Lews Therin Telamon
Encyclopedia
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 epithet Kinslayer.
," much of the information concerning Lews Therin Telamon comes from the prologue of The Eye of the World
and Robert Jordan's short story The Strike at Shayol Ghul. Lews Therin Telamon was the leader of the Aes Sedai
during the Age of Legends, the man who sat on the High Seat of the Hall of the Servants. He wore the Ring of Tamyrlin and summoned the Nine Rods of Dominion. Also known as the Lord of the Morning, Prince of the Dawn, he came to be known as the Dragon
during the War of Power. The most powerful man of his time, he was chosen to lead the Ogier
, the human warmen, and the Aes Sedai
in their fight against the Shadow. He was married to Ilyena Therin Moerelle and before the War of Power, he was involved with Mierin Eronaile
, who after he spurned her affections, became one of the Forsaken
. He was the most famous man of his age, and earned his third name Telamon
because of his accomplishments.
He led the Hundred Companions to win the War of the Shadow by resealing the Dark One
away in his prison in Shayol Ghul
. However, the Dark One's counterstroke caused a taint to be placed upon saidin, the male half of the One Power. This taint caused Lews Therin and the remaining members of the Hundred Companions to go insane
on the instant, causing chaos with the One Power. Eventually all the other male Aes Sedai
became mad also. The immediate effect was that Lews Therin killed his wife Ilyena, everyone who carried a drop of his blood, and everyone he loved thus becoming known as the Kinslayer. The eventual effect was the Breaking of the World, caused by the insane male Aes Sedai and the end of the Age of Legends.
Ishamael
, once named Elan Morin Tedronai and a theologian who was the only man in the world with strength in the Power equal to Lews Therin's (the rest of the male forsaken being trapped inside the Bore), used the True Power
to briefly heal Lews Therin Telamon of his madness, allowing him to see that he had killed his wife and all of his loved ones in his madness, as well as letting him realize that Ishamael has defeated him and was now greater than he. This led Lews Therin Telamon to obliterating himself by drawing too much of the One Power, creating Dragonmount in the process. Rand al'Thor
was born on its slopes, 3000 years later. At the time of his death he is described as being tall with dark eyes, and brown hair turning white. His face is lined with worry. He was four hundred years old when he died.
That Rand is indeed Lews Therin's soul reborn into a new body was never in question, nor was the fact that Lews Therin is insane, as is made apparent by his communication with Rand al'Thor. Rand himself suffers from spells of anger and fatalism. However, Lews Therin is also able to show Rand new uses of the One Power
, and it is debatable whether Rand could be inventing these (often in the heat of battle) on his own. He has also developed skills and talents that Lews Therin possessed, such as drawing. Others in the series who have had previous lives do not display the ability to speak with those lives (though a few characters have memories from prior lives). It is implied by Cadsuane that men who are being driven mad by the taint on saidin often hear voices in their heads (confirmed by Semirhage
, who adds that the voices are sometimes real and that when they are, it is more difficult to treat the person afflicted). These voices may be a psychological manifestation of memories and "feisty urges" from previous lives, taking the form of voices, as the men's minds attempt to separate the previous life's memories from those of the soul's current life. It could also be due to the nature of the taint of saidin, a possible by-product of the Dark One's backlash. Most likely a true voice, he has often helped Rand to understand both saidin and the Forsaken. Also, his voice has commented on previous "conversations."
Rand is often at odds with Lews Therin, often correcting him when he accepts Rand's memories as his own or claims ownership of Rand's list of women who died because of him. However, during the final chapter of The Gathering Storm
, Rand is confronted by an existential crisis upon seeing the invading Seanchan have been far more successful at providing peace and stability than he has. Confused, he flees to Dragonmount, directed by Lews Therin. After questioning his role in the world for hours, Rand draws enough of the One Power to destroy the world. It is Lews Therin who provides the answers to Rand's questions: being bound to the Pattern is not a curse, but a blessing because it gives Rand a second chance to do things right. With that, Rand realises that Lews Therin and himself were always the same person, and that he denied his memories for the guilt of killing Ilyena.
Fictional character
A character is the representation of a person in a narrative work of art . Derived from the ancient Greek word kharaktêr , the earliest use in English, in this sense, dates from the Restoration, although it became widely used after its appearance in Tom Jones in 1749. From this, the sense of...
in Robert Jordan
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 The 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. He was the Dragon
Dragon (Wheel of Time)
In the fictional Wheel of Time fantasy series by Robert Jordan, the Dragon is the champion of the Light and the Creator against the evil Dark One. Although the Dark One was imprisoned by the Creator at the moment of creation, he continually seeks to break free of his prison. In each Age, 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 epithet Kinslayer.
Before The Eye of the World
In "The Wheel of TimeThe 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...
," much of the information concerning Lews Therin Telamon comes from the prologue of The Eye of the World
The Eye of the World
The Eye of the World is the first book of The Wheel of Time fantasy series written by American author Robert Jordan. It was published by Tor Books and released on January 15, 1990. The unabridged audio book is read by Michael Kramer and Kate Reading...
and Robert Jordan's short story The Strike at Shayol Ghul. Lews Therin Telamon was the leader of the 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...
during the Age of Legends, the man who sat on the High Seat of the Hall of the Servants. He wore the Ring of Tamyrlin and summoned the Nine Rods of Dominion. Also known as the Lord of the Morning, Prince of the Dawn, he came to be known as the Dragon
Dragon (Wheel of Time)
In the fictional Wheel of Time fantasy series by Robert Jordan, the Dragon is the champion of the Light and the Creator against the evil Dark One. Although the Dark One was imprisoned by the Creator at the moment of creation, he continually seeks to break free of his prison. In each Age, the Dragon...
during the War of Power. The most powerful man of his time, he was chosen to lead the Ogier
Ogier (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...
