Seanchan General Information Page

the Emperor/Empress sits on the Crystal Throne in the Court of Nine Moons. (II:497, 498)
Voice of the Blood? rank of Seanchan? (IV:46)
no sul'dam has ever before been raised to the level of so'jhin, let alone to a Voice of the Blood. (IV:46)
the Raven is a symbol of the Imperial Family, the Tower of Ravens is a symbol of Imperial justice. (IV:635)
the Empress has s'redit and handlers at her court. (V:302)
even a noble considers having to apologize to the Empress an ultimate humiliation, the more so if one is denied death afterwards and has to continue to live with the public embarrassment. (IV:45)
being allowed to look at the Empress is a gift or a boon. (V:372)

The Blood

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it is unacceptable to avoid answering a question asked by one of the Blood, or to imply/state that one of the Blood speaks an untruth. (IV:46)
the so'jhin learn to respond to subtle gestured commands of the Blood. (IV:48)
the Seanchan have a tight social hierarchy, but believe all should have their basic needs of life met. Only the Blood of Seanchan is "allowed" to help the poor, anyone else doing so rises above his station. (IV:622)
a member of the Blood would rather suicide honourably than beg, etc. (IV:761)

The Servants, So'jhin, low and other

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the so'jhin are hereditary upper servants of the Seanchan Blood. A person can be raised to so'jhin. (IV:46)
no sul'dam has ever before been raised to the level of so'jhin, let alone to a Voice of the Blood. (IV:46)
servants may receive visitors in their own quarters. (II:605)
high servants kill themselves when their master dies, and no servant will fight with/for master, they cower or hide. (II:640)
the so'jhin learn to respond to subtle gestured commands of the Blood. (IV:48)

The Nobility

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the nobility is carried in palanquins borne by bare-chested men. (II:426)
Seanchan nobles collect heartstone, it's very expensive. (II:431)
it is possible to work one's way up the caste system, even "become" one of the noble blood. (II:430)
there are "Listeners" and "Seekers For Truth" that spy on even the nobility. (II:497)
the Seanchan have a tight social hierarchy, but believe all should have their basic needs of life met. Only the Blood of Seanchan is "allowed" to help the poor, anyone else doing so rises above his station. (IV:622)
High Lords announced with a gong, commoners lie down and kiss the floor to honour the blood, and never turn back to a noble. (II:429, 430)
commoners also avoid using certain words/phrases with nobility, such as "must". (II:496)
desc of Seanchan attitude to a High Lady (V:236)

Listeners and Seekers for Truth

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there are "Listeners" and "Seekers For Truth" that spy on even the nobility. (II:497)
the Seekers for Truth are marked as Imperial property with tattoos of raven, as are other Imperial staff? The mark of the raven is inherited, the family forever more belongs to the raven. (IV:635)
Seekers carry a plaque of ivory engraved in gold with a raven and a tower. (IV:635)
flight from a Seeker or refusal to answer a Seeker's questions are serious crimes. (IV:636)
the Deathwatch Guards flaunt their tattoos, but Seekers rarely do. (IV:637)

Ever Victorious Army and General Military

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women can become warriors among the Seanchan. (II:421)
the tradition of heron sword masters is kept in Seander. (II:637)
the Seanchan army is called the Ever Victorious Army. (V:371)
Seanchan have a version of martial arts. (V:381)
military armour looks insectile, and is painted and gilded to increase the effect. (II:421)
lower ranks have plainer armour. (II:423)
soldier carries two-handed sword with a curved blade. (II:421)

the Deathwatch Guard serve only the Empress or her chosen representatives, and will kill and die with equal fervour. (IV:44)
the Deathwatch Guards flaunt their tattoos, but Seekers rarely do. (IV:637)
Seanchan have a version of martial arts. (V:381)

Shea dancers wear transparent face veils and little else. (IV:621)

