Forsaken (Wheel of Time)
Encyclopedia
In the fictional world of Robert Jordan
's Wheel of Time
fantasy series, the Forsaken (or Chosen, as they would prefer to be called) are the most powerful and favored servants of the Dark One
. They were formerly Aes Sedai
, but became corrupted by the desire for power and immortality. At the beginning of the series there are thirteen Forsaken whose names are well known but originally there were more than this. Moghedien, one of the Forsaken herself, suggests twelve were killed during the The War of Power, due to arousing the Dark One's suspicions. She also suggests that there were many more chosen before this but they were killed in the War of Power. At the end of the war, those that remained were all meeting at Shayol Ghul
when Lews Therin Telamon
and his Hundred Companions sealed the hole in the Dark One's prison, and the Forsaken in it.
The leader of the Forsaken is the Nae'blis, and that member of the Forsaken is counted as second only to the Great Lord of the Dark.
Six more Forsaken were mentioned by Semirhage in Winter's Heart
, but they were said to have been destroyed by the Dark One during the War of Power.
, four of the Forsaken who have been killed have been reincarnated by the Dark One. They are, Ishamael, Balthamel, Aginor, and, presumably, Lanfear. Their reincarnated forms do not resemble their former identities at all. For example, Cyndane is described as having silver hair and light-colored eyes, whereas Lanfear possessed dark beauty. The reincarnated form of Cyndane who was once Lanfear is not as strong as she used to be, due to her time spent as a captive of the Aelfinn and Eelfinn
. And Balthamel, a male Forsaken, was reincarnated into a female body, although Aran'gar continues to channel the male half of the True Source.
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
The Wheel of Time
The Wheel of Time is a series of epic fantasy novels written by American author James Oliver Rigney, Jr., under the pen name Robert Jordan. Originally planned as a six-book series, the length was increased by increments; at the time of Rigney's death, he expected it to be 12, but it will actually...
fantasy series, the Forsaken (or Chosen, as they would prefer to be called) are the most powerful and favored servants of the Dark One
Dark One
The Dark One is a fictional character in the The Wheel of Time series by Robert Jordan. It is the main antagonist; bound to its prison at the moment of Creation and partially freed during the Age of Legends , it is the primary source of evil in the series.-Character:In The Wheel of Time books,...
. They were formerly Aes Sedai
Aes Sedai
The Aes Sedai are a special society in the fictional universe of Robert Jordan's The Wheel of Time book series. Aes Sedai means "Servant to All" in the Old Tongue. They are the wielders of the One Power...
, but became corrupted by the desire for power and immortality. At the beginning of the series there are thirteen Forsaken whose names are well known but originally there were more than this. Moghedien, one of the Forsaken herself, suggests twelve were killed during the The War of Power, due to arousing the Dark One's suspicions. She also suggests that there were many more chosen before this but they were killed in the War of Power. At the end of the war, those that remained were all meeting at Shayol Ghul
Shayol Ghul
In the Wheel of Time fantasy novel series, Shayol Ghul is a mountain beyond the Great Blight in the north of the known world. It is the place in the physical world to which the Dark One's prison seems closest...
when Lews Therin Telamon
Lews Therin Telamon
Lews Therin Telamon is a fictional character in Robert Jordan's The Wheel of Time fantasy series. He was the Dragon of the Age of Legends. He is the most powerful, most hated, and most feared man in history, for his part in the Breaking of the World and killing his loved ones, earning him the...
and his Hundred Companions sealed the hole in the Dark One's prison, and the Forsaken in it.
The leader of the Forsaken is the Nae'blis, and that member of the Forsaken is counted as second only to the Great Lord of the Dark.
"Original" Forsaken
- Male Forsaken:
- AginorAginorAginor , originally known as Ishar Marrad Chuain, is one of the primary antagonists of the Wheel of Time fantasy series by Robert Jordan. He is one of the Forsaken.-Origin:...
(Ishar Morrad Chuain), deceased (killed by Rand al'ThorRand al'ThorRand al'Thor, also known as the Dragon Reborn, is the fictional main character and protagonist of The Wheel of Time, a series of fantasy novels by Robert Jordan.Rand al'Thor has many other titles within the series:...
