The Dragon Reborn is a fantasy novel by American writer Robert Jordan , the third in his series The Wheel of Time . It was published by Tor Books and released on September 15, 1991. The unabridged audio book is read by Michael Kramer and Kate Reading . The Dragon Reborn consists of a prologue and 56 chapters .
92-604: Rand al'Thor , having been declared the Dragon Reborn by Moiraine Damodred , secretly goes to Tear to prove himself. Along the way he is hunted by Darkhounds and Darkfriends. Moiraine, Lan Mandragoran , the Ogier Loial , and Perrin Aybara follow him one step behind. Rand leaves a pattern of weddings and strange events in his trail. Perrin comes across an Aiel warrior that was captured and caged. He frees him, earning
184-532: A cell by his disgusted mother. Though he protests that his allegiance to the Dark One has made their fortune, Anvaere has already reported his crime to the authorities and sealed his fate. Barthanes Damodred is the High Seat of House Damodred and cousin to the former king of Carhien. In The Great Hunt , he invites Rand al'Thor to a party to gauge Rand's loyalties. Barthanes is secretly a Darkfriend, and passes
276-506: A disguise, in an attempt to impersonate one of the Forsaken. She questions Black Sister Chesmal, but she is exposed after the arrival of Chesmal's Black Sisters Eldrith and Temaile, as well as the secretary of House Caeren's head Sylvase. She uses Mat's ter'angreal and a copy of it she made to defeat them, but after a surprise appearance by her Darkfriend former guard Doilen Mellar, she loses both medallions to him. In desperation, she uses
368-728: A former psychologist obsessed with beauty and control. She is notable for her mastery of Compulsion, the use of the One Power to control other's minds. In the series, her plots with Sammael , Demandred and Aran'gar come to nothing, and she is punished with death for her failure to kill Perrin Aybara after being given the tools to do so by Moridin . Liandrin Guirale is an Aes Sedai of the Red Ajah. In The Great Hunt , she lures Aes Sedai novices Egwene al'Vere, Nynaeve al'Meara and Elayne Trakand to Falme by telling them their friend Rand al'Thor
460-1081: A friendship with Gaul , a Stone Dog, who will accompany Perrin on his travels. This event is witnessed by a hunter of the horn, Zarine Bashere (alias Faile), who joins the party as well. Min reports to the Amyrlin Seat while Moiraine, Lan, Loial, Zarine and Perrin follow Rand. En route they battle Darkhounds and discover that the Forsaken Sammael rules in Illian . Mat Cauthon is taken to Tar Valon by Verin Mathwin , Nynaeve al'Meara , Egwene al'Vere , Elayne Trakand and Hurin. Immediately after arrival in Tar Valon, Hurin departs to report to King Easar in Shienar. The Amyrlin Seat , Siuan Sanche , sets Nynaeve, Egwene, and later Elayne to hunting down
552-827: A group of legendary heroes from the dead to defeat the Seanchan forces invading Falme. Near death in The Dragon Reborn , Mat is freed from the taint of the dagger by the Aes Sedai at the White Tower in Tar Valon . In The Shadow Rising , the snakelike Aelfinn foretell that Mat will marry "the Daughter of the Nine Moons ", and the foxlike Eelfinn grant him memories of his past lives before hanging him from
644-640: A hammer that Perrin names Mah'alleinir , "he who soars" in the Old Tongue. Meanwhile, Galad's Children are unaware that they are about to be ambushed by the Trolloc army intended for Perrin. Perrin's army attacks first, destroying the Trollocs and saving the Children. Galad sets a light sentence for Perrin's crimes: he must make financial restitution to the families of the two slain men and he must fight in
736-467: A message from the duplicitous Padan Fain luring Rand to Falme. Barthanes is subsequently murdered by an agent of the Dark One. A version of the character is portrayed by Will Tudor in the Wheel of Time television adaptation, first appearing in the 2023 episode "Damane". In the series, Barthanes is the nephew of Moiraine Damodred, the son of her sister Anvaere, and is engaged to be married to Galldrain,
828-618: A murderous rage. She finally decides to kill Rand when he swears he will never love a woman sworn to the Shadow, but Moiraine intervenes. Rand's mother, Shaiel, is later revealed to be Tigraine Mantear , daughter of the then-Queen of Andor . In Lord of Chaos (1994), Rand founds the Asha'man, male counterparts to the Aes Sedai who are trained at the Black Tower, a converted farmhouse near Caemlyn . In A Crown of Swords (1996), Rand defeats
920-517: A plot to assassinate Elayne Trakand in The Dragon Reborn . Thom is portrayed by Alexandre Willaume in the Wheel of Time television series adaptation, first appearing in the 2021 episode " A Place of Safety ". Logain Ablar is a powerful male channeler who believes himself to be the Dragon Reborn, but is deemed a False Dragon by the Aes Sedai and gentled, or cut off from the One Power. He
1012-527: A remote village whose important destinies are recognized by Moiraine Damodred , a powerful member of the Aes Sedai . In this world, the pattern of human existence is determined and maintained by the cosmic Wheel of Time, which is rotated by a magical force called the One Power . Rand and his friends are among those, like the Aes Sedai, who possess the ability to channel , the term for accessing and wielding
