Concepts in the Wheel of Time series
Encyclopedia
Over the course of Robert Jordan
's Wheel of Time
series, individuals appear with supernatural abilities that are seemingly unconnected to the One Power
and the ability to channel. While some of the characters that do possess these abilities can channel, it does not seem to be a prerequisite. Those with these abilities include Wolfbrothers, Dreamwalkers, Treesingers, among others. These abilities are occasionally referred to in the novels as 'Talents,' though, as the term is also used to refer to special abilities related to the One Power, it is avoided for clarity in this article.
, old talents are said to be returning to mankind. One of the cases of these is the Wolfbrothers, men who can communicate with wolves. Two examples of this are Perrin Aybara
and Elyas Machera, both of whom have retained their senses of humanity. Other such individuals, however, are known to have become wolf in mentality. One known person to have become a wolf in his state of mind is a man named Noam. Perrin met him in the village of Jarra and let him out of the cage he was kept in. Wolfbrothers are signified by wolf-like golden eyes, in addition to wolf-like behavior when overcome by battlelust. Accessory abilities include heightened physical senses, as well as the ability to enter Tel'aran'rhiod
, the world of dreams, in much the same way Dreamers can. Wolfbrothers have increased senses, especially smell, to the point where Perrin is able to "smell" peoples' emotions and state of health (physically/mentally/spiritually.) The "wolf" within Wolfbrothers not only imbues them with greater physical strength, speed and perception, but also attempts to consume them at various points, especially during periods of great strain. It is thought those who given in become like the aforementioned Noam, yet Perrin manages to retain identity by strength of will.
or the Wise Ones in the Aiel Waste do, or through the use of ter'angreal. On the other hand, Dreamers are people [correction: not only channelers; see Bair] who have visions of events in their dreams that have yet to happen (or are happening currently). Usually, these are difficult to interpret correctly before they take place.
It is unclear whether or not all Dreamers can Dreamwalk, or vice versa, though the two do seem to be closely linked.
, better known as Min, has the unusual ability to see "auras" about a person that reflect future events. She has had this ability since birth and does not understand how it works, only that whatever she sees will come to pass one way or another. Hence, that the images she saw of Moiraine Damodred
never came to pass before Moiraine's supposed death was a distinct sign that Moiraine was not, in fact, dead.
The images are not always around a person, and some people never have the images surrounding them. Min may very well be the only person who has ever been able to see them - there are no recorded examples of anyone else with her ability, though some Aes Sedai have the abilities of a Dreamer or the Foretelling, both of which are similar in that they take the form of prophecy. However, the few Aes Sedai who know of Min's ability assert that it is not related to the One Power, and Min has never been known to channel.
The images Min sees vary and are often open to interpretation; her visions of Siuan Sanche
and Gareth Bryne are simple and warn that the two must always stay close together or else both will die (this eventually comes to pass during the Seanchan
raid on the White Tower; Bryne kills an assassin hidden in the shadows before Siuan realises he has been poisoned without his knowledge). On the other hand, Min cryptically sees a falcon and a hawk around Perrin Aybara
, which foreshadows the rivalry between Faile and Berelain for his affections, though Min cannot make sense of it. The cryptic nature of her viewings means Min has become unusually good at deciphering prophecies such as The Karaethon Cycle to the point where she can correctly interpret passages that have been ambiguous for centuries. However, she considers her ability to see auras to be more of a curse than a blessing.
. It manifests as a bright glow surrounding the one being viewed. Though few details have yet been given of this ability, at least three characters have shown it, possibly four:
is one of the most talented Treesingers in a very long time. However, Loial admits to Someshta (The Green Man) having far greater ability at Treesinging than he had ever seen or learned of, indicating that the Nym used an advanced form of Treesinging in their duties as Gardeners of the World.
In "The Shadow Rising" while Rand is seeing the flashbacks in Rhuidean, the Aiel, Ogier and Nym all work together in singing to help the growth of the crops for a village.
Robert Jordan
Robert Jordan was the pen name of James Oliver Rigney, Jr. , under which he was best known as the author of the bestselling The Wheel of Time fantasy series. He also wrote under the pseudonyms Reagan O'Neal and Jackson O'Reilly.-Biography:Jordan was born in Charleston, South Carolina...
