Seanchan

The Seanchan are the descendants of Artur Hawkwing's armies that crossed the Aryth Ocean over a thousand years ago. They conquered the lands there and have lived there ever since. They believe that any woman who has the ability to channel the One Power should be enslaved for the safety of all concerned; and any man who can channel should be put to death. The ruling
body of the Seanchan people is the Empress of the Court of the Nine Moons and are rumored to be the direct descendants of Artur Hawkwing himself. All of the nobility carries the same heritage and are called the Blood. In terms of power, the Empress' is absolute. Every Seanchan is born into a role, a job. Women who can channel are "leashed" and the Power they weild is the cornerstone of the Imperial power.

Women who can channel are controlled by a device called the a'dam. The a'dam is a collar like object that restricts the use of the one power to the one who bears its matching bracelet. The sul'dam is the Seanchan who directly controls the damane through the a'dam. Everything the damane feels, or anytime the damane tries to use the One Power, this knowledge is
passed on to the sul'dame who acts accordingly. Escape is non-existent to the damane. Even the simple thought brings a inescapable pain to the damane, and the thought is also transfered to the sul'dam who punishes the damane accordingly. The sul'dam can make the damane feel anything she wants, especially pain. All Seachan women are tested every year to see if they have the ability to control the damane. Their is much respect in being able to serve as a sul'dam. Women who can channel who have yet to be leashed are called marath'damane (or, "Those who must be leashed").

The Seekers of Truth are a secret spy organization within the Seanchan who revel in a wide range of powers and usually only answer to the Empress herself. Even the Blood is subject to the questions and investigations of the Seekers. Failure to tell the truth, or to answer to the Seekers inquiries is grounds for being arrested. Seandar is the capital city of Seanchan and the Empress resides there in the Court of the Nine Moons. The Seanchan have started their return across the Aryth Ocean to reclaim the lands of their forefathers. They call this the Corenne, the Return, and they call themselves the Rhyagelle,
the Homecomers. Beware for the Seanchan are among you.