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The Wheel of Time turns and Ages come and go, leaving memories that become legend. Legend fades to myth, and even myth is long forgotten when the Age that gave it birth returns again. In the Third Age, an Age of Prophecy, the World and Time themselves hang in the balance, a wind rises in the... read more

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PROLOGUE: DRAGONMOUNT

The prologue introduces Lews Therin Telamon (which might be read as Kinslayer in some editions), the Dragon, victorious commander of the forces of Light in the war against Shai'tan. His victory was not without cost, however; as a result of the tainting of saidin,... read more (warning: may contain spoilers)

PROLOGUE: DRAGONMOUNT

The prologue introduces Lews Therin Telamon (which might be read as Kinslayer in some editions), the Dragon, victorious commander of the forces of Light in the war against Shai'tan. His victory was not without cost, however; as a result of the tainting of saidin, the male half of the One Power, Lews Therin has gone insane and murdered his family. He is confronted by Ishamael, one of the Forsaken, who restores his sanity, allowing him to realize what he has done. Faced with the magnitude of his crimes, Lews Therin commits suicide by drawing deadly amounts of Saidin, thus creating Dragonmount.

FROM THE TWO RIVERS TO SHADAR LOGOTH

The early chapters of the book are set in and around the rustic village of Emond's Field in the The Two Rivers district of Andor, where most of the primary characters reside.

On the eve of Bel Tine, an annual festival celebrating the arrival of spring, an unexpected attack by bestial Trollocs and fearsome Myrddraal seems to target Rand al'Thor and his two friends, Matrim Cauthon and Perrin Aybara specifically. Hoping to spare their loved ones from any further attacks, the three young men decide to flee the village by night, accompanied by Moiraine Damodred, an Aes Sedai, and her Warder, al'Lan Mandragoran. As they attempt to leave, their surreptitious escape is discovered by the innkeeper's daughter, Egwene al'Vere, and a wandering gleeman, Thom Merrilin, who join them.

Chased by Trollocs, Myrddraal, and Draghkar, the seven companions make their way to the nearby city of Baerlon, where they encounter Min Farshaw, a young woman gifted with the ability to see a person's past, and future, and Dain Bornhald, an officer in the Children of the Light. They also find Padan Fain, a peddler who was presumed killed during the Trolloc attack on Emond's Field. Also in Baerlon, Rand and his two friends begin experiencing dreams in which they are taunted by an arrogant man who calls himself Ba'alzamon. Shortly before they depart, Nynaeve al'Meara, the village Wisdom of Emond's Field, arrives to retrieve the four villagers. When Rand and his friends refuse to return with her, Nynaeve joins them to ensure their continued safety.

Pursued by ever-increasing numbers of Trollocs and Myrddraal, the travellers are forced to take refuge in the ancient, abandoned, and deadly city of Shadar Logoth, a place even Myrddraal are reluctant to enter. While there, Rand and his two friends foolishly try to explore the ruined city and meet a man named Mordeth, who first offers them riches in exchange for a small favor, then attempts to kill them when he learns that their companions include an Aes Sedai and that their eventual destination is Tar Valon, the home city of the Aes Sedai order. The three barely escape, and only reach their companions just before nightfall.

FROM SHADAR LOGOTH TO CAEMLYN

Myrddraal and Trollocs enter Shadar Logoth during the night, forcing the eight companions from their warded quarters. As they try to avoid the search and leave the city, Mashadar, the evil of Shadar Logoth made manifest, separates them from each other.

Fleeing Shadar Logoth with Trollocs close behind, Rand, Mat, and Thom stumble across a moored ship on the nearby River Arinelle. The captain, Bayle Domon, reluctantly grants them passage to Whitebridge. During the journey downriver, Ba'alzamon continues to haunt Rand's and Mat's dreams, and Mat becomes strangely reclusive and suspicious of strangers. Rand discovers that Mat took a ruby-hilted dagger from the piles of tainted treasure in Shadar Logoth despite Moiraine's warning about anything Mordeth gave them. Mat insists that because he took the dagger instead of Mordeth giving it to him, that it was safe. Rand agrees.

In Whitebridge, the trio are confronted by a Myrddraal in a crowded square. Thom apparently sacrifices himself to buy Rand and Mat time to escape, and the two continue alone on the road toward Caemlyn, earning meals and lodging along the way by playing Thom's flute and juggling. As they near Caemlyn, however, they begin to encounter Darkfriends in nearly every town who seem to be able to recognize them by sight, and Mat's paranoid behavior becomes more debilitating.

Once in Caemlyn, Mat confines himself to his bed and seeks to avoid all contact with outsiders while Rand makes the acquaintance of an Ogier named Loial and embarks on an unlikely adventure. Logain Ablar, a recently-captured False Dragon, is being paraded through the streets of Caemlyn. While seeking to catch a glimpse of him, Rand climbs a wall and accidentally falls over the top into the palace garden, where he meets Elayne Trakand, heir-apparent to the throne of Andor, her brother Gawyn, and her half-brother Galad Damodred.

When the palace guards are alerted to Rand's presence by Galad, he is taken into custody despite Elayne's protests and brought before Queen Morgase and her Aes Sedai advisor, Elaida. Elaida prophetically identifies Rand as a dangerous individual, but Queen Morgase decides that she does not have sufficient evidence to imprison him.

Meanwhile, Egwene and Perrin plan a route that should take them from Shadar Logoth almost directly toward Caemlyn. Along the way, they meet Elyas Machera, a man who can communicate with wolves. He tells Perrin that he, too, can develop this gift though Perrin shows little interest in this possibility. Elyas and the wolves decide to accompany the two youngsters at least part of the way to Caemlyn. They travel for a few days with the Tuatha'an, a nomadic, pacifistic people, before striking out on their own when the wolves witness one of Perrin's dreams featuring Ba'alzamon.

After fleeing from massive swarms of ravens and crows sent to mark their movements and kill them, they run afoul of a legion of Children of the Light commanded by Geofram Bornhald, father of the officer encountered in Baerlon. After witnessing the death of a wolf at the hands of a Whitecloak, Perrin, whose talent has developed despite his efforts, goes temporarily insane and kills two of them. Elyas escapes, but the Children of the Light hold Perrin and Egwene prisoner, planning to execute at least Perrin as soon as they reach Amador.

Moiraine, Lan, and Nynaeve rescue Egwene and Perrin from the Whitecloaks just as one overzealous individual is contemplating their premature 'release'. Together they travel to Caemlyn, where they are reunited with Mat and Rand, who has only just returned from his adventure at the castle. Moiraine immediately diagnoses Mat's "sickness" as the corrupting influence of the ruby-hilted dagger, and she uses her powers to diminish its effects, although she cannot heal him completely or break his attachment to it.

FROM CAEMLYN TO THE EYE OF THE WORLD

Loial warns Moiraine of a threat to the Eye of the World, a threat independently corroborated by a story heard by Perrin and Egwene while among the Tuatha'an and by the dreams of Rand, Mat, and Perrin. Moiraine decides that in order to reach the Eye of the World in time to stop the Dark One, they must take the Ways (passageways built by male channelers in the time of madness for the Ogier to travel long distances in short amounts of time). The group is guided along the dangerous Ways (now tainted by evil) by Loial and emerge in Shienar, where they meet Lord Agelmar Jagad and Ingtar Shinowa in the fortress of Fal Dara, on the eve of an expected battle against a Trolloc army.

