Over the three thousand years of its history, the White Tower has established a number of awards to recognize people who further its goals, both within the Tower and within the world at large. These awards and prominent recipients of them are outlined below.

Note that these awards are nominated and assigned for actions, not to particular types of individuals. Any individual within or outside of the Tower can be eligible to receive one of these awards if their actions merit it, they are not limited only to Aes Sedai or Warders.

Please mail to nynaeve@cuendillar.org to nominate someone to receive an award or to suggest a new award.

Awards and Honorees

The notations of Ajah colors after the names of awards indicate the Ajah that most commonly takes an interest in awarding that merit, or that the honor relates to the primary concerns of that Ajah. It does not indicate that only members of that Ajah or those in the service of members of that Ajah can receive that award, and nominations for any award are accepted from anyone. Some awards are specifically created for the varying groups of the White Tower, but that does not mean that residents outside of the Tower or non-Aes Sedai cannot gain a Tower award.

The Amyrlin's Grace

Awarded for: Exemplary service to the White Tower.

History: The Amyrlin's Grace is the oldest honor in the world, established by the first Amyrlin Seat, Elisane Tishar. Although often awarded to members of the Tower, it has on several occasions been awarded to others.

Description: A simple armband of white silk, embroidered with a symbol or image pertinent to the worthy deed performed by the person awarded. It is the tradition that the Amyrlin does the embroidery herself, and presents the honor personally if at all possible.

The Badge of Deane (Blue)

Awarded for: Correcting a significant injustice through means other than force.

History: Deane Aryman is among the most famous of the Blues. She rose to the Amyrlin Seat after Bonwhin Meraighdin was deposed and stilled. Deane did much to restore the place of the Tower in the world, her most notable deed being to negotiate for an end to the seige of Tar Valon after Hawkwing's death. This award came into being in honor of her deed, and has been bestowed for such actions as revealing a corrupt official, persuading a leader of the land to revoke an unjust law, breaking up an extortion ring, etc.

Description: A platinum disc, surmounted by an enamelled depiction of the island of Tar Valon, atop which is inlaid a dazzling White Tower. The badge hangs from a ribbon striped in the colors of the seven Ajahs and is designed to be worn around the neck on ceremonial occasions.

Cistaro's Plaque (Blue)

Awarded for: Sacrificing a personal goal or prestige in order to help others.

History: Cistaro Gaidin and his bondmate were travelling on a ship which was attacked by pirates. She was killed in the fighting, but despite the desperate need for vengeance which overcomes a Warder in such a situation, Cistaro devoted the last minutes of his life to saving others instead of throwing it away in a futile attack. The Blue Sitters of the time were so moved by this that they instituted Cistaro's Plaque to recognize such sacrifice. They decided on a plaque since this honor is often awarded posthumously.

Description: A wooden plaque carved in the shape of a shield and painted with gold leaf, Cistaro's plaque is surmounted by a pair of crossed swords. A heart-shaped silver faceplate is fixed onto the wood, engraved with a testament to the deeds of the person who earned the honor.

Freedom's Call (Blue)

Awarded for: Outstanding achievement in defense or release of the falsely accused or those imprisoned unjustly.

History: A few hundred years after the Trolloc Wars, a young Prince of Shiota travelled to the neighbouring nation Fergansea on a diplomatic mission. A cabal of Ferganseans as well as his own countrymen (he was considered somewhat troublesome by his family) contrived to frame him for the murder of the Queen of Fergansea. He was saved from the headsman's axe by the investigation of a single intrepid Blue sister. After his release he travelled with her to train at the Tower, and later became her Warder. He addressed the Sitters of the Blue with impassioned rhetoric and convinced them to bestow an honor upon his bondsmate for her actions, an honor which became known as Freedom's Call.

Description: A pin in the shape of the Horn of Valere, representing the forces that will come to the aid of the Light when things look darkest.

Riadne's Revelation (Brown)

Awarded for: Unravelling a puzzle related to the One Power, such as learning more of a lost or new Talent, or figuring out a difficult ter'angreal.

History: Riadne Sedai is little known outside the Brown Ajah, but quite respected within. She lived a quiet life in the Tower, devoted to discovering the use of unknown ter'angreal and studying other oddities presumed to be related to the One Power. She is best known outside the Ajah for having died during her experiments with a ter'angreal, and her work is remembered by the Brown Ajah through this award.

Description: A red copper budding rose, superimposed on a silver flame pendant. The opening of the rose symbolizes new meaning brought to what was once seen differently or incompletely.

History's Copper Key (Brown)

Awarded for: Unlocking the secrets of history or prophecy, particularly if this contributes to resolving a present situation.

History: Knowledge has always been a primary goal for the Brown, and this award has been in place for many years to recognize superior effort in deciphering the prophecies and gaining a new understanding of historical events which are in dispute or have suffered from lack of information or insufficient study.

Description: A copper key pendant with a silver flame inlaid into the head piece. Each prong of the key can be fitted with a gem should a recipient earn this award more than once.

The Silver Dove (Gray)

Awarded for: Significant efforts in establishing or maintaining peace through negotiations.

History: The creation and maintenance of peace in the world is a goal held key by the members of the Gray Ajah, and those whose actions go a large way towards fulfilling that goal are recognized by this award.

Description: A silver charm which can be worn on a bracelet or necklace, or fitted into the haft of a weapon, the Silver Dove takes the shape of a dove in flight, its eye picked out with a diamond chip.

