Major Wheel of Time characters

This article summarizes the main characters in Robert Jordan's The Wheel of Time series of novels.

The Three Ta'veren

Rand al'Thor, Perrin Aybara, and Matrim Cauthon are young men from the Two Rivers in Andor. They are identified by Siuan Sanche as ta'veren—focal points about which the Wheel of Time weaves. Events swirl unpredictably about them, sometimes forcing others to follow them, sometimes forcing them to follow their destiny.

Rand al'Thor

The adopted son of Tam al'Thor, a shepherd from the Two Rivers, Rand al'Thor is the son of Tigraine Mantear (former daughter-heir of Andor) and Aiel clan chief Janduin.

He can channel the One Power, a trait that (until quite recently) guaranteed death and madness. He drew the crystal sword Callandor from the Stone of Tear and proclaimed himself the Dragon Reborn; in this capacity he is also the subject of a great many prophecies and legends, many of which promise salvation (or at least survival) from the Dark One.

His titles are King of Illian, Dragon Reborn, Coramoor of the Sea Folk, True Defender of the Light, Lord of the Morning and Prince of the Dawn and is listened to (if not always respected) in the courts of many other nations. To the Aiel he is also known as the Car'a'carn, and He Who Comes With The Dawn. He is referred to as 'Shadowkiller' by wolves. He commands the Asha'man of the Black Tower, and controls the Legion of the Dragon. Rand and Nynaeve al' Meara have cleansed the Dark One's taint from the Source.^[1]

Perrin Aybara

Born and trained as a blacksmith in the Two Rivers, Perrin was swept up along with Mat and Rand. He has discovered an uncanny ability to communicate with wolves; as Wolfbrother to them, his name is Young Bull.

Positions of ever-increasing authority have been thrust upon him, and he is now known to his followers as Lord Perrin Goldeneyes. His wife, the Lady Faile ni Bashere t'Aybara, was captured by Shaido (Aiel); she remained their captive, until Perrin allied with the Seanchan, promising them plenty of damane among other things, and rescued her.^[2]

Matrim Cauthon

In the Two Rivers, Mat was something of a prankster. Since leaving home, he has developed an utterly astounding lucky streak. All ta'veren bend chance, but Mat's luck almost always works in his favor.

Mat sounded the legendary Horn of Valere at Falme, summoning heroes of legend to throw back the Seanchan invaders. Like Rand and Perrin, he has found himself in positions of ever-increasing leadership, however unwilling he might be.

He also was granted the memories of many talented military leaders throughout history, from before the Trolloc Wars until the end of the Hundred Years' War, especially those from the lost nation of Manetheren.

Since parting ways with Rand al'Thor, he leads the Band of the Red Hand, basically his own personal army, with astounding skill and luck. Before Mat Cauthon's time, The Band of the Red Hand was a legendary group of heroes that fell in the defense of Manetheren.^[3]

Aes Sedai

The Aes Sedai of the White Tower have historically represented a large group of individuals capable of channelling the One Power. In the Age of Legends, both men and women were treated as equals, but since the Breaking of the World only women–with access to the untainted female half of the Source (saidar)–have been Aes Sedai.

Recently, it has come to light that many women in other societies have the ability to channel; these include the Windfinders among the Atha'an Miere (the Sea Folk) and the Wise Ones of the Aiel. Also, the "Kin" who were discovered in Ebou Dar, not only can channel but some have trained in the White Tower to be Aes Sedai, although for various reasons they did not complete their training. Kept extremely secret among the Seanchan is the knowledge that the sul'dam who control the leashed damane can also channel.

Moiraine Damodred

Moiraine is an Aes Sedai of the Blue Ajah; her Warder was Lan Mandragoran. She located Rand and the other Two Rivers ta'veren, and brought them all over the world. She believes that Rand is the Dragon Reborn, and sought to protect him until the Last Battle and teach him the necessary knowledge and political skills.

Presumed dead after sacrificing herself to kill Lanfear, she has been revealed to be alive but captive in the world of the Aelfinn and Eelfinn. She has been rescued by Thom Merrilin, Mat Cauthon and Noal (Jain) Charin.

Although initially perceived as manipulative, Moiraine is now one of the few Aes Sedai Rand trusts.^[4]

Nynaeve al'Meara

Now a healer of the Yellow Ajah, Nynaeve was a wilder (a woman who learned to channel without formal training) from the Two Rivers, where she served as the Wisdom of Emond Field (a healer/ wise woman with authority roughly equivalent to the village Mayor's) at the start of the series. She is extremely strong in the One Power, her potential equalling at least some of the Forsaken, namely Moghedien, with whom she has a particular enmity.