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#17327647351591104-553: A scream in a dream of a woman he does not recognize. Her face is different but he knows she is Mierin Eronaile, also known as Lanfear . She begs him to help her escape from the torture but the wall falls away and she tumbles into darkness. Meanwhile, finally allowed to undertake the final test to becoming a Wise One , Aviendha journeys through the Aiel Waste , making her way to the ancient city of Rhuidean . During her trek,
1196-567: A unique weave of saidin , saidar and the Dark One's True Power combined, to first capture the Dark One, and then recreate his prison without flaw. Rand is portrayed by Josha Stradowski in the Wheel of Time television adaptation. Matrim "Mat" Cauthon is a mischievous farm boy who, as a possible reincarnation of the Dragon, flees Emond's Field with Rand and his other friends in The Eye of
1288-583: A wandering Aiel named Nakomi visits her and asks to share her fire; after beginning an innocuous conversation, the mysterious woman muses to Aviendha about the fate of the Aiel, once their toh to the Dragon has been met. The question perplexes Aviendha, and worries her, as it seems the Aiel might lose purpose and meaning once the Last Battle was fought. After arriving in Rhuidean and passing the final trial of
1380-473: A way to escape the city himself. But since the Dark One has touched and changed Fain's soul, Mordeth can only merge with Fain, not overtake him completely. Fain escapes Aes Sedai captivity in The Great Hunt , stealing both Mat's dagger and the powerful Horn of Valere in the process. Fain is portrayed by Johann Myers in the Wheel of Time television series adaptation. Graendal is one of the Forsaken,
1472-509: Is a high-ranking officer of the Children of Light, and the son of Geofram Bornhald . He develops an obsession with Perrin after Geofram's death. Dain is portrayed by Jay Duffy in the Wheel of Time television adaptation, first appearing in the 2023 episode "Damane". Anvaere Damodred is a noblewoman in Cairhien and the sister of Moiraine Damodred. She is mentioned briefly in the prequel novel New Spring (2004). An expanded version of
1564-479: Is approached by Nynaeve, Egwene, and Elayne to deliver a letter to her mother Queen Morgase . Mat reunites with Thom Merrilin and they travel to Andor , where Mat delivers the letter and learns of a plot by Queen Morgase's lover, Lord Gaebril, to murder Elayne. To prevent this, Mat pursues the killers to Tear. In Tear, Nynaeve, Egwene, and Elayne are betrayed by Juilin Sandar (under the influence of Liandrin ) to
1656-530: Is attacked by a horde of Trollocs. He joins a group of young villagers who flee under the guidance of the Aes Sedai Moiraine Damodred and her Warder, Lan Mandragoran. Thom is presumed killed when he helps Rand al'Thor and Mat Cauthon escape by fighting a Fade , or Myrddraal, the deadly, eyeless creatures who lead the pursuing Trollocs. Thom is proven to be alive after all when he is reunited with Rand in The Great Hunt , and he helps Mat foil
1748-521: Is believed to be the prophesied Dragon Reborn. The Dark One who seeks to seduce the Dragon to the Shadow, or destroy him. Having led the Trollocs to the village but failing in his mission, Fain is forced to join in the continuing pursuit by the Fades, or Myrddraal, the deadly, eyeless creatures who command the Trollocs. Fain sees a chance to escape the Myrddraal when Rand's group evades capture by entering
1840-757: Is enlisted by the Forsaken Lanfear to train Rand al'Thor in the use of the One Power, if she can convince Rand to accept. Asmodean pursues his own agenda, attempting to gain control of one of two powerful sa'angreal called the Choedan Kal . Warned by Lanfear, Rand thwarts his plan, and manages to sever Asmodean's connection with the Dark One. Asmodean, shielded by Lanfear from using his full power, commits to training Rand. He accompanies Rand on his travels and trains him diligently in The Fires of Heaven , but
1932-787: Is in trouble. Once there, they are betrayed by Liandrin, secretly a Darkfriend and member of the Black Ajah , and handed over to the Seanchan High Lady Suroth to be enslaved. Liandrin is portrayed by Kate Fleetwood in the Wheel of Time television series adaptation, first appearing in the 2021 episode "A Place of Safety". Ishamael is the most powerful of the Forsaken, and the only man known to be equal in power to Lews Therin Telamon and his reincarnation, Rand al'Thor. Originally named Elan Morin Tedronai, he joined
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#17327647351592024-475: Is killed by an unknown assailant just as he has resigned himself to siding with Rand against the Dark One. Balthamel is a former historian who became one of the Forsaken for the promise of immortality. He ran an extensive spy network for the Dark One, and oversaw camps of humans were used to feed the carnivorous Trollocs. Balthamel and the Forsaken Aginor confront Rand and his companions in The Eye of
2116-637: Is later healed by Nynaeve al'Meara, and becomes a sworn ally to Rand al'Thor. Logain is portrayed by Álvaro Morte in the Wheel of Time television adaptation, first appearing in the 2021 episode "A Place of Safety". Aginor is one of the most devious of the Forsaken, powerful channelers who became servants of the Dark One during the Second Age, or the Age of Legends. He created the Dark One's army of Shadowspawn, including Myrddraal, Trollocs, Draghkar and gholam . Originally an amoral biologist, Aginor joined
