Throughout The Wheel of Time, the show presents many artifacts and relics that reflect its deep and complex history. Many of these objects were created during the Age of Legends. Characters frequently use powerful items like angreal, sa’angreal, and ter’angreal across the three seasons.
In Season 3, Rand al’Thor (Josha Stradowski) takes a crucial step in his journey as the Dragon Reborn. He leads his companions into the Aiel Waste, where they encounter an ancient tree that carries significant meaning from the past.
In Episode 4 of Season 3, the show introduces Avendesora, a large and ancient tree that holds an important place in history. This tree not only stands as a powerful relic but also plays a surprising role in shaping Rand’s destiny. Avendesora’s presence leads to a revelation that changes Rand and Moiraine’s (Rosamund Pike) relationship in unexpected ways.
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What Is Avendesora in The Wheel of Time?
Rand and Moiraine’s relationship remains tense in Season 3. There is a constant lack of trust between them. When Aviendha (Ayoola Smart) challenges Rand about his identity as the Dragon Reborn, he decides to prove himself.
As the Car’a’carn—the prophesied leader of the Aiel—he must go to the Aiel Waste and undergo the trial of Rhuidean. Moiraine strongly disapproves of his decision.
In Episode 4, tensions between them grow. Neither Rand nor Moiraine wants to yield to the other. They also refuse to fully share their motives. Despite this, Moiraine asks the Wise Ones if she can enter Rhuidean along with Rand. The Wise Ones grant her request.
The group enters the mysterious city of Rhuidean. They immediately feel its heavy and strange atmosphere. Before they separate to face their individual trials, they discover what Rand calls “the Tree of Life.” In the Old Tongue, this tree is known as Avendesora.
Avendesora is the last surviving chora tree, a unique species created with the One Power during the Age of Legends. These trees were designed to radiate peace and calm to anyone standing beneath their branches. When Rand kneels beside its roots, he feels its power. The show later confirms this effect during Rand’s visions.
During his trial, Rand experiences the memories of his ancestors. In one vision, an Aiel ancestor named Lewin stands under a younger version of Avendesora. He lowers his head, overcome by the tree’s peaceful aura. This moment connects Avendesora to Rand’s lineage and strengthens its importance in Aiel history.
Avendesora’s Connection to Rand and Moiraine
Avendesora plays a crucial role in both Rand and Moiraine’s histories. It links them in ways they never expected. When Moiraine sees the tree in Rhuidean, she recalls another tree like it in her homeland of Cairhien. That tree was a sapling of Avendesora.
Centuries ago, the Aiel gifted this sapling, known as Avendoraldera, to the people of Cairhien. They did this to repay an old debt. In Robert Jordan’s books, this gift was a sign of gratitude. Long ago, the ancestors of Cairhien had given water to the Aiel during a time of great hardship.
The Aiel, who hold honor and obligations sacred, returned this kindness by offering Avendoraldera. They also granted the people of Cairhien free passage through the Waste.
This agreement lasted for generations. However, King Laman, Moiraine’s uncle, broke this trust. He cut down Avendoraldera and used its wood to create a throne that no one else could duplicate. This act enraged the Aiel, sparking the Aiel War.
The Aiel army, which included Rand’s parents, crossed the Spine of the World to punish King Laman. Their mission was clear: they had to avenge the destruction of the sacred tree. The war ended when the Aiel killed King Laman at Dragonmount. On that very mountain, Rand was born.
This means Moiraine’s uncle’s actions directly led to Rand’s fate as the Dragon Reborn. If King Laman had never destroyed Avendoraldera, the Aiel War might not have happened, and Rand’s life could have been entirely different. This realization adds another layer to Rand and Moiraine’s already complicated relationship.
How The Wheel of Time TV Show Changes Avendesora’s Story
In Robert Jordan’s novels, Avendesora is mainly a symbol. It represents the lost peace of the Age of Legends. The show, however, expands on Avendesora’s origins and gives it a much larger role in the plot.
During Rand’s trial in Rhuidean, the show reveals that one of his ancestors, Jonai, was responsible for protecting Avendesora. After the Dark One’s release, the world became dangerous, forcing the Aiel to take drastic action. They cut 10,000 chora branches and placed them in wagons to preserve the trees. Jonai had a special task—to keep Avendesora safe.
An Aes Sedai named Latra Posae Decume (Katie Brayden) believed that the Aiel’s commitment to peace made them the best protectors of Avendesora. She gave Jonai a powerful sa’angreal called Sakarnen and entrusted him with keeping it safe within the tree. The Aiel took their mission seriously, carrying Avendesora to a secure place.
As Rand’s vision continues, he witnesses how his ancestors carefully guarded the tree. Their dedication eventually led them to settle in the Aiel Waste. Later, during Rand’s vision as Mandein, an Aiel chief, we see an older version of Latra Posae Decume.
She reaches into Avendesora, retrieves Sakarnen, and uses its power to create the glass columns in Rhuidean. These columns become an important part of Aiel tradition, helping them choose their leaders.
This change in the show’s storyline makes Avendesora more than just a relic. It transforms the tree into a major piece of Aiel history and culture. It also influences how the Aiel view Rand as their prophesied leader.
Avendesora’s Lasting Impact on Rand and the Aiel
Avendesora is more than an ancient tree. It represents the long history of the Aiel and their deep traditions. It also plays a key role in shaping Rand’s journey. Its connection to Moiraine, Rand’s ancestors, and the past betrayals that shaped their world makes it one of the most important elements in The Wheel of Time.
By expanding Avendesora’s story, the TV series gives it more significance than the books. The tree is no longer just a symbol of lost peace. It becomes an active force in history, connecting Rand, Moiraine, and the Aiel in unexpected ways.
Avendesora’s presence reminds us how the past still shapes the present as the series continues. Rand’s journey is far from over, and Avendesora’s legacy will likely continue to shape his fate.
Also Read: What Makes Rhuidean Sacred? ‘The Wheel of Time’s’ Hidden City and Its Powerful Legacy Explained
