aka: Suffa

Pronunciation: eh-LY-da doh AHV-rih-nee ah-ROY-han

An Aes Sedai of the Red Ajah. She sometimes has the Talent of Foretelling. She is the youngest daughter of a minor House in the north of Murandy.

Physical Description#

She is handsome rather than beautiful. She has a sternness far beyond Moiraine's. (TEotW,Ch40) She has dark eyes. (TDR,Ch17)

Chronology#

• Elaida is the first novice in recent memory to finish novices training in only three years. (NS,Ch2)
• More than thirty years ago, Meidani and Elaida are pillow-friends as novices, but Elaida breaks off the friendship when she is raised to Accepted. (CoT,Prologue, KoD,Ch25)
• While still an Accepted, Elaida has a Foretelling that the Royal line of Andor is the key to winning the Last Battle. (TSR,Ch1)
• As Accepted, Elaida presses her favorites, including Siuan, so hard that sisters sometimes have to intervene. (CoT,Prologue)
• As Accepted, Elaida makes life miserable for Moiraine and Siuan as first year novicess. (NS,Ch3)
• After achieving the shawl, Elaida continues to press them unreasonably until she leaves the White Tower for Andor. (NS,Ch3)
• As soon as she is able, Elaida aligns herself with Morgase. (TSR,Ch1)
• Elaida serves as advisor to the Queen of Andor for three years before briefly returning to the White Tower. She and Meilyn happen by while Moiraine and Siuan are taking census. She promises to visit them. (NS,Ch5)
• Elaida checks on the progress Moiraine and Siuan are making with their census lists. (NS,Ch6)
• Elaida helps Moiraine and Siuan with their practice, beating them mercilessly. Merean reprimands her for helping them cheat. (NS,Ch8)
• Anaiya, Elaida, Verin and Yuan are four of the sisters at Moiraine's test for the shawl. Elaida represents the Red Ajah. (NS,Ch9)
• Elaida adds an unusually cruel element to the test, then leaves with Merean before any of the other Aes Sedai. (NS,Ch10)
• Seven sisters including Elaida for the Red and Jeaine for the Green bring Moiraine and Siuan to the ceremony where they will be raised to the shawl. (NS,Ch11])
• Elaida returns to Andor. (NS,Ch14)
• Elaida meets Rand and has a Foretelling. (TEotW,Ch40)
• Elaida seeks out Basel Gill who tells her that Rand left with Moiraine. Elaida accompanies Elayne to Tar Valon and begins a campaign against Moiraine for helping a dangerous ta'veren. (TGH,Ch4)
• Elaida grills Min about Rand. She somehow knows that Moiraine sent for Min. (TGH,Ch24)
• She travels to the White Tower with Morgase, but is not allowed to return to Caemlyn. (TDR,Ch13)
• Elaida barges in on Egwene, Elayne and Nynaeve. (TDR,Ch16)
• Elaida grills Egwene, Elayne and Nynaeve about their absence and about Rand. (TDR,Ch17)
• Elaida does not think Egwene should be allowed to take the Accepted test. (TDR,Ch22)
• After Egwene emerges from the test, Elaida brings her clothes to her, insults her and leaves. (TDR,Ch23)
• Elaida is among several Aes Sedai who happen to stop by the kitchen while Egwene, Elayne and Nynaeve are working there. (TDR,Ch27)
• Elaida sees Min in the White Tower and starts putting two and two together about Siuan, Moiraine and Rand. She begins confiding in Alviarin. (TSR,Ch1)
• With the support of Galina Casban, Elaida is elected as Sitter for the Red Ajah replacing Amira Moselle. (Tor Q&A)
• Elaida supports Siuan at a meeting of the Hall to declare support for the Dragon Reborn. (TSR,Ch47)
• Elaida leads an effort to oust Siuan for treason. She is raised to the Amyrlin. (TSR,Ch47)
• Elaida issues orders for Elayne to be captured and returned to the White Tower. (TFoH,Ch10)
• Elaida issues a warrant for Moiraine's arrest. (TFoH,Ch15)
• Elaida meets with Alviarin and her new Council. She is furious that they are not giving her the respect she deserves. She puts top priority on finding and controlling Rand. After the meeting, she meets with Fain who advises her on how to control Rand. (TFoH,Prologue)
