Semirhage
Encyclopedia
Semirhage (originally known as Nemene Damendar Boann) is one of the primary antagonists of the Wheel of Time
fantasy
series by Robert Jordan
. She is one of the Forsaken
.
and she used her knowledge to torture her patients while she healed them, saving only those she deemed society needed. It was common knowledge that healing is an unpleasant experience, and her patients were glad to be alive so were not likely to complain. It was not until some time after the drilling of the bore that she was discovered, at which point a delegation from the Hall of Servants gave her two options: swear on a "binder" (i.e., an oath rod) never to succumb to her sadistic impulses again, or be severed from the One Power
and cast out of the Aes Sedai. Nemene Damendar Boann, swearing revenge against the Hall of Servants for putting her victims ahead of her, chose neither option, instead fleeing to Shayol Ghul
to become one of the first to swear fealty to the Dark One
.
Semirhage tortured many into swearing allegiance to the Dark One. Of those "brought in" by her, very few ever recanted their oaths; those that did needed to spend a long time with the "restorers", and for the rest of their lives their greatest fear would remain being once again at Semirhage's mercy. During the War of the Shadow Semirhage held several field commands and was at the head of a network intended to root out spies and traitors. Although she had only an average ability as a general, she could use her considerable powers of persuasion to turn soldiers to the Dark One and send them against their former comrades.
As a Forsaken, Semirhage governed several conquered areas, which became well known, even among the other Forsaken, for their high levels of violence and cruelty. In Chapter 2 of Lord of Chaos
, it is revealed that she used the inhabitants of one of the cities under her control as guinea pigs to perfect the tortures she was going to use on the council members, forcing the remaining inhabitants to torture each other to death. Semirhage's reputation was such that many prisoners, upon learning that she was to be their warden, committed suicide. She was as skilled at turning people to the Dark One as she was at healing, and as such any prominent prisoners were sent to her. Although it was Semirhage who discovered that thirteen Dreadlords working with thirteen Myrddraal could force any channeler to serve the Dark One, she dealt with most of the Aes Sedai herself, breaking them slowly.
In the prologue to Lord of Chaos
it is revealed that Semirhage wears black in contrast to the white favoured by her rival Lanfear
. In “The world of Robert Jordan”, another reason is supplied: apparently her choice of attire had the effect of intimidating her "patients".
, and Mesaana
have likely been working together since before the War of Power. Semirhage has an intimate knowledge of the brain and its pain and pleasure centers, and uses these to torture a victim into bending to her will. It was Semirhage who sent Shadowspawn to counter Sammael
's Shadowspawn in the Stone of Tear, where they were attempting to slay Rand al'Thor
, the Dragon Reborn.
As of Knife of Dreams
it has been confirmed that Semirhage posed as Anath Dorje, Tuon
's supposed retainer, and wielded control over several Darkfriends, including the High Lady Suroth. Semirhage was held captive by Rand al'Thor, who lost his left hand to her in battle, after disguising herself as High Lady Tuon
. Although injured during her capture, she was apparently not mortally wounded. In The Gathering Storm
, Shaidar Haran
visited Semirhage in her captivity and freed her, giving her and Black Ajah
sister Elza Penfell a last chance to be of use. Semirhage then, disguised as a maid clearing dishes, managed to capture Rand al'Thor
with the male a'dam. With Rand under her control, she forced him to begin to strangle Min Farshaw
with his bare hand. Forced into the attempted murder one of the women he loves, Rand broke free by tapping into the True Power
, a force which is normally only reserved for the Forsaken
(now only Moridin). He then killed Semirhage with balefire
made from the True Power.
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
Fantasy
Fantasy is a genre of fiction that commonly uses magic and other supernatural phenomena as a primary element of plot, theme, or setting. Many works within the genre take place in imaginary worlds where magic is common...
series 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...
. She is 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...
.
Age of Legends
Nemene Damendar Boann, a tall, dark-eyed woman possessed of a remarkable calm and grace, was the most renowned healer of her time; it was said that she could return a man or woman to perfect health even if only the smallest spark of life remained in their body, as such she was summoned the world over that her skills might be employed. In addition to her exceptional talent for healing, the woman soon to take the name Semirhage had a vast knowledge of neurological function, including how to activate the pain and pleasure centers of the brain. Unfortunately for her patients, the healer was also a sadistSadism and masochism as medical terms
In psychiatry, the terms sadism and masochism describe a personality type characterized by the actor or actrix deriving pleasure and gratification from inflicting physical pain and humiliation ; and from suffering pain and humiliation upon the self ; such pleasure often is sexual, but not...
and she used her knowledge to torture her patients while she healed them, saving only those she deemed society needed. It was common knowledge that healing is an unpleasant experience, and her patients were glad to be alive so were not likely to complain. It was not until some time after the drilling of the bore that she was discovered, at which point a delegation from the Hall of Servants gave her two options: swear on a "binder" (i.e., an oath rod) never to succumb to her sadistic impulses again, or be severed from 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 cast out of the Aes Sedai. Nemene Damendar Boann, swearing revenge against the Hall of Servants for putting her victims ahead of her, chose neither option, instead fleeing to 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...
to become one of the first to swear fealty to 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,...
