PONDERINGS and PROPHECIES of the Wheel of Time

Abby's Fabulous
PONDERINGS, PROPHECIES, and THEORIES of
Robert Jordan's The Wheel of Time series

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My theories are researched up to WoT Book 10: Crossroads of Twilight.

I've stopped maintaining this part of my website, but it's so huge and extensive, you might find it interesting anyway. Many of these theories are still unresolved as of WoT Book 13. Yes, I still the read the series, of course! I have to find out how it ends.

If you have additional observations or theories, please contact me. I might not respond, but I will read your email and file it away.

WARNING: Major spoilers contained within.

Theories and Current Status of the Forsaken
- MORIDIN / ISHAMAEL:
  - [Vol.1] Moridin is the Nae'blis, also known as Death, Ishamael, Betrayer of Hope, and Elan Morin Tedronai. A famous philosopher during the Age of Legends, he is the most powerful Forsaken, and possibly the Dark One incarnate. He was (and still is) tall and darkly handsome, and occasionally has flaming chasms where his eyes and mouth should be. There is evidence that Ishamael was never fully sealed inside the bore, and that he is less human than any other Forsaken. He may have appeared periodically throughout history as various false dragons and villains. He owns Moghedien as well as Cyndane / Lanfear through mind-traps.
  - [Vol.3, p.237 pb] Verin reads a partial poem about the masks of the Dark One: "Heart of the Dark. Ba'alzamon. Name hidden within name shrouded by name. Secret buried within secret cloaked by secret. Betrayer of Hope. Ishamael betrays all hope. Truth burns and sears. Hope fails before truth. A lie is our shield. Who can stand against the Heart of the Dark? Who can face the Betrayer of Hope? Soul of shadow, Soul of the Shadow, he is . . .".
    As Moridin, the Betrayer of Hope is addicted to the True Power, which may be the "Truth" in the poem. Then again, it could mean that Ishamael's final incarnation will be within the Children of Light, as the High Inquisitor, who seeks "truth."
  - [Vol.7] It is likely that Moridin is the mystery man who helped Rand kill Sammael in Shadar Logoth, since Rand could not feel him channeling (the True Source). Moridin seems perfectly okay with letting Rand live for now, but apparently does not care if the Dragon Reborn is killed by someone else.
  - [Vol.9] Moridin ordered the five renegade Asha'man to hunt Rand, but he only seemed interested in gaining Rand's possessions. Moridin is probably after the male key to the Choedal Kal.
  - [Vol.9] Cyndane, Moghedien, and Osan'gar were all forced to show up near Shadar Logoth under orders from the Nae'blis. Moridin himself did not show. Why? Is he using others to do the dangerous dirty work, or is he still afraid of competition from his former peers?
  - [Vol.9] Osan'gar / Aginor obeys Mazrim Taim, who is allegedly not a Forsaken, and is terrified of Moridin. This implies that Moridin ordered Aginor to obey Mazrim Taim. Moridin might even be Taim, except that Taim doesn't wear anything resembling two mind-traps, or stroke his chest beneath his coat a lot--and usage of the True Power would probably arouse suspicion among the Asha'man.
  - [Vol.10] Moridin and Shaidar Haran seemed to be linked, both acting as the Hand of the Dark One.
  - [Vol.10] Alviarin, the shrewdest Black Ajah we know, is convinced that the Dark One is walking the Earth in the form of Shaidar Haran.
  - [Vol.10] Moridin is at large, influencing and controlling the other Forsaken.
- CYNDANE / LANFEAR:
  - [Vol.2] Lanfear has also been known as Daughter of the Night, Cyndane, Last Chance, Lady Selene, Keille, and Mierin Eronaile. Once a gorgeous woman with black hair who dressed in white and silver, Cyndane is now silver-haired, voluptuous, and enigmatic. She was one of the original researchers at the Collam Daan who drilled the Bore. She is extremely powerful and skilled in tel'aran'rhiod. In love with Lews Therin Telamon (and his power), she had an affair with him before he married Ilyena, and never got over it.
  - [Vol.9] It has not yet been revealed if Lanfear died when she and Moiraine fell through the twisted doorway ter'angreal, but the name Cyndane ("Last Chance") indicates that she has been recycled, and will not be recycled again. She is now enslaved to Moridin (Ishamael), who was named Nae'blis. Her love is gone, she is more powerful than ever, and she is bent on killing Rand.
  - [Vol.9] Her current position is unknown, but she killed a powerful bearded man; possibly an Illianer or a Seanchan. She battled Alivia one-on-one, and was driven away.
- DEMANDRED:
  - [Vol.5] Demandred was known as Barid Bel Medar. A tall man with a hawk nose, he is horribly envious of Lews Therin Telamon, who bested Demandred in every aspect, except as an army General, where they probably equaled each other. Demandred spies on the other "Chosen," and plots with Semirhage. It has been mentioned that he lurks in the south of Randland.
