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Were there Ajahs in the Age of Legends?

Contributed by: Bill Garrett, Pam Korda

RJ said, at a signing, that there were not Ajahs in the AoL. The Ajahs were formed within a few hundred years after the Breaking. The colors of the Ajahs were probably representative of something in the AoL or a previous Age, because the Ajah colors are the colors surrounding the Portal Stones.

A possible, even probable, scenario of the forming of the Ajahs is:
Perhaps the AS argued about what was most important... a few said, "we must find and stop all the male channelers who have gone mad!" while others said, "we must fight the Shadowspawn and stay ready to fight them should they return." Others might have placed importance on healing the wounded and stopping the ravage of disease. Then some said, "We must manipulate the governments of the people to make sure they are always ready." A few bookish sorts might have thought it was more important to preserve old knowledge to keep it from getting lost, and to gather more knowledge. "What will happen in troubles to come if our descendants forget even the meager things we've learned so far?"

The term "ajah" meant something different in the Age of Legends. In ACOS, Prologue, Lightnings, 41 Mesaana is laughing at Elaida's machinations, saying, "Watching her play her little games is certainly amusing. You children almost match the ajah at times." The meaning can't really be gotten from the context, here, though.