Altara

From A Wheel of Time Wiki

Altara
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Formed
Ended
Location	Westlands
[[Image:{{{map}}}\|80px]]
Ruler	Beslan Mitsobar
Capital	Ebou Dar

Altara is a country located in the south-central part of the Westlands. The River Eldar forms its western border with Amadicia, and is adjacent to Illian in the east. The sign of Altara is two golden leopards on a field checked four-by-four in red and blue.

1 History
2 Government
3 Culture
4 Towns/cities

[edit] History

In 957 NE, the Children of the Light invaded Altara. They were opposed by Altara, Murandy and Illian. Eventually they were pushed back, and the war became known as the Whitecloak War.

Recently the Seanchan conquered Ebou Dar and the southern part of Altara. They allowed Queen Tylin to remain on the Throne of the Winds, however, Tylin was found bound and dismembered underneath her bed. Her son Beslan has taken the throne with the blessing of the Seanchan occupying force.

[edit] Government

The ruling body of Altara is a monarch, with the seat of power called the Throne of the Winds. The throne is currently held by Beslan Mitsobar. The throne is located in the Tarasin Palace in the capital, Ebou Dar. Shortly before Beslan became king, Ebou Dar and the southern part of Altara were conquered by the Seanchan. They allowed the then-current queen, Beslan's mother Tylin, to remain on the Throne of the Winds. However, Tylin was killed by a gholam. It remains to be seen what stance Beslan will take toward the Seanchan occupation, since he opposed their presence before his coronation, at least.

Outside Ebou Dar, the country's inhabitants tend to associate themselves with a particular town or lord rather than the nation as a whole.

[edit] Culture

Women in Altara are dominant, especially in Ebou Dar. In many situations an Altaran woman has the right to kill a man unquestioned. Knives and swords are an important part of Altaran life. Both men and women fight duels over trivial disputes, often with fatal results. Altaran women carry marriage knives, which serve both as a formal way to broadcast marital status (its color and decorations describe marital and motherly status), and an easy method of disciplining their men.

Seemingly a retreat for women, there is a farm located several miles northeast of Ebou Dar and north of the Rhannon Hills. In actuality, it is run by and is a refuge for the Kin, a group of runaways and novices cast out of the White Tower.