.
Semirhage tortured many into swearing allegiance to the Dark One. Of those "brought in" by her, very few ever recanted their oaths; those that did needed to spend a long time with the "restorers", and for the rest of their lives their greatest fear would remain being once again at Semirhage's mercy. During the War of the Shadow Semirhage held several field commands and was at the head of a network intended to root out spies and traitors. Although she had only an average ability as a general, she could use her considerable powers of persuasion to turn soldiers to the Dark One and send them against their former comrades.
As a Forsaken, Semirhage governed several conquered areas, which became well known, even among the other Forsaken, for their high levels of violence and cruelty. In Chapter 2 of Lord of Chaos
Lord of Chaos
Lord of Chaos is the sixth book of The Wheel of Time fantasy series written by American author Robert Jordan. It was published by Tor Books and released on October 15, 1994, and was nominated for the Locus Award for Best Fantasy Novel in 1995. Lord of Chaos consists of a prologue, 55 chapters, and...
, it is revealed that she used the inhabitants of one of the cities under her control as guinea pigs to perfect the tortures she was going to use on the council members, forcing the remaining inhabitants to torture each other to death. Semirhage's reputation was such that many prisoners, upon learning that she was to be their warden, committed suicide. She was as skilled at turning people to the Dark One as she was at healing, and as such any prominent prisoners were sent to her. Although it was Semirhage who discovered that thirteen Dreadlords working with thirteen Myrddraal could force any channeler to serve the Dark One, she dealt with most of the Aes Sedai herself, breaking them slowly.
In the prologue to Lord of Chaos
Lord of Chaos
Lord of Chaos is the sixth book of The Wheel of Time fantasy series written by American author Robert Jordan. It was published by Tor Books and released on October 15, 1994, and was nominated for the Locus Award for Best Fantasy Novel in 1995. Lord of Chaos consists of a prologue, 55 chapters, and...
it is revealed that Semirhage wears black in contrast to the white favoured by her rival 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:...
. In “The world of Robert Jordan”, another reason is supplied: apparently her choice of attire had the effect of intimidating her "patients".
Third Age
Semirhage, DemandredDemandred
Demandred is one of the primary antagonists of the Wheel of Time fantasy series by Robert Jordan. He is one of the Forsaken.-Origin:...
, and Mesaana
Mesaana
Mesaana is one of the primary antagonists of the Wheel of Time fantasy series by Robert Jordan. She is one of the Forsaken.-Origin:...
have likely been working together since before the War of Power. Semirhage has an intimate knowledge of the brain and its pain and pleasure centers, and uses these to torture a victim into bending to her will. It was Semirhage who sent Shadowspawn to counter Sammael
Sammael
Sammael is one of the primary antagonists of The Wheel of Time fantasy series by Robert Jordan. He is one of the Forsaken.-Origins:...
's Shadowspawn in the Stone of Tear, where they were attempting to slay 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:...
, the Dragon Reborn.
As of 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...
it has been confirmed that Semirhage posed as Anath Dorje, Tuon
Tuon
'Fortuona Athaem Devi Paendrag', formerly known as Tuon Athaem Kore Paendrag is a fictional character in Robert Jordan's popular Wheel of Time fantasy series. As the heir-designate to the Seanchan empire, she is titled the Daughter of the Nine Moons...
's supposed retainer, and wielded control over several Darkfriends, including the High Lady Suroth. Semirhage was held captive by Rand al'Thor, who lost his left hand to her in battle, after disguising herself as High Lady Tuon
Tuon
'Fortuona Athaem Devi Paendrag', formerly known as Tuon Athaem Kore Paendrag is a fictional character in Robert Jordan's popular Wheel of Time fantasy series. As the heir-designate to the Seanchan empire, she is titled the Daughter of the Nine Moons...
. Although injured during her capture, she was apparently not mortally wounded. 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...
, Shaidar Haran
Shaidar Haran
Shaidar 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...
visited Semirhage in her captivity and freed her, giving her and Black Ajah
Black Ajah
An Ajah is a sub-organization within the Aes Sedai of Robert Jordan's The Wheel of Time series. The Black Ajah is a secret society of Aes Sedai who have forsaken the Three Oaths. This Ajah supports the Dark One, and its members are also active members of the other seven Ajahs to keep their...
sister Elza Penfell a last chance to be of use. Semirhage then, disguised as a maid clearing dishes, managed to capture 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:...
with the male a'dam. With Rand under her control, she forced him to begin to strangle Min Farshaw
Min 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...
with his bare hand. Forced into the attempted murder one of the women he loves, Rand broke free by tapping into 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:...
, a force which is normally only reserved for 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...
(now only Moridin). He then killed Semirhage with balefire
Balefire
Balefire, 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...
made from the True Power.