Egwene al'Vere

Egwene al'Vere (pronounced e-GWAIN al-VEER) 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 Nynaeve, she used to wear her hair in a long braid, a habit she dropped as she became more sophisticated in her grooming through the course of the series. She's very short, around 5' or 5'1".

Egwene is frequently described as wanting to learn everything, as fast as possible; she often chafes against the restrictions her teachers put on her, even those set for her own safety. Moiraine Damodred has made note of Egwene's social intuition; while she may not understand the private or secret machinations going on around her, she is often (at least) aware that they "are" happening—a strong contrast to the other Two Rivers characters in the series, who tend to take everything around them at face value. Finally, she is, like many of the main characters in the series, highly intuitive with the One Power, having personally re-discovered the weaves for Gateways and the creation of "cuendillar".

History

Beginnings

The youngest of five daughters, Egwene grew up in Emond's Field alongside Rand al'Thor, Mat Cauthon, Perrin Aybara and Nynaeve al'Meara. Though friends with all of them, she was particularly close to Rand, whom (it was assumed by all and sundry) she would marry when they both came of age. She was also apprentice Wisdom to Nynaeve.

Winternight

Her life changed during Winternight. When Trollocs invaded the Two Rivers region, Rand, Mat and Perrin were spirited away by Moiraine Damodred (Sedai), Aes Sedai of the Blue Ajah, apparently for their own protection. Egwene went with them, although Moiraine and Lan did not want her to at first. Moiraine eventually agreed, however; she had discovered that Egwene had the spark and could learn to channel. It was then Moiraine's intent to bring her to Tar Valon to train. When Nynaeve chased after them, Moiraine decided to include her as well. Egwene rode Bela, Rand and Tam's trusty mare.

On the journey to Shienar and the Eye of the World, Egwene and Perrin were separated from the rest of the party. She was present when Perrin met Elyas Machera and learned of his Wolfbrother heritage, and she is one of very few characters who knows the truth of his golden eyes and occasional bouts of wolfish behavior. At his request, she has kept this secret.

Tar Valon

After the events at the Eye of the World, Egwene and Nynaeve were brought to Tar Valon where, along with Min Farshaw (previously introduced to them by Moiraine at Baerlon), they met Elayne Trakand. Over the course of their training they were tricked into following Liandrin Sedai, a Red sister who turned out to be Black. She led them through the Ways and into Falme, where Egwene was given to the Seanchan to become a "damane". Egwene, always strong-spirited, hated being a "damane" more than anything. Nynaeve and Elayne (who had avoided capture) managed to break her out, and Egwene's strength in the One Power was drastically heightened by the rigors of her "damane" duties, but to this day she cannot stand the idea of being collared again.

Verin Sedai brought them back to the Tower after the events at Falme. Egwene was discovered to be a Dreamer, one who could easily enter "Tel'aran'rhiod," the World of Dreams, while sleeping. Besides exploring this new facet of her life, Egwene, Elayne and Nynaeve were charged with a secret task: to hunt the Black Ajah. While they were away, Liandrin and twelve other Black sisters had fled the Tower after stealing many "ter'angreal" and killing a number of sisters and other Tower personnel. The three girls set out for Tear to find them, and were in the Stone of Tear when Rand al'Thor drew "Callandor" and proclaimed himself the Dragon Reborn.

Aiel

After the Stone of Tear, Egwene parted ways with Elayne and Nynaeve and chose to follow Rand to the Waste, so she could learn from the Aiel Wise Ones how to be a Dreamer. Although Aes Sedai know much more about "saidar" than the Wise Ones, the Wise Ones are more knowledgable concerning "Tel'aran'rhiod" (The Aes Sedai hadn't had a 'Dreamer' for over five hundred years, while the Aiel had four at the time). Becoming an informal apprentice to the Wise Ones, she also took to heart "ji'e'toh", the honor code of the Aiel. They have since viewed her as a sort of honorary Aiel, saying that she has "too much honor" to be among Aes Sedai. The Wise Ones distrust the Aes Sedai, but seem to make an exception for Egwene, whom they all respect and - if it is possible - like.

