Rhuidean

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Rhuidean is a fictional place that exists in the Wheel of Time series by Robert Jordan.

It is a city located in the Aiel Waste that was built by the Jenn Aiel. Smaller in size then either Tear or Caemlyn, it is still considered a great city. It is filled with many buildings that are all said to be majestic palaces, although many of these remain unfinished. Found in the center of the city is a plaza filled with items wrought with the One Power and Avendesora, the Tree of Life, which is growing at the very center.

Before the city was reopened to all by Rand al'Thor, the city was magically protected and few who went in returned. The Aiel sent men to Rhuidean to see if they were deemed worthy enough to become Clan Chiefs and Wise Ones sent their apprentices to see if they were strong enough to become Wise Ones. Men were allowed to enter only once while the women went twice. Aiel who entered were tested by using a ter'angreal which would show the history of the Aiel through the eyes of their ancestors from earlier eras, as far back as the Age of Legends. This revealed the truth of the Aiel's past, that they were originally a group of pacifists charged with serving the Aes Sedai, a task at which most Aiel failed, only the Jenn completing their mission. Most Aiel are unable to accept this truth and die. Female Aiel, on their first trip to Rhuidean, instead enter a ter'angreal which shows many possible futures.

Until recently, the city was abandoned and surrounded by a thick fog, but after Rand went to Rhuidean and was proclaimed the Car'a'carn, he opened the city back up and even caused the fountain in the square to start flowing with water once again.

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