Rand al'Thor
Encyclopedia
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 novel
s by Robert Jordan
.
Rand al'Thor has many other titles within the series:
) with a physique said to be typical of the Aiel. As a result of events at the end of the Knife of Dreams
, Rand has lost his left hand just below the wrist. In his side he has two wounds that will not heal; a round wound from Ishamael
received in the sky over Toman Head, with a slash overtop it from Padan Fain
's tainted dagger received in the foothills of the Spine of the World near Cairhien
.
and Keeper of the Chronicles
, who died from the sheer force of Foretelling his birth. Her Foretelling of his birth was: "He is born again! I feel him! The Dragon takes his first breath on the slope of Dragonmount! He is coming! He is coming! Light help us! Light help the world! He lies in the snow and cries like the thunder! He burns like the sun!"
Rand was born on the last day of the Blood Snow in 978 NE, on the slopes of Dragonmount
as prophesied. He was born to Tigraine Mantear, the former Daughter-Heir of Andor
who had fled to the Aiel Waste
to become a Maiden of the Spear, a woman warrior of the Aiel people. She had been convinced to flee by Gitara Moroso, who said the world would be doomed if she did not. Tigraine, who renamed herself Shaiel, died shortly after giving birth. Galad, the son she left behind, is Rand's older half brother. His father was Janduin, an Aiel clan chief (the youngest in memory), who led the Shaarad, Reyn, Nakai and Taardad clans to kill King Laman Damodred of Cairhien
for his sin. When he heard Shaiel had died, he relinquished his leadership and went off to the Great Blight to fight Trollocs. Janduin was later killed by his brother in law, Luc, who looked so much like Tigraine that Janduin would not lift a hand against him. Rand was found by Tam al'Thor
, an Andoran man who had joined the Illianer army and fought at the Blood Snow. He and his new wife, Kari al'Thor, took Rand back to Tam's home village, Emond's Field.
and Perrin Aybara
) is Ta'veren
- a person around whom the Pattern is woven. It is frequently shown that strangely improbable events happen around the three of them, and especially so when more than one is gathered. Rand is an even stronger Ta'veren than Artur Hawkwing (widely regarded as the strongest Ta'veren in recorded history) and signs of this manifest wherever he stays - freakish deaths and laughably improbable accidents are common around wherever he happens to be, but are always balanced by unexpected good fortune of equal magnitude. In Book 12 (The Gathering Storm), Rand's ta'veren 'balance' appears not to be functioning, as only negative ta'veren effects are noticed. This is most likely caused by Rand's descent into a very cold emotional state, as the health of the Dragon is said to be physically linked to the health of the world. This changes in the Towers of Midnight (book 13) with only positive ta'veren effects are noticed with food becoming unspoiled and breaks in the clouds appearing near him, suggesting that it was Rand's own darkness and not the Dark One's that was causing the negative effects.
and Mat Cauthon
), his childhood sweetheart Egwene al'Vere
and the gleeman Thom Merrilin
were led out of Emond's Field by Aes Sedai Moiraine Damodred
and her Warder, al'Lan Mandragoran (the group is eventually joined by Emonds Field's wisdom, Nynaeve al'Meara). Lan began teaching Rand the sword; he has since achieved a blademaster's level of skill, though not officially recognized; while he did defeat the Seanchan Blademaster High Lord Turak in single combat, he was not formally awarded his blade and has not been authoritatively referred to as a Blademaster since. Along with Loial
the Ogier and Nynaeve al'Meara
, Moiraine led them to the Eye of the World in the Blight. Rand was exposed to the Eye's well of pure, uncorrupted saidin and engaged in conflict with the Forsaken
Aginor
. Aginor was reduced to ash by drawing upon an excessive amount of the One Power
, and Rand himself discovered, to his terror, that he was himself able to channel saidin. It is revealed to the reader that Rand is the Dragon Reborn
following these events, which ended the first book. He did not believe this when told, but after the Horn of Valere
was stolen, Rand, Mat, Perrin and Loial accompanied Lord Ingtar and the Shienarians to reclaim it. At the Battle of Falme, Rand and Ba'alzamon fought in the sky. Rand stabbed Ba'alzamon in the heart, but was severely and forever wounded himself by a blow struck by Ba'alzamon, melting off the majority of his Aes Sedai forged sword made with the Power in the War of the Shadow. He was proclaimed Dragon Reborn after his victory.