Padan Fain is found climbing the walls of Fal Dara. He is taken into custody and interrogated by Moiraine and Lan, who discover that Fain is a Darkfriend whose mind has been specifically moulded to find the Dark One's quarry; it was he who aimed the attack on Emond's Field. Following that attack, he was forced into the Myrddraals' pursuit of the companions, only escaping them in Shadar Logoth.

Even separated from the Myrddraal, however, he was still the Dark One's bloodhound, and he followed the companions to Caemlyn, through the Ways, and to Fal Dara.

The group enters the Blight in search of the Eye of the World, guarded by Someshta (the fabled Green Man). The Eye is revealed as a pool of pure Saidin, and when the companions exit they are confronted by the Forsaken Aginor and Balthamel. Balthamel dies at the hand of the Green Man, and Aginor is consumed by the One Power as he battles Rand for control of the saidin at the Eye of the World. Guided by blind luck and instinctive knowledge, Rand uses the supply of saidin to decimate the Trolloc army and defeat Ba'alzamon.

Afterwards, Rand realizes to his own horror that he channeled the One Power, and that he is condemned to a fate of insanity and rotting death. The book ends with Moiraine's ominous statement to herself that, "The Dragon is Reborn."

THE EYE OF THE WORLD

The Eye of the World is in a hidden location in the Blight created by the male and female Aes Sedai after the Dark One tainted saidin. It was created using both saidin and saidar (the male and female halves of the Power respectively), and is protected by Someshta, whom is known as "The Green Man" and is the last of the Nym. It houses a pool of pure, untainted saidin, as well as one of the seven Seals on the Dark One's prison, Lews Therin's Dragon Banner and the Horn of Valere. Moiraine brings the party here to help discover which one of the three ta'veren can channel (thus discovering which one of them is the Dragon Reborn). It is during the battle with Aginor and Balthamel, two of the Forsaken, that Rand channels consciously for the first time. Balthamel is killed by Someshta, and Aginor is killed by drawing too much of the power.

