Asmodean

Author: Isarma Maracanda

This article is a stub. A longer, more in depth article will be added at a later time.

General

Asmodean is one of the thirteen Forsaken. His real name is Joar Addam Nessosin. In the Age of Legends he was a noted composer of music, but he never ranked among the great composers of that Age. It is believed he turned to the Shadow because thus he would become immortal, and therefore be able to reach fame and glory through his music.

During the War of Power Asmodean served as an effective governor and administrator. He did not use torture and murder as widely as the other Forsaken, but when he was displeased by some artist, he would blind him to prevent him from becoming a rival (TWoRJTWoT). He also stilled his own mother and gave her to the Myrddraal (TFoH, Ch. 6).

He was trapped with the other Forsaken when L[Lews Therin Telamon]] and his Hundred Companions sealed the Bore, and remained imprisoned for nearly three thousand years. When Asmodean is freed of his prison he takes the name of Jasin Natael and appears as a gleeman, going along with Keille Shaogi (Lanfear) and Hadnan Kadere in the Aiel Waste. Under this name he appears to be in his middle-years, a tall, handsome man with dark hair and dark eyes (TSR, Ch. 36;;Ch. 37).

Asmodean gives Couladin a pair of dragon marks like Rand’s. When Rand is busy with Couladin and the Aiel clan chiefs in Alcair Dal, Asmodean skims to Rhuidean to get the control statue attuned to the male Choedan Kal (TSR, Ch. 57). After being defeated by Rand in Rhuidean and partially shielded by Lanfear (TSR, Ch. 58), he is compelled to teach Rand about using saidin. This is of course kept secret, and for everyone else he is simply the bard of the Dragon Reborn, playing the harp for him.

During Rand’s attack on Caemlyn, Asmodean is killed by Rahvin’s lightning, but revives when Rand balefires Rahvin. On the same day, walking in the Royal Palace of Caemlyn, he opens a door, and someone kills him (TFoH, Ch. 56). Rand is not aware of Asmodean’s death and wonders if he managed to escape.

Timeline

• Joar Addam Nessosin was born in the lost city of Shorelle (TFoH, Ch. 21
• When he was fifteen the works he composed were played in the whole world, but later he was no more as famous (TWoRJTWoT, Ch. 5)
• During a meeting with the Dark One, Asmodean and the other Forsaken are sealed into the Bore at Shayol Ghul.
• Asmodean escapes from the Bore, and allies with Lanfear (TSR, Ch. 50).
• Disguised as the bard Jasin Natael, he meets Rand in the Aiel Waste (TSR, Ch. 36).
• On their way to Cold Rocks Hold, Asmodean questions Rand and Mat. He also spends time with the Shaido (TSR, Ch. 48).
• He later gives Couladin a pair of dragon marks like Rand’s (TSR, Ch. 57).
• Probably on Lanfear’s orders, he goes to Rhuidean to find the male control statue for the Choedan Kal (TSR, Ch. 57).
• Rand follows him and they fight for the statue, thus destroying a large part of Rhuidean. Rand finally manages to sever Asmodean’s link to the Dark One and captures him (TSR, Ch. 58).
• Asmodean is partially shielded by Lanfear so he can become Rand’s teacher for using saidin (TSR, Ch. 58).
• Asmodean serves Rand as a bard and teaches him how to use saidin (TFoH).
• Moiraine has discovered Jasin Natael is in fact Asmodean and understands, even if she cannot approve. She warns Rand to be careful as Jasin Natael is still the same man he always was (TFoH, Ch. 53).
• Asmodean goes with Rand to fight Rahvin in Caemlyn, but is killed by lightning as soon as they arrive in the city (TFoH, Ch. 54).
• Asmodean revives when Rand balefires Rahvin back beyond the point where he used lightning (TFoH, Ch. 55).
• The same afternoon Asmodean walks down a hall to try to find a pantry with some wine. He opens a small door and someone kills him (TFoH, Ch. 56).

Strengths and Talents

We don’t know exactly how strong Asmodean was in the One Power before being shielded by Lanfear. He was not among the strongest Forsaken, but he was surely not weak for a male channeler. Asmodean was poor at controlling weather and at Healing. After being partially shielded by Lanfear, Asmodean is at most able to lift a goblet with the One Power.

As his link to the Dark One was severed, Asmodean is no more protected from the Taint and could go mad.

Relationships with Other Characters

Asmodean is closely associated with Lanfear and they know each other fairly well. They plot together against Rand, but Lanfear does not hesitate to shield him and to offer him as Rand’s teacher.

He is seen as a coward by the other Forsaken, including Lanfear.

Asmodean knows the other Forsaken would kill him on sight for his treason. He seems especially afraid of Demandred, Rahvin, Lanfear and Semirhage. But most of all he fears the Dark One’s wrath.

Theories

Who murdered Asmodean? That question is one of the most popular among Wheel of Time readers… But Robert Jordan’s answer has always been RAFO (read and find out) ! It is generally admitted that the murderer is one of the Forsaken. Among them, Be'lal and Rahvin have been balefired, Aginor, Balthamel, Ishamael and Lanfear were not resurrected yet, Demandred and Semirhage admit they don’t know what happened to Asmodean, and Moghedien is a prisoner. Remain Mesaana, Graendal and Sammael. Mesaana is hidden in the White Tower and not likely to come to Caemlyn. On the contrary, Graendal and Sammael often met with Lanfear and Rahvin at the Royal Palace in Tel’aran’rhiod, plotting to send Rand to chase Sammael in Illian. Graendal or Sammael are therefore the most likely culprits. They could have been masquerading as the two servants Rand saw in the Palace before. Based on Graendal’s discussions with Sammael in Lord of Chaos, it is generally assumed that she is the murderer.

Miscellaneous

Asmodean always wears fine clothes, more suitable for a concert performance than for everyday wear.

Despite all of Asmodean's teaching, Rand often does not know what he is doing when he channels.