2208-422: Is later reincarnated by the Dark One as Moridin . Towers of Midnight Towers of Midnight is a fantasy novel by Robert Jordan and Brandon Sanderson . It is the sequel to the novel The Gathering Storm , and the 13th book in the Wheel of Time series. The novel is the second part of A Memory of Light , Robert Jordan's projected final book. Because of the amount of material to cover, it
2300-929: Is more focused on her need to find Rand in the city than with reconnecting with her sister. Though Moiraine is the elder sibling, thanks to the One Power she appears much younger than Anvaere, who is quick to remind Moiraine that she has weathered much adversity since last they met. And as the local spymaster, Anvaere is able to lead Moiraine to Rand in time for her to help him escape the Forsaken Lanfear. Moiraine and Rand take refuge with Anvaere and her son Barthanes Damodred in "Damane". A frank conversation with Anvaere prompts Moiraine to change plans and allow Rand to confront Lanfear, rather than keep running. In " Eyes Without Pity ", Anvaere lashes out at Moiraine when she rebuffs Barthanes's earnest efforts to reconnect with his aunt. Later, Moiraine gives encouragement to Barthanes, who will soon be king thanks to his engagement to
2392-669: Is one of the Forsaken, formerly a lawyer and close friend of Lews Therin Telamon who with him rediscovered the art of swordplay in battle. In The Dragon Reborn , Be'lal has escaped imprisonment and taken the identity High Lord Samon of Tear. He lures Rand al'Thor to the Stone of Tear, knowing that as the Dragon Reborn only Rand can retrieve the powerful sword Callandor . Rand claims it, and Be'lal battles him with his superior swordsmanship to take Callandor for himself. Moirane Damodred intervenes, destroying Be'lal with balefire . Dain Bornhald
2484-839: Is ruling the black tower with an iron fist. Logain has been absent from the Black Tower for some time. Several of the Aes Sedai who have traveled to the tower originally sent by the leader of the Red Ajah have been given permission to bond some of the Soldiers and Dedicated; however, none have been bonded. The entirety of the Tower is guarded, entry and exit are strictly monitored, and the behavior of many Aes Sedai and Asha'man have changed significantly and disturbingly; some of Taim's most ardent detractors seem only to sing his praises, and behave as if in hollow imitation of themselves. Gateways fail upon construction, confining those within Tower grounds to
2576-401: The Black Ajah , and thus to Tear. In the White Tower , through the use of a sa'angreal by Aes Sedai , Mat is healed of the corruptive influence of the ruby dagger from Shadar Logoth . Once healed, Mat defeats Galad Damodred and Gawyn Trakand in a practice sword battle using a quarterstaff. This wins him enough money to gamble with and purchase passage away from Tar Valon at which point he
2668-700: The Blue Ajah who believes that one of them is the prophesied Dragon Reborn, the reincarnation of Lews Therin Telamon , a hero of the Age of Legends. The group is pursued by agents of a malevolent figure known as the Dark One , who seeks to seduce the Dragon to the Shadow, or destroy him. At the Eye of the World , Rand is exposed to a well of pure, uncorrupted saidin , the male half of the One Power . He finds himself able to channel it, and faces off against Aginor , one of
2760-647: The Green Ajah , and rediscovers the lost talent of creating ter'angreal , artifacts which amplify the One Power in specific ways. Elayne is portrayed by Ceara Coveney in the Wheel of Time television series adaptation, first appearing in the 2023 episode " Strangers and Friends ". Elmindreda "Min" Farshaw is a clairvoyant whom Rand meets in The Eye of the World . She has the unusual ability to see visions and auras around people that predict future events in some way, though they are often subject to interpretation. Aware of Min's talents, which are unconnected to
2852-563: The Red Ajah , and handed over to the Seanchan High Lady Suroth to be enslaved. Nynaeve and Elayne escape, but Egwene is collared with an a'dam , a device used by the Seanchan to control channelers. A captive Min is helpless to intervene in Egwene's subsequent torture, but helps Nynaeve and Elayne rescue her. Egwene is portrayed by Madeleine Madden in the Wheel of Time television series adaptation. In The Eye of
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2944-645: The Shadowspawn who are hunting the Dragon Reborn. She joins the White Tower of the Aes Sedai as a novice in The Great Hunt . She and Nynaeve al'Meara , her friend from Emond's Field and a fellow novice, hear news that Rand is in trouble in Falme. They sneak out of the White Tower, joined by novice Elayne Trakand and their friend Min Farshaw . In Falme, they are betrayed by Liandrin Guirale , an Aes Sedai of
3036-497: The 2023 episode " Damane ". In the series, Perrin Aybara frees her from a cage she has been placed in by the Whitecloaks , but she proves herself more than capable of defending herself when she singlehandedly defeats a group of them unarmed. Thomdril "Thom" Merrilin is a traveling gleeman and adventurer, and former bard to Queen Morgase of Andor. In The Eye of the World , he is in the remote village of Emond's Field when it
