The Wheel of Life (2022) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Arrival in Emond's Field

A mysterious noblewoman arrives at the remote village of Emond's Field in the Two Rivers. Her arrival precedes a devastating attack, unsettling the quiet village and setting the story's events in motion. The woman is far from the ordinary traveler she initially appears to be.

When

The Eye of the World (1990)

Where

Emond's Field, the Two Rivers

Trolloc Attack on the Village

A force of humanoid monsters called Trollocs attacks the town of Emond's Field. The assault shatters the village's peaceful isolation and reveals that the servants of the Dark One have reached even the remote Two Rivers. The villagers realize their home is no longer safe.

When

The Eye of the World (1990)

Where

Emond's Field, the Two Rivers

Moiraine Reveals Her Identity

The noblewoman reveals herself to be Moiraine Damodred, one of the Aes Sedai. She warns that the servants of the Dark One are seeking one of three young men from the village: Rand al'Thor, Perrin Aybara, and Matrim Cauthon. The revelation makes it clear that the boys are in grave danger.

When

The Eye of the World (1990)

Where

Emond's Field, the Two Rivers

Flight from the Two Rivers

Rand, Perrin, and Mat leave their home in the Two Rivers with Moiraine and her companion, the Warder Lan Mandragoran. Forced out by the Trolloc attack and Moiraine's warning, the three young men abandon everything they know. Their journey into the wider world begins.

When

The Eye of the World (1990)

Where

The Two Rivers

Egwene Joins the Journey

Egwene al'Vere joins the group as they travel away from the Two Rivers. Moiraine sees in her the potential to become an Aes Sedai. Her presence expands the fledgling company and hints at a destiny of her own.

When

The Eye of the World (1990)

The Gleeman Thom Merrilin Joins

The gleeman Thom Merrilin joins the group on their travels. The wandering performer becomes a loyal, if guarded, companion whose skills and hidden past prove useful. With him, the party of refugees grows into a true fellowship.

When

The Eye of the World (1990)

Nynaeve Al'Meara Catches Up

The village Wisdom Nynaeve al'Meara, a healer, later joins the young people she has watched over. During the journey, she learns that she can also channel the One Power. Her newfound ability makes her an unexpectedly powerful addition to the group.

When

The Eye of the World (1990)

Fleeing Shadar Logoth

Hounded by increasing numbers of Trollocs led by deadly, eyeless Fades, the group flees the cursed, abandoned city of Shadar Logoth. The city's ancient evil proves as dangerous as the Shadowspawn pursuing them. In the chaos of the escape, the companions are separated.

When

The Eye of the World (1990)

Where

Shadar Logoth

Battle at the Eye of the World

At the Eye of the World, a sacred pool of untainted saidin, Rand confronts the Forsaken Aginor and Ba'alzamon. In a desperate battle, Rand defeats both enemies of the Light. The struggle marks his first true clash with the Dark One's most powerful servants.

When

The Eye of the World (1990)

Where

The Eye of the World

Rand Revealed as the Dragon Reborn

Rand's victory at the Eye of the World convinces Moiraine that he is the prophesied Dragon Reborn. The revelation places Rand at the center of the struggle against the Dark One. It also foreshadows the immense burden he will have to carry in the wars to come.

When

The Eye of the World (1990)

Where

The Eye of the World

The Fellowship Splinters

From then on, Rand and the other characters are frequently split into different groups, pursuing separate missions and agendas. Their efforts all further the cause of the Dragon Reborn, sometimes thousands of miles apart. The heroes make new allies, gain experience, and become figures of real influence and authority.

Struggle to Unite the Western Kingdoms

The heroes strive to unite the western kingdoms against the Dark One's forces. Their task is complicated by rulers unwilling to surrender their authority and by factions such as the Children of the Light, who do not believe in the prophecies. The Seanchan, people of a long-lost colony of Artur Hawkwing's empire across the western ocean, return believing it is their destiny to conquer the world.

Where

The Western Kingdoms

Division Among the Aes Sedai

The Aes Sedai become divided between those who believe the Dragon Reborn should be strictly controlled and those who believe he must lead them into battle as he did in the earlier war. This internal conflict undermines the united fight against the Dark One. New characters representing the various factions enter the story as the scale of the struggle grows.

The Last Battle Looms

It becomes clear that the Last Battle, triggered when the Dark One can exert its influence directly on the world once more, is imminent. Only three of the Seals that act as keys to the Dark One's prison remain intact. Once the remaining Seals break, the Dark One will be free to touch the world.

When

Lord of Chaos (1994)

Tarmon Gai'don, the Last Battle

The Last Battle, Tarmon Gai'don, is finally fought, deciding the fate of the world. It is the climactic confrontation of the entire story, bringing the long struggle between the Light and the Shadow to its conclusion. The battle is depicted in the final chapter of the saga.

When

A Memory of Light (2013)