), resurrected as Osan'gar (see below), posed as the Asha'man Corlan Dashiva and then killed again. - AsmodeanAsmodeanAsmodean is a major antagonist in the Wheel of Time fantasy series by Robert Jordan.-Age of Legends:...
(Joar Addam Nessosin), deceased (killed by Graendal as confirmed in the glossary of Towers of Midnight) - BalthamelBalthamelBalthamel is one of the primary antagonists of the Wheel of Time fantasy series by Robert Jordan. He is one of the Forsaken.-Origin:...
(Eval Ramman), deceased (killed by the Green Man), resurrected as Aran'gar in a female body (see below), posed as Halima Saranov with the Rebel Aes Sedai before fleeing with Delana. Killed again, irrevocably using balefire by Rand al'ThorRand al'ThorRand al'Thor, also known as the Dragon Reborn, is the fictional main character and protagonist of The Wheel of Time, a series of fantasy novels by Robert Jordan.Rand al'Thor has many other titles within the series:...
. - Be'lalBe'lalBe'lal is one of the primary antagonists of the The Wheel of Time fantasy series by Robert Jordan. He is one of the Forsaken.- Origins :...
(Duram Laddel Cham), deceased (killed irrevocably with balefireBalefireBalefire, in the world of the Wheel of Time, is a weapon created with the One Power or with the True Power.-Description:It has only one known weave, and when evoked, summons a blindingly bright beam of "liquid light" that is capable of destroying nearly every known substance...
by Moiraine DamodredMoiraine DamodredMoiraine 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:...
). - DemandredDemandredDemandred is one of the primary antagonists of the Wheel of Time fantasy series by Robert Jordan. He is one of the Forsaken.-Origin:...
(Barid Bel Medar), whereabouts unknown. - RahvinRahvinRahvin is one of the primary antagonists of The Wheel of Time fantasy series by Robert Jordan. He is one of the Forsaken.-Origin:...
(Ared Mosinel), deceased (killed irrevocably with balefire by Rand al'Thor). - IshamaelIshamaelIshamael is one of the primary antagonists of the Wheel of Time fantasy series by Robert Jordan. He is one of the Forsaken...
(Elan Morin Tedronai), deceased (killed by Rand al'Thor), resurrected as Moridin (see below). - SammaelSammaelSammael is one of the primary antagonists of The Wheel of Time fantasy series by Robert Jordan. He is one of the Forsaken.-Origins:...
(Tel Janin Aellinsar), deceased (killed by MashadarMashadarMashadar is a malicious, though unintelligent, entity lurking within the depths of Shadar Logoth in the Wheel of Time series by Robert Jordan....
while fighting Rand al'Thor). His death is confirmed in an interview with Robert Jordan.
- Aginor
- Female Forsaken:
- GraendalGraendalGraendal is one of the primary antagonists of the Wheel of Time fantasy series by Robert Jordan. She is one of the Forsaken.-Age of Legends:...
(Kamarile Maradim Nindar), last seen alive in a remote hideout in the Aryth Ocean, last seen before her "punishment" for failing to kill Perrin AybaraPerrin AybaraPerrin 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...
. - LanfearLanfearLanfear is one of the primary antagonists of the Wheel of Time fantasy series by Robert Jordan. She is one of the Forsaken.-Age of Legends:...
(Mierin Eronaile), last seen passing into the twisted door ter'angreal while fighting Moiraine DamodredMoiraine DamodredMoiraine 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:...
. By unknown means returned as Cyndane in a new body (see below) and has since been mindtrapped. - MesaanaMesaanaMesaana is one of the primary antagonists of the Wheel of Time fantasy series by Robert Jordan. She is one of the Forsaken.-Origin:...
(Saine Tarasind), survived an encounter with Egwene al'VereEgwene al'VereEgwene 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...
in Tel'aran'rhoid that left her severely mentally handicapped. Condition is believed to be permanent. - MoghedienMoghedienMoghedien is one of the primary antagonists of the Wheel of Time fantasy series by Robert Jordan. She is one of the Forsaken.- Origin :...
