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Moghedien
Moghedien, also known as the Spider, was originally called Lillen Moiral. Lillen was an advisor for investments, a profession that no source explains, and was cautioned a number of times for violating the laws and ethics of the business. (BWB, ch. 6)
Lillen Moiral lived over 200 years before the Bore was opened but was considered young for an Aes Sedai. In the age of Legends, a moghedien was a small spider that spun it's web in hidden places. It's bite could kill in seconds.
Moghedien actually went over to the Shadow long before the War of Power, however true to her nature she kept it a secret until the war was had been raging for many years. Though she tended to stay in the shadows she killed as many people as an major general of the Dark One, though she was indiscriminant in who she killed. During the early years of the war, many major disasters were actually Moghedien's doing. She ran a very efficient intelligence and sabotage network, which was a great aid to the cause of the Shadow. When she was revealed to be an agent of the Shadow, she barely escaped with her life, killing thousands to ensure her freedom. (BWB, ch. 6)
Moghedien has been described as a natural-born skulker and as an out-and-out coward who never confronts an enemy openly unless she has the upper hand or is forced to. She used to scoffed and sneered at those who took open risks, and yet at the same time envied their achievements and hated them because she was sure they despised her for hanging back. In fact, a number of the other Forsaken did look down on her, yet those who discounted her too far usually lived to regret it.
Moghedien has been known to keep grudges, it is said that she remembers the most minor slight until the Wheel of Time stops turning, and she loves revenge. (BWB, ch. 6) During the Age of Legends a plan she had been involved with to cause the death of Lews Therin was foiled by Birgitte, called Teadra during that time, and Moghedien vowed to make her weep alone for an eternity.
Her greatest asset was her expertise in Tel’aran’rhiod. In the World of Dreams, she was unequaled, even by Lanfear. While she most certainly could never have equaled Lanfear in the waking world, in Tel’aran’rhiod Moghedien could have bettered the Daughter of the Night. (BWB, ch. 6) Also of note, in Tel'aran'rhiod Moghedien often wears dresses made of streith. Streith was a fabric that was popular during the Age of Legends. The colors, and opacity of this fabric would change it's colors and opacities based on the thoughts and emotions of the wearer.
She is described by Rendra, the innkeeper of the the Three Plum court as being a stern woman, somewhat like an older sister. It is also mentioned within this chapter that Moghedien appears to fall short of being middle aged, so she probably looks like she's around 35 years of age. Moghedien is often described as being a handsome woman, supposedly more stern and commanding then pretty. (TSR, ch. 46)
True to her nature, Moghedien initially kept a low profile after being released from the Bore. However, in Tanchico she was bested by Nynaeve al’Meara in a one on one confrontation. (TSR, ch. 54) Moghedien proceeded to carry a personal grudge against Nynaeve, singling her out among those fighting for the Light as one she would seek to punish. However, Nynaeve defeated Moghedien again in Tel’aran’rhiod, collaring her with an a’dam. (TFoH, ch. 54)
Moghedien lived among the rebel Aes Sedai in Saldiar, known as Marigan. It was Moghedien who taught Nynaeve, Elayne Trakand, and Egwene al’Vere many of their "discoveries." (LoC, ch. 12) After an extended period of time serving those she was supposed to be fighting, Moghedien was freed from her captivity by a woman who was apparently channeling saidin. (LoC, epilogue)
Since her release from the a’dam, Moghedien has fallen out of grace with the Great Lord of the Dark. Her free will was poured into a cour’souvra, which is now in the possession of Moridin. While once among the greatest of the Dark Lord’s servants, Moghedien currently finds herself in the role of a servant to one more favored. (ACoS, ch. 25)
Written by Tallan
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