Aran'gar
A-ran-GAR
Nationality:
Borderlander
Year of Birth:
Unknown - Reincarnation
Gender:
Female
Hair Color:
Black
Eye Color:
Green
Other Names:
Halima Saranov
Article Author:
katsarida
Page Contents
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Basic Information
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Actions During the Story (Spoilers)
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Character Summaries (Spoilers)
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Basic Information
Appearance
The Great Lord has the best access to bodies of Borderlander stock, and Aran’gar’s body is pulled from the same. She has pale skin, an oval face, green eyes, and black hair. Her body is shapely and alluring, and she uses it to her advantage. Though she is a woman, she channels saidin.
Personality
The licentious habits of Aran’gar’s former life transferred whole to the new one, and she has added men as targets of her proclivities to her interest in women rather than abandoning one for the other. As did the temper, though she attempts to keep it reined in when in the presence of certain others. Though she does not remember much of her former life as a man, she feels that her studies of primitive societies give her a boost in the current situation.
Spoilers Below!!!
Actions During the Story
Actions Before the Story
Aran'gar was once Balthamel, one of the 13 Forsaken from The Age of Legends. For more information, see Balthamel.
New Spring
Aran'gar/Balthamel is not present in this book and is not mentioned.
Actions Between the Books
See Balthamel.
Eye of the World
See Balthamel.
The Great Hunt
Aran'gar does not appear in this book and has no notable references.
The Dragon Reborn
Aran'gar does not appear in this book and has no notable references.
The Shadow Rising
Aran'gar does not appear in this book and has no notable references.
Fires of Heaven
Aran'gar does not appear in this book and has no notable references.
Lord of Chaos
After his death in his battle with Someshta at the Eye of the World, the Great Lord returns Balthamel’s soul to a new (female) body and gives her the name Aran’gar. She, along with Osan’gar (formerly Aginor) interact with Shaidar Haran, the Great Lord’s hand. She is, in the beginning, highly displeased at being given a female form. Later she finds it more useful.
Quick to begin her new service to the Great Lord, Aran’gar takes on the identity of Hamila Saranov, who was a friend of the Aes Sedai Cabriana Mecandes. She travels to Salidar, attaching herself to Delana. She gains trust with the larger group by stating she came to bring the word of Elaida’s plans. She controls Delana with an iron fist and determines how the Sitter will vote and what she will support.
She additionally stirs up trouble in Salidar by releasing Moghedien from the a’dam and giving her summons to Shayol Ghul.
A Crown of Swords
During her time in Salidar and after Moghedien’s escape, Aran’gar-as-Halima works to integrate herself with Egwene. Egwene has suddenly begun experiencing headaches and tension, which seem only to relent under Halima’s head rubs and massages. This makes perfect sense, as it is Aran’gar causing them. One of the focuses of Aran’gar’s work during this time is to convince the Salidar faction to name Elaida a member of the Black Ajah.
Path of Daggers
Because of the relief her assistance brings, Egwene has allowed Halima to move into her tent. This gives her further access to work on Egwene’s mind, impacting her dreams and possibly using compulsion. Aran’gar commits at least one murder during this time; Egwene’s maids. This helps ensure her additional privacy.
Halima attends the meeting between the Salidar Hall (and Egwene) and the Andoran and Murandian nobles, causing her to pull Delana aside for a lengthy discussion on the way back. Though not intentional, it is becoming apparent to the others that of this possible pillow-friendship, it is Halima, not Delana, who is in the lead.
Winter's Heart
Aran’gar attends the meeting with the other Chosen where Cyndane is introduced and they discuss Rand’s plans to cleanse saidin.
During the cleansing, the Asha’man warder Eben detects Aran’gar channeling saidin. He alerts the linked circle he is in, and charges her, dying in his attempt to protect his Aes Sedai Daigian.
Halima has brought Egwene to trust her enough to confide some of her plans. She tells the other Chosen that her ward is well under her thumb.
Crossroads of Twilight
When Jahar Narishma arrives in Salidar the Dragon’s proposal to allow Asha’man to be bonded as warders to the Salidar Aes Sedai, he detects Halima’s channeling and alerts the sisters. Romanda connects the dots between various deaths in the camp and Halima’s story, and orders her and Delana taken. They escape early the next morning.
Knife of Dreams
Aran’gar and Delana are staying with Graendal at Natrin’s Barrow. When Rand finds the place, Aran’gar and Delana use compulsion on Rand’s messenger, Ramshalan. Both Aran’gar and Delana die in Rand’s balefire attack.
The Gathering Storm
Aran’gar does not appear in this book and has no notable references.
Towers of Midnight
Aran’gar does not appear in this book and has no notable references.
A Memory of Light
Character Summaries
Special Abilities
Aran'gar is one of the strongest Forsaken in the power, with a level of ++3. After reincarnation, though in a female body, Aran’gar channels saidin, allowing her to hide amongst hundreds of Aes Sedai while still being able to channel.
Notable Possessions
Aran'gar does not have any meaningful possessions outside of the female body that the Dark One has given to Balthamel. The woman who's body he inhabits enables Aran'gar to infiltrate the Rebel Aes Sedai camp and get close with Egwene al'Vere.
Legacy
Aran’gar’s legacy in the modern age is most strongly tied to her time in Salidar. Her ability to influence and ability to spy on Egwene for the Shadow and guidance of the Salidar Hall through Delana. It is unknown specifically what changes these influences may have had on the way things would have gone without her.
In Other Media
No announcement has been made about the casting of Aran'gar for the upcoming Wheel of Time adaptation by Amazon.