At the end of book #1 when Rand is dealing with Ishmael [Ba'alzamon] - the Forsaken mentions Jain Farstrider. He went to an Ogier Stedding - one of the reasons Moiraine decided they needed to get to the Eye of the World. Loial mentioned about a man showing up - dying - at the Stedding - who said that Ba'alzamon meant to use the Eye for his own purposes - twenty years before the main story takes place.
We know that Janduin met Luc in the Waste - and refused to fight him because Luc looked so much like Janduin's wife, Shaiel. It is believed that Luc killed him. It is likely that Janduin [Farstrider] made his way to the stedding to warn the Ogier about the Eye and they helped him and saved his life. Janduin/Farstrider/Asmodien left the Stedding healed and believing the other Forsaken believed him dead and would leave him alone - until Lanfear finds him and enlists his help. Lanfear has her own reasons for helping Rand - but so does Asmodien.
It is a good idea to note Asmodien's reactions to Rand when they are together. Remember, unlike all the other Forsaken, Asmodien is not fighting against Rand and Rand's allies. If he was, he would have killed Mat when they encountered each other in Ebou Dar - after the Dark One gave specific orders for all Forsaken to kill Perrin and Mat. So, at least Asmodien does NOT want Rand to lose - and is likely going to help Mat rescue our favorite Aes Sedai of the Blue Ajah. She herself knows about Asmodien and who he is and likely what he's hiding - from her trip to Rhuidean - but she intentionally keeps this info from Rand - probably for a very good reason. I guess I would react badly if I found out my biological dad was a forsaken - it would just ruin my day. Rand has enough to deal with.
Friday, June 20, 2008
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
More Bits of the Wheel
A bit more about Thom Merillin. When Moiraine, Lan, and Nynaeve got to Whitebridge some of the townspeople mentioned a man channeling. Every other building in the town square was burned down. This was also the case in Emond's Field on Winternight. Every other house had burned. In Whitebridge, only a single Myrdraal ambushed Thom, Rand, and Mat - no Trollocs to burn anything and the Myrdraal was occupied w Thom. Remember, after the attack at Emond's Field - Thom was cutting the singed parts from his gleeman's cloak.
Thom also mentions something about the dead coming back - either as dead heroes or being transferred into living bodies - a la transmogrification by the Dark One. My guess is that he accidentally burned the buildings down when he used Saidin since he does not know how to actually use and control it properly. Oops!
Rand felt Moiraine using her powers when she healed Tam - the tingling and chill feeling. This happens at other points in the story before he knows he can channel - as well as after. Thom was probably noticing that one of the Emond's Field boys could channel. We already know that Logain - even while shielded and in the cage being hauled before Morgase - could feel Rand and could even tell how much stronger in the One Power Rand was compared to himself. This is why he laughed at exactly the moment when Rand saw him - Logain could feel Rand on the castle wall. Logain was laughing at the Aes Sedai - because he knew something they did not - something really important.
One of Mat's prophesies - from the Aelfinn said: he had "to give up half the light of the world in order to save the world". This likely refers to his fighting against the Seanchan. The Seanchan use the One Power as a weapon at all times through leashing wilders [damane] to 'learners' [sul'dam] of Saidar. Despite his dislike for the One Power, Mat knows this is wrong. He releases 'damane' who are either Aes Sedai or Sea Folk. And then there's the incident where Tuon puts leashes on the two Aes Sedai with Mat's group and he attempts to convince her to stop.
Mat's memories from other generals is an interesting situation. One thing I am curious about is whether these memories include those of a couple Forsaken who were and still are running around alive and causing problems - Sammael and Demandred. Wouldn't it be nice if Mat knew their strategies and tactics to use against them. They are both known for being two of the best generals - even though they gave their loyalty to the Dark One.
Yes, Sammael still lives. We encounter him outside Far Madding after he fought Rand in Shadar Logoth. If you don't see a Forsaken actually die, then he's likely not dead. If they are killed by Balefire, they are permanently burned from the pattern - and remain dead. If they are killed by any other means...
