Elyn had been tasked by Antonia Sedia, the Highest of the Red Ajah to research and uncover the histories of Tetsuan, Bonwhin Meraighdin, and Elaida do Avriny a’Rohan. The last and only three Amyrlin Seats to be raised from the Red Ajah. To Elyn’s surprise, all three Amyrlins’ reigns had ended in tragedy. Tetsuan and Bonwhin had both not only been stripped of staff and stole but also stilled, only to serve in the tower as nothing more than scullery maids to die years later. Elaida, the last, had suffered the fate of being captured by the Seanchan and made damane. But what was the lesson? Elyn wondered. They had all been victim to their own ego and pride. History seemed to have repeated itself. But what is it we always say? “The Wheel weaves as the Wheel wills.”
Raised to Amyrlin Seat — Unknown, Left Amyrlin Seat — 1200 AB
Due to the destruction of records during the Trolloc Wars, very little of Tetsuan’s early history is known. Her region of origin and surname have both been long forgotten.
What is known about Tetsuan is that most of her time at the White Tower was during the early to middle years of the Trolloc Wars. She had been regarded as an exceptionally strong channeler, quite possibly the strongest of the era. That was until Eldrene ay Ellan ay Carlan of Manetheren arrived as a Novice at the White Tower. Tetsuan grew a jealousy and hatred of Eldrene and dedicated herself to outdo her. When the two were both raised to Aes Sedai, Tetsuan was raised as a Sister of the Red Ajahm while Eldrenedeparted the White Tower to bond herself to King Aemon al Caar al Thorin of Manetheren and become his queen.
Tetsuan eventually rose to prominent political power as Red Ajah Sitter at the Hall of the Tower and eventually raised to Amyrlin Seat circa 1200 AB. She was the first Sister to be raised from the Red Ajah to the Amyrlin Seat.
Manetheren fell under siege by the forces of the shadow. During this period King Aemon had called for the assistance from allied nations and of the White Tower. Tetsuan was believed to have ignored his call — influenced by her hatred for Eldrene and actively chose to betray the Manetheren by working in secret to halt and delay responses from all allied nations. Her actions led to the downfall of King Aemon’s army and the Nation of Manetheren perished.
When the details of her treachery became known to the Hall of the Tower, the Sitters voted to strip Tetsuan of her Staff and Stole and condemned her to the fate of being stilled. She was kept in the White Tower for the rest of her days to labor as a scullery maid. She died some years later.
To this day, Tetsuan remains an example of embarrassment at the White Tower to all Aes Sedai. Her name continues to be uttered with Scorn.
The tragedy that transpired between Tetsuan and Eldrene is taught as a subject to all Novices of the White Tower and stands as a reminder that no Aes Sedai sister, regardless of her position or influence stands above the Tower Law.
Raised to Amyrlin Seat — c. FY 939, Left Amyrlin Seat — FY 992
Very little of Bonwhin’s early history is known. Her region of origin long forgotten. Though it is suspected she may be from Maredo.
She was raised to the seat of Amyrlin from the Red Ajah in FY 939, the same year that Guaire Amalasan declared himself the Dragon Reborn. Bonwhin ruled for more than fifty years, one of the longest reigns in the history of the White Tower.
She attempted to use Artur Hawkwing as a puppet which soon led to disaster. The Aes Sedai were expelled fro Hawkwing’s Empire and his armies put on a nineteen-year-long siege against Tar Valon.
Bonwhin was removed from power in FY 992 and made to suffer a similar fate as Tetsuan had. After being stripped of stole and staff, she was stilled and kept in the White Tower for the rest of her days to labor as a scullery maid. She survived a year longer than Tetsuan had.
She was replaced with Deane Aryman from the Blue Ajah who had been the one to uncover evidence of Bonwhin’s failures and mistakes. Since then a rivalry formed between the two Ajahs, Red and Blue…which still exists to this day.
Bonwhin was the last of the Red Ajah to be raised to the Amyrlin seat until hundreds of years later, Elaida do Avriny a’Rohan would be raised.
Raised to Amyrlin Seat — 999 NE, Left Amyrlin Seat — 1000 NE
Elaida do Avriny a’Rohan is the first of the Amyrlin Seats to be raised from the Red Ajah to have been on record. This is likely because she is the first from the Red to be raised in the New Era.
She was born in 950 NE and went to the White Tower in 967 NE. She was the first Novice to be raised to Accepted in only three years. She was raised to full Aes Sedai in 973 NE and chose the Red Ajah.
Elaida was known for having been above average in her time as far as her skill for channeling, only having been surpassed by three. Besides her strength at channeling the one power she was also known for her Talent of Foretelling. She is known for her Foretellings of Rand being at the center of pain and division of the land and also of Andor’s bloodline having a direct influence on the Last Battle.
As a member of the Red Ajah and former Sitter for the Red, Elaida served a good amount of time in Andor as an advisor to the Queen Morgase Trakand. When Morgase discovered her daughter-heir to be missing from the White Tower, she dismissed Elaida from her side as an advisor.
When news of the Dragon Reborn from Tear arrives she gathered a number of Sitters as her close circle and made her move to take down Siuan Sanche as Amyrlin. After Siuan Sanche’s subsequent stilling and imprisonment, Elaida was raised to Amyrlin Seat where she would then be known to have removed the Blue Ajah from the Hall of the Tower. Though many of the Blue Ajah had fled the White Tower after the rebellion in which she took over.
She was known to have been manipulated and even plotted against by many high ranking members of the Black Ajah and causing contentions within the Hall of the Sitters. Eventually, she was denounced by Silviana Brehon in front of the sitters for the poor treatment and humiliation of Egwene al’Vere who had been thrown into the dungeons.
When the Seanchan made their attack on the White Tower, Elaida was captured, made damane, and brought to the Empress of Seanchan where she was forced to demonstrate Traveling.
