OK. Here's the clear evidence of Dagian's, Moiraine's, Egwenes and Moghedien's comparative levels.
Shannow Send a noteboard - 10/12/2010 12:00:48 PM
The evidence can best be pieced together as an overall picture, like a puzzle, that is reconstructed from a multitude of bits and pieces spread across the books.
Of course it can. And I've seen nothing that suggests to me that, say, Linda's ranking at the 13th Depository (http://13depository.blogspot.com/2009/02/saidar-strength-ranking.html#chart) is less accurate than yours.The weakest Aes Sedai - Dagian - is approximately one third the strength of the strongest Third Age Aes Sedai - Moiraine, Lelaine, Romanda, Siuan and Elaida.
So if you make Dagian a 10 (to use a round figure), then Moiraine would be a 30.
Why a ten? Why not, say, a 20?Egwene is stronger than Amys and Melaine combined. There are two contradictory quotes on Amys strength, but the most realistic one puts her about 1 level below Moiraine, but still stronger than most modern Aes Sedai.
Melaine is weaker than Amys, but still above average for an Aes Sedai.
So, a strength of 50-55 would be accurate for Egwene in this context.
Why a 50-55? Why not a 70?Egwene herself makes it clear that there is a big gulf between herself and Moghedien. She says she stands no chance against Moghedien. That's from her own mouth.
So, if Egwene is sitting at around 50, then Moghedien has to be so much stronger than her that there can be no hope of Egwene standing a chance against her. That means Moghedien has to be at around 65 at the weakest.
That does not indicate a big gulf. Particularly if she's thinking about the kind of duel Nynaeve and Moghedien had in TSR, where they're simply throwing their entire strength back and forth with no finesse at all, in which case a 51, ceteris paribus, would always defeat a 50.Moghedien is the weakest of the Forsaken
This is, honestly, debatable.Nynaeve easily still had 25-30% of her strength still to GROW at the time that she equaled Moghedien. I don't think anyone can really dispute that.
When you're just pulling that number out of your ass, of course we can. At the same time, we know that Alivia is CONSIDERABLY stronger than Nynaeve.
That judgment was made in WH8, less than a year after you think Nynaeve still has 30% left to grow. We have no way of knowing what "considerably" means.So there has to be enough room above Nynaeve to adequately incorporate these strength levels as well.
And there is. But it does not necessitate your leaps and bounds between levels of strength.Incidentally, Linda's chart converts to this on a hundred-point scale:
100 Lanfear
95 Cyndane/Alivia
90 Graendal
86 Nynaeve (full)/Semirhage
81 Mesaana
76 Moghedien
71 Egwene/Elayne/Aviendha
67 Cadsuane
62 Meilyn/Karene
57 Elaida/Romanda/Lelaine/Moiraine/Siuan (old)
52 Amys
48 Anaiya
43 Delana
38 Alanna
33 Chesmal
29 Adeleas
24 Siuan (new)
19 Daigian
14 below novice
10 below novice
5 Morgase
If Amys is 52, then Egwene would have to be around 100, since Aviendha says Egwene is stronger than Amys and Melaine combined, and Melaine is stronger than most Aes Sedai. That means either Egwene's placing of 70-odd is too low, or Amys is way too high.
That alone pulls the entire list apart, as Dagian's strength has to be revised down significantly, since she is about one third as strong as Moiriane, and Moiraine can no longer be on 57.
RJ says Egwene is a step up from Moiraine's level, and the female Forsaken are a step up from Egwene's level. Since Amys is almost as strong as Moiraine, and Egwene is close to twice as strong as Amys, that means that this "step" RJ is talking about is close to a doubling in strength from Moiraine to Egwene.
That would suggest that the step up from Egwene to female Forsaken should be of similar magnitude.
Now, this can only mean one of two things, it is either a similar PROPORTIONATE increase (e.g. close to doubling of strength) or a similar absolute increase, in which case the absolute difference between Moiraine and Egwene should also be the absolute difference between Egwene and the female Forsaken.
Since we know that Moiraine is equal to 3 Dagians, and that Egwene is apparantly just under double Moiraine's strength (let's make it 67% stronger to be conservative, meaning Moiraine is 60% as strong as Egwene), then that means that the step up from Moiraine to Egwene is approximately 2 Dagians.
