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DRAGONMOUNT

A WHEEL OF TIME COMMUNITY

I Rolled a 20 on the Random Article table. Ah, the Wheel of Time, a tapestry of epic proportions spun by the brilliant Robert Jordan. It's a world we've all come to adore, one that has touched our souls with its grandeur. But I have never entered it so deeply as when I first played a RPG session set in the lands of the Dragon Reborn.  Bienvenidos, my fellow travelers, to an article about the Wizards of the Coast Wheel of Time Roleplaying Game, a forgotten game that has recently resurfaced into my mind and that I believe both old aficionados and curious newcomers will find just as amusing as myself. Why write about it now? Personally, I find it intriguing to see how different people deal with Jordan's work, just as Rafe is doing and Brandon has done in the past. Some things in this book are just as interesting to analyze. Whether you're an old fan or a curious newcomer, the Wheel of Time RPG offers a chance to experience Jordan's world in a different way. Even if this way is through the lens of 2000s game designers not as well versed in Jordan’s universe as us diehard fans. As I revisit this unique RPG, I realize that some of the first images and art from the series I saw came from it, something I didn't remember at all. The first image of an Ogier that I experienced came from this book, and I only realize it now by revisiting it. Maybe that's also the case for some of you. This alone is another reason to go through it once more. Something I catch myself doing from time to time since I grabbed a copy of this book in Auckland when I was visiting my uncle.  In my opinion, every adaptation is interesting. And it's even cooler to look at them after a new one comes out. No matter how different the media are, it's something that always catches my attention. As we can see on the internet every day: No one would do things the same way and everyone has their own perfect adaptation in mind. So why don't we collectively step into the minds of those who made this game over two decades ago? The Creators of the System. Crafted during the heyday of the D20 movement in tabletop RPGs, and at a time when fresh Wheel of Time content was in short supply, this publication undeniably satisfied the cravings of series enthusiasts. Nevertheless, it falls short in terms of the depth and replayability that could have transformed it from a mere novelty. The 300+-page rulebook featured new and original art throughout, bringing the world of The Wheel of Time to the tabletop. As a short book, it does its best at trying to condense the vast world of Robert Jordan into a few pages, sometimes making its depiction of the setting feel broad and lacking in detail. The game was based on the D20 rules system used by the third edition of Dungeons and Dragons, following a similar layout and format to the D&D core rulebooks despite all the setting differences. It was penned by a veteran designer team, including Charles Ryan, Steven Long, Christian Moore, and Owen K.C. Stephens. It's noteworthy that Robert Jordan himself provided a foreword for the game, revealing his own connection to the world of tabletop gaming and his excitement for the Wheel of Time RPG. The Wheel of Time RPG incorporated the talents of Darrell K. Sweet, the artist for the novels, who provided the cover artwork. It is so cool to see two additional paintings from him in the world of WoT that are not covers of the novels. It evokes a feeling of something familiar, but new at the same time, since not everyone has had contact with these illustrations. A large number of Wizards of the Coast artists contributed additional illustrations throughout the book, adding depth to the gaming experience. Ellisa Mitchell, known for providing cartographic services on the novels, created several new maps for the rulebook. Again, some of them that I had no idea were created specifically for this. D&D or not to be? This game made a lot of changes to the core D&D mechanics. The standard D&D character classes were replaced by new ones, such as Aiel spear-carriers, Armsman, Initiate (in the Aes Sedai or Asha'man), Noble, Wanderer, Wilder, and Woodsman. Multiclassing was also an option since this was a d20 system. Much like D&D 3rd Edition, feats played a significant role in character creation. Specialist feats for the use of the absolutely game breaking One Power were introduced, along with Feats that allowed players to replicate unique abilities from the books. The rulebook delved into the setting and history of The Wheel of Time, drawing from the novels that were published at the time. It offered somewhat comprehensive information, including the founding circumstances of countries like the Borderlands, Cairhien, Illian, Tarabon, and Tear during the War of the Hundred Years. But it went out of its way to avoid topics that would be discussed in future books written by Jordan. Later in his blog, Robert Jordan talked about the process of helping in the concept of the game, wanting to do more but with no time because of the books. And how he managed to avoid items  The book featured re-drawn, full-color, and larger-scaled maps of cities like Ebou Dar, Caemlyn, Cairhien, and Tar Valon, adding a visual dimension to the gaming experience. An introductory adventure titled 'What Follows in Shadow' was included, set during the events of "The Eye of the World," offering players an immersive starting point for their own Wheel of Time adventures. It's always a challenge to create a game that takes place during the events of an ongoing story, but sometimes it's difficult to take agency away from the players because they're doing something that conflicts with the original canon or that wouldn't make sense in the world.  The Lord of the Rings RPG, The One Ring, fails greatly in this aspect, where adventurers can only do the minimum without entering territory that threatens the original story of the books. Fortunately, this is not something that happens in the Wheel of Time RPG. Adventures offer options and stories that don't affect the book arcs and still have meaning for players. An expansion was created for the game called "The Prophecies of the Dragon," which is the only expansion to The Wheel of Time Roleplaying Game that was published. Again, cartography was handled by Ellisa Mitchell, and a new cover was produced by Darrell K. Sweet. Robert Jordan is listed as a creative consultant. Photos by: @manetheren_miniatures An invitation  This is not a review (although if there is enough interest it might as well be in the future), but an invitation for fans to take a closer look at this material and appreciate its unique aspects. It's a journey through the past, a chance to rediscover something that may have been forgotten in the midst of new adaptations. As a fan, I felt compelled to revisit this piece of Wheel of Time history and share its significance. Even if my only conclusion is: Maybe it's time to try again. In the same vein, I plan to explore other forgotten media and adaptations related to the Wheel of Time universe, like for instance the PC first-person boomershooter reminiscent of Quake and any other turning of the wheel that I can lay my nerdy hands on. But what now? The recent television adaptation of The Wheel of Time series on Amazon Prime has reignited interest in this classic RPG. As fans of the TV series dive deeper into the lore, some are discovering the tabletop game and finding themselves drawn into the enchanting world of Aes Sedai and Trollocs. Which poses the question: Is it time for a new Wheel of Time Tabletop RPG? Some fans believe so. As part of the show's 1st and 2nd season promotional material, Prime Video Brazil conducted two different RPG sessions with YouTubers from the country. But these sessions were based on existing systems and seemed more like a patchwork than something designed for WoT. We also had fan adaptations for D&D 5e, but nothing official has been released since these two books in the early 2000s. Perhaps it's time for new materials to come.  With numerous RPGs emerging every year and new design philosophies being introduced, such as in games like Mörk Borg, Knave, Shadowdark and many others, and with RPGs making a comeback in mainstream media with shows like Stranger Things, I see no reason not to have a new adaptation of Jordan's world for tabletops. Certainly, fans would love it, especially now that the hobby is more popular than ever.  