Osan'gar, Aran'gar, Moridin, and Cyndane - we can kinda tell which one was whom by their personalities and other features. Cyndane is obvious. Moridin is "in charge" and insane. Osan'gar mumbles to himself constantly and laughs out loud for no apparent reason. Aran'gar resents his new form for obvious reasons - walks around like she should own everything - taking advantage whenever and wherever opportunity arises - and loves using her old Saidin powers to freak everyone out and win some battles. Aran'gar's situation proves that the Dark One has one really sick sense of humor - maybe because he was the first Forsaken to die.
Thom also mentions something about the dead coming back - either as dead heroes or being transferred into living bodies - a la transmogrification by the Dark One. My guess is that he accidentally burned the buildings down when he used Saidin since he does not know how to actually use and control it properly. Oops!
Rand felt Moiraine using her powers when she healed Tam - the tingling and chill feeling. This happens at other points in the story before he knows he can channel - as well as after. Thom was probably noticing that one of the Emond's Field boys could channel. We already know that Logain - even while shielded and in the cage being hauled before Morgase - could feel Rand and could even tell how much stronger in the One Power Rand was compared to himself. This is why he laughed at exactly the moment when Rand saw him - Logain could feel Rand on the castle wall. Logain was laughing at the Aes Sedai - because he knew something they did not - something really important.
One of Mat's prophesies - from the Aelfinn said: he had "to give up half the light of the world in order to save the world". This likely refers to his fighting against the Seanchan. The Seanchan use the One Power as a weapon at all times through leashing wilders [damane] to 'learners' [sul'dam] of Saidar. Despite his dislike for the One Power, Mat knows this is wrong. He releases 'damane' who are either Aes Sedai or Sea Folk. And then there's the incident where Tuon puts leashes on the two Aes Sedai with Mat's group and he attempts to convince her to stop.
Mat's memories from other generals is an interesting situation. One thing I am curious about is whether these memories include those of a couple Forsaken who were and still are running around alive and causing problems - Sammael and Demandred. Wouldn't it be nice if Mat knew their strategies and tactics to use against them. They are both known for being two of the best generals - even though they gave their loyalty to the Dark One.
Yes, Sammael still lives. We encounter him outside Far Madding after he fought Rand in Shadar Logoth. If you don't see a Forsaken actually die, then he's likely not dead. If they are killed by Balefire, they are permanently burned from the pattern - and remain dead. If they are killed by any other means...
Osan'gar, Aran'gar, Moridin, and Cyndane - we can kinda tell which one was whom by their personalities and other features. Cyndane is obvious. Moridin is "in charge" and insane. Osan'gar mumbles to himself constantly and laughs out loud for no apparent reason. Aran'gar resents his new form for obvious reasons - walks around like she should own everything - taking advantage whenever and wherever opportunity arises - and loves using her old Saidin powers to freak everyone out and win some battles. Aran'gar's situation proves that the Dark One has one really sick sense of humor - maybe because he was the first Forsaken to die.
Monday, June 9, 2008
Thom - A Gleeman with a Secret
What really happened at Whitebridge when everyone believed Thom was killed fighting a Myrdraal? Thom did not have a sword - he preferred throwing knives. Nobody rescued him. What else do we know about Thom?
Court bard and Morgase's former lover around the time Elayne was born. Very likely Elayne's biological dad. Morgase is too weak in the One Power to do much. Whereas Elayne is as strong as Egwene.
Had a nephew who could channel - and was gentled and left for dead by the Reds.
At Whitebridge there was a flash of light as Rand and Mat were leaving town. Rand did not cause it.
Rand only channeled accidentally three times before the end of #1. To make Bela keep running - then had the fuzzy headache as a side effect in Baerlon. Then when he jumped onto Domon's ship outside of Shadar Logoth - making it lurch to throw the Trolloc into the River - his giddy acrobatics on top of the masthead was the side effect of this. And finally the lightning strike that saved their lives at the inn on the road to Caemlyn - killing the bad guys, blinding Mat, and making Rand very sick. Talk about panic attacks!
