Mesaana
Encyclopedia
Mesaana (originally known as Saine Tarasind) is one of the primary antagonists of the Wheel of Time
fantasy
series by Robert Jordan
. She is one of the Forsaken
.
during the War was that she founded many schools for children in conquered territories. These schools were designed to immerse children in the teachings of the Dark One, in the hope of making them faithful servants. The children were taught to spy on each other and on their parents, and to report any illegal activity. Mobs of these children burned down museums, libraries and research facilities—anything that detracted from the Dark One. People of all ages were tried before courts entirely made of children, then executed. After Lews Therin Telamon
sealed the Chosen and the Dark One in the Bore, the children grew into rampant mobs; they were often called "Mesaana's Children" by the survivors of the Breaking, and it was said that they seemed to be in a race with the male Aes Sedai
, trying to break and loot the world faster than the deranged men.
set up the trap for Rand al'Thor
in Tear
, she has kept a relatively low profile. However, she has been active in controlling Alviarin, the former Keeper of the Chronicles
in the White Tower and was probably responsible for the kidnapping of Rand al'Thor
by representatives of the White Tower. It is said that Mesaana, Demandred
and Semirhage
have been working together since the War of Power. Perhaps not coincidentally, they are three of the Chosen who have retained their modern power and authority the longest.
Mesaana was reprimanded by the mysterious Myrddraal Shaidar Haran
in the presence of Alviarin, for failing to answer the summons to kill Rand while the Choedan Kal were being used to cleanse saidin. Any changes in her status as a result of this punishment are as yet undetermined.
learns of the identities of almost every member of the Black Ajah - including the knowledge that Mesaana remained within the White Tower - from Verin Mathwin
, a Black sister who found a loophole in her oaths to the Dark One. Verin's actions saw Egwene begin a purge of the Black Ajah within the rebel Aes Sedai, though she was unable to prevent the Black Ajah within the loyalist faction from escaping. It is discovered in Towers of Midnight that Mesaana had assumed the identity of Danelle, an Aes Sedai of the Brown Ajah. How she circumvented the three oaths (which were forced to be resworn by every Aes Sedai in the tower) is unknown though possibilities are discussed in the book.
with sisters and Aiel wise ones, Egwene plans to uncover all the Black Ajah Sisters that escaped notice from events of The Gathering Storm and ultimately Mesaana herself. The plan leads Mesaana and members of the Black Ajah, including Katerine Alruddin and Alviarin Friedhen, to attack the group. Neither side is able to leave the Tel'aran'rhiod due to the relocation of the dreamspike by Perrin Aybara. With the assistance of Nyneave and the Aiel Dreamwalkers, Egwene is able to kill a number of Black Ajah sisters, including Katerine (who is disguised as Mesaana by the Forsaken herself). This leads however to Mesaana sneaking an a'dam ring around Egwene's neck. Though Egwene is initially overcome with fear and despair, she settles herself mentally and breaks the a'dam (by imagining it not to be there through her control over the World of Dreams). She exerts her will over Mesaana causing the Forsaken's mind to break down.
The Wheel of Time
The Wheel of Time is a series of epic fantasy novels written by American author James Oliver Rigney, Jr., under the pen name Robert Jordan. Originally planned as a six-book series, the length was increased by increments; at the time of Rigney's death, he expected it to be 12, but it will actually...
fantasy
Fantasy
Fantasy is a genre of fiction that commonly uses magic and other supernatural phenomena as a primary element of plot, theme, or setting. Many works within the genre take place in imaginary worlds where magic is common...
series by Robert Jordan
Robert Jordan
Robert Jordan was the pen name of James Oliver Rigney, Jr. , under which he was best known as the author of the bestselling The Wheel of Time fantasy series. He also wrote under the pseudonyms Reagan O'Neal and Jackson O'Reilly.-Biography:Jordan was born in Charleston, South Carolina...
. She is one of the Forsaken
Forsaken (Wheel of Time)
In the fictional world of Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time fantasy series, the Forsaken are the most powerful and favored servants of the Dark One. They were formerly Aes Sedai, but became corrupted by the desire for power and immortality...
.
Origin
Very little is known about Mesaana's life before swearing allegiance to the Dark One. She is described as dreamy, with large blue eyes and dark hair. She has a voice like silver chimes and is taller than most women. She frequently disguises her ability to channel and appears just short of her middle years. Unlike the other Forsaken, Saine Tarasind was not the best in her profession. She applied for a research position at the Collam Daan, the epicenter of research into the One Power at that time. She was refused the position she wanted and instead found herself teaching at the center.Age of Legends
During the War of Power, Mesaana was an administrator of conquered territories. Described as a brutal and efficient governor, what set her apart from the other ChosenForsaken (Wheel of Time)
In the fictional world of Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time fantasy series, the Forsaken are the most powerful and favored servants of the Dark One. They were formerly Aes Sedai, but became corrupted by the desire for power and immortality...
during the War was that she founded many schools for children in conquered territories. These schools were designed to immerse children in the teachings of the Dark One, in the hope of making them faithful servants. The children were taught to spy on each other and on their parents, and to report any illegal activity. Mobs of these children burned down museums, libraries and research facilities—anything that detracted from the Dark One. People of all ages were tried before courts entirely made of children, then executed. After Lews Therin Telamon
Lews Therin Telamon
Lews Therin Telamon is a fictional character in Robert Jordan's The Wheel of Time fantasy series. He was the Dragon of the Age of Legends. He is the most powerful, most hated, and most feared man in history, for his part in the Breaking of the World and killing his loved ones, earning him the...
sealed the Chosen and the Dark One in the Bore, the children grew into rampant mobs; they were often called "Mesaana's Children" by the survivors of the Breaking, and it was said that they seemed to be in a race with the male Aes Sedai
Aes Sedai
The Aes Sedai are a special society in the fictional universe of Robert Jordan's The Wheel of Time book series. Aes Sedai means "Servant to All" in the Old Tongue. They are the wielders of the One Power...
