Cairhien

**Cairhien** is a nation in the Westlands. The nation Cairhien has a capital city of the same name. Cairhien is located on the eastern side of the Westlands, and its eastern border is the mountain range the Spine of the World, which separates the Westlands from the Aiel Waste. On the west it borders the nation Andor.

## Overview

Cairhien has a prominent noble class. Its nobles are obsessed with politics, and look for every opportunity they have to increase their position and their influence. Its capital is considered the most political city in the world. The ultimate ruler of Cairhien is the monarch, who may be either male or female.

Cairhien also has a very large impoverished population. The problems of poverty have been compounded since the Aiel War.

## History

### Pre-series

In the sixth century NE, the Cairhienin made an alliance with the Aiel people who lived past the Spine of the World.

In 976 NE, the King of Cairhien inadvertently started the Aiel War by violating the centuries-old truce their nation had with the Aiel. The Aiel invaded the Westlands in retaliation, and the Cairhienin called the other nations of the Westlands to stave off the invasion. The war raged on for a little more than two years, and ended with the Battle of the Shining Walls on the slopes of Dragonmount, where the king was killed. The royal family of the time, House Damodred, fell from grace due to the actions of the king.

The devastation caused by the Aiel War led to many Cairhienin from the countryside fleeing their homes. Many of these people ended up in the Foregate in the capital city of Cairhien, and compounded the problems of poverty in this slum. Cairhien is now under the rule of a new queen.

### Season 2

Rand al'Thor has started a new life in the City of Cairhien after seemingly defeating The Man at the Eye of the World. He is living in the Foregate with Selene, an innkeeper, and the two have a "no strings attached" relationship. Rand also has a job as an orderly in a sanitarium in the city, where Logain Ablar is now being treated since he was gentled by the Aes Sedai.

While searching for a bottle of Ghealdanin red wine for Logain, Rand and Selene gatecrash a party being held for the nobility. They receive a great amount of attention, as many assume that Rand is an outlander lord who they can take advantage of. Rand also begins causing damage to the Foregate as he struggles with his sanity.

## Locations

* City of Cairhien
	+ Cairhien sanitarium
	+ Foregate

Borders of Cairhien:

* To the north, Cairhien borders wilderness. To the north-east, it borders Kinslayer's Dagger, a mountain range extending from the Spine of the World.
* To the east, Cairhien borders the Spine of the World, the mountain range dividing the Westlands and the Aiel Waste.
* To the south, Cairhien borders more mountains and wilderness.
* To the west, Cairhien borders the nation of Andor.

## People

Notable nationals of Cairhien include the following characters:

* Queen Galldrian
* House Damodred, including Anvaere, Moiraine, and Barthanes
* Jhonas, the Damodred butler
* Lady Dhulaine, who attends a party
* Celestin, who works at the sanitarium
* Yann, who works at the sanitarium
* Errol, a patient at the sanitarium
* Asan Sandair, a guard posted at the city gate between the inner city and the Foregate

Non-nationals who at some point were residents of Cairhien:

* Selene, who runs the Crescent Inn in the Foregate
* Logain Ablar, moved from Tar Valon to the sanitarium in the city
* Rand al'Thor, who lives in the Foregate while working at the sanitarium

## Trivia

* Costume designer Isis Mussenden was inspired by 18th century France for the fashion of Cairhienin women. Men's fashion is more influenced by traditional Chinese attire. The textile designs was inspired by the Japanese *shibori* design.
* The design team compared the class system of Cairhien to those found in India or the Philippines, with extreme wealth and poverty.

## Changes from the book series

Cairhien is an adaptation of the nation of the same name  (*book spoilers!*) from the book series.

## Navigation

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## References

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Map on the official Prime Video page for *The Wheel of Time*.
2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 *The Wheel of Time*, season 2 episode 3: *What Might Be*.
3. ↑ *The Wheel of Time*, season 2 episode 6: *Eyes Without Pity*.
4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Bonus content for season 1, episode 5: Creating the Look, Part 1.
5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 Trivia for *The Wheel of Time*, season 1 episode 7: *The Dark Along the Ways*.
6. ↑ Official X-Ray for Prime Video: *The Wheel of Time*, under the "Characters" section (login required), section labeled "Moiraine Damodred". Retrieved November 19, 2021.
7. ↑ *The Wheel of Time*, season 2 episode 1: *A Taste of Solitude*.
8. ↑ *The Wheel of Time*, season 2 episode 2: *Strangers and Friends*.
9. ↑ Gold Derby with Isis Mussenden. 'The Wheel of Time' costume designer Isis Mussenden on defining the look of the fantasy series. 13 November, 2021.