Moghedien (Old Tongue for Spider) is a character in The Wheel of Time television series portrayed by Laia Costa.
Moghedien is one of the Forsaken. She is a powerful channeler from the Age of Legends who is sworn to the Dark One.[1]
History[]
Moghedien was born in the Age of Legends and rose to become one of the Dark One's Chosen. She was sealed away by Lews Therin Telamon before the Breaking of the World.[1]
Season 2[]
Lanfear mentions Moghedien to Ishamael in Tel'aran'rhiod. She sarcastically dismisses Moghedien as "insane".[1]
Lanfear plans to keep the other Forsaken sealed after the Battle of Falme, and instructs Bayle Domon to throw the other cuendillar seals into the sea. However, when she returns to the room in Falme where the seals have been kept, she sees that all have been broken. Moghedien confronts Lanfear, and the Forsaken tells her that Ishamael freed all the other Forsaken before his death, as he had suspicions about what Lanfear would do. Moghedien then traps Lanfear in an energy web with the One Power and taunts her about how the other Forsaken always said that she was acting "softly, softly, from the shadows." Moghedien says that she does not want to fight Lanfear, but is warning her that the fate of Rand al'Thor and the other ta'veren is in the hands of the other Forsaken. With that, Moghedien leaves and Lanfear is released.[2]
Season 3[]
After an attack orchestrated by Lanfear in coordination with Moiraine Damodred and Lan Mandragoran, where Nynaeve al'Meara was injured by a mysterious assassin with gray skin and blackened fingers. Lanfear remarked that only one of the Chosen could create the so-called "Gray Men."[3]
Later, Moghedien captures and tortures a Whitecloak named Jaichim Carridin, who was also a Darkfriend. After repeatedly asking if he wanted to become a Gray Man, Jaichim finally gave in, and Moghedien transformed him into one of her own, commanding him to find someone specific.[3]
Following a meeting of the Forsaken organized by Lanfear, which involved Sammael and Rahvin, the decision was made to eliminate Moghedien to prevent her from rising in power and potentially becoming Nae'blis. Emerging from the shadows, the Spider spoke with Rahvin, noting that Lanfear was playing the same game as before in attempting to turn Rand al'Thor, and that she would not spend another 3,000 years in someone else's cage.[4]
Disguised as a servant in Tanchico, Moghedien overheard a conversation between Liandrin Guirale and Nyomi of the Black Ajah, where they discussed a bracelet and missing necklace—items that would be used to collar the Dragon Reborn himself.[4]
In one of her thousands upon thousands of visions of the future during her journey to Rhuidean, Moiraine is cornered by dark versions of the ta'veren, led by Lanfear in the Ways. Moghedien was among the group.[5]
Moghedien infiltrates a Black Ajah meeting disguised as a servant, where Liandrin displays an image of a broken statue on the city docks called the Chained Man, a man who could channel and was chained by two Aes Sedai. Liandrin orders the group to find the final piece needed to chain the Dragon Reborn. Later, Moghedien prowls the Black Ajah compound, committing mischievous acts like disarranging and tearing textiles and regurgitating food.[6]
In Tel'aran'rhiod, Moghedien intercepts Ispan Shefar, who was waiting for Rahvin. The Spider coerces her into revealing details about Nyomi's death at the hands of Liandrin, who desired to become one of the Chosen, and that two of the five being hunted by the Dark One were in Tanchico. Knowing this, Moghedien kills Ispan in the world of dreams.[6]
Later, Moghedien subdues Nynaeve and Elayne Trakand using Compulsion, forcing them to tell her everything she wants to know and to obey her without hesitation. Nynaeve hands over to Moghedien the second bracelet needed to chain the Dragon, not without first attempting to resist. Surprised, Moghedien slashes Nynaeve's cheek. The Chosen reveals she has been sending her Gray Men to assassinate the Daughter-Heir of Andor as a favor to Rahvin and thank them for achieving what the Black Ajah could not. Moghedien finally mentions she will return to visit them again.[6]