Economy

Social Structure

Culture

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what the Seanchan call themselves (II:416; III:161)
women can become warriors among the Seanchan. (II:421)
kaf is grown only in Seander. (II:432)
kaf - a drink, plant only grown in Seander? (II:432)
furnishings are sparse and simple, decoration is as well, and painted folding screens are used to separate room areas. (II:429)
furniture is designed with curves, rich use silk carpets. (II:432)
the Seanchan often decorate with painted screens, those painted with scenes other than peaceful birds and plants are considered "vulgar". (IV:45)
Seanchan nobles collect heartstone, it's very expensive. (II:431)
Seanchan oath, pledged with the hands placed over one another on the heart: "By my hope of a higher name", then bow deeply three times. (IV:895)
High Lords announced with a gong, commoners lie down and kiss the floor to honour the blood, and never turn back to a noble. (II:429, 430)
commoners also avoid using certain words/phrases with nobility, such as "must". (II:496)
Seanchan insist on protocol before comfort. (II:600)
even a noble considers having to apologize to the Empress an ultimate humiliation, the more so if one is denied death afterwards and has to continue to live with the public embarrassment. (IV:45)

Crime and Punishment

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the Death of Ten Thousand Tears is a Seanchan execution. (IV:639)
no man's hand may slay one of Artur's blood, noble executions are by being placed alive in a silken bag and hung over the side of the Tower of Ravens. (II:497-8)
even a noble considers having to apologize to the Empress an ultimate humiliation, the more so if one is denied death afterwards and has to continue to live with the public embarrassment. (IV:45)
it is unacceptable to avoid answering a question asked by one of the Blood, or to imply/state that one of the Blood speaks an untruth. (IV:46)
a member of the Blood would rather suicide honourably than beg, etc. (IV:761)

Sayings and Phrases

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Seanchan oath, pledged with the hands placed over one another on the heart: "By my hope of a higher name", then bow deeply three times. (IV:895)
Everyone has a place in the Pattern, and the place of everyone must be readily apparent. (II:596)

Caste System

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it is possible to work one's way up the caste system, even "become" one of the noble blood. (II:430)
the so'jhin are hereditary upper servants of the Seanchan Blood. A person can be raised to so'jhin. (IV:46)
Voice of the Blood? rank of Seanchan? (IV:46)
the Seanchan have a tight social hierarchy, but believe all should have their basic needs of life met. Only the Blood of Seanchan is "allowed" to help the poor, anyone else doing so rises above his station. (IV:622)
High Lords announced with a gong, commoners lie down and kiss the floor to honour the blood, and never turn back to a noble. (II:429, 430)
commoners also avoid using certain words/phrases with nobility, such as "must". (II:496)
there are a great many rules and customs governing the behaviour of every segment of society. (II:595)
the Seanchan have a tight social hierarchy, but believe all should have their basic needs of life met. Only the Blood of Seanchan is "allowed" to help the poor, anyone else doing so rises above his station. (IV:622)
desc of Seanchan attitude to a High Lady (V:236)

Religious Aspects and Views

Regarding the Dark One and his forces

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no Trollocs in Seander, but the Armies of Night had other allies. (II:498)

Appearances of Seanchan and Animals

The Seanchan Voice

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accent is soft, almost singing. (II:636)

The Empress

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Servants - So'jhin, Low, and other

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high servant has half of head shaved, the rest braided over one ear. (II:429)
slightly lower level servant only has temple shaved. (II:591)
certain servants of the nobility are chosen for their good looks, and dressed in sheer white silk robes embroidered with flowers. (II:432)
lower ranked servants wear dark clothes with matching cloaks and ribbons (for women). Plain, dark woollens. (II:596, 643)
cooks wear all white wool? (II:641)
the Seanchan wear markings on their cloaks? (V:369)

Nobility

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High Lord has head completely shaved, inch-long fingernails, with the first two on each hand lacquered blue. (II:429)
High Lady has both sides of head shaved leaving narrow strip in the middle. (II:564)
High Lady wears a white gown with hundreds of tiny pleats. (IV:44)
the Seanchan wear markings on their cloaks? (V:369)

Deathwatch Guards

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the Deathwatch Guards have black-tasselled spears and black-lacquered shields. (IV:44)
the Seanchan wear markings on their cloaks? (V:369)

