Now the second greatest man from the AOL is a feat which is appealing, and that's why I do think he'll show his strategic vision and prowess. As a channeler I don't think he's better than Lanfear, Sammael, Semirhage or Graendal - so I don't think you'll get much more there. The Cleansing threw the Forsaken into the battleground and they all suffered to greater or lesser extents. If there was any evidence that Demandred was set up to be the grand display at the end of the series, I would almost welcome it, but I think he hasn't been shown to be superior to the other six, and RJ will give him a parallel plot, which is always disappointing to me. But it always happens to. After Semirhage, I don't have much hope for anything. I don't think Graendal will achieve much, but she'll probably die in this book.
But this is where I see a difference. I am willing to accept for the sake of argument that Lanfear, Sammael, Semirhage, Graendal and Demandred have similar channeling capabilities - although Demandred remains the ONLY one ever to be mentioned as approaching Lews Therin SKILL as well as his strength. Nevertheless, even if Demandred is not a greater channeler than the other top 6, that level of channeling should be sufficient for him to achieve a lot.
Sammael did not lose to Rand due to inferior channeling ability, neither did Lanfear or Semirhage. They lost because they were outmaneuvered - whether due to bad luck or lack of attention to detail or whatever.
I believe that Demandred is a better strategist, better politician and better "operator" than all of them. He was the Shadow's most cunning general. My hopes lie not in him outmatching Rand in a one on one Power duel - which no one can succeed at. No, my hopes are based on his great One Power ability being coupled with his unmatched strategic brilliance to make a serious dent in the Light's chances.
I HATE the idea that general, random chaos is the Light's greatest threat. This idea that an undirected, non-specific background condition is the Shadow's greatest weapon. I'd MUCH prefer a brilliant general directing the Shadow's campaign, than a bunch of stooges just going around creating general chaos to spoil food, cause people to sink into the ground and the Pattern to disintegrate. It is pretty lame, if you ask me.
Give me some "mano-a-mano" tactical contests. Despite everything up to now, I have too much time invested in this series to lose all hope. I remain hopeful that Demandred will dish up something to savour.
TGS Prologue - your thoughts (part 2) *spoilers*
16/09/2009 04:55:21 AM
- 3263 Views
Where can i find it at? Can someone give me a link? *NM*
18/09/2009 02:21:10 AM
- 214 Views
mobipocket.com
18/09/2009 02:53:13 AM
- 663 Views
Thanks, It was interesting especially the last part of the prologue *NM*
20/09/2009 02:42:28 AM
- 265 Views
A pointless survey - take your guess at who wrote what of the Prologue
18/09/2009 01:30:24 PM
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Re: A pointless survey - take your guess at who wrote what of the Prologue
18/09/2009 07:08:43 PM
- 438 Views
The prologue gives us strong evidence that Graendal is weaker than Demi or Semi
18/09/2009 03:55:58 PM
- 642 Views
I'm a little surprised nobody is discussing this. I thought this would get more attention. *NM*
20/09/2009 09:17:57 PM
- 318 Views
Is it me or do the Forsaken seem more viscious?
18/09/2009 04:17:22 PM
- 631 Views
yep, leaner and meaner...except for mesaana-she's still twitchy after shadar haran *NM*
18/09/2009 05:09:29 PM
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Trollocs!
18/09/2009 05:35:12 PM
- 635 Views
Why not a gray man then?
18/09/2009 07:52:55 PM
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Because they wanted to destroy as much of the force as possible
19/09/2009 12:07:57 AM
- 521 Views
But there's no plausible deniability
19/09/2009 12:50:42 AM
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But even several grey men or slayer aren't going to get the deed done
19/09/2009 02:28:36 AM
- 591 Views
Who is Graendal going to wack?
18/09/2009 06:00:12 PM
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I think it could be Tam. *NM*
18/09/2009 06:05:12 PM
- 281 Views
Great idea.
18/09/2009 07:12:40 PM
- 555 Views
Its about time for Perrin to reunite with Rand he's got Faile back
18/09/2009 08:15:47 PM
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Re: Its about time for Perrin to reunite with Rand he's got Faile back
18/09/2009 10:41:12 PM
- 546 Views
Mesaana's statement gives us a big clue about Demandred's and Moridin's whereabouts
18/09/2009 09:11:49 PM
- 691 Views
My favorite quote: "Who will win? The child or the fool?" - Graendal
18/09/2009 09:48:55 PM
- 651 Views
but she didn't say 'the fool or the fool'
19/09/2009 02:07:20 PM
- 555 Views
Yes, because Cannoli has long valued the opinions of the Forsaken...
20/09/2009 06:10:58 AM
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Forsaken Chapter
18/09/2009 10:30:10 PM
- 615 Views
I agree that Graendal will die in this book.... her and A'rangar *NM*
19/09/2009 08:14:07 AM
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Various comments
19/09/2009 05:38:21 PM
- 636 Views
The Dying Man
19/09/2009 06:48:09 PM
- 577 Views
After a reread I think I know who sent the Trollocs
19/09/2009 08:28:08 PM
- 543 Views
Another reason why Moridin is not Taim
19/09/2009 08:41:03 PM
- 525 Views
This isn't evidence.
19/09/2009 08:51:54 PM
- 638 Views
It isn't evidence, but it is another perspective to add to the table
19/09/2009 09:11:15 PM
- 435 Views
Why is Moridin and not Demandred marshalling the Dark Forces in the Blight?
19/09/2009 10:35:06 PM
- 523 Views
I think there are many issues here
19/09/2009 10:51:13 PM
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The Malign Influence of the Forsaken
19/09/2009 11:08:00 PM
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I have doubts about that degree of conversion
19/09/2009 11:17:44 PM
- 480 Views
Re: Why is Moridin and not Demandred marshalling the Dark Forces in the Blight?
20/09/2009 09:44:06 AM
- 616 Views
Did Demandred make the connection between Moridin's phantom hand-pain and Semirhage's firebolt?
20/09/2009 12:11:32 PM
- 629 Views
I don't think that Demandred will be a key player at the end with Rand
20/09/2009 01:00:58 PM
- 586 Views
Some sweeping statements there...
20/09/2009 01:21:46 PM
- 577 Views
Not at all
20/09/2009 03:34:59 PM
- 600 Views
A lot of twisting my words there, and direct contradictions of your own points...
20/09/2009 04:19:57 PM
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Not really
20/09/2009 05:12:42 PM
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I couldn't have summarized it better myself...
20/09/2009 05:25:56 PM
- 495 Views
But...
20/09/2009 06:01:33 PM
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Possible...
20/09/2009 06:08:21 PM
- 508 Views
So that's your argument now?
20/09/2009 07:35:52 PM
- 427 Views
I think you took that the wrong way...
20/09/2009 08:53:28 PM
- 514 Views
Wow, then I think you're in for a surprise
20/09/2009 08:38:37 PM
- 490 Views
Just a general comment...
20/09/2009 09:13:51 PM
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Re: Just a general comment...
20/09/2009 09:59:51 PM
- 1455 Views
Re: Just a general comment...
20/09/2009 10:19:14 PM
- 457 Views
I reject the cult of the "cool" villain.
20/09/2009 11:24:40 PM
- 531 Views
I don't really agree
21/09/2009 05:02:10 AM
- 480 Views
But these aren't criminals...
21/09/2009 05:47:40 AM
- 411 Views