Race: Forsaken
Sex: Male
Faction: Shadow
Rating: 6.6
Alignment: Chaotic Evil
Arena Status: Active (S2)
Among the enigmatic Forsaken in Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time series, Balthamel stands as a figure of terror and mystery. Once a celebrated historian of vanished cultures, Balthamel became a monstrous embodiment of corruption and decay after his imprisonment at Shayol Ghul. His life, death, and subsequent reincarnation as Aran'gar make him one of the most complex and unsettling characters in the series.
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| Balthamel, One of the Forsaken |
What Did Balthamel Look Like?
When first encountered, Balthamel’s appearance is a chilling reflection of the long imprisonment endured by the Forsaken. Sealed near the surface of Shayol Ghul’s dark energies, his body deteriorated over the millennia, leaving him with rotted skin and a grotesque visage hidden beneath a shroud and a grinning mask. His inability to speak further deepened his monstrous aura, making him a silent, malevolent presence in the early narrative.
This decay is a stark contrast to his former self. Eval Ramman, the historian of the Age of Legends, was once a figure of vitality and intellect. The physical degradation symbolizes not only the toll of imprisonment but also the moral decay of his alignment with the Shadow.
How Powerful Was Balthamel?
In the Wheel of Time Companion, Balthamel’s strength in the One Power is ranked as ++3, marking him as one of the most formidable wielders of saidin among the Forsaken, though not on par with Lews Therin Telamon or Ishamael. His abilities allowed him to orchestrate large-scale atrocities during the War of Power, including the establishment of breeding camps for humans to sustain the Trolloc armies. These actions, though horrific, demonstrate his strategic acumen and capacity to channel immense power.
Despite his decay, Balthamel’s physicality is notable in The Eye of the World. His brute strength allows him to overpower Nynaeve al'Meara, though his reliance on intimidation and brute force is ultimately his undoing.
What Is Balthamel’s Backstory?
Eval Ramman’s path to becoming Balthamel began in the Age of Legends, where his scholarly pursuits were marred by a volatile temper, a penchant for gambling, and a dubious moral compass. Known for cheating to impress women and narrowly avoiding punishment for violence, he was easily lured to the Shadow during the Collapse by promises of immortality and unrestricted power.
As Balthamel, he was instrumental in managing the Shadow’s intelligence networks, second only to Moghedien’s. His role extended beyond espionage to atrocities such as organizing breeding camps, solidifying his reputation as one of the most depraved Forsaken. At Shayol Ghul, he was present during Lews Therin Telamon’s desperate strike, which sealed him alongside the other Forsaken for three thousand years.
What Happens to Balthamel in the Series?
Balthamel’s release from the Bore in 998 NE heralds his brief but impactful confrontation with the protagonists. At the Eye of the World, he and Aginor confront Rand al'Thor and his companions. In this climactic encounter, Balthamel’s malevolence is unleashed when he attacks Nynaeve, only to be confronted by Someshta, the Green Man. The Green Man delivers a poetic justice, causing organic growths of fungi and weeds to overtake Balthamel’s decayed form, ultimately killing him. This death, though final in one sense, is not the end of Balthamel’s story.
How Does Balthamel Become Aran'gar?
In one of the series’ most unsettling twists, the Dark One reincarnates Balthamel into a new female body, naming him Aran'gar. As Aran'gar, Balthamel retains his male essence but must navigate his new existence as a woman. This transformation is more than a physical alteration; it becomes a key element in his infiltration of the rebel Aes Sedai in Salidar under the alias Halima.
Using his/her knowledge of the One Power and the subtleties of manipulation, Aran'gar wreaks havoc among the Aes Sedai, exploiting their trust and internal divisions. The reincarnation demonstrates the Dark One’s capacity to recycle his most loyal servants, reshaping them to serve his evolving plans.
Balthamel's Raw Power
Balthamel’s raw power is a blend of potent magical ability, moderate physical resilience, and direct combat effectiveness. His 7.5/10 rating reflects a high degree of power within the context of the Wheel of Time universe, though his reliance on brute force and vulnerability to unconventional threats limit his standing in the broader multiverse of fantasy characters.
Strength
Balthamel’s physical strength is largely unremarkable for an orator and historian from the Age of Legends. However, his body, degraded from being sealed near the surface of Shayol Ghul, became surprisingly resilient despite its grotesque appearance. While his musculature was not a notable asset, the sheer endurance he displayed in combat situations, such as his confrontation with Nynaeve al'Meara, allowed him to overpower those with less experience in physical altercations. Yet, this strength was not sufficient to elevate him above his peers among the Forsaken or significant mortal adversaries.