The Swordbadge of Craighan (Green)

Awarded for: Valour

History: Craighan Maconar is considered the archetypal Green Sister by members of that Ajah, and is the heroine of a hundred adventures and feats that would be considered fiction if they were not recorded in the chronicles of the White Tower. This award was established in her honor to recognize acts of exceptional valour. Although occasionally awarded for military actions, it is more commonly awarded for more individual deeds.

Description: The Swordbadge is a metal badge fitted into a bracer intended to be worn on the lower arm. It is engraved with a stylized silver Flame that resembles a comet flying between two quarter suns surmounted by a inlaid gold sword illuminating the darkness of despair.

The Eagle Ring (Green)

Awarded for: Meritorious action as a commander of forces.

History: Erinna Pohan was an exceptionally martial woman - even for a member of the Green Ajah, and even for her time, during the middle years of the Trolloc Wars. She was the daughter of the King of Safer, a legendary tactician and battle commander of the day. She was quite young when her mother died, and spent much of her youth in her father's field camps, absorbing knowledge of strategy with far more aptitude than either of her brothers until it was discovered that she had the ability to channel and she went to the Tower for training. She was weak in the Power, and took several years to complete her studies before she was able to return to the battlefield. Even as an Aes Sedai and a Green, it was some years after that before her tactical skill was widely accepted and she was given command of forces, her units often triumphing against incredible odds.

Description: The Eagle Ring is a heavy band of iron designed to be worn as a finger ring. The head of an eagle forms the main part of the ring, with wings spread out to wrap around the finger. The eagle's eyes are set with chips of emerald.

Rashima's Flame (Green)

Awarded for: Exceptional victory against the forces of the Dark.

History: The Trolloc Wars lasted three hundred years, and this is one of several honors that came into being during that time, when keeping morale high was an ongoing battle of its own. Originally called just the Flame, it came to be known as Rashima's Flame in honor of the Soldier Amyrlin Rashima Kerenmosa, who personally led the Tower's forces into the field. Rashima's Flame recognizes significant effort against the Shadow forces. While most commonly awarded for direct combat, it is not unknown for it to be awarded for other deeds that strike a blow at the Dark.

Description: A scabbard or like device made to hold the honoree's weapon of choice. The scabbard is decorated with an engraved scene of two embattled forces. Those on one side are inlaid with black steel, while the others are inlaid silver - a scene depicting the onging battle between the forces of Dark and Light.

The Order of Mendane (Red)

Awarded for: Taking the lead in the capture of a male channeler

History: Mendane sur Belome is known as the founding spirit of the Red Ajah, the woman who established the basic principles of action to avoid another Breaking of the World, and was the leading force in her time of enacting those principles.

Description: A circular gold medallion with a woman's profile in relief upon it. She has a calm yet determined expression on her face. A raised rim surrounds the medallion, marked with circular depressions equidistant apart. Chips of ruby are fitted into these depressions, each one representing a male channeler the honoree has taken. The medallion hangs from a red silk ribbon so it can be worn around the neck.

Red Bars (Red)

Awarded for: A reliable report of a male channeler which leads to his capture, or in other ways assisting in the capture of a male channeler.

History: The Red Ajah occasionally chooses to recognize the contributions made in discovering and capturing a male channeler with this minor honor.

Description: A red square pin which is fitted with a gold bar on each occasion that this award is earned by a particular honoree.

Truth's Defender (White)

Awarded for: Personal sacrifice or risk in an effort related to holding fast to the truth or revealing the truth.

History: The Aes Sedai of the White hold truth as important above all things. While they are not typically given to such worldly things as honors and awards, the Ajah does feel it suitable to recognize people who make a sacrifice in pursuit of the truth.

Description: A white gold pin in the shape of a shield standing firm against the attack of a black steel sword.

The Rose of Eshian (Yellow)

Awarded for: Personal risk or sacrifice in saving the lives of others.

History: Eshian Tiso is one of the most honored sisters of the Yellow Ajah, even 2000 years after her death. She risked her life innumerable times, often in spectacular ways, to reach others to try and save them with her Healing power. Her deeds on the battlefields of the Trolloc Wars are particularly memorable.

Description: A small medallion in the shape of a silver diamond, with a beautifully lacquered yellow rose at its center. The diamond is hung from a short length of yellow ribbon attached to a simple silver pin so it can be worn easily.

Tomika's Shield (Yellow)

Awarded for: Significant actions that prevent or mitigate the spread of infections.

History: Tomika was not an Aes Sedai, but rather a simple village wisdom. She drove herself to the point of collapse to get to a town to find an Aes Sedai and let others know there was infection in her village and it should be avoided. The illness was a virulent one, and with too few Yellow Sisters to help everyone who might have been infected otherwise, Tomika's actions saved many lives. Tomika died after she got infected herself when she returned to her village to tend to the ill, and the Yellow Sitters instituted this award in her honor.

Description: A simple gold circular pin, darkened at the center. The gold represents the Yellow Ajah encircling and containing the sickness within.

The Creator's Healing Grace (Yellow)

Awarded for: Discovery of a new weave to help Heal illnesses that were previously difficult to treat or completely untreatable.

History: The use of the One Power in Healing has always been the primary focus for most in the Yellow Ajah, and they bemoan how much has been lost since the Age of Legends. Prestige accrues to anyone who discovers a more efficient Healing weave, but they are also likely to be awarded this honor by the Yellow Sitters.

Description: The silhouette of a woman reaching out to touch another vague human form. A silver star is inlaid at the point of contact between the two figures, and the second form is outlined with a silver line representative of the Healing Power.