's Wheel of Time
Wheel of time
The Wheel of time or wheel of history is a concept found in several religious traditions and philosophies, notably religions of Indian origin such as Hinduism and Buddhism, which regard time as cyclical and consisting of repeating ages...
series, individuals appear with supernatural abilities that are seemingly unconnected to the One Power
One Power
In The Wheel of Time fantasy series by Robert Jordan, the One Power is the force that maintains the continuous motion of the Wheel of Time. It comes from the True Source, and it is separated into two halves: saidin , the male half, and saidar , the female half. It is used in the series by people...
and the ability to channel. While some of the characters that do possess these abilities can channel, it does not seem to be a prerequisite. Those with these abilities include Wolfbrothers, Dreamwalkers, Treesingers, among others. These abilities are occasionally referred to in the novels as 'Talents,' though, as the term is also used to refer to special abilities related to the One Power, it is avoided for clarity in this article.
Wolfbrothers
With the nearing of Tarmon Gai'donTarmon Gai'don
Tarmon Gai'don, or the Last Battle, is an event set in the world of Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time fantasy series. The event is both feared and anticipated in the lands of the Wheel...
, old talents are said to be returning to mankind. One of the cases of these is the Wolfbrothers, men who can communicate with wolves. Two examples of this are Perrin Aybara
Perrin Aybara
Perrin t'Bashere Aybara, or Goldeneyes, is one of the main characters of Robert Jordan's epic fantasy The Wheel of Time. Character is largely based on Slavic god Perun. In addition to the name similarity Perrin's choice of weapons include the axe, hammer, and bow...
and Elyas Machera, both of whom have retained their senses of humanity. Other such individuals, however, are known to have become wolf in mentality. One known person to have become a wolf in his state of mind is a man named Noam. Perrin met him in the village of Jarra and let him out of the cage he was kept in. Wolfbrothers are signified by wolf-like golden eyes, in addition to wolf-like behavior when overcome by battlelust. Accessory abilities include heightened physical senses, as well as the ability to enter Tel'aran'rhiod
Tel'aran'rhiod
Tel'aran'rhiod or the World of Dreams is a fictional reality where the reality is mutable, mentioned in the fictional world of Robert Jordan's fantasy series The Wheel of Time. The word itself is from the in-universe language known as the Old Tongue, and literally means 'the unseen world'...
, the world of dreams, in much the same way Dreamers can. Wolfbrothers have increased senses, especially smell, to the point where Perrin is able to "smell" peoples' emotions and state of health (physically/mentally/spiritually.) The "wolf" within Wolfbrothers not only imbues them with greater physical strength, speed and perception, but also attempts to consume them at various points, especially during periods of great strain. It is thought those who given in become like the aforementioned Noam, yet Perrin manages to retain identity by strength of will.
Dreamers and Dreamwalking
Separate from the ability to channel the One Power, the ability to visit Tel'aran'rhiod is known as Dreamwalking. This can be accomplished naturally, as Egwene al'VereEgwene al'Vere
Egwene al'Vere is one of the main characters of the Wheel of Time fantasy series by Robert Jordan.-Description:She is described as beautiful, with large brown eyes and long dark hair. Like all adult women in her home village of Emond's Field, she initially wore her hair in a long braid, but as soon...
or the Wise Ones in the Aiel Waste do, or through the use of ter'angreal. On the other hand, Dreamers are people [correction: not only channelers; see Bair] who have visions of events in their dreams that have yet to happen (or are happening currently). Usually, these are difficult to interpret correctly before they take place.
It is unclear whether or not all Dreamers can Dreamwalk, or vice versa, though the two do seem to be closely linked.
Sniffers
In the Borderlands, a seemingly new ability has surfaced: people with the ability to "smell" past violent actions in a location, the "scent" of which fades with time. The Sniffer Hurin, in the employment of Lord Agelmar, accompanies Rand, Mat, and Perrin from their departure from Fal Dara until the conclusion of events in Falme.Aura Viewing
Elmindreda FarshawMin Farshaw
Elmindreda "Min" Farshaw is one of the main characters of The Wheel of Time fantasy series by Robert Jordan.- Description :She is slender, a little taller than Moiraine , and has short dark hair that becomes curly when grown long. She has large, dark eyes...
, better known as Min, has the unusual ability to see "auras" about a person that reflect future events. She has had this ability since birth and does not understand how it works, only that whatever she sees will come to pass one way or another. Hence, that the images she saw of Moiraine Damodred
Moiraine Damodred
Moiraine Damodred is one of the main characters of the Wheel of Time fantasy series by Robert Jordan. She is an Aes Sedai of the Blue Ajah and is the niece of King Laman Damodred of Cairhien.-Description:...
never came to pass before Moiraine's supposed death was a distinct sign that Moiraine was not, in fact, dead.
