Mesaana
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Mesaana (meh-SAH-nah) is one of the primary antagonists of the Wheel of Time fantasy series by Robert Jordan. She is one of the Forsaken.
Contents |
[edit] Background
Very little is known about Mesaana's life before swearing allegiance to the Dark One. Saine Tarasind, unlike the other Forsaken, was not the best in her profession. She applied for a research position at The Collam Daan, the epicentre of research into the One Power at that time. She was refused the position she wanted, and instead found herself teaching at the center.
[edit] Appearance
Mesaana 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.
[edit] In the 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 Chosen 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 it faster than the deranged men.
[edit] Modern Times
Mesaana now controls the Black Ajah in the White Tower, where she is believed to reside. Much speculation has been made over which sister she poses as; many clues point to her being a Brown, but some theorize that she is actually a White or Tarna, a Red. 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: bronze with black scrollwork. Other than helping Be'lal 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. So far, among the three, only Semirhage has been discovered by the Light, having been taken prisoner by Rand al'Thor in Knife of Dreams. Mesaana is the second most-anonymous Forsaken in the story (after Demandred, whose false identity and whereabouts are totally unknown to the readership).
Recently 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.
