Two Rivers
From A Wheel of Time Wiki
The Two Rivers is a region in western Andor, getting its name from the Taren River to the north and the White River to the south. It contains the villages of Taren Ferry, Deven Ride, Emond's Field, and Watch Hill, along with a number of independent farms.
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[edit] Geography
The Two Rivers has long been viewed as a backwater area, provincial and quiet. Part of this is due to its geographical isolation: in addition to being bordered by rivers on two sides, with only one crossing in and out at Taren Ferry, it is walled off by the Mountains of Mist to the west, and the Waterwood, a treacherous uncharted swamp, effectively bars travel to the east. For long periods of time, the Two Rivers has simply let history, and world events, pass it by.
[edit] History
The area was not always quiet, however; once it was the capital city and heart of the great nation of Manetheren, a staunch member of the Compact of the Ten Nations and a thorn in the Dark One's foot. Its armies could, and would, appear at the defense of any of its allies quicker than was believed possible. They frequently turned the tide during the Trolloc Wars, when all areas of the Westlands were under siege.
Eventually, however, Manetheren fell; a vast army of Dreadlords, commanding seemingly endless hordes of Shadowspawn, fell upon the capital city while the armies were away. Despite a forced march and valiant defense, no aid came to Manetheren, and it was swept under and destroyed to its foundations. The people later resettled the area, which became the Two Rivers.
[edit] Government
Though officially part of Andor, the Two Rivers has functioned autonomously for many years. Official Tax collectors haven't visited in years and most of the folk don't know that the Two Rivers is included on maps of Andor. The towns are run by The Women's Circle and The Mayor's Counsel with the leaders of those groups being the town Wisdom and Mayor respectively. After the invasion of the Trollocs, Perrin Aybara and Faile Bashere became the Lord and Lady of the Two Rivers.
[edit] Modern times
Current events have forced the Two Rivers to pay attention to the world around them; with the troubles between Tarabon and Arad Doman escalating, the invasions of the Seanchan, and the army of Trollocs brought to the Two Rivers by Padan Fain through the Waygate, the quiet, peaceful people had to learn how to fight and provide for themselves in a changing environment. Most have adapted well to the new situation, although some complain about "foreigners", even as those foreigners bring news, trade, skills and resources into what was once a nearly forgotten corner of the world.
[edit] Trivia
The Two Rivers is based on Robert Jordan's home town of Charleston, South Carolina.
