Demandred

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Demandred (deh-MAN-drehd [1])is one of the primary antagonists of the Wheel of Time fantasy series by Robert Jordan. He is one of the Forsaken.

"Almost" is the story of Barid Bel Medar's life. He was born one day after Lews Therin Telamon, almost his age. He was almost handsome, other than his hawk nose. He was the second most acclaimed man of the Age of Legends, holding high offices and writing books, not quite as successful as Lews Therin. For this reason he hated Lews with every ounce of his soul, more so than Sammael, thinking him a lucky fool. He also once desired Lews Therin's wife, Ilyena Therin Moerelle.

Barid Bel turned out to be a great general for the Light. As a gambler, he played the odds with strategic vision and tactical flair and his risks on the battlefield paid off. When Lews Therin Telamon became commander of the forces of the Light, Demandred could no longer contain his hatred. He turned to the Shadow in the third year of the War of Power, becoming one of the Dark One's best generals.

Since escaping from the seal, he has been scheming with Mesaana and Semirhage. Other than ordering the death of Rand al'Thor at least once, his plans have yet to be revealed. A favorite theory among readers was that he disguises himself as Mazrim Taim, leader of the Black Tower. The theory intuitively fits; Taim knows weaves of the One Power that Rand does not; Taim is scornful of modern Aes Sedai (something all Forsaken are open about); both Demandred and Taim are second fiddle, are almost, to Rand; and both have been seen to scheme against him, and when the Chosen met in Winter's Heart it was said that it was the responsiblity of both Demandred and Osan'gar (Corlam Dashiva) to watch Rand al'Thor.

However, author Robert Jordan has assured his fans that Demandred is not masquerading as Taim. This is supported by the Demandred's appearance in Winter's Heart in battle against Damer Flinn (One of Taim's first Black Tower recruits). During the fight, Demandred does not recognize Flinn. Mazrim Taim also holds a seal to the prison of the Dark One, and as one of the Chosen he would not be likely to leave it intact unless he has his own secret. As of the series' final novel, A Memory of Light, he is the only Forsaken whose whereabouts and cover identity are totally unknown.

While visiting Graendal in Arad Doman, Sammael comments that that events in the South had Demandred's mark all over them. Whether this means south of Arad Doman (possibly in Almoth Plain, Falme, Tarabon, Amidicia, or even Gheldean), or South of Illian (the Isles of the Sea Folk) is Unclear. Apparently, Demandred likes using proxies and lackeys, and these 'events' attest to that.

This character may well be based on 'Demogorgon,' an evil god.