It is very likely that Thom can channel and knows this - but because of the taint and the Reds' hunting and tactics - refuses to use it except in major emergencies.
Court bard and Morgase's former lover around the time Elayne was born. Very likely Elayne's biological dad. Morgase is too weak in the One Power to do much. Whereas Elayne is as strong as Egwene.
Had a nephew who could channel - and was gentled and left for dead by the Reds.
At Whitebridge there was a flash of light as Rand and Mat were leaving town. Rand did not cause it.
Rand only channeled accidentally three times before the end of #1. To make Bela keep running - then had the fuzzy headache as a side effect in Baerlon. Then when he jumped onto Domon's ship outside of Shadar Logoth - making it lurch to throw the Trolloc into the River - his giddy acrobatics on top of the masthead was the side effect of this. And finally the lightning strike that saved their lives at the inn on the road to Caemlyn - killing the bad guys, blinding Mat, and making Rand very sick. Talk about panic attacks!
It is very likely that Thom can channel and knows this - but because of the taint and the Reds' hunting and tactics - refuses to use it except in major emergencies.
Friday, June 6, 2008
Wheel of Time Images
This is one of the best images of Rand - the only thing off is his sword. Heron marked blades are like katana swords.
Thom teaching Rand about the Game of Houses - political intrigue - in Cairhien - while playing a game of stones, of course.
There are not many really good images of Perrin online - the hair, the eyes, the build - something is always a bit off. This one is pretty good - showing Lord Perrin Goldeneyes and everyone's favorite Tinker-turned-expert-swordsman - Aram.Some of the best pictures are of Mat.
Mat to the rescue! Here he is thinking and planning out a strategy from the rooftops of Tear - about how he's to get into the Stone - not an easy fortress to get into. Nobody appreciates all the effort he puts into helping, rescuing, etc., - or so he believes. SIGH!
This one by oRen shows Lord Mat, Commander of the Band of the Red Hand and the Ever Victorious Army's worst nightmare. And he can't even channel. Even Nynaeve is a wee bit intimidated by him by this point. Roll the dice!
Here's a really nice one of Mat w his gifts from the Eelfinn: the wolfhead medallion and his Ashanderei (spear). Are we feelin' lucky?!
This hand drawn picture by Hamilton Cline shows Mat chillin' on the road w Valan Luca's Travelling Show. He has his signet ring on, which he does not get until #8. And he kept teasing Rand about this kind of thing earlier in the story - about pretending to be a lord. Is he starting to feel appreciated, yet? Oh, yeah - he's Olver's adopted daddy, too. Mr. Responsibility!
One of the best pictures of Elayne Trakand.
Far Dareis Mai - Maiden of the Spear. Aiel are some of the fiercest fighters - but they would never touch a sword. An early pic of Aviendha, perhaps?
Our favorite Sheinaran - Uno Nomesta. Exactly as I picture him from the series. Given the difficult task of guarding Nynaeve - special orders from Lan. Explains the heavy duty armor!
In the beginning... The end of Lews Therin Telamon Kinslayer...or was it?!
Asha'man practicing.Wednesday, June 4, 2008
A Tale of Two Dragons
I believe that Lews Therin is going to be an ally - not an enemy. We already know for certain that Rand is indeed Lews Therin reborn/reincarnated - because when the Horn of Valere is used the first time - Arthur Hawkwing called Rand, Lews Therin. As far as all the dead taveren are concerned, Rand IS Lews Therin. This makes sense with the Forsaken calling Rand by his "old" name, too.
Semirhage mentions transmogrification in relation to Rand in #11 - referring to Lews Therin's voice and increasing control in Rand's mind. This gets readers wondering that maybe the Dark One and Forsaken somehow have "implanted" Lews Therin's last memories in Rand's head without his knowledge. I believe that this is likely a smokescreen to make Rand secondguess himself - and freak out his allies. Kind of like saying - he's nutso - the old Kinslayer is in control now - and there is no hope of winning.