(Lillen Moiral), mindtrapped and Moridin's servant/slave. - SemirhageSemirhageSemirhage is one of the primary antagonists of the Wheel of Time fantasy series by Robert Jordan...
(Nemene Damendar Boann), deceased (killed irrevocably with balefire by Rand al'Thor wielding the True PowerTrue PowerThe True Power is a source of mystical power found in the Wheel of Time books of Robert Jordan. It is similar to the One Power, but differs in some important respects.-Use:...
).
- Graendal
Six more Forsaken were mentioned by Semirhage in Winter's Heart
Winter's Heart
Winter's Heart is the ninth book of the Wheel of Time fantasy series written by American author Robert Jordan. It was published by Tor Books and released on November 7, 2000...
, but they were said to have been destroyed by the Dark One during the War of Power.
"New" Forsaken
As of the end of Knife of DreamsKnife of Dreams
Knife of Dreams is the 11th novel in the fantasy series The Wheel of Time by American author Robert Jordan. It was published by Tor Books in the U.S. and Orbit in the UK and released on October 11, 2005...
, four of the Forsaken who have been killed have been reincarnated by the Dark One. They are, Ishamael, Balthamel, Aginor, and, presumably, Lanfear. Their reincarnated forms do not resemble their former identities at all. For example, Cyndane is described as having silver hair and light-colored eyes, whereas Lanfear possessed dark beauty. The reincarnated form of Cyndane who was once Lanfear is not as strong as she used to be, due to her time spent as a captive of the Aelfinn and Eelfinn
Aelfinn and Eelfinn
Aelfinn and Eelfinn are fictional races in Robert Jordan's The Wheel of Time series.- Aelfinn :The Aelfinn are a race of creatures which are humanoid in form, but with snakelike characteristics. They are described as tall and thin with unnatural grace, having straight black hair and pupils of...
. And Balthamel, a male Forsaken, was reincarnated into a female body, although Aran'gar continues to channel the male half of the True Source.
- Ishamael, reincarnated as Moridin.
- Lanfear, reincarnated as Cyndane; mindtrapped by Moridin.
- Balthamel, reincarnated as Aran'gar, deceased (killed (irrevocably with balefire) again by al'Thor during his attack on Graendal)
- Aginor, reincarnated as Osan'gar, deceased (killed again by Elza Penfell (a Darkfriend) during the cleansing of saidin).
Tracking
- Deceased
- AginorAginorAginor , originally known as Ishar Marrad Chuain, is one of the primary antagonists of the Wheel of Time fantasy series by Robert Jordan. He is one of the Forsaken.-Origin:...
- Killed by Rand al'ThorRand al'ThorRand al'Thor, also known as the Dragon Reborn, is the fictional main character and protagonist of The Wheel of Time, a series of fantasy novels by Robert Jordan.Rand al'Thor has many other titles within the series:... - Aran'gar - Killed by Rand al'ThorRand al'ThorRand al'Thor, also known as the Dragon Reborn, is the fictional main character and protagonist of The Wheel of Time, a series of fantasy novels by Robert Jordan.Rand al'Thor has many other titles within the series:...
by BalefireBalefireBalefire, in the world of the Wheel of Time, is a weapon created with the One Power or with the True Power.-Description:It has only one known weave, and when evoked, summons a blindingly bright beam of "liquid light" that is capable of destroying nearly every known substance... - AsmodeanAsmodeanAsmodean is a major antagonist in the Wheel of Time fantasy series by Robert Jordan.-Age of Legends:...
- Killed by GraendalGraendalGraendal is one of the primary antagonists of the Wheel of Time fantasy series by Robert Jordan. She is one of the Forsaken.-Age of Legends:... - BalthamelBalthamelBalthamel is one of the primary antagonists of the Wheel of Time fantasy series by Robert Jordan. He is one of the Forsaken.-Origin:...
- Killed by the Green ManGreen ManA Green Man is a sculpture, drawing, or other representation of a face surrounded by or made from leaves. Branches or vines may sprout from the nose, mouth, nostrils or other parts of the face and these shoots may bear flowers or fruit... - Be'lalBe'lalBe'lal is one of the primary antagonists of the The Wheel of Time fantasy series by Robert Jordan. He is one of the Forsaken.- Origins :...