• Elaida issues an order to make an example of Ronde Macura for letting Elayne and Nynaeve escape. (TFoH,Ch25)
• Elaida demotes Shemerin to Accepted. (TFoH,Ch49)
• Elaida sends a letter to Rand offering an escort to bring him to the White Tower. (TFoH,Ch51)
• Elaida sends an embassy of Aes Sedai to Cairhien to escort Rand to the White Tower. She sends Gawyn's Younglings as escort and hints to the embassy to get rid of them. She secretly gives Galina more explicit orders concerning Gawyn. (LoC,Prologue, ACoS,Ch32)
• Elaida dissolves her Council. (LoC,Ch7)
• Elaida learns of Rand's amnesty and is furious. (LoC,Ch7)
• Elaida briefly dreams herself into Tel'aran'rhiod. (LoC,Ch7)
• Elaida has heard that Rand was captured. She is building a huge palace for herself and is angry that the Ogier will not help. She issues orders to Alviarin aimed at controlling the rulers of various countries. She has a Foretelling that the White Tower will be stronger than ever, that Rand will face the Amyrlin's wrath, and that sisters will walk through the Black Tower. (ACoS,Prologue)
• Elaida sends a force of Aes Sedai to the Black Tower with orders to gentle and hang every man they find. (ACoS,Prologue, WH,Prologue)
• Alviarin wakes Elaida with Covarla and news of the disaster at Dumai's Wells. Faced with all her problems she accedes to Alviarin's orders, increasing the Tower Guard and fomenting dissention between the Ajahs. She goes to Seaine and commands her to seek out traitors. (ACoS,Ch32)
• Elaida meets with Sitters of the six Ajahs to discuss the Seanchan, the Salidar Aes Sedai, and Rand. Alviarin returns, has her punished for taking independent action, and has her sign a decree acknowledging Rand as the Dragon Reborn but declaring him a ward of the White Tower. (TPoD,Ch25)
• Elaida meets with over half the Sitters including Suana, Doesine, Ferane, Shevan, Andaya, Yukiri, Talene, Rubinde and Rina to discuss the rebel army. The majority lean toward negotiation and Elaida concurs. She then meets with Alviarin, firmly putting her in her place, and sends her off to Silviana for punishment. (CoT,Ch21)
• Elaida finally clearly states to Seaine that she is looking for treasonous actions from Alviarin. (KoD,Prologue)
• Elaida hears that Egwene was captured. She orders her reduced to novices but no punishment otherwise. (KoD,Prologue)
• Elaida meets with Mattin Stepaneos and tells him she saved him from Rand. She then meets with Beonin who teaches her all the new Salidar Aes Sedai weaves. (KoD,Ch2)
• Elaida issues edicts and severe penances for those who do not comply. She will not listen to excuses no matter how reasonable. She manipulates Meidani in an attempt to learn more about the moles. She issues an order for Egwene to attend her at dinner. (KoD,Ch25)
• Egwene attends Elaida and Meidani at dinner. Elaida is insufferable, tormenting Meidani and suggesting a fourth Oath of obedience to the Amyrlin. Egwene drops the soup tureen and, in a rage, Elaida sends her for more punishment. (TGS,Ch2)
• Egwene makes still more progress but Elaida orders that she have no more lessons, only chores. At another dinner with five Sitters, Egwene confronts Elaida and Elaida beats her and orders her to the dungeons. (TGS,Ch16)
• Silviana confronts Elaida at a meeting of the Hall and demands that she release Egwene. Elaida demotes her and when she refuses to accept, orders her to the dungeon to be executed. (TGS,Ch38)
• The Hall censures Elaida but she remains Amyrlin. (TGS,Ch39)
• The Seanchan attack breaks through the wall of Elaida's quarters. She is collared as a damane and taken away. (TGS,Ch41)
• Melitene forces "Suffa" to demonstrate Traveling for Fortuona and her court. (ToM,Ch47)

Other References#

1. In New Spring
   1. NS,Ch2 - Moiraine and Siuan are only the second and third novicess after Elaida to finish training in only three years.