By Humberto Tramujas, in Books and eBooks,

A message from the CEO:     When I took over Dragonmount earlier this year, I knew I was in for a challenge. I had been helping founder Jason Denzel for years, but there is something different about being completely in charge!    One of the bigger things I wanted to concentrate on after I got a handle on the day-to-day was to expand and enhance our coverage. Social Media is a huge part of the Wheel of Time community, and I knew we needed to get better at it, but I also wanted to put additional thought and energy into our longer-lasting information. Our news blogs and email newsletters have become very reactionary, and I wanted to get some more opportunities for fuller forms of text that will have a lasting legacy on our history.    In order to do that, I knew I would need some additional help. We have a fantastic team at Dragonmount, full of passionate people, but I knew we would need some people who were concentrating on the writing aspect and knew their stuff when it came to social media as well.    So I started a search. At first, I was worried that no one would be interested. Concerned that if no one applied, we’d be forced to keep going with the team we had and try to make it work. Quickly, the opposite problem began to occur. As each day passed, more and more people applied, and I started realizing that we would have a difficult time picking the right person.    The long, drawn-out process felt like overkill for what is ultimately a passion project, volunteering with a small payment as a cherry on top, but as time went on, I realized how incredible this option was. I had a plethora of absolutely incredible humans to talk to and find the right individuals. Because as I got deeper into the process, I realized I couldn’t pick just one.    And so it is with supreme joy and pride that I announce our new Social Media Team for Dragonmount. Thank you to Erin, Grace, Humberto, Kevin, Michael, and Rita for accepting the offer to come and play with us on the Slopes of Dragonmount. We’re so happy you’ve joined us!   Kathy Campbell     Erin      A dedicated consumer of knowledge, Erin DeSimone wears many hats in her life. She holds MBA and PMP credentials, and serves as a Program Manager in her day job, putting her organizational skills (and spreadsheet wizardry) to use. After discovering the Wheel of Time in her college years, Erin became a member of the fandom and has become increasingly involved over time. When she's not immersed in something Wheel of Time related (or at Disney World), she's a Dungeon Master, crafting narratives that might even intrigue Verin Sedai herself.   Grace      Grace is a licensed mental health counselor who believes in the healing power of found family in fantasy novels and IRL. Also known as Bain & Chiad, Grace has been reading The Wheel of Time since 1998, when she and her high school sweetheart dressed up as Elayne and Rand for Halloween. She fell in love with present-day WoT fandom and was inducted into the Far Dareis Mai in 2019. She is the writer of Maidens’ List and a co-host of The Light’s Work and Three Fold Talk.   Kevin     Kevin is a business analyst with a passion for comedy, analyzing patterns, and The Wheel of Time. Kevin started The Wheel of Time in 2015 on a whim after an unrelated podcast mentioned it a few times, but didn’t find his way fully into the fandom until April 2022. Since then, Kevin has become infamous for his creations using trollocs, looney theories, and probably not being the Tweeter of Chaos. Kevin is also known as KEVIN, when providing comedic relief/discomfort on Twitter (@GradeKangusBeef), chatting with friends on The Kevin Podcast, and more recently, causing trouble as a cohost on Tar Valon After Dark.    Rita     Rita is a 20-year-old university student from Portugal passionate about fantasy, social sciences, and The Wheel of Time. Her sister introduced Rita to the Wheel of Time books when she was 16. After finishing the last book, Rita joined the fandom in July 2021 with the creation of her Twitter/X account. Currently, Rita, also known as Maiden of the Spear (@maiden_of_spear), shares her passion for the TV show, the books, and her love for Mat Cauthon (The last being what she's most known for in the fandom) with the community on a daily basis.   Humberto      Humberto Tramujas is a narrative concept developer with a creative vision and storytelling focus. He centers his work on creative writing, narrative, and direction across multiple media. Humberto has been working with a narrative for tabletop RPGs and social media work involving Social Cause Awareness themes and Geek subjects. Humberto started reading Wheel of Time in 2014 when the first books were released in Brazil.   Michael        Michael is a geologist and science communicator living in Colorado. He enjoys finding connecting narratives that bring relatively niche subjects to the public interest, whether that is geology or multi-volume fantasy series. Michael first read Wheel of Time in 2002 when the YA targeted From The Two Rivers and To The Blight releases of Eye of the World came out. He found Dragonmount shortly after, via a dial-up Internet connection, when searching for information about the upcoming Crossroads of Twilight.   

By Kathy Campbell, in DM Website news,

The week of The Wheel of Time Season Two's mind-blowing season finale, showrunner Rafe Judkins graced fans with a spoiler-free Instagram Q&A session. This casual tête-à-tête was a much-needed treat, especially since Rafe had been incommunicado during the strike. But fear not, my fellow WoT aficionados, because following a hard-fought agreement, Rafe has made a triumphant return to the heart of the Wheel of Time community. During this virtual Q&A, Rafe tackled six questions asked by the community posted on the official Wheel of Time Instagram account. His responses danced between behind-the-scenes anecdotes and personal favorites. Rafe started with some interesting tidbits about Season Two. He discussed the significant risks and rewards, particularly mentioning the beach locations in Morocco ”where no one had shot a TV show or movie before”, He explained the challenge these locations presented and how rewarding it was to see them on screen. When quizzed about his favorite character introduction in Season Two, Rafe quipped, “I can't decide between Elayne, Aviendha, and Verin”, making us feel like we're all in the same boat with all these fantastic additions to the show. Rafe even hinted at an Easter egg related to “an incredibly important weave in Episode 7” that allows channelers to travel long distances. We certainly will see more of that in the future! Halloween is creeping up on us. Rafe couldn't choose a favorite costume from the show, but he confessed, "If I were to go as someone for Halloween, it would probably be High Lady Suroth." When asked about the outstanding performance of Hopper, Rafe praised Ka Lapinka, the wolf responsible for bringing the pupper to life. “She does something incredibly impressive in Episode 8 that is not CGI”. We know now that he was talking about that heartbreaking death scene. I know wolves are supposed to be scary, but I would love to pet Hopper. Rafe concluded by hinting at his favorite moment from the Season Two finale but refrained from sharing further details to avoid spoilers. He hinted "a certain moment with Mat Cauthon and a musical instrument." For the full Q&A experience and more of Rafe's quips and secrets, head to The Wheel of Time's Instagram account.