  - [Vol.6] Is Demandred Mazrim Taim? NO. Sorry, Taimedredites. Robert Jordan has been quoted as saying that they are not the same person. Please see Mazrim Taim is Demandred reborn, or the Trinity Theory. (Scroll down the theory to read about Taim).
    And here's some evidence that Taim and Demandred are separate people:
    1. Lews Therin would recognize Demandred's personality in Taim.
    2. Demandred is unlikely to tolerate being subservient to the Dragon, whom he is insanely envious of.
    3. Why would Demandred order others to kill Rand when he keeps squandering perfect opportunities to do it himself? Rand may not trust him, but they often meet in places where Taim is backed by several of his hand-picked and trained Asha'man, and Rand is alone.
    4. The five renegade Asha'man later received Taim's same command from Demandred, so if Taim was Demandred, he would have been using the Mask of Mirrors and purposely confusing people (such as Aginor).
    5. It seems unlikely that Demandred would have had enough time to establish his history as a false dragon in Saldaea, being chased by Bashere, unless he was using the Mask of Illusions to impersonate the original Taim. Or he may not have been completely sealed in the Bore, like Ishamael.
  - [Vol.6] In Shadar Logoth, when Rand was hunting Sammael, the voice of Lews Therin randomly mentioned Demandred.
  - [Vol.9] Demandred showed up while Rand was cleansing saidin, and was attacked by Asha'man Damer Flinn, who was strengthened by his link to two Aes Sedai. Demandred escaped and is still at large.
- SAMMAEL:
  - [Vol.5] Known as the Destroyer of Hope, Lord Brend, Caddar, and Tel Janin Aellinsar, Sammael is short, blonde, and bearded. He was once a world renowned swordsman, sportsman, and General. He was insanely envious of the Dragon, who gave him a scar that he refused to have Healed. He has ruled in Illian and used darkhounds to hunt Moiraine. With Graendal's help, he reduced Rand's army by tricking Shaido Aiel into going on suicide missions into Rand's territory. He is entirely responsible for the dispersing of the Shaido, and their later ransacking throughout the south. He lured Rand to Shadar Logoth, where they battled.
  - [Vol.7] Sammael was killed by the fog Madashar, and gave Rand a scar on his heel. His reasons for luring Rand there are unknown. Robert Jordan has been quoted as saying that he will not return.
- RAHVIN:
  - [Vol.5] Also known as Lord Gaebril, and Ared Mosinel, Rahvin was probably a politician. He is arrogantly handsome with gray hair winging his temples. He took over Andor by controlling Queen Morgase with Compulsion, and he single-handedly ruined the reputation of House Trakand. With Nynaeve's help--using Moghedien's collared power--Rand destroyed Rahvin with balefire, thereby bringing Mat, Aviendha, and Asmodean back to life and erasing Rahvin permanently from existence. Rahvin will not be coming back. But will he be replaced?
- BE'LAL:
  - [Vol.3] Be'lal was known as the Envious, the Netweaver, High Lord Samon in Tear, and Duram Laddel Cham. He was once a lawyer, with close-cropped white hair, and extremely talented with Compulsion and manipulation. Like so many others, he was insanely jealous of the Dragon. He was killed by Moiraine with balefire. We can assume he won't be recycled. But will he be replaced?
- GRAENDAL:
  - [Vol.6] Graendal has been called Maisa and Kamarile Maradim Nindar. Once a psychologist, then the leader of a purist cult, she rejected her Purism and became a hedonist who abhors nature. She uses Compulsion to enjoy exotic slaves and make them constantly perform sexual or contortionist performances for her pleasure, which she values above all else. Plump with curly golden hair, she hates the name Maisa. It may have been what she was called during her Purist times. She is probably the best wielder of mind control alive. She plotted with Sammael.
  - [Vol.7] Now that Sammael's gone, Graendal faithfully obeys Moridin and Shaidar Haran. She is currently in a position of great power in the western nation of Arad Domon, and seems well settled in.
- ARAN'GAR / BALTHAMEL:
  - [Vol.1] Balthamel is also known as Aran'gar, Halima Saranov, the Lustful, and Eval Ramman. He was once a handsome, lustful historian. The last Nym died to kill him.
  - [Vol.6] The Dark One gave him a second chance in the body of a woman. Now s/he is Aran'gar--a voluptuous female poison dagger situated in the camp of White Tower rebels, disguised as Halima, a secretary to Black Ajah Delana. S/he has been soothing Egwene's headaches, sleeping in Egwene's tent, and secretly commanding Egwene's Keeper, Sheriam.
  - [Vol.6] A connection or conspiracy must exist between Shaidar Haran, Aran'gar, and Semirhage, because Aran'gar had information that Semirhage had gathered under the orders of Shaidar Haran.
  - [Vol.6, p.986 pb] Halima's touch on the a'dam feels like a man who can channel.