That means that at the very least, we are looking at a gap of 2 Dagians between Egwene and the female Forsaken.
That therefore means the following, in simple terms:
Dagian = 1 Dagian
Moiraine = 3 Dagians
Egwene = 5 Dagians
Moghedien = 7 Dagians
Clearly, if it is a 100 point scale, then Dagian cannot be a 20. She can also not be a 15, else Moghedien would be a 105, and we know there are many levels above Moghedien.
In fact, we know that Nynaeve had maybe 20-30% of growth left above Moghedien's level, and that Nynaeve at full potential would still have 6 women above her on the list, according to BS.
Clearly, the evidence does not make it feasible for Dagian to be much higher than 10.
This message last edited by Shannow on 10/12/2010 at 12:06:42 PM
More evidence that Elayne is much weaker than the Forsaken
- 09/12/2010 03:45:27 PM
3547 Views
Yes.
- 09/12/2010 04:39:58 PM
1880 Views
No.
- 09/12/2010 05:34:57 PM
1696 Views
Actually...exponential or at least non-linear makes alot of sense to me
- 09/12/2010 06:27:29 PM
1597 Views
Nope. Then Rand would be able to crush 13 Aes Sedai with ease.
- 09/12/2010 06:32:53 PM
1825 Views
Three things:
- 09/12/2010 06:47:30 PM
1652 Views
That quote is incorrect as it contradicts all other evidence from later books...
- 09/12/2010 06:51:02 PM
1632 Views
If strength isn't linear and on a steep enough curve that could work.
- 09/12/2010 07:22:24 PM
1663 Views
I think that RJ's statement that the strongest man and strongest women were equal...
- 10/12/2010 03:23:12 PM
1538 Views
I wasn't aware this was an issue?
- 09/12/2010 04:45:02 PM
1672 Views
I just hope aMoL finally reveals who's going to be the Dragon Reborn...these lesser debates can hang *NM*
- 09/12/2010 05:26:37 PM
1000 Views
not really
- 09/12/2010 04:46:42 PM
1645 Views
and you'll note that none of the angreal are considered particularly strong
- 09/12/2010 04:48:14 PM
1560 Views
She probably weaved them separately on account of being pregnant *NM*
- 09/12/2010 04:56:12 PM
975 Views
Pregnancy seems to be interfere with her ability to grasp the power
- 09/12/2010 05:06:15 PM
1612 Views
I don't know if it's a more complex CHANNELING undertaking, though
- 09/12/2010 05:42:57 PM
1523 Views
I don't have the book handy, but she talks about the level of complexity
- 09/12/2010 05:45:52 PM
1645 Views
hmm, but we still don't know if it's the weaves or the process that is so complex
- 09/12/2010 06:28:14 PM
1448 Views
Well according to Monaella it makes it harder to Channel, but from Elayne's POV
- 09/12/2010 06:52:55 PM
1554 Views
We never really get a feel for their relative strengths
- 09/12/2010 05:51:38 PM
1416 Views
Yes. In PoD Aviendha states that the woman-wrapped-in-hair angreal almost doubles her strength...
- 09/12/2010 06:30:41 PM
1626 Views
you have the wrong angreal and the wrong strength
- 09/12/2010 07:07:18 PM
1600 Views
Nope. You are the one whose got the wrong angreal...
- 09/12/2010 07:15:38 PM
1408 Views
where is that quote my friend?
- 09/12/2010 08:07:50 PM
1466 Views
PoD: The Breaking Storm
- 09/12/2010 08:16:58 PM
1410 Views
Ah yes, ... "almost 2x as much" still doesn't support your assertion that Nyn is 50% above Elayne
- 09/12/2010 08:20:37 PM
1515 Views
That's a gross skewing of what that sentence means...
- 09/12/2010 09:05:05 PM
1524 Views
Don't be absurd...
- 09/12/2010 09:21:00 PM
1520 Views
she does not say that! she says Moghedien could kill her before she could react. so could Daigian
- 09/12/2010 09:34:50 PM
1602 Views
"The only Aes Sedai who could hope to match one of the Forsaken was in Ebou Dar..."
- 09/12/2010 09:44:25 PM
1626 Views
And yet...
