Be'lal

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Be'lal (BEH-lahl) is one of the primary antagonists of the The Wheel of Time fantasy series by Robert Jordan. He is one of the Forsaken, whose name is taken from Belial, a Hebraic demon.

[edit] Background

Little is known about this Forsaken beyond his real name Duram Laddel Cham. He was a general in the war against the Shadow, a skilled sword master, and originally a good friend of Lews Therin Telamon. However his nickname was the Envious because he envied not only Lews Therin, but also Elan Morin Tedronai (Ishamael) and Mierin Eronaile (Lanfear) as well. It is said he once beat Lews Therin in a game of stones, and bragged about it forever.

"Do you remember when we took up that tame sport called swords and learned to kill with? Like the old volumes said men once had."

Be'lal was tall and athletic, with close cropped white hair. He has been given the name the Netweaver, because of his skills in compulsion and manipulation. Also a patient and cunning tactican, he proved to be one of best generals during the War of Power, fighting alongside Lews Therin Telamon for support of the Light. According to the Guide, he was involved in the legal profession prior to the creation of the Bore. It is said that after turning to the Shadow, he ran an intelligence network which probably rivaled Moghedien's. It is also known that he took part in razing the Hall of Servants.

[edit] In the Series

After being released from the Bore, Be'lal became the High Lord Samon, and took over Tear. He desired the sa'angreal Callandor, and set a trap for Rand al'Thor, since only the Dragon Reborn could take the sword. While Be'lal was easily beating Rand in a sword fight inside the Stone of Tear, he urged Rand to take up Callandor. Be'lal planned to kill Rand once he took Callandor and then claim the sa'angreal for himself. However Be'lal was killed with balefire by Moiraine before he was able to kill Rand, thus he will not be reincarnated by the Dark One, because his thread is cut out of the pattern.

Be'lal is reminiscent of Bel, Ba’al & Belial--the head Babylonian god, the head Phoenecian/Canaan male god, and the Hebrew term for 'wicked.'