I was pretty disappointed when Egwene changed her mind about the Oath rod. I think most people on this board agree that they're a waste of time - they don't succeed in their original purpose (making the common people trust Aes Sedai) and they don't really limit an Aes Sedai's behaviour much. But the oldies in the Hall were attached to them, so that was that.
So my question: how do you think things would have changed if they had got rid of the Oaths? Would everyone have panicked, joined a Whitecloak army and rushed to burn down Tar Valon? Would Aes Sedai living six hundred years instead of three hundred have made their culture even more stagnant and stultifying? Would they miss the Oaths, or feel they were freer? And what about the Black Ajah? Without their Oaths of obedience and silence, would they be able to maintain their secrecy?
(I choose to believe that the Black Ajah will resurrect itself. There are certainly DF-inclined novices and Accepted and new unsworn sisters lurking about, though it'll likely be centuries before they manage a centralised organised system again)
I don't think much would really change. The White Tower would still maintain their stranglehold as the solo female channeling organisation - they'd think up another justification once the Oaths were gone. People would still fear and mistrust them. But maybe, without the Oaths, Aes Sedai would feel the need to prove their benevolence more, and might start to make a collective effort to do good in the world.
So my question: how do you think things would have changed if they had got rid of the Oaths? Would everyone have panicked, joined a Whitecloak army and rushed to burn down Tar Valon? Would Aes Sedai living six hundred years instead of three hundred have made their culture even more stagnant and stultifying? Would they miss the Oaths, or feel they were freer? And what about the Black Ajah? Without their Oaths of obedience and silence, would they be able to maintain their secrecy?
(I choose to believe that the Black Ajah will resurrect itself. There are certainly DF-inclined novices and Accepted and new unsworn sisters lurking about, though it'll likely be centuries before they manage a centralised organised system again)
I don't think much would really change. The White Tower would still maintain their stranglehold as the solo female channeling organisation - they'd think up another justification once the Oaths were gone. People would still fear and mistrust them. But maybe, without the Oaths, Aes Sedai would feel the need to prove their benevolence more, and might start to make a collective effort to do good in the world.
Aes Sedai without Oaths
30/03/2011 04:54:32 PM
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Re: Aes Sedai without Oaths
30/03/2011 05:49:56 PM
- 981 Views
You think?
30/03/2011 08:33:45 PM
- 917 Views
Re: You think?
30/03/2011 08:36:45 PM
- 901 Views
Think seat belts...
30/03/2011 09:33:28 PM
- 945 Views
Aes Sedai without oaths = Seanchan
30/03/2011 10:36:10 PM
- 833 Views
Aes Sedai without Oaths = having to change their organization (an idea they abhor)
31/03/2011 01:36:05 AM
- 995 Views
*Cough* Aiel *cough*
31/03/2011 05:19:21 AM
- 959 Views
Re: *Cough* Aiel *cough*
31/03/2011 08:34:51 AM
- 799 Views
A new post?! I nearly spit out my drink
30/03/2011 11:23:13 PM
- 898 Views
I think these things would be less of a problem without the oaths actually
01/04/2011 02:07:12 PM
- 814 Views
I still haven't lost all faith... I think the pending Seanchan conflict will kill the Oaths
01/04/2011 01:50:50 PM
- 883 Views
Elayne did what was best for Andor
03/04/2011 01:52:59 AM
- 783 Views
Agreed. Elayne's actions were in the best interest of Andor
03/04/2011 05:14:15 PM
- 844 Views