Characters edit see section history

  • Aginor: One of the Forsaken, the thirteen Aes Sedai who dedicated their lives to serving the Shadow during the War of the Shadow. His name is still used to frighten children.
  • Nynaeve Al'Maera: Wisdom of Emond's Field. She has brown hair and eyes, and is quite slender. She is about as tall as Mat's shoulder. Many people in the village think she is too young to be the Wisdom, however, mentioning this to her is a good way to get whacked by the stick she carries.
  • Kari al'Thor: Rand's mother. She died about fifteen years ago, when Rand was five. His only memory of her was that she had gentle hands and a soft voice. Tam met her when he left Emond's Field; they were married, and returned later with a child.
  • Rand al'Thor: A shepherd from the Two Rivers. He is a head taller than his father Tam, and has grey eyes and reddish hair, both of which are rare in the two rivers. Tam claims they come from his mother, Kari, who died when Rand was five. Rand is now twenty years old, and good friends with Mat Cauthon and Perrin Aybara. He and Egwene al'Vere, the Mayor's daughter, have been all but Promised to each other. This is often the subject of ridicule by Mat and Perrin.
  • Tamlin "Tam" Al'Thor: Rand's father, a shepherd in the Two Rivers. He has a thick, broad chest and a broad face, gray hair with black streaks in it. His cheeks have been roughened by the sun. He is a solid man. Keeping his word is important to him. Since his wife, Kari's death fifteen years ago, Tam has raised Rand himself. Since Tam has been alone and without a wife for so long, many women in Emond's Field have been trying to find a match for him recently. They've also started to think about who would be good for his son as well.
  • Brandelwyn "Bran" Al'Vere: Mayor of Emond's Field and innkeeper of the Winespring Inn. He is Egwene's father. He has a large girth, about double of anyone else.
  • Egwene al'Vere: Young woman from Emond's Field. She is about eighteen years old, and just earned the right to wear her hair in a braid, the symbol of womanhood. She is the daughter of Bran, the Mayor of Emond's Field, and his wife Marin. She is of a height with Nynaeve, barely up to Mat's shoulder. She has big brown eyes. She and Rand are all but Promised to each other. This subject makes Rand uncomfortable, and is often used to needle him by his friends. Nynaeve told Egwene that she has the ability to Listen to the Wind, a Talent that all Wisdoms claim to posses but few actually do.
  • Marin al'Vere: Bran's wife, Egwene's mother. She is slender, and keeps her hair in a thick, gray braid.
  • Perrin Aybara: Young man from Emond's field. He is about half a head shorter than Rand, one of his two best friends. He's also a fair bit shorter than Mat, his other best friend. He has curly hair, and is very stocky and generally big. His frame works well for his chosen trade, working as apprentice to Haral Luhhan, the blacksmith of Emond's Field.
  • Dav Ayellin: Young man from Emond's Field, of an age with Mat. He and Mat are friends, and like to get into mischief together.
  • Ba'alzamon: Trolloc name for the Dark One
  • Bela: Tam's work horse, a white shaggy mare.
  • Cenn Buie: Thatcher in Emond's Field. He is old and haggard, and speaks with a raspy voice. He sits on the Village Council, but is probably the most disagreeable member on it.
  • Matrim "Mat" Cauthon: Young man from Emond's Field. He is tall, and has brown eyes. He is a wiry man. Mat is known for his practical jokes and other mischief, even at age twenty. Whenever something goes wrong in Emond's Field, Mat is the one everyone looks to. He is good friends with Rand al'Thor and Perrin Aybara.
  • Daise Congar: Wit's wife. She is twice as wide as he is. She has a hard face, and not an ounce of fat on her. She controls her husband much more than he controls her.
  • Wit Congar: Man from Emond's Field. He and his family are renowned troublemakers and complainers. He is scrawny, unlike his quite solid wife, Daise.
  • Creator: Maker of the world, the True Source, everything in existence. At the moment of Creation, the Creator sealed the Dark One in a prison at Shayol Ghul to keep him from influencing the world.
  • Moiraine Damodred (aka Alys): Guest in Emond's Field the day before Bel Tine. She has large dark eyes and keeps her dark hair in ringlets. She barely comes to Rand's chest.
  • Elam Dowtry: One of Mat's friends in Emond's Field.
  • King Easar: His sign is a white hart, according to Shienaran custom is held also to be a sign of Shienar along with the Black Hawk
  • Rick Early: Wonderful start to an amazing saga.
  • Lord Ingtar: A Shienaran warrior
  • Haral Luhhan: Blacksmith of Emond's Field. His arms are as big as most men's legs. His apprentice is Perrin Aybara. His wife, Alsbet, is almost as large as he is. He sits on the Village Council.
  • al'Akir Mandragoran: Last crowned king of Malkier, Lan's father. He died, with his country, the day the Trollocs attacked Malkier.
  • Breyan Mandragoran: Lain's wife. She was furious that her husband was not chosen as king of Malkier over her brother-in-law Akir; she dared her husband to march his men to Shayol Ghul itself. When they were defeated, she attempted to frame Akir, saying that if he had brought the rest of the men of Malkier, Shayol Ghul would have fallen. She then plotted with Cowin Fairheart to attempt to seize the throne of Malkier for her son, Isam. Breyan fled Malkier when it fell to the Shadow, disappeared with Isam into the Blight, and was never seen again.
  • el'Leanna ti Mandragoran: Queen of Malkier before it was overrun. She was Akir's wife, and Lan's father. She died, with her husband and country, the day the Trollocs overran Malkier.
  • Isam Mandragoran: Infant son of Lain and Breyan. His mother's attempt to seize the throne of Malkier for him ended in the fall of Malkier itself; Isam and Breyan disappeared into the Blight and were never heard from again.
  • Lain Mandragoran: Akir's brother, Lan's uncle. He was married to Breyan. His brother and he were as close as twins, and never let even Akir's becoming king get in the way. His wife, however, was jealous of Akir, and dared her husband to march his men all the way to Shayol Ghul itself, hoping to use the inevitable defeat as cause to pull Akir off the throne. Lain died in the Blasted Lands.
  • Mashadar: Add a description of this character.
  • Meara
  • Thomdril "Thom" Merrilin: Former Court Bard of Andor, now a Gleeman. Meets the Emond's Fielders and decides to travel with them. He is very world-weary, a master flute and harp player, and good with knives.
  • Ilyena Therin Moerelle (aka Sunhair): Wife of Lews Therin Telamon. She has blonde hair, which is the the source of her nickname Sunhair.
  • Queen Morgase: Queen of Andor, High Sea of House Trakand. Her sign is three golden keys. The signs of House Trakand is a silver keystone.
  • Lan Mandragoran: Guest in Emond's Field the day before Bel Tine. He is quite tall, has long hair that is graying at the temples and is held from his face by a narrow leather headband. His face is all stony planes and angles, weathered but unlined. He is Moiraine's Warder.
  • Shadowman: Boogeyman of the Wheel of Time.
  • Shai
  • Elan Morin Tedronai (aka Ishamael, Betrayer of Hope, Ba'alzamon): Man who appears to Lews Therin Telamon shortly after he killed his entire family. He Healed Lews Therin from his madness, allowing him to finally realize what he had done. Elan Morin is now known as Ishamael, which means 'Betrayer of Hope' in the Old Tongue. He claims to follow a 'different power' now, that of the Dark One himself. He was once humbled by Lews Therin in the Hall of Servants, and defeated by him at the gates of Paaren Disen. However, Lews Therin fled and killed himself before Elan Morin could do with him as he had planned. He is one of the Forsaken, the thirteen Aes Sedai who dedicated their lives to serving the Shadow during the War of the Shadow. His name is still used to frighten children. Ba'alzamon is an ancient name from the Trolloc Tongue, believed to be the Trolloc name for the Dark One. It means 'Heart of the Dark,' and is actually the name used by Ishamael. He claims to have sent the Trollocs during the Trolloc Wars for over three hundred years, told Artur Hawkwing to send armies across the Aryth Ocean, and told the same Hawkwing to refuse the Aes Sedai Healing that could have saved his life and proclaim with his last breath that Tar Valon must fall.
  • Lews Therin Telamon (aka Lord of the Morning, The Dragon, Kinslayer, Breaker of the World): He is a tall man just into his middle years. He was handsome once, but now he has more white hair than brown, and his face is lined from strain and worry. He has dark eyes. Known as the Dragon during the War of the Shadow. He killed his entire family in the madness that seized him after resealing the Dark One's prison. Lord of the Morning is the title by which Lews Therin Telamon was known by during the Age of Legends and the War of Power. The Dragon is the name given to Lews Therin Telamon during the War of the Shadow. He did not like the name. The name is now associated with evil, since Lews Therin killed his entire family in his madness at the end of his life. It is said the Dragon will be Reborn at mankind's greatest hour of need to save the world–and Break it again. Kinslayer is a new name given to Lews Therin Telamon after he massacred his entire family and everyone he ever loved in his madness.
  • Berin Thane: Jon Thane's brother. His house was burned by Trollocs on Winternight. His house is across the street from Abell Cauthon's house.
  • Jon Thane: Miller of Emond's Field. His mill is actually out of town. He sits on the Village Council.
  • Kari Thane: One of Egwene's friends. Egwene asked Moiraine if she can channel when Moiraine said there was another woman in her village who could do so. She does not realize that the woman Moiraine was referring to was Nynaeve.
  • Lem Thane: Son of Jon Thane, miller of Emond's Field. He like the three boys that left Emond's Field, saw the Black Rider. He is about eight months younger than Rand.
  • Scratch: Yellow cat native to the Winespring Inn in Emond's Field. Her usual perch is next to the fire or on top of the bookcase.
  • Adan al'Caar: Boy from Emond's Field that Mat fooled with a story about ghost dogs, shortly before releasing Master Luhhan's dogs covered with flour.
  • Ewin Finngar: Boy from Emond's Field that Mat fooled with a story about ghost dogs, shortly before releasing Master Luhhan's dogs covered with flour. He is six years old, 14 years younger than Mat.
  • Dag Coplin: Boy from Emond's Field that Mat fooled with a story about ghost dogs, shortly before releasing Master Luhhan's dogs covered with flour.
  • Alsbet Luhhan: Wife of Haral, the blacksmith of Emond's Field. She is almost as strong as he is, and more ill-tempered.
  • Rowan Hurn: Member of the Village Council of Emond's Field.
  • Samel Crawe: Member of the Village Council of Emond's Field.
  • Hu Barran: Stablehand at the Winespring Inn in Emond's Field.
  • Tad Barran: Stablehand at the Winespring Inn in Emond's Field.
  • Padan Fain: Pale skinny peddler with gangly arms and a huge beak of a nose that comes to Emond's Field about once a year. He always smiles and laughs as if he knows some joke no one else knows. He came just before Bel Tine to trade, and brought news of the war in Ghealdan against the false Dragon.
  • Bili Congar: Old man from Emond's Field. He does not believe in the Dark One, Darkfriends, Aes Sedai, or any of the other stories. He once named the Dark One, but when ill fortune came to his crops for months afterwards, he scowled at anyone (such as Mat) who attempted to get him to do so again.
  • Corin Ayellin: Woman in Emond's Field. She has a fever when Padan Fain arrives, so she cannot come to see him.
  • Ewal Coplin: Young man from the Two Rivers. He and the rest of his family used to make fun of Rand for his gray eyes, until Rand punched him in the nose.
  • Artur Paendrag Tanreall (aka Artur Hawkwing): Hero of Legend who ruled all the lands from the Aiel Waste to the Aryth Ocean and beyond. He even sent troops across the Aryth Ocean, as well as to the lands beyond the Aiel Waste. His death set off the War of the Hundred Years. His sign was a golden hawk in flight; he was also known as Artur Hawkwing.
  • Green Man (aka Treebrother): Character in one of Thom's stories. According to Legend, he guards Avendesora, the Tree of Life, as well as the Eye of the World. Treebrother is what Loial calls the Green Man.
  • Anla: Character from The Thousand Tales of Anla, the Wise Counselor, one of Thom's stories.
  • Jaem: Giant-slayer from one of Thom's stories.
  • Susa: Character who tamed Jain Farstrider in one of Thom's stories.
  • Jain Charin (aka Jain Farstrider): Character from several of Thom's stories. He is also the subject of a very popular book, The Travels of Jain Farstrider. He has traveled all over the world, including the lands beyond the Aiel Waste and the Great Blight. He disappeared years ago and has not been heard from since. Makieri hero who captured Cowin Fairheart and brought him back to the Seven Towers for justice. He was already called Farstrider at that point.
  • Mara: Character from one of Thom Merrilin's stories, 'Mara and the Three Foolish Kings.'
  • Lenn: Man who flew to the moon in the belly of an eagle made of fire in one of Thom Merrilin's gleeman tales. The story precedes the Age of Legends.
  • Salya: Daughter of Lenn in another of Thom Merrilin's gleeman tales. She walked among the stars in the story, which precedes the Age of Legends.
  • Mosk: Giant who fought with a Lance of Fire that could reach around the world in one of Thom's stories. He fought with several people, including Alsbet, ruler off the world. The story of Mosk predates the Age of Legends.
  • Alsbet: Queen of All in several of Thom Merrilin's stories. Her story predates the Age of Legends.
  • Materese: The Healer, Mother of the Wondrous Ind in one of Thom's stories. Her story predates the Age of Legends.
  • Karil: Goodwife in one of Thom's stories. In this story, she cured her husband of snoring.
  • Darith: King in one of Thom's stories.
  • Bandry Crawe (aka Ban): Son of Samel. He, like the three boys that left Emond's Field, saw the Black Rider. He is about ten months older than Rand.
  • Oren Dautry: Nearest neighbor to the al'Thor farm. He is a shameless borrower. Tam thinks he may have some livestock he is willing to part with.
  • Narg: Trolloc among those who attacked Tam and Rand on their farm. He stayed back and played dead when the other Trollocs left the farm, 'Narg stay. Narg smart.' He speaks English, albeit poorly, and talked to Rand for a short time before Rand killed him with Tam's sword.
  • Laman Damodred: King of Cairhien before and during the Aiel War, which ended about twenty years ago. He cut down Avendoraldera, the sapling from the Tree of Life, given to the people of Cairhein hundreds of years ago by the Aiel. This Sin, as it was called, precipitated the Aiel War and led to Laman's Death.
  • Jaem: Character in a song, 'Jaem's Folly,' that is popular among Two Rivers folk.
  • Abell Cauthon: Mat's father. His house was burned when the Trollocs attacked Emond's Field on Winternight. He has five children.
  • Mistress Calder: Owner of one of the houses that survived Winternight in Emond's Field.
  • Darl Coplin: Man from a farm near Emond's Field. He spent half the night demanding that Bran al'Vere send Moiraine and Lan away. He blamed them for bringing the Trollocs to Emond's Field.
  • Hari Coplin: Darl's brother. He also blames Moiraine for bringing the Trollocs to Emond's Field.
  • Paet al'Caar: Man from Emond's Field. He supported Hari Coplin in his accusations that Moiraine brought the Trollocs to Emond's Field on Winternight. His son, Wil, had his leg broken when the Trollocs attacked, and was Healed by Moiraine, so Paet was slightly less fervent in his accusations.
  • Eward Candwin: Man from Emond's Field. He got a gash down his back when the Trollocs attacked, but was Healed by Moiraine.
  • Aemon al Caar al Thorin: King of Manetheren during the last part of the Trolloc Wars, until the fall of his country. He was so fearless that the best compliment that could be delivered to anyone was to say that he had Aemon's heart. He was a Warder to his Queen, Eldrene.
  • Caar al Thorin al Toren (aka Caar One-Hand): Aemon's father, Thorin's son. Heir to the throne of Manetheren.
  • Thorin al Toren al Ban: Father of Caar, grandfather of Aemon.
  • Eldrene ay Ellan ay Carlan: Queen of Manetheren during the Trolloc Wars, wife of Aemon, her Warder. It was said that she was so beautiful flowers bloomed to make her smile. She was also called Ellisande, 'Rose of the Sun' in the Old Tongue.
  • Wil al'Caar: Son of Paet from Emond's Field. He broke his leg during the Trolloc attack, and was Healed by Moiraine.
  • Cloud: Tall gray horse with a black mane and tail. Lan purchased him from Jon Thane, who used him for racing. Rand rode him out of Emond's Field.
  • Master Hightower: Man who operates the ferry at Taren Ferry.
  • Mandarb: Lan's black stallion. His name means 'Blade' in the Old Tongue.
  • Aldieb: Moiraine's white mare. Her name means 'West Wind' in the Old Tongue.
  • Lara Ayellan: One of Egwene's friends. Egwene asked Moiraine if she can channel when Moiraine said there was another woman in her village who could do so. She does not realize that the woman Moiraine was referring to was Nynaeve.
  • Master Avin: Gatekeeper of the south gate of Baerlon. He 'forgot' that he let Alys, Andra, and their companions through the gate.