, and the Shienarians. Rand did not accept his fate. He journeyed to Tear
alone, deciding this quest would end or begin his life. In the Stone of Tear, he took the blade Callandor, the Sword That Cannot Be Touched, and fulfilled a major prophecy, affirming his identity as Dragon Reborn in the minds of many, not least of all his own. He then set out with Mat, Egwene and Moiraine to the Waste, seeking the endorsement of the Aiel as their Car'a'carn, literally a "chief of chiefs". In pursuit of this end, he traveled to Rhuidean, where he learned the true origins of the Aiel. With the help of the female Forsaken Lanfear
, he trapped Asmodean
while there, and forced the male Forsaken
to teach him how to use saidin. After succeeding in being accepted as the Car'a'carn, he led the Aiel out of the Waste and took Cairhien
and Caemlyn, killing the male Forsaken Rahvin
.
. He escaped by destroying his captors' shields, and in some cases, stilling them (cutting them off from the Source), at the horrific battle at Dumai's Wells. He has since forced or persuaded many Aes Sedai on both sides to swear fealty to him. He captured Illian with the help of Davram Bashere
, and was crowned its king, re-naming Illian's Laurel Crown the Crown of Swords. Mazrim Taim
, a former false Dragon, has aided Rand by establishing the Black Tower, which trains men to channel, becoming Asha'man
. However, it is revealed that Mazrim Taim is a liar and is planning something big, which is slowly revealed through the 10th and 11th books. The Black Tower is Rand's answer to the White Tower. Taim has begun to style himself "the M'Hael", leader of the Tower, although his true intentions have yet to be revealed; it is speculated he is a Darkfriend (this is supported by his using of the phrase, "Let the Lord of Chaos rule," which is a command from the Dark One), although it has been stated by the author that he is not Demandred (a favorite theory among many readers).
; Elayne Trakand
, Queen of Andor; and Aviendha
of the Nine Valleys sept of the Taardad Aiel
. Elayne is pregnant with his twins who are predicted by Min's fate-reading ability to be a boy and girl. The prediction, while known to the reader is unknown to the characters, as Birgitte, Aviendha, and Min herself have forgotten it due to their excessive drinking that night. Min has also seen that Aviendha will give birth to four of Rand's children at the same time, although she has not told anyone.
of the Green Ajah, and Sorilea, an Aiel Wise One. They have pledged to teach him "laughter and tears", though in different ways, as Rand has conditioned himself not to feel emotion by reciting the names of all the women who have died directly because of his actions over and over to himself, forcing himself to become harder and harder, or as he puts it, "harder than steel". He believes he must be hard; others think he is becoming cruel and bitter, and Cadsuane and Sorilea believe that in his current state his victory will be as bleak as losing. In The Gathering Storm
, Rand banishes Cadsuane from his sight for failing to keep the male a'dam from falling into the wrong hands. The only Aes Sedai that Rand allows near him and trusts, to some extent at least, is Nynaeve, because she "cares for him when he cannot". He also becomes increasingly difficult to advise due to his fixation on not being manipulated.
owing to events in Lord of Chaos, when he was trapped in a box by Aes Sedai sent by Elaida, taken out only to be beaten daily.
Finally, it is interesting to note that as the books have progressed, he has become less involved in the narrative, though he remains the central character. Book 3, The Dragon Reborn
, was in fact told almost exclusively from the points-of-view of Mat Cauthon, Perrin Aybara, and Egwene al'Vere, despite the fact that it is undoubtedly about Rand (all three parties eventually follow him to Tear and are present when he pulls the sword Callandor from the Stone and proclaims himself the Dragon Reborn), and the following books have continued in following the adventures of other characters besides Rand, to such a degree at times that in the tenth book, Crossroads of Twilight
, Rand only appears in two chapters and the epilogue.
Over the course of the series, in accordance with the Prophecies of the Dragon Reborn, Rand has had both of his palms branded with herons, has acquired metallic Dragon tattoos on both of his arms, and has lost his left hand below the wrist.
The most dramatic changes to his personality occurred in The Gathering Storm
. After an encounter with Semirhage, a dark aura is even observed by many of his followers out of the corner of their eyes, and his ta'veren twisting of the Pattern favors bad luck exclusively (food spoils, random deaths occur, etc). However, after Towers of Midnight, and the end of The Gathering Storm, people start to see a lightness around him that has replaced the darkness. His ta'veren twisting of the Pattern begins to favor good luck exclusively (food unspoiling, trees growing, clouds and storms breaking, etc).
Another change throughout the series is how Rand is able to channel saidin. In the Eye of the World, Moiraine theorized that Rand channeled unknowingly to save his friends throughout the novel. Rand's first experience with channeling that he recognizes as such comes when he battles two Foresaken (and Ishamael, subsequently) at the actual Eye of the World at that book's conclusion. From then until the cleansing of saidin, Rand experiences great discomfort from drawing on the One Power, including feeling disgusted by the taint, and describing the One Power as sickening to hold, yet blissful to use. Over the course of the series, his symptoms worsen, leading to physical dizziness and nausea when he seizes saidin, as well as beginning to hear Lew's Therin's voice in his head. These problems persist even after cleansing the taint.