   2. NS,Ch5 - Meilyn is one of the few Aes Sedai stronger than Elaida.
   3. NS,Ch10 - In revenge for their treatment, Moiraine and Siuan plan to put mice in Elaida's bed but they are caught.
   4. NS,Ch12 - Learning Aes Sedai custom, Moiraine and Siuan now understand that Elaida deferred to Meilyn because she is stronger.
   5. NS,Ch14 - Lelaine and Elaida are among the strongest Aes Sedai. Moiraine and Siuan will eventually be as strong.
2. In The Eye of the World
   1. TEotW,Ch34 - Almen Bunt tells Rand and Mat about Elaida. She is the Aes Sedai advisor to Queen Morgase.
   2. TEotW,Ch36 - Master Gill advises Rand and Mat against going to Elaida for help.
   3. TEotW,Ch40 - Elaida keeps the gardens of the Royal Palace green. She hates rats, so there are neither rats nor cats in the Royal Palace.
   4. TEotW,Ch41 - Master Gill advises Rand to leave town within two days before Elaida can find them.
   5. TEotW,Ch42 - Loial mentions Elaida in front of Moiraine leading Rand, Perrin and Mat to tell their stories including their dreams.
3. In The Great Hunt
   1. TGH,Ch5 - Moiraine tells Siuan that Elaida is wrong about Rand. He is even more dangerous than Artur Hawkwing.
   2. TGH,Ch31 - Verin says that only Elaida, Moiraine, Siuan and the three girls are strong enough to handle the female giant statue.
   3. TGH,Ch39 - Elaida taught Elayne a little bit about the Ways.
4. In The Dragon Reborn
   1. TDR,Ch25 - Egwene, Elayne and Nynaeve discuss whether or not they can trust Elaida.
   2. TDR,Ch29 - Nynaeve tells Siuan that either Sheriam or Elaida could have looked at Verin's notes during Egwene's Accepted test.
   3. TDR,Ch47 - Morgase gave Elaida's position as advisor to Gaebril.
5. In The Shadow Rising
   1. TSR,Ch31 - Perrin recalls that Egwene told him Elaida and Alanna showed inordinate interest in Rand.
6. In The Fires of Heaven
   1. TFoH,Ch1 - News of Elaida's new position has spread. Morgase and Alteima both know she is now Amyrlin.
   2. TFoH,Ch11 - Siuan tells Duranda Tharne that Elaida is now the Amyrlin.
   3. TFoH,Ch12 - Gareth Bryne recalls Siuan and Elaida "conferring" with Morgase before she ordered him to withdraw from the Murandy border.
   4. TFoH,Ch15 - Egwene and Nynaeve learn that Elaida is now the Amyrlin. Egwene tells Moiraine.
   5. TFoH,Ch18 - Liandrin receives word from the White Tower that Elaida deposed Siuan.
   6. TFoH,Ch20 - Moiraine tells Rand that Elaida is now the Amyrlin.
   7. TFoH,Ch25 - In Tel'aran'rhiod, Egwene reads Elaida's mail.
   8. TFoH,Ch27 - Siuan tells the Salidar Aes Sedai that they must take action against Elaida because she will misuse Rand.
   9. TFoH,Ch28 - The Salidar Aes Sedai ask Gareth Bryne to build them an army to help take down Elaida.
   10. TFoH,Ch49 - In Tel'aran'rhiod, Nynaeve and Elayne read Elaida's mail.
   11. TFoH,Ch50 - Nynaeve and Elayne tell the Salidar Aes Sedai that Elaida already knows about them.
7. In Lord of Chaos
   1. LoC,Prologue - Gareth Bryne has agreed to lead an army against Elaida.
   2. LoC,Ch7 - The Salidar Aes Sedai leaders visit Elaida's study in Tel'aran'rhiod and learn that she has sent an embassy to Rand. She also does not know that Moiraine is dead.