3128-523: The Amyrlin Seat: he intends to shatter the remaining seals on the Dark One's prison in order to erect a more permanent replacement. Unable to convince him of the dangers, she concedes to meet him in one month's time at the Fields of Merrilor at his request. Desperate to delay what she could only believe was the doom of the world, Egwene hastens a plan to unite the nations of the world in hopes of stopping
3220-573: The Black Ajah and imprisoned in the Stone of Tear, eventually rescued by Mat and a repentant Juilin. Faile falls into a trap meant for Moiraine and Perrin risks his life to rescue her. Rand and the Forsaken Be'lal duel in the Stone of Tear until Moiraine kills Be'lal with balefire . Ba'alzamon disables Moiraine and attacks Rand, whereupon Rand takes Callandor (a more powerful sa'angreal ) and apparently kills Ba'alzamon; Moiraine argues that
3312-451: The Dark One is depicted as a charred figure with flames in his mouth and eyes in the season one episode "Shadow's Waiting". He appears to Rand al'Thor, Mat Cauthon, Perrin Aybara and Egwene al'Vere in their dreams, proving that despite being imprisoned he is able to reach out into the world. Demandred is one of the most powerful of the Forsaken, having turned to the Shadow due to his jealousy of Lews Therin Telamon's superiority. He served as
3404-587: The Dark One's most powerful servants, the Forsaken . Rand thus proves himself to be the Dragon Reborn, and is drawn into the millennia-long struggle against the forces of the Dark One. The Amyrlin Seat Siuan Sanche , leader of the Aes Sedai, confirms Rand is the Dragon Reborn in The Great Hunt (1990), and Moiraine's Warder , Lan Mandragoran trains Rand in swordplay. During the hunt for
3496-401: The Dark One's top military general during Age of Legends. In the series, Demandred and his scheming are spoken of repeatedly, though the character appears only briefly until the final novel, A Memory of Light . He leads the forces of the Shadow in the Last Battle. The Aes Sedai Warder Lan Mandragoran attacks Demandred, killing him in single combat by letting Demandred stab him, then decapitating
3588-479: The Dark One, having no tangible body, is not represented by the dead man. Egwene, remembering a prophecy, instead deduces that the corpse is possibly Ishamael , Chief among the Forsaken. The Aiel in Tear conquer the Stone in loyalty to Rand. Among The Wheel of Time books, The Dragon Reborn stood out in that it only had a handful of chapters told from Rand al'Thor 's point of view . Nearly all chapters are told from
3680-427: The Dragon's seeming madness. After dispelling a pair of powerful Darkfriends within his own ranks of Tairens, he Travels with Min Farshaw to the ruined port of Bandar Eban, which he had abandoned to starvation and decay. His demeanor and influence brightened, he quickly proceeds to set the city right on its feet, feeding the hungry and raising the downtrodden. He then heads north to the beleaguered fortress of Maradon,
3772-556: The Forsaken Sammael and takes the crown of Illian . In Towers of Midnight (2010), Rand conceives a controversial plan to shatter the remaining seals on the Dark One's prison in order to recreate a strong and uncorrupted one. Rand confronts the Dark One in A Memory of Light (2013), and they realize they must coexist because the Pattern requires them both. Logain Ablar breaks open the Dark One's prison, and Rand uses
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3864-551: The Forsaken while his blade is thus engaged. Padan Fain is a traveling merchant who comes to the remote village of Emond's Field in The Eye of the World , just as it is attacked by a horde of fearsome Trollocs. Several local residents, whom the Trollocs were seeking, flee with the Aes Sedai Moiraine Damodred. Fain is a Darkfriend, a servant of the Dark One given otherworldly powers by the Forsaken Ba'alzamon so he may track Rand al'Thor, Mat Cauthon and Perrin Aybara, one of whom
3956-496: The Last Battle. Jaret Byar attempts to kill Perrin, but Byar is instead killed by Dain Bornhald, who no longer believed that Perrin killed his father Geofram due to the inability of Byar to give evidence in favor of the charge at the trial. Galad accepts Perrin's proposal to join Perrin's force and swears to remain under Perrin's command until the last battle is over. The Dark One 's hand, Shaidar Haran , blames Forsaken Graendal for
4048-515: The One Power and incinerates himself. Aginor is reincarnated as Osan'gar by the Dark One in Lord of Chaos . Asmodean is one of the Forsaken, originally a composer and musician who joined the Shadow to achieve immortality and thereby gain the fame and recognition which had previously eluded him. As one of the Forsaken, he actively punished his former musical rivals by maiming and rendering them unable to practice their art. In The Shadow Rising , Asmodean
4140-420: The One Power for the first time. In The Great Hunt , Ishamael as Ba'alzamon presides over a clandestine meeting which includes Forsaken, various Darkfriends and two Aes Sedai. Rand battles Ba'alzamon at Falme, wounding the Forsaken grieviously by allowing himself to be stabbed first. Ba'alzamon attacks Rand again in The Dragon Reborn , but Rand kills him using the powerful crystal sword Callandor . Ishamael