Amyrlin Seat

After the Tar Valon-Salidar split, she was chosen by the Hall of the Salidar Tower-in-Exile to become their Amyrlin Seat, in opposition of Elaida do Avriny a'Roihan, who sat in the White Tower. Elaida has Foretold that the White Tower will be reunited under the Amyrlin Seat, stronger than ever. Although she believes the Foretelling refers to herself, it is becoming quite clear that the Tower will meet this prophecy under Egwene's reign. Nisao of the Yellow Ajah states that Egwene will "become one of the great Amyrlins" and that "She will be the longest sitting Amyrlin in history...None will ever live long enough to top her unless she chooses to step down early"

The Salidar Hall cited her as a fresh face who had not been involved in the Breaking of the Tower, and strong in the One Power. In reality, certain members of the Hall wanted mostly to use her as a puppet. Egwene took former Amyrlin Siuan Sanche as her advisor and has been slowly breaking the Salidar Hall of the idea that she can be controlled, especially when she taught them Travelling, a Talent she had rediscovered without any guidance or assistance whatsoever aside from a remark of Moghedien's (of which the other Sisters are unaware). Egwene's strong personality and persistent intelligence have allowed her to deftly manipulate the Hall into giving her war-time authority. Although only 18 at the time, she has proven herself to be as clever an Amyrlin as there ever was.

She has raised an army with the help of Gareth Bryne, the brilliant general who used to be in the service of Queen Morgase of Andor (mother of Elayne Trakand and, nominally, ruler of the Two Rivers). Egwene is leading the sisters and army to war against Elaida.

Her Keeper is Sheriam Bayanar of the Blue, but she has been mainly advised by Siuan Sanche. Unfortunately, she was unknowingly at the mercy of Halima Saranov, also known as Aran'gar. This Forsaken, a man's soul reincarnated in a woman's body and thus employing "saidin", has been orchestrating a subtle Power-wrought mental and psychological attack on Egwene for several months, afflicting her with headaches that only Halima's massages can "cure." She became one of Egwene's most trusted attendants.

Betrayal

When Egwene made her most recent appearance, she was camped outside Tar Valon, her army besieging the city. Tar Valon is entirely on an island in the midst of the River Erinin, and may thus be supplied by water, with secure harbours at either end of the island. This makes a successful siege by an army with no naval support almost impossible. To breach the Shining Walls, Egwene, along with Leane Sharif, turned the harbour chains and posts from iron into fused "cuendillar", forcing Tar Valon to either slowly starve or breach its walls. During this exercise, though, she was betrayed, captured, and taken into custody in the White Tower. In the White Tower, she has - at least in the eyes of the sisters in the Tower - been reduced to a novice. She notices that many among the Tower are at each other's throats and plans to exploit that from within, viewing herself as an agent rather than a prisoner. Her refusal to treat the Tower Aes Sedai with the deference and courtesy expected of a novice leads to repeated corporal punishment, which she takes in stride. She speaks to Siuan via her Dreams and reports to her that no one is to plan a rescue and calls the Salidar Hall to order when last call sounds.

As Egwene is forced to be a captive novice among Elaida's group she does her best to cause disturbance among the White Tower Aes Sedai and still remain the Amyrlin she is meant to be. Her method of doing so is very simple: she speaks the truth and is often punished for it. She then uses the Aiel code of ethics ("ji'e'toh") she learned during her time there by accepting the nearly constant punishments (another Aiel teaching of accepting pain) and continuing to show the unbending dignity befitting the Amyrlin, patiently watching the seeds she plants grow. This plan has brought respect from the novices and Accepted, as well as the captive former king of Illian, and has even forced many sisters nominally loyal to Elaida to view her in a new light.

Love and Power

Egwene and Rand severed their romantic ties in "The Shadow Rising". However, they remain good friends and she is one of few who can reach the 'new' steel-hearted Rand. Egwene is enamored of Gawyn Trakand, Elayne's older brother. Gawyn does not realize that Egwene is the leader of the forces he is ordered to fight.

Egwene is one of the most powerful channelers discovered by the White Tower in more than a thousand years. Those stronger or equal to her in the One Power, or even near her, make up a short list: Nynaeve al'Meara of the Yellow Ajah; Elayne Trakand of the Green Ajah; apprentice Aiel Wise One Aviendha; Aiel Wise Ones Tamela and Viendre; former "damane" Alivia; Sharina Melloy (a sixty-seven year old grandmother, now a novice); and Sea Folk Windfinder's apprentices Talaan and Metarra. These may be the only women other than the Forsaken in the same league. (The strength of Cadsuane Melaidhrin, a powerful Aes Sedai of the Green Ajah, has not been revealed). It is suggested, though, that Nynaeve, Alivia, Sharina and Talaan may be stronger than Egwene.

She is also the first Aes Sedai Dreamer since Corianin Nedeal, who died approximately 475 years prior to the events of the series. Egwene is powerful enough to break out of an illusion orchestrated by Moghedien in the World of Dreams, which is no small feat, considering that Moghedien is the most powerful Dreamer among the Forsaken. She also has exceptional ability with weaving the Power of Earth, and good strength with Air, Water, Fire and Spirit which is a very rare trait among women, giving her the ability to create "cuendillar" with immense speed and ease (a lost Talent which she rediscovered). She may be the first channeler in the history after the breaking to be strong in all five powers, another link with Rand al'Thor.