What is Nae'blis in The Wheel of Time? Importance of the title, explained

Amazon Prime Video's fantasy series The Wheel of Time Season 3 premiered on March 13, 2025. Its vast characters and complicated plotlines have made the show mysterious. One such mystery that needs to be unveiled is the Nae'blis- the chosen commander of the Dark One.

Based on the book series by Robert Jordan and Brandon Sanderson, the series follows Aes Sedai, a powerful women's organization, and its member Moiraine Damodred and her bodyguard Lan, who start a treacherous journey to find the reincarnation of the Dragon. They choose five young boys from a village, including Rand al'Thor, as they believe one of them might be the Dragon Reborn. The Dragon Reborn is the one who would save them from the Dark One or be able to destroy it once again.

As the series proceeds, Rand al'Thor is revealed to be the Dragon Reborn among the growing chaos. Rand was successful in confronting and killing the powerful Foresaken Ishamael, the Betrayer of Hope, at the Eye of the World in Season 2, Episode 8. However, he needs to be ready for the upcoming challenges.

Season 3 shows there are several Foresaken, each vying for the title of Nae'blis- the chosen Dark One's lieutenant.

What does the title Nae'blis mean in The Wheel of Time?

Nae'blis in The Wheel of Time stands for the supreme commander chosen by the Dark One. The title of Nae'blis is positioned just below the Dark One, thus making the person superior to the fellow Foresakens. He/she is the one with the most power and authority over Shadow's forces, and he/she gets orders directly from the Dark One.

However, it is not easy to be the chosen one, as they have to prove themselves to the Dark One about their evil powers and their efficiency. In turn, they also need to betray their fellow Foresakens to snatch the position of highest authority for themselves. Thus, proving the Foresakens lack a strong alliance and they can betray each other in the blink of an eye.

Robert Jordan's book series, The Wheel of Time, states that 13 members of the Foresaken followed the orders of the Dark One. According to the series, especially after The Wheel of Time Season 3, Episode 3, only eight Foresakens were confirmed, including Lanfear and Ishamael. The identity of the seven Foresaken has been revealed, barring one. It includes Moghedien, Ishamael, Lanfear, Sammael, Graendal, Rehvin, and Semirhage.

These Foresaken are unique- they have different goals, paths, and schemes, but they are united in their allegiance to the Dark One. However, all of them have an eye for one rank under the Dark One, Nae'blis.

With Ishamael dead, the rivalry among the Foresakens is more intense than ever. The Foresakens, having chosen separate ways to become the Nae'blis- with Moghedien's searching for black A'dam, Lanfear's manipulating Rahvin and Sammael, and Rahvin's growing influence in Andor.

Each Foresaken will try their best to sabotage the plan of their fellow Foresaken and gain the title of Nae'blis for themselves. However, their rivalry among them might help the heroes of The Wheel of Time, who have still not met the rest of the powerful Foresaken.

Also, read: Is The Wheel of Time adapted from a book?

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To find out who succeeds in becoming the Nae'blis, keep watching The Wheel of Time on Amazon Prime Video.

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