4232-476: The One Power to collapse the roof on him. She regains the original ter'angreal, but Mellar escapes with a copy. Mat and Talmanes lure the gholam into a trap; after battling the creature into a burning building, Mat wounds it with Elayne's copies of his own medallion, and forces it into a Skimming gateway wherein he corners and pushes into the endless void, dooming to fall forever. When Perrin and his group arrive, Morgase convinces Elayne to let Perrin administer
4324-597: The One Power, Moiraine summons her to the White Tower of the Aes Sedai in The Great Hunt , where she meets Egwene al'Vere, Nynaeve al'Meara and Elayne Trakand. Min is portrayed by Kae Alexander in the Wheel of Time television series adaptation, first appearing in the 2021 episode " The Dark Along the Ways ". Aviendha is an Aiel Maiden of the Spear who first appears in The Dragon Reborn . She and her party meet Egwene al'Vere, Elayne Trakand and Nynaeve al'Meara on their way to
4416-606: The One Power. As the series progresses, new characters join the ongoing struggle against the malevolent Dark One and his minions. Since 2021, the novels have been adapted into an Amazon Prime Video series, The Wheel of Time . Introduced in The Eye of the World (1990), Rand al'Thor is a sheep herder whose remote village Emond's Field , in the Two Rivers , is attacked by a horde of monstrous Trollocs . Rand and his friends flee with Moiraine Damodred , an Aes Sedai of
4508-544: The One Power. He learns that he is the son of Shaiel, an Aiel Maiden of the Spear, and Janduin , chief of the Taardad Aiel, in The Shadow Rising (1992). Selene reveals herself to be the Forsaken Lanfear, who was in love with Lews, and shares her plans to help him become all-powerful. In The Fires of Heaven (1993), however, the news that Rand has slept with the Aiel warrior Aviendha sends Lanfear into
4600-467: The One Power. Unfortunately he is unable to help the nations of Kandor and Arafel which also are overwhelmed by Shadowspawn. He now prepares to parley with the forces of the nations gathered at the Fields of Merrilor, poised precipitously close to the Blight border, and the advent of Tarmon Gai'don . At the end of the book, while sleeping at the Fields of Merrilor, the night before the parley, Rand hears
4692-589: The Seanchan, and eventually manage to rescue a captive Egwene. One of the most powerful channelers of her time, Nynaeve's skill with healing leads her to join the Yellow Ajah of the Aes Sedai. She eventually discovers methods for healing those who have been severed from the One Power. She marries the Warder Lan Mandragoran, King of Malkier. Nynaeve is portrayed by Zoë Robins in the Wheel of Time television series adaptation. In The Eye of
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#17327647351594784-403: The Shadow because he calculated that it was inevitable the Dark One would eventually triumph. He was bound to the Dark One's prison but, unlike the other Forsaken, remained able to walk the world periodically. When Lews is driven mad and murders his own family, Ishamael visits him and heals his mind so he will realize what he has done. He is frustrated when Lews commits suicide, cheating Ishamael of
4876-466: The Shadow so he could continue his forbidden genetic experiments. The Forsaken are ultimately imprisoned with the Dark One for millennia. Three thousand years later near the end of the Third Age, Aginor and the Forsaken Balthamel confront Rand and his companions in The Eye of the World . They have escaped their imprisonment, but the ordeal has left Aginor horribly disfigured, appearing impossibly ancient. He attempts to destroy Rand, but draws too much of
4968-451: The Stone of Tear to find Rand al'Thor. Later in the series she bonded Rand as her Warder after she, Elayne, and Min agreed to love Rand together and respect one another. In the last battle she defeats Hessalam (former known as Graendal) and is one of only four people, who are fully aware, that Rand al'Thor did not die during the last battle. Aviendha is portrayed by Ayoola Smart in the Wheel of Time television adaptation, first appearing in
5060-406: The Third Age, Lan is also the King of Malkier by birth, though that country was lost to the Shadow when he was a child. Lan is portrayed by Daniel Henney in the Wheel of Time television series adaptation. Elayne Trakand is the daughter and heir of Morgase Trakand , Queen of Andor. In The Eye of the World , she meets Rand al'Thor in Caemlyn, the capital of Andor, when he falls off a wall into
5152-409: The Tower grounds, Hopper and Perrin fight Isam, and Isam kills Hopper, forever ending any chance of a rebirth for the wolf. Perrin destroys the dreamspike by dropping it into a nightmare that has taken the form of a volcano. Perrin escapes from Isam by returning to the real world. Perrin feels compelled to forge a war hammer, and Neald discovers a Talent for creating a Power-forged weapon, resulting in
5244-460: The Tree of Life, leaving his neck forever scarred. He later founds the Band of the Red Hand, and leads as its Marshal General. Mat escapes from Seanchan-occupied city of Ebou Dar in Winter's Heart (2000), kidnapping the High Lady Tuon , heir to the Seanchan Crystal Throne , when he learns she is known as the Daughter of the Nine Moons. He courts her in Crossroads of Twilight (2003) and they marry in Knife of Dreams (2005), with Mat gaining