  • Mutch: Worker at the Stag and Lion in Baerlon.
  • Master Fitch: Innkeeper of the Stag and Lion, an inn in Baerlon. He has wispy hair that sticks out everywhere.
  • Elmindreda Farshaw (aka Min): Young woman from Baerlon. She has short dark hair that she keeps like most boys her age do. She is slender, and barely taller than Moiraine. Her dark eyes are bigger than Egwene's. She dresses like most boys do, a habit she picked up from her hours in the mines with her father; her mother is dead. Min has a special ability, known to few; she can see images around people that predict their future. Moiraine calls them pieces of the Pattern. She sees a lot of things around Rand and his friends, but she claims that if she told Rand everything she saw about him, he would be as curly-haired as his 'friend with the shoulders.'
  • Ara: Dark-haired, slight man from Baerlon. He works at the Stag and Lion for Master Fitch.
  • Mari: Servant in the kitchen of the Stag and Lion in Baerlon.
  • Cinda: Servant in the kitchen of the Stag and Lion in Baerlon.
  • Logain Ablar: False Dragon from Ghealdan. News of his battles in Ghealdan reached Emond's Field with Padan Fain on Winternight‚Äìit was probably the last place in this part of the world to hear about it. He can channel the One Power, and has been able to defend himself against the Aes Sedai that are poised to capture and gentle him.
  • Adan: Governor of Baerlon. He will not cooperate with the Children of the Light who are in the city.
  • Davian: False Dragon of old times. Ba'alzamon claims that he was used by Aes Sedai, just as all other false Dragons were.
  • Yurian Stonebow: False Dragon of old times. Ba'alzamon claims that he was used by Aes Sedai, just as all other false Dragons were.
  • Guaire Amalasan: False Dragon of old times. Ba'alzamon claims that he was used by Aes Sedai, just as all other false Dragons were.
  • Raolin Darksbane: False Dragon of old times. Ba'alzamon claims that he was used by Aes Sedai, just as all other false Dragons were. He has been dead since before the Trolloc Wars, two thousand years ago.
  • Cirri: Cat in the Stag and Lion in Baerlon. She belongs to Sara, the cook.
  • Sara: Cook in the Stag and Lion in Baerlon. She threatened to quit when Master Fitch relayed people's complaints about the rats her cat was apparently leaving all over the inn; in reality these rats had their backs broken by Ba'alzamon.
  • Ciel: Waitress and kitchen assistant in the Stag and Lion in Baerlon.
  • Eward Congar: Man from Emond's Field who always walks with his nose in the air. He once fell off the Wagon Bridge and had to come home all wet. That chilled him out for about a month, according to Mat.
  • Dain Bornhald: Son of Geofram. He is a little too easily influenced, in his father's opinion. He was one of the men Mat got all muddy with his barrel stunt in Baerlon.
  • Mavra Mallen: Wisdom of Deven Ride. She came to Emond's Field to take care of things during Nynaeve absence.
  • Rogosh of Talmour (aka Rogosh Eagle-eye): Hero of Legend, a man famed at the court of the High King, Artur Paendrag Tanreall, feared on the slopes of Shayol Ghul. He was the greatest of all the Hunters for the Horn.
  • Blaes of Matuchin: Golden-haired hero of Legend. She is in one of Thom Merrilin's stories, 'The Bargain of Rogosh Eagle-eye'
  • Lian: Character in one of Thom's stories, 'Lian's stand.'
  • Gaidal Cain: Hero of Legend. He appears in several of Thom's stories, including 'Gaidal Cain's Sword.'
  • Buad of Albhain: Character from 'The Last Ride of Buad of Albhain,' one of Thom's stories.
  • Arin: Assistant to the watchman at the Caemlyn Gate in Baerlon.
  • Dar: Assistant to the watchman at the Caemlyn Gate in Baerlon.
  • Arad: Man from old Manetheren. According to Moiraine, his line is strong in the Two Rivers.
  • Mordeth: Sleek, overfed man with drooping eyelids. He is short and completely bald. Rand, Mat, and Perrin encountered him in Aridhol when they went off to see the city. In reality, Mordeth was the advisor to Balwen, the last king of Aridhol. He ordered the death of Caar, heir to the throne of Manetheren, when he came to Aridhol in an attempt to bring it back to the Second Covenant. His spirit has been trapped inside the walls of Aridhol ever since, and it is said that if he ever accompanies anyone to the city walls, he will be able to consume that person's soul and escape.
  • Balwen Mayel (aka Balwen Ironhand): King of Aridhol before its collapse. During his reign, a man named Mordeth came to be his advisor. Mordeth advised using the Shadow's tactics, its evil, against it; eventually this evil consumed the city, and only Mordeth survived. He was also known as Balwen Ironhand before Mordeth's arrival.
  • Rhea: Wife of Caar, son of Thorin, the king of Manetheren during the time Mordeth was in power in Aridhol. She killed her husband, and after he was buried killed herself upon his grave.
  • Floran Gelb: Crewman on board Bayle Domon's vessel. Rand landed on top of him when he and his companions leaped onto the boat; Gelb was asleep on his watch.
  • Bayle Domon: Stocky captain of the Spray, the boat Rand, Mat, and Thom leap on to in order to get from Aridhol to Whitebridge, and away from the Trollocs. He has long hair to his thick shoulders, a round face, and a beard that does not touch his mustache.
  • Mistress Barran: Former Wisdom of Emond's Field. She was Nynaeve's mentor.
  • Elyas Machera (aka Long Tooth): Man who lives in the woods. He has graying brown hair to his waist, held at the neck by a cord. He wears a thick beard across half his chest. He once was a Warder who taught Lan much about the Blight and his sword. He once had to kill other Warders to get away from the Red Ajah. He cannot channel, but he can talk to wolves, an ability which the Red Ajah wanted to do something about anyway. His eyes are yellow, and he can communicate with wolves by way of a kind of telepathy. He lives alone, except for his wolf friends, and never expected to find another who had the same ability‚Äìuntil he met Perrin.
  • Dapple: Wolf that Elyas knows. Her fur fades through a dozen shades of gray. She is the alpha female, the leader of her pack.
  • Burn: Wolf that Elyas knows. He is a grizzled fighter.
  • Hopper: Wolf that Elyas knows. He is an older wolf, but very smart. He is dedicated to Dapple; his mission in life is to see that what she wants is carried out.
  • Wind: Wolf that Elyas knows.
  • Raen: Madhi ('Seeker') of a group of Tinkers. He has gray hair, and is married to Ila. He is Aram's grandfather. Elyas, Perrin, and Egwene stay with them for a while.
  • Ila: Raen's wife. She is a head taller than her husband.
  • Master Aram: Grandson of Raen and Ila. He is of an age with Perrin.
  • Wil al'Seen: Young man from Emond's Field. He always had the girls staring at him and whispering behind his back. He courted every girl, and managed to convince all of them that he was just being polite to the others. Aram reminds Perrin of him.
  • Bartim: Innkeeper of the inn where Thom, Mat, and Rand stop in Whitebridge. He complains of bad feet.
  • Morgase Trakand: By the Grace of the Light, Queen of Andor, Protector of the Realm, Defender of the People, High Seat of House Trakand. She is Elayne's and Gawyn's mother.
  • Owyn Merrilin: Thom's nephew, his brother's only son. Thom left his position as Court-bard in the Royal Court of Andor, where he was known from Tear to Maradon as one of the best bards, to help Owyn with some trouble he had with Aes Sedai.
  • Berin: Man whose retreat is the subject of a song the Tinkers sing, 'Berin's Retreat.' It is known in Emond's Field as 'The Wind From the North.'
  • Master Aydaer: Cabinetmaker of Emond's Field. He knows the value of good craftsmanship.
  • Jaret Byar: Tall Child of the Light. He has little in the way of human emotions, and thinks nothing of killing people. He hates no one; if he believes they should die, it is only because he thinks they should die, not because he hates them.
  • Geofram Bornhald: Lord Captain of a band of the Children of the Light. He meets up with Perrin and Egwene in the abandoned stedding.
  • Master Grinwell: Sturdy farmer with nine children. His farm is on the Caemlyn road. His eldest daughter, Else, is a year younger than Mat and Rand.
  • Mistress Grinwell: Yellow-haired mistress of the Grinwell farm.
  • Else Grinwell: Dark-haired, big-eyed, pretty daughter of the Grinwell farmers, the eldest of nine. She is nineteen, a year younger than Rand and Mat.
  • Tarwin: Hero of old and subject of many songs and tales. He has a pass, Tarwin's Gap, named after him between Shienar and what was once Malkier.
  • Mistress Aynora: Woman with a rooster in a song Rand played at the Grinwell's house.
  • Darling Sara: Subject of a song Rand plays in Arien. He knows it as 'Ferry O'er the River,' but the innkeeper there called it 'Darling Sara.'
  • Eazil Forney: Farmer from near Arien. He was at the inn there, drank too much, and had to stay overnight. The innkeeper asked him to give the entertainment, Rand and Mat, a ride along the road for a ways.
  • Saml Hake: Innkeeper of The Dancing Cartman in Four Kings. He is the first skinny innkeeper Rand had ever met, and the only one he didn't trust.
  • Jaim (aka Rhea): Subject of a song Rand knows. It is called 'Jolly Jaim' where Rand learned it, but in Four Kings it is known as 'Rhea's Fling.'
  • Jak: Bouncer at The Dancing Cartman. His arms are big enough to be legs.
  • Strom: Bouncers at The Dancing Cartman. His arms are big enough to be legs.
  • Howal Gode: Merchant from Whitebridge. He wears silk-lined velvet cloaks and velvet slippers. He drives two black coaches. He is also a Darkfriend.
  • Hyam Kinch: Farmer whose cart Rand and Mat ride after leaving The Queen's Man, an inn in a town along the Caemlyn road. He is leathery-faced and taciturn.
  • Alpert Mull: Stolid man with a square face and square, worn hands.
  • Bain: Old man Mull knows. He let Mull have half a wagon for his own.
  • Rulan Allwine: Innkeeper of the inn in Market Sheran, where Paitr Conel meets Rand and Mat.
  • Paitr Conel: Darkfriend that Mat and Rand encounter in Market Sheran.
  • Ackley Farren: Man who once got drunk and spent the night on the roof of the inn in Market Sheran.
  • Mother Brune: Wisdom-equivalent in The Queen's Man, the inn where Rand takes ill.
  • Master Inlow: Innkeeper at The Queen's Man, the inn where Rand takes ill. He was willing to treat Rand and Mat quite nicely, as long as Mat kept Rand out of the common room.
  • Raimun Holdwin: Man from a village near Caemlyn. He is a Darkfriend, and talked to a Myrddraal outside his inn.
  • Almen Bunt: Man from the same village as Holdwin. He pretended to be fixing his cart while Holdwin was talking to a Fade, and later found he was looking for Mat and Rand. He later offered the two a ride, since he does not like Holdwin that much and would rather help the boys than the Darkfriend.
  • Elaida do Avriny a'Roihan: Aes Sedai of the Red Ajah and advisor to Queen Morgase of Andor. She sometimes has the Foretelling.
  • Elayne Trakand: Daughter-Heir of Andor, daughter of Morgase and sister of Gawyn. She is quite pretty. She is preparing to leave for Tar Valon to undergo novice training, as all daughters-heir of Andor have done since the nation's founding.
  • Gawyn Trakand: Son of Queen Morgase and brother of Elayne. He will become First Prince of the Sword when his sister ascends to the Throne.
  • Luc Mantear: Son of the Queen of Andor before Morgase was queen. He disappeared into the Blight suddenly, and was never seen again.
  • Tigraine Damodred: Daughter-Heir of Andor before Morgase became queen, sister of Luc Mantear. She disappeared before her mother died, and when she did there was no daughter-heir to take the throne, and the Succession began. There are some who believe she is still alive.
  • Taringail Damodred: Tigraine's husband, a prince of Cairhien, half-brother of King Laman. When Tigraine disappeared, he married Morgase Trakand, who had the best claim to the throne. He brought Cairhien into to the plotting surrounding the Succession. He had one child by Tigraine and two by Morgase: Galad, Gawyn, and Elayne. He did not really love either of his wives, his only goal being to see his son sit on the throne of Cairhien and his daughter sit on the throne of Andor.
  • Master Gill: Fat, pink-faced innkeeper of The Queen's Blessing, an inn in Caemlyn. His graying hair is combed back over a bald spot it didn't quite cover.
  • Gareth Bryne: Captain-General of the Queen's Guards in Caemlyn.
  • Willim of Maneches: Author of a book in Basel Gill's library, The Essays of Willim of Maneches.
  • Loial: Son of Arent son of Halan, an Ogier from Stedding Shangtai. He came to Caemlyn, and took up residence in the library of The Queen's Blessing. He is about ninety years old, which by Ogier standards is too young to leave the stedding alone, and ten years too young to address the Stump.
  • Arent: Elder of Stedding Shangtai, Ogier, and father of Loial.
  • Halan: Elder of Stedding Shangtai, Ogier, father of Arent, and grandfather of Loial.
  • Haman: An Ogier, one of the Elders in Stedding Shangtai. Loial has great respect for him.
  • Mother Grubb: Woman in Caemlyn who sells herbs and poultices, births babies, tends the sick and tells fortunes. Rand considered asking for her services to help Mat.
  • Lamgwin Dorn: Man Basel Gill hired to guard his door against anyone who would bring ill to his inn or its guests. He is bulky, and has heavy-lidded eyes. Despite his bulk, he moves like a cat. He thinks Morgase to be the greatest queen in the World.
  • Lini Eltring: Nurse to Elayne and Morgase during their respective childhoods.
  • Galadedrid Damodred (aka Galad): Handsomest man Rand has ever seen. He is tall and slender, and has dark hair and eyes. He is the son of Tigraine and Taringail Damodred, and the half-brother of Elayne and Gawyn. He always does the right thing, even if he should not.
  • Guardsman-Lieutenant Tallanvor: Guardsman-lieutenant in the Queen's Guards of Andor.
  • Gilda: Serving maid in the Queen's Blessing in Caemlyn. She reports that there are Whitecloaks in the Common Room to Master Gill.
  • Lanfear: One of the Forsaken, the thirteen Aes Sedai who dedicated their lives to the Shadow during the War of the Shadow. Her name is still used to frighten children.
  • Balthamel: One of the Forsaken, the thirteen Aes Sedai who dedicated their lives to the Shadow during the War of the Shadow. His name is still used to frighten children.
  • Demandred: One of the Forsaken, the thirteen Aes Sedai who dedicated their lives to the Shadow during the War of the Shadow. His name is still used to frighten children.
  • Red: Bay Rand borrows from Basel Gill. His hair is about the same color as Rand's own hair.
  • Ramey: Stablehand at The Queen's Blessing in Caemlyn.
  • Sheriam Bayanar: Aes Sedai of the Blue Ajah. Moiraine tells Master Gill to contact her in Tar Valon if he got into any trouble for helping her.
  • Agelmar Dai Shan: Lord of Fal Dara in Shienar. His head is shaved in the traditional Shienaran style, bare except for a topknot, and that completely white. He has brown eyes, and his face is as stony as Lan's.
  • Ragan: Man from Shienar. He asked Lan, eagerly, if the Golden Crane would fly again.
  • Ingtar Shinowa: Man from Shienar. His hair is arranged in the Shienaran warrior style, shaved except a topknot. He is one of the officers under Agelmar.
  • Cowin Gemallen (aka Cowin Fairheart): Man who plotted with Breyan to seize the throne of Malkier for her son Isam. He was almost made King of Malkier himself‚Äìif two people had voted the other way on the council, he would have been. Unknown to everyone until shortly before the fall of Malkier, he was a Darkfriend. When they found out, many called for his head on a pike, but as he was so close to the king, he instead was allowed to duel with the king, and was slain by Akir. Also called Cowin Fairheart.
  • Herot: Hero of old. He has a crossing in Malkier named after him.
  • Shai'tan (aka Dark One, Father of Lies, Grassburner, Heartsbane, Heartfang, Leafblighter, Lord of the Grave, Shepherd of the Night, Sightblinder, Sight Burner, Soulsbane, Great Lord of the Dark): Source of all evil, antithesis of the Creator. He was imprisoned by the Creator at the moment of Creation at Shayol Ghul. This prison was bored into during the Age of Legends, which led to the War of the Shadow, the Time of Madness, the Breaking of the World, and the end of the Age of Legends. Since naming him by his true name brings ill fortune or disaster, many euphemisms exist. Great Lord of the Dark is the name used by Darkfriends to refer to Shai'tan, the Dark One; they claim that to use his true name would be blasphemy.
  • Mistress Alys: A name that Moraine goes by when she doesn't want people to know she is Aes Sedai
  • Andra
  • Sheriam Aes Sedai: An Aes Sedai, of the Blue Ajah
  • Machin Shin: "The black Wind" a dark entity who lurks in "the ways". Its nature is not clear in this book, but it kills of makes the travelers insane. That is the main reason why the Ways are no more used.
  • Lord Gawyn: Queen Morgase's son, Elayne's brother, who will be First Prince of the Sword when Elayne ascends the throne. His sign is a white boar
  • Bors
  • Lord of Fal Dara
  • Elaida Sedai: An Aes Sedai who advises Queen Morgase of Andor
  • Lady Nynaeve
  • Mayor
  • Aemon
  • Moiraine Aes Sedai
  • Master Lan
  • Master Gleeman
Show all 206 characters
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Quotes edit see section history

