Warning: This article contains spoilers for Wheel of Time season 2, episode 5

Summary

• The Horn of Valere has immense power and the Seanchan believe it will help them seize control of the world.
• Blowing the Horn of Valere can summon legendary heroes who will aid in the Last Battle against the Dark One.
• Mat Cauthon is expected to be the one to blow the Horn of Valere, but it remains uncertain if the TV show will follow this storyline.

The Horn of Valere is without question one of the most powerful artifacts in The Wheel of Time's world. After being taken out of Fal Dara by Padan Fain, the Horn wound up in the possession of the Seanchan in The Wheel of Time season 2, episode 5, titled "Damane." According to High Lord Turak, the Horn will give them the means to seize control of "the whole world."

The importance of the Horn of Valere lines up closely with Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time books. Similar to what happened in the show, the theft of the Horn of Valere was the catalyst for the story of the second book, The Great Hunt, as well as the center of its overarching narrative. In the books, catching Fain and recovering the Horn was the ultimate goal of several key Wheel of Time characters. In spite of their efforts, it was still passed to the Seanchan. Similarly, the characters in the TV show are facing the same problem. Finally released from its box by Turak, the power of the Horn of Valere is within the grasp of the villains.

What Happens When Someone Blows The Horn Of Valere

Back in season 1, The Wheel of Time teased what would happen if someone were to blow the Horn of Valere. According to Lord Yakota, the Horn has the power to call forth “the Pattern’s greatest heroes.” He told Marcus Rutherford's Perrin that its purpose is to be blown during the Last Battle with the Dark One’s forces. Its ability to bring dead warriors back to life makes it a valuable weapon against Wheel of Time’s villains. The show's explanation for what will occur honors the books. In The Great Hunt, blowing the Horn of Valere revived several legendary, heroic figures associated with Wheel of Time lore as ghosts who could join them in battle.

The army of spirits summoned by the Horn in The Great Hunt consists of people who have already been mentioned in the show's first season. Among them are Artur Hawkwing and Jain Farstrider, accomplished warriors who died centuries ago and had their souls tied to the Horn. There's also Shivan the Hunter, Gaidal Cain, and Brigitte Silverbow, the latter of which being someone who grew into a supporting character later on in the series. Collectively known as the Heroes of the Horn, they help the main characters both in The Great Hunt's finale and again for the Last Battle in the final book of the series, A Memory of Light.

Origin & Rules Of The Horn Of Valere Explained

As for how the Horn of Valere possesses these capabilities, that's never been made clear, possibly because its origins were lost to history long ago. In the books, it's established that the Horn of Valere has existed for thousands of years. It even predates Lews Therin Telamon (the original Dragon) himself, as it was around before the Age of Legends. It's possible that it was actually blown during Lews Therin's lifetime, considering that Hawkwing made a remark about knowing the Dragon in The Great Hunt.

Comments from various characters shed light on how it works and the rules that come with it. Based on what Artur Hawkwing said about it in The Great Hunt, the Heroes of the Horn won't follow those allied with the Dark One. With that in mind, it could be that nothing will happen if High Lord Turak blows it. Whoever does blow it is known as the "Hornsounder" to the Heroes of Horn. Once a person earns this title, they keep it until they die. The Heroes of the Horn will respond only to the Hornsounder, but if that person dies, a new character can take over this responsibility.

Who Blows The Horn Of Valere in The Wheel Of Time Books

If the show adheres to the books, the character who blows the Horn of Valere will be none other than Mat Cauthon. Caught in a difficult situation with both the Seanchan and the Whitecloaks looming, Mat felt he had no choice but to unleash the Horn of Valere's power at the end of The Great Hunt. In doing so, Mat cemented his status as The Wheel of Time's Hornsounder, which in turn made him important to The Wheel of Time's setup for the Last Battle. In fact, it's widely considered to be one of the most important things Mat does in the entire book series.

Whether his TV show counterpart will get this moment remains to be seen, and is also complicated by the fact that he's being taken by Min Farshaw to Cairhein, not Falme. Unless the show gets him to Falme for the final fight in a hurry, another character may receive the honor of becoming the show's Hornsounder in his place. However, the Wheel of Time letting anyone but Mat Cauthon blow the Horn of Valere in season 2 would amount to a massive change to Robert Jordan's story.

The Wheel of Time releases new episodes on Fridays on Amazon Prime Video.