One of the most powerful channelers in the Age of Legends, on par with the Dragon Lews
Therin Telamon, Elan Morin Tedronai was a highly respected philosopher, theologian and
author until researchers at Collam Daan University drilled a hole through the pattern of reality
and into the Dark One’s prison, allowing him touch and influence the world.
Fascinated by this primordial being and the enormity of his power, Elan studied the Dark
One and theorized that the Wheel of Time was a cycle in which humanity and the forces of
light fought an unending struggle to keep this great evil from escaping captivity.
He also believed that Lews Therin Telamon was a part of this cycle, constantly reborn
in new bodies as a champion of the light, often standing in opposition to the Dark One,
though, he also thought there were times when the dragon fell to corruption and joined the
shadow.
Developing a nihilistic view on the fate of the universe, Elan concluded that since the
Dark One was an eternal being who could never be destroyed, the forces of light would have
to win every single encounter for the rest of time to ensure their continued existence.
The Dark One however, need only win once in order to break the Wheel and remake the world
in his image.
Therefore, the Dark One’s eventual victory was inevitable, making continued opposition
foolish and futile.
Unwilling to fight for a losing cause, Elan Morin Tedronai was the only one of the Forsaken
to join the shadow out of philosophical and intellectual principle, rather than greed
or a desire for immortality.
Seeking to share these conclusions with his peers, Elan publicly proclaimed his allegiance
to the dark one in the Hall of Servants, shocking his fellow Aes Sedai.
Now called Ishamael, meaning betrayer of hope, he quickly rose to prominence among the Forsaken
and Friends of the Dark, named Chief Captain General of the Shadow, which made him the
leader of their forces.
Clashing with the Dragon Lews Therin Telamon, at some point Ishamael was humbled in the
Hall of Servants and defeated at the gates of the city Paaran Disan, leading him to theorize
about the cyclical nature of these confrontations, believing that he too was a part of the pattern,
destined to be reborn as a champion of the darkness, just as the Dragon stood for the
light.
Though the Dark One and 13 most powerful Forsaken were eventually defeated and imprisoned, Ishamael
was only partially sealed away, resulting in his release from captivity for roughly
40 years every millennia, beginning with the initial period following the War of Power.
The only one of the 13 Forsaken to remain free in those early years, he continued his
vendetta against Lews Therin Telamon, tracking him down to his home where he hoped for a
final battle between them.
However, because of the Dark One’s counterstroke which tainted Saidin, the Dragon was already
mad, wandering around in a helpless daze after killing his own family with the one power.
Disgusted by the state of his enemy, Ishamael used the True Power of the Dark One to heal
Lews Therin’s mind, so he could understand what he did and fight their final battle.
But when the dragon realized he killed his own family his grief and rage could not be
contained, killing himself in a massive explosion of Saidin which reshaped the lands surrounding
his home, creating Dragonmount and the island later known as Tar Valon.
Robbed of the final confrontation he sought, Ishamael was forced to wait thousands of years
until the pattern repeated and Dragon was reborn.
Born Ared Mosinel, the Forsaken Rahvin was a great Aes Sedai, nearly equal in raw power
to Ishamael and Lews Therin, but less prestigious and well known.
An expert manipulator, skilled in the art of Compulsion, Rahvin preferred diplomacy
and persuasion to warfare, gaining a reputation for caution and meticulous schemes.
Turning to the Dark One out of a desire for power, he held both military and political
offices, proving an able administrator, governor and negotiator, able to convince several territories
to surrender without need for violent invasion.
Despite his many talents, Rahvin was a hedonist with a weakness for women causing him to sometimes
shirk responsibilities to spend time with his lovers.
Known as Barid Bel Medar prior to his betrayal, the man later known as Demandred was a powerful
channeler but also jealous, petty and solemn, considered the angriest of all the forsaken,
though he hid it behind a mask of calm.
Joining the shadow out hatred for Lews Therin, Demandred’s desire for vengeance grew throughout
his life as he was in constant competition with the Dragon, but never able to best him
in any area.
A prestigious author who held high offices, everyone of his achievements were surpassed
by his rival, even holding true in their romantic endeavours, as Demandred was in love with
Ilyena Therin Moerelle, who ultimately chose Lews Therin as her husband.