  • “The Wheel of Time Turns, and Ages come and pass, leaving memories that fade to legend. Legend fades to myth and even myth is long forgotten when the Age that gave it birth comes again. In one Age, called the Third Age by some, and Age yet to come, an Age long past, a wind rose in the Mountains of Mist. The wind was not the beginning. There are neither beginnings nor endings to the turning of the Wheel of Time. But it was *a* beginning.”
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  • The strongest images around the gleeman are a man—not him—juggling fire, and the White Tower, and that doesn’t make any sense at all for a man. The strongest things I see about the big, curly-haired fellow are a wolf, and a broken crown, and trees flowering all around him. And the other one—a red eagle, an eye on a balance scale, a dagger with a ruby, a horn, and a laughing face.
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  • “In wars, boy, fools kill other fools for foolish causes.
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  • Master Andra has seven ruined towers around his head, and a babe in a cradle holding a sword, and. . . .”
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  • Concentrate on a single flame and feed all your passions into it—fear, hate, anger—until your mind became empty.
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  • Anything can be a weapon, if the man or woman who holds it has the nerve and will to make it so.
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  • ‘Leafblighter means to blind the Eye of the World, Lost One. He means to slay the Great Serpent. Warn the People, Lost One. Sightburner comes. Tell them to stand ready for He Who Comes With the Dawn. Tell them. . . .’
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  • But hope is like a piece of string when you’re drowning; it just isn’t enough to get you out by itself.”
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  • There must be a difference in what you saw, it seemed to him, depending on whether you sought adventure or had it forced on you.
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  • “Till shade is gone, till water is gone, into the Shadow with teeth bared, screaming defiance with the last breath, to spit in Sightblinder’s eye on the Last Day.”
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Setting & Locations edit see section history