The images are not always around a person, and some people never have the images surrounding them. Min may very well be the only person who has ever been able to see them - there are no recorded examples of anyone else with her ability, though some Aes Sedai have the abilities of a Dreamer or the Foretelling, both of which are similar in that they take the form of prophecy. However, the few Aes Sedai who know of Min's ability assert that it is not related to the One Power, and Min has never been known to channel.
The images Min sees vary and are often open to interpretation; her visions of Siuan Sanche
Siuan Sanche
Siuan Sanche is a character of the Wheel of Time fantasy series by Robert Jordan.The sharp-tongued daughter of a fisherman from Tear, Siuan Sanche joined the White Tower at the same time as Moiraine Damodred...
and Gareth Bryne are simple and warn that the two must always stay close together or else both will die (this eventually comes to pass during the Seanchan
Seanchan
In the fictional world of Robert Jordan's fantasy series The Wheel of Time, Seanchan is the name of a continent, the empire that occupies it, and the people that live in the empire...
raid on the White Tower; Bryne kills an assassin hidden in the shadows before Siuan realises he has been poisoned without his knowledge). On the other hand, Min cryptically sees a falcon and a hawk around Perrin Aybara
Perrin Aybara
Perrin t'Bashere Aybara, or Goldeneyes, is one of the main characters of Robert Jordan's epic fantasy The Wheel of Time. Character is largely based on Slavic god Perun. In addition to the name similarity Perrin's choice of weapons include the axe, hammer, and bow...
, which foreshadows the rivalry between Faile and Berelain for his affections, though Min cannot make sense of it. The cryptic nature of her viewings means Min has become unusually good at deciphering prophecies such as The Karaethon Cycle to the point where she can correctly interpret passages that have been ambiguous for centuries. However, she considers her ability to see auras to be more of a curse than a blessing.
Ta'veren Recognition
This Talent allows the user to identify ta'verenTa'veren
Ta'veren is a term used in the Wheel of Time series by Robert Jordan.Ta'veren : "A person around whom the Wheel of Time weaves all surrounding life-threads, perhaps ALL life-threads, to form a Web of Destiny." -Notable Ta'veren:*Current...
. It manifests as a bright glow surrounding the one being viewed. Though few details have yet been given of this ability, at least three characters have shown it, possibly four:
- Siuan SancheSiuan SancheSiuan Sanche is a character of the Wheel of Time fantasy series by Robert Jordan.The sharp-tongued daughter of a fisherman from Tear, Siuan Sanche joined the White Tower at the same time as Moiraine Damodred...
- sees a glow around Rand in Fal Dara. - Logain AblarLogain AblarLogain Ablar is a fictional character in Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time series.-False Dragon:Logain Ablar was a False Dragon who could channel the One Power. He proclaimed himself shortly before the events of Winternight in the Two Rivers...
- sees a glow around Rand in Caemlyn. - Nicola Treehill - sees a glow around Mat in Salidar.
- Eldest Alar - claims she can feel Rand is ta'veren, though admits the Talent does not run strong in the OgierOgier (Wheel of Time)The Ogier are a race of non-human creatures who have an intense love of knowledge. They are also great architects and stonemasons, responsible for many of the most impressive structures and cities of the world. Ogier stonework is known for its organic nature, often appearing to have been grown...
from Stedding Tsofu.
Treesinging
An ability now unique to Ogier, treesinging is the ability to stimulate the growth of plants, usually trees, through the use of special songs. Furthermore, a variety of songs allow specific control of the growth, as well as the ability to communicate with the plant in some fashion. Treesingers are known to produce extremely distinctive, valuable wooden crafts. The ability seems to have dwindled in recent times. LoialLoial
Loial son of Arent son of Halan is one of the main characters of the Wheel of Time fantasy series by Robert Jordan.Like all Ogier, he is deliberate and methodical in his thought; haste leads to waste appears to be his people's motto. However, when roused to anger, he is an implacable enemy...
is one of the most talented Treesingers in a very long time. However, Loial admits to Someshta (The Green Man) having far greater ability at Treesinging than he had ever seen or learned of, indicating that the Nym used an advanced form of Treesinging in their duties as Gardeners of the World.
In "The Shadow Rising" while Rand is seeing the flashbacks in Rhuidean, the Aiel, Ogier and Nym all work together in singing to help the growth of the crops for a village.