A'dam

The ***a'dam*** is a device used to control channelers in the series *The Wheel of Time*. It is a *ter'angreal* collar and bracelet set. The collar is placed on a *damane* (female channeler) and the bracelet is worn by a *sul'dam*, which allows the *sul'dam* to control the *damane*. It is the way the Seanchan empire enslaves women who can channel.

## Overview

The Seanchan empire enslaves all women who can channel by using the *a'dam* to control them.

The *a'dam* consists of a collar which appears to have no opening or latch, and a bracelet. The collar will open to be placed on a *damane*, and once placed it will expand to cover the woman's shoulders and upper chest and back. The bracelet is worn by the *sul'dam* and connected with the One Power. Nynaeve and Elayne also learn through experimentation that the collar can be placed around the neck of a *sul'dam*; whether this has any particular effect is yet to be determined.

The *damane* wearing the collar is unable to hurt their *sul'dam*. Attempting to do so, or to pick up an object to use as a weapon, causes immense pain to the *damane*. Any injury that is taken by the *sul'dam* is felt by the *damane* twice over.

Attempting any of the following actions will cause a *damane* immense pain to prevent her from doing them:

* Removing the collar. When Egwene reaches to the collar to remove it, her hands seize up in pain.
* Touching the bracelet. When Egwene reaches for the bracelet on the wall, her hands seize up.
* Hitting her *sul'dam*. Egwene tries to punch Renna in the face, but she is knocked back in pain before making contact.
* Picking up any object to use as a weapon. Egwene is unable to pick up a pitcher of water because she imagines throwing it at Renna to attack her.

There is a sensation when the bracelet and collar are linked. According to Renna, "it feels better when we are connected."

## History

### Season 1

When the Seanchan invade the Western Shore, they use *damane* in the attack, and all the *damane* are wearing the collar and their *sul'dam* are wearing bracelets.

### Season 2

When Egwene al'Vere is captured by the Seanchan, she is presented as a gift to High Lord Turak. His voice orders her to be collared. Renna, a *sul'dam*, places the collar on Egwene.

As Egwene is in captivity, she learns the boundaries of what she can do while wearing the *a'dam*.

## Quotes

> **Renna**You can't remove it. You can't even touch it without unbelievable pain. You know this.— Renna to Egwene upon seeing Egwene struggle with the collar, season 2 episode 6 Eyes Without Pity

## Changes from the book series

The *a'dam* is an adaptation of the *ter'angreal* of the same name  (*book spoilers!*). Some change from the book to the TV series include:

* Color - In the books, the *a'dam* is silver, while in the TV series it's gold.
* Bracelet attachment - In the books, the traditional *a'dam* has a physical leash attaching the collar and bracelet, although the physical leash isn't necessary for the *a'dam* to work. In later books, the physical leash is removed in some occasions. In the TV series, the physical leash has been removed from the start; while a separate physical leash is sometimes attached to the collar, this is not part of the *a'dam*.
* Solid - In the books, the collar is flexible. In the show, it's solid metal.

## References

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 *The Wheel of Time*, season 2 episode 6: *Eyes Without Pity*.
2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 *The Wheel of Time*, season 2 episode 6: *Eyes Without Pity*.
3. ↑ *The Wheel of Time*, season 2 episode 7: *Daes Dae'mar*.
4. ↑ *The Wheel of Time*, season 1 episode 8: *The Eye of the World*.