The dual injury in Rand's side may be causing a resonance - that is literally separating the two dragons. Remember, that Shadar Logoth is not Dark One type evil - but one that built up out of fear and paranoia about the Dark One's return - hence in the Old Tongue it's called "Shadow's Waiting". Rand uses this same resonance to fix a major problem in #9. The only thing is that he did not get the second injury until after Lews Therin started "talking". So, maybe one of the Forsaken did start the ball rolling, but things are not going as expected - the resonance w S.L. is causing the separation to become more pronounced over time. L.T. seems to get stronger after each time Rand enters or is near S.L. Demandred starts getting antsy and really upset about not being as in control as he thought he was. The good guys are doing things the Forsaken do not expect - things that were impossible in their time.
Lews Therin wants to die - and is very frustrated that he cannot. Rand does not want to die in the last battle but figures he doesn't have a choice in the matter. L.T. warns Rand about certain people - though Rand is ignoring him. L.T. is also training Rand w channeling abilities - ones the Asha'men are not being taught - except a really cool battle in #11 - shows some of them some of it. This makes it clear to them who their real boss is. If L.T. is going to fight against Rand - it would make no sense for him to give away his own special spells.
Semirhage mentions transmogrification in relation to Rand in #11 - referring to Lews Therin's voice and increasing control in Rand's mind. This gets readers wondering that maybe the Dark One and Forsaken somehow have "implanted" Lews Therin's last memories in Rand's head without his knowledge. I believe that this is likely a smokescreen to make Rand secondguess himself - and freak out his allies. Kind of like saying - he's nutso - the old Kinslayer is in control now - and there is no hope of winning.
The dual injury in Rand's side may be causing a resonance - that is literally separating the two dragons. Remember, that Shadar Logoth is not Dark One type evil - but one that built up out of fear and paranoia about the Dark One's return - hence in the Old Tongue it's called "Shadow's Waiting". Rand uses this same resonance to fix a major problem in #9. The only thing is that he did not get the second injury until after Lews Therin started "talking". So, maybe one of the Forsaken did start the ball rolling, but things are not going as expected - the resonance w S.L. is causing the separation to become more pronounced over time. L.T. seems to get stronger after each time Rand enters or is near S.L. Demandred starts getting antsy and really upset about not being as in control as he thought he was. The good guys are doing things the Forsaken do not expect - things that were impossible in their time.
Lews Therin wants to die - and is very frustrated that he cannot. Rand does not want to die in the last battle but figures he doesn't have a choice in the matter. L.T. warns Rand about certain people - though Rand is ignoring him. L.T. is also training Rand w channeling abilities - ones the Asha'men are not being taught - except a really cool battle in #11 - shows some of them some of it. This makes it clear to them who their real boss is. If L.T. is going to fight against Rand - it would make no sense for him to give away his own special spells.
Monday, June 2, 2008
Wheel of Time: A Horn and Two Dragons
One of my favorite novel series is The Wheel of Time by Robert Jordan. I've read through the entire main story. There are some major ideas I have about some things going on throughout the story.
Most readers figured out who Taim really is by the end of #6. His comment about the Aiel is a small but significant give away - not to mention his attitude.
Some interesting developments that I have noticed. In order for Rand to win the Last Battle - many rules must be broken - i.e., the Game of Snakes and Foxes. The Aelfinn and the Eelfinn, respectively are actively helping to break some of these rules. But there's more to it.
The Horn of Valere - will be a major rule breaker. It did not exist when Lews Therin first fought the Shadow. It brings dead heroes back from the dead - in essence all dead taveren. Add to this, Moghedian herself brought one back more permanently - but doesn't remember how she did it.
Asmodien - one forsaken with enough identities to make any counterintelligence spy impressed. It's anybody's guess whose side he's really on. Who was his dead wife that died alone while he was out having adventures and travelling the world being the hero? There is enough evidence from what he said to conclude that he is and was Jain Farstrider. But who else was he? Who was his wife? Is it possible that he might also have been Janduin and his wife Shaiel? Is he an ally or an enemy?