By Humberto Tramujas, in TV Show,

Coming hot on the heels of the epic Season Two finale just over one week ago, The Wheel of Time showrunner Rafe Judkins made two surprise appearances in NYC this weekend, bringing exciting Season Three news to delighted WoT fans in the Big Apple.    His first appearance was at New York Comic Con 2023 on Saturday afternoon during the Prime Video Presents: The Power of Prime panel. Judkins appeared again on Sunday to introduce a special in-theater screening of the Season Two finale at the Whitby Hotel. The charismatic showrunner also stayed after the screening to participate in a Q&A about Season Two with television critic Sean T. Collins.   On Sunday, during the post-screening Q&A, Judkins pleased Ingtar fans everywhere by teasing a Season Two deleted scene revealing that Ingtar is, in fact, a Darkfriend. He also shared that Season Three would be a big one for Rand and Perrin and that the Moghedien scenes are “to die for.”          Judkins confirmed the Aiel Waste as a filming location for Season Three and teased other iconic Book Four locations, including “tropical” Tanchico and the Two Rivers (already lightly hinted at by a screaming Dain Bornhald in Episode 8). Most surprisingly, Judkins shared that Season Three will feature the Sea Folk, who will show viewers “new versions” of channeling in other cultures.   At NYCC, Judkins confirmed that Season Three of The Wheel of Time will focus “on one book” (Book Four, The Shadow Rising). He also teased the casting of “a Forsaken you have not seen yet,” noting that he enjoys reading the “very serious commentary online” about which of the Forsaken will appear in the show.    Judkins then promised a visit to Rhuidean and an exploration of Dreamwalking “with the Aiel,” which all but guarantees the appearance of Wise Ones in Season Three. Finally, after praising Kate Fleetwood’s performance, Judkins shared that viewers will find out at the very beginning of Season Three “what Liandrin’s been up to.”   The showrunner also spoke about the “magic” of filming The Wheel of Time, describing two favorite moments from Season Two: Rosamund Pike “channeling fire itself” on a Moroccan beach at sunset, and Dónal Finn sharing that he’d learned of his casting as Mat while standing on the very same wall in Essaouira where he blew the Horn of Valere in Episode 8.   The conversation with Judkins came at the end of The Wheel of Time portion of the NYCC Prime Video panel, which focused primarily on visual effects in Season Two, opening with a NYCC-exclusive VFX highlight reel for in-person ticket holders. The panelists, moderated by Damian Holbrook of TV Guide Magazine, included executive producer Marigo Kehoe, VFX supervisor Andy Scrase, and VFX producer Brian Shows.    Highlights from the VFX discussion included Scrase’s passionate description of his process for reinventing the look of channeling in Season Two, with the goal of making it look more “organic” and “thread-like,” with specific details woven into each element beyond just the difference in color: sparks when channeling Fire, water droplets for Water, and distorted ripples for Air. Kehoe echoed her appreciation for the meticulous VFX work on channeling, in particular during the “novice kitchen scene.” Shar from the podcast WOT in Color attended the screening and shared the full Episode 8 discussion with us:      Grace is a licensed mental health counselor who believes in the healing power of found family in fantasy novels and IRL. Also known as Bain & Chiad, Grace has been reading The Wheel of Time since 1998, when she and her high school sweetheart dressed up as Elayne and Rand for Halloween. She fell in love with present-day WoT fandom and was inducted into the Far Dareis Mai in 2019. She is the writer of Maidens’ List and a cohost of The Light’s Work and Three Fold Talk.

