That guy really irks me. But I`ve got a new loony theory. I think Demandred is masquerading as Rhadam Asunawa, the High Inquisitor of the CoL.

There are several reasons. We know that he`s somewhere in the south and that he uses proxies. South would mean Tear, Illian, Altara or Amadicia. Tear is unlikely; Rand has been ruling it for so long that RJ has had to describe all High Lords far too precisely and repeatedly and we get no description of lower nobles. Still, supposedly we got clues.

Illian is also highly unlikely because Sammael made it his domain for quite some time.

In Altara, there is hardly power to be found. Unlikely.

That leaves Amadicia, in fact ruled by the CoL until the arrival of the Seanchan. From Niall`s POV, we know he egged on the fighting about Rand in Arad Doman and Tarabon. In other words: he spread chaos. What if that wasn`t quite his idea? Who better than the High Inquisitor to influence the Lord Captain Commander, using just a touch of Compulsion?

Also, the CoL are present in a number of countries, so that would make for a good network of spies. Before the Seanchan took Amadicia the CoL were powerful beyond Amadicia. Yet so far we have read extremely little about Darkfriend CoL, though their way of thinking ought to attract Darkfriends, even the Forsaken. Asunawa we know extremely little about, just that he is mysterious and heads the Hand of the Light, somewhat feared even by the rest of the CoL for their ruthless fanatism and torture. His position gives him great leeway when it comes to acting a bit strange and coming and going as he wants.

Then there was that fight of Galad against Valda, where Asunawa showed very little respect for CoL rules, trying to arrest Galad directly after the challenge. Some CoL actually drew blades for that, as close to mutiny as any display has ever been, meaning the law means more to the CoL than he surmised. That Asunawa doesn`t know the Col well enough to know, seems to support my thesis he`s actually Demandred.

What do you think? Any other theories?

As much as I like the Asunawa Theory, I don't think it can be him. First off according to the WoT FAQ, Jordan was once quoted as saying that we have not seen Demandred's alternate persona as of CoT. If that is true then it definitely cannot be Asunawa. Then again unofficial resources can be wrong, but even so, I don't think it is Asunawa. The Hand of the Light as an organization has always (from character PoVs) held itself apart from the other Children. The fact that they have a separate emblem (sunburst and shepherd's crook vs.just the sunburst) from the other Children pretty much indicates their independence. Plus the High Inquisitor doesn't even have the sunburst in his emblem. It is pretty obvious that the Hand of the Light long ago broke with the traditions of the other Children. So for Asunawa and the members of the Hand to flaunt Children of Light tradition doesn’t seem to be all that damning of evidence.

I for one believed that Demandred was in Shara. I had expected Demandred to show up at Shayol Ghul with a massive Sharan army of soldiers and male and female channelors just as it seemed like Rand and Co. were on the verge of victory. You know, turn the final battle into an impossible battle to win unless Rand does something monumental and heroic. It seemed like it could fit with the whole “The light would have a chance to win if the Dragon Reborn fights …” theme Jordan had been pushing since the first couple of books. Of course, this was shot down by Jordan in his blog when he said that it was too late for Shara to be brought into the story.

So, I really don't know who he could be. Maybe the King of Illian that was introduced in KoD?

Well it is absolutely interesting theory, but I'm not sure if Shara will be used like that.From what little is known they are very harsh toward both male and female who can channel.Also they seem to be very rigid society with very ordered line of command.

But Demandred or possibly one of other Forsaken could be leading revolt among Seanchan and it would probably explain how so unexpectedly whole royal family was killed.As I recall Demandred was one of the best generals on Shadow's side during wars.

Hmm...how about the Black Tower? Assuming if the M'hael might be a darkfriend, it is possible for Demandred to be there. The best place to hide is often the one that seems to be the most dangerous and least expected of you. Besides, the Chosen need not be located directly within the Black Tower, just somewhere nearby in case the Dragon Reborn decides to pop by for a visit.

Well if what Anonymous said is right then we still haven't seen Demandred. Also i'm not sure where but I have read that M'Hael isn't one of the Forsaken. But is interesting idea since he is most likely dreadlord and as such probably defended from madness.Taim met with the White Tower Aes Sedai and agreed to allow the bonding of Asha'man by sisters of the Red Ajah. His justification for this was to "Let the Lord of Chaos rule," a phrase unknown outside the circle of the Forsaken and high-ranking Darkfriends (evidence that he may be a Darkfriend or a new Dreadlord)

WARNING Gathering Storm SPOILERS!
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Well, as was revealed in TGS, Masema was being manipulated heavily by one of the male Forsaken. Considering the only two left are Demandred & Moridin, (not counting Aran'gar) in my books it makes the most sense that it was Demandred pulling Masema's strings.

However, that is not to say that he isn't involved in other schemes. The fact that Taim used the exact same phrase that Demandred got told by the Dark One.... That just seems waay too much of a coincidence to me.

That is exactly what I thought in regards to Demadred Rosemary. I was like wow I think that was as big a clue we have gotten in a long time.

This post is full of TGS spoilers. Highlight to read.

AnonymousIsAngry wrote:

I for one believed that Demandred was in Shara. [...] Of course, this was shot down by Jordan in his blog when he said that it was too late for Shara to be brought into the story.

Well, that doesn't necessarily mean he won't show up late in the game with a bunch of Sharans to mess up Rand's plans. However, there are two facts from the books that make me doubt Demandred is really active in Shara.

1) Graendal had the Sharan rulers, the Sh'boan and Sh'botay, in her collection of compelled pets.
2) As of the Forsaken meeting in early TGS, Graendal admits she is baffled about Demandred's location and plans.

We know Graendal and Demandred aren't working together, so she definitely didn't remove the Sh'boan and Sh'botay to give him a chance to seize power. Plus, since she got them, it would make sense for her to have some residual lackeys in Shara who would alert her if someone suddenly stepped up to fill the vacuum.

As for Rosemery's observation about Masema, that's a good one. But, as far as male Forsaken, remember someone has been impersonating Sammael to give orders to shadowspawn (the trollocs that attacked Rand's manor-base in KOD, possibly also the trollocs that ambushed Seanchan General Tylee in TGS), perhaps also to darkfriends. So any anonymous-male-Forsaken activity could also be the Sammael-impostor, whoever that is.