The Wheel of Time Companion Read online

  balescream. Another effect of the use of balefire on the Pattern. It was a warping, rippling of the air as if the Pattern itself was howling in pain.

  balfone. A musical instrument of the Age of Legends.

  Balgar, Mattin Stepaneos den. See Mattin Stepaneos den Balgar

  Balinor. Verin’s first Warder. It took ten years for her to get over his death and bond Tomas.

  Ball and Hoop, The. An inn in Caemlyn where the Sea Folk Wavemistress of Clan Catelar stayed while trying vainly to get an audience with Rand.

  Balladare Arandaille. An Aes Sedai of the Brown Ajah who served as Amyrlin from 115 to 142 NE. Balladare was a weak Amyrlin. The Kavarthen Wars occurred during her reign.

  Ballair. An Aes Sedai who was an advisor to Ishara, the first Andoran queen.

  Ballin Elamri den Rendalle. An Illianer nobleman who was a member of the Council of Nine.

  Balmaen, Jenare. See Jenare Balmaen

  Balthamel. A Forsaken whose original name was Eval Ramman. During the Age of Legends, he was a historian studying vanished cultures, if not a distinguished one. He also enjoyed frequenting what would be called taverns of the lowest sort. A lover of the ways of the flesh even more than Aginor, he was an avid pursuer of the opposite sex, and delighted in various perversions and excesses. Unlike Graendal, he had no desire to collect pets, but he wanted to sleep with every beautiful woman he saw. He had a wildfire temper that he often could not control, and he often did not try to. Supposedly, more than once he came very close to being punitively bound with the Power against doing violence. Despite his position at an institute of higher learning in M’Jinn (the name of the institution is not known) he enjoyed consorting with the rougher elements of society, even criminals, to a degree which brought considerable censure. Others thought that his strength in the One Power was one of the main reasons that he was not dismissed from his post.

  Apparently, immortality was the sole reason he went over to the Shadow. To live forever and never age: his motive was as simple as that. He made his journey to Shayol Ghul to pledge his soul somewhere in the middle years of the Collapse. Although he stood high in the councils of the Shadow during the war, his exact role was impossible to ascertain. It was reported that he might have headed an intelligence network which competed with that run by Moghedien. Without doubt he never held a field command, though it is possible that he did serve as a governor. Whatever his position, it is known that he participated in a number of large-scale atrocities, including setting up the camps which were meant to breed humans as food for Trollocs.

  Balthamel was trapped near the surface of the Bore when it was sealed by Lews Therin, and he aged. He wore a leather mask with the face of a smiling youth when he appeared at the Eye of the World. He was killed by the Green Man. The Dark One put his soul in a new body and he became Aran’gar, also known as Halima Sarinov. See also Aran’gar

  Balwen Mayel. The Last king of Aridhol; he was also called Balwen Ironhand. During the Trolloc Wars, he turned to Mordeth for advice; Mordeth convinced him to use the Shadow’s tactics against the Shadow. Following that advice led to the corruption and downfall of Aridhol.

  Balwer, Sebban. See Sebban Balwer

  Ban. See Bandry Crawe

  Ban al’Seen. A Two Rivers man who joined Perrin’s army. He had dark hair and a prominent nose. He was just a little older than Perrin. Ban was a cousin of Wil, son of Jac, and one of the first two leaders of Perrin’s fighters. He was part of the original band that hunted Trollocs with Perrin and got ambushed; he led half of the approximately seventy fighters. He continued to fight alongside the Two Rivers men at Dumai’s Wells, Malden and the Last Battle.

  Banas. A widower in Jarra, Ghealdan. He was dragged through the wedding arches by Widow Jorath.

  Band of the Red Hand. 1) A legendary group of heroes who had many exploits, finally dying in the defense of Manetheren when that land was destroyed during the Trolloc Wars. Their Old Tongue name was Shen an Calhar. 2) A military formation put together almost by accident by Mat Cauthon and organized along the lines of military forces during what was considered the height of the military arts, the days of Artur Hawkwing and the centuries immediately preceding. The Band was composed of several squadrons of cavalry and several banners of infantry, the latter divided among pikemen and crossbowmen/archers. Several banners composed a legion and several legions composed a great legion, divisions that were devised once the Band became large enough. Banners were commanded by Banner-Generals, legions by Lieutenant-Generals, and great legions by Captain-Generals. The formal title for the commander of the Band was Marshal-General, which was also one of the titles given Mat when he assumed command of all the Seanchan forces in the Last Battle.