   3. LoC,Ch8 - Logain claims that six Red Ajah sisters came to him in Cosamelle and threatened him with death if he did not pose as a false Dragon. Javindhra was their leader and Barasine was another. Elaida also knew about it.
   4. LoC,Ch10 - Rand wonders if Elaida has heard about his amnesty.
   5. LoC,Ch12 - Nynaeve wonders how Elaida learned of Salidar so quickly.
   6. LoC,Ch12 - The Salidar Aes Sedai send Tarna Feir back to Elaida with their response that they need more time to consider her offer.
   7. LoC,Ch13 - Tarna Feir tells Elayne that Elaida wants her back in the White Tower.
   8. LoC,Ch24 - The White Tower embassy arrives in Cairhien more than two months after Elaida's letter.
   9. LoC,Ch27 - Rand is duly cautious about Elaida's intentions.
   10. LoC,Ch28 - Fain thinks he has the Whitecloaks and the White Tower set against Rand as he has touched Pedron Niall and Elaida.
   11. LoC,Ch33 - Rand tells Mat that the Aes Sedai in Salidar rebelled against Elaida.
   12. LoC,Ch43 - Merana thinks that the Salidar Aes Sedai has an advantage over the White Tower embassy because they know much more about Rand than Elaida does.
   13. LoC,Ch53 - Galina thinks she might be able to use Min against Elaida.
8. In A Crown of Swords
   1. ACoS,Prologue - Elaida is the youngest daughter of a minor house in the north of Murandy.
   2. ACoS,Ch7 - Bael wants to attack the White Tower but Rand thinks Elaida has learned her lesson. He will leave her alone if she leaves him alone.
   3. ACoS,Ch8 - Sheriam admits to Egwene that she and her group took advantage of Elaida's orders that all sisters return to the White Tower to send ten of the Salidar Aes Sedai as moles. This makes Egwene wonder if Elaida has spies in Salidar.
   4. ACoS,Ch9 - Egwene thinks the Talents and skills she, Nynaeve and Elayne learned themselves and from Moghedien will help them take back the White Tower from Elaida.
   5. ACoS,Ch11 - Delana wants Elaida declared Black Ajah because of Halima's supposed story about Cabriana.
   6. ACoS,Ch12 - A band of merchants from Caemlyn are spreading a rumor that Rand bowed to Elaida.
   7. ACoS,Ch12 - Delana is taking her petition declaring Elaida Black Ajah to the Salidar Aes Sedai Hall.
   8. ACoS,Ch17 - Teslyn wants to take the girls back to Elaida. Joline is loyal to the White Tower, not Elaida, and would prefer to lie low until Elaida makes a mistake and is deposed herself. They are both delaying reporting to Elaida to show their independence.
   9. ACoS,Ch33 - Rand has nightmares about Alviarin, Elaida, Egwene, Nynaeve and all the Aes Sedai standing against him.
9. In The Path of Daggers
   1. TPoD,Ch4 - When questioned, Ispan claims that she is loyal to the White Tower and that Elaida sent her to Ebou Dar.
   2. TPoD,Ch12 - Cadsuane has sympathy for neither Elaida nor Moiraine because she thinks they both bungled trying to handle Rand.
   3. TPoD,Ch15 - Bryne tells Egwene and Siuan that Elaida has increased the Tower Guard to fifty thousand.
   4. TPoD,Ch17 - The Andorans and Murandians tell Egwene they have heard of Aes Sedai and Tower Guards in Andor, Elaida's mission against the Black Tower.
