Class: Tel'aran'rhiod
This is a transcript of Dovienya Sedai's class on Tel'aran'rhiod, which took place between March and May, 2011.
Contents
Introduction
Hello class, I'm Dovi Sedai and I'll be teaching you about Tel'Aran'Rhiod. This was always my favorite subject, and I like to think of myself as a self-proclaimed expert on it :lol It's been a while since I have taught a class, so bear with me. We're going to have a lot of fun in here. For the first few lessons, I will post a lecture, and then assign some homework. When you answer, please white out the answer so other people can say the same thing. Before the next lecture I will answer questions and address the answers :) When all of the lectures are out of the way, I'll be handing out some dream ter'angreal and we'll be doing some practical exercises :joy
For right now, please post your name and something interesting about yourself to let me know you're taking the class. Feel free to join at any time, or to PM me at any time
When I do something like this, I start from the beginning, from the broader topics, and then I shave it down into specifics. I find that this encourages a good discussion, so please ask questions or give other opinions
Lesson 1
AAAAAAAAAlright, I said I would make things broader when I began, and I meant it. I mean...really, broader. I'll start with what Tel'Aran'Rhiod is "thought" to be and where.
The Portal Stones, when used in a certain manner lead to different worlds which represent variations of the Pattern the characters of Randland live in, the variations of choice. These variations are shown as alternate worlds, some more vivid or blurry than others, depending on how realistic the alternate choice was, as well as how strong an impact on the Pattern the choice had.
In the third book, Verin Mathwin, Aes Sedai of the Brown Ajah, explains how this relates to the rare Talent of Dreaming. There is a theory that the worlds from the Portal Stones lie parallel to each other. To make this a true pattern, the Great Pattern, it is thought that other worlds must also lie perpendicular to them in a criss-cross pattern, thus making a true "pattern". However, even in the most tightly-woven fabric, there are spaces and gaps between the threads. This is where Tel'Aran'Rhiod, the Unseen World, the World of Dreams is thought to be. It is "interlaced" between the gaps of the Great Pattern, mirroring Randland in an eerie fashion, as Randland is thought to be the "granddaddy" of all the mirror worlds.
Well, I did say I would start from the beginning. Next time, we will discuss what TAR looks like, and who can enter it.
Now, this may be my first lecture, and a short one at that, but don't think that you're getting off without homework I do have a question I want everyone to think of an answer to, and there are several answers to it. Since this is an easy one, you don't need to show off how awesome your stockpile of knowledge is, one answer will be enough
Question
What are the things that ARE NOT mirrored in TAR?
Answers
- Taelinn Dolivras
Domestic animals are not a part of TAR even though wild animals are.
- Winterdawn Lor'ee
Aside from Taelinn's answer, all I can think of is transient objects like papers, that are only sort of mirrored, that appear and then vanish again.
- Kilivia Tralendora
I would have to say people who either aren't dreamers or don;t accidnetally dream themself in to TAR
- Leo Kian
Light isn't mirrored in TAR, but there is some source of light within the World of Dreams that seems to come from everywhere at once.
- Keladria Tulin
Things that are temporary, never staying in the same spot, and in constant motion, such as Tinkers.
Lesson 2
What is and is not mirrored in Tel'Aran'Rhiod
By nature, just about everything in RL (RandLand for the remainder of this course) is reflected in TAR. However, there are a few things that are not. Fire/light, people, domesticated animals, and Rhuidean (with the fog) and Ogier stedding. Fire/light is a form of energy, and one of the most obvious to observe. It is my belief that energy belongs to the world it originated in, and therefore cannot be reflected. For instance, can you yell in RL and have the sound waves mirrored in TAR? Decidedly not. But you can yell in TAR and be heard, so you could also probably start a fire in TAR and have it burn. Theories aside, fire and light are not reflected in TAR. But, as Leo said, there is some sort of odd light that seems to come from everywhere and nowhere at once. People cannot be reflected in TAR. There are exceptions to this. While sleeping, a person can accidentally touch TAR through their regular dreams. This is dangerous in many ways. For the person, anything that happens to them in TAR also happens to them in RL. For instance, any injuries they sustain will remain when they are awake. (So you could argue that the physical condition of a person is also mirrored.) Sleepers-unaware are also dangerous in another way. In a later lesson, we will learn about manipulating TAR for our own uses, and the power of a thought. For now, all you need to understand on this point is this; if one of these dreamers is having a nightmare, the nightmare will be very real in TAR, and these must be avoided at all costs. Domestic animals are not reflected in TAR. We get to see all sorts of wild animals in TAR, especially wolves (we will discuss these in full detail in a later lesson, so stick around!) But if the animal is any way domesticated-i.e. dogs, horses-they will not be mirrored. We do not know why this is, but I believe that it is related to the fact that people are not reflected.
