Westland

This is the land where the Wheel of Time series takes place. The setting is set approximately 15 years after Tarmon Gai'don, the Last Battle.   With the Dragon Reborn dead, the Dragon's Peace seems to be a tenuous alliance. Even now, there are rumors that the feared Aes Sedai Queen Elaine is planning a large scale invasion of neighboring kingdoms. Strife is rife throughout the kingdoms. The danger from the Dark One is passed but his touch still lingers and the dangers of the world are far from absent.

The White Tower has recovered from the damage it received during the end of the Third Age and flourished under the strict care of the current Amyrlin Seat, Cadsuane Melaidhrin. While the previous Amyrlin, Egwene al'Vere, was considered one of the strongest leaders of the Aes Sedai, many Novices, and some Aes Sedai, believe Cadsuane is a solid contender. The opening of the Novice Books to all ages, and the inclusion of the Kin in the White Tower's network, has greatly increased their already formidable influence.

In seeming opposition to the White Tower, The Black Tower has grown to similar heights, relatively speaking. While the White and Black Towers have never been truly at war, and at certain times are strongly allied, there is always an underlying tension between the two. The current Aethan an Komalin (Shield of the Weak in the Old Tounge) is Logain "Sealbreaker" Ablar, a former False Dragon, though his actions as the leader of the Black Tower have long made up for his past actions. While the numbers of the Black Tower aren't as large as those of the White Tower, they have certainly made up for that in ambition, which hasn't sat well with many a ruler.

The Aiel work as keepers of the Dragon's Peace, although, with the revelation of who and what they truly are, many have fallen away from their warlike ways. Remnants of the Shaido Aiel still lurk the countryside, occasionally raiding passing caravans, and rumors state that they have begun attacking Tuatha'an caravans, something unheard of before.   The Seanchan Empire is fragmented, with General Feroan gathering forces in Westland and the false Empress Desmona in Seanchan, Empress Fortuona is stuck between a rock and a hard place. Fortunately for her, she is as hard as steel.