In a fit of rage upon discovering he is being manipulated by Cadsuane, through his father Tam al'Thor, he very nearly unleashes the One Power on Tam. Realizing what he is doing, he flees to the tip of Dragonmount, and proceeds to think about what he's doing to himself, and what it means for the world. He questions the meaning of his life, and why humanity is doomed to be rewoven into the Pattern, trapped for the endless turning of the Wheel of Time.
He comes very close to using the Choedan Kal to destroy the Wheel and end the reweaving of the Pattern. The voice of Lews Therin speaks to him, and helps him realize they were spun into the Pattern again and again to be given another chance to love. A chance to undo the mistakes of their past lives. Moreover a chance to do it right this time around. Upon this realization Rand finally laughs, dispersing the unnatural clouds that have been in the sky throughout the book, shining a tiny glimmer of hope on his fate at Tarmon Gai'don
.
. Although there are other known cases of rebirth (such as Birgitte Silverbow and Gaidal Cain, and the rest of the legendary heroes), only Rand al'Thor's rebirth has been foreseen. He is the rebirth of Lews Therin Telamon
, a male Aes Sedai from the Age of Legends who gained prominence during the War of Power as the Dragon
, the leader of the Forces of Light against the Shadow during the War of Power. This is why al'Thor is generally known as the Dragon Reborn.
Other evidence is showcased in the prologue to The Eye of the World
: Ishamael
comments that he and Lews Therin have battled each other since the dawn of mankind countless times, suggesting that the Dragon is a prominent figure every time the War of Power occurs.
Rand hears Lews Therin's voice in his head, something that does not normally occur with reincarnation. In fact, at the end of the 11th novel, Semirhage
informs him and those present that Rand is insane, and that his condition is beyond repair and all who have had former lives speaking in their heads have been driven to insanity. However, the Forsaken, including both Semirhage and Ishamael (who was thought to have died) lie habitually so the validity of this statement is uncertain. By the end of the 12th book, Rand seems to come to terms with the voice of Lews Therin, and does not mention hearing it again afterwards.
, as one prophecy is "His blood on the rocks of Shayol Ghul
." Nicola, a novice with the gift of foretelling, foretold, "The lion sword, the dedicated spear, she who sees beyond. Three on the boat, and he who is dead yet lives. The great battle done, but the world not done with battle. The land divided by the return, and the guardians balance the servants. The future teeters on the edge of a blade." The lion sword is Elayne, the dedicated spear Aviendha and she who sees beyond Min. He who is dead yet lives is Rand (this is confirmed by a dream Bair and Melaine had of Rand in a boat with three women they could not see and a scale tilting).Great Battle may refer to the Last Battle (Tarmon Gai'don
), or a large battle leading up to the final confrontation with the Dark One. The return could be the Corenne. The guardians refer to the Asha'man (meaning Guardians in the Old Tongue); the servants, to Aes Sedai (Servants of All in the Old Tongue). However, if he dies at Tarmon' Gaidon, he will have a son, daughter and four other children by Elayne and Aviendha. It is unknown if he and Min shall have children together. Although, if Tarmon Gai'don
is lost, Min's visions will mean nothing since time itself will die, and all be under the control of the Dark One
.
It has also been hinted that Rand will become blind; Perrin saw him through a 'window' in Tel'aran'rhiod with a bandage across his eyes, while looking at him, Tuon thought "He didn't seem blinded yet, so that had yet to happen", and Min saw a white-hot iron as part of a viewing of him, which suggests that he will be tortured and lose his eyes. This may not be so, however, for the quote from The Prophecies of the Dragon after the epilogue in The Gathering Storm quotes that "the blind man shall stand upon his own grave. There, he shall see again." This quote seems to refer to Rand's apparent blindness in his attempts to become "steel" or "cuendillar," and his new enlightened view of life after contemplation on Dragonmount (Lews Therin's grave), and also is the quote that Tuon was referring to.
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...
, is the fictional main character and protagonist
Protagonist
A protagonist is the main character of a literary, theatrical, cinematic, or musical narrative, around whom the events of the narrative's plot revolve and with whom the audience is intended to most identify...
of 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...
, a series of fantasy novel
Novel
A novel is a book of long narrative in literary prose. The genre has historical roots both in the fields of the medieval and early modern romance and in the tradition of the novella. The latter supplied the present generic term in the late 18th century....
s by 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...
.
Rand al'Thor has many other titles within the series:
- among Wetlanders: The Dragon Reborn, Lord of the Morning, Prince of the Dawn, True Defender of the Light
- among the AielAielIn Robert Jordan's fantasy series The Wheel of Time, the Aiel are a race of people. They live between the "wetlanders" in the west and the Sharans in the east, in a desert which the Aiel call The Three-fold Land and which everyone else calls the Aiel Waste. They have earned a reputation as skilled...
