Shai'tan

Lore & Background

Despite the seal, Shai'tan's power seeps through cracks over time, manifesting as madness, fear, and corruption among those who channel the One Power. The Forsaken were trapped within him during the sealing but retain their consciousness, waiting for release to aid in his escape. Throughout history, prophets have warned that the seals are weakening, leading to the belief that only the Dragon Reborn can rebind him or destroy him at Shayol Ghul.

In Their Own Story

The wind howled across the plains of Shayol Ghul, carrying a scent older than memory. A lone figure knelt in the ash, whispering names that no tongue should speak. Shadows stretched long and unnatural against the stone, seeming to breathe without lungs. In the silence between heartbeats, a voice echoed not from the air, but from within the mind itself, promising power at the cost of souls.

Reader's Guide

Legends speak of a time before the Wheel began its turning, when the Creator and Shai'tan clashed in the Pattern itself. This conflict birthed the Age of Legends, where humanity flourished until the Dark One whispered corruption into the hearts of the powerful. The War of Power ensued, shattering civilization as men tried to kill him with the Choedan Kal. Ultimately, Lews Therin Telamon and his companions sealed the Bore beneath Shayol Ghul, trapping the entity within the void. The seal held for thousands of years, yet the Breaking followed as the male channelers died and the world fractured physically and magically. Prophecies warn that the seals weaken with time, allowing whispers to return through the Darkfriends who serve him in the shadows. Now, in the Last Age, the Bore trembles again as the Forsaken seek release from their imprisonment to aid his escape. Current scholars debate whether he is a distinct being or merely the absence of creation, yet his influence remains tangible through terror and madness across the lands. The cycle suggests his return is inevitable unless the Dragon Reborn ends it at Shayol Ghul during the Last Battle. These ancient texts shape the fear that drives nations to prepare for the coming darkness against the Light.

Did You Know?

• Shai'tan has many names, including The Dark One and The Great Lord of the Night, used by different cultures throughout history.
• The Bore beneath Shayol Ghul is the physical location where he was sealed away during the Age of Legends.
• His influence is strongest on those who channel the One Power, often driving them to madness or corruption.
• Legends state that his release would result in the end of the Pattern and the return of the Shadow.