5336-481: The Two Rivers under Andoran rule. Elayne uses the dragons, and a promise of estates in Andor for Cairhienin nobles, to convince the Cairhienen to make her queen of Cairhien , uniting the kingdoms of Andor and Cairhien. Mat, Thom Merrilin , and Noal enter the Tower of Ghenjei to rescue Moiraine Damodred , who has been thought dead since she fell through a ter'angreal portal while battling the Forsaken Lanfear. Guided by Mat's luck through an extra-dimensional labyrinth,
5428-425: The Wheel of Time was forged, plots to destroy it and remake the universe in his image. He employs a network of minions, most seduced by promises of power and immortality, to serve him toward this goal. The most notable of these are the Forsaken, powerful channelers imprisoned with him in the Second Age who begin to escape and reenter the world at the end of the Third Age. In the Wheel of Time television adaptation,
5520-435: The World , Nynaeve al'Meara is the Wisdom, or healer, of Emond's Field. In the aftermath of the Trolloc attack, she tracks her friends and joins them on their journey, learning along the way that she is able to channel the One Power as well. She and Egwene al'Vere become Aes Sedai novices in The Great Hunt , but are lured away to Falme by the treacherous Liandrin Guirale. Nynaeve and fellow novice Elayne Trakand escape capture by
5612-427: The World , the arrival of Moiraine Damodred, an Aes Sedai of the Blue Ajah , to the remote village of Emond's Field precedes an attack by Trollocs. Moiraine warns that the servants of the Dark One are, as she is, seeking one of three young men from the village: Rand al'Thor, Perrin Aybara and Mat Cauthon. She and her companion, the Warder Lan Mandragoran, lead the trio and some others away to safety, but face danger along
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#17327647351595704-411: The World . They have escaped their imprisonment, but the ordeal has left Balthamel horribly disfigured, with rotting skin and no longer able to speak. He burns Someshta , the Green Man, nearly to death, but Someshta uses the last of his life force to consume Balthamel with fungi and invasive plant life. Balthamel is reincarnated as Aran'gar, in a female body, by the Dark One in Lord of Chaos . Be'lal
5796-421: The World . Chased by emissaries of the Dark One, the group takes shelter in the cursed city of Shadar Logoth , from which Mat takes a ruby dagger. The weapon, corrupted by the malevolent entity that has taken hold of the city, begins to taint Mat, debilitating his body and infusing him with hostility and paranoia. Mat joins the hunt for the stolen Horn of Valere in The Great Hunt , and eventually blows it to summon
5888-419: The World of Dreams. Perrin is portrayed by Marcus Rutherford in the Wheel of Time television series adaptation. Egwene al'Vere is the daughter of the mayor of Emond's Field, and romantically involved with Rand al'Thor in The Eye of the World . The Aes Sedai Moiraine Damodred recognizes in Egwene the "spark" of one who is able to channel the One Power, and Egwene joins the group fleeing the village to escape
5980-522: The channeling women of the three cultures. However, rather than simply spying on the Hall as intended, Mesaana and the Black Ajah immediately attack, causing a battle to ensue, with the dreamspike moved by Perrin keeping Mesaana from escaping. Mesaana attempts to hold Egwene with an a'dam ; but Egwene's mastery of Tel'aran'rhiod enables her to break Mesaana's mind. Gawyn returns to Tar Valon to stop three Bloodknives from killing Egwene; whereupon Egwene awakens and bonds with Gawyn, whom she agrees to marry. On
6072-467: The chapter names of Towers of Midnight. This event was promoted by Tor at Brandon Sanderson's request, and was able to generate an unexpectedly high amount of involvement from the fan community. Moving through Ghealdan , Perrin Aybara and his followers encounter the Children of the Light , of whom Jaret Byar and Dain Bornhald accuse Perrin (correctly) of killing two of their colleagues. When Galad Damodred discovers his stepmother Morgase Trakand among
6164-424: The character is portrayed by Lindsay Duncan in the Wheel of Time television adaptation, first appearing in the 2023 episode " What Might Be ". Rand al'Thor and Selene infiltrate a society party, where Anvaere gives them some insider information about some of the other guests, and the queen of Cairhien herself. Moiraine appears on Anvaere's doorstep in " Daughter of the Night ", having been away for many years, but
6256-691: The crystal columns (a comprehensive history of the 'shame' of the Aiel, as seen through her ancestor's eyes), she attempts to learn more of the ter'angreal through which she had just passed by touching them. This inadvertently reveals to Aviendha what may be the future of the Aiel, where her own descendants begin a chain of events that would allow the Seanchan to overtake the wetlands, drive the Aiel into hiding, and systematically reduce them to pathetic scavengers, all knowledge of ji'e'toh abandoned, and finally driven to extinction. Faced with this crushing possibility, Aviendha leaves Rhuidean to find Rand, desperate for any chance to right this grim future. Mazrim Taim
