Tam al'Thor
Encyclopedia
Tam al'Thor is a secondary character in Robert Jordan's fantasy series The Wheel of Time
. He is the adoptive father of the Dragon Reborn, Rand al'Thor
. He is a resident of the Two Rivers in Andor
and a tabac and wool farmer. His farm is located just outside Emond's Field on the edges of the westwood. Tam is described as medium height (for a Two Rivers man) so probably around 5'10 to 6'0 feet tall. He has solid grey hair (as of The Gathering Storm
) and is heavy with muscle. He taught Rand to be able to use the Flame and the Void technique. He is one of the best archers and trackers in all of the Two Rivers.
and he joined Illian's army. He climbed the ranks and eventually became Second Captain of The Companions. At some point during his travels, he became a blademaster and earned the heron-mark sword that he would later pass on to Rand. He fought in the Aiel War, and was at the Battle of the Shining Walls, also known as the Blood Snow. Following that battle he found the newborn on the slopes of Dragonmount and took him as his own. He then returned to the Two Rivers with his wife Kari al'Thor to raise Rand.
. Rand caught a glimpse of a Myrddraal on the road, and mentioned it to Tam. Tam, however, did not see the Myrddraal, although Tam did later tell Rand that he believed Rand's story about the Myrddraal, since several young men had seen a Black Rider in recent days. Upon reaching the village, the Village Council had an impromptu meeting in the Winespring Inn, and the council discussed the news brought by Padan Fain of war in Ghealdan.
Upon arriving back at the farm, the two men completed their remaining chores and then prepared to retire for the night. Tam recovered his sword from the chest under his bed, and shows Rand his Heron Marked Blade for the first time. Trollocs arrived before they could settle down for their meal. Tam held them off as he told Rand to escape into the woods, then deliberately led them away from Rand. He was wounded by a Trolloc blade and had to be carried on a makeshift litter to Emond's Field by his son. During that journey, Tam was overcome with fever and mumbled things about Rand's true past that Rand had been unaware of. Upon arriving back in town, the Wisdom, Nynaeve al'Meara
, told Rand that Tam would die and that was nothing she could do to save him. In desperation, Rand sought the aid of Moiraine Sedai, who successfully healed Tam, Rand promised to give Moiraine anything in return for the Healing. Tam remained bedridden and was unable to accompany Rand on his journey. He did, however, give Rand his sword.
, per her orders from Cadsuane Melaidhrin
and brought to talk to Rand. Abandoning the script he was given by Cadsuane, he speaks to his son from himself, but when he reveals that he was there because of Cadsuane, Rand flies into a rage nearly killing him. Tam later confronts Cadsuane about what he thought she had done to Rand.
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...
. He is the adoptive father of the Dragon Reborn, 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:...
. He is a resident of the Two Rivers in Andor
Andor (Wheel of Time)
Andor is a country set in Robert Jordan's The Wheel of Time series of fantasy fiction novels.Andor is one of the strongest countries in the Westlands of the main continent. It is located in the middle of the Westlands, and is one of the largest nations...
and a tabac and wool farmer. His farm is located just outside Emond's Field on the edges of the westwood. Tam is described as medium height (for a Two Rivers man) so probably around 5'10 to 6'0 feet tall. He has solid grey hair (as of The Gathering Storm
The Gathering Storm (novel)
The Gathering Storm is the 12th book of the fantasy series The Wheel of Time. It was incomplete when its author, Robert Jordan, died on September 16, 2007, from cardiac amyloidosis...
) and is heavy with muscle. He taught Rand to be able to use the Flame and the Void technique. He is one of the best archers and trackers in all of the Two Rivers.
