Darkfriend Social

Darkfriend Social
Participants	Ishamael 11 Darkfriends
Date	998/9 NE
Location	Tel'aran'rhiod

The Darkfriend Social was a summit between Ishamael and various disguised Darkfriends to discuss the return of the Dragon Reborn.

History

Season 2

Various disguised Darkfriends meet with Ishamael in Tel'aran'rhiod, in a building that stations various Trollocs. The Darkfriends begin to discuss Rand al'Thor being the Dragon Reborn and the implication that this has for the Shadow. A young Tuatha'an girl named Niko, daughter of one of the Darkfriends, runs into the room where they are meeting and crawls towards her mother. The girl is interrupted by Ishamael, but the mysterious figure soon correctly guesses that Niko was scared of a "monster." He beckons her out from under the table, talking to Niko in a kind manner, and telling her that many people call him "monster", too. As they leave, Ishamael explains that people call him many things, such as "Betrayer of Hope," "Father of Lies," and "Forsaken." He tells Niko that nobody would be afraid if they simply called the Chosen what they really were.

As they approach the Trolloc, Ishamael poses to Niko how one proves they are not a monster, or what they are doing is right or wrong. He tells the girl that it is hard for a Trolloc to be between human and beast, and asks her if the creature may simply be hungry instead of being evil or wrong. Ishamael asks Niko if he looks like a monster to her, and she says he does not. Ishamael smiles, and says he knew he liked Niko, picking her up as he approaches the Trolloc and starts to pet it. He invites the girl to start petting the creature herself, and she laughs as she does this, no longer scared of Shadowspawn.

Attendees

The attendees with their positions numbered 1-12

There are twelve seats at the table where the Darkfriends are meeting, and including Niko there are thirteen attendees. Aside from Ishamael and Niko, all attendees are hooded to conceal their identities. However, several Darkfriends are still wearing distinct clothing, hinting at who they may truly be. These guests include, in counter-clockwise order starting with Ishamael:

1. Ishamael
2. An Aes Sedai wearing a Great Serpent ring with a black stone, denoting the Black Ajah. (This is possibly Liandrin Guirale.)
3. A Seanchan woman who has the distinct long nails of the Blood (Seanchan nobility). This is likely High Lady Suroth.
4. Masculine figure in patterned blue shorts and red stockings.
5. Niko's mother, a Tuatha'an woman wearing the bright clothing of her people.
6. A Shienaran soldier, whose uniform bears the black hawk of Shienar. This is possibly the same Shienaran Darkfriend who was mauled to death by a Tuatha'an dog, later found by Lord Ingtar Shinowa's party.
7. A member of the Children of the Light, in their distinct white clothing.
8. Padan Fain - He raises his hood to reveal his identity.
9. Darkfriend with fair skin, grey-beige sleeves, and grey-metal bracelets.
10. Darkfriend with black gloves and black sleeves with white cuffs.
11. Darkfriend with fair skin in a white skirt or dress.
12. Feminine figure in a lady's red patterned dress.

Gallery

Images

The Black Ajah's Great Serpent ring that she wore at the meeting

Trivia

• The Darkfriend Social scene was added to the end of The Eye of the World in 2023 as a preview for season 2 shortly before its premiere.

Changes from the book series

The Darkfriend Social is adapted from the event of the same name  (book spoilers!) from the book series.

• Niko's presence at the Darkfriend Social is original to the television series.