Wolfbrother is the term given to a human man[nb 1] who develops an extremely close connection to wolves, adopting some wolf-like characteristics and abilities.[1]
Abilities[]
Wolfbrothers' abilities are not known to most humans, as most people don't trust what they don't understand. Wolfbrothers particularly prefer to keep away from women who can channel such as Aes Sedai.[1] When Elyas joins the Shienarans as their new tracker, his real abilities are not known to them and he is known simply as a "sniffer," so the others seem to believe that he tracks by "sniffing the air."[2]
Communication[]
Wolves and wolfbrothers communicate with a telepathic language of visualizations. Given practice, wolfbrothers can send these visions to others. Perrin first learns of this when a wolf scout sees a buck and sends an image of it to him and the other wolves, and Elyas explains that it's their language. A wolf shares his name with Perrin through the same method, showing Perrin a vision of the wolf hopping up into the air, which Perrin translates as "Hopper."[1]
Wolves and wolfbrothers can apparently communicate over notable distances, as the wolf scout who spotted the buck was not in sight of Elyas or Perrin when it sent the message.[1]
The language is something that wolfbrothers can speak instinctually without guidance, although they initially may not know they're even doing it. Before learning of the language or how it works, Perrin had inadvertently been sending images to the wolves for months.[1] When he and Egwene were captured by Whitecloaks, Perrin was tortured and his eyes turned golden,[3] and he unknowingly sent a message to the wolves which is how the wolves knew he was in trouble and why they helped him escape. When Perrin sleeps, he's inadvertently been sending images of his lost wife Laila Dearn.[1]
Perrin also began receiving wolf visions before learning what they were, most notably while tracking Padan Fain. When Perrin and the Shienarans come across a murdered Tuatha'an family, Perrin has a vision of the attack and of a little girl getting away.[4] When Perrin enters a room where another family was killed, he sees a vision of the attack and initially confuses it with reality, thinking the family was actually there in front of him. At the time, Perrin thought it was something that Elyas was doing to him, although Elyas tells him it doesn't work that way.[5]
Golden eyes[]
Wolfbrothers's eyes will turn golden, like the color of a wolf's eyes.
For wolfbrothers who are newer to their abilities, their eyes will turn gold when their ability manifests, but this is not permanent. Perrin has naturally dark brown eyes, and his eyes temporarily turn a golden color when he communicates with the wolves. When he isn't using his abilities, his eyes will then change back to dark brown.[3][2][5][1]
Golden eyes appear to be permanent when a wolfbrother is more experienced with his powers. Elyas's eyes appear to be permanently golden.[6]
Other changes[]
Experienced wolfbrothers develop a taste for raw meat, and seem to prefer it over cooked meat. When Perrin cooks his meat with Elyas and the wolves, Elyas tells him that he'll "lose the taste for cooked flesh soon enough."[1]
Wolfbrothers appear to have a heightened strength, and a feeling of primal rage.[1]
Wolfbrothers will not physically transform into a wolf. Perrin asks Elyas if the wolves they're with are also wolfbrothers and if he'll change into one, to which Elyas replies, "Don't be stupid."[1]
Known wolfbrothers[]
Quotes[]
- Egwene
I'm worried about him. His eyes. When Valda was torturing him, they went golden. Like a wolf's.- Moiraine
Did anything else unusual happen?- Egwene
- — Egwene describes the changes in Perrin, season 1 episode 6 The Flame of Tar Valon
Wolves attacked the Whitecloaks while we were there. But he wasn't afraid of them. It's like they... they listened to him.
- Perrin
Are you sure we're even going the right way?- Elyas
Wolves don't get lost.- Perrin
You're the one leading us, not them.- Elyas
Look at me, boy. I am them. So are you.- Perrin
What are we?- Elyas
Wolfbrother, they call us.- Perrin
What does that mean?- Elyas
- — First use of the term wolfbrother, season 2 episode 4 Strangers and Friends
Exactly what it sounds like.
Changes from the book series[]
Wolfbrothers are adapted from the concept of the same name (book spoilers!) from the book series.
Notes[]
- ↑ Statements from Robert Jordan relating to the book series confirmed there are women with this ability called "wolfsisters". Ancillary material made for the book series used "wolfkin" as a term for the ability regardless of gender.
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8 1.9 The Wheel of Time, season 2 episode 4: Daughter of the Night.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 The Wheel of Time, season 2 episode 1: A Taste of Solitude.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 The Wheel of Time, season 1 episode 5: Blood Calls Blood.
- ↑ The Wheel of Time, season 2 episode 1: A Taste of Solitude.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 The Wheel of Time, season 2 episode 2: Strangers and Friends.
- ↑ Elyas has golden eyes for all episodes so far of Season 2 (episodes 1-4).