Magical Ability
Balthamel’s greatest asset lies in his mastery of the One Power, where his strength is quantified as ++3 in The Wheel of Time Companion. This places him among the stronger male channelers of his era, surpassed only by titanic figures such as Lews Therin Telamon and Ishamael. His proficiency allowed him to wield devastating weaves during the War of Power, including large-scale destructive spells and intricate manipulations of the Power to aid the Shadow’s cause.
His magical expertise extended beyond combat applications. As Eval Ramman, he was renowned for his intellect and scholarship, which translated into a nuanced understanding of the One Power. This knowledge enabled him to construct weaves of remarkable complexity, such as those used to sustain his intelligence networks or corrupt human breeding lines to strengthen Trolloc armies. In his final moments, however, he failed to counter the Green Man’s organic assault, highlighting a vulnerability in his magical defenses.
Combat Prowess
In combat scenarios, Balthamel’s combination of physical resilience and magical offense makes him a formidable opponent. Despite his decayed state, he was an aggressive fighter who relied on intimidation, raw magical power, and unrelenting attacks to overwhelm his enemies. His assault on the protagonists at the Eye of the World demonstrated his willingness to engage directly, though his lack of finesse often left him vulnerable to counterattacks.
His encounter with Someshta, the Green Man, exemplifies both his strength and his limitations in combat. While he inflicted significant damage, his inability to adapt to the Green Man’s unique powers led to his undoing. This reliance on overwhelming force rather than tactical precision highlights a critical weakness in his combat style.
Balthamel's Tactical Ability
Balthamel’s tactical ability reflects his intellectual strengths and his significant contributions to the Shadow’s efforts during the War of Power. However, his shortcomings in adaptability and his reliance on external resources temper his effectiveness, resulting in an overall rating of 6.5/10.
Strategic Mind
As Eval Ramman in the Age of Legends, Balthamel was a historian and intellectual who excelled in the study of vanished cultures. This academic rigor translated into a calculated and analytical approach to the Shadow’s operations during the War of Power. Balthamel orchestrated complex intelligence networks, second only to Moghedien’s in scope, which allowed the Shadow to anticipate and counteract many of the Light’s efforts.
However, while Balthamel demonstrated a capacity for planning and foresight, his strategies often lacked the adaptability needed to respond to unexpected developments. His defeat at the Eye of the World exemplifies this rigidity, as he failed to account for the intervention of the Green Man and relied on direct confrontation rather than contingency planning.
Resourcefulness
Balthamel’s resourcefulness is evident in his ability to leverage his intelligence networks and his understanding of the One Power to further the Shadow’s cause. He was instrumental in organizing human breeding camps to sustain the Trolloc armies, a task that required logistical precision and the manipulation of resources on a massive scale. His ability to corrupt and coerce mortal followers demonstrates a capacity for improvisation and leveraging available assets.
However, Balthamel’s ingenuity often faltered in situations that demanded swift, on-the-fly problem-solving. His reliance on established power structures and his inability to adapt when those structures failed limited his effectiveness. His final confrontation with the protagonists, where he succumbed to unanticipated threats, highlights a critical gap in his resourcefulness.
Resource Arsenal
Balthamel’s resource arsenal was substantial during the War of Power. As one of the Forsaken, he had access to the Shadow’s vast resources, including legions of Trollocs and Myrddraal, as well as the support of other Forsaken. His intelligence networks and his ability to wield the One Power added depth to his arsenal, allowing him to exert influence and execute complex operations.
However, his reliance on the Shadow’s collective resources rather than cultivating independent assets often left him vulnerable when those resources were compromised. Unlike Forsaken such as Ishamael, who operated with greater autonomy, Balthamel’s dependency on the Shadow’s hierarchy limited his capacity to innovate or act decisively without external support.
Balthamel's Influence
Balthamel’s influence, though significant in specific contexts, is ultimately constrained by his reliance on fear and his physical limitations. His 6.5/10 rating reflects a balance between his ability to command authority and the inherent weaknesses that undermine his effectiveness in this domain.
Persuasion
As Eval Ramman, Balthamel demonstrated a knack for manipulation and charm, using his intellect and cunning to gain favor in the Age of Legends. After turning to the Shadow, his persuasive tactics became darker, relying on coercion and fear rather than genuine charisma. His role in organizing the Shadow’s breeding camps highlights his ability to coerce and control individuals on a large scale, bending mortal followers to his will through a mix of fear and authority.
However, Balthamel’s physical degradation and inability to speak after his release from Shayol Ghul significantly reduced his persuasive capabilities. His reliance on forceful displays of power overshadowed his ability to engage diplomatically or subtly influence others.
Reverence
Balthamel’s reputation as one of the Forsaken automatically commands a degree of fear and respect among those aligned with the Shadow. His historical role as a powerful servant of the Dark One and his contributions during the War of Power solidified his status as a figure of dread. His presence at Shayol Ghul during the sealing of the Bore, alongside the other Forsaken, further underscores the significance of his position.
