The Forsaken

The Forsaken was the name given to Aes Sedai who went over to the Shadow in the War of the Shadow at the end of the Age of Legends. Although they preferred to call themselves "The Chosen". They went to Shayol Ghul to give their oaths to the Dark One. Their reasons for pledging allegiance with the Shadow were individual, but certainly the promise of immortality was a major factor. Originally there were many more Forsaken then just the thirteen. Some were killed by the DO because he* suspected they weren't thrustworthy enough. Others were killed by competing Forsaken. The DO actually encouraged them to kill each other off, since he* only wanted the strongest and most skillfull to serve him. Only one was promised to become Nae'blis - and that one would be granted to rule the world from a position only one step below the Great Lord himself.

After their oaths were given they received a mark by the Dark One that gives them a measure of control over Shadowspawn (all except to some extent the Gholam). This mark is different to the mark that Alviarin received from Shaidar Haran. Her mark gives her away as protected by the Dark Lord to all Shadowspawn, but she is not able to control them. The male Forsaken were provided with a filter that sheathed them from the taint. After the Strike at Shayol Ghul and the sealing of the Bore, the Forsaken left behind to roam the earth were no longer protected by the Great Lord. The men went mad from the taint and the females perished because of the Breaking of the world.