Darkfriends

Darkfriends are followers of the Dark One in The Wheel of Time series. They are individuals who have sworn allegiance to the Dark One in exchange for power, safety, or other rewards, and they act to further the Dark One’s aims, often through deception, coercion, or violence. Darkfriends can be found across the world’s nations and social strata, including nobles, clergy, merchants, soldiers, and others in positions of influence. Their true allegiance is usually hidden from most of society, and suspicion often arises when loyalties seem self-serving or contradictory to public duties.

In the narrative, Darkfriends oppose the Light and are opposed by protagonists who seek to defeat the Dark One. Some Darkfriends work within established organizations, such as the Black Ajah within the White Tower, or other factions, concealing their allegiance while carrying out plots that hinder or manipulate events. Recruitment can be gradual or coercive; a Darkfriend may be drawn by personal gain, fear, loyalty to a cause, or belief that the Dark One’s power can solve problems that legitimate leaders cannot.

Detecting Darkfriends is a recurring concern in the series, and revelations about individuals’ loyalties often drive key plot developments. The existence of Darkfriends explores themes of trust, corruption, and the vulnerability of institutions to covert evil, illustrating how ordinary people can betray others under the influence of a malevolent force. The term also serves to describe a persistent threat that transcends national or factional boundaries within the world.