Early life
Unusually for a Two Rivers man, Tam has travelled the world. His travels led him to IllianIllian
In the fictional world of Robert Jordan's fantasy series The Wheel of Time, Illian is a powerful merchant nation north of the Sea of Storms, with a capital city of the same name. It is a center of commerce specializing in fishing, shipping, shipbuilding, and smuggling. Political deadlock often...
and he joined Illian's army. He climbed the ranks and eventually became Second Captain of The Companions. At some point during his travels, he became a blademaster and earned the heron-mark sword that he would later pass on to Rand. He fought in the Aiel War, and was at the Battle of the Shining Walls, also known as the Blood Snow. Following that battle he found the newborn on the slopes of Dragonmount and took him as his own. He then returned to the Two Rivers with his wife Kari al'Thor to raise Rand.
Winternight
The winter of 997-998 NE was particularly harsh one, and Tam left the day before Bel Tine to make his yearly delivery of Apple Brandy. It was on this journey that Rand first saw ShadowspawnShadowspawn
In the world of the Wheel of Time series by Robert Jordan, Shadowspawn include a number of species, with varying levels of sentience, that have been created by the Dark One or other agents of the Shadow.-Trollocs:...
. Rand caught a glimpse of a Myrddraal on the road, and mentioned it to Tam. Tam, however, did not see the Myrddraal, although Tam did later tell Rand that he believed Rand's story about the Myrddraal, since several young men had seen a Black Rider in recent days. Upon reaching the village, the Village Council had an impromptu meeting in the Winespring Inn, and the council discussed the news brought by Padan Fain of war in Ghealdan.
Upon arriving back at the farm, the two men completed their remaining chores and then prepared to retire for the night. Tam recovered his sword from the chest under his bed, and shows Rand his Heron Marked Blade for the first time. Trollocs arrived before they could settle down for their meal. Tam held them off as he told Rand to escape into the woods, then deliberately led them away from Rand. He was wounded by a Trolloc blade and had to be carried on a makeshift litter to Emond's Field by his son. During that journey, Tam was overcome with fever and mumbled things about Rand's true past that Rand had been unaware of. Upon arriving back in town, the Wisdom, Nynaeve al'Meara
Nynaeve al'Meara
Nynaeve al'Meara is one of the main characters of The Wheel of Time fantasy series by Robert Jordan.-Personality:Nynaeve's personality often runs a gamut of emotions, meek at times before more experienced women but also able to stand up and run down others. While she will deny it, Nynaeve is...
, told Rand that Tam would die and that was nothing she could do to save him. In desperation, Rand sought the aid of Moiraine Sedai, who successfully healed Tam, Rand promised to give Moiraine anything in return for the Healing. Tam remained bedridden and was unable to accompany Rand on his journey. He did, however, give Rand his sword.
Captain under Lord Perrin "Goldeneyes" Aybara
When the Trollocs entered the Two Rivers in order to draw out the three Ta'veren, Tam escaped the burning of his farm and managed to get Abell Cauthon, his friend, and Mat Cauthon's father, away from his farm before it was also burned. The two men took to the woods and were a fairly effective two-man resistance. When Perrin arrived and rallied the Two Rivers to resist the Trollocs and Whitecloaks, Tam and Abell both served as trainers in archery and swordsmanship, and as captains during the major battles of Emond's Field. Perrin appoints Tam as his First Captain before the Battle at Malden.The Gathering Storm
Tam is retrieved by Nynaeve al'MearaNynaeve al'Meara
Nynaeve al'Meara is one of the main characters of The Wheel of Time fantasy series by Robert Jordan.-Personality:Nynaeve's personality often runs a gamut of emotions, meek at times before more experienced women but also able to stand up and run down others. While she will deny it, Nynaeve is...
, per her orders from Cadsuane Melaidhrin
Cadsuane Melaidhrin
Cadsuane Melaidhrin is a fictional character in The Wheel of Time series of fantasy novels by Robert Jordan.-Description:Cadsuane is an Aes Sedai of the Green Ajah. She has nearly black eyes and wears her iron gray hair in a bun with many gold ornaments. The ornaments in her hair are angreal and...
and brought to talk to Rand. Abandoning the script he was given by Cadsuane, he speaks to his son from himself, but when he reveals that he was there because of Cadsuane, Rand flies into a rage nearly killing him. Tam later confronts Cadsuane about what he thought she had done to Rand.