: He Who Comes with the Dawn, Car'a'carn (Chief of Chiefs) - among the Atha'an MiereAtha'an MiereThe Atha'an Miere are a fictional group of people in Robert Jordan's series of fantasy novels, The Wheel of Time.The Atha'an Miere, called the Sea Folk by commoners, are a group of people with complex customs that live on ships and on islands in the Sea of Storms. They only showed up on the...
(Sea Folk): Coramoor (The Chosen One) - among wolves: Shadowkiller
Description
Rand is depicted as having gray or blue (interchanging) eyes and reddish hair and is good looking. He is about 6'5" or 6'6" (196–197 cm) (as described by Robert JordanRobert 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...
) with a physique said to be typical of the Aiel. As a result of events at the end of the Knife of Dreams
Knife 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...
, Rand has lost his left hand just below the wrist. In his side he has two wounds that will not heal; a round wound from 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...
received in the sky over Toman Head, with a slash overtop it from Padan Fain
Padan Fain
Padan Fain is one of the primary antagonists of The Wheel of Time fantasy series by Robert Jordan.-Peddler and Darkfriend:Padan Fain was a peddler, who became a Darkfriend in his twenties, for the promise of immortality...
's tainted dagger received in the foothills of the Spine of the World near Cairhien
Cairhien
Cairhien is a country set in Robert Jordan's The Wheel of Time series of fantasy fiction novels. Cairhien is located in the east central part of The Westlands, on the east it borders with the Spine of the World. The sign of Cairhien is a golden sun rising on a field of deep blue...
.
Birth
His birth was heralded by Gitara Moroso, Aes SedaiAes 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...
and Keeper of the Chronicles
Keeper of the Chronicles
Keeper of the Chronicles is a fictional title that exists in Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time Series.Although second in authority to the Amyrlin, the Keeper of the Chronicles has no real authority over Aes Sedai, except what the Amyrlin Seat chooses to give her. She also acts as the Amyrlin's...
, who died from the sheer force of Foretelling his birth. Her Foretelling of his birth was: "He is born again! I feel him! The Dragon takes his first breath on the slope of Dragonmount! He is coming! He is coming! Light help us! Light help the world! He lies in the snow and cries like the thunder! He burns like the sun!"
Rand was born on the last day of the Blood Snow in 978 NE, on the slopes of Dragonmount
Dragonmount
Dragonmount is a fictional location in Robert Jordan's The Wheel of Time series of novels. It is a colossal mountain in the vicinity of the island-city of Tar Valon, close enough that its shadow brushes the city each evening....
as prophesied. He was born to Tigraine Mantear, the former Daughter-Heir of Andor
Andor (Wheel of Time)
Andor is a country set in Robert Jordan's The Wheel of Time series of fantasy fiction novels.Andor is one of the strongest countries in the Westlands of the main continent. It is located in the middle of the Westlands, and is one of the largest nations...
who had fled to the Aiel Waste
Aiel Waste
In the fictional world of Robert Jordan's The Wheel of Time, the Aiel Waste is an almost waterless desert that had no inhabited cities until Rand al'Thor opened Rhuidean to all. The Aiel also call the Waste the Three-Fold Land....
to become a Maiden of the Spear, a woman warrior of the Aiel people. She had been convinced to flee by Gitara Moroso, who said the world would be doomed if she did not. Tigraine, who renamed herself Shaiel, died shortly after giving birth. Galad, the son she left behind, is Rand's older half brother. His father was Janduin, an Aiel clan chief (the youngest in memory), who led the Shaarad, Reyn, Nakai and Taardad clans to kill King Laman Damodred of Cairhien
Cairhien
Cairhien is a country set in Robert Jordan's The Wheel of Time series of fantasy fiction novels. Cairhien is located in the east central part of The Westlands, on the east it borders with the Spine of the World. The sign of Cairhien is a golden sun rising on a field of deep blue...
for his sin. When he heard Shaiel had died, he relinquished his leadership and went off to the Great Blight to fight Trollocs. Janduin was later killed by his brother in law, Luc, who looked so much like Tigraine that Janduin would not lift a hand against him. Rand was found by Tam al'Thor
Tam al'Thor
Tam al'Thor is a secondary character in Robert Jordan's fantasy series The Wheel of Time. He is the adoptive father of the Dragon Reborn, Rand al'Thor. He is a resident of the Two Rivers in Andor and a tabac and wool farmer. His farm is located just outside Emond's Field on the edges of the westwood...
, an Andoran man who had joined the Illianer army and fought at the Blood Snow. He and his new wife, Kari al'Thor, took Rand back to Tam's home village, Emond's Field.