By Grace Dareis Mai, in TV Show,

Showrunner Rafe Judkins wasted no time after the WGA strike ended before coming back to #TwitterOfTime with the perfect post:     He then answered a ton of questions for fans. Book consultant Sarah Nakamura also answered some detailed questions. Let’s start off with Rafe’s general praise for the writers, actor and crew for Season Two.          Rafe addressed the many challenges the team faced between COVID and the writers and actors strikes.         Rafe and Sarah answered some questions about the incredible episode 6: Eyes without Pity, and the rest of episodes in Season Two.                 The Wheel of Time story contains thousands of characters and are played by incredible actors in the TV show. Rafe answered quite a few questions about our favorite characters for the light and for the dark.   We will never forget “Steve” from Season One, who ended up being left on the cutting room floor, but became a classic meme for the fandom.      Questions about characters for the Light:                 And as the Pattern must have balance, so must the light be balanced with dark and we have questions about Forsaken & Dark Friends:           The next series of questions are deep diving into some of the changes regarding the elaborate magic system: channeling. Lots of book fans have questions about just how channeling works in the TV show since it’s different than in the books. Book consultant & expert Sarah Nakamura took on many of these questions.                     WOT Origins was much praised by fans for Season One, and unfortunately we haven’t seen the last two episodes of the first batch, and there are none for Season Two.  It doesn’t look like we’ll be getting any more.       Finally let’s take a look at questions about Season Three and Beyond:           That’s a wrap on all the Q&A from Twitter last week! Make sure you tune in this week for the Season Two finale of The Wheel of Time!! What did you all think of Rafe’s answers? Isn’t it nice to have him back!? Let us know what answer most surprised you in the comments below.   Also don’t forget to tune into Dragonmount ReWOTch every Monday over on Youtube and Twitch.

By Katy Sedai, in TV Show,

Dragonmount.com started twenty five years ago on September 19th, 1998 by founder Jason Denzel.   So began the gathering place for the Wheel of Time fans around the world. Dragonmount has been a place for fans of The Wheel of Time to theorize, debate, and discuss our favorite book series.   Screenshot of Dragonmount in 2005     Folks have been posting in the forums, watching our Youtube Show, and listening to our TV show podcast.   Over the years Dragonmount has also hosted Robert Jordan’s blog.   To celebrate Dragonmount’s anniversary, Jason Denzel is hosting an “Ask Me Anything” on social media, including an AMA over on Reddit.   He’s also answering questions on Twitter:     And thank you, Jason, for creating this wonderful community that has been the place for The Wheel of Time news and connections for so many of us fans.   We’d love to hear when or how you found Dragonmount and The Wheel of Time community! Let us know in the comments below.

By Katy Sedai, in DM Website news,

With the Second Season of The Wheel of Time on Prime Video just a week away (September first) it’s time to rewatch Season One!   Dragonmount is hosting a charity livestream over on Twitch as we re-watch all eight episodes of Season One of The Wheel of Time!    Beginning at 11am EDT, we will be live all day hanging out with some of your favorite content creators, with appearances from the legendary Harriet McDougal & Maria Simons.    We will be raising money for the American Red Cross - Maui Wildfire Disaster Relief. If you can't make the livestream you can donate directly here.    We will also be giving away some awesome prizes if you join us & donate to those effected by the Maui Wildfires. We will be giving away one set of the Eye of the World Graphic Novels for the best Closet Cosplay! Share on to social media and find out more here.    Other prizes include:  Show Tie-In Novel of The Great Hunt + Robert Jordan Signed book plate 2 Black Tower Podcast shots glasses and a Frosty Drinking mug Other fabulous prizes!        Add your Twitch account to your active amazon prime account to join the watch party on Twitch. You can also find the livestream on YouTube.    Don't forget to join us on social media!  Follow Dragonmount on Twitch and Subscribe to Dragonmount on YouTube  