, trying to break and loot the world faster than the deranged men.
Third Age
Mesaana now controls the Black Ajah in the White Tower, where she resides as one of the Brown Ajah. Whenever one of the members of the Black Ajah reports to her, she appears cloaked in an illusion that hides her identity, except Alviarin, the Keeper, has seen a part of her dress: Dark bronze with black scrollwork. Other than helping Be'lalBe'lal
Be'lal is one of the primary antagonists of the The Wheel of Time fantasy series by Robert Jordan. He is one of the Forsaken.- Origins :...
set up the trap for Rand al'Thor
Rand al'Thor
Rand al'Thor, also known as the Dragon Reborn, is the fictional main character and protagonist of The Wheel of Time, a series of fantasy novels by Robert Jordan.Rand al'Thor has many other titles within the series:...
in Tear
Tear (Wheel of Time)
In the fictional world of Robert Jordan's fantasy series The Wheel of Time, Tear is one of the richest nations in the land. This comes in part from controlling the greatest port on the Sea of Storms, at the mouth of the River Erinin. A great deal of Tear's wealth comes from the oil produced on the...
, she has kept a relatively low profile. However, she has been active in controlling Alviarin, the former Keeper of the Chronicles
Keeper of the Chronicles
Keeper of the Chronicles is a fictional title that exists in Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time Series.Although second in authority to the Amyrlin, the Keeper of the Chronicles has no real authority over Aes Sedai, except what the Amyrlin Seat chooses to give her. She also acts as the Amyrlin's...
in the White Tower and was probably responsible for the kidnapping of Rand al'Thor
Rand al'Thor
Rand al'Thor, also known as the Dragon Reborn, is the fictional main character and protagonist of The Wheel of Time, a series of fantasy novels by Robert Jordan.Rand al'Thor has many other titles within the series:...
by representatives of the White Tower. It is said that Mesaana, Demandred
Demandred
Demandred is one of the primary antagonists of the Wheel of Time fantasy series by Robert Jordan. He is one of the Forsaken.-Origin:...
and Semirhage
Semirhage
Semirhage is one of the primary antagonists of the Wheel of Time fantasy series by Robert Jordan...
have been working together since the War of Power. Perhaps not coincidentally, they are three of the Chosen who have retained their modern power and authority the longest.
Mesaana was reprimanded by the mysterious Myrddraal Shaidar Haran
Shaidar Haran
Shaidar Haran is a fictional character in the Wheel of Time series by Robert Jordan.In the Old Tongue Shaidar Haran means "Hand of the Dark". He looks like a Myrddraal but is much taller and seems to have a sense of humor. Whereas most Myrddraal wear all black robes, Shaidar Haran has been known...
in the presence of Alviarin, for failing to answer the summons to kill Rand while the Choedan Kal were being used to cleanse saidin. Any changes in her status as a result of this punishment are as yet undetermined.
Identity
During the events of The Gathering Storm, Egwene al'VereEgwene al'Vere
Egwene al'Vere is one of the main characters of the Wheel of Time fantasy series by Robert Jordan.-Description:She is described as beautiful, with large brown eyes and long dark hair. Like all adult women in her home village of Emond's Field, she initially wore her hair in a long braid, but as soon...
learns of the identities of almost every member of the Black Ajah - including the knowledge that Mesaana remained within the White Tower - from Verin Mathwin
Verin Mathwin
Verin Mathwin is a fictional character in The Wheel of Time series of fantasy novels by Robert Jordan.-Description:Verin is an Aes Sedai of the Brown Ajah. Verin has grayed hair and is considered to be one of the oldest Aes Sedai alive; likely over 200 years old...
, a Black sister who found a loophole in her oaths to the Dark One. Verin's actions saw Egwene begin a purge of the Black Ajah within the rebel Aes Sedai, though she was unable to prevent the Black Ajah within the loyalist faction from escaping. It is discovered in Towers of Midnight that Mesaana had assumed the identity of Danelle, an Aes Sedai of the Brown Ajah. How she circumvented the three oaths (which were forced to be resworn by every Aes Sedai in the tower) is unknown though possibilities are discussed in the book.
Fate
During the events of Towers of Midnight, Egwene al'Vere devises a plan to lure Mesaana out of hiding. By setting up a meeting in Tel'aran'rhiodTel'aran'rhiod
Tel'aran'rhiod or the World of Dreams is a fictional reality where the reality is mutable, mentioned in the fictional world of Robert Jordan's fantasy series The Wheel of Time. The word itself is from the in-universe language known as the Old Tongue, and literally means 'the unseen world'...
with sisters and Aiel wise ones, Egwene plans to uncover all the Black Ajah Sisters that escaped notice from events of The Gathering Storm and ultimately Mesaana herself. The plan leads Mesaana and members of the Black Ajah, including Katerine Alruddin and Alviarin Friedhen, to attack the group. Neither side is able to leave the Tel'aran'rhiod due to the relocation of the dreamspike by Perrin Aybara. With the assistance of Nyneave and the Aiel Dreamwalkers, Egwene is able to kill a number of Black Ajah sisters, including Katerine (who is disguised as Mesaana by the Forsaken herself). This leads however to Mesaana sneaking an a'dam ring around Egwene's neck. Though Egwene is initially overcome with fear and despair, she settles herself mentally and breaks the a'dam (by imagining it not to be there through her control over the World of Dreams). She exerts her will over Mesaana causing the Forsaken's mind to break down.