Coumin was the great-grandchild of Charn, who had served Mierin Eronaile before she became Lanfear. Coumin had always been fascinated with soldiers in his youth, which led to his abandonment of the Way of the Leaf in his later years. On the day of the Strike at Shayol Ghul, Coumin participated in a Singing ceremony with Someshta, Ogiers and other Aiel. Coumin went to meet Charn after the ceremony, only to discover Charn has been murdered by people who resented him for his association with a Forsaken.