- Killed by Moiraine DamodredMoiraine DamodredMoiraine 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:...
by BalefireBalefireBalefire, in the world of the Wheel of Time, is a weapon created with the One Power or with the True Power.-Description:It has only one known weave, and when evoked, summons a blindingly bright beam of "liquid light" that is capable of destroying nearly every known substance... - LanfearLanfearLanfear is one of the primary antagonists of the Wheel of Time fantasy series by Robert Jordan. She is one of the Forsaken.-Age of Legends:...
- Killed by the Aelfin & Eelfin - Osan'gar - Killed by Elza Penfell
- RahvinRahvinRahvin is one of the primary antagonists of The Wheel of Time fantasy series by Robert Jordan. He is one of the Forsaken.-Origin:...
- Killed by Rand al'ThorRand al'ThorRand al'Thor, also known as the Dragon Reborn, is the fictional main character and protagonist of The Wheel of Time, a series of fantasy novels by Robert Jordan.Rand al'Thor has many other titles within the series:...
by BalefireBalefireBalefire, in the world of the Wheel of Time, is a weapon created with the One Power or with the True Power.-Description:It has only one known weave, and when evoked, summons a blindingly bright beam of "liquid light" that is capable of destroying nearly every known substance... - IshamaelIshamaelIshamael is one of the primary antagonists of the Wheel of Time fantasy series by Robert Jordan. He is one of the Forsaken...
- Killed by Rand al'ThorRand al'ThorRand al'Thor, also known as the Dragon Reborn, is the fictional main character and protagonist of The Wheel of Time, a series of fantasy novels by Robert Jordan.Rand al'Thor has many other titles within the series:... - SammaelSammaelSammael is one of the primary antagonists of The Wheel of Time fantasy series by Robert Jordan. He is one of the Forsaken.-Origins:...
- Killed by MashadarMashadarMashadar is a malicious, though unintelligent, entity lurking within the depths of Shadar Logoth in the Wheel of Time series by Robert Jordan.... - SemirhageSemirhageSemirhage is one of the primary antagonists of the Wheel of Time fantasy series by Robert Jordan...
- Killed by Rand al'ThorRand al'ThorRand al'Thor, also known as the Dragon Reborn, is the fictional main character and protagonist of The Wheel of Time, a series of fantasy novels by Robert Jordan.Rand al'Thor has many other titles within the series:...
by BalefireBalefireBalefire, in the world of the Wheel of Time, is a weapon created with the One Power or with the True Power.-Description:It has only one known weave, and when evoked, summons a blindingly bright beam of "liquid light" that is capable of destroying nearly every known substance...
- Aginor
- Alive
- Cyndane - Reincarnated Lanfear. Mindtrapped by Moridin
- DemandredDemandredDemandred is one of the primary antagonists of the Wheel of Time fantasy series by Robert Jordan. He is one of the Forsaken.-Origin:...
- Whereabouts unknown - GraendalGraendalGraendal is one of the primary antagonists of the Wheel of Time fantasy series by Robert Jordan. She is one of the Forsaken.-Age of Legends:...
- Enduring "punishment" by Shaidar HaranShaidar HaranShaidar Haran is a fictional character in the Wheel of Time series by Robert Jordan.In the Old Tongue Shaidar Haran means "Hand of the Dark". He looks like a Myrddraal but is much taller and seems to have a sense of humor. Whereas most Myrddraal wear all black robes, Shaidar Haran has been known... - MesaanaMesaanaMesaana is one of the primary antagonists of the Wheel of Time fantasy series by Robert Jordan. She is one of the Forsaken.-Origin:...
- Alive, but out of the game due to destroyed mental state - MoghedienMoghedienMoghedien is one of the primary antagonists of the Wheel of Time fantasy series by Robert Jordan. She is one of the Forsaken.- Origin :...
- Mindtrapped by Moridin - Moridin - Reincarnated Ishamael. Lord of the Evening