Semirhage

Semirhage (SEH-mih-RHAHG) (originally known as Nemene Damendar Boann) is one of the primary antagonists of the Wheel of Time fantasy series by Robert Jordan. She is one of the Forsaken.

Age of Legends

Nemene Damendar Boann, a tall, dark-eyed woman possessed of a remarkable calm and grace, was the most renowned healer of her time; it was said that she could return a man or woman to perfect health even if only the smallest spark of life remained in their body, as such she was summoned the world over that her skills might be employed. In addition to her exceptional talent for healing, the woman soon to take the name Semirhage had a vast knowledge of neurological function, including how to activate the pain and pleasure centres of the brain. Unfortunately for her patients, the healer was also a sadist and she used her knowledge to torture her patients while she healed them, saving only those she deemed society needed. It was common knowledge that healing is an unpleasant experience, and her patients were glad to be alive so were not likely to complain. It was not until some time after the drilling of the bore that she was discovered, at which point a delegation from the Hall of Servants gave her two options: swear on a “binder” (i.e., an oath rod) never to succumb to her sadistic impulses again, or be severed from the One Power and cast out of the Aes Sedai. Nemene Damendar Boann, swearing revenge against the Hall of Servants for putting her victims ahead of her, chose neither option, instead fleeing to Shayol Ghul to become one of the first to swear fealty to the Dark One.

Semirhage tortured many into swearing allegiance to the Dark One. Of those “brought in” by her, very few ever recanted their oaths; those that did needed to spend a long time with the “restorers”, and for the rest of their lives their greatest fear would remain being once again at Semirhage’s mercy. During the War of the Shadow Semirhage held several field commands and was at the head of a network intended to root out spies and traitors. Although she had only an average ability as a general, she could use her considerable powers of persuasion to turn soldiers to the Dark One and send them against their former comrades.

As a Forsaken, Semirhage governed several conquered areas, which became well known, even among the other Forsaken, for their high levels of violence and cruelty. In Chapter 2 of Lord of Chaos, it is revealed that she used the inhabitants of one of the cities under her control as guinea pigs to perfect the tortures she was going to use on the council members, forcing the remaining inhabitants to torture each other to death. Semirhage’s reputation was such that many prisoners, upon learning that she was to be their warden, committed suicide. She was as skilled at turning people to the Dark One as she was at healing, and as such any prominent prisoners were sent to her. Although it was Semirhage who discovered that thirteen Dreadlords working with thirteen Myrddraal could force any channeler to serve the Dark One, she dealt with most of the Aes Sedai herself, breaking them slowly.

In the prologue to Lord of Chaos it is revealed that Semirhage wears black in contrast to the white favoured by her rival Lanfear. In “The world of Robert Jordan”, another reason is supplied: apparently her choice of attire had the effect of intimidating her “patients”.

Third Age

Semirhage, Demandred, and Mesaana have likely been working together since before the War of Power. Semirhage has an intimate knowledge of the brain and its pain and pleasure centers, and uses these to torture a victim into bending to her will. It was Semirhage who sent Shadowspawn to counter Sammael's Shadowspawn in the Stone of Tear, where they were attempting to slay Rand al'Thor, the Dragon Reborn.

As of Knife of Dreams it has been confirmed that Semirhage posed as Anath Dorje, Tuon's supposed retainer, and wielded control over several Darkfriends, including the High Lady Suroth. Semirhage was held captive by Rand al'Thor, who lost his left hand to her in battle, after disguising herself as High Lady Tuon. Although injured during her capture, she was apparently not mortally wounded. In The Gathering Storm, Shaidar Haran visited Semirhage in her captivity and freed her, giving her and Black Ajah sister Elza Penfell a last chance to be of use. Semirhage then, disguised as a maid clearing dishes, managed to capture Rand with the male a'dam. With Rand under her control, she forced him to begin to strangle Min Farshaw, the woman he loves, with his bare hands. Made to watch himself murder the woman he loves, watching her life slipping away, Rand looked for any escape, anything at all. After a furious mental struggle with himself, he broke free by tapping into the True Power, a force which is normally only reserved for the Forsaken (now only Moridin). He then killed Semirhage with balefire made from the same True Power.