  Other groups were attached to the Band; for example, each banner had musicians, and after a battle, these musicians became stretcher-bearers for the wounded. The Band also had a supply banner, which was responsible for logistics, and a miners’ banner, which served as an engineers’ corps, capable of everything from building bridges to tunneling under an enemy’s fortifications. The miners’ banner was split up, with men being assigned to various legions for specific duties. The same was true of the signal banner, which used signal flags, semaphore towers and heliographs to transmit messages.

  Bandar Eban. The capital of Arad Doman, and the prime port city of the northwest. Massive gates penetrated the city walls and opened up to streets of packed earth, with wooden boardwalks at the sides. Arandi Square, the main city square, was set with copper fountains in the shape of horses leaping from a frothy wave. The buildings were tall and square, shaped like boxes stacked atop one another. Rows of square wooden houses filled the city, rolling down a gentle incline to the massive port, the widest part of the city. Banners flew above, or hung from every building, some used as business signs, family names, or location names. The wealthy part of the city was located on the heights in the east. One of the grandest mansions was the seat of House Chadmar. There was a king’s palace, but it was inferior to the homes of the Council of Merchants. Bandar Eban’s Terhana Library was considered to be among the best in the world.

  banded adder. A poisonous snake with glittering scales.

  Bandevin, Jala. See Jala Bandevin

  Bandry Crawe. A young man from Emond’s Field. He was ten months older than Rand, Mat and Perrin, and he saw the Myrddraal in Emond’s Field. Ban joined Perrin’s army at Malden. He knew how to make stools that were used by Perrin’s army.

  Banikhan Mountains. A mountain range in Saldaea, along the Aryth Ocean at the World’s End. It was also known as the Sea Wall. Ice peppers grew well in its foothills, and gems were found there as well.

  Banner, al’Thor’s. See al’Thor’s Banner

  Banner-General. In the Band of the Red Hand and Seanchan forces, a general commanding a banner. A Seanchan Banner-General wore three thin plumes.

  Banner of Light. See al’Thor’s Banner

  bannerman. A soldier who carried his commander’s banner.

  Bao the Wyld. The name taken by Demandred in Shara.

  Bar Dowtry. A square-faced Emond’s Field man. Nynaeve caught him with Kimry Lewin in his father’s hayloft; both were punished severely, and a month later Bar and Kimry were married. It was said that neither could sit for a week after the wedding. Bar later started making a name for himself with cabinetmaking. He joined Perrin’s army at Malden.

  Barada, Vilnar. See Vilnar Barada

  Baradon, Teslyn. See Teslyn Baradon

  Baran. A young Tairen lord who was foppish and fastidious and always seemed to be looking down his sharp nose. He thought the Aiel were savages who lived in caves. Baran was not as boastful as Reimon, but he was as opinionated and overbearing. He played cards with Mat and was terrified when the cards came to life. He was killed by the Shaido as he attempted to leave Cairhien in search of aid.

  Barashelle. A woman who was raised Aes Sedai during the Trolloc Wars. Anselan was her Warder. Their story passed down through the ages as a romance, but B
irgitte revealed the true story: Barashelle bonded a Warder while she was still Accepted; when she was found out, she was forced to pass the bond to another and remain Accepted three extra years, and then bonded Anselan, a stubborn older man chosen for Barashelle by the Amyrlin.

  Barashta. An Ogier-built city in Eharon, one of the Ten Nations after the Breaking; it later became Ebou Dar. Its residents were called Barashandan.

  Barasine. A lanky, long-legged Aes Sedai of the Red Ajah and the loyalist contingent. Logain Ablar said that she was one of those who forced him to declare himself Dragon Reborn. She assisted in capturing Egwene at Northharbor, and thought Egwene might be stilled and beheaded that same night; she showed no eagerness when she said it; she was just stating facts. Barasine was made a Sitter to replace Duhara Basaheen. She was a participant in Nynaeve’s test for Aes Sedai; she voted that Nynaeve had not passed.

  bard-harp. A musical instrument played by Asmodean as Natael.

