Loial

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Loial son of Arent son of Halan is one of the main characters of the Wheel of Time fantasy series by Robert Jordan.

Like all Ogier, he is deliberate and methodical in his thought; haste leads to waste appears to be his people's motto. However, when roused to anger, he is an implacable enemy. He is 90 years old, at a stage of development roughly corresponding to that of a human boy in his late teens; he is considered very excitable by his people. Very well read, he is rarely without a choice bit of arcane history to offer, whether concerning humans or Ogier, and he carries books on his person at all times. He also boasted to Rand once that he outran a horse in a race, a point proven a few times throughout the series.

He left the stedding at a "young" age to the disapproval of his elders, wanting to see more of the world; he befriended Rand al'Thor in Caemlyn and accompanied the party from the Eye of the World to the Stone of Tear, witnessing the rise of the Dragon Reborn. From that point on, he accompanied Perrin to the Two Rivers and aided in its defense, and also fought at Dumai's Wells. Only recently have the two parted company: while Perrin headed into Ghealdan to deal with Masema Dagar, the Prophet of the Dragon, Loial agreed to take an Asha'man, Karldin Manfor, to visit the stedding, where channelers, male or female, cannot use the One Power or even sense the True Source (historically, the insane men of the Breaking visited the stedding to gain some reprieve from the spread of the madness). While visiting the stedding, he warned the Ogier that the Shadowspawn are using the Ways. Loial returned, since it is his ambition to write the definitive book about this turn of the Wheel's War of Power. When historians speak of Rand al'Thor, it will be Loial son of Argent son of Halan that they cite most frequently and most often.

Loial has frequently proven himself to be both brave and valorous, despite his humble assertions of being a scholar and writer. He has defended children and women against both Myrdraal and Trollocs in the Stone of Tear, traveled the Ways, protected the folk of the Two Rivers against close to impossible odds, and been among the few to dare the wrath of Rand al'Thor.

The other reason Loial is not likely to remain in a stedding is that his mother, in an attempt to settle him down, negotiated a marriage for him while he was away. In Knife of Dreams, his mother and Erith finally track him down, and he and Erith are married by Elder Haman. Loial had not felt ready for marriage, but, being very much in love with his bethrothed, was quite happy with this turn of events.

Loial's most recent appearance in the books has him preparing to rise as the final speaker at the Ogiers' Great Stump to argue the case for his people joining the humans in their fight against the Shadow.

v t e The Wheel of Time universe Central characters Rand al'Thor Perrin Aybara Mat Cauthon Egwene al'Vere Nynaeve al'Meara Elayne Trakand Supporting characters Aviendha Bayle Domon Berelain sur Paendrag Tanreal Cadsuane Melaidhrin Davram Bashere Faile Bashere Galad Damodred Gareth Bryne Gawyn Trakand Lan Mandragoran Lews Therin Telamon Logain Ablar Loial Min Farshaw Moiraine Damodred Pedron Niall Siuan Sanche Tam al'Thor Thom Merrilin Tuon Verin Mathwin Minor characters Complete list of characters Aes Sedai Amyrlin Seat Keeper of the Chronicles Hall of the Tower Blue Ajah Brown Ajah Green Ajah Gray Ajah Red Ajah White Ajah Yellow Ajah Antagonists Forsaken Aginor Asmodean Balthamel Be'lal Demandred Rahvin Ishamael Sammael Graendal Lanfear Mesaana Moghedien Semirhage Other Black Ajah Dark One Darkfriends Elaida a'Roihan Masema Dagar Mazrim Taim Mashadar Mordeth Padan Fain Shadowspawn Shaidar Haran Trollocs Concepts and objects Avendesora Daes Dae'mar Damane The Dragon Heron-mark sword Horn of Valere The One Power Items of the One Power Old Tongue Ta'veren True Power Unusual abilities Groups and organizations Aes Sedai Asha'man Band of the Red Hand Children of the Light Dragonsworn The Kin The Five Great Captains Warders Races and cultures Aelfinn and Eelfinn Aiel Atha'an Miere Ogier Seanchan Tuatha'an Trollocs Places Aiel Waste Altara Amadicia Andor Arad Doman Cairhien Dragonmount Illian Tear Saldaea Shadar Logoth Shayol Ghul Shienar Tar Valon Tel'aran'rhiod Tower of Ghenjei The Ways Minor and other locations Historical locations Events Battle of Dumai's Wells The Cleansing of saidin Tarmon Gai'don

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