The people and empire from the continent of Seanchan, three thousand leagues west of the main continent. They invaded the Westlands under the leadership of the Hailene (the Forerunners) and later the Corenne (the Return). Their society is rigidly hierarchical, ruled by the Empress from the Crystal Throne. Most distinctively, the Seanchan enslave female channellers using devices called a'dam, keeping them as weapons of war called damane, controlled by handlers called sul'dam. Their armies also employ exotic creatures from parallel worlds, obtained through Portal Stones.