6348-498: The cursed city of Shadar Logoth , where the Fades and Trollocs will not go. Once known as Aridhol , the city has been overtaken by a malevolent entity known as Mashadar . The spirit Mordeth , the former councilor of Aridhol who is now the avatar of Mashadar, lures Rand, Mat and Perrin to a cursed trove of treasure, from which Mat secretly takes a dagger. They leave the city, and the dagger begins to corrupt Mat's mind and body. Before Fain can follow, Mordeth recognizes in him
6440-463: The deaths of three Forsaken (Mesaana, Aran'gar , and Asmodean ), and begins to punish her. Mat Cauthon meets Andoran Queen Elayne Trakand in Caemlyn to discuss building "dragons" (artillery) to former Illuminator Aludra's specifications. They bargain over who gets to keep how many dragons, and Mat agrees to let Elayne borrow the foxhead ter'angreal he wears to block the One Power , so that she can make copies. Elayne uses an angreal to weave
6532-418: The device so that Perrin's Asha'man Jur Grady and Fager Neald cannot form gateways, enabling her to destroy his forces with an army of Trollocs. Perrin enters into the dream world to remove it, but is attacked by Isam in the process. Despite superior numbers due to the wolves helping him, Isam's mastery of the dream world enables him to easily kill several wolves. Not wanting anyone else to be hurt, Perrin takes
6624-473: The dreamspike and lures Isam away, despite his movement being limited by the device, eventually reaching Tar Valon , with Isam in pursuit. Egwene al'Vere plots to find the Forsaken Mesaana , while also dealing with a series of murders of Aes Sedai , but refuses to bond Gawyn Trakand as a Warder due to his disobedience; and when he confronts an intruder outside Egwene's chambers, it disrupts
6716-481: The first 11 novels of the series, and the prequel novel New Spring (2004), before his death in 2007. The final three novels— The Gathering Storm (2009), Towers of Midnight (2010), and A Memory of Light (2013)—were co-written by American author Brandon Sanderson . The series features 2787 distinct named characters. The Wheel of Time follows the characters Rand al'Thor , Mat Cauthon , Perrin Aybara , Egwene al'Vere and Nynaeve al'Meara , teens from
6808-553: The folk hero Jain Farstrider , offers to stay behind and buy the others time to escape. Driven to a dead end, hope seems dead, until Mat realizes his ashandarei polearm is their key to safe passage from the Tower, rending the walls and earning their freedom. Safe outside, Moiraine awakes to reveal herself severely weakened in the One Power due to her capture (though in possession of a supremely powerful angreal ), and in love with Thom, who gladly reciprocates. As they share news of
6900-415: The group as they flee the cursed city of Shadar Logoth, and meet the tracker Elyas Machera . Elyas informs Perrin that he is, like Elyas, a wolfbrother : a man able to communicate telepathically with wolves. Possessing golden, wolf-like eyes, wolfbrothers have heightened senses, strength and speed, but tend toward aggressive, animalistic behavior in battle. They are also able to navigate Tel'aran'rhiod ,
6992-463: The main city of Saldaea, seized by countless Shadowspawn descended from the Blight. Though bravely fought by forces commanded by famed general Rodel Ituralde, the forces of Light are hopelessly overwhelmed, the city on the brink of destruction. Enraged by the plight of the men he had nearly consigned to death, Rand places himself at the forefront of the Shadow's assault, and repels the horde of tens of thousands single-handedly with an unimaginable amount of
7084-422: The opportunity to punish him further. Over the millennia, Ishamael emerged to manipulate human events and stoke conflicts, laying the groundwork for the Dark One's rise. Using the name Ba'alzamon, Ishamael invades the dreams of Rand, Perrin Aybara and Mat Cauthon in The Eye of the World . Rand is finally confronted by Ba'alzamon, who he believes is the Dark One himself, and successfully rebuffs him by channeling
7176-406: The palace garden. Elayne becomes a novice of the Aes Sedai in The Great Hunt , befriending Egwene al'Vere and Nynaeve al'Meara. They travel to Falme believing Rand needs their help, but it is a trap that ends with Egwene's capture and enslavement by the Seanchan High Lady Suroth. Elayne and Nynaeve manage to rescue her, with the help of Min Farshaw. A powerful channeler, Elayne becomes an Aes Sedai of
7268-399: The perspectives of his friends and allies as they race to catch up to and help him. That said, his presence in the plot is ubiquitous; all major characters are either trying to help him or working against him. Rand al%27Thor The Wheel of Time is a series of high fantasy novels by American author Robert Jordan , which began with The Eye of the World in 1990. Jordan wrote
7360-581: The queen of Cairhien. In " Daes Dae'mar ", Anvaere eavesdrops on a private conversation between Barthanes and the Aes Sedai Liandrin Guirale , revealing they are secretly Darkfriends . Their master, the Forsaken Ishamael , wishes Barthanes to murder the troublesome Moiraine, and Anvaere herself if necessary to keep their secret. Barthanes acts on his instructions to kill Moiraine, but is deceived and finds himself locked in
