Aiel clan chiefs have authority over the several septs of their clan. Unlike nobles of the Westlands, any Aiel may speak with the clan chief and while there are some formalities, they are not afforded the same sort of servile adulation as "wetlander kings."
They are chosen from among the clan's male members by the Wise Ones, who must agree to allow the candidate to travel to Rhuidean. There he learns the true history of the Aiel through the memories of his ancestors. If he returns, he is marked by a single dragon tattoo on his forearm and becomes the new clan chief. Only one in three men survive this trip to Rhuidean.
Known Clan Chiefs[]
The Clan Chiefs by Clan are:
Clan | Clan Chief | Sept | Hold | Wise One | Wives | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Codarra | Indirian | Chane Rocks | Red Springs Hold | Sarinde | Jalys | |
Chareen | Erim | White Mountain | Morena | 1 (unnamed)[1] | ||
Taardad | Rhuarc | Nine Valleys | Cold Rocks Hold | Amys | Amys, Lian | |
Taardad | Janduin | Iron Mountain | Had a child by Shiaiel | |||
Shaarad | Jharen | Haido | Turolin | |||
Miagoma | Timolan | Unnamed (dead)[1] | ||||
Daryne | Mandelain | Broken Cliff | Jahad Hold | Merale | Jair, Corehuin | |
Reyn | Dhearic | Two Spires | 1 (unnamed)[1] | |||
Nakai | Bruan | Salt Flat | Shiagi Hold | Alsera | 1 (unnamed)[1] | |
Tomanelle | Han | Shorara | 1 (unnamed)[1] | |||
Goshien | Bael | Jhirad | Smoke Springs Hold | Melaine | Dorindha, Melaine | |
Shaido | Suladric | Domai | Comarda Hold | Sevanna | ||
Shaido | Couladin | Domai | Comarda Hold | Sevanna[2][3] | Illegitimate; never made the trip to Rhuidean. His brother Muradin was chosen to be clan chief, but died during the Rhuidean testing. | |
Shiande | Janwin | Degalle | Nine Stones Hold | Baellin | Corida |
Fourth Age Clan Chiefs[]
During Aviendha's second visit to Rhuidean, she sees visions of the future which show her descendents in the Fourth Age. While it is open to interpretation whether these events are destined to occur, we include the list of Clan Chiefs mentioned here for completeness. The dates are the approximate date we see them as clan chief in the books. In the absence of any canonical calendar for the Fourth Age, we use a continuation of the New Era in which the Last Battle occurs in 1000 NE.
Clan | Clan Chief | Date | |
---|---|---|---|
Daryne | Shedren | 1017 NE | |
Goshien | Tavalad | 1017 NE | |
Miagoma | Takai | c1127 NE | |
Reyn | Darvin | 1017 NE | |
Taardad | Ronam | 1017 NE | Rhuarc's son |
Tomanelle | Alalved | c1127 NE | |
Unknown | Jorshem | c1127 NE | His grandfather was Andoran |
Unknown | Tamaav | c1127 NE |
Notes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 A Crown of Swords, Chapter 18
- ↑ Lord of Chaos, Prologue
- ↑ The Wheel of Time Companion, Couladin