   5. TPoD,Ch19 - The Hall of the Salidar Aes Sedai has a formal vote and declares war on Elaida.
   6. TPoD,Ch20 - Crossing Andor, Elayne hears the rumor that Rand swore fealty to Elaida.
   7. TPoD,Ch26 - Toveine particularly resents Elaida because she escaped without punishment and became Amyrlin even though she took part in the same activity that got the three Red Sitters exiled.
10. In Winter's Heart
    1. WH,Prologue - Talene tells Saerin and the others questioning her that Elaida must be Black Ajah because their Council always knows what she is doing.
    2. WH,Prologue - Toveine dreams of throttling Elaida.
    3. WH,Ch7 - There are ten Aes Sedai staying at The Silver Swan in Caemlyn. Elayne wonders if they are Elaida's
    4. WH,Ch9 - Halwin Norry tells Elayne about Elaida's proclamation regarding Rand. Elayne is stunned that Elaida would do something so foolish.
    5. WH,Ch19 - Teslyn left Mat the warning note about Elayne and Nynaeve to frustrate Elaida's plans.
    6. WH,Ch22 - Far Madding has accepted Elaida's decree that the Dragon Reborn is the property of the White Tower.
    7. WH,Ch34 - When Rand is captured in Far Madding, he is certain he will be in prison for months waiting for them to deliver him to Elaida.
11. In Crossroads of Twilight
    1. CoT,Prologue - Elaida is fiercer than ever since her private penance with Silviana.
    2. CoT,Ch12 - Elayne still does not have news of Gawyn or Galad. She hopes that Elaida has not learned that Gawyn helped Siuan escape.
    3. CoT,Ch14 - After uncovering an agent of the Brown Ajah, Elayne thinks that Elaida would not be pleased that Ajahs other than Red have eyes-and-ears in the Royal Palace.
    4. CoT,Ch16 - In the rebel camp, Magla, Faiselle, Saroiya, Takima and Varilin suggest negotiating with Elaida.
    5. CoT,Ch18 - Siuan is angry when she hears that some Sitters support negotiations.
    6. CoT,Ch19 - Lelaine wants to put an end to talks of negotiation.
    7. CoT,Ch21 - Alviarin will make sure that Elaida's name is at the top of her list of Black Ajah hunters for Shaidar Haran.
    8. CoT,Ch22 - Many Aes Sedai are suspicious of Elaida and the Keeper because of Alviarin's odd activities.
    9. CoT,Ch23 - Cadsuane is puzzled at how possessive of Rand the Aes Sedai sent by Elaida now are.
    10. CoT,Ch24 - Rand is furious with the Asha'man for bonding Aes Sedai. This will make Elaida want them dead even more.
    11. CoT,Ch30 - Gareth Bryne reports to Egwene that Elaida's raiders are operating on both sides of the river.
12. In Knife of Dreams
    1. KoD,Prologue - Seaine, Pevara and Yukiri are no longer certain that Elaida is not Black Ajah.
    2. KoD,Ch1 - The Blue Ajah sisters are still angry with Elaida for abolishing the Blue Ajah.
    3. KoD,Ch3 - Mesaana thinks Elaida will break Egwene soon.
    4. KoD,Ch15 - Keeping Elayne safe, the Queen's Guards worry about assassins and followers of Elaida.
    5. KoD,Ch18 - Rand does not want to approach the Borderlands because there are thirteen Aes Sedai with them who likely have ties to Elaida.
    6. KoD,Ch20 - Nynaeve avoids the other Aes Sedai with Rand because they supported Elaida.
    7. KoD,Ch22 - Logain asks Amylia if she serves Egwene or Elaida but Zaida will not let her answer.
    8. KoD,Ch23 - Narishma explains to the Salidar Aes Sedai that the Asha'man bonded the Aes Sedai that Elaida sent to attack the Black Tower.
    9. KoD,Ch24 - Many Aes Sedai in the White Tower are unhappy with Elaida. Egwene takes full advantage of this in sowing dissention.