Shadar Haran: Who is he - or better yet - who was he? Obviously not a transmogrified forsaken - since there are only four of those and they're all accounted for. He's taller than other Myrdraal, he can carry on an intelligent conversation, he considers all the forsaken to be his enemies - look what he did to Masaana - and most importantly, he showed up at the same time as Lews Therin started "fissioning" from Rand. If the old saying: the enemy of my enemy is my ally - holds true in the Wheel of Time - then Shadar Haran is an ally. But who?
Somebody who has been physically transformed into a Myrdraal and is supposed to be the Shadow's "hand on the world". Somebody who hates the forsaken more than anybody else - and for personal reasons. Obviously, somone from the Forsakens' time. Maybe someone who was forced against his will, Seanchan damane-style via a male a'dam, to start the Breaking of the World and kill his wife and friends - and whom we believed killed himself. The Forsaken broke the rules last time, so the good guys get to break a bunch of seemingly insignificant rules this time.
The stronger Shadar Haran becomes - the stronger Lews Therin becomes - and the more difficult he is for Rand to control. Min's viewing about Lews Therin eventually being completely and physically separated from Rand is important here. Good news for Rand. When S.H. gets to Rand - some sort of resonance situation will have to be done - similar to the Shadar Logoth/taint. When this is done, whose side will S.H./L.T. be on - the Shadow's or Rand's? Either it will be two Dragons against the Shadow - or two Dragons against each other. Either way, what a showdown!
Most readers figured out who Taim really is by the end of #6. His comment about the Aiel is a small but significant give away - not to mention his attitude.
Some interesting developments that I have noticed. In order for Rand to win the Last Battle - many rules must be broken - i.e., the Game of Snakes and Foxes. The Aelfinn and the Eelfinn, respectively are actively helping to break some of these rules. But there's more to it.
The Horn of Valere - will be a major rule breaker. It did not exist when Lews Therin first fought the Shadow. It brings dead heroes back from the dead - in essence all dead taveren. Add to this, Moghedian herself brought one back more permanently - but doesn't remember how she did it.
Asmodien - one forsaken with enough identities to make any counterintelligence spy impressed. It's anybody's guess whose side he's really on. Who was his dead wife that died alone while he was out having adventures and travelling the world being the hero? There is enough evidence from what he said to conclude that he is and was Jain Farstrider. But who else was he? Who was his wife? Is it possible that he might also have been Janduin and his wife Shaiel? Is he an ally or an enemy?
Shadar Haran: Who is he - or better yet - who was he? Obviously not a transmogrified forsaken - since there are only four of those and they're all accounted for. He's taller than other Myrdraal, he can carry on an intelligent conversation, he considers all the forsaken to be his enemies - look what he did to Masaana - and most importantly, he showed up at the same time as Lews Therin started "fissioning" from Rand. If the old saying: the enemy of my enemy is my ally - holds true in the Wheel of Time - then Shadar Haran is an ally. But who?
Somebody who has been physically transformed into a Myrdraal and is supposed to be the Shadow's "hand on the world". Somebody who hates the forsaken more than anybody else - and for personal reasons. Obviously, somone from the Forsakens' time. Maybe someone who was forced against his will, Seanchan damane-style via a male a'dam, to start the Breaking of the World and kill his wife and friends - and whom we believed killed himself. The Forsaken broke the rules last time, so the good guys get to break a bunch of seemingly insignificant rules this time.
The stronger Shadar Haran becomes - the stronger Lews Therin becomes - and the more difficult he is for Rand to control. Min's viewing about Lews Therin eventually being completely and physically separated from Rand is important here. Good news for Rand. When S.H. gets to Rand - some sort of resonance situation will have to be done - similar to the Shadar Logoth/taint. When this is done, whose side will S.H./L.T. be on - the Shadow's or Rand's? Either it will be two Dragons against the Shadow - or two Dragons against each other. Either way, what a showdown!
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