Moghedien

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Moghedien (moh-GHEH-dee-ehn) is one of the primary antagonists of the Wheel of Time fantasy series by Robert Jordan. She is one of the Forsaken. Her name means the spider in the Old Tongue, and indeed, a moghedien was a spider in The Age of Legends. She was named this for her sneaky, skulking nature.

[edit] Background

Lillen Moiral was over 200 years old, considered young for an Aes Sedai in the Age of Legends, when the Bore was opened. She was a financial consultant, who was disciplined repeatedly for breaking the rules and ethics of her job. She turned to the Shadow in the early stages of the Collapse, although she did not make this public until halfway through the War. Moghedien is named after a spider from the Age of Legends, who spun its web in hidden places. Its bite could kill in seconds. Moghedien takes no risks; she is always cautious, lurking in the shadows until someone displays weakness, then strikes. She is described as being sturdily handsome with large dark eyes and hair to her shoulders. She is stern like a big sister.

During the War of Power Moghedien held a middle rank in Lews Therin's command structure, but secretly ran an intelligence organization for the Shadow. When her treachery was eventually discovered, she sabotaged a public transportation vehicle, killing thousands, in order to narrowly escape.

[edit] Recent Activities

After being released from the Bore, Moghedien disguised herself as Gyldin, a servant in the Panarch's Palace, in order to keep an eye on Liandrin and the other Black sisters in Tanchico. There, she first fought Nynaeve and lost. She next turned up in Amadicia, taking control of Liandrin and company. She found Nynaeve and Birgitte in Tel'aran'rhiod -- of which Moghedien considers herself the master, despite Lanfear's claim that it is her domain -- and tore Birgitte out of the World of Dreams.

Moghedien again disguised herself , this time as Marigan, to sail with Nynaeve and Elayne to Salidar. However due to her sloppiness, she was captured by Nynaeve in Tel'aran'rhiod. Elayne made an a'dam to control her, and then, together with Nynaeve and Egwene, extracted secrets from her of the One Power and the Age of Legends.

Halima (Aran'gar/Balthamel) set Moghedien free in Salidar. She was immediately summoned to Shayol Ghul, where she became the mindtrapped property of Moridin (Ishamael).