Ogier

The ogier are an oversized humanoid race that average 9 to 10 feet in
height. They are characterized by their broad noses and long tufted ears.
The Ogier are creatures of legends, and many of those who live outside in
the world think of them as faerie tales. What they are known for
regardless of their existence is that the Ogier are among the greatest
stonemasons in the world, that they can breathe life into wood, and that
they are pacifists at heart. The Ogier built most of the cities after the
Breaking of the world. Included in these are the city of Tar Valon, and
Caemlyn, the capital city of Andor. The Ogier are rumored to be slow to
anger, but when they do lose it, it is said that "to anger an Ogier is
pull a mountain onto your head". It is very difficult to do, but once it
is done the effects are disasterous.

The Ogier are especially fond of knowledge and of life. Their life span
exceeds that of a human by about 300 years. Thus, they have a different
perspective on life. To be hasty is not a common trait among the Ogier.
The Ogier live apart from the rest of the world. They reside in areas
called Steddings. The Stedding is an ancient place where the One Power
does not flow. Aes Sedai and other channelers cannot even detect the True
Source. Trollocs and other Shadowspawn will refuse to enter a Stedding
unless driven hard, and even Fades fear to enter. Darkfriends for that
matter also feel a great discomfort when inside a Stedding. Something
happened during the Breaking of the world which bound the Ogier to their
Steddings. Ogier who left the safety and tranquility of a Stedding after
the Breaking succumbed to a Longing, a need to walk within a Stedding.
Failure to listen to the Longing caused a slow, painful, withering death.
An Ogier can only last a few years outside the Stedding before the Longing
sets in.