Ta'veren
It is revealed by Moiraine that Rand (like his friends Mat CauthonMat Cauthon
Matrim "Mat" Cauthon is a fictional character in Robert Jordan's fantasy series The Wheel of Time. He is one of the primary protagonists and has moved over the course of the series from his beginnings as a mischievous farm lad into the role of a powerful, shrewd and successful general and...
and 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...
) is Ta'veren
Ta'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...
- a person around whom the Pattern is woven. It is frequently shown that strangely improbable events happen around the three of them, and especially so when more than one is gathered. Rand is an even stronger Ta'veren than Artur Hawkwing (widely regarded as the strongest Ta'veren in recorded history) and signs of this manifest wherever he stays - freakish deaths and laughably improbable accidents are common around wherever he happens to be, but are always balanced by unexpected good fortune of equal magnitude. In Book 12 (The Gathering Storm), Rand's ta'veren 'balance' appears not to be functioning, as only negative ta'veren effects are noticed. This is most likely caused by Rand's descent into a very cold emotional state, as the health of the Dragon is said to be physically linked to the health of the world. This changes in the Towers of Midnight (book 13) with only positive ta'veren effects are noticed with food becoming unspoiled and breaks in the clouds appearing near him, suggesting that it was Rand's own darkness and not the Dark One's that was causing the negative effects.
Winternight
On Winternight, 998 NE, Trollocs attacked Emond's Field. Rand, his two friends (Perrin AybaraPerrin 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 Mat Cauthon
Mat Cauthon
Matrim "Mat" Cauthon is a fictional character in Robert Jordan's fantasy series The Wheel of Time. He is one of the primary protagonists and has moved over the course of the series from his beginnings as a mischievous farm lad into the role of a powerful, shrewd and successful general and...
), his childhood sweetheart Egwene al'Vere
Egwene 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...
and the gleeman Thom Merrilin
Thom Merrilin
Thomdril "Thom" Merrilin is one of the main characters of the Wheel of Time fantasy series by Robert Jordan.Not much of his early life is known, although he was Bard to the young Lady Morgase of House Trakand. He helped her ascend to the throne of Andor and became her Court Bard, and was renowned...
were led out of Emond's Field by Aes Sedai 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:...
and her Warder, al'Lan Mandragoran (the group is eventually joined by Emonds Field's wisdom, Nynaeve al'Meara). Lan began teaching Rand the sword; he has since achieved a blademaster's level of skill, though not officially recognized; while he did defeat the Seanchan Blademaster High Lord Turak in single combat, he was not formally awarded his blade and has not been authoritatively referred to as a Blademaster since. Along with Loial
Loial
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...
the Ogier and Nynaeve al'Meara
Nynaeve al'Meara
Nynaeve al'Meara is one of the main characters of The Wheel of Time fantasy series by Robert Jordan.-Personality:Nynaeve's personality often runs a gamut of emotions, meek at times before more experienced women but also able to stand up and run down others. While she will deny it, Nynaeve is...
, Moiraine led them to the Eye of the World in the Blight. Rand was exposed to the Eye's well of pure, uncorrupted saidin and engaged in conflict with the Forsaken
Forsaken
Forsaken or The Forsaken may refer to:In gaming:* Forsaken , a first person shooting video game similar to Descent* Forsaken , a series of World of Warcraft machinima produced by Edgeworks Entertainment...
Aginor
Aginor
Aginor , 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:...
. Aginor was reduced to ash by drawing upon an excessive amount 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 Rand himself discovered, to his terror, that he was himself able to channel saidin. It is revealed to the reader that Rand is the Dragon Reborn
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...
following these events, which ended the first book. He did not believe this when told, but after the Horn of Valere
Horn of Valere
The Horn of Valere is a fictional object in Robert Jordan's fantasy series The Wheel of Time. It is a horn that is able to call the heroes that are linked to it back from the grave. Sounding the Horn bonds the horn to its sounder. Until that person's death, only he can use the Horn of Valere to...
was stolen, Rand, Mat, Perrin and Loial accompanied Lord Ingtar and the Shienarians to reclaim it. At the Battle of Falme, Rand and Ba'alzamon fought in the sky. Rand stabbed Ba'alzamon in the heart, but was severely and forever wounded himself by a blow struck by Ba'alzamon, melting off the majority of his Aes Sedai forged sword made with the Power in the War of the Shadow. He was proclaimed Dragon Reborn after his victory.
Prophecy
That winter, he camped with Moiraine, Perrin, Min 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...