The last answer that I add in this category can be a bit controversial. Rhuidean (before the fog barrier dissipated) and Ogier Stedding. Rhuidean and the Ogier Stedding cannot be entered/seen in TAR. I believe that they exist, and that they might be mirrored, but you can't enter them...thus I count this as one of the things that aren't mirrored. My personal belief is that TAR is where the actual barrier is located, and is instead mirrored in RL, but there's nowhere in the books that actually says this. :look In RL, you know the barrier is there, but it protects against what it needs to protect, and lets everyone else in. In TAR, you know might know what is there to the smallest detail, you know it exists, but you still can't enter. The same is with the Ways and Waygates. You know they are there, you know how to enter and use them, but you can't do so in TAR. Instead, when you open a Waygate, all you get is an impenetrable surface that only hints at what is behind.
What does Tel'Aran'Rhiod look like?
We have discussed what isn't there, but what all does that leave? Everything else, of course :joy As previously stated, TAR physically mirrors Randland in an "eerie fashion." But it isn't perfectly mirrored in every way. Objects that move or change repeatedly, such as the placement of a haircomb, or whether a door is in the open or closed position, are continually shifting in TAR. This also makes it very difficult to spy through TAR as reports and the like are always shifting and disappearing, to many people's frustration. But they are reflected. However, the opposite is not true. Not even balefire damage in TAR is shown in Randland. What ultimately happens to these objects in Randland will eventually be shown in TAR, however. Signals can be sent in this manner, such as Leane Sedai searching for a certain wall being painted BLUE in response to an inquiry about events. This is only if the change remains constant for a long period of time. (We will also be discussing uses for TAR in a later lecture :) )
More homework
- What are some ways to enter TAR?
- Who enters TAR?
- Think of at least one question you would like me to answer.
What wonderful questions! I will answer them one by one, and then post the next lecture :) Also, feel free to discuss the answers I give, as I am merely drawing the most logical conclusion from what I know of the books.
- Keladria Tulin said
How can a compulsion weave set on a person in TAR affect them every time they re-enter TAR, but not effect them outside of TAR? (on book five of my reread and am at the part just after Birgitte is torn out of TAR)
Being Aes Sedai, we don't know much about Compulsion, as it is a forbidden weave :nono Now that the safety bit is out of the way, we can continue :lol The Library has a page on Compulsion, but it fails to answer the question. I assume that the person doing the weave can set certain limits and conditions. A condition for this instance might be, "every time you fall asleep, you will enter TAR and wait for me in this location." They could even throw in a condition saying that the person will not remember this while awake, or that the person will put on the dream ter'angreal every night before going to sleep, and any manner of thing. Since Compulsion in TAR is stronger than in the real world (TFoH, Ch. 34), this would add a lot of strength to the weave. I guess the answer to this question would be something along these lines. Compulsion would affect them outside of TAR because they can't do anything to change the fact that the weave has been laid on them, but the conditions of Compulsion would only be in affect while the victim is in TAR.
Does this answer the question?
- Winterdawn Lor'ee said
Is Perrin a Dreamwalker?
Dreaming and Dreamwalking are two entirely separate things that are usually clumped into one category. The Talent of Dreaming is having prophetic dreams, usually that only the Dreamer can interpret. Dreamwalking is the ability to enter TAR. As a Wolfbrother, Perrin is able to touch TAR, albeit almost by accident, without any sort of training, and inherently through his connection to the wolves. (Yes, those are three separate things that can be confused as the same.) However, it seems to be as rare for a Wolfbrother to be able to touch TAR as it is for anyone else, since we know that Elyas cannot do so. Perrin is a Dreamwalker by definition, and even a Dreamer in a way, but he does not know how to manipulate it the way the Aiel Dreamwalkers do, and his training comes from Hopper. Two sides of the same coin. :)
This answer goes hand in hand with Kilivia's question: I know there is a lot of talk of the "Wolf Dream" in the books. Is that TAR, related to TAR or something else entirely?
Yes, the Wolf Dream is the same as TAR. Just in case were weren't certain, Perrin and Egwene meet accidentally in TDR for a minute or so, although neither of them really has the full view on what is going on.
