The Great Hunt

Robert Jordan

The Great Hunt

Robert Jordan
71 pages2-hour read
Fiction
Novel
Adult
Published in 1990

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Character List

Meet the key characters, with insights into their roles, motivations, and relationships—spoiler-free.

Major Characters

A young shepherd from the rural village of Emond's Field who possesses a rare heron-marked blade. He resists the manipulations of the Aes Sedai and fears his own emerging abilities. Burdened by prophecies suggesting he is the Dragon Reborn, he seeks a simple life but encounters constant danger.

Key Relationships

Childhood Friend of Mat Cauthon

Fellow Villager of Perrin Aybara

Unofficial Betrothed of Egwene al'Vere

Adopted Son of Tam al'Thor

Reluctant Charge of Moiraine Damodred

Combat Student of Lan

Hunted by Padan Fain

A youth from the Two Rivers whose life is inextricably linked to a tainted dagger from Shadar Logoth. He is fiercely independent and prefers gambling over grand destinies. He struggles to accept the changing dynamics of his friend group as supernatural forces pull them from their home.

Key Relationships

Longtime Friend of Rand al'Thor

Companion of Perrin Aybara

Rebellious Charge of Moiraine Damodred

Subordinate on Hunt to Lord Ingtar

Wary Observer of Verin

Desperate Pursuer of Padan Fain

A large, muscular youth from the Two Rivers who moves slowly to avoid hurting others. He possesses golden eyes and a psychic connection to wolves. He approaches problems with caution and tries to mediate conflicts between his friends.

Key Relationships

Close Companion of Rand al'Thor

Patient Friend of Mat Cauthon

Subordinate on Hunt to Lord Ingtar

Distrustful Charge of Moiraine Damodred

Protected Traveler Under Verin

Tracker of Padan Fain

The daughter of the Emond's Field mayor. She leaves her village to train at the White Tower in Tar Valon. She demonstrates immense potential as a channeler and a fierce determination to protect the people she loves.

Key Relationships

Childhood Sweetheart of Rand al'Thor

Protected Charge of Nynaeve al'Meara

Novice Friend of Elayne

Concerned Friend of Min

Sponsored Initiate of Moiraine Damodred

Student of Lan

Sympathetic Visitor to Padan Fain

The young Wisdom from Emond's Field who travels to the White Tower. She distrusts the Aes Sedai and struggles to control her ability to channel, which only manifests when she is angry. She acts as a fierce protector for the younger members of her village.

Key Relationships

Protector of Egwene al'Vere

Secret Admirer of Lan

Suspicious Rival of Moiraine Damodred

Allied Friend of Elayne

Rescue Partner of Min

Suspicious Acquaintance of Liandrin

An Aes Sedai of the Blue Ajah tasked with finding and guiding the Dragon Reborn. She operates with long-term goals in mind, keeping her plans secret from allies and enemies alike. She maintains a calm exterior even when her charges actively rebel against her guidance.

Key Relationships

Determined Guide to Rand al'Thor

Magically Bonded to Lan

Subordinate to The Amyrlin Seat

Instructor to Nynaeve al'Meara

Reluctant Charge of Mat Cauthon

Monitored Subject of Perrin Aybara

Allied Sister of Verin

A dangerous Darkfriend from the Two Rivers who escapes captivity during a fortress attack. He leads a contingent of Trollocs across the continent with stolen artifacts. He harbors a terrifying obsession with hunting down his former neighbors.

Key Relationships

Relentless Hunter of Rand al'Thor

Former Neighbor of Egwene al'Vere

A harsh sister of the Red Ajah who despises men who can channel. She operates with hidden motives and seeks to influence the young novices at the White Tower. She views the Blue Ajah with intense suspicion.

Key Relationships

Suspicious Rival of Moiraine Damodred

Deceptive Manipulator of Egwene al'Vere

A powerful dark entity who invades the dreams of young men from the Two Rivers. He commands massive armies of Shadowspawn and seeks to break the Wheel of Time. He uses terror and temptation to recruit followers to his cause.

Key Relationships

Dark Antagonist of Rand al'Thor

Supporting Characters

A Shienarian warrior from House Shinowa charged with retrieving the stolen Horn of Valere. He drives his tracking party obsessively across the wilderness to reclaim the artifact. He views the quest as a personal duty to his homeland.