Nynaeve is passionate about healing; her lack of formal training helped her develop entirely new ways of healing, and even treating previously untreatable conditions such as gentling/ stilling (being cut off from the True Source) and some forms of madness. She also helped Rand to cleanse the taint from saidin in Winter's Heart and to fight in Tarmon Gaidon, both by lending him her strength in saidar by means of linking.

Nynaeve originally left the Two Rivers to protect the young Emond Fielders (Rand, Perrin, Mat and Egwene), as she saw it, and still sees their protection as her personal duty. On the other hand, she can be overbearing towards those she sees as her charges.

She is married to Lan Mandragoran, who is also her Warder.^[5]

Elaida a'Roihan

Elaida is a powerful leader among the Red Ajah. Following the arrest and stilling of Siuan Sanche, Elaida became the Amyrlin Seat: the leader of the Aes Sedai. The events surrounding Siuan's removal led to a schism; the White Tower was divided into 'rebel' and 'usurping' factions. As of Book 12, Elaida has been captured in the Seanchan attack on Tar Valon and presumably made damane.^[6]

Siuan Sanche

Siuan Sanche served as Amyrlin Seat for a number of years, before she was deposed and stilled for treason on charges relating to her handling of the Dragon Reborn. As the former leader of the Blue Ajah's network of spies, Siuan is a valuable member among the rebel Aes Sedai who wish to remove Elaida from the White Tower. She has also fallen in love with Gareth Bryne who she bonded as her new Warder in the Gathering Storm. Nynaeve al'Meara found a way to reverse the stilling but Siuan is not as strong in the power. She now has to rely on her astute mind and considerable political acumen to gain leverage among Aes Sedai. She also serves as a mentor to the new rebel Amyrlin, Egwene al'Vere.^[7]

Lews Therin Telamon

Lews Therin is implied to be alive within Rand's mind and was among the most powerful male Aes Sedai at the end of the Age of Legends. Known as the Dragon, he led the army which sealed the Dark One away from the world. Unfortunately, the Dark One's final counterstrike tainted saidin, the male half of the One Power. This taint ultimately caused all the males who could channel to go permanently insane, until it was cleansed by Rand and Nynaeve al' Meara in Winter's Heart. Wielding tremendous power, these mad Aes Sedai permanently altered the face of the earth in a period known as the Breaking of the World (sometimes simply the Breaking).^[8]

Elayne Trakand

Heir to the throne of Andor, Elayne is an Aes Sedai by declaration of the rebel Amyrlin Seat, Egwene al'Vere. Elayne has bonded Birgitte Silverbow, the reborn hero of legend, as her Warder. Her second Warder is her lover, Rand al'Thor, the Dragon Reborn. She was engaged in a complex political (and potentially military) battle to claim the throne of Andor following her mother Morgase Trakand's assumed death, however she had 14 of the Main Houses Acknowledge her as the Queen.

Elayne became first-sisters with Aviendha, one of her closest friends, in an Aiel adoption ritual.

Elayne is very strong in the Power (similar strength to Egwene), and has a Talent for making ter'angreal.^[9]

Egwene al'Vere

Also of the Two Rivers, Egwene was raised Amyrlin Seat by the rebel Aes Sedai. She was chosen to become Amyrlin partly because of her great strength in the One Power but mostly because she was thought easily manipulated due to her young age; in this, the Aes Sedai were in for a shock. She leads the rebels in their attempt to regain the White Tower from Elaida. Egwene is a Dreamer—she can readily enter Tel'aran'rhiod (the World of Dreams), and her dreams are occasionally prophetic. After the Seanchan attack on the White Tower in The Gathering Storm, she is raised Amyrlin by the loyalist Aes Sedai, reuniting the Tower and solidifying her authority. Egwene has a high regard for Aiel, with whom she spent time before being raised Amyrlin. Her encounters with non-Aes Sedai channelers (Aiel Wise Ones and Sea Folk Windfinders) have made her more willing to break with tradition and change Aes Sedai society.^[10]

Verin Mathwin

Verin is an Aes Sedai of the Brown Ajah. She is considered to be one of the oldest Aes Sedai alive; likely over 200 years old. She is a regularly returning character seemingly helping the three Ta'veren, as well as collecting knowledge. It is revealed in "The Gathering Storm" That Verin during the course of her research into the Black Ajah was forced to join them and swear oaths to the dark one. She circumvents those oaths in her last hour of life leading to the fall of the Black Ajah in the White Tower.^[11]