Generic Soldiers

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military armour looks insectile, and is painted and gilded to increase the effect. (II:421)
lower ranks have plainer armour. (II:423)
soldier carries two-handed sword with a curved blade. (II:421)
the Seanchan wear markings on their cloaks? (V:369)

Sul'dam

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sul'dam wear a blue dress inset with red panels on the breast and sides of skirt. The panels are marked with silver forked lightning. The hem comes to just above the ankles. (II:422)
the Seanchan wear markings on their cloaks? (V:369)

Damane

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the power of the Seanchan and the Crystal Throne is built on control of damane. (IV:46)

Handlers and their Animals

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grolm handlers direct them with hand signals. (II:426)
the Empress has s'redit and handlers at her court. (V:302)
Seanchan ride something like a pterodactyl? (V:367)
solder who works with grolm has three eyes painted on his armour. (II:426)
the Seanchan wear markings on their cloaks? (V:369)

Shea Dancers

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Shea dancers wear transparent face veils and little else. (IV:621)

Seanchan History

Seanchan Calander

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Timeline of Pertinent Events

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War of the Hundred Years

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Battles fought under Artur Hawkwing

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Battles fought under Luthair

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The Corenne, The Return

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Miscellaneous Battles

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General History

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Distinguished Figures

Artur Hawkwing

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Born FY 912.
Legendary king, Artur Paendrag Tanreall ruled FY 943-94. United all lands west of the Spine of the World, as well as some beyond the Aiel Waste. Sent armies across the Aryth Ocean (FY 992), but contact with these was lost at his death, which set off the War of the Hundred Years.
Symbol: A golden Hawk in flight.
Married Amaline Tagora when he was 25.
Victory from the Wars of Consolidation in FY 963.
Married Tamika when he was 53.
Luthair Paendrag Mondwin was born when he was 55.
The statue of Artur went under construction in FY 989.
Conquest/consolidation of Seanchan in NE 160
Died in FY 994 at the age of 82, sparking the War of the Hundred Years.

Amaline Tagora

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Artur Hawkwing's first wife, married in FY 937.
Bore a few children to Artur?
Artur's wife and children poisoned in FY 961 after 24 years of marriage.

Tamika

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Married Artur in FY 965.
Luthair Paendrag Mondwin born 967.

Luthair Paendrag Mondwin

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Son of Tamika and Artur Hawkwing, born FY 967.
Armies under Luthair sent across Aryth Ocean , FY 992, when he was 25. (tGH, 589)

Jalwin Moerad

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Jalwin Moerad appears at Artur's court FY 973.
Jalwin becomes one of Artur's closest advisors FY 974.

Berelain sur Paendrag

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First of Mayene, Blessed of the Light, Defender of Waves, High Seat of Paron.
A beautiful and willful young woman and skillful leader.

Egeanin

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A seanchan ship's captain on detached duty.

Empress, daughter of the Nine Moons

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Predicted to marry Mat Cauthon.

Bayle Domon*

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Captured Merchant who spent some time in with Egeanin.

Seanchan Geography

A Seanchan perspective on Randland

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Seanchan call the area on the maps at the front of the books the land of Hawkwing. (V:370-371)

Channeling - Seanchan policies concerning Channelers

Channeling

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the mere touch of a Channeler is considered defiling to a Seanchan. (IV:48)
the Seanchan offer a reward of 1000 gold to those who turn over an Aes Sedai, and kill those who shelter one. (III:248)
the Seanchan believe female Channelers are dangerous animals who Broke the World. (IV:638)
women are tested once a year to see if they are damane until the age of twenty or so. (IV:639)

Sul'dam

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no sul'dam has ever before been raised to the level of so'jhin, let alone to a Voice of the Blood. (IV:46)

Damane

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few but nobles can afford to own a damane, most are property of the throne. (II:422)
it is a feastday in a Seander village when the sul'dam come to test the girls and find those who are damane or who could be sul'dam. (II:648)
when someone becomes damane, she is struck from the rolls of citizens and removed from family records. (IV:639)
women are tested once a year to see if they are damane until the age of twenty or so. (IV:639)

Male Channelers

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Male channelers are killed for the protection of the people of Seander.

corenne