Tuatha'an

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The Tuatha'an, also known as "Traveling People" or "Tinkers," live by a pacifist philosophy they call the Way of the Leaf.

[edit] History

The Tuatha'an were originally Da'Shain Aiel, who followed the Way of the Leaf. After the Aiel were repeatedly attacked by bandits, Sulwin and several others of the Aiel defied Adan, then leader of the Jenn Aiel. They abandoned the items of the One Power entrusted to them by the Aes Sedai and took their wagons in search of the "song." This group became the Tuatha'an.

The Tuatha'an are one of the few peoples allowed passage through the Aiel Waste, perhaps because the Aiel cannot bring themselves to interact with such a strange people, although it seems more likely that the Wise Ones and clan chiefs know of their mutual origins and refuse to allow the Aiel near the Tuatha'an.

[edit] Culture

The Way of the Leaf defines how the Tuatha'an interact with outsiders. Tuatha'an will never do any violence, be it in anger or self-defense, not even to save their own life or that of another. If they feel that violence or physical confrontation may ensue, they will simply hide or leave the area. They also do not stay near areas where population is concentrated, as there is a greater propensity for violence in larger settlements. Their beliefs and actions frequently earn them repudiation by common folk.

The Tuatha'an have a bad reputation throughout the land. They are considered habitual thieves and, though they do not actively recruit new members, are often accused of trying to convert children to the Way of the Leaf.

Tinker Aes Sedai are also very rare as very few Tinker children wish to channel, as then they must become Aes Sedai and break from the Way of the Leaf