Cadsuane Melaidhrin

Cadsuane is an Aes Sedai of the Green Ajah. She has nearly black eyes and wears her iron gray hair in a bun with many gold ornaments. She may be the oldest, or one of the oldest, Aes Sedai alive. When she went into retirement, Cadsuane already had a legendary status amongst the other Aes Sedai - partly due to a shrewd mind, iron will and complete disregard for convention whenever it suits her. She tries to advise Rand, with mixed results; however, Cadsuane's real goals are often not what others assume them to be.^[12]

Other Allies

Aviendha

Aviendha, of the Nine Valleys sept of the Taardad Aiel, came over the Dragonwall in search of a prophesied savior, He Who Comes With The Dawn. A former Maiden of the Spear, she is capable of channeling the One Power, and is training to become a Wise One. Her strength in the One Power is close and may be equal to that of Egwene. She is one of Rand's three lovers and is a first-sister to Elayne; they share a Warder-like bond (together with Min) that was created using the One Power. In Fires of Heaven, Aviendha is the first to sleep with Rand when he saved her from freezing to death after accidentally Traveling to Seanchan, into a blizzard.

Aviendha is strong in the One Power, and has a Talent for sensing the purpose and function of various ter'angreal.^[13]

Lan Mandragoran

A native of the Borderlands, Lan was trained as a soldier from birth. However, al'Lan Mandragoran is not just any Borderlander: he is the Uncrowned King of Malkier, a nation of proud and stalwart people who were overrun by the Blight. Lan was bonded as a Warder by a young Aes Sedai Moiraine Damodred soon after the Dragon Reborn's birth (at the end of the Aiel war in which he fought), and helped her search for him ever since.

Lan is aged in his mid-40s at the time the events in the series take place. He is tall, with dark hair, cold blue eyes and "angular" or "stony" features. Lan is a blademaster (an official title for a highly skilled swordsman), and possibly the best warrior alive.

Originally concerned only with protecting Moiraine and assisting with her mission, Lan befriended Rand, and to a lesser extent the other Emond Fielders, and fell in love with Nynaeve al'Meara. He is now Nynaeve al'Meara's husband and Warder. If the Light succeeds in defeating the Shadow in the Last Battle, he may become the king of a restored Malkier.^[14]

Loial

Loial son of Arent son of Halan is a young (ninety-year-old) Ogier, who has opted to travel with Rand and his companions in order to explore the world, write the definitive books on Rand al'Thor, and avoid an arranged marriage. He is considered impetuous and hasty by his elders. Slow to anger, Loial is nevertheless a mighty ally in battle.^[15]

Faile Bashere

Zarine "Faile" Bashere is a young woman from Saldaea who befriends Perrin, Moiraine and Lan as a Hunter for the Horn of Valere and participates in their adventures. Eventually she is revealed to be the daughter of Lord Davram Bashere, Marshal-General of Saldaea, and a cousin to its queen; this does not stop her from marrying Perrin.^[16]

Min Farshaw

Elmindreda "Min" Farshaw is a young woman who often dresses in men's clothing and is possessed of oracular 'viewings.' She is the second of Rand's lovers, and the only one he cannot bear to send away. She is very much a tomboy, and also finds great interest in scientific and metaphysical musings.

Min grew up in Baerlon in Western Andor, raised by her aunts whom she recalls as being tough, sensible and no-nonsense. She enjoys dressing in men's style clothes over the more impractical women's finery, and traditionally male jobs such as working in the stables over the more "feminine" pursuits such as embroidery.

Min can see "auras" or "images" around people that are linked either to their past or their future. Sometimes, but not always, she also knows what they mean. She has no control over the viewings but knows they always come true. Min sees her talent as more of a curse than a blessing, both due to misunderstandings and suspicions it arouses and to the inability to prevent tragic outcomes she foresees.^[17]

Thom Merrilin

Thom Merrilin was once Court Bard, and lover, to the Andoran queen Morgase Trakand, but was forced to flee after incurring her anger. As the novels begin, he is a travelling gleeman who befriends the Two Rivers folk. His intimate knowledge of Daes Dae'mar (the Game of Houses) has served Rand and his companions well in navigating the rocky shoals of politics. Initially distrustful of Aes Sedai due to painful past experiences, Thom eventually comes to love Moiraine Damodred, takes part in her rescue from the Tower of Ghenjei, marries her and becomes her Warder.^[18]

Tuon

Tuon Athaem Kore Paendrag is the daughter and heir of Seanchan Empress. Her official title as the heir to the Empress is Daughter of Nine Moons, the woman the Aelfinn told Mat Cauthon he is going to marry.