7452-526: The queen of Cairhien. A visiting Moiraine, long absent from the family and distracted by her Aes Sedai business, initially rebuffs Barthanes's efforts to reconnect in "Eyes Without Pity", but later has kind words for him. In "Daes Dae'mar", Barthanes meets with the Aes Sedai Liandrin Guirale, revealing they are secretly Darkfriends. Their master Ishamael wants Barthanes to kill the troublesome Moiraine, and his mother if necessary to keep
7544-522: The refugees, Galad and Perrin agree to a trial with Morgase as the judge under Andoran law. Perrin reveals his ability to speak with wolves and claims as his defense the fact that the two men killed his wolf friends; but Morgase judges Perrin guilty of "illegal killing" under an obscure law governing mercenaries. Perrin agrees to abide by Galad's ruling after Tarmon Gai'don ; but Galad does not immediately pronounce sentence. Faile Bashere and Berelain sur Paendrag agree that Berelain will publicly denounce
7636-535: The release of Sanderson's 2010 novel, The Way of Kings , announced that Sanderson would hand out bumper stickers throughout his promotional book tour. Some of the bumper stickers contained a code which would unlock one page of the Towers of Midnight. Fans were able to guess the codes without receiving a bumper sticker and unlocked an entire chapter (Chapter 8). The final code was placed in Venice, Italy. The codes were
7728-416: The rumors that Perrin and Berelain were paramours during Faile's imprisonment; whereafter Berelain attaches herself to Galad. Nae'blis Moridin charges fellow Forsaken Graendal with killing Perrin; and he gives her a ter'angreal called a "dreamspike", one of two he possesses, that hinders both Traveling and movement in the real world, as well as the service of his minion Isam. Graendal orders Isam to plant
7820-416: The secret, but they are overheard by Anvaere. Barthanes acts on his instructions to kill Moiraine, but is deceived and finds himself locked in a cell by his disgusted mother. Though he protests that his allegiance to the Dark One has made their fortune, Anvaere has already reported his crime to the authorities and sealed his fate. The Dark One is a malevolent entity who, though imprisoned for millennia since
7912-597: The stolen Horn of Valere , Rand is transported to a distorted world where he meets the mysterious Selene , who helps him get back to the real world. Rand later defeats the High Lord Turak , leader of the Seanchan forces invading Falme , in single combat. In The Dragon Reborn (1991), Rand travels to the Stone of Tear and claims the crystal sword Callandor , a powerful sa'angreal , an artifact which amplifies
8004-466: The three ward off the cunning Eelfinn with fire, music and the threat of iron weapons. Upon finding her, Mat strikes a bargain with the Eelfinn for safe passage outside, offering them 'half the light of the world'-his left eye plucked mercilessly from its socket. Though they begin to leave, the snake-like Aelfinn chase after them, Mat having left them out of the prior bargain. Noal, revealing himself as
8096-515: The title "Prince of the Ravens". Mat is portrayed by Barney Harris in season one of the Wheel of Time television series adaptation, and by Dónal Finn in season two. Perrin Aybara, a blacksmith and woodworker in Emond's Field, is also possibly the Dragon Reborn, and leaves the village with his friends and Moiraine Damodred in The Eye of the World . Perrin and Egwene al'Vere are separated from
8188-575: The wards she had set against Mesaana. Gawyn, while visiting Elayne in Caemlyn, learns that the murders are the work of 'Bloodknives', the Seanchan 's assassins. Egwene arranges a meeting of the Hall of the Tower in Tel'aran'rhiod with the hidden agenda of drawing Mesaana into a trap while attending another secret meeting of Aes Sedai , Aiel Wise Ones , and Sea Folk Windfinders , to discuss cooperation among
8280-501: The way to the Aes Sedai's White Tower in Tar Valon. Moiraine is portrayed by Rosamund Pike in the Wheel of Time television series adaptation. al'Lan "Lan" Mandragoran is the Warder to Moiraine Damodred in The Eye of the World . They lead a trio of young men, one of whom Moiraine suspects is the prophesied Dragon Reborn, away from their small village with a horde of Trollocs, serving the Dark One, in pursuit. The greatest swordsman of
8372-433: The world with her, they prepare to find Rand before the Last Battle is begun. Fresh from his soul-saving epiphany on the slopes of Dragonmount, Rand al'Thor proceeds to the world to fight the Dark One 's touch, his positive demeanor righting the wrongs the Shadow had been allowed to perpetrate. Much to the surprise of all involved, he then embarks to the White Tower to deliver a stunning announcement to Egwene al'Vere ,
8464-524: Was agreed by Jordan's wife, Tor Books and Brandon Sanderson to break the final book into three separate books. All three books are written by Sanderson with the aid of extensive notes left by the late Jordan. The title Towers of Midnight was proposed by Sanderson, replacing the working title of A Memory of Light: Shifting Winds . It was released on November 2, 2010 and is 328,000 words long. The book debuted at #1 on The New York Times Best Seller list . On August 30, 2010, Tor Books, in conjunction with
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