By Katy Sedai, in TV Show,

Hey there, Wheel of Time fans! It's time to dive into the fun and fabulous Closet Cosplay Contest during our charity stream marathon Aug 26th starting at 11am Eastern on our Twitch. We want you to dig deep and come up with a Wheel of Time themed cosplay. Whether you don an elaborate costume or turn everyday items into an epic ensemble, we can't wait to see your creative genius in action!   When to Strut Your Stuff: The closet cosplay showdown kicks off at 11am EDT with our livestream. It's your chance to get creative and have fun while doing something awesome for charity!    How to Get in on the Action: Step 1: Stick with us First things first, show us some serious love! Hit that subscribe button on YouTube and that follow button on Twitch. Why? Because this is where the magic happens—updates, fun moments, and vibes you won't want to miss.   Step 2: Strut your stuff Time to bring your A-game! Strike a pose and snap a photo of your genius creation. Share your masterpiece on Twitter or Instagram. Remember to tag Dragonmount and throw in the hashtag #reWoTch to join the party.  Twitter- @dragonmount & Instagram- @dragonmount_   Step 3: Lock in your shot Here's where it gets real—lock in your shot at the set of Graphic Novels by Macmillan. Donate any amount to our Charity stream. Then, pop an email with the subject line “reWoTch cosplay” over to social@dragonmount.com with your Twitch and YouTube usernames. Don't forget to attach your cosplay pic!   Everyone's invited to join in for a seriously good time. But if you're aiming for the prize, you've got to go all in with all three steps. The winner must provide a shipping address within the continental United States for us to ship the prize to.    How We Roll: The Dragonmount team will pick our top 5 favorite entries. These are the ones that capture the spirit, make us laugh, and have us saying, "Wow, that's pure genius!" Then YOU, your fans, your friends, and fellow Wheel of Time enthusiasts will have the chance to vote in a poll to decide who takes the Closet Cosplay crown.    The Big Giveaway: We're not fooling around, folks. The winner gets their hands on something epic: the complete set of "The Eye of the World" graphic novels by MacMillan! Yep, that's a whopping 6 issues of pure Wheel of Time goodness.   Mark Your Calendar: The Closet Cosplay Contest starts at 11am EDT at the start of our live stream. Make sure you've done all 3 steps by 8pm EDT during the marathon. The winner will be announced on Monday!   Get ready to show us your Wheel of Time style, and may the most epic closet cosplayer win! 🌟

By Katy Sedai, in TV Show,

With two weeks to go until the premiere of the second season, we can share Dragonmount’s interview with the cast of the Wheel of Time Season two!   Kathy Campbell was lucky enough to get five minutes to chat with Madeleine Madden and Daniel Henney, and then Marcus Rutherford, Dónal Finn, and Ceara Coveney. The cast reveals what they are most excited (and nervous) for book fans to see in Season Two!    The interviews occurred in June 2023, before the SAG-AFTRA strike began.   Check out the video over on YouTube:   The second season of The Wheel of Time will be released on September 1st. We cannot wait to see our favorite characters on screen again!   