, and the Shienarians. Rand did not accept his fate. He journeyed to Tear
Tear (Wheel of Time)
In the fictional world of Robert Jordan's fantasy series The Wheel of Time, Tear is one of the richest nations in the land. This comes in part from controlling the greatest port on the Sea of Storms, at the mouth of the River Erinin. A great deal of Tear's wealth comes from the oil produced on the...
alone, deciding this quest would end or begin his life. In the Stone of Tear, he took the blade Callandor, the Sword That Cannot Be Touched, and fulfilled a major prophecy, affirming his identity as Dragon Reborn in the minds of many, not least of all his own. He then set out with Mat, Egwene and Moiraine to the Waste, seeking the endorsement of the Aiel as their Car'a'carn, literally a "chief of chiefs". In pursuit of this end, he traveled to Rhuidean, where he learned the true origins of the Aiel. With the help of the female Forsaken Lanfear
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:...
, he trapped Asmodean
Asmodean
Asmodean is a major antagonist in the Wheel of Time fantasy series by Robert Jordan.-Age of Legends:...
while there, and forced the male 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...
to teach him how to use saidin. After succeeding in being accepted as the Car'a'carn, he led the Aiel out of the Waste and took Cairhien
Cairhien
Cairhien is a country set in Robert Jordan's The Wheel of Time series of fantasy fiction novels. Cairhien is located in the east central part of The Westlands, on the east it borders with the Spine of the World. The sign of Cairhien is a golden sun rising on a field of deep blue...
and Caemlyn, killing the male Forsaken Rahvin
Rahvin
Rahvin is one of the primary antagonists of The Wheel of Time fantasy series by Robert Jordan. He is one of the Forsaken.-Origin:...
.
Black Tower
He was then approached by embassies from Elaida and from the Salidar faction. Elaida's embassy kidnapped and shielded him from the One Power. They forced him into a box and tortured him, causing him to develop severe claustrophobiaClaustrophobia
Claustrophobia is the fear of having no escape and being closed in small spaces or rooms...
. He escaped by destroying his captors' shields, and in some cases, stilling them (cutting them off from the Source), at the horrific battle at Dumai's Wells. He has since forced or persuaded many Aes Sedai on both sides to swear fealty to him. He captured Illian with the help of Davram Bashere
Davram Bashere
Davram Bashere is a fictional character featured in The Wheel of Time series of fantasy novels by Robert Jordan.Bashere is a Saldaean nobleman, the High Seat of House Bashere, Lord of Bashere, Tyr, and Sidona, Marshal-General of Saldaea, Defender of the Blight Border. He is uncle to Saldaea's...
, and was crowned its king, re-naming Illian's Laurel Crown the Crown of Swords. Mazrim Taim
Mazrim Taim
Mazrim Taim is a character in Robert Jordan's The Wheel of Time fantasy series.-Description:Taim is described as having black hair, above average in height with a dark face, tilted eyes, hooked nose and high cheekbones...
, a former false Dragon, has aided Rand by establishing the Black Tower, which trains men to channel, becoming Asha'man
Asha'man
The Asha'man are an organization of men who can channel the male part of the One Power, Saidin, in the fictional world of Robert Jordan's fantasy series The Wheel of Time.-Description:...
. However, it is revealed that Mazrim Taim is a liar and is planning something big, which is slowly revealed through the 10th and 11th books. The Black Tower is Rand's answer to the White Tower. Taim has begun to style himself "the M'Hael", leader of the Tower, although his true intentions have yet to be revealed; it is speculated he is a Darkfriend (this is supported by his using of the phrase, "Let the Lord of Chaos rule," which is a command from the Dark One), although it has been stated by the author that he is not Demandred (a favorite theory among many readers).
Lovers
Rand is bonded as a Warder to his three lovers: Min 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...
; Elayne Trakand
Elayne Trakand
Elayne Trakand is one of the main characters of the Wheel of Time fantasy series by Robert Jordan. She bears a resemblance both in name and appearance to Ilyena, the doomed wife of Lews Therin Telamon from the Age of Legends.-Description:...
, Queen of Andor; and Aviendha
Aviendha
Aviendha of the Nine Valleys sept of the Taardad Aiel is one of the main characters of the Wheel of Time fantasy series by Robert Jordan.-Description:...
of the Nine Valleys sept of the Taardad Aiel
Aiel
In Robert Jordan's fantasy series The Wheel of Time, the Aiel are a race of people. They live between the "wetlanders" in the west and the Sharans in the east, in a desert which the Aiel call The Three-fold Land and which everyone else calls the Aiel Waste. They have earned a reputation as skilled...
. Elayne is pregnant with his twins who are predicted by Min's fate-reading ability to be a boy and girl. The prediction, while known to the reader is unknown to the characters, as Birgitte, Aviendha, and Min herself have forgotten it due to their excessive drinking that night. Min has also seen that Aviendha will give birth to four of Rand's children at the same time, although she has not told anyone.
