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The '''Great Seals''' are seven [[Cuendillar]] discs, each bearing the ancient symbol of the [[Aes Sedai (Age of Legends)|Aes Sedai]] (a white teardrop and a black teardrop conjoined). They hold the [[Dark One]] in his prison.
 
The '''Great Seals''' are seven [[Cuendillar]] discs, each bearing the ancient symbol of the [[Aes Sedai (Age of Legends)|Aes Sedai]] (a white teardrop and a black teardrop conjoined). They hold the [[Dark One]] in his prison.
   
When the forces of the [[Shadow]] were about to overrun the forces of [[Light]] and defeat seemed only months away, [[Lews Therin]] and the [[Hundred Companions]] decided to execute their dangerous plan to reseal the [[Bore]] that allowed the Dark One to touch the earth. They, together with a bodyguard of ten thousand warmen, [[Traveling|Traveled]] to [[Shayol Ghul]] executed their plan, sealing away the Dark One and the thirteen [[Forsaken]]. Strictly speaking, the discs themselves are not seals, but are as focus points, or anchors, for the Seals. But, in commom usage they are referred to as Seals.
+
When the forces of the [[Shadow]] were about to overrun the forces of [[Light]] and defeat seemed only months away, [[Lews Therin]] and the [[Hundred Companions]] decided to execute their dangerous plan to reseal the [[Bore]] that allowed the Dark One to touch the earth. They, together with a bodyguard of ten thousand warmen, [[Traveling|Traveled]] to [[Shayol Ghul]] executed their plan, sealing away the Dark One and the thirteen [[Forsaken]]. Strictly speaking, the discs themselves are not seals, but are as focus points, or anchors, for the Seals. But, in common usage they are referred to as Seals.
   
 
Currently, even though the Seals are made of cuendillar, the entropic influence of the Dark One has caused them to weaken to such an extent that they could shatter from a fall to the ground or a being struck by a man with a hammer.
 
Currently, even though the Seals are made of cuendillar, the entropic influence of the Dark One has caused them to weaken to such an extent that they could shatter from a fall to the ground or a being struck by a man with a hammer.
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{| class="wikitable"
 
{| class="wikitable"
 
! Discovery
 
! Discovery
! Status
+
! Status
! Location (intact)/<br/>When broken
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! Location (intact)/<br />When broken
 
|-
 
|-
 
| In the [[Eye of the World]] after drained by Rand al'Thor
 
| In the [[Eye of the World]] after drained by Rand al'Thor
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|-
 
|-
 
| By Moiraine in [[Rhuidean]]
 
| By Moiraine in [[Rhuidean]]
| Intact<br/><small>(scratched)
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| Intact<br /><small>(scratched) </small>
 
|-
 
|-
 
| By [[Nynaeve al'Meara]] at the Panarch's Palace in [[Tanchico]]
 
| By [[Nynaeve al'Meara]] at the Panarch's Palace in [[Tanchico]]

Revision as of 10:18, 20 September 2011

Seal

A broken seal, painting by Todd Cameron Hamilton

The Great Seals are seven Cuendillar discs, each bearing the ancient symbol of the Aes Sedai (a white teardrop and a black teardrop conjoined). They hold the Dark One in his prison.

When the forces of the Shadow were about to overrun the forces of Light and defeat seemed only months away, Lews Therin and the Hundred Companions decided to execute their dangerous plan to reseal the Bore that allowed the Dark One to touch the earth. They, together with a bodyguard of ten thousand warmen, Traveled to Shayol Ghul executed their plan, sealing away the Dark One and the thirteen Forsaken. Strictly speaking, the discs themselves are not seals, but are as focus points, or anchors, for the Seals. But, in common usage they are referred to as Seals.

Currently, even though the Seals are made of cuendillar, the entropic influence of the Dark One has caused them to weaken to such an extent that they could shatter from a fall to the ground or a being struck by a man with a hammer.

Seal

An intact seal.

After the Breaking

After the Breaking of the World, the Aes Sedai at Tar Valon became the watchers of the Seals; indeed, one of the contemporary Amyrlin's titles is "Watcher of the Seals". They had possession of the discs, and when the Dragon was reborn, they intended to be there with them. But the Seals were later lost during the Trolloc Wars and remained lost for centuries.

Recently, the Seals have begun to resurface and are no longer invulnerable.

Status of the Seals

Discovery Status Location (intact)/
When broken
In the Eye of the World after drained by Rand al'Thor Broken At discovery
Bought by Bayle Domon from a Saldean antiques dealer, confiscated by the Seanchan High Lord Turak; later found by Moiraine Damodred Broken During the battle at Falme
In Turak's possession, possibly brought from Seanchan; later found by Moiraine Damodred
By Moiraine Damodred in the Great Holding in the Stone of Tear Intact In Rand al'Thor's possession (exact location unknown)
By Moiraine in Rhuidean Intact
(scratched)
By Nynaeve al'Meara at the Panarch's Palace in Tanchico Broken During the journey from Tanchico to Salidar
Given to Rand al'Thor by Mazrim Taim, who says a Saldean crofter gave it to him Intact In Rand al'Thor's possession (exact location unknown)

Breaking the final Seals

Research by Min, prompted by a cryptic note from Herid Fel, indicates that the Seals need to be destroyed before the Bore can be made whole or re-sealed properly. Rand al'Thor announced his intention to do just that to the Amyrlin and the Hall of the Tower, announcing they would discuss it at a fixed date at the Field of Merrilor. The Aes Sedai are, for the most part, opposed to the idea, and Egwene al'Vere is gathering leaders to oppose him at that meeting. Gathering them appears to be exactly what he wants, though he intends to break them in any event.