Aes Sedai of the Brown Ajah
The Brown Ajah of the Aes Sedai is devoted to knowledge and the collection of ancient wisdom. They generally forsake the mundane world, instead dedicating themselves to history and study, and are responsible for the administration of the White Tower Library. The Brown Ajah is run by a ruling council,[1] the head of which is called First Chair.[2]
Size
The Brown is the fourth-largest Ajah, behind the Gray and before the Yellow[1] with roughly one hundred and thirty sisters before the White Tower Schism. It has a low concentration of Black sisters with about twenty-eight,[3] but we have only learned the identity of five.
Demographics
The Brown Ajah includes three Andoran, three Atha'an Miere, three Domani, two Far Madding, two Kandori, two Shienaran, one Altaran, one Arafellin, one Illianer, one Saldaean, and one Tairen. All remaining Brown nationalities are unknown. It must also be noted that, curiously, all the known Atha'an Miere sisters are members of the Brown Ajah.
Characteristics
Brown sisters are noted for being dreamy, unaware of the world around them and lost in thought.[4] However this dreaminess is often used as a cover by crafty Browns, who may suddenly show a startling amount of clarity before quickly hiding it.[5] Brown sisters are the least concerned with their appearance and more than one Brown has been noted wearing a too-crumpled dress, or with ink smudges on her nose,[6] because she is too focused on her studies to pay attention to anything else. As a matter of fact, many a Brown sister makes sure that the Tower never sleeps, often being awake in the middle of the night. Some Browns have even taken their studies to such extremes that they have turned day and night, sleeping during daytime and being awake during night, where there are fewer noises and fewer people to interrupt or disturb their studies.
Studies
Browns are a comprehensive source of information concerning Tower and One Power lore, and to a lesser extent more arcane knowledge. They are the most knowledgeable about objects of the One Power, and more than one unfortunate sister has been killed or burned out studying ter'angreal.[7] Much that is known about new Talents has been discovered by the Browns.[1] Min Farshaw's viewings were once studied by a Brown sister,[8] and wolfbrothers Perrin Aybara and Elyas Machera have also come under Brown Ajah scrutiny.
Location of quarters
For three thousand years, beginning with the White Tower's inception in 98 AB, the Brown Ajah have occupied one of the seven pie-shaped sections of the White Tower. That is until recently, when half of the Brown Ajah's quarters on level 22 suddenly and inexplicably switched places with the novice quarters.[9] It is believed that this is a result of reality slowly unraveling as the seals on the Dark One's prison continue to weaken. Despite this portent of impending doom, many Brown sisters actually find the situation desirable, as their quarters are now conveniently located closer to the Library.
Ajah loyalties
For the past few centuries they have been at odds with the Blue Ajah, but are not enemies with them. They support the White over the Blue, but support the Blue over the Yellow.
Leaders
The First Chair on the ruling council is Jesse Bilal. The size of the ruling council is variable, but is always an odd number. The manner in which a sister may sit upon it, nor the identity of the remaining sisters who do sit upon it, have not yet been revealed.
Though the head is simply called the First Chair as a reflection of the supposed egalitarian nature of the Brown, in truth, she has almost as much power as other Ajah Heads.
It is not known who led the Browns in Salidar, but it is suspected that Morvrin may have held the position of rebel First Chair.
After reunification the Sitters in the Hall of the Tower for the Brown Ajah are Janya Frende, Saerin Asnobar, and Takima.
List of Amyrlin Seats from the Brown Ajah
Only five Amyrlins were raised from the fourth largest Ajah. These Amyrlins were weak or only of average strength.
- Balladare Arandaille (115 NE - 142 NE)
- Doniella Alievin (306 NE - 332 NE)
- Igaine Luin (476 NE - 520 NE)
- Zeranda Tyrim (797 NE - 817 NE)
- Kirin Melway (922 NE - 950 NE)
List of known Brown sisters with Saidar strength
- See also Category:Brown Ajah
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