Actually, I seem to remember you being involved in our big discussion on the Finns and their motives for giving Mat the Ashan'darei, two or three years ago....

We were all off in our guesses, but it turns out my theory about that wasn't far off after all, as the Finns insist in TOM that they can give Mat not only what he wants, but what he needs. My theory was that they had twisted what Mat said to give him objects that he would need to fulfill his destiny. The Medallion has saved him from the gholam, the memories made him into a military genius... and I was wrong on my guess for the Ashan'darei. I suggested they gave it to him because it's what would attract Tuon's interest in him, and lead to her kidnapping (in fact, it was his signet ring) In fact, it turns out they gave it to him so the "Half the Light of the World to save the world" prophecy could be fulfilled. For that, they couldn't fulfill his first bargain just by leading him out (as they did), they needed to give him a "magical" object so he could escape the other Finns and get out when he returned a second time.