, the human warmen, and the 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...
in their fight against the Shadow. He was married to Ilyena Therin Moerelle and before the War of Power, he was involved with Mierin Eronaile
Lanfear
Lanfear 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:...
, who after he spurned her affections, became one of the Forsaken
Forsaken (Wheel of Time)
In the fictional world of Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time fantasy series, the Forsaken 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...
. He was the most famous man of his age, and earned his third name Telamon
Telamon
In Greek mythology, Telamon , son of the king Aeacus, of Aegina, and Endeis and brother of Peleus, accompanied Jason as one of his Argonauts, and was present at the hunt for the Calydonian Boar. In the Iliad he was the father of Greek heroes Ajax the Great and Teucer the Archer by different...
because of his accomplishments.
He led the Hundred Companions to win the War of the Shadow by resealing 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,...
away in his prison in 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...
. However, the Dark One's counterstroke caused a taint to be placed upon saidin, the male half of the One Power. This taint caused Lews Therin and the remaining members of the Hundred Companions to go insane
Insanity
Insanity, craziness or madness is a spectrum of behaviors characterized by certain abnormal mental or behavioral patterns. Insanity may manifest as violations of societal norms, including becoming a danger to themselves and others, though not all such acts are considered insanity...
on the instant, causing chaos with the One Power. Eventually all the other male 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...
became mad also. The immediate effect was that Lews Therin killed his wife Ilyena, everyone who carried a drop of his blood, and everyone he loved thus becoming known as the Kinslayer. The eventual effect was the Breaking of the World, caused by the insane male Aes Sedai and the end of the Age of Legends.
Ishamael
Ishamael
Ishamael is one of the primary antagonists of the Wheel of Time fantasy series by Robert Jordan. He is one of the Forsaken...
, once named Elan Morin Tedronai and a theologian who was the only man in the world with strength in the Power equal to Lews Therin's (the rest of the male forsaken being trapped inside the Bore), used the True Power
True Power
The 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:...
to briefly heal Lews Therin Telamon of his madness, allowing him to see that he had killed his wife and all of his loved ones in his madness, as well as letting him realize that Ishamael has defeated him and was now greater than he. This led Lews Therin Telamon to obliterating himself by drawing too much of the One Power, creating Dragonmount in the process. Rand al'Thor
Rand al'Thor
Rand 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:...
was born on its slopes, 3000 years later. At the time of his death he is described as being tall with dark eyes, and brown hair turning white. His face is lined with worry. He was four hundred years old when he died.
Appearance in the current storyline
In the latter books of the series, Rand al'Thor hears the voice of Lews Therin in his head. There has been some speculation by readers as to the nature of this voice, with some evidence indicating that Rand is slowly being driven mad by the taint on Saidin, and other indications suggesting that Rand really is somehow communicating with Lews Therin. The voice of Lews Therin occasionally complains that Rand al'Thor is a voice in his head, suggesting that Lews Therin does not know/does not want to acknowledge that he is dead.That Rand is indeed Lews Therin's soul reborn into a new body was never in question, nor was the fact that Lews Therin is insane, as is made apparent by his communication with Rand al'Thor. Rand himself suffers from spells of anger and fatalism. However, Lews Therin is also able to show Rand new uses of 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 it is debatable whether Rand could be inventing these (often in the heat of battle) on his own. He has also developed skills and talents that Lews Therin possessed, such as drawing. Others in the series who have had previous lives do not display the ability to speak with those lives (though a few characters have memories from prior lives). It is implied by Cadsuane that men who are being driven mad by the taint on saidin often hear voices in their heads (confirmed by Semirhage
Semirhage
Semirhage is one of the primary antagonists of the Wheel of Time fantasy series by Robert Jordan...
, who adds that the voices are sometimes real and that when they are, it is more difficult to treat the person afflicted). These voices may be a psychological manifestation of memories and "feisty urges" from previous lives, taking the form of voices, as the men's minds attempt to separate the previous life's memories from those of the soul's current life. It could also be due to the nature of the taint of saidin, a possible by-product of the Dark One's backlash. Most likely a true voice, he has often helped Rand to understand both saidin and the Forsaken. Also, his voice has commented on previous "conversations."
Rand is often at odds with Lews Therin, often correcting him when he accepts Rand's memories as his own or claims ownership of Rand's list of women who died because of him. However, during the final chapter of The Gathering Storm
The Gathering Storm (novel)
The Gathering Storm is the 12th book of the fantasy series The Wheel of Time. It was incomplete when its author, Robert Jordan, died on September 16, 2007, from cardiac amyloidosis...
, Rand is confronted by an existential crisis upon seeing the invading Seanchan have been far more successful at providing peace and stability than he has. Confused, he flees to Dragonmount, directed by Lews Therin. After questioning his role in the world for hours, Rand draws enough of the One Power to destroy the world. It is Lews Therin who provides the answers to Rand's questions: being bound to the Pattern is not a curse, but a blessing because it gives Rand a second chance to do things right. With that, Rand realises that Lews Therin and himself were always the same person, and that he denied his memories for the guilt of killing Ilyena.