- Taelinn Dolivras said
Is there any explanation as to why there are so many Aiel Dreamwalkers yet before Egwene there hadn't been a dreamer in the White Tower in some time? Since Dreamwalking isn't related to channeling, is it possible that there are non-channelers not from the Aiel (or Wolfbrothers) that are able to dreamwalk and just don't know it?
Absolutely! You can be a channeler or a Wolf-brother and have no idea what you are, so it holds that there must be Dreamwalkers who have no clue as well. I don't think Egwene would have had any idea if it weren't for Verin Mathwin giving her the dream ter'angreal, and then meeting Amys because of it. The people in the mainland of Rand's world just lost the knowledge of Dreamwalking, and almost of Dreaming, for that matter. They don't recognize it when they see it, and would have no idea how to train for it if they did. There are probably Dreamers and Dreamwalkers amongst the Sea Folk and Seanchan as well :)
Also, the fact that Dreaming and Dreamwalking aren't in any way connected to channeling explains why Egwene is the first one the Tower has seen in quite some time.
- Leo Kian said
Where do the nightmares in TAR come from?
By it's own nature, TAR can be altered using the thoughts of those people who enter it. We have already talked about a regular person accidentally touching TAR while they are asleep-just slipping in from their normal dreams. Well, if that particular person is having a nightmare at the time, the nightmare turns into reality in TAR. When the accidental dreamer leaves, hopefully just by waking up, the nightmare is left in place. These can run quite rampant, and the Aiel Dreamwalkers destroy them when they find them. A nightmare can also be willfully created as a trap for someone.
Lesson 3
I guess it’s time to post another entry here :$. It’s been a while. I apologize to everyone for the delay, the Real-Life monster caught up with me for a while. I’m writing this lecture without any of my notes, and without internet access, so it will probably be followed up by another post soon. And we’re getting closer to the fun, practical part, too :joy I’ll post the answers I was looking for from the homework very soon.
Ways to enter TAR.
There are two main ways to have a presence in TAR, a dreaming presence in the flesh. Of course, there are different levels of “strength” that refer to how strongly you are in TAR. To be there in the flesh, the person has to know how to channel the One Power, or be around someone who can, because it requires a gateway much like the one used for Traveling. This is very dangerous because, according to the Wise One Dreamwalkers and Hopper, you can lose a bit of your soul if you are in TAR too strongly. Also, the dangers are that much stronger. However, there are several times we get to see pivotal moments and battles take place in TAR.
And then there’s the more traditional way - entering the World of Dreams in your sleep. This can be done easily and naturally for a trained Dreamwalker, such as the Aiel Wise Ones. They simply go to sleep (a full sleep isn’t even required). But for others, a little bit of help is necessary. There are ter’angreal that allow you to enter TAR when you go to sleep. Some of these ter’angreal can be used by anyone, and the others require the user to be able to channel. These only need a flow of Spirit, the only one that a person can channel in their sleep.
Homework
And now it’s time for the homework :joy Pick two or three of them and post your answers.
- List one time where we see one of our main characters in TAR in the flesh.
- Who studied most of the dream ter’angreal in the White Tower? What was odd about this?
- What are the dangers in TAR?
- How do you manipulate things in TAR?
Ok, I’m going to go back and give answers to the last homework right now. A lot of it was answered in my last lecture, however. After this, I’ll move on to the current homework and the next lecture. What a productive weekend this is going to be for me :joy
- What are some ways to enter TAR?
As we discussed in the last lecture, a person can enter TAR while they are sleeping; either accidentally or on purpose. While there is only one true way to enter it on accident, there are a few ways to enter it on purpose. You can be a Dreamwalker, use a ter’angreal, or enter in the flesh. I’m also not sure where to categorize the Wolf Dream, but I kind of want to subcategorize it under Dreamwalker.
- Who enters TAR?
This wasn’t really a trick question, but I wanted you guys to think back to the books a little bit. You all did very well in answering this question, but there is a bit more that I want to get across to you. Anyone can enter TAR in his or her dreams. A person can also enter as a Dreamwalker, using a ter’angreal, through a gateway, or in the Wolf Dream. Here’s the part where it was a trick question. The heroes tied to the Horn of Valere reside in TAR. The Forsaken enter TAR. “Slayer” enters TAR. The Shadow is present in the World of Dreams, and knows how to use it, probably even better than the Aiel Dreamwalkers. We will discuss this in an upcoming lecture.
