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.
I agree mostly. The only obvious problem I see is that Lews Therin was a better general, so I'm not sure if Demandred will be able to take the stage with this. Hopefully he gives it his best shot and we're all in awe, but I've lowered my expectations about ten fold since LoC.
Wheel of Time board admin
Fan of Lanfear
Fan of Lanfear
TGS Prologue - your thoughts (part 2) *spoilers*
16/09/2009 04:55:21 AM
- 3266 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
- 665 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
- 566 Views
Re: A pointless survey - take your guess at who wrote what of the Prologue
18/09/2009 07:08:43 PM
- 440 Views
The prologue gives us strong evidence that Graendal is weaker than Demi or Semi
18/09/2009 03:55:58 PM
- 643 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
- 633 Views
yep, leaner and meaner...except for mesaana-she's still twitchy after shadar haran *NM*
18/09/2009 05:09:29 PM
- 316 Views
Trollocs!
18/09/2009 05:35:12 PM
- 638 Views
Why not a gray man then?
18/09/2009 07:52:55 PM
- 652 Views
Because they wanted to destroy as much of the force as possible
19/09/2009 12:07:57 AM
- 522 Views
But there's no plausible deniability
19/09/2009 12:50:42 AM
- 569 Views
But even several grey men or slayer aren't going to get the deed done
19/09/2009 02:28:36 AM
- 593 Views
Who is Graendal going to wack?
18/09/2009 06:00:12 PM
- 599 Views
I think it could be Tam. *NM*
18/09/2009 06:05:12 PM
- 282 Views
Great idea.
18/09/2009 07:12:40 PM
- 556 Views
Its about time for Perrin to reunite with Rand he's got Faile back
18/09/2009 08:15:47 PM
- 536 Views
Re: Its about time for Perrin to reunite with Rand he's got Faile back
18/09/2009 10:41:12 PM
- 549 Views
Mesaana's statement gives us a big clue about Demandred's and Moridin's whereabouts
18/09/2009 09:11:49 PM
- 693 Views
My favorite quote: "Who will win? The child or the fool?" - Graendal
18/09/2009 09:48:55 PM
- 652 Views
but she didn't say 'the fool or the fool'
19/09/2009 02:07:20 PM
- 557 Views
Yes, because Cannoli has long valued the opinions of the Forsaken...
20/09/2009 06:10:58 AM
- 617 Views
Forsaken Chapter
18/09/2009 10:30:10 PM
- 617 Views
I agree that Graendal will die in this book.... her and A'rangar *NM*
19/09/2009 08:14:07 AM
- 259 Views
Various comments
19/09/2009 05:38:21 PM
- 637 Views
The Dying Man
19/09/2009 06:48:09 PM
- 579 Views
After a reread I think I know who sent the Trollocs
19/09/2009 08:28:08 PM
- 545 Views
Another reason why Moridin is not Taim
19/09/2009 08:41:03 PM
- 527 Views
This isn't evidence.
19/09/2009 08:51:54 PM
- 640 Views
It isn't evidence, but it is another perspective to add to the table
19/09/2009 09:11:15 PM
- 438 Views
Why is Moridin and not Demandred marshalling the Dark Forces in the Blight?
19/09/2009 10:35:06 PM
- 524 Views
I think there are many issues here
19/09/2009 10:51:13 PM
- 633 Views
The Malign Influence of the Forsaken
19/09/2009 11:08:00 PM
- 545 Views
I have doubts about that degree of conversion
19/09/2009 11:17:44 PM
- 481 Views
Re: Why is Moridin and not Demandred marshalling the Dark Forces in the Blight?
20/09/2009 09:44:06 AM
- 618 Views
Did Demandred make the connection between Moridin's phantom hand-pain and Semirhage's firebolt?
20/09/2009 12:11:32 PM
- 630 Views
I don't think that Demandred will be a key player at the end with Rand
20/09/2009 01:00:58 PM
- 588 Views
Some sweeping statements there...
20/09/2009 01:21:46 PM
- 579 Views
Not at all
20/09/2009 03:34:59 PM
- 602 Views
A lot of twisting my words there, and direct contradictions of your own points...
20/09/2009 04:19:57 PM
- 605 Views
Not really
20/09/2009 05:12:42 PM
- 673 Views
I couldn't have summarized it better myself...
20/09/2009 05:25:56 PM
- 497 Views
But...
20/09/2009 06:01:33 PM
- 596 Views
Possible...
20/09/2009 06:08:21 PM
- 509 Views
So that's your argument now?
20/09/2009 07:35:52 PM
- 429 Views
I think you took that the wrong way...
20/09/2009 08:53:28 PM
- 516 Views
Wow, then I think you're in for a surprise
20/09/2009 08:38:37 PM
- 492 Views
Just a general comment...
20/09/2009 09:13:51 PM
- 646 Views
Re: Just a general comment...
20/09/2009 09:59:51 PM
- 1457 Views
Re: Just a general comment...
20/09/2009 10:19:14 PM
- 459 Views
Re: Just a general comment...
21/09/2009 04:58:38 AM
- 414 Views
I reject the cult of the "cool" villain.
20/09/2009 11:24:40 PM
- 532 Views
I don't really agree
21/09/2009 05:02:10 AM
- 482 Views
But these aren't criminals...
21/09/2009 05:47:40 AM
- 413 Views