At the Black Ajah hideout, Moghedien gives the missing bracelet to Liandrin and, after placing it on her, declares they will go to the Panarch's Palace.[7]
While imprisoned, Sammael is visited by Moghedien. He asks her to help free him from his shield so they can join forces and defeat the enemy. However, Moghedien plans to discover how to kill another of the Chosen. She proceeds to channel his blood out of his body, causing Sammael to writhe in pain. Later, Lanfear and Rahvin find what remains of Sammael. Lanfear remarks that Moghedien would go after the weakest and advises Rahvin to join her in taking down the Spider.[7]
Back in Tanchico, Moghedien reveals herself to Liandrin, who had already discovered her identity as a Forsaken. Moghedien mocks Liandrin, before taking the bracelet out of her. Liandrin proposes they work together to chain the Dragon Reborn. Later, still in her servant disguise, Moghedien senses something that captures her attention and leaves her stunned.[7]
Physical appearance[]
Moghedien was an adult woman with fair skin, black hair, and brown eyes. She wore her hair short in an updo with a micro fringe. Her fingers were blackened. After being freed by Ishamael, Moghedien wore a loose white shirt with black pants and a pair of boots.[2]
Later, her outfit changed to a dark ensemble with a collar and sleek metallic sheen.[3] In Tanchico, she wore a dark brown outfit with a black veil.[4]
Abilities[]
According to Lanfear, Moghedien is the weakest in the One Power for a Forsaken.[4] However, she is cunning and strategic, as she managed to spring a trap on Lanfear, Shielding and wounding her at the same time by keeping her trapped in the spiderweb-like webs.[2] She also has the unusual ability to mutate other Darkfriends into gray automatons, known as Grey Men, under her complete control through torture.[3] Moghedien is also pretty skilled in Compulsion.[6]
She also possesses the power to manipulate Tel'aran'rhiod like Lanfear and Ishamael.[6]
Appearances[]
Moghedien appears in the following episodes:
| The Wheel of Time appearances | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season 2 episodes | m | ✔ | ||||||
| Season 3 episodes | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
Quotes[]
- Ishamael
- Lanfear
- — Season 2 episode 5 Damane
Because... Moghedien's insane, Graendal's a vain idiot, and the boys couldn't execute a plan even if they were under Compulsion.
- Moghedien
- Lanfear
- Moghedien
- — Season 2 episode 8 What Was Meant to Be
Mm, this is not a fight. This is a warning. When I strike, I don't miss.
- Jaichim Carridin
- Moghedien
- — Season 3 episode 1 To Race the Shadow
Please don't talk. We lose our souls. A true death. But if you ask for it, then you become something different. Not light or dark. Something gray. Do you want to be gray, Jaichim?
- Moghedien
- Rahvin
- Moghedien
- — Season 3 episode 3 Seeds of Shadow
Lanfear is playing the same she did the last time. But not me. I don’t want to end up in someone’s cage for 3,000 years. Not again.
Gallery[]
Season 3 images[]
Changes from the book series[]
Moghedien is an adaptation of the character of the same name 
(book spoilers!) from the book series.
[]
| Characters |
|---|
        Padan Fain • Liandrin Guirale • Alanna Mosvani • Logain Ablar • Maksim • Ihvon • Min Farshaw • Loial • Siuan Sanche • Leane Sharif • Ishamael • Verin Mathwin • Lanfear • Anvaere Damodred • Dain Bornhald • Aviendha • Gitara Moroso • Moghedien • Elaida do Avriny a'Roihan • Faile Bashere • Season 1 characters • Season 2 characters • Season 3 characters • see all |
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 The Wheel of Time, season 2 episode 5: Damane.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 The Wheel of Time, season 2 episode 8: What Was Meant to Be.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 The Wheel of Time, season 3 episode 1: To Race the Shadow.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 The Wheel of Time, season 3 episode 3: Seeds of Shadow.
- ↑ The Wheel of Time, season 3 episode 4: The Road to the Spear.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 The Wheel of Time, season 3 episode 6: The Shadow in the Night.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 The Wheel of Time, season 3 episode 8: He Who Comes With the Dawn.