0
Incoming!!
Doorways, Foxes & Snakes
Two ter'angreals, one leads to the realm of the Foxkin (Eelfinn) and one to the realm of the Snakekin (Aelfinn). The snakes give true answers to any three questions, the foxes grant three "wishes", though there is a price to be paid in return. Mat goes into the first in the basement of the Stone and is told by the Aelfinn that he will marry the Daughter of the Nine Moons, that he must go to Rhuidean, and that he would give up half the light of the world to save it. In Rhuidean he demanded a means to be free of Aes Sedai, that the holes in his memory be filled, and that he be returned to Randland. Failing to negotiate the price however led to him being returned hanging by a noose from the haft of what would become his signature weapons, a naginata like spear/staff. His memory is filled, but not with his lost memories but instead with those of great generals of Randland's past (possibly even some or all of his past lives), making him an expert tactician, fluent in the old tongue, and a natural leader of men. Lastly he gains a foxhead medallion that destroys the weaves of the One Power that touch it or its wearer.
Secret Origins: the Aiel
Rand enters Rhuidean and learns of the history of the Aiel through the eyes of his paternal ancestors via a ter'agreal set into the center of the city by Aes Sedai just after the Breaking of the world for that very purpose. The Aiel were once the peaceful, pacifistic, servants of the Aes Sedai. During the Breaking they were charged to be custodian of thousands of items of the One Power, to carry them to safety. Over time the Aiel split into three groups. The Tinkers, who retain the Way of the Leaf and search for the Songs of growing and peace; the Jenn Aiel, who remained faithful to the Way of the Leaf and duty to the Aes Sedai, who built Rhuidean before dying out; and the Aiel, who have all but forgotten their origins, only clan leaders and Wise Ones knowing the truth.
The Sea Folk
Not much to say here without going overboard (*looks up* too late) ... the Sea Folk have their own legends and prophecy about the Dragon Reborn, a.k.a. the Cooramoor. They count among themselves a number of non-Aes Sedai power users who can manipulate the weather with the One Power.
Return to the Two Rivers
Perrin returns home, to head off the depredations of the White Cloaks who are out to get him and led by Padan Fain who still seeks revenge against Rand. Perrin's homecoming isn't a happy one as he is too late to save his family, with all his relatives having already been killed by Fain. Perrin, Faile, Gaul, Bain, Chiad, and Loial meet with Rand and Mat's fathers, free Whitecloak captives, and proceed to hunt down and exterminate Trollocs within the Two Rivers area while prompting the citizens who lie on outlying farms to move to Emond's Field for mutual defense. While in the Two Rivers Perrin et. al. meet Lord Luc, a Hunter of the Horn who also happens to be a minon of the Shadow that can step bodily into Tel'ahran'rhiod as Slayer where he kills wolves in the dreaming.
eh, you know, that wasn't as much as I expected ...
Doorways, Foxes & Snakes
Two ter'angreals, one leads to the realm of the Foxkin (Eelfinn) and one to the realm of the Snakekin (Aelfinn). The snakes give true answers to any three questions, the foxes grant three "wishes", though there is a price to be paid in return. Mat goes into the first in the basement of the Stone and is told by the Aelfinn that he will marry the Daughter of the Nine Moons, that he must go to Rhuidean, and that he would give up half the light of the world to save it. In Rhuidean he demanded a means to be free of Aes Sedai, that the holes in his memory be filled, and that he be returned to Randland. Failing to negotiate the price however led to him being returned hanging by a noose from the haft of what would become his signature weapons, a naginata like spear/staff. His memory is filled, but not with his lost memories but instead with those of great generals of Randland's past (possibly even some or all of his past lives), making him an expert tactician, fluent in the old tongue, and a natural leader of men. Lastly he gains a foxhead medallion that destroys the weaves of the One Power that touch it or its wearer.
Secret Origins: the Aiel
Rand enters Rhuidean and learns of the history of the Aiel through the eyes of his paternal ancestors via a ter'agreal set into the center of the city by Aes Sedai just after the Breaking of the world for that very purpose. The Aiel were once the peaceful, pacifistic, servants of the Aes Sedai. During the Breaking they were charged to be custodian of thousands of items of the One Power, to carry them to safety. Over time the Aiel split into three groups. The Tinkers, who retain the Way of the Leaf and search for the Songs of growing and peace; the Jenn Aiel, who remained faithful to the Way of the Leaf and duty to the Aes Sedai, who built Rhuidean before dying out; and the Aiel, who have all but forgotten their origins, only clan leaders and Wise Ones knowing the truth.
The Sea Folk
Not much to say here without going overboard (*looks up* too late) ... the Sea Folk have their own legends and prophecy about the Dragon Reborn, a.k.a. the Cooramoor. They count among themselves a number of non-Aes Sedai power users who can manipulate the weather with the One Power.
Return to the Two Rivers
Perrin returns home, to head off the depredations of the White Cloaks who are out to get him and led by Padan Fain who still seeks revenge against Rand. Perrin's homecoming isn't a happy one as he is too late to save his family, with all his relatives having already been killed by Fain. Perrin, Faile, Gaul, Bain, Chiad, and Loial meet with Rand and Mat's fathers, free Whitecloak captives, and proceed to hunt down and exterminate Trollocs within the Two Rivers area while prompting the citizens who lie on outlying farms to move to Emond's Field for mutual defense. While in the Two Rivers Perrin et. al. meet Lord Luc, a Hunter of the Horn who also happens to be a minon of the Shadow that can step bodily into Tel'ahran'rhiod as Slayer where he kills wolves in the dreaming.
eh, you know, that wasn't as much as I expected ...
Or...., you completely forgot about Elaida laying the smackdown on the White Tower. I'm right in the middle of Min leading the stilled/gentled out of the city, and Luc hasn't been revealed yet. Mind you, it isn't that hard to connect the dots.