Cairhien

     Cairhien, like many of the current nations, became sovereign at the end of the War of the Hundred Years.  The nation of Cairhien now spreads over less than half the land it once controlled. 

     The Cairhienin had a period of four hundred years in which they enjoyed a period of unprecedented wealth.  This was brought

Artwork by Henrik Lehtinen

about by the Aiel’s granting of the right to cross the Aiel Waste and trade for silk in Shara .  This prosperity ended when Laman Damodred cut down Avendoraldera and unknowingly sparked the Aiel War.  It was during this war that the city of Cairhien was burned to the ground.

     The politics of Cairhien are dominated by the Great Game, the Game of Houses.  The nobles took the plotting and intricacies of life within the White Tower, and gave it their own twist.  Also called Daes Dae’mar, it is responsible for almost every major disaster in Cairhien’s history.  To the Cairhienin, everyone has a hidden motive, every word has another meaning.  Everything is believed to be a move to gain more power and strength.

     The Cairhienin are a very reserved people.  They also prefer complete control over their environment.  This can be seen in the layout of the city of Cairhien, which is a precise grid pattern, all streets meeting at right angles.

     The only time the Cairhienin reserve breaks is during the Feast of Lights.  During this two day celebration, all social barriers fall.  Any man may kiss any woman, and any woman may kiss any man.  After the two days are over, life precedes as if nothing had occurred.

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