Tuon arrives in Ebou Dar with the invading Seanchan. She first meets Mat in Queen Tylin's palace. She is aged around 20 at the time. She is dark-skinned with large dark eyes and a shaven head, and is described as being petite, slim, boyish, "childlike" and looking younger than her age. However, this deceptive appearance hides a strong-willed, capable, smart and obstinate young woman, trained from the cradle in the arts of politics, intrigue and survival. The strong will allows Tuon to resist the influence of even the Dragon Reborn and the Forsaken Semirhage (disguised as Tuon's Truthspeaker (advisor/ mentor) Anath). Tuon also has a strong sense of obligation to the Empire and its subjects, which tends to inspire their loyalty in return. On the flipside, Tuon is often unwilling to listen to others' opinions or to admit to being wrong, and tends to assume that her power over others is absolute and indisputable.

A strong believer in omens, Tuon was foretold by a damane what kind of man she would marry, and recognises signs of that man in Mat. For this reason, she allows Mat to kidnap her during his escape from Ebou Dar, and eventually marries him. In the course of their travels, she comes to respect Mat, whom she had originally dismissed as merely a queen's "pretty".

Following the murder of the Empress Radhanan (Tuon's mother) and the rest of her family by Semirhage, Tuon becomes Empress and assumes the name Fortuona. She returns to Ebou Dar with her loyal guardian Furyk Karede of the Deathwatch Guard and assumes power there. Originally dedicated to the Seanchan expansion on the main continent (which she sees as returning her ancestral lands to their rightful owner), Tuon is eventually persuaded by Mat to enter into a peace treaty with Rand and to allow Seanchan troops to fight in Tarmon Gaidon under Mat's command.^[19]

Darkfriends, Shadowsworn and other adversaries

Padan Fain

Padan Fain was once a peddler and a Darkfriend, first seen in The Eye of the World. He was changed by the Dark One's power to search for the potential Dragon Reborn in what appears to be an extremely painful ritual, and spent many years in this search under the guise of a peddler. The search took him regularly to the Two Rivers for years before the events of The Eye of the World. Fain's soul was fused with that of Mordeth of Shadar Logoth (a creature of terrible power and evil), creating a soul more twisted and powerful than either of the originals. Since his merge, he has gone by many different names, such as Ordeith. He has an insatiable hate for Rand Al'Thor, Perrin Aybara and Mat Cauthon (his original quarries) and the Dark One alike, and becomes increasingly insane but also increasingly deadly throughout the series. Fain thrives in the atmosphere of distrust and suspicion. A dagger from Shadar Logoth (stolen by Mat in The Eye of the World), infused with the city's evil, gives Fain extra power.^[20]

The Forsaken (Original)

Thirteen of Lews Therin's contemporaries, among the strongest Aes Sedai of the Age of Legends, who turned to the Shadow. They became the Dark One's most trusted lieutenants and were bound into his prison with him for three thousand years. The Forsaken call themselves the Chosen and often vie against each other to become the Nae'blis (Dark One's leader in the world).

Aginor

Real Name Ishar Morrad Chuain, he was a leading biologist before turning to the Shadow to allow him to experiment on living things. Most shadowspawn (e.g. Trollocs, Myrddraal and gholam) can trace their heritage back to those experiments. Was sealed into the Bore by Lews Therin Telamon, however was near the surface so was one of the first to escape capture, and his body was affected by the passage of time in hideous ways. Was killed in a battle with Rand al'Thor fighting over the Eye of the World. The Dark One later reincarnates Aginor in the new guise of Osan'gar.^[21]

Asmodean

Real Name Joar Addam Nessosin, he was a talented musician, though not considered one of the very greatest of the Age of Legends. He turned to the Shadow hoping immortality would lead to more fame and glory for his music. Was sealed into the Bore, and upon release disguised himself as the gleeman Jasin Natael. As Jasin Natael he tries to get close to Rand al'Thor, and he very nearly gets access to the most powerful sa'angreal ever made (the Choeden Kal), but Rand al'Thor defeats him and breaks his bond to the Dark One. Asmodean is betrayed by his supposed ally Lanfear, who shields him from all but a trickle of saidin. In the interest of self-preservation, he allies himself to Rand and begins to train him, until one of the other Forsaken gets their revenge for the double cross by killing him. It is eventually revealed that Graendal was the killer after this question had become one of the most enduring mysteries across the series.^[22]

Balthamel

Real name Eval Ramman, he was a respected historian who liked to gamble and consort with prostitutes. Before the drilling of the Bore his violent behavior was considered extreme and only his strength in the One Power was thought to have allowed him to keep his job. Among the atrocities he committed, it is known that he set up human breeding camps to provide food for the Trollocs. Was sealed by Lews Therin Telamon at the Bore, but very near the surface, and his body aged very badly over the 3000 years he was trapped. Due to his already badly aged body the Green Man is able to draw out his life and cause his body to rot at the Eye of the World. The Dark One later reincarnates Balthamel in the guise of Aran'gar.^[23]