By Katy Sedai, in TV Show,

Rajiv Moté is Dragonmount’s book blogger with a lens on the craft of fiction writing. When he’s not directing software engineers, he writes fiction of his own, which can be found cataloged at his website.   The trailer for Prime Video’s The Wheel of Time season 2 has arrived at last, and fans of the books are wondering whether their favorite scenes will appear, or if this turning of the Wheel will spin things differently.   Dragonmount has a helpful set of summaries if it has been a while since your last re-read. The end of Season 1 left things in a different place than the end of book 1. Rand al’Thor, the Dragon Reborn, has set off alone to protect others from the madness that he knows will consume him. He seems more the Rand of the beginning of book 3. Moiraine has been exiled from the Tower by Siuan, shielded from the One Power by “the Dark One,” and her bond with Lan is inaccessible. (It raises the question if this shield has affected other things, like the oaths taken on the Oath Rod, or if it was just “stuck on fuzzed.”) Nynaeve and Egwene are still in Fal Dara with Moiraine and Lan. Perrin is dealing with his pacifism having allowed Padan Fain to escape with the Horn of Valere, seemingly at the cost of Loial’s life. In the biggest departure from the books, Mat stayed behind in Tar Valon, never making the trip through the Ways to Fal Dara. The prologue of The Great Hunt kicks us off with the “Darkfriend Social,” a gathering of hooded and cloaked Darkfriends from across the land, assembled to take orders from “the Dark One.” The trailer for Season 2 does show us a group of hooded and cloaked individuals gathered around a table (we see even more of this gathering in a bonus scene following the season 1 finale!), and even Liandrin sneaking around Tar Valon with her hood up--although she has plenty of others to meet, and standing business in North Harbor. Speaking of Liandrin, she’s also shown with the Great Serpent Ring forge. In the show, Great Serpent Rings are Ajah-specific, so Novices and Accepted couldn’t pass for Aes Sedai if they were to venture out into the world on secret business. Just saying. The Great Hunt continues showing that some time has passed following the meetings at the Eye. Lan is training Rand to use his heron-mark sword, an investment that will pay off when Rand faces the Seanchan High Lord Turak. Lan also teaches Rand a warrior’s comportment; how to stand with pride even when facing as imposing a figure as the Amyrlin Seat. In the trailer, Rand does face Siuan Sanche, but given that he has wandered into the Blight/Waste at the beginning of the season, this meeting seems likely for later in the season. Without Rand or the Horn, there isn’t much reason for Siuan to make the trip to Fal Dara. Padan Fain has already made off with the Horn of Valere, so the inciting incident for the Hunt for the Horn has already happened, and without Rand’s presence, or Mat needing his dagger, the duty falls to Perrin. His stake is the most personal--he let Fain get away--and unless Hurin has been cast, Perrin’s ability to talk to wolves is their only way to track the Horn. Will we see a Fade nailed to a door by Padan Fain? I sure hope so. In The Great Hunt, Siuan and Moiraine plot to use the Hunt as a way to groom Rand to lead the Shienarans, including supplying him with fancy coats and the Dragon Banner. The trailer also shows Rand swaggering in fancy coats, but this new sequence suggests that someone else is responsible for Rand’s new confidence. Lanfear, rising from what looks like a pool of blood, has been freed, and her first priority is to cozy up to Lews Therin reborn and groom him to stand beside her at the apex of power. Rand appears to be learning how to channel as well, and is even conversing with Logain. How much of this is through Lanfear’s orchestration (in the books, she caught Rand his first male teacher, at the end of book 4) remains to be seen. The Dark is still in pursuit of Rand, and it looks like