Key Relationships

Commander of Rand al'Thor

Subordinate to Lord Agelmar

Employer of Hurin

Advised by Verin

A ten-foot-tall Ogier who favors books, architecture, and peace. He leaves his sanctuary in violation of his people's laws to observe the outside world. He approaches human conflicts with a slow, deliberate perspective.

Key Relationships

Insightful Friend of Rand al'Thor

Travel Companion of Hurin

An older gleeman who travels the land performing songs and passing down oral history. He possesses formidable combat skills beneath his entertainer persona. He harbors a deep distrust of the Aes Sedai due to past family tragedies.

Key Relationships

Protective Mentor to Rand al'Thor

Romantic Partner of Dena

A 'sniffer' who can physically smell the trail of violence and murder. He aids the Shienarian soldiers in tracking dark forces across barren landscapes. He handles noble politics with practical caution.

Key Relationships

Employed Tracker for Lord Ingtar

Practical Advisor to Rand al'Thor

Traveling Partner of Loial

A beautiful, mysterious woman from Cairhien who attaches herself to the tracking party. She frequently encourages the men to seek glory and claim power for themselves. She seems undisturbed by the strange and dangerous environments they traverse.

Key Relationships

Mysterious Companion to Rand al'Thor

The last surviving lord of Malkier who serves as a fiercely loyal Warder. He provides combat instruction and survival advice to the inexperienced youths. He maintains a stoic exterior to mask his personal affections.

Key Relationships

Bonded Warder to Moiraine Damodred

Martial Instructor to Rand al'Thor

Romantic Interest of Nynaeve al'Meara

The leader of the Aes Sedai sisterhood who arrives in the borderlands with a grand escort. She operates at the highest levels of political power. She secretly conspires to handle the emergence of prophesied figures outside standard Tower protocols.

Key Relationships

Superior to Moiraine Damodred

Secretive Observer of Rand al'Thor

An Aes Sedai of the Brown Ajah who appears to be engrossed in academic studies. She rides out to assist the Shienarian tracking party. She proves surprisingly perceptive about the prophesied youths despite her absentminded demeanor.

Key Relationships

Mysterious Advisor to Lord Ingtar

Quiet Observer of Rand al'Thor

The daughter of the Queen of Andor training as a novice in Tar Valon. She forms a fast bond with the other new arrivals despite her royal background. She shares her knowledge of Tower rules to help her friends survive the rigorous training.

Key Relationships

Supportive Friend of Egwene al'Vere

Welcoming Friend of Min

Sister of Gawyn

Half-Sister of Galad

A young woman possessing the rare gift of Foresight, allowing her to read futures. She worries over the safety of the Two Rivers youths. She struggles to interpret the dark visions that constantly surround her friends.

Key Relationships

Supportive Confidant of Egwene al'Vere

Prophetic Observer of Rand al'Thor

A battle commander of the ascetic Whitecloaks. He patrols the western lands searching for Darkfriends and battling invaders. He resents the harsh oversight of the Questioners within his ranks.

Key Relationships

Subordinate to Einor Saren

The pragmatic captain of the sea vessel Spray. He attempts to avoid political entanglements but continually finds himself caught in dangerous conflicts. He values his ship and his freedom above all else.

Key Relationships

Captured Prisoner of Egeanin

The leader of the occupying Seanchan forces in the city of Falme. He is a highly skilled blademaster who collects rare artifacts from conquered lands. He views the local populations as subjects meant for absolute subjugation.

Key Relationships

Patron to Padan Fain

Combat Opponent of Rand al'Thor

A farmer and former warrior who retired to the sleepy village of Emond's Field. He passes down a legendary heron-marked blade to his son before the boy departs on his journey. He provides a foundation of quiet strength.

Key Relationships

Adoptive Father of Rand al'Thor

A Shienarian noble who hosts the Aes Sedai delegation at Fal Dara. He commands the borderland fortress against incursions from the Blight. He relies on his trusted warriors to execute critical defense missions.

Key Relationships

Commanding Officer of Lord Ingtar

A young man of the Andoran royal family. He accompanies his sister to Tar Valon where she begins her novice training under the Aes Sedai.

Key Relationships

Brother of Elayne

A member of the Andoran royal family traveling with his siblings to Tar Valon. He maintains a polite but complicated dynamic with his younger sister.

Key Relationships

Half-Brother of Elayne

A young woman attempting to become the first female gleeman in history. She travels with Thom Merrilin and shares a close romantic bond with him.

Key Relationships

Apprentice and Partner of Thom Merrilin