Sammael

Sammael (SAHM-may-EHL, /ˈsɑːm.mɛɪˌɛɫ/; Old Tongue: Destroyer of Hope), formerly known as Tel Janin Aellinsar, was one of the thirteen Forsaken who was trapped at Shayol Ghul due to the Dragon's sealing. He was a world-renowned sportsman in the Age of Legends and one of the Light's greatest generals, until he defected. Sammael used the alias Lord Brend in Illian and Caddar in meeting the Shaido.
== Appearance ==
Sammael was of slightly above-average height and had always wished that he was taller, because he believed that many subconsciously measure the worth of a man by his height. He was also known to have been irked by the fact that the One Power could not be used to increase someone's height. He is solid and compact with blue eyes and golden hair. He has a square trimmed beard and a scar which runs from hairline to beard. This scar was apparently given to him by Lews Therin at some point, and he kept it as a reminder rather than having it healed. His solid build and commanding presence often have the effect of making him seem larger than he actually is. 
Although not physical, he was attributed to be cold and ruthless and without "any sense of humor at all".
==Strength==
In "The Wheel of Time Companion" his level of strength in the One Power is described as ++2, making him one of the most powerful channelers ever, but still below Rahvin, Moridin, and Rand al'Thor.
==History==
Tel Janin Aellinsar was a compact and brusque man. He was a master archer as well as a world champion of a bloodless sword sport. Janin was friends with Lews Therin Telamon, although it is not certain how deep this friendship ran. Janin learned of his abilities as a strategist and soldier during the War of Power, while fighting for the side of the Light. His abilities tended more towards defense; a useful talent, since the forces of the Light were often on the defensive.
However, supreme command of the forces of the Light was eventually given over to the Dragon, and this fact sat uncomfortably with Tel Janin, who believed himself to be the superior general. He went with Graendal to Shayol Ghul, where he swore his oaths to the Dark Lord. Finally, four years into the War of Power, he betrayed the side of Light by leaving the Gates of Hevan open and leading the Shadow into Satelle. Caught unprepared and off-guard, the subsequent battle was a complete disaster for the forces of humanity. It was after this betrayal that he was given the name Sammael.
In leading the forces of the Shadow, Sammael much preferred battle to administration. Consequently his territories were often not well managed, and the people living there frequently had too little to eat. He also enjoyed constructing grandiose schemes, usually involving many people. Despite having turned to the Shadow out of jealousy of Lews Therin, believing him to be an inferior tactician, it is implied by Lanfear that Sammael never managed to win a battle against him. Moghedien, however, considered his tactical acumen to be at least close to that of Demandred.
He was given the scar on the side of his face by Lews Therin and never had it Healed: he preferred to leave it as a reminder.
During the War of Power, Sammael tried to bait Lews Therin into attacking him at Sarendahar. Millennia later, Sammael would use this tactic once again, this time on Rand al'Thor.
During the final stages of the War, forces under Sammael's command overran the area where the access keys to the massive Choedan Kal were being constructed. Fortunately for humanity, Sammael never learned of this fact. His final actions during the War were to open an offensive from his newly conquered territory. Concurrent with strikes from armies under the command of Demandred and Be'lal respectively, this final offensive seemed to possibly be aimed at capturing the Choedan Kal, as both sa'angreal were threatened by the advances.
Sammael was imprisoned with the rest of the Forsaken at Shayol Ghul when Lews Therin Telamon and the Hundred Companions sealed the Dark One in his prison.
==Release==
===Illian===
thumb|308x308px|The Forsaken Sammael
After being released from his 3000-year imprisonment, he became Lord Brend, quickly taking over the Council of Nine in Illian. From here he was able to hunt angreal and sa'angreal to increase the amount of the One Power he could channel. He sent Jaichim Carridin to Ebou Dar to search for a cache there. 
He teamed up with Lanfear, Graendal and Rahvin to try and turn Rand al'Thor to the Shadow. He channels blasts of lightning and fire at Rand during the battle with the Shaido outside Cairhien, killing a large number of Far Dareis Mai.
thumb|left|Sammael from the CCG
He also tricked Graendal into revealing where Mesaana was residing, saying that he had made a truce with Rand, and said that he plans to sit back and watch Rand destroy the rest of the Chosen.
===Spreading chaos===
Sammael also approached Sevanna and the Shaido, whilst in disguise as Caddar, and tricked them into dispersing themselves across the continent. The goal of deceiving the Shaido was ultimately to cause damage to Rand al'Thor's reputation among the nations of the world; to most people there was no distinction between the Aiel clans. Thus, as the various septs of the Shaido ravaged the lands to which they were sent, blame was laid at Rand's feet.
===Confrontation===
Ultimately, the time came for Rand to Travel to Illian to confront Sammael. But rather than risk destroying Illian whilst trying to kill Rand, he instead Travelled to Shadar Logoth. During his battle with Rand, Sammael was enveloped by Mashadar after being distracted by the Aiel Maiden Liah and was presumably killed. He has not been seen since and his final death has been confirmed by Robert Jordan.
Recently someone posing as Sammael has sent tens of thousands of Trollocs into the Ways.
==Parallels==
Samael is an antagonistic archangel in Judaism, an angel who tests men. He is frequently referred to as the Angel of Death. He is considered a fallen angel in Christianity.
Samael is one of three names given to the Demiurge in early Christian gnosticism. One of the emanations of God, Sophia (wisdom), created the antithesis of God unintentionally by attempting to create without his consent. The result was the Demiurge, the ultimate betrayal to all that is right and true. It is interesting, in light of Sammael's betrayal of Lews Therin in the Wheel of Time saga, that many have equated the Demiurge in the gnostic worldview to the ego's role in the human psyche.
His true name, Tel Janin, is a probable reference to the minor War & Peace character Telyanin, an army officer who used his position to steal from others. 
==External links==
* Real-world references for Sammael
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Category:Aes Sedai (Age of Legends)
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Category:Antagonists
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