Advisors
He is advised mostly by Cadsuane MelaidhrinCadsuane Melaidhrin
Cadsuane Melaidhrin is a fictional character in The Wheel of Time series of fantasy novels by Robert Jordan.-Description:Cadsuane is an Aes Sedai of the Green Ajah. She has nearly black eyes and wears her iron gray hair in a bun with many gold ornaments. The ornaments in her hair are angreal and...
of the Green Ajah, and Sorilea, an Aiel Wise One. They have pledged to teach him "laughter and tears", though in different ways, as Rand has conditioned himself not to feel emotion by reciting the names of all the women who have died directly because of his actions over and over to himself, forcing himself to become harder and harder, or as he puts it, "harder than steel". He believes he must be hard; others think he is becoming cruel and bitter, and Cadsuane and Sorilea believe that in his current state his victory will be as bleak as losing. In 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 banishes Cadsuane from his sight for failing to keep the male a'dam from falling into the wrong hands. The only Aes Sedai that Rand allows near him and trusts, to some extent at least, is Nynaeve, because she "cares for him when he cannot". He also becomes increasingly difficult to advise due to his fixation on not being manipulated.
Changes and Appearances
Rand has changed a great deal from the boy who left Emond's Field two years ago. He has gone from the stubborn boy who refused to accept he was anything more than a simple sheepherder, to an iron-willed man who sometimes seems to have lost all trace of humanity. Having grown up with the belief that men should protect women, he has memorized the name of every woman who has died for him (at one point spending an entire night among the corpses in the aftermath of a major battle, Dumai's Wells, and then reciting the names to his best friend and right-hand man, Lord Perrin Aybara of the Two Rivers) and often berates himself with the list and the associated guilt. Many of those around him worry about his sanity; others (most notably the aforementioned Cadsuane and Sorilea) worry about his humanity. Also notable, he has developed claustrophobiaClaustrophobia
Claustrophobia is the fear of having no escape and being closed in small spaces or rooms...
owing to events in Lord of Chaos, when he was trapped in a box by Aes Sedai sent by Elaida, taken out only to be beaten daily.
Finally, it is interesting to note that as the books have progressed, he has become less involved in the narrative, though he remains the central character. Book 3, The Dragon Reborn
The Dragon Reborn
The Dragon Reborn is the third book of American author Robert Jordan's fantasy 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...
, was in fact told almost exclusively from the points-of-view of Mat Cauthon, Perrin Aybara, and Egwene al'Vere, despite the fact that it is undoubtedly about Rand (all three parties eventually follow him to Tear and are present when he pulls the sword Callandor from the Stone and proclaims himself the Dragon Reborn), and the following books have continued in following the adventures of other characters besides Rand, to such a degree at times that in the tenth book, Crossroads of Twilight
Crossroads of Twilight
Crossroads of Twilight is the tenth book of The Wheel of Time fantasy series written by American author Robert Jordan. It was published by Tor Books and released on January 7, 2003...
, Rand only appears in two chapters and the epilogue.
Over the course of the series, in accordance with the Prophecies of the Dragon Reborn, Rand has had both of his palms branded with herons, has acquired metallic Dragon tattoos on both of his arms, and has lost his left hand below the wrist.
The most dramatic changes to his personality occurred in The Gathering Storm
The Gathering Storm
The Gathering Storm may refer to:* The Gathering Storm, the first volume of Sir Winston Churchill's The Second World War** The Gathering Storm , a television film about Churchill, starring Richard Burton...
. After an encounter with Semirhage, a dark aura is even observed by many of his followers out of the corner of their eyes, and his ta'veren twisting of the Pattern favors bad luck exclusively (food spoils, random deaths occur, etc). However, after Towers of Midnight, and the end of The Gathering Storm, people start to see a lightness around him that has replaced the darkness. His ta'veren twisting of the Pattern begins to favor good luck exclusively (food unspoiling, trees growing, clouds and storms breaking, etc).
Another change throughout the series is how Rand is able to channel saidin. In the Eye of the World, Moiraine theorized that Rand channeled unknowingly to save his friends throughout the novel. Rand's first experience with channeling that he recognizes as such comes when he battles two Foresaken (and Ishamael, subsequently) at the actual Eye of the World at that book's conclusion. From then until the cleansing of saidin, Rand experiences great discomfort from drawing on the One Power, including feeling disgusted by the taint, and describing the One Power as sickening to hold, yet blissful to use. Over the course of the series, his symptoms worsen, leading to physical dizziness and nausea when he seizes saidin, as well as beginning to hear Lew's Therin's voice in his head. These problems persist even after cleansing the taint.
