Ogier
The Ogier, a race unlike the others we have talked about in this course. *ggls* I’m sorry, did I astonish you? I decided to go for the dramatic entrance, you see, because the Ogier are regarded as one of the most noble races in Randland, and being so, they deserve respect.
Ogier are the only natural nonhuman sentient race known. They resemble humans in general build and dress, but have long tufted ears and broad, almost snoutlike noses. They are also much larger than humans, with the men averaging ten feet in height or more, with the women slightly shorter. They also live much longer. A typical Ogier life span is at least three to four times that of a human. Ogier are not considered mature enough to leave the stedding until they have reached at least one hundred years old. This longer life is said to be the cause of their deliberately slow and certain behaviour. To Ogiers, we humans are much too hasty and impatient.
The Ogier live in secludedstedding scattered throughout the world. While populations vary considerably, and Ogier seem to consider such numbers not worth gathering, it has been estimated that the average stedding has a population of about six thousand. The total Ogier population of the known world is approximately two hundred fifty thousand. Ogier mostly stay in the stedding, and appearances are so rare now that most people no longer believe in them.
Each stedding is governed by a Council of Elders, who hold public meetings within and between stedding. The meetings are held at the great stump of the stedding and the Elders preside. The Head of the Council of Elders is often a woman, and mothers and wives have more authority than their husbands.
Widely known as wondrous stonemasons, the Ogier much prefer to work with living and growing things, as they did in ages past. An Ogier was known in the Old Tongue as tia avende alantin “Brother to the Trees.” They only took up stonework during the Exile, constructing beautiful buildings the almost give the illusion of life, such as many found right here in Tar Valon. The second love of Ogier is knowledge. They love to read and write, and value books and records very highly.
But besides tending plants and working stone, the Ogier raise sheep, make cloth, and create fine metalwork and jewelry. Their clothes are often heavily embroidered with women wearing embroidered flowers in a quantity to suit their station. Girls wear flowered trim only on their cloaks, while women Elders’ dresses are embroidered from throat to ankle. Necklaces and bracelets, in the distinctive patterns reminiscent of vines and plants, are also worn, but earrings are not. All women wear their hair loose and long. men wear their hair shorter than that of women.
Men’s coats are of various lengths, and their shirts and trousers are plain. Every aspect of clothing and jewelry for both men and women reflects the profound Ogier respect for nature, and indeed, all living things.Now, for homework I’d like you to do a little bit of research on the Ogier stedding. If you can, please tell me their unique properties, and perhaps a few names and locations. Also try and find out a little about the Exile and the Longing.
And once more (though I’m sure you’ve seen the sites plenty now, and hopefully bookmarked ‘em):
WoT Concordance - http://www.geocities.com/Area51/Corridor/241/wotc.txt
Illustrated WoT Worldbook - http://www.fantasyalternative.org/wot/world/worldbook.html
Cairhien
Altara Tarabon
Tear
The Borderlands
Arad Doman and Murandy Illian and Mayene The Atha'an Miere