And, might I say that those were very good questions that you asked me
Daval, in regards to your question, here is my best, logical answer. The other worlds are “maybe worlds” that branch off from what happens in Randland. They reflect choices, and what could have happened if a certain event could have gone one way or another. Some of these worlds are much stronger than others, depending on the likelihood of that occurrence happening. Since they are reflections of Randland, it holds that the original would be exponentially stronger than any of the “maybe worlds,” so it would have a greater share of the reflection in TAR. As to why they haven’t met themselves from an alternate reality…well, I don’t have an answer for that. It seems that you already know the answer to these questions, however, and aren’t satisfied. I would suggest starting a thread in one of the Book Discussion Forums. There are many people who would love to debate these sorts of theories with you. :D
*Passes around a plate of chocolate chip and marshmallow cookies*
Hmmm…I think that everyone has already answered the homework from last time. You guys are fast, it seems that you’re always waiting on me.
Ok, now for the answers from the last time around.
- List one time where we see one of our main characters in TAR in the flesh.
There are several we can name here. Let’s go in chronological order: The first time actually happened in EotW. After the battle with Balthamel and Aginor at the Eye of the World, Rand enters TAR in the flesh. Oh yes! Let’s examine this one. He walks up some stairs (the gateway) and ends up with Ba’alzamon/Ishamael in the room that he was taken to in his dreams. I presume that the scene happens in TAR just because of the way it is described, and the things that happen there. (Think about it ;) ) The next time could possibly have been at the end of Great Hunt, but I’m not too sure about this one. Rand definitely entered TAR in the flesh during Dragon Reborn during the battle with Ba’alzamon/Ishamael when they were taking the Stone of Tear. Egwene enters in the flesh when traveling from Cairhien in the Aiel tents to Salidar. We also see Rand there quite a bit when he is scouting things after he learns to Travel.
To answer a question. No, Perrin and Faile were not in TAR in the flesh in book 3. Their bodies remained in the waking world, but their minds were there VERY strongly.
- Who studied most of the dream ter’angreal in the White Tower? What is odd about this?
Corian Nedeal last studied them a few hundred years ago. And yes, it was odd because she was so secretive, but it was also odd because she wrote that the purpose for particular ter’angreal were unknown. It just so happened that these were the ter’angreal stolen by the Black Ajah. Who really knows if she was trying to keep the knowledge secret from the White Tower as a whole, or if she was retaining the knowledge for only the Black Ajah?
- What are the dangers in TAR?
I’m not going to go over this one in much detail. Anything that happens in TAR to a person is physically reflected in the waking world. Also, nightmares and monsters lurk. If you aren’t on your guard, someone can also play some pretty nasty tricks on you.
- How do you manipulate things in TAR?
Everyone knew that you could manipulate things by using thought. But you can also do so by channeling. It just isn’t as powerful or quick.
Lesson 4
I think from here on out, I’ll be posting a lot of little lectures, as opposed to a few big ones. I’m still getting the hang of this :look
TAR was a tool used by the Shadow in the war before the Breaking. The Forsaken would force people into TAR and torture them, or assassinate them outright. Lanfear, the only Forsaken to name herself, claimed this territory as her own, despite the fact that Moghedien possessed more skill in the World of Dreams. Despite the hellish conditions of the The War of Power, a person could not even depend on the peace of sleep. The Aiel Wise Ones know that bringing a person into TAR from their dreams can be done, but consider it evil because of this. No matter the intentions.
The ancient Dreamwalkers probably knew much more than the their descendants, like with everything after the Breaking. But that’s not to say that the Aiel Dreamwalkers aren’t powerful and knowledgeable. (And might I say that I approve of their training tactics :look ) We’ve talked about the possibility for evil uses, now let’s discuss some positive ones! So, keeping with my new goal for the class, your homework assignment is short and to the point :)
Question
What are some positive uses for TAR?
Answear
You all gave very good answers, including one that I didn't think of. You all saw the uses for TAR on the battlefield. Intelligence is always a must, whether in a war, or in peace-time. TAR is very useful when it comes to scouting out an enemy position, looking at terrain, reading reports, and several things in between. You can also use it to communicate with each other. Meetings can be held in TAR for those who know how to enter, Dreamwalkers can speak in others' regular dreams, to use Need to locate something or someplace. So, the main uses are Need, communication, and spying. Yes, some weaves are stronger in TAR than in the waking world, even. Winter, I love your answer about research! I didn't even think about that one.
Ok, and as promised, now we're on to the fun part! *passes out ter'angreal* We'll use these to enter TAR. Daval, you don't need to Channel to use yours :lol The rest of you, use Spirit as we discussed, and I will see you in the World of Dreams :joy Meet me in this exact room, wearing amusing clothing. Remember, thought is the way to do it, so practice keeping your mind steady.