The Gathering Storm
In The Gathering Storm, Rand becomes even more void of emotion than ever before. He reveals that he understands what he is doing to himself will end up killing him, but that he only needs to reach the Last Battle, he doesn't need to survive it.In a fit of rage upon discovering he is being manipulated by Cadsuane, through his father Tam al'Thor, he very nearly unleashes the One Power on Tam. Realizing what he is doing, he flees to the tip of Dragonmount, and proceeds to think about what he's doing to himself, and what it means for the world. He questions the meaning of his life, and why humanity is doomed to be rewoven into the Pattern, trapped for the endless turning of the Wheel of Time.
He comes very close to using the Choedan Kal to destroy the Wheel and end the reweaving of the Pattern. The voice of Lews Therin speaks to him, and helps him realize they were spun into the Pattern again and again to be given another chance to love. A chance to undo the mistakes of their past lives. Moreover a chance to do it right this time around. Upon this realization Rand finally laughs, dispersing the unnatural clouds that have been in the sky throughout the book, shining a tiny glimmer of hope on his fate at Tarmon Gai'don
Tarmon 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...
.
Towers of Midnight
Rand is seen throughout the novel as trying to "put out fires". He travels all over helping those he can and gathering nations and armies to use in the Last Battle. His biggest plan is to break the final seals on the Dark One's prison and reseal them using both asha'man and Aes Sedai, something Lews Therin failed to do last time. In this volume, Rand's ability to channel seems to have grown immensely, as seen at his eradication of a Shadowspawn army at Maradon, by himself.Reincarnation
Rand al'Thor is special in that he is the only known soul to be woven out by the Wheel of Time for a specific rebirthReincarnation
Reincarnation best describes the concept where the soul or spirit, after the death of the body, is believed to return to live in a new human body, or, in some traditions, either as a human being, animal or plant...
. Although there are other known cases of rebirth (such as Birgitte Silverbow and Gaidal Cain, and the rest of the legendary heroes), only Rand al'Thor's rebirth has been foreseen. He is the rebirth of 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...
, a male Aes Sedai from the Age of Legends who gained prominence during the War of Power 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...
, the leader of the Forces of Light against the Shadow during the War of Power. This is why al'Thor is generally known as the Dragon Reborn.
Other evidence is showcased in the prologue to 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...
: 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...
comments that he and Lews Therin have battled each other since the dawn of mankind countless times, suggesting that the Dragon is a prominent figure every time the War of Power occurs.
Rand hears Lews Therin's voice in his head, something that does not normally occur with reincarnation. In fact, at the end of the 11th novel, Semirhage
Semirhage
Semirhage is one of the primary antagonists of the Wheel of Time fantasy series by Robert Jordan...
informs him and those present that Rand is insane, and that his condition is beyond repair and all who have had former lives speaking in their heads have been driven to insanity. However, the Forsaken, including both Semirhage and Ishamael (who was thought to have died) lie habitually so the validity of this statement is uncertain. By the end of the 12th book, Rand seems to come to terms with the voice of Lews Therin, and does not mention hearing it again afterwards.
Future
It is supposedly fated for Rand al'Thor to die at 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...
, as one prophecy is "His blood on the rocks of 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...
." Nicola, a novice with the gift of foretelling, foretold, "The lion sword, the dedicated spear, she who sees beyond. Three on the boat, and he who is dead yet lives. The great battle done, but the world not done with battle. The land divided by the return, and the guardians balance the servants. The future teeters on the edge of a blade." The lion sword is Elayne, the dedicated spear Aviendha and she who sees beyond Min. He who is dead yet lives is Rand (this is confirmed by a dream Bair and Melaine had of Rand in a boat with three women they could not see and a scale tilting).Great Battle may refer to the Last Battle (Tarmon Gai'don
Tarmon 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...
), or a large battle leading up to the final confrontation with the Dark One. The return could be the Corenne. The guardians refer to the Asha'man (meaning Guardians in the Old Tongue); the servants, to Aes Sedai (Servants of All in the Old Tongue). However, if he dies at Tarmon' Gaidon, he will have a son, daughter and four other children by Elayne and Aviendha. It is unknown if he and Min shall have children together. Although, if Tarmon Gai'don
Tarmon 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...
is lost, Min's visions will mean nothing since time itself will die, and all be under the control 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,...
.
It has also been hinted that Rand will become blind; Perrin saw him through a 'window' in Tel'aran'rhiod with a bandage across his eyes, while looking at him, Tuon thought "He didn't seem blinded yet, so that had yet to happen", and Min saw a white-hot iron as part of a viewing of him, which suggests that he will be tortured and lose his eyes. This may not be so, however, for the quote from The Prophecies of the Dragon after the epilogue in The Gathering Storm quotes that "the blind man shall stand upon his own grave. There, he shall see again." This quote seems to refer to Rand's apparent blindness in his attempts to become "steel" or "cuendillar," and his new enlightened view of life after contemplation on Dragonmount (Lews Therin's grave), and also is the quote that Tuon was referring to.