However, the reverence he commands is almost entirely fear-based, lacking the genuine admiration or loyalty inspired by other influential figures. His decayed body and monstrous visage make him an object of terror rather than inspiration, limiting his ability to foster genuine allegiance.
Willpower
Balthamel’s willpower is perhaps his most understated form of influence. His transition from a respected scholar to a Forsaken demonstrates an unwavering commitment to his ambitions, even at the cost of his humanity. Despite his physical decay and limitations, he continued to serve the Shadow with determination, leveraging his remaining strengths to maintain relevance among the Forsaken.
However, his willpower is not without flaws. His reliance on the Dark One’s power and his inability to resist the physical and psychological effects of his imprisonment highlight the limits of his personal resilience. Additionally, his final confrontation at the Eye of the World—where he failed to overcome the Green Man’s assault—reveals a lack of adaptability in the face of overwhelming opposition.
Balthamel's Resilience
Balthamel’s resilience is a testament to his endurance and ability to adapt to extreme conditions, but his physical decay, magical vulnerabilities, and reliance on external forces prevent him from achieving a higher score. His 6.5/10 rating reflects a character whose strengths are balanced by critical weaknesses in the broader context of fantasy universes.
Physical Resistance
Balthamel’s physical resistance is deeply impacted by the unique circumstances of his imprisonment. Being sealed near the surface of Shayol Ghul exposed him to the corrosive energies of the Bore, which ravaged his body over the course of thousands of years. By the time of his release, his skin had rotted, and he was forced to conceal his grotesque appearance behind a mask and shroud.
Despite his physical decay, Balthamel demonstrated remarkable endurance. His ability to engage in physical confrontations, such as his skirmish at the Eye of the World, reflects a level of durability that defies his outward appearance. However, this resilience is undermined by his vulnerability to unconventional attacks, such as the Green Man’s organic assault, which led to his ultimate destruction.
Magical Resistance
As a Forsaken, Balthamel’s attunement to the One Power granted him a degree of protection against magical threats. His deep knowledge of saidin and his experience during the War of Power made him a formidable opponent in magical combat. However, his reliance on the Dark One’s gifts and his focus on offensive capabilities left him exposed to certain types of magical attacks.
The Green Man’s ability to overcome Balthamel’s defenses highlights a critical vulnerability. This defeat underscores a lack of comprehensive magical resistance, as Balthamel’s power was insufficient to counter the unique and highly specific abilities of his adversary.
Longevity
Balthamel’s longevity is arguably his most impressive trait. Imprisoned for three thousand years, he emerged as a viable combatant and servant of the Shadow despite the severe toll taken on his physical form. His transformation into Aran’gar following his death at the Eye of the World further solidifies his capacity to endure beyond mortal limits.
As Aran’gar, Balthamel retained his essence and continued to play a pivotal role in the Shadow’s plans. This reincarnation demonstrates the Dark One’s investment in his utility and highlights the unique nature of Forsaken longevity. However, his reliance on the Dark One for his continued existence underscores a dependency that diminishes the autonomy of his resilience.
Balthamel's Versatility
Balthamel’s versatility, while competent within certain parameters, ultimately reflects a character constrained by the specificities of his power and environment. His 6/10 rating underscores his strengths in leveraging knowledge and resources but highlights his limited capacity to excel across varied and unpredictable challenges.
Adaptability
Balthamel demonstrated a capacity to adapt within the structure of the Shadow’s operations. As a historian in the Age of Legends, he repurposed his scholarly talents to manage intelligence networks and logistical efforts, aligning with the Shadow’s objectives. His ability to transition from academic pursuits to the tactical demands of war highlights a degree of intellectual flexibility.
However, Balthamel’s adaptability faltered in unpredictable environments. His physical degradation and reliance on direct confrontation in later scenarios, such as his encounter at the Eye of the World, reveal a difficulty in responding to unexpected threats.
Luck
Balthamel’s luck is a mixed factor in his story. His initial alignment with the Shadow during the Age of Legends allowed him access to immense power and influence. However, the circumstances of his imprisonment and the physical toll it exacted reflect a series of misfortunes that hampered his ability to operate effectively upon release. While his reincarnation as Aran’gar represents a form of salvaged opportunity, this second chance was granted by the Dark One rather than the product of favorable chance or personal ingenuity.
Shaved Knuckle in the Hole
Balthamel’s secret advantage lies in his extensive knowledge and cunning, which he applied to create networks and systems that amplified his influence. His ability to leverage information and orchestrate large-scale logistical operations during the War of Power illustrates his capacity to use hidden strengths to great effect.
Despite this, his reliance on fear, intimidation, and the resources of the Shadow diminished the impact of his personal ingenuity. His lack of a decisive, game-changing hidden skill in critical moments, such as his fatal encounter with the Green Man, further limits his standing in this subcategory.
