One thing that I feel is lacking in WoT is the lack of exploration of the world's religion. There is clearly some form of faith in the setting, with an associated mythology describing the world and time itself and prophecies. But it seems like its universally believed, in fact it is presented as a fact of the world most of the time. Even by those who serve the Shadow.
You could call those who serve the Shadow cultists of The Dark One, with their own set of beliefs and values that range from general villain motivations such as nihilism (of the apocalyptic variety) to lust for power over all else. But at the same time that "cult" doesn't really differentiate itself from your garden variety asshole except by some loosely defined selling of one's soul. Darkfriends as a concept get really confusing when you actually dig into them, and I wish the idea had been further developed.
Which really comes together as a Problem (tm) with the Children of the Light. Who have a very "guilty until proven innocent", "hot irons and thumbscrews" method of rooting out Darkfriends. You have this militant religious faction whose entire deal is "brining the Light" and rooting out Darkfriends by any means necessary. I understand they are kind of a witch hunt/spanish inquisition allegory, they feel kinda weird when both the faith they serve and the enemy they fight are so loosely defined.
