Cairhien (city)

Cairhien
The Foregate in the foreground, and the inner city past the city's walls
Appears in	The Wheel of Time (TV series)
Location	In the nation of Cairhien, in the Westlands
Inhabitants	Cairhienin

Cairhien is a city in The Wheel of Time.

Cairhien is the capital city of the nation of the same name, and it is known as one of the most political cities in the world. It is notably the location of House Damodred and a sanitarium.

Overview

The city of Cairhien has a wealthy inner city, and an impoverished outer city called the Foregate. The inner city has large houses, stone-walled facilities, and cobbled streets. The impoverished Foregate was established when many people had to leave their homes in the countryside during the Aiel War, and they set up in wooden shanties outside the city gates. When the Aiel War was over, the people stayed.

As the capital of the nation of Cairhien, the city of Cairhien is home to the ruling monarchy and nobility.

Locations in the city of Cairhien:

• House Damodred
• Sanitarium
• The Foregate, outside the walls of the city
  • The Crescent Inn

Appearances

The Wheel of Time appearances	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8
Season 2 episodes	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔

Quotes

Lady Anvaere

Be careful of an invitation from Lady Dhulaine. However you reply, there will be costs attached. Hmm. So, what will it be? Yes or no?

Rand

Neither.

Anvaere

Well, now you'll really have the Houses talking. Outland lord or no, something gives me the impression you're staying in the Foregate, aren't you? It must seem so barbaric, celebrating like this while those poor people starve. Their only hope some ridiculous "Hunt for the Horn."

Rand

The queen's reward sounds worth the risk.

Anvaere

Please, boy. There is no reward. There might not even be a horn, for all I know. The queen doesn't care. She wants her city back. After the Aiel War, the farmers and peasants who survived in the countryside came to the city for safety. And now? The Foregate's overrun. But you can't just kick people out of their homes. They'd revolt. You have to give them a reason to leave. Most will die of exposure or disappear in the Blight. But they don't care, so long as they save a little silver. One less poor mouth for the rich to feed. It's an elegant solution, really.

— Season 2 episode 3 What Might Be

Rand

The Hunt for the Horn is not real. There is no reward. It's all a ploy to purge the Foregate.

Selene

[chuckling] Of course it's not real. This is the most political city in the world. Everything anyone says or does is part of some scheme or some game.

— Season 2 episode 3 What Might Be

Navigation

Locations
Tar Valon, the seat of power of the Aes Sedai Cairhien, a major city and the capital of the Cairhienin nation Atuan's Mill, a village on Toman Head Falme, a coastal city on Toman Head Tel'aran'rhiod, the World of Dreams White Tower • Two Rivers • Tifan's Well • Sanitarium • The Ways • Season 1 locations • Season 2 locations • Browse all locations