Right now Tuon certainly has much more power than Egwene. She's the absolute ruler of an empire, while Egwene has to take into account the Tower Hall. Under Egwene's direct control are only Tar Valon and the villages close by. Tuon has way more subjects.
In terms of military power, again the Tuon wins easily. She has the big Seanchan contingent which came with their ships as the core of the armies, which had come from the Seanchan continent, and are much more experienced and better trained that Gareth Bryne's army, the vast majority of which are raw recruits. Then they have the local forces of three countries under their command too. Even after they lost 100 000 strong force to Ituralde's army, they were ready to immediately gather a much bigger one. They have the advantage of the raken scouts.
In terms of number of channellers, it's anyone's guess how many damane the Seanchan have available, but since they've tested every woman in three countries, and have no doubt brought along a significant amount of them from Seanchan, and they also got 300 or so from the Shaido Wise Ones, chances are they should have at least 2-3 thousands of them. Even if they are somewhat less, they certainly are more than the number of full Aes Sedai Egwene has (something like 700-800 at most if all those with stayed away during the split had come back, which is doubtful).
Sure, if we add the possible allies of the White Tower, the situation chances. But Egwene has no control over the Aiel armies or the Andoran ones. She has significant political influence over the leaders of the Randland nations, and they will probably be allies of the Tower in case of a war with the Seanchan, but that's not the same thing. If Elayne thinks it will be better for Andor and Cairhien not to send their armies to help the White Tower, she will do it and Egwene has no way to force her to obey her demands. The same applies even more to every other ruler in Randland.
The advantage of Egwene is the political influence the Tower has, but it's at almost all time low due to the rise of the Dragon Reborn, the Tower split and the Seanchan invasion. Right now the only monarch whose support she can count on is Elayne, and even with her she can't really press the issue as the Amyrlin did in the old days, when there were no Dragon, Asha'man, Seanchan and Aiel to complicate the political situation. The Borderlander rulers, the closest allies traditionally to the Tower, left on their expedition without even informing any of the Tower fractions and are now most probably sworn to Rand. Illian and Tear are under Rand's control.
In terms of military power, again the Tuon wins easily. She has the big Seanchan contingent which came with their ships as the core of the armies, which had come from the Seanchan continent, and are much more experienced and better trained that Gareth Bryne's army, the vast majority of which are raw recruits. Then they have the local forces of three countries under their command too. Even after they lost 100 000 strong force to Ituralde's army, they were ready to immediately gather a much bigger one. They have the advantage of the raken scouts.
In terms of number of channellers, it's anyone's guess how many damane the Seanchan have available, but since they've tested every woman in three countries, and have no doubt brought along a significant amount of them from Seanchan, and they also got 300 or so from the Shaido Wise Ones, chances are they should have at least 2-3 thousands of them. Even if they are somewhat less, they certainly are more than the number of full Aes Sedai Egwene has (something like 700-800 at most if all those with stayed away during the split had come back, which is doubtful).
Sure, if we add the possible allies of the White Tower, the situation chances. But Egwene has no control over the Aiel armies or the Andoran ones. She has significant political influence over the leaders of the Randland nations, and they will probably be allies of the Tower in case of a war with the Seanchan, but that's not the same thing. If Elayne thinks it will be better for Andor and Cairhien not to send their armies to help the White Tower, she will do it and Egwene has no way to force her to obey her demands. The same applies even more to every other ruler in Randland.
The advantage of Egwene is the political influence the Tower has, but it's at almost all time low due to the rise of the Dragon Reborn, the Tower split and the Seanchan invasion. Right now the only monarch whose support she can count on is Elayne, and even with her she can't really press the issue as the Amyrlin did in the old days, when there were no Dragon, Asha'man, Seanchan and Aiel to complicate the political situation. The Borderlander rulers, the closest allies traditionally to the Tower, left on their expedition without even informing any of the Tower fractions and are now most probably sworn to Rand. Illian and Tear are under Rand's control.