Be'lal

Real Name Duram Laddel Cham, he was initially one of the leaders in the war against the Shadow. However, he was envious of Lews Therin Telamon, so turned to the Shadow. Was sealed into the Bore and upon release went by the name Samon, and manipulated his way into becoming a High Lord of Tear. He put into place a plot to gain control of the legendary sa'angreal Callandor by luring Rand to the Stone of Tear and taking it from him. Moiraine Damodred escaped a trap Be'lal set for her, and during his battle with Rand al'Thor she kills Be'lal with balefire.^[24]

Demandred

Real Name Barid Bel Medar, he was the ″almost″ man to Lews Therin Telamon. He was born one day after him and was almost as tall, almost as powerful, almost as successful. Being one of the most successful people of the time wasn't enough, and he was driven nearly insane with jealousy of Lews Therin Telamon. He turned to the Shadow. Lews Therin Telamon was named commander of the forces of the Light, which enraded Barid Bel Medar, as military leadership was the one thing he truly believed he was better at than Lews Therin. He was sealed into the Bore, and upon his release the other Forsaken are unsure of his whereabouts and activities. It is finally revealed in A Memory Of Light that he traveled to Shara, posing as Bao, a slave. Demandred set about fulfilling the Sharan prophecies as the 'Wyld,' leading a slave rebellion and uniting the nation behind him. In the Last Battle, he commands the armies of the Shadow at Merrilor, but he makes the fatal mistake of believing that Rand al'Thor/Lews Therin Telamon is the only one capable of being the military leader that is standing against him. He makes several strategic errors in his efforts to draw out Rand al'Thor in single combat, eventually leading to Mat Cauthon turning the tide of the battle. He does duel Gawyn Trakand, Galad Damodred and Logain Ablar during the Last Battle, but he is finally killed by Lan Mandragoran, leaving Lan himself mortally wounded.^[25]

Graendal

Real name Kamarile Maradim Nindar, she was known as a leading psychologist and healer of minds. She lived a spartan life, foregoing many of life's pleasures. Ten years after the Bore was created, she changed her lifestyle completely, focusing on luxurious surroundings and sexual excesses. Graendal was one of the very first to declare allegiance to the Dark One. After her release from the Bore, she disguised herself as the Lady Basene, and manipulated events around Arad Doman. She was apparently killed when Rand al'Thor used balefire to destroy her palace at Natrin's Barrow, but she actually escaped and went in to hiding. She fails in her subsequent attempt to use Slayer to kill Perrin Aybara, and Moridin kills her as punishment for this. The Dark One reincarnates Graendal in the body of a hideous woman, and gives her the new name Hessalam.^[26]

Ishamael

Real name Elan Morin Tedronai, he was a great philosopher during the Age of Legends. He believed that due to the Wheel of Time turning infinitely, that the Dark One had an infinite number of chances to escape his prison. So he decided that if victory was inevitable, he would join the Shadow. His public announcement that he served the Shadow started riots, and could be where he gets the name Ishamael—in the Old Tongue it means ″Betrayer of Hope″. He was named Nae'blis by the Dark One, but was eventually trapped in the Bore with the other twelve Forsaken. However, his binding to the seals was not complete, as he appears to have had periods of freedom over the millennia since the sealing of the Bore. These periods are roughly 40 years long and happen about once every 1000 years. During the first release, during the Breaking of the World, Ishamael visits Lews Therin Telamon and uses the True Power to Heal him from his saidin-induced insanity, to show him that he killed Ilyena, his wife. This causes Lews Therin Telamon to kill himself out of grief using the One Power, an event which created Dragonmount on that site. Ishamael's second release led the Trolloc Wars, were it is likely the Trollocs gave him the name Ba'alzamon, meaning Heart of the Dark. This name was mistakenly thought by humans to refer to the Dark One, as they were unaware of Ishamael's temporary release. The third release saw Ishamael allied with Artur Hawkwing as Jalwin Moerad, eventually turning against him and after his death inciting the War of the Hundred Years. Ishamael's fourth and last release was after Lews Therin Telamon was reborn on the slopes of Dragonmount during the Aiel War, and Ishamael immediately set out to find him. He initially tries to turn the Dragon Reborn to the Shadow. Rand al'Thor severely burns him during their battle at the Eye of the World, but he eventually recovers. They face off again at Falme, where they both severely injure each other. Ishamael is finally killed by Rand at their third confrontation, when Rand impales him with Callandor. Ishamael's death isn't permanent, though, since the Dark One reincarnates him, and gives him the new name Moridin.^[27]

