Tel'aran'rhiod, also known as the World of Dreams, is a place/concept that exists in The Wheel of Time television series.
Overview[]
The World of Dreams is a physical place that all people can accidentally reach during sleep. Those who have more control over their dreams may enter at will. Tel'aran'rhiod is extremely dangerous, as physical harms taken in this world are real upon waking,[1] and it is even possible to die in the Dream World.[2]
Some people are able to control and even completely master events and experiences in Tel'aran'rhiod. Controlling Tel'aran'rhiod allows a person to travel across the world and go wherever they please, seeing things as they truly are and communicating with people as they sleep.[2] The Forsaken Lanfear is considered one of these great masters of Tel'aran'rhiod.[3] Ishamael is also getting better at it,[3] and has used it to communicate with darkfriends.[4] The ability to fully control the World of Dreams is known as Dreamwalking, and the Aiel are particularly knowledgeable about the ability.[5]
History[]
Season 1[]
After leaving the Two Rivers, Rand al'Thor, Mat Cauthon, Perrin Aybara, and Egwene al'Vere all have a similar dream: a scarred man with "eyes like embers" visits them, and bats die around them. Rand dreams that he coughs up a bat. In Mat's dream, the bats' necks snap in midair. Moiraine cautions them that "dreams have power," but doesn't elaborate.[6] The four continue to have dreams of the scarred man. Perrin later dreams of his dead wife Laila and a wolf, with the man standing nearby.[7] Rand later dreams he's in the Two Rivers, and he sees Perrin bringing a hammer down on Laila's body and Mat walking with blood on his hands. Egwene calls to him, and the man appears behind her and covers her mouth.[8]
After the party is separated, Mat and Rand end up in Breen's Spring and meet Dana, who turns out to be a darkfriend who tries to capture them. She tells them she sees the five of them in her dreams, which is how she recognized them.[9]
When Moiraine and Lan try to assess if Logain Ablar might actually be the Dragon Reborn, Lan points out that the Dark One isn't after Logain, citing the lack of the dreams as one of the signs.[4]
When Moiraine returns to Tar Valon and speaks with Siuan Sanche, Siuan tells her that she's been having dreams of the Dark One at the Eye of the World, and that he's weak and "barely clinging to his power but getting stronger every day." Siuan believes that they can destroy him if they go now while they have the advantage, and she advises Moiraine to do so.[10]
While Rand and Moiraine travel to the Eye of the World, they stop to rest, and the man again visits Rand in his dream. Rand shoots him with an arrow, but the man is unbothered, and sheds his scarred skin to reveal the look of a regular man. Rand believes him to be the Dark One and refuses to talk to him, and he turns his sword on himself to force himself to wake.[11]
Season 2[]
An important meeting between Ishamael and various Darkfriends is held in Tel'aran'rhiod.[12]
Ishamael later brings Min Farshaw to Tel'aran'rhiod when she sleeps in an inn in an attic in rural Cairhien. He manipulates her by promising to take her Viewings away if she brings Mat Cauthon to the City of Cairhien.[13]
After Moiraine exposes Lanfear's identity, she tells Rand that they cannot fall asleep under any circumstances, as Lanfear is a master of Tel'aran'rhiod. After losing track of Moriaine and Rand in the waking world, Lanfear goes to Tel'aran'rhiod, disguising herself as Rand so that she can meet with Ishamael and discuss matters pertaining to the Shadow. Moiraine later allows Rand to sleep, as she believes Lanfear does not want to kill him, and that she truly holds some affection for him. However, the moment Rand falls asleep, he is strapped to a stone wheel in the middle of Tel'aran'rhiod, with Lanfear sitting on a throne before him.[3]
People in Tel'aran'rhiod[]
Individuals who can control Tel'aran'rhiod include:
- Lanfear, who is considered a master at it[3]
- Ishamael[3]
- Moghedien, may have confronted Lanfear in Tel'aran'rhiod[14]
Anyone can visit Tel'aran'rhiod while dreaming. In addition to casual dreamers, these individuals have been intentionally pulled into Tel'aran'rhiod by someone who can control dreams:
Unconfirmed:
- Siuan Sanche, who has dreams of the Dark One at the Eye of the World[10]
- Nynaeve al'Meara was possibly visited by Ishamael in her dreams during season 1 since he was after her as well, but this is not directly addressed in the show
- Niko, the young girl who is at the Darkfriend meeting, but it's unclear if she is a casual dreamer who happened to be there or if someone pulled her there[12]
- High Lady Suroth, likely to have been the hooded Darkfriend Seanchan noblewoman at the Darkfriend meeting[3]
- Liandrin Guirale, may have been the Aes Sedai of the Black Ajah at the Darkfriend meeting[12][nb 1]
Quotes[]
- Moiraine
- — Season 1 episode 2 Shadow's Waiting scene 11
Dreams have power. More than you know.
- Moiraine
- — Season 1 episode 8 The Eye of the World scene 8
What did you dream? Dreams have great meaning, especially here, so close to his touch.
- Moiraine
- Rand
- Moiraine
- Rand
- Moiraine
- Rand
- Moiraine
- — First time Tel'aran'rhiod is named, season 2 episode 5 Damane
The world of dreams. She can hurt you just as easily there as here. And the moment you fall asleep, she will have you.
Trivia[]
- The term Tel'aran'rhiod was not used in the first season, although dreams are used often by the man with burning eyes. It remained unconfirmed until season 2 that the man was using Tel'aran'rhiod.
- On August 18, 2021, showrunner Rafe Judkins first confirmed that Tel'aran'rhiod would be in the TV series.[15]
Changes from the book series[]
Tel'aran'rhiod is an adaptation of the location of the same name 
(book spoilers!) from the book series.
Notes[]
- ↑ As of the end of season 2, Liandrin is the only known member of the Black Ajah. She was also present at the Darkfriend meeting in the books.
References[]
- ↑ Official X-Ray for Prime Video: The Wheel of Time, under the "In scene" section (login required), section labeled "Tel'aran'rhiod". Retrieved September 3, 2023.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 The Wheel of Time, season 2 episode 6: Eyes Without Pity.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 The Wheel of Time, season 2 episode 5: Damane.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 The Wheel of Time, season 1 episode 4: The Dragon Reborn. Scene 21.
- ↑ NYCC panel, October 14, 2023, stated by Rafe Judkins.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 The Wheel of Time, season 1 episode 2: Shadow's Waiting. Scene 11.
- ↑ The Wheel of Time, season 1 episode 3: A Place of Safety. Scene 9.
- ↑ The Wheel of Time, season 1 episode 4: The Dragon Reborn. Scene 26.
- ↑ The Wheel of Time, season 1 episode 3: A Place of Safety. Scene 21.
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 The Wheel of Time, season 1 episode 6: The Flame of Tar Valon. Scene 15.
- ↑ The Wheel of Time, season 1 episode 8: The Eye of the World. Scene 9.
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 12.3 The Wheel of Time, season 2 episode 1: A Taste of Solitude. Scene 3.
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 The Wheel of Time, season 2 episode 4: Daughter of the Night.
- ↑ The Wheel of Time, season 2 episode 8: What Was Meant to Be.
- ↑ On Twitter, a fan asked, "Will The World of Dreams be in the show?" and showrunner Rafe Judkins responded, "How could you do the show without it?" August 18, 2021.