    10. KoD,Ch31 - Duhara tells Elayne that Elaida does not blame her for leaving the White Tower. Elayne is furious because Elaida tried to have her kidnapped.
13. In The Gathering Storm
    1. TGS,Ch1 - Cadsuane wants to turn Semirhage over to the White Tower but Rand asks which one, Elaida or Egwene?
    2. TGS,Ch6 - When Leane's cell melts, Egwene angrily tells the guards that the Dark One is getting stronger and Elaida is doing nothing about it.
    3. TGS,Ch7 - Cadsuane does not openly support either Elaida or Egwene.
    4. TGS,Ch8 - Siuan tells Lelaine that the negotiations continue, but Elaida refuses to budge on any point.
    5. TGS,Ch8 - Siuan tells Egwene about Elaida's failed raid on the Black Tower leading to fifty-one sisters being bonded by Asha'man.
    6. TGS,Ch12 - The bare minimum number of Sitters met to depose Siuan. Since Talene was proven Black Ajah, that makes her deposition and the raising of Elaida unlawful.
    7. TGS,Ch13 - Gawyn does not like Elaida, but he chose her side because of what Siuan did to Elayne and Egwene.
    8. TGS,Ch18 - The rebel sisters learn that Elaida has Traveling.
    9. TGS,Ch24 - Gawyn does not think the Younglings will be surprised at his departure after his open criticism of Elaida.
    10. TGS,Ch25 - Seaine tells Egwene that Elaida will be tried for breaking Tower law, but nothing she did was severe enough for her to be deposed.
    11. TGS,Ch26 - Lelaine, Romanda, Magla, Sheriam and Siuan question Shemerin in Romanda's tent. They are shocked at Elaida's audacity in demoting a sister.
    12. TGS,Ch30 - Lelaine tells Gawyn that Egwene is not in danger as Elaida does not really consider her a threat.
    13. TGS,Ch32 - Nynaeve thinks the news on Elaida, Egwene and the Asha'man is all garbled.
    14. TGS,Ch38 - Siuan and Egwene discuss whether Elaida might order her execution.
    15. TGS,Ch39 - Verin is amazed that Egwene was so successful against Elaida.
    16. TGS,Ch39 - Elaida's name is not on Verin's list of Black Ajah. Egwene thinks Galina and Alviarin must have been manipulating her.
    17. TGS,Ch40 - When Egwene is suddenly yanked from the Dream, Siuan fears that Elaida decided to execute her.
    18. TGS,Ch41 - Mair tearfully reports Elaida-s fate to Captain Chubain and Saerin.
    19. TGS,Ch43 - In planning an assault on Tar Valon, Egwene does not know the status of Elaida so she must assume she is still in control.
    20. TGS,Ch43 - Ajah heads Jesse Bilal, Adelorna, Suana, Ferane and Serancha have been trying to manage Elaida, quite unsuccessfully.
    21. TGS,Ch45 - Andaya tells Egwene and the rebels that Elaida was taken and thus is unable to fulfill her duties as Amyrlin.
    22. TGS,Ch46 - Egwene berates the Sitters for letting Elaida nearly destroy the White Tower.
    23. TGS,Epilogue - All references to Elaida are purged from the Amyrlin's study. However, Egwene orders a careful search of her papers and possessions to learn about her plans.
14. In Towers of Midnight
    1. ToM,Ch3 - Egwene leaves dream messages for Elayne and Nynaeve so she can inform them about Elaida.
    2. ToM,Ch11 - Elaida's emissary Duhara maneuvers in Caemlyn politics.
    3. ToM,Ch13 - Rand announces to the nobles of Tear that Egwene has replaced Elaida as Amyrlin Seat.
    4. ToM,Ch14 - Egwene reports to Amys and Bair that Elaida was taken by the Seanchan.
    5. ToM,Ch33 - Nynaeve and Siuan are concerned about the mistrust in the White Tower but Egwene assures them that it was much worse under Elaida.