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Damane
In most cultures, women who can channel the One Power are treated with a great deal of respect and honor, but such is not the case in Seanchan. Women in Seanchan who have the ability to channel born into them are called marath’damane, or simply damane, "Those Who Must Be Leashed." The ability to channel is considered dirty in Seanchan, and damane are considered animals. Damane are collared with an a’dam as soon as it is discovered they have the inborn ability to channel. They are placed in the care of a sul’dam, who then controls the damane. Though considered animals, damane are highly valuable. They are permitted to live after committing a crime which would mean death for a lesser slave, but frequently they are punished in other ways. The a’dam enables the sul’dam to inflict terrible pain on the damane she is controlling. Damane are not permitted to channel without the permission of her sul’dam. Frequently they are given a new name, in much the same manner of a pet dog. Damane are stricken from all family records, believed to be less than human. The damane have no rule prohibiting the use of the Power as a weapon. They have little choice in what they do with the Power, and have so become dangerous weapons of the Seanchan’s armies. Damane call lighting down from the sky to tear apart the enemies of the Seanchan. The existence of the damane, and the manner in which their use of the Power is controlled, enabled Luthair Paendrag’s descendants to conquer the continent of Seanchan. It is upon the power of the damane that the Imperial government is built.
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