  Barda, Narenwin. See Narenwin Barda

  Bards, Forms of Recitation of. There were three forms of recitation used by bards in storytelling: Common, Plain Chant and High Chant. Common was ordinary speech, telling a story as one man in the street might tell another. Plain Chant added a rhythmic half-singing to poetic imagery; nothing was ever described plainly and conveying emotion was as important as conveying description. High Chant was sung. The rhythms were more precise, and emotional content was more important than mere description. High Chant could be all but unintelligible to those who were not used to it; it was a form used only by court-bards and the like.

  Barel Layden. An Andoran nobleman and High Seat of his minor House who was loyal to Elayne and brought armsmen to support her. He did not hesitate to lead his men against the Black Ajah when they held Elayne.

  Barettal. A member of Ituralde’s personal guard in Saldaea. He and Connel were the only two of Ituralde’s guards still alive when they were allowed to retreat into Maradon while being pursued by the Shadowspawn army.

  Bargain, the. The agreement made with the Sea Folk on Rand’s behalf for Sea Folk ships to be at his disposal, but which also saddled Rand with obligations, such as not changing any law of the Atha’an Miere; their being allowed to build a compound in each major port that came to Rand, acceded to by the local rulers so the agreement would survive Rand; and his keeping an embassy of Sea Folk with him and agreeing to attend the Mistress of the Ships when summoned, but not more than twice in any three consecutive years.

  Bari. A juggler with Valan Luca’s show; he worked with his brother Kin. Among other things, they worked with ribbon-twined hoops.

  Bari. A palace retainer of more than twenty years’ service in the Royal Palace in Caemlyn. He was a panting and round-faced man who came to tell Rand that Ogier had come. He was very excited about the Ogier. He remained in the palace serving Elayne.

  Barid Bel Medar. Demandred’s name before he turned to the Shadow.

  Barim Halle. An Andoran man from Kore Springs who followed Gareth Bryne when he chased after Siuan, Leane and Min. He had served under Bryne in the Queen’s Guards. He was hard and wiry, with a leathery egg-shaped head and white eyebrows that seemed to be trying to make up for the lack of other hair. When he didn’t know whether to tell something, or didn’t want to, he put his tongue in his cheek, although he didn’t realize it.

  Barin Madwen. The deceased husband of Maglin. He and his wife were the innkeepers of The Nine Rings in Tremonsien, Cairhien. When he died, Maglin planned to go back to her native Lugard, but Barin left her the inn and his brother the money, the opposite of what Maglin expected.

  Baris. A lean man in Ebou Dar. He mortally wounded Masic in a duel in the Rahad as Nynaeve and Elayne looked on.

  Barit Chavana. An acrobat in Luca’s circus, one of four men said to be brothers, although the four looked very different. Barit was darker than Juilin and had Sea Folk tattoos on his hands, though he wore no earrings. He was short and compact.

  barkers. A pejorative Ebou Dari term for young women of a certain type.

  Barklan Tower. A watchtower in Kandor south of Heeth Tower.

  Barlden, Mayor. The mayor of Hinderstap. He was sturdy, with dark hair and a beard. He tried to get Mat to leave before sunset, but greed won out and he allowed one gamble too many. The following day he explained Hinderstap’s situation.

  Barlett. The leader of the Whitecloak scouts with Galad after Galad became Lord Captain Commander. He was lean with a scar on his face. He was really loyal to Asunawa, and led Galad and his group of Children into a trap.

  Barmanes Nolaisen. A Cairhienin member of Cha Faile. Camaille was his sister. He accompanied Perrin to Almizar. When the clerk there died from coughing up beetles, Barmanes smelled of panic. After someone tried to kill Perrin, Barmanes removed the arrow from Perrin’s arm.

  Barmellin. A man near Tremonsien, Cairhien. He was on his way to deliver brandy to The Nine Rings when he saw the Choedan Kal start to glow. He was terrified and drove his horse Nisa back to his farm as fast as he could.

  Barmellin, Doilaine. See Doilaine Barmellin

  Baroc. The Master of Blades of Atha’an Miere when Nesta din Reas was Mistress of the Ships. He was spindly with deep-set eyes and a bit of white hair. He wore a full dozen earrings and a number of thick gold chains around his neck. He and Nesta were executed by the Seanchan for rebellion.