This message last edited by Zeratul on 20/12/2010 at 04:00:31 PM
Egwene, a poor leader?
16/12/2010 05:59:15 PM
- 2134 Views
Egwene isn't supposed to be a leader. She's a dictator and a politician.
16/12/2010 08:21:13 PM
- 1288 Views
Re: Egwene, a poor leader?
16/12/2010 10:53:20 PM
- 984 Views
If the Shadow had removed Elaida so Egwene was Amyrlin whilst Rand was still Dark ...
16/12/2010 11:56:08 PM
- 936 Views
Same thing if Elaida was in charge when meeting w/ Dark Rand. *NM*
17/12/2010 02:10:20 AM
- 495 Views
Except Rand wouldn't go to the WT with Elaida in charge, without having to fight
17/12/2010 02:50:18 AM
- 1057 Views
Re: Egwene, a poor leader?
17/12/2010 03:07:40 AM
- 1100 Views
Exactly how loyal do you think Nynaeve and Elayne are?
17/12/2010 04:52:34 AM
- 858 Views
Re: Exactly how loyal do you think Nynaeve and Elayne are?
17/12/2010 05:44:30 AM
- 963 Views
Re: Egwene, a poor leader?
17/12/2010 02:30:48 PM
- 1013 Views
Re: Egwene, a poor leader?
17/12/2010 08:25:39 PM
- 804 Views
Re: Egwene, a poor leader?
18/12/2010 05:06:21 AM
- 955 Views
Re: Egwene, a poor leader?
19/12/2010 08:41:31 PM
- 859 Views
Torturing Nynaeve for exclusively her own political ends. *NM*
20/12/2010 12:14:55 AM
- 528 Views
Re: Torturing Nynaeve for exclusively her own political ends.
20/12/2010 01:24:12 AM
- 911 Views
And the most painful torments were caused by Egwene
20/12/2010 09:31:44 AM
- 1028 Views
Re: Egwene, a poor leader?
20/12/2010 12:57:42 AM
- 822 Views
She has the same power base as any Amyrlin - the Aes Sedai, the artisans, Guards & citizens of TV
17/12/2010 05:51:20 PM
- 954 Views
Ta'veren vs. Mary Sue
17/12/2010 07:33:28 PM
- 1321 Views
I see them as being the same thing.
17/12/2010 08:11:30 PM
- 951 Views
I don't think the case can be made for Rand having it easy
17/12/2010 11:04:58 PM
- 868 Views
I would say that in the grand scheme of things, Rand's had good to balance out the bad.
20/12/2010 06:27:35 PM
- 854 Views
Funniest statement I've ever seen on here.
18/12/2010 05:22:28 AM
- 961 Views
But you are just undervaluing Egwene's struggles in comparison to the other characters.
20/12/2010 06:17:17 PM
- 1261 Views
Re: But you are just undervaluing Egwene's struggles in comparison to the other characters.
22/12/2010 05:28:01 PM
- 1033 Views
Yes, but for completely different reasons...
18/12/2010 12:35:23 AM
- 991 Views
You think Egwene has more power than Tuon?
18/12/2010 12:27:01 PM
- 819 Views
Definitely...
18/12/2010 03:24:12 PM
- 849 Views
More explanations...
20/12/2010 02:51:25 AM
- 817 Views
Re: More explanations...
20/12/2010 03:58:58 PM
- 1006 Views
I think comparing Egwene to McCain is asking for trouble on several fronts.
20/12/2010 12:33:04 AM
- 818 Views
She has a pretty powerful weapon...
20/12/2010 02:41:32 AM
- 854 Views
RJ is more powerful.
20/12/2010 03:25:49 AM
- 950 Views
Re: She has a pretty powerful weapon...
20/12/2010 09:46:22 AM
- 933 Views
Re: She has a pretty powerful weapon...
20/12/2010 09:55:03 AM
- 797 Views
Re: She has a pretty powerful weapon...
20/12/2010 10:27:59 AM
- 875 Views