Lanfear

Real name Mierin Eronaile, Lanfear was a researcher at the Collam Daan during the Age of Legends. In an attempt to gain the prestige of a third name (only given to the best people within their fields) she heads up a team to drill into a new source of power that both male and female channelers can use. This turns out to be the Bore drilled into the Dark One's prison. Prior to his marriage to Ilyena, Lanfear was in a relationship with Lews Therin Telamon, though he broke it off due to her thirst for glory and prestige. This rejection is believed to have been the cause for her turning to the Shadow. On her release from the Bore, she tries to get close to Rand al'Thor, posing as the Lady Selene, trying to win him over to her before revealing herself as Lanfear. After that failure, she disguises herself as Keille Shaogi, a peddler. She flies into a fit of rage when she discovers that Rand had sex with Aviendha, and attacks Rand. Rand, who has a severe mental block about killing women, is saved by Moiraine Damodred when she hurls herself at Lanfear and pushes them both through a twisted doorframe ter'angreal. They are believed to be killed in the resulting explosion that destroys the artifact. It is later discovered that both Lanfear and Moiraine survived, but were taken prisoner by the Aelfinn and the Eelfinn. The Dark One then sent Moridin to rescue Lanfear, and he does so by killing her. She is subsequently reincarnated by the Dark One in a body, with the new name Cyndane.^[28]

Mesaana

Real name Saine Tarasind, she was a lecturer at the Collam Daan during the Age of Legends. Saine Tarasind wanted to be a researcher herself, rather than teach other people's research, but the board disagreed. She turned to the Shadow to get revenge, and set up schools to brainwash children into serving the Dark One. When she was released from the Bore, she disguised herself as the Aes Sedai Danelle and assumed control of the Black Ajah at the White Tower. She sets in motion the removal of Siuan Sanche as Amyrlin, and has her servant Alviarin Friedhen named as Keeper of the Chronicles for the new Amyrlin, Elaida do Avriny a'Roihan. This brings about a schism in the Tower, and the rebel Aes Sedai form their own Hall and name their own Amyrlin. Mesaana, through agents in the rebel camp, manages to have another Black Ajah named as Keeper of the Chronicles, Sheriam Bayenar. She avoids the Purge of the Black Ajah after the White Tower is reunified under Egwene al'Vere, but is trapped in a battle of wills in Tel'aran'rhiod with Egwene after Perrin Aybara inadvertently traps her there with a dreamspike. Mesaana's mind is broken, and it is only then that they discover the drooling, mindless body of Danelle, and realize that she had been Mesaana all along.^[29]

Moghedien

Real name Lilen Moiral, she gave herself to the Shadow before the War of Power. Publicly, however, she fought on the side of the Light, infiltrating and spying before finally being exposed. After her release from the Bore, she heads to Tanchico to gain control of a Domination Band, a version of a Seanchan a'dam that affects male channelers. She is eventually discovered by Nynaeve al'Meara, and forced to flee after their battle. Following Nynaeve disguised as Marigan, she tries to capture her in Tel'aran'rhiod, but ends up captured herself by an a'dam that Elayne created. Forced by the a'dam to teach Nynaeve, Elayne, and eventually Egwene, she tries to resist teaching them too much but is not very successful. She is eventually released by Aran'gar, and summoned to Shayol Gul. The Dark One traps her soul in a cour'souvra (mindtrap) which is given to Moridin. Eventually she earns enough trust to be given the mindtrap, though she is not released from it. During the last battle she is placed under the command of Demandred, and after his death, she briefly disguises herself as Demandred, and takes his place as commander. Her forces are wiped out, but she does survive the Last Battle, the only Forsaken to survive in her original body with her mind intact. To her horror, she is almost immediately captured by Seanchan sul'dam, collared with an a'dam, and taken back to Ebou Dar.^[30]

Rahvin

Real name Ared Mosienel, he was one of the most powerful channelers turned to the Shadow due to his thirst for power. A competent battle commander and governor, he had a weakness for women that kept him from excelling at either. When released from the Bore, Rahvin set himself up as Lord Gaebril in Andor, and used Compulsion to make Queen Morgase his thrall, essentially making Rahvin ruler of Andor. Morgase managed to break his Compulsion and escaped. Rahvin hatched a plot with Graendal, Sammael and Lanfear to draw Rand al'Thor into attacking Sammael, however Rand, enraged by hearing of Morgase's supposed death at his hands, attacks Rahvin in Caemlyn. As Rahvin and Rand fight, their battle gets drawn into Tel'aran'rhiod, where with help from Nynaeve, Rand kills Rahvin with balefire.^[31]