- 09/12/2010 09:48:34 PM
1517 Views
No, Egwene does NOT think she can defeat Mesaana in a One Power battle...
- 09/12/2010 09:59:35 PM
1755 Views
Here are te quotes...
- 09/12/2010 10:10:09 PM
1549 Views
Did you not read the quote above, made by Egwene in the heat of battle with Mesaana?
- 09/12/2010 10:34:05 PM
1590 Views
It might interest you to know that that was Katerine!
- 10/12/2010 12:15:51 AM
1371 Views
Oh nonsense
- 10/12/2010 04:43:44 AM
1464 Views
But that's his point.
- 10/12/2010 06:01:59 AM
1455 Views
its a useless point
- 10/12/2010 10:11:00 AM
1549 Views
I'm so glad you're a mod! Setting great standards there...
- 10/12/2010 04:11:56 PM
1437 Views
Yes, utterly useless...
- 10/12/2010 11:46:15 AM
1513 Views
Dude, you need to re-read the books...
- 10/12/2010 04:15:11 PM
1447 Views
he means Sheriam, but your points still hold true
- 10/12/2010 08:19:16 PM
1448 Views
Re: he means Sheriam, but your points still hold true
- 11/12/2010 07:21:49 AM
1529 Views
potentially, but Mesaana later turns up with BA using the 19 stolen ter'angreal.
- 11/12/2010 03:41:41 PM
1417 Views
I'm so glad you're a mod! Setting great standards there...
- 10/12/2010 04:11:56 PM
1437 Views
Re:
I'm so glad you're a mod! Setting great standards there...
- 10/12/2010 04:35:23 PM
1491 Views
I'm so glad you're a mod! Setting great standards there...
- 10/12/2010 04:35:23 PM
1491 Views
Duh! Seriously, are you Elaida or something? Your logic is astounding.
- 10/12/2010 06:47:17 AM
1373 Views
Duh! Seriously, are you Elaida or something? Your logic is astounding.
- 10/12/2010 06:47:18 AM
1499 Views
which only tells us that Nynaeve is equal to the Forsaken. Has nothing to do with Egwene being
- 10/12/2010 01:51:12 PM
1314 Views
Nynaeve has been channeling (albeit blocked) for close to 10 years
- 10/12/2010 02:24:57 PM
1615 Views
Re: Yes.
- 09/12/2010 07:49:12 PM
1538 Views
You're obviously a latecomer to this ongoing debate. Here's a recap...
- 09/12/2010 08:03:51 PM
1672 Views
where this falls apart is that Daigian at a 10 is too weak
- 09/12/2010 08:16:17 PM
1573 Views
Nope...
- 09/12/2010 08:44:51 PM
1302 Views
now you are just force fitting quotes into what you want to say
- 09/12/2010 09:29:20 PM
1476 Views
- 09/12/2010 09:29:20 PM
1476 Views
Nope...
- 09/12/2010 09:42:58 PM
1475 Views
all of the girls were Forced! Nynaeve was already at least as strong as Moiraine in EoTW
- 11/12/2010 08:04:02 PM
1525 Views
Re: all of the girls were Forced! Nynaeve was already at least as strong as Moiraine in EoTW
- 11/12/2010 11:59:55 PM
1474 Views
I don't think Elayne was forced
- 12/12/2010 04:33:26 PM
1482 Views
I believe there is a quote from RJ that states they all were, but Egwene was held damane
- 12/12/2010 04:43:29 PM
1298 Views
Re: I believe there is a quote from RJ that states they all were, but Egwene was held damane
- 12/12/2010 04:46:50 PM
1536 Views
Thanks for the quote
- 12/12/2010 07:17:30 PM
1599 Views
perhaps the opportunity hasn't arisen? And of course it's politic to appologize to the Amyrlin
- 12/12/2010 07:41:11 PM
1442 Views
- 12/12/2010 07:41:11 PM
1442 Views
Re: all of the girls were Forced! Nynaeve was already at least as strong as Moiraine in EoTW
- 12/12/2010 08:04:21 PM
1485 Views
that's where I'm estimating Nynaeve being close to Siuan and Moiraine in EoTW
- 12/12/2010 08:30:54 PM
1459 Views
Re: now you are just force fitting quotes into what you want to say
- 10/12/2010 01:17:10 AM
1704 Views
- 10/12/2010 01:17:10 AM
1704 Views
Mesaana
- 10/12/2010 04:43:07 AM
1392 Views
agreed
- 10/12/2010 01:48:59 PM
1411 Views
Re: agreed
- 10/12/2010 04:38:28 PM
1293 Views
very true, and I find it interesting that during the TAR battle Mesaana didn't bother
- 10/12/2010 05:03:43 PM
1414 Views
Re: very true, and I find it interesting that during the TAR battle Mesaana didn't bother
- 11/12/2010 07:22:54 AM
1568 Views
Re: You're obviously a latecomer to this ongoing debate. Here's a recap...