  • Andor: The realm within which the Two Rivers lies. The sign of Andor is a rampant white lion on a field of red
  • Aryth Ocean
  • Borderlands: The nations boarding the Great Blight: Saldaea, Arafel, Kandor, and Shienar.
  • Baerlon: A city in Andor on the road from Caemlyn to themines in the Mountains of Mist.
  • Cairhien: Both a nation along the Spine of the World and the capital city of that nation. The city was burned and looted during the Aiel War. The sign of Cairhien is a many-rayed golden sun rising from the bottom of a field of sky blue.
  • Emond's Field: A village of farmers located in the center of the Two Rivers country. It the the home ot Rand, Mat , Perrin, Egwene and Nynaeve.
  • Fal Dara
  • Ghealdan
  • Great Blight: A region in the far north, entirely corrupted by the Dark One. A haunt of Tollocs, Myrddraal, and other creatures of the Dark One
  • Manetheren: One of the Ten Nations that made the Second Covenant, and also the capital city of that nation. Both city and nation were utterly destroyed in the Trolloc Wars
  • North Road
  • Quarry Road
  • Saldaea: One of the Borderlands. The sign of Saldaea is three silver fish on a field of dark blue
  • Shayol Ghul: A mountain in the Blasted Lands, the site of the Dark One's prison
  • Shienar: One of Borderlands. The Shienar is a stooping black hawk.
  • Tar Valon: A city on an island in the River Erinin. The center of Aes Sedai power, and location of the Amyril Seat.
  • Two Rivers
  • Wagon Bridge
  • Watch Hill
  • Westwood
  • White Tower: The palace of the Amyrlin Seat in Tar Valon
Show all 21 settings