Sammael

Real name Tel Janin Aellinsar. A fine general, he was jealous of the fact that Lews Therin Telamon was given command of the Armies of the Light. That jealousy, coupled with his beief that the Shadow would ultimately win, led him to switch allegiances. He kept his allegiance secret at first, which led to him being named the "Destroyer of Hope". He was scarred in battle with Lews Therin Telamon, but refused to have it Healed with the One Power, as a reminder to himself. When he was released from the Bore, he set himself up as Lord Brend in Illian, quickly rising to the top of the Council of Nine, and ultimately gaining virtual command of Illian. From there, he set up many schemes to build his power base, including scattering the Shaido Aiel and convincing Graendal that he was to be named Nae'blis by the Dark One. He eventually lures Rand al'Thor to a battle at Shadar Logoth, where he planned to kill him. Rand and Sammael are both distracted at a critical moment, allowing Mashadar to utterly destroy Sammael.^[32]

Semirhage

Real name Nemene Damendar Boann, she was a world-famous healer during the Age of Legends. Secretly, however, she was a sadist who derived pleasure feeling others in pain. She would cause as much pain to her patients as she could get away with, but once her predilections were discovered, she was given a choice between severing and binding. Rejecting both punishments, she escaped and joined the Shadow where she perfected her torture techniques. Once free of her captivity at the Bore, she worked among the Seanchan disguised as Anath Dorje, attaining the position of Truthspeaker for Tuon, the Daughter of the Nine Moons and heir to the throne. After Mat kidnapped Tuon, Semirhage tortured and murdered the entire Seanchan court, planning to set up her ally Suroth as the new Empress. She also masqueraded as Tuon, and agreed to a meeting with Rand al'Thor. She planned to fit him with a Domination Band, but failed after Cadsuane Melaidhrin unraveled her disguise. In the fight that ensued, Semirhage injured Rand, severing his left hand. Ultimately, Semirhage was captured, and Sorilea and Cadsuane pondered what to do with her. They succeeded in humbling Semirhage a bit, but before they could truly break her, Shaidar Haran rescued her and gave her a Domination Band. Semirhage, with the help of Black Ajah sister Elza Penfell, successfully binds Rand with the Domination Band, and forces him to attack Min Farshaw. Because of Rand's connection to Moridin, Rand discovers that he can access the True Power, and the Domination Band only controls his channeling of saidin. Rand manages to break Semirhage's Compulsion, saving Min's life, and both would-be captors are shocked when the Domination Band breaks. Something within Rand breaks as well, and no longer unable to kill a woman when he has to, he kills Semirhage and Elza with balefire.^[33]

The Forsaken (New)

The Dark One had the power to both raise new Dreadlords to the level of Chosen (Forsaken), but also he could resurrect the souls of those who died of normal causes (i.e. not Balefire & not Mashadar) these souls can be placed in new bodies.

Aran'gar

She is Balthamel reincarnated, given she has his soul she is still able to channel saidin making her unique in being able without being linked to channel the other gender's version of the One Power. After being resurrected she disguises herself as Halima Saranov servant to Delana of the Black Ajar and attaches herself to Egwene. She frees Moghedien and consistently tries to drive wedges in to stop the White Tower reconciling their differences. When eventually found out she and Delana escape and go meet with Graendal where both end up getting caught and killed by Rand's plan to kill Graendal.^[34]

Cyndane

She is Lanfear reincarnated, after Moridin killed Lanfear and the Dark One had her reincarnated, due to the Aelfinn & Eelfinn's feeding on her ability to channel which is tied to her soul she is no longer able to channel as strongly as before. Moridin mind-traps her to ensure her obedience. She tries to fake her torment in dreams to draw sympathy from Rand but now he is at peace with his past memories he sees it for the manipulation it is, he flips the tables and offers her redemption which she ultimately turns down. Then during the last battle attempts to manipulate Perrin trying to show herself helping him hunt Slayer as much as possible, then placing him under compulsion, which he breaks due to his love for Faile and then he kills Cyndane.^[35]

Hessalam

She is Graendal reborn. When Graendal was killed for her failures she was reborn as Hessalam, which means "without forgiveness." She is hideously ugly. During the last battle she uses compulsion to manipulate the great military leaders before being discovered. She eventually gets into a showdown with Aviendha. Whilst Hessalam is trying to compel Aviendha, Aviendha's unweaving of a gateway goes wrong and causes the compulsion to backfire leaving Hessalam worshiping Aviendha.^[36]