- 10/12/2010 09:19:17 AM
1552 Views
OK. Here's the clear evidence of Dagian's, Moiraine's, Egwenes and Moghedien's comparative levels.
- 10/12/2010 12:00:48 PM
1453 Views
"clear evidence"
- 10/12/2010 01:27:01 PM
1500 Views
Laughable interpretation...
- 10/12/2010 01:31:57 PM
1484 Views
Amys is clearly stronger than half Egwene's strength...
- 10/12/2010 04:27:30 PM
1430 Views
couple of thoughts here
- 10/12/2010 08:01:44 PM
1490 Views
Re: couple of thoughts here
- 10/12/2010 11:27:19 PM
1406 Views
that's what I said! EDIT
- 11/12/2010 04:03:59 PM
1334 Views
Well...
- 11/12/2010 07:58:38 PM
1490 Views
Katerine is a pain in the ass and Silviana wasn't about to risk only one woman holding that shield
- 11/12/2010 08:26:29 PM
1351 Views
Leane was shielded by two sisters as well
- 11/12/2010 11:14:08 PM
1380 Views
I think that's almost certainly a custom for women held in the open cells
- 11/12/2010 11:22:12 PM
1422 Views
Re: I think that's almost certainly a custom for women held in the open cells
- 12/12/2010 12:04:33 AM
1520 Views
Oh... so we dismiss all quotes from people we don't like?
- 12/12/2010 05:18:42 AM
1496 Views
re-read the section my friend. EDIT
- 12/12/2010 03:58:28 PM
1449 Views
Dude...
- 12/12/2010 06:29:43 PM
1410 Views
did you read the quote? They discuss how much they gave her on the way to the Tower!
- 12/12/2010 07:39:55 PM
1525 Views
Not one of those things answers my rather simple question...
- 13/12/2010 02:27:44 AM
1473 Views
because it's the first time Egwene has been dosed with Forkroot
- 13/12/2010 03:55:18 AM
1393 Views
She knows but she doesn't know?
- 13/12/2010 05:35:55 AM
1496 Views
She knows that Nynaeve had told her it dampened her ability
- 13/12/2010 05:13:23 PM
1417 Views
And she doesn't know any details...
- 13/12/2010 07:19:12 PM
1419 Views
this conversation is so pointless
- 13/12/2010 10:43:35 PM
1316 Views
Yes. But since you continue to not answer the main question, necessary.
- 13/12/2010 11:24:24 PM
1322 Views
Re: Yes. But since you continue to not answer the main question, necessary.
- 14/12/2010 11:06:55 AM
1344 Views
Of course its obvious now!
- 14/12/2010 12:44:59 PM
1520 Views
it was always obvious that to me. The first thing Egwene thinks is about what the drug does to her
- 18/12/2010 05:07:38 AM
1358 Views
Shielding
- 13/12/2010 08:01:19 PM
2872 Views
Practice. We do know that AS practice their weaves far more than WO
- 13/12/2010 10:50:09 PM
1476 Views
Re: Practice. We do know that AS practice their weaves far more than WO
- 14/12/2010 04:25:20 AM
1609 Views
There is, actually...
- 13/12/2010 11:28:42 PM
1364 Views
Meh
- 14/12/2010 04:22:45 AM
1490 Views
Well...
- 14/12/2010 04:37:50 AM
1482 Views
Re: Well...
- 14/12/2010 10:52:55 AM
1476 Views
of course Katerine is redundant! 2 women of Barasine and Katerine's strength
- 18/12/2010 05:00:50 AM
1374 Views
Re: Amys is clearly stronger than half Egwene's strength...