  - [Vol.9] Halima showed up at Shadar Logoth. S/he survived an attack by Asha'man Eben Hopwil, who died to defend Rand.
  - [Vol.10] Why does Delana (puppet of Halima) want to set Egwene against negotiating with Elaida? That's Egwene's plan anyway. She may simply be trying to cause infighting amongst Egwene's loyalists, but there was a lot of focus on this point for such a simple motive.
  - [Vol.10] I think Halima uses Compulsion on Egwene every time s/he soothes her headaches. Egwene shows the same signs Morgase did when she was under Rahvin's power. She's forgetful, oblivious to Halima's wrongdoings, becoming increasingly absent-minded and irresponsible, and has troubled dreams of being trapped.
  - [Vol.10] Halima murdered two Aes Sedai: Anaiya and Kairen, both of whom were adept at transforming iron into cuendillar. This may have been an attempt to stop the plot in Egwene's camp to make a pact with the Black Tower, or maybe Halima was plotting to trap Egwene inside her own seige. Will Leane Sharif be next? She is second only to Egwene at cuendillar production.
- OSAN'GAR / AGINOR:
  - [Vol.1] Aginor was also known as Osan'gar, Corlan Dashiva, and Ishar Morrad Chuain. A biologist before the War, Aginor created the Gholams, Worms, Trollocs, and many other Shadowspawn. Rand burned him to death when he resurfaced.
  - [Vol.6] He returned as Osan'gar, the male poison dagger, concealed as renegade Asha'man Corlan Dashiva.
  - [Vol.9] Unfortunately for him, he was killed yet again, this time by brainwashed Black Ajah Elza Penfell. Will he be given a third chance? Doubtful. Moridin disdains him as a weak man.
- ASMODEAN:
  - [Vol.5] Asmodean was a child prodigy musician from the seaside city of Shorelle. He was also known as Jasin Naetal, Joar Nassin, and Joar Addam Nessosin. He was killed in Caemlyn by someone whom he recognized.
  - [Vol.5] If Asmodean died while his ties to the Shadow were severed, we may assume it is beyond the power of the Dark One to bring him back. But then again . . . the Lord of the Grave has that title for a reason.
- MOGHEDIEN:
  - [Vol.4] Moghedien has also been called the Spider, Glyndin, Marigan, and Lillen Moiral. She may have once been a stockbroker or a tax advisor. A cautious woman, she prefers to pose as plain and lowborn. Nynaeve trapped her twice.
  - [Vol.7] Moghedien is owned by Moridin through a mind-trap. While on a mission in Ebou Dar, she tried and failed to kill Nynaeve with balefire. The result was that Nynaeve was able to overcome her channeling block and marry Lan. Talk about a plan that back-fired!
  - [Vol.9] Moghedien was forced by Moridin to approach Rand while he cleansed saidin. She may have died along with the taint in the explosion of Shadar Logoth. Her last thought was that if she survived, she would never fear anything again.
- MESAANA:
  - [Vol.6] Mesaana's original name was Saine Tarasind. An intellectual, she was denied access to research due to her crimes, and forced to become a schoolteacher as punishment. She corrupted the minds of thousands of children after turning to the Dark One. Utter chaos towards the end of the Age of Legends was caused by brigands who were named Mesaana's Children. Now she lurks in the White Tower.
  - [Vol. 6] Mesaana hides her ability to channel. This indicates that she is disguised as a serving woman. She likely would not have had time to be raised to the shawl.
  - [Vol. 6] She used the Keeper Alviarin Freidhen, Supreme Leader of the Black Ajah, to force Amyrlin Elaida to outwardly support Rand and pressure him to swear fealty to the Tower.
  - [Vol. 9] Perhaps Pevara, Seaine, and the other Aes Sedai who are secretly hunting the Black Ajah will uncover Alviarin and Mesaana.
  - [Vol. 10] Mesaana was demoted by Shaidar Haran, and her identity within the Tower was revealed to Alviarin. Mesaana will now have to obey Alviarin and Shaidar Haran.
- SEMIRHAGE:
  - [Vol.6] Semirhage was known as Nemene Damendar Boann. Extremely tall and dark, she prefers to dress in plain black. Once a prestigious and gifted Restorer (healer) who specialized in brains, she is sadistic, and likes to torture her patients. She can torture by pressuring the brain alone with the Power. She also enjoys needlepoint. Shaidar Haran and Aran'gar are included in her collaborations. She requires isolation for her "arts." She is probably Anath, the Truth-Speaker for Tuon, who was appointed under suspicious circumstances. (See "Sudden Mystery Characters").
  - [Vol. 10] Anath and Suroth invited Rand to meet Tuon, whom we know is M.I.A. from Ebou Dar. It seems likely that Anath / Semirhage has masterminded a trap that involves the male a'dam.

This page last updated: November 17, 2004

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Document updated: 05 September 2016 - 17:39:40

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WARNING: Major spoilers contained within.

Theories and Current Status of the Forsaken