Marak was born into the White Mountain sept of the Chareen Aiel. He was almost completely made from his father except for his mother's eyes and hair. The former being a deep, penetrating blue. While the latter being almost blindingly fair. From his father, he got height, tall even for an Aiel. He also recieved good looks from his father. He dreamed of becoming a warrior and seeing the World outside of the Three-Fold-Land. He was also considered an intellectual at a very young age when most of his peers just dreamed of fights.

His parents believed in education and he soon read all they and the community had to offer. He also quickly leaned the spear. As an intellectual, he question the why of Aiel not using swords. When he became old enough for acceptance of the Shae'en M'taal, Marak was alone in his outstanding mental abilities resulting in a lack of socializing.

When he had become a Shae'en M'taal, he was sent with his sept to Alcair Dal to meet the Car'a'Carn.

Marak was very much taken with the Car'a'Carn's friend, Matrim Cauthon, and his weapon that he brought from Alcair Dal, the ashandarei, a sword-spear. Having a friend of his father's, a blacksmith, duplicate Mat's weapon, he trained with it in secret, becoming better with it than the spear. Eventually, his superiors found out about the weapon and almost decided not to let him follow the Car'a'Carn past the Dragonwall but for the intervention of his father.

So, Marak crossed with the Shae'en M'taal. After the capture of Caemlyn, his band was lost from the whole army. Along the journey to find the rest of the Shae'en M'taal, Marak has challenged Intig, the leader of his band, and won. Marak controlls the band of 11 Stone Dogs in their search for the Car'a'Carn.