes Sedai are a society in the fictional universe of Robert Jordan's The Wheel of Time book series. The Blue Ajah is a sub-society dedicated to causes in the world and the implementation of justice. They figure prominently in the series as representatives of this sect are seen aiding the three...
Aes Sedai who replaced the last Red Ajah
Red Ajah
An Ajah is a sub-organization within the Aes Sedai of Robert Jordan's The Wheel of Time series. The Red Ajah is strongly dedicated to preventing another Breaking of the World.-Organization:Its leader is known as the Highest...
Amyrlin before Elaida, and its proximity to the Whitecloaks in Amadicia makes it appear unsuitable to anyone happening to look for them.
Salidar serves as a gathering point for the rebels while they decide what to do next; while some suggest making peace with the White Tower and returning under Elaida's rule, most support establishing a parallel structure. They raise their own Amyrlin, Egwene al'Vere
Egwene 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...
, and convene their own Hall of the Tower
Hall of the Tower
In Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time universe, the Hall of the Tower is the supreme governing body of the Aes Sedai of the White Tower.- Composition :...
. A number of other significant events happen here as well, including Nynaeve al'Meara
Nynaeve al'Meara
Nynaeve al'Meara is one of the main characters of The Wheel of Time fantasy series by Robert Jordan.-Personality:Nynaeve's personality often runs a gamut of emotions, meek at times before more experienced women but also able to stand up and run down others. While she will deny it, Nynaeve is...
's discovery of how to Heal a person who has been cut off from the One Power
One Power
In The Wheel of Time fantasy series by Robert Jordan, the One Power is the force that maintains the continuous motion of the Wheel of Time. It comes from the True Source, and it is separated into two halves: saidin , the male half, and saidar , the female half. It is used in the series by people...
.