At the start of the War of Power, Demandred proved himself an expert military commander,
in some ways equalling the Dragon, but once again his talents were not enough, as Lews
Therin was named Commander over the forces of Light.
Enraged by this decision, Demandred believed the armies of Light were destined to lose
under the leadership of his foolish, overcautious rival, and so joined the Shadow where he formed
a personal army called the Eighty and One, similar to Lew Therin’s supporters the Hundred
Companions.
As one of the most powerful Forsaken, Demandred exacted cruel revenge upon his enemies, feeding
two whole cities to Trollocs because the slighted him in the past.
Winning a number of victories, Demandred was one of the Generals leading the final push
to defeat the forces of Light when Lews Therin embarked upon his mission to Shayol Ghul.
Originally named Tel Janin Aellinsar, the man later called Sammael was one of the greatest
athletes of his era, known as an expert archer and world champion in the sport of Swords.
A friend of Lews Therin, Sammael proved himself an excellent warrior and tactician, specializing
in defensive strategies, but ultimately joined the Dark One out of a growing jealousy for
the Dragon who was selected as commander of their forces.
Possessing a scar along his face, given to him by Lews Therin, Sammael refused to have
it healed, instead using it as a constant reminder of his hatred and desire for vengeance.
Preferring warfare to administration, the territories he governed were neglected and
so poorly run his people routinely died of disease and hunger.
His soldiers however were treated well, given all the food, supplies and medical attentions
they needed, in the same way Sammael maintained his equipment during his days as a Sportsmen,
ensuring they would not fail him when needed.
Despite believing himself superior to Lews Therin, he was never able to defeat him in
a direct confrontation, but did win a number of other victories, making him one of the
leading generals in the final offensive that nearly defeated the forces of light.
Known previously as Ishar Morrad Chuain, the Forsaken Aginor was one of their most powerful
channelers, but also less ambitious then others, preventing him from achieving greater status
among his colleagues.
Known as a great biologist before his fall to the Dark One, Aginor’s only real desire
was to have the freedom necessary to further his scientific research, as many of his experiments
were considered unethical by the Hall of Servants.
Pledging himself to the shadow, he was granted all the liberty and resources he wanted, resulting
in the creation of fast breeding human-animal hybrids called Trollocs, which went on to
serve as the backbone of the Dark One’s armies.
Aginor was so adept at genetic engineering, he created many of the Shadowspawn races including
Myrddraal, Draghkar, and others, which continued to plague humanity beyond the War of Power,
for thousands of years to come.
A poor military commander, Aginor remained in the background throughout the war and won
little glory for himself, but was nonetheless the deadliest of all the Forsaken, as he was
estimated to have sacrificed over ten thousand men, women and children everyday of the war
to create his Shadowspawn, in addition to the untold numbers they slaughtered while
fighting.
Born Eval Ramman, the Forsaken Balthamel was once a noted historian specializing in vanished
cultures, but failed to achieved greater prominence as his true passion was for gambling and women,
spending much of his time in places of ill repute.
Possessing an explosive temper and penchant for violence, he was lured to the Shadow with
promises of eternal life, and served most ably by heading an extensive intelligence
network.
Responsible for some of the most heinous atrocities in the War of the Shadow, he was known to
create breeding camps for humans in order to provide a regular source of food for their
Trolloc armies.
Known previously as Joar Addam Nessosin, the Forsaken Asmodean was a famous but insecure
musician who ultimately fell to the shadow for the sake of immortality, which gave him
an eternity to practice and improve his skill.
As a governor over territories conquered by the shadow, he regularly arrested artists
and musical rivals in order to blind or maim them so they could never again use their talents.
A twisted and cruel individual, Asmodean stilled his own Aes Sedai mother before giving her
to a Myrddraal.
Named Duram Laddel Cham, the Forsaken Be’lal was a legal advocate, master swordsmen and
friend of Lews Therin in his previous life, once beating him in a game of stones.
Though he started out fighting for the armies of light in the War of Power, he grew increasingly
jealous of the Dragon and so fell to the shadow, becoming one of their greatest manipulators,
tacticians, warriors and generals.