- 11/12/2010 07:31:25 AM
1574 Views
um, Elayne was in the process of bleeding to death and then had just been Healed
- 11/12/2010 03:50:27 PM
1506 Views
astounding "evidence"
- 10/12/2010 09:58:47 PM
1517 Views
Re: astounding "evidence"
- 11/12/2010 09:15:03 AM
1578 Views
thanks
- 11/12/2010 03:54:54 PM
1671 Views
Re: thanks
- 12/12/2010 12:49:52 PM
1392 Views
We're not in disagreement for the most part
- 12/12/2010 04:23:02 PM
1392 Views
Re: We're not in disagreement for the most part
- 12/12/2010 05:00:02 PM
1498 Views
Actually in the AoL all AS who went over (50%) were refered to as Forsaken
- 12/12/2010 05:13:46 PM
1469 Views
Re: Actually in the AoL all AS who went over (50%) were refered to as Forsaken
- 12/12/2010 06:35:02 PM
1521 Views
All of the AS who went over to the DO refered to themselves as the Chosen
- 12/12/2010 07:50:59 PM
1499 Views
Re: All of the AS who went over to the DO refered to themselves as the Chosen
- 12/12/2010 11:05:58 PM
1561 Views
Re: All of the AS who went over to the DO refered to themselves as the Chosen
- 12/12/2010 11:11:29 PM
1510 Views
Re: All of the AS who went over to the DO refered to themselves as the Chosen
- 12/12/2010 11:14:47 PM
1549 Views
I don't get the logic here...
- 09/12/2010 09:41:18 PM
1517 Views
It doubles her strength. Nynaeve is only 50% stronger. So she only needs half of it to match Nynaeve
- 09/12/2010 09:46:42 PM
1434 Views
And...?
- 09/12/2010 09:51:57 PM
1456 Views
Personally, I thought it had something to do with not harming the babies.
- 09/12/2010 10:01:10 PM
1385 Views
That was my interpretation too
- 10/12/2010 04:36:38 AM
1424 Views
what books are you reading? she's absolutely convinced until that scene
- 10/12/2010 04:12:34 PM
1549 Views
The oaths proposal is after the jailhouse break in the timeline
- 10/12/2010 04:31:12 PM
1426 Views
You are correct! So clearly worry about the babies was not a reason to not draw more
- 10/12/2010 05:05:30 PM
1425 Views
Re: what books are you reading? she's absolutely convinced until that scene
- 10/12/2010 04:41:25 PM
1447 Views
Re: what books are you reading? she's absolutely convinced until that scene
- 10/12/2010 05:02:10 PM
1439 Views
and as a poster above points out the scene is AFTER she's stabbed
- 10/12/2010 05:07:17 PM
1475 Views
Re: More evidence that Elayne is much weaker than the Forsaken
- 10/12/2010 08:22:21 PM
1387 Views
Re: More evidence that Elayne is much weaker than the Forsaken
- 10/12/2010 08:33:25 PM
1461 Views
Re: More evidence that Elayne is much weaker than the Forsaken
- 10/12/2010 09:12:12 PM
1319 Views
they can actually sense both which is how Elayne knows Nynaeve is not at full potential
- 10/12/2010 09:22:35 PM
1494 Views
Re: More evidence that Elayne is much weaker than the Forsaken
- 10/12/2010 09:31:13 PM
1518 Views
Please note that Nynaeve has commented every time she's been around
- 10/12/2010 10:08:16 PM
1440 Views
Re: Please note that Nynaeve has commented every time she's been around
- 10/12/2010 10:50:32 PM
1492 Views
It's more than just fear of Moridin that makes her choose an attack from such a distance
- 10/12/2010 11:10:57 PM
1406 Views
How is it that this the longest thread on this board? Is it even relevant in the least? *NM*
- 18/12/2010 02:53:22 PM
939 Views
Re: How is it that this the longest thread on this board? Is it even relevant in the least?
- 18/12/2010 08:21:24 PM
1352 Views
Look at the topic. As if we needed evidence that Elayne is weaker than the Foresaken.
- 19/12/2010 04:41:25 AM
1392 Views

*NM*