Balthamel's Alignment
Balthamel, formerly Eval Ramman, is one of the thirteen Forsaken in the Wheel of Time series. A historian during the Age of Legends, he specialized in vanished cultures but was drawn to the Shadow for the promise of immortality and unchecked power. Over the millennia, his imprisonment at Shayol Ghul left him physically degraded, his body decaying into a grotesque form concealed behind a mask and shroud. Despite this, he retained his malevolent influence, becoming a feared servant of the Dark One. Balthamel belongs to the human race, with no explicit subrace differentiation, but his transformation through the Shadow aligns him with the corrupted Forsaken archetype. His faction is unequivocally the Shadow, where he served with dedication and malice.
Balthamel is a human, originating from the Age of Legends, but his alignment with the Shadow and subsequent corruption categorize him among the Forsaken. As a member of the Shadow's elite, he played a key role in its operations, managing intelligence networks and overseeing atrocities such as human breeding camps to supply the Trolloc armies. His allegiance to the Dark One defined his actions and motivations throughout his existence, including his later reincarnation as Aran'gar.
Balthamel's alignment can be categorized as Chaotic Evil, reflecting his destructive ambitions, lack of moral constraints, and willingness to betray or manipulate others to serve his own ends.
Balthamel's chaotic nature is evident in his ruthless opportunism and disdain for established order. While his role within the Shadow's hierarchy suggests a certain adherence to the Dark One's directives, his personal ambitions and unrestrained cruelty often led him to act independently. His chaotic disposition is further reinforced by his reliance on fear and his willingness to sow discord.
Balthamel's alignment with evil is unequivocal. His atrocities during the War of Power, including his organization of breeding camps and his role in advancing the Shadow's agenda, underscore his depravity. His actions were driven by self-interest and a desire for dominance, with no regard for the suffering of others. Even after his reincarnation as Aran'gar, his manipulations and betrayals continued unabated, solidifying his position as an agent of malevolence. Pride and Prophecy keeps an updated character alignment matrix across all planes of existence.
Balthamel's Trophy Case
PPET Rankings
| Season | Rank |
|---|---|
| 2 (2024-2025) | TBD (of 204) |
Overall Conclusion on Balthamel and Position Across Planes of Existence
Balthamel’s overall rating of 6.6/10 positions him as a character with solid capabilities, marked by moments of ingenuity and influence, but ultimately limited by significant weaknesses and dependencies. In the context of the Wheel of Time universe, his power is notable, particularly among mortal figures, but when viewed against the broader multiverse of fantasy characters, his limitations become evident.
Balthamel’s strength lies in his intellectual and magical contributions during the War of Power. As Eval Ramman, he was a renowned historian who adapted his academic skills to support the Shadow’s cause, managing intelligence networks and logistical operations with competence. His mastery of the One Power places him among the more powerful channelers of saidin, capable of formidable offensive and manipulative weaves. His strategic use of these abilities made him a valuable asset to the Shadow, even as his physical form deteriorated.
Despite these strengths, Balthamel’s limitations are clear. His physical degradation after millennia of imprisonment significantly hampered his effectiveness, leaving him reliant on fear and brute force rather than subtlety or endurance. His reliance on the Dark One’s gifts and his inability to overcome unconventional threats, such as the Green Man’s organic assault, further emphasize his vulnerabilities. These factors prevent him from achieving a higher rating and underscore his standing as a mid-tier antagonist.
Balthamel’s influence within the Shadow cannot be overlooked. His role in organizing human breeding camps and his participation in the War of Power demonstrate his impact on the Shadow’s efforts. Even after his death at the Eye of the World, his reincarnation as Aran’gar ensured that his essence continued to serve the Dark One. As Aran’gar, Balthamel exploited his new position to infiltrate the ranks of the rebel Aes Sedai, using manipulation and subterfuge to sow discord.
However, Balthamel’s legacy is not one of lasting greatness. His contributions, while impactful in the short term, lacked the transformative influence of figures like Ishamael or Lanfear. His reliance on fear-based tactics and his inability to inspire genuine loyalty among followers limited the scope of his legacy, leaving him as a secondary figure within the Forsaken hierarchy.
Balthamel’s rating of 6.6/10 reflects a character with significant strengths but notable weaknesses. His intellectual and magical prowess, combined with his strategic contributions to the Shadow, establish him as a solidly above-average force. However, his physical limitations, lack of adaptability, and dependence on external power sources constrain his potential. Within the broader fantasy multiverse, Balthamel’s position is respectable but far from extraordinary. Pride and Prophecy keeps an updated power ranking across all planes of existence. This will only be sortable on desktop viewing. The below table shows a summary within the same plane of existence of this article.
