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Qirien Dhaela Aes Sedai was born and raised in the suburbs of Mayene, where her father and mother managed a small shop of Sea Folk goods. She learned hand-to-hand combat from her mother and the quarterstaff from her father for when she traveled into the city, as well as the bow for use hunting in the country near her house. One day, when Qirien was about 15, the Atha'an Miere Windfinder came by the shop with the traders with a new load of goods, and she immediately recognized Qirien's ability to channel, which would manifest itself soon. The Windfinder, Saen'ra din Shofer, knew that without training, Qirien would probably die for lack of control of channeling, and so she asked to take Qirien under her wing. Though the girl was eager, her parents did not believe Saen'ra and refused to give up their daughter.
Saen'ra left, saddened by their stubborness, but during the night Qirien slipped away to the Atha'an Miere raker and asked to be taught to channel. Though reluctant to teach without the parent's permission, Saen'ra did comply and taught Qirien enough so that she would not die. At first Qirien was a crewmember on their ship, until she learned to Weave the Wind. Although Qirien had nothing against the Atha'an Miere customs of shirtlessness at sea, it went against her upbringing and made her feel awkward. But she enjoyed wearing the billowy, bright blouses and breeches. She also earned the left and right earrings, saying she studied as a crewmember, as well as another in the right ear, signifying her apprenticeship to the Windfinders.
Clear skies and calm seas were not in store for Qirien, however. Two years after joining with the Atha'an Miere, while she was spending a day in the city of Falme, she came back only to find her ship gone and Seanchan coming around every corner. They saw her ability to channel and attempted to capture her to make her damane, but she fled, using flows of Air like wind to blow back her pursuers as she ran. Her ship and friends vanished, she continued fleeing east, through Almoth Plain and over the Mountains of Mist. Hunting and gathering her food, and sleeping in caves or under trees, she finally reached the Two Rivers. Before she could even think about getting a job or returning to the Sea Folk, Verin and Alanna sensed her ability to channel and insisted she come with them to the White Tower, and, eventually she caught up with the Aes Sedai from Salidar. She was a novice for two months, long enough, they said, to teach her humility without keeping her back too much. For almost a year she was Accepted, until raised Aes Sedai by Amyrlin Egwene al'Vere.
Qirien's strengths lie in Earth and Air. She can Heal most injuries and can fashion ter'angreal, but is unable to use Compulsion beyond a suggestion. In strength she lies somewhat below Elayne, but above Romanda. After being raised Accepted, she studied extensively under Elayne Sedai in order to learn more about ter'angreal. She was a member of the Green Ajah until the founding of the Violet and the downfall of the Red, when select Sisters were allowed to switch Ajahs. Her known accomplishments include: a ter'angreal for Skimming; a ter'angreal to detect a man's channeling, and a minor angreal. She refused to bond any one who could not beat her in the quarterstaff or the bow, and therefore had no Warder for quite some time. However, her tale of the bonding of Mingar the Aiel is quite legendary among young Aes Sedai.
Qirien is tall, and would be considered so even among the Aiel, for she stands only an inch or two shorter than the Dragon Reborn. Her eyes are dark, dark blue, appearing at times to be black, and at other times to be purple. She has a small amethyst stone hanging from a chain about her neck, and she usually carries a quarterstaff made of Sung wood with her while travelling. Her golden brown hair is usually tied back in a tight bun, but when she does let it down, it falls to her waist. Even when on land, she usually dons Sea Folk garb, often wearing baggy breeches and a loose, brightly colored blouse, and is sometimes mistaken for a man despite her hair.
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