In addition to his military prowess, Be’lal served as a governor who distinguished himself
through extreme violence and cruelty.
Among his many accomplishments, Be’lal was one of the Forsaken who razed the Hall of
Servants and was involved in the final offensive which nearly defeated the armies of light.
Born Mierin Eronaile, the Forsaken Lanfear was considered one of the most beautiful women
to ever live and was once the lover of Lews Therin Telamon until he ended things, believing
she cared more about status then their relationship.
As a highly reputed researcher at the university of Collam Daan, Lanfear was one of those responsible
for creating the Bore which allowed the Dark One’s influence into the world.
A selfish woman only nominally loyal to the Dark One, her true allegiance was always to
herself, and thus joined the shadow to increase her power and one day win back the love of
Lews Therin.
The most powerful female Forsaken, surpassing even some of the men, she was a skilled dreamer
able to torture enemies in their sleep.
Considering the dream world her domain, she used these skills to terrorize the people
she governed and to win a number of victories for the shadow, but was nonetheless passed
over for leadership, leading her to consider Ishamael an enemy, ever seeking to supplant
his position.
Known previously as Nemene Damendar Boann, the Forsaken Semirhage was once the most gifted
Restorer in the world, able to heal any wound or illness short of death.
However, she was also one of the most cruel and sadistic women in the Hall of Servants,
using her position to purposely torture and kill those she deemed unworthy of life.
When her colleagues discovered what she was doing, they threatened punishment and so she
abandoned the light to join the shadow, where she was free to commit all the cruelty she
wanted.
Serving as an average military general, her greatest contributions were as the head of
a spy network, while also governing a number of territories with a unique level of abuse
and horror, performing terrible medical experiments on her people, becoming so feared and infamous
prisoners committed suicide rather than face her wrath.
At some point she was taken captive by the forces of light, but her reputation was so
fearsome she intimidated her guards into helping her escape.
Hating Aes Sedai most of all, she reserved the worst punishments for her former colleagues,
using her knowledge of the human body to inflict unimaginable pain.
Born Saine Tarasind, the Forsaken Mesaana was a professor at the prestigious University
of Collam Daan, a career she hated, as she originally applied to become a research but
was ultimately rejected.
Enraged by her failure to pursue the path she desired, Mesanna turned to the Shadow
where she served as an adequate military general but highly effective and efficient governor,
focusing her efforts on the children of her territories, using them as tools of oppression,
fear and cruelty.
Becoming known as Mesaana’s children, they were taught to bully each other, pick on those
who were different, inform on their parents and commit acts of ruthless violence.
After the defeat of the Dark One, these children formed roaming gangs which continued to wreak
havoc for many years to come.
Once known as Kamarile Maradim Nindar, the Forsaken Graendel was a respected psychologist
famous for her ability to heal mental afflictions.
Living by strict minimalist and ascetic code, she believed humanity must cast off the shackles
of vanity to embrace a life of simplicity, putting little value in their appearance,
clothing and possessions.
Though she was greatly admired for these practices, those who knew her were repelled by her arrogance
and sense of moral superiority.
In time, Graendel realized that the world would never live up to her standards, and
so abandoned her beliefs to embrace a new lifestyle, embracing values in direct opposition
to what she previously espoused, engaging in vanity, debauchery, hedonism and physical
pleasure, with a great emphasis on looks and fashion, considered a women of exceptional
beauty.
With this new mindset she eventually joined the Shadow and gathered a harem of beautiful
men and women to serve her as mindless servants.
Though she was not a military leader, she was an expert at mental manipulation, responsible
for a great many victories and subversion efforts.
While other Forsaken were more powerful and influential, the dragon reserved a special
hatred for Graendal, as she killed the woman Yanet, who was dear to his heart.
Born Lilen Moiral, the Forsaken Moghedien was an advisor of investments in her former
life, until joining the Shadow to first serve as a spy working for Lews Therin Telamon.
Sabotaging his efforts from the inside, she was eventually discovered and fled to create
an extensive spy network for the forces of darkness.
A master of the dreamworld, even surpassing the skills of Lanfear, Moghedien was responsible
for some of their most successful sabotage schemes, said to have killed as many people
as any military general, though her targets were often civilians rather than soldiers.