M'Hael

Real name Mazrim Taim, a former False Dragon and a powerful male channeler, Taim is now al'Thor's deputy in the Black Tower. While he is nominally loyal, he has his own agenda and has managed to subvert many Ashaman under his care to the service of the Dark. By the end of the series, Taim has been promoted to Chosen/Forsaken, taking the name M'Hael (Leader) and finally revealing himself as a Darkfriend. There is some evidence that Taim is a protégé of the Forsaken Demandred. Taim is killed by Egwene al'Vere during Tarmon Gaidon.^[37]

Moridin

Ishamael was reborn as Moridin, which means death, he was named Nae'blis soon after his resurrection and was the only person given access to the True Power, in fact he is never actually seen wielding Saidin. He helped Rand survive his battle with Sammael at Shadar Logoth and during that time his True Power Balefire & Rand's Saidin Balefire crossed, this linked the two of them together allowing them to see through each other's eyes and even allowed Rand to draw the True Power when captured by Semirhage. He initially wanted to face Rand but after discovering his plan to cleanse Saidin, after that attempt to kill Rand failed he stopped trying to kill Rand and his left hand was even seen in pain when Rand lost his hand. He hands battle command for the last battle to Demandred giving him Moghedien to command whilst the other Forsaken were tasked with killing Mat and Perrin. He then goes to the Pit of Doom where he faces Rand. They have a sword battle which is ended by Rand touching the hole in reality. When Rand escapes this he manages to get hold of Callandor, but is then trapped by its flaw in a link with Nynaeve and Moiraine, which Rand then takes control of using Saidar, Saidin & the True Power all to seal the hole in the fabric of the Pattern. After carrying Moridin out of the cave Rand uses their link to manipulate the pattern and swap bodies with Moridin who dies in Rand's body.^[38]

Osan'gar

He was Aginor reborn, after his resurrection he infiltrated the Asha'man as a man named Corlan Dashiva. After Dumai Wells he went with Rand as one of his personal Asha'man bodyguards. He helps save Rand's life whe he was stabbed by Fain's dagger as Moridin's standing orders at the time were to ensure he is not killed. He eventually betrays Rand and leads an attempt on his life, but Rand survives. He is eventually killed while Rand is cleansing Saidin at Shadar Logoth by Elza Penfell who despite being of the Blak Ajar did not realize he was a forsaken and believed partially due to Verin's Compulsion that the Dragon needed to face the Dark One in the last battle. Osan'gar was not killed in a way that should prevent his resurrection, yet it appears the Dark One decided that he had already had enough chances and didn't resurrect him as he is not seen again, this is backed up by Egwene's Dream of how many Forsaken remain in Towers of Midnight.^[39]

Shaidar Haran

A Myrddraal whose name means 'Hand of the Dark'. Early versions of him are seen in the first 3 books, initially as a smiling fade, however in book 6 he has become fully fledged and is in a position when it meets Demandred. Throughout the series it is seen to order around many of the Forsaken and in the Path of Daggers tells Graendal that when it speaks she is to consider the words direct from the Dark One. Shaidar Haran whilst giving orders to many Forsaken and Darkfriends does not ever actively attack any of the lights forces, but does punish failure of the Forsaken itself. It is suspected that Shaidar Haran is quite literally the Dark One affecting the world in a small single physical manifestation. It is assumed in the final book that the Dark One no longer requires the body or wishes to be restrained by it as Rand see's a husk of a Myrddraal as he enters the Pit of Doom.^[40]

Slayer

Slayer is an entity with two souls, Isam and Luc. Isam is Lan's cousin. After Lan's aunt betrayed Malkier, she escaped into the Blight, where instead of dying as believed, Isam survived and was brought up in 'The Town' the only such place where buildings are. Meat in the town is likely to be human as much as animal. Isam hated growing up but is believed to have been twisted by this upbringing where he learned to kill. Luc was First Prince of Andor and Tigraine's brother, making him Rand's Uncle. At some point after Tigraine's disappearance Gitara Moroso convinced him to search for Glory in the Blight, it was here somehow they met and combined their souls. Slayer appears mainly as Luc in the real world and Isam in Tel'aran'rhiod, but is able to appear as both in either. Able to step physically in and out of Tel'aran'rhiod he is often used as an assassin for the Shadow. Isam especially enjoys hunting and killing of wolves in Tel'aran'rhiod. During the last battle he attempts to kill Rand, but Perrin stops him, Perrin then chases and kills him with his power wrought hammer Mah'alleinir.^[41]

References