Tel'aran'rhiod

In the fictional world of Robert Jordan's fantasy series "The Wheel of Time", "Tel'aran'rhiod" (tel-AYE-rahn-rhee-ODD) or the World of Dreams is a reality where all reality is mutable.

Though normally accessible only through dreams, "Tel'aran'rhiod" is in fact a real place. Its geographical reality is dependent on the waking world, but its contents can be and are altered by the works of non-sleeping people. Those things which are sedentary in the waking world--buildings, furniture, mountains, forests--tend to stay put in the Dream, but things that move or see use--utensils, personal correspondence, clothes--are much harder to find, and may disappear from the hand even if discovered. "All" reality is mutable in "Tel'aran'rhiod"; those inside it can alter themselves and the world around them, achieving such tricks as instant wardrobe changes, the creation of scenery (or, once, a horse), flight and levitation, instant travel across huge distances, and so forth. These tweaks are often subconscious, and it takes a certain amount of concentration to control them and prevent them. Skilled Dreamwalkers can also impose their creations upon other people, often with frightening and, if desired, lethal results: injuries taken in "Tel'aran'rhiod" are reflected in the waking world.Also, only wild animals (and humans) can enter this world - if the animal was wild but later domesticated, they no longer can enter. Also, temporary settlements, for example, tents and the Traveling People's wagons only leave small (if any) traces in Tel'Aran'Rhiod. Normal people occasionally visit "Tel'aran'rhiod" through their dreams, generally flitting in and out in a few seconds without ever realizing it. Most of them come to no harm, but those few who do fall off a building, or trip onto a bed of spikes, never wake up. Others, specifically Dreamers or Dreamwalkers, can enter "Tel'aran'rhiod" at will and are far more adept at manipulating its nature. The most notable Dreamer in the White Tower today is Egwene al'Vere; the last one, before her, was Corianin Nedeal, almost 500 years ago. Unbeknownst to the White Tower, however, the Aiel specialized in Dreamwalking, and Egwene eventually went to learn from them. Known Aiel Dreamwalkers include Bair, Amys, and Melaine; the last two can also channel. Two other experts in the Dream are known to exist: the Forsaken Moghedien and Lanfear.

The White Tower has a number of "ter'angreal" to enter "Tel'aran'rhiod" at will, but some require channeling to function and create a strange, sickly feeling while being used. Their use is also limited by the fact that channelers are stripped of most of their strength while dreaming; though the "ter'angreal" require relatively small amounts of the One Power, even that much may be out of reach while in the Dream. Most of the known ones are in the possession of the Salidar rebels or were stolen by the Black Ajah.

It is also possible to enter "Tel'aran'rhiod" "in the flesh," by Traveling there. This is considered an abomination by the Aiel, but can be accomplished by Traveling. Those who enter in the flesh apparently experience a massive increase in power over Tel'aran'rhiod; the thought of opposing one who had entered in the flesh was enough even to frighten Moghedien, whose power in the Unseen World was greatest among the Forsaken. When Ishamael entered Tel'aran'rhiod in the flesh in "The Dragon Reborn", he was capable of such feats as gravity manipulation and even unravelling reality.

Wolfbrothers, like Dreamwalkers, can also enter "Tel'aran'rhiod", as can all wolves. "Tel'aran'rhiod" is where wolves go when they die.

Despite its idiosyncrasies, "Tel'aran'rhiod" has proved a vital source of intelligence for the series' characters. Visits to allied settlements and enemy headquarters (specifically the Amyrlin's office in the White Tower) have yielded important intelligence, and Egwene, Nynaeve, Elayne and the Aiel Wise Ones use it to share news, formulate plans, and sometimes just to socialize.