Rand is learning enough to put a sword of flame through a Fade. By the time Rand reunites with Moiraine, he’s angry, full of his own power, and willing to choke an Aes Sedai. Siuan says he can’t be controlled, though it’s unclear if she’s telling Moiraine and if, despite the Oath, the lovers are reunited outside of a flashback. There are scenes of Rand bound to a wheel, a rather on-the-nose representation of his fate. These images are likely Lanfear messing with Rand’s dreams, trying to get him to rebel against his destiny. Indeed, when Rand faces the Amyrlin Seat, he tells Siuan that he doesn’t want to be a spoke on the Wheel, and Siuan responds that Rand is the water that turns it. The trailer confirms that Nynaeve and Egwene reach the White Tower, and are joined by Elayne. Verin is cast, so perhaps she takes them, since Moiraine can’t return to the Tower if her Oath holds. Nynaeve takes her test for Accepted and emerges with wounds. There is a scene in the trailer where Nynaeve is wielding a sword, with two other swordsmen visible. This could reference the book conversation with Siuan, where Nynaeve says that she doesn’t need the Power when a sword would do. It could even be a scenario in her testing. Or maybe she’s just wielding a sword. She killed a Trolloc with one, after all. There is probably no need for Portal Stone flickering realities, as Rand and Lanfear have already been separated from the Hunt for the Horn, but the trailer does show us a laughing Perrin with a young girl who could be his daughter or a little sister, which may be one of his alternate realities. Or, it could be a Wolf Dream. The trailer shows Perrin coming to terms with talking to wolves, and his eyes turn golden. There’s no indication from this trailer whether Moiraine visits Adeleas and Vandene (with the Dragkhar attack), Rand encounters the Choeden Kal, or Min reconnects with Nynaeve and Egwene at the White Tower. We know Thom does not appear this season. We know Elayne is at the Tower, and a glimpse of the business end of Mat’s quarterstaff suggests that book 3’s sparring with Gawyn and Galad may occur. The Shadar Logoth dagger is still somehow associated with Mat despite his separation from it last season. There’s a fiery explosion, but whether it’s an accident at the Illuminator chapterhouse or Seanchan damane doing battle is yet to be seen. The trailer doesn’t indicate how much of Cairhien and Barthanes’s cocktail party will be in the adaptation. In the book, it’s Barthanes who tells Rand that Fain is waiting on Toman Head. Ultimately, the book has everyone converge on Toman Head, and this is reflected in the trailer. Perrin’s party, after fighting Whitecloaks (and being aided by Aviendha and the Aiel), becomes prisoners of the Seanchan High Lord Turak, and the Horn of Valere falls into the invader’s hands. Nynaeve, Egwene, and Elayne come to the rescue (sent along by Liandrin, in the book), and Egwene becomes a prisoner of High Lady Suroth’s sul’dam. She goes down fighting with the Power, in the trailer. We do see High Lord Turak, a blademaster, unsheathe his sword, but it’s uncertain whether the show’s Rand has had sufficient training with Lan to beat him like in the book. Could Lan fill the role of Turak’s slayer? I kind of hope not. This trailer does not show the Horn of Valere being blown, nor the Heroes of the Horn doing battle with the Seanchan. Season 1’s finale was sufficiently different from The Eye of the World that the show may have its own conclusion planned. Does Mat get bound to the Horn? Or does Perrin? Or does the Horn get blown at all? The press interviews promise us a huge battle this season. Watch and Find Out, I suppose. If I’m interpreting the trailer correctly, this season is hewing much closer to the outline of the second book than season 1. The major differences are with Mat and Thom. But as a fan of the books, I felt like I was back in familiar territory, among friends. I’m excited for the first three episodes streaming on September 1st.  