  Barran clan. A family in the Two Rivers. See Doral, Hilde, Hu, Jondyn and Tad Barran

  Barriga. A Borderlander merchant who brought a caravan to Heeth Tower, where it was attacked by Trollocs. He should have listened to Rebek to stay away.

  Barrin. A member of the Deathwatch Guard. He once stopped a man from breathing on Tuon because he suspected the man’s mouth was filled with poisons. He was right.

  Barsabba. A Seanchan city or region. It was associated with Suroth, being mentioned in her title.

  Barsalla, Aleis. See Aleis Barsalla

  Barshaw, Torwyn. See Torwyn Barshaw

  Barsine. An Ogier-built city in Jaramide, one of the Ten Nations after the Breaking; it was known as Barsine of the golden spires. It was ravaged and burned at the beginning of the Trolloc Wars.

  Barsine lace. A type of lace on the ruff of Mat’s coat in his memory of a former persona who had danced with a beautiful Sea Folk emissary.

  Barstere clan. A family from Watch Hill in Two Rivers. See Flann, Kev and Jerinvar Barstere

  Barthanes Damodred. A Cairhienin nobleman and a Darkfriend. He became High Seat of his House upon the death of Laman. The sign of House Damodred was the Crown and Tree; the Charging Boar was his personal seal. Barthanes, who was Laman’s cousin, was slim and tall for a Cairhienin and had dark eyes and long graying hair. Barthanes had built a mansion on the site of the Cairhienin Ogier grove. He hosted an elaborate party and invited Rand; there he passed Fain’s message to Rand. The following day, he was found torn to pieces in his bedchamber, with his head stuck on a spike.

  Bartim. The innkeeper at The Wayfarer’s Rest in Whitebridge, Andor. He was fat and balding.

  Bartol. Warder to Erian. He was left in Cairhien when Erian went with Cadsuane to find Rand; later he used his bond to help Logain and Bashere find them.

  Bartu. A Shienaran soldier who came to follow and believe in Masema. He stood about 5'9" tall. Bartu was one of those following Ingtar when he and Perrin pursued the Horn of Valere to Falme. He wintered in the Mountains of Mist with Perrin and Rand; after Rand left and the Shienarans were abandoned to make their own way, he stuck with Masema in Ghealdan. He was killed before the Last Battle by Cha Faile.

  Baryn, House. A major noble House in Andor; its High Seat was Lir, the brother of Aedelle; its sign the Winged Hammer.

  Basaheen, Duhara. See Duhara Basaheen

  Basan. Merana’s Warder. He died before the Aiel War, and she never bonded another.

  Basar, Latian. See Latian Basar

  Basel Gill. The innkeeper of The Queen’s Blessing in Caemlyn. A soldier during the Aiel War, he was fifty to fifty-five year
s of age when Rand met him. Gill was stout and pink-faced with graying hair that he tried to comb over a bald spot. A friend of Thom Merrilin’s, he was willing to help Rand and Mat in Caemlyn because Thom sent them to him. He knew that Moiraine considered them important somehow, but he thought Mat was a wastrel and a gambler, and wondered why Thom was friendly with him. He was very loyal to Morgase and followed her when she went on the lam; he questioned her judgment, but in his eyes she was his queen, and he would follow her through anything and everything. After escaping from the Seanchan in Amadicia, he and his party were rescued from Dragonsworn by Perrin. Gill became Perrin’s shambayan, in charge of obtaining supplies and also running the household. Lini intimidated him. He went on to fight in the Last Battle.

  Basene, the Lady. An alias of Graendal.

  Basharande. A nation that arose after the Trolloc Wars.

  Bashere, House. A noble House of Saldaea, including the Lord of Bashere, Davram; his wife, Deira; his son, Maedin; and his daughter, Faile. The sigil of House Bashere was a simple scarlet flower, the kingspenny, on a field of blue. This flower did not die back even in Saldaean winters, and was the first to reappear after a forest fire; in short, it was a blossom nothing could kill. See also Deira, Davram and Maedin Bashere and Faile ni Bashere t’Aybara

  Basolaine, N’Delia. Putative translator of The Prophecies of the Dragon, First Maid and Swordfast to Raidhen of Hol Cuchone.

  Basram. A Domani soldier with Lan at the end of the Aiel War. He fell asleep on guard duty, and Lan woke him up.