Rand is an unusually tall, reddish-haired young man with gray eyes from the remote Two Rivers region. He works conscientiously on his family's farm and initially envisions a quiet, rural life for himself. Following a brutal monster attack on his home, he discovers unsettling information about his past and leaves his village to protect the people he loves.

Mat is the oldest child in his family and is known throughout Emond's Field for his carefree nature and constant pranks. Shorter than Rand, with long limbs and a wiry frame, he tries to avoid chores and dreams of an easy, adventurous life. His impulsive desire for wealth occasionally overrides his common sense, pulling him into dangerous situations.

Perrin is the stocky, curly-haired oldest child of his family, working as an apprentice to the village blacksmith. Because of his immense physical strength, he intentionally cultivates a cautious, gentle, and level-headed personality to avoid accidentally hurting anyone. He is fiercely loyal but deeply afraid of his own potential for violence when tested.

Egwene is the stubborn and strong-willed youngest daughter of Emond's Field's mayor. Short with large dark eyes and long dark hair, she harbors a deep desire to travel and see the world rather than settle into traditional village life. Discovering she has a natural talent for magic, she eagerly decides to pursue training in Tar Valon.

Nynaeve is the exceptionally young, passionate Wisdom of Emond's Field, functioning as the village healer and spiritual leader. Orphaned as a teenager, she takes her responsibilities extremely seriously and feels a fierce need to protect her fellow villagers. She possesses an innate ability to sense atmospheric changes, though her insecurities often manifest as a quick, fiery temper.

Moiraine is a short, dark-haired noblewoman and a powerful Aes Sedai who wields the One Power. She projects a calm, knowing demeanor while working tirelessly to interpret signs and guide the young villagers on their dangerous journey. Although fair and kind, she operates with extreme pragmatism and will pay any price to defeat the forces of the Dark One.

Lan is Moiraine's Warder, a stoic and highly skilled swordsman bound to protect her. As the last surviving descendant of the kings of Malkieri—a kingdom destroyed by the Dark One—his life is defined by a desire for vengeance against monsters. Despite his harsh, taciturn exterior, he possesses a strict sense of duty and honor.

Padan Fain is a traveling peddler known to the villagers of the Two Rivers, initially welcomed for his goods and outside gossip. He later exhibits a drastic, terrifying shift in personality, appearing exhausted, jumpy, and possessed. Stripped of his autonomy, he acts as a human hound driven by a dark compulsion to relentlessly track the young men from Emond's Field.

Ba'alzamon, also known as the Dark One, is an ancient, evil cosmic entity seeking to break the Wheel of Time and subjugate the world. He projects himself into the minds of the protagonists, using fear, threats, and temptation to bend them to his will. He feeds on dark energy and commands a vast army of monsters, corrupted humans, and powerful ancient magic users.

Aginor is one of the Forsaken, immensely powerful ancient servants of the Dark One who were supposedly imprisoned for millennia. He attacks the group at a hidden sanctuary, feeding on dark power as he attempts to destroy those opposing his master.

Balthamel is another of the Forsaken, an ancient dark magic user recently freed from his prison. He attempts to eliminate the heroes to secure the Dark One's victory but meets formidable resistance from the sanctuary's mythical guardian.

Mordeth is a sinister, shadowless entity trapped within the cursed ruins of Aridhol. He poses as an ordinary man offering riches to lure weary travelers, hoping to devour a soul and steal a physical body to finally escape the decaying city.

Thom is a tall, lean Gleeman with thick snowy mustaches and a face weathered by a hard life. Once a court bard in the capital city, he now travels the world performing music and reciting epic tales. He is sympathetic to the young villagers' plight, driven by personal guilt over a past family tragedy to protect them on their dangerous journey.

Tam is Rand's adoptive father and a steadfast, tidy farmer living in the Westwood near Emond's Field. Though he lives a quiet life, he harbors a hidden past as a skilled soldier and blade master who fought in distant wars. He provides Rand with a strong moral foundation and a sense of duty before a brutal attack forces them apart.

Loial is an Ogier, a massive, nonhuman being who stands almost ten feet tall with a broad, snout-like nose. Despite his intimidating size, which often causes frightened humans to mistake him for a monster, he is gentle, scholarly, and deeply in tune with nature. He leaves his home to explore the world and write a book, eventually offering crucial navigation assistance to the traveling group.

Elyas is a strange, fur-clad man living in the wilderness alongside a pack of large wolves. He possesses distinctive yellow eyes and the unique ability to communicate telepathically with his lupine companions. He recognizes a similar dormant ability in Perrin and takes it upon himself to guide the young man through this frightening discovery.

Lews Therin, also known as the Dragon, is a legendary historical figure from the ancient Age of Legends who fought against the Dark One. Driven to madness by a taint on the male half of magic, he inadvertently slaughtered his own family, causing a cataclysmic geographical event when his brief moment of sanity returned.

Elan Morin Tedronai, calling himself the Betrayer of Hope, is a servant of the Great Lord of the Dark during the Age of Legends. He uses magic to temporarily heal his enemy's madness, ensuring Lews Therin fully understands the horror of the atrocities he committed while insane.

The Green Man is a legendary, mythical guardian of the sanctuary known as the Eye of the World. Manifesting as a towering figure woven entirely from vines, leaves, grass, and acorns, he is an ancient being of immense power and deep connection to the earth. He stands ready to fiercely defend the pure magic he guards from the encroaching forces of the Shadow.

Elayne is the young royal princess of Andor. When a battered stranger literally drops into the palace grounds, she approaches the situation with curiosity rather than immediate hostility, demonstrating a level of fairness before escorting him to meet the queen.

Gawyn is the royal prince of Andor. Alongside his sister, he intercepts an intruding villager and helps bring the unusual situation before the kingdom's ruler, maintaining a watchful presence.