Organizations edit see section history

  • Aes Sedai: Wielders of the One Power. Since the Time of Madness, all surviving Aes Sedai are women. Widely distrusted adn feared, even hated, they are blamed by many for the Breaking of the World, and are generally thought to meddle in the affairs of nations. At the same time, few rulers will be without and Aes Sedai adviser, even in lands where the existence of such a connection must be kept secret. Uses as a honorific, so: Shriam Sedai; and as a high honorific, so:Sheriam Aes Sadai
  • Whitecloaks (Children of the Light): A society holding strict ascetic beliefs, dedicated to the defeat of the Dark One and the destruction of all Darkfriensds. Founded during the War of the Hundred Years by Lothair Mantelar to proselytize against increasing numbers of Darkfriends, they evolved during the war into a completely military organization, extremely rigid in the their beliefs and completely certain that only they know the truth and the right. They hate Aes Sedai, considering them, and any who support or befriend them, Darkfriends. They are known disparagingly as Whitecloaks; their sign is a golden sunburst on a field of white.
  • The Forsaken: The thirteen men and women who followed the Dark One and were captured in his prison
  • The Andoran Queen's Guard: Add a description of this organization.
  • Emond's Field Village Council: A group of men, elected by the townsmen and headed by the Mayor, who are responsible for making decisions which affect the village as a whole and for negotiating with the Councils of other villages over maters which affect the villages jointly.
  • Emond's Field Women's Circle: A group of women elected by the women of the village, responsible for deciding such matters as are considered solely women's responsibility (for example, when to plant the crops and when to harvest). Equal in authority to the Village Council, with clearly-delineated lines and areas of responsibility. Often at odds with the Village Council
  • Blue Ajah: One of the seven Ajah (societies among Aed Sedai). The blue ajah is more particularly dedicated to causes in the world and the implementation of justice.

First Sentence edit see section history

The Wheel of Time turns, and Ages come and pass, leaving memories that become legend.