By MahaRaj, in TV Show,

With the second season of The Wheel of Time just a few weeks away we are getting weekly WOT Wednesday news.    Today was a new trailer with the big news that the first three episodes of the second season will drop on September first.        The other big drop today was a behind-the-scenes look at the Trollocs the “nightmare fuel” monsters for the dark.        We hear from Rosamund Pike showrunner Rafe Judkins producers Mark Weber and Justine Juel Gillmer and make-up designer Nick Dudman.  The trollocs are genetically engineered creatures created through a mix of human and animals like birds boars and bears. The show used a mix of practical and visual effects for the trollocs. We see both the creation of the practical with stilts and horns.     And the cgi visual effects:   The featurette shows how some of the stunts were performed and more behind the scenes of the creation of the Trollocs.  “They are more than just monsters there is a human piece”     The humanity of the Trollocs is what makes them horrifying, not knowing how much they understand and think for themselves. It seems the second season will explore the complexity of the dark and hopefully will explore the humanity of the Trollocs.  We can’t wait! What are you looking forward to seeing in the first three episodes? Let us know in the comments below!  

By Kathy Campbell, in TV Show,

Our newest WOT Wednesday drop is here and it’s a sneak peek of the first scene in Season Two of The Wheel of Time!! Today started off with a quick video that hinted at our new drop - that the first scene of Season Two will play directly after the finale of Season One.   It’s a scene many of us fans have been hoping to see, and we get to see it a month early!    Head over to the Prime Video app, and at the end of Seasons One, episode 8, the new sneak peek will play. The scene will be familiar to fans of the books of a scene in The Great Hunt that starts off from the perspective from a new character, a dark friend who calls himself “Bors” who attends what fans endearingly call “the dark friend social.”   The sneak peek scene starts off with a young child playing outside, who sees monstrous trollocs appear out of the mist. She runs into to a gathering of figures robed in black. The Man/the Dark One/ Ishamael (played by Fares Fares) pops his head down to let her know she’s interrupting their meeting.   A meeting of who appear to be dark friends!! We see: a Seanchan with long fingernails, an Aes Sedai with their stone colored black, a warrior with a hawk sigil, and the child’s mother. We also see Padan Fain pull down his hood and grin at the child. The main theory is that the girl and her mother are tinkers, but there’s a suggestion that they might be from Falme.   Ishamael discusses a man, not yet the dragon reborn, called Rand Al’thor. The scene ends with an intriguing and very creepy chat between Ishamael and the child about hungry trollocs and who we consider to be monsters.     It’s not an exact recreation of the book scene, but it is a gathering of dark friends where the name Rand Al’thor is revealed. There are more figures around the table, maybe fans will dissect the scene until we figure out who’s there, or maybe we will have to wait until we see the whole of Season Two!   If you want to see thoughts from Thom at Dragonmount, go check out the livestream he did all about the sneak peek!         Today we also got a (previously recorded) video featuring Rosamund Pike, Josha Stradowski, Marcus Rutherford, Dónal Finn, and Ceara Coveney explaining five things to remember about Season One of the Wheel of Time.         Season Two of the Wheel of Time will release on September 1st 2023 on Prime Video.   What do you guys think of our preview? It’s so creepy and gives us lots to theorize about!     

By Katy Sedai, in TV Show,

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