Table of Contents edit see section history

PROLOGUE : Dragonmount
MAPS

Chapter 1 : An Empty Road
Chapter 2 : Strangers
Chapter 3 : The Peddler
Chapter 4 : The Gleeman
Chapter 5 : Winternight
Chapter 6 : The Westwood
Chapter 7 : Out of the Woods
Chapter 8 : A Place of Safety
Chapter 9 : Tellings of the Wheel
Chapter 10 : Leavetaking
Chapter 11 : The Road to Taren Ferry
Chapter 12 : Across the Taren
Chapter 13 : Choices
Chapter 14 : The Stag and Lion
Chapter 15 : Strangers and Friends
Chapter 16 : The Wisdom
Chapter 17 : Watchers and Hunters
Chapter 18 : The Caemlyn Road
Chapter 19 : Shadow's Waiting
Chapter 20 : Dust on the Wind
Chapter 21 : Listen to the Wind
Chapter 22 : A Path Chosen
Chapter 23 : Wolfbrother
Chapter 24 : Flight Down the Arinelle
Chapter 25 : The Traveling People
Chapter 26 : Whitebridge
Chapter 27 : Shelter From the Storm
Chapter 28 : Footprints in Air
Chapter 29 : Eyes Without Pity
Chapter 30 : Children of Shadow
Chapter 31 : Play for Your Supper
Chapter 32 : Four Kings in Shadow
Chapter 33 : The Dark Waits
Chapter 34 : The Last Village
Chapter 35 : Caemlyn
Chapter 36 : Web of the Pattern
Chapter 37 : The Long Chase
Chapter 38 : Rescue
Chapter 39 : Weaving of the Web
Chapter 40 : The Web Tightens
Chapter 41 : Old Friends and New Threats
Chapter 42 : Remembrance of Dreams
Chapter 43 : Decisions and Apparitions
Chapter 44 : The Dark Along the Ways
Chapter 45 : What Follows in Shadow
Chapter 46 : Fal Dara
Chapter 47 : More Tales of the Wheel
Chapter 48 : The Blight
Chapter 49 : The Dark One Stirs
Chapter 50 : Meetings at the Eye
Chapter 51 : Against the Shadow
Chapter 52 : There is Neither Beginning Nor End
Chapter 53 : The Wheel Turns

GLOSSARY

Glossary edit see section history

  • Aes Sedai: A woman able to touch saidar, the female half of the One Power, thus capable of supernatural actions.
  • Angreal: An object aiding those with the ability to touch the One Power to channel it more strongly.
  • One Power, the: A supernatural power drawn from the True Source, driving the world by moving the Wheel of Time.
  • Saidar: The female half of the One Power.
  • Saidin: The male half of the One Power.
  • Darkfriends: Those who follow the Dark One and believe they will gain great power and rewards when he is freed from his prison.
  • Wisdom: In villages, a woman chosen by the Women's Circle to sit in the Circle for her knowledge of such things as healing and foretelling the weather, as well as for common good sense. A position of great responsibility and authority, both actual and implied. She is generally considered the equal of the Mayor, and in some villages his superior. Unlike the Mayor, she is chosen for life, and it is very rare for a Wisdom to be removed from office before her death. Almost traditionally in conflict with the Mayor.

Errata edit see section history

In Chapter 1, "The ponds and streams of the Riverwood, <...> where he had learned to swim." Only there is no Riverwood in the Two Rivers. Current printings corrected this to "The ponds and streams of the Waterwood, <...> where he had learned to swim."

In Chapter 20, while fleeing Shadar Logoth, Thom throws knives at pursuing Trollocs then mutters, "My best knives." But later on in Whitebridge Thom attacks the Myrddraal, knives in hands, and Rand sees a blue flash. If these leftover knives are One Power wrought, then what in the world were Thom's best knives!? Current printings have Thom muttering, "My second-best knives." However, in Chapter 24, Rand still sees Thom check his remaining knives, "his second-best."

In Chapter 36, Loial tells Rand, "Not many of us have gone out among men since the Shadow fell on the Ways. That's . . . oh, six generations, now. Right after the Trolloc Wars, it was." This is clearly wrong as numerous other references indicate that the Ways started going dark about a thousand years ago. In current printings Loial now says, "That's . . . oh, six generations, now. Right after the War of the Hundred Years, it was."

In Chapter 43, Loial says, "The Green Man. The Eye of the World. They're mentioned in the books, of course, but I don't think any Ogier has actually seen them in, oh, quite a long time." Three chapters later he says, "Elder Haman always talks about his meeting with the Green Man, and so does my father, and most of the Elders." Seems contradictory to say they had not been in "quite a long time" and then about several Ogier still alive talked about him. It may be less of an error than a misunderstood perspective. Loial may be saying it was a long time as no one had seen the Green Man during his lifetime, as Ogier live long lifetimes, or that Green Man was seen more regularly but it had been a while since any one had seen him.

In Chapter 51, Rand sees his mother, Kari al'Thor, "another woman, little older than the Wisdom, dark-eyed and beautiful." But in other places Rand thinks that he got his gray eyes from his mother. Current printings has Rand seeing Kari as, "another woman, little older than the Wisdom, gray-eyed and beautiful."

In the original Glossary entry for Jain Farstrider, it says, "He disappeared in 994 NE." This is at odds with other statements in the text that indicate he disappeared twenty years ago. The glossary is corrected to say, "He disappeared in 981 NE."

In early printings of the first five books, the Glossary entry for "Warder" reads in part, "So long as a Warder lives, the Aes Sedai to whom he is bonded knows he is alive however far away he is, and when he dies she will know the moment and manner of his death. The bonding does not tell her how far he is, though, nor in what direction." From events in later books, the second sentence is clearly wrong. In later printings, the second sentence is omitted.

Series & Lists edit see section history

This is book 1 of 16 in The Wheel of Time. (standard series)

Preceded by New Spring, and followed by The Great Hunt.

This is book 12 of 99 in National Public Radio's Top 100 Science Fiction and Fantasy. (authoritative list)
This is book 27 of 159 in Fantasy Book Review Top 100 fantasy books of all time. (community list)

Authors & Contributors edit see section history

  1. Robert Jordan (Author)

Other Contributors:

  1. Darrell K. Sweet (Cover Artist)
  2. Michael Kramer (Narrator)
  3. Kate Reading (Narrator)

First Edition edit see section history

Original Language: English
Publisher: Tor Books
Country: United States of America
Publication Date: January 15 1990
ISBN: 0312850093
Page Count: 814

Classification edit see section history

  • Library of Congress: PS3560.O7617 E94 1990
  • Dewey: 813.54

Notes for Parents edit see section history

Reading Level: Young Adults

This entire series is so very, very wonderful, and I highly reccomend reading it. I would think that even younger children (14+) could get into this series, but it has some mild adult material. It's nothing too bad, just romance and vivid battle scences, so if your child is looking for a good fantasy novel, this would be a good series for them.

Links to Supplemental Material edit see section history

More Books Like This edit see section history

   
  • New Spring
  • The Great Hunt
  • The Dragon Reborn
  • The Shadow Rising
  • The Fires of Heaven
  • Lord of Chaos
  • A Crown of Swords
  • The Path of Daggers
  • Winter's Heart
  • Crossroads of Twilight
  • Knife of Dreams
  • The Gathering Storm
  • Towers of Midnight

Books That Influenced This Book edit see section history

   
  • The Lord of the Rings
  • Dune

Books Influenced by This Book edit see section history

   
  • The Dream of an Ancient God

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