I don't think the Finn theory is likely - Edit 1
Before modification by Sidious at 11/11/2012 08:19:58 AM
We've always been told that the theory is that Fades are throwbacks to human genes but there are very strange connections. First of all, we know Sindhol and its inhabitants obey a "radically different set of natural laws" (dixit RJ). That might explain why Fade don't seem to obey some natural laws. The other connection is more straighforward. RJ's description of the Aelfinn in "attack mode" is virtually word for word the same he uses to describe the serpent-like movements and features of the Myrddraal. Even more direct, in the Eelfinn scenes, Mat believes they don't hide in shadows but appear and disappear in them... Then we come to other less direct but interesting connections... Myrrdraal can sense the ability and the OP. So do the Aelfinn and Eelfinn apparently.. they're attracted to channelers, they knew the exact strength of Moiraine's angreal. We don't know what exactly the Aelfinn and Eelfinn do to read people (either to answer questions or give people what they need (they put a lot of emphasis on the word need that was italicized in a Ghenjei scene), but I'm wondering if that "sixth sense" that doesn't exist in the human world isn't how Myrddraal perceive the world without eyes.
Too many coincidental connections, IMO. It sounds very likely to me Myrrdraal are not throwbacks to only human genes, but also to dominant Aelfinn and Eelfinn genes Aginor used to make his Trollocs (like I've long suspected there are Ogier genes in Nym).
Too many coincidental connections, IMO. It sounds very likely to me Myrrdraal are not throwbacks to only human genes, but also to dominant Aelfinn and Eelfinn genes Aginor used to make his Trollocs (like I've long suspected there are Ogier genes in Nym).
I find this unlikely. It seems like trollocs are nothing more than human/animal hybrids. We often hear about how they resemble animals but have human eyes. The key to Trollocs seems to be their production using the True Power. I doubt they have Finn genes. The Myrddraal were clearly a surprise to even Aginor and are an unexpected spin-off, not of Finn genes but rather of the unpredictability and macabre nature of the True Power. Myddraal seem to be pure human/true power hybrids. The human characteristics are obvious, and the eyeless gaze is hugely similar to the saa and how they affect the eyes (Ishamael had eyes of endless flames but could see perfectly). The sensing of the OP seems to rather be a characteristic of being infused with the True Power and its interaction with saidin/saidar. Their ability to move in the shadows is a direct manifestation of their affinity to 'death magic'... Shadows, darkness, death, the fear they project with their gaze. As for their serpentine nature, it speaks more of their incredible physical strength (a fade crushed Carridin's wrist) and their ability to move with unnatural speed.
It doesn't stop there... obviously neither Lanfear nor Moiraine could stop the Finns with the OP. Rand used a sword of fire, not weaves directed at them.
I don't think this is true. Its more than likely both Lanfear and Moiraine lost consciousness when they fell through the doorway. Both were holding the Power, and they fell through holding objects of the Power. If one just looks at what happened to the doorway ter'angreal, its not too much of a stretch to assume both women also took a portion of the cataclysm themselves. By the time they had regained consciousness, they were probably in the draining mist and effectively cut off from their abilities.
I've never thought they were immune to the Power. I think Rand could have destroyed them had he known how to channel more than a sword. I doubt Moridin would have risked coming there to rescue/kill Cyndane if he could not kill them. I know he uses the TP but he would not assume it to be effective if saidin was known to be useless.
Some believe Mat's medallion is Aes Sedai made, but that sounds very unlikely to me. It seems to be a ter'angreal, but one made by the Eelfinn. I don't think anyone believes they had an ashan'darei capable of making a gateway out of their world on hand either. An ashan'darei from an adventurer, yes, but it's obvious they've modified it to have the ability to open a portal. We've also seen other "doorways" of different shapes than the one from Tear/Rhuidean in their worlds in TOM, so again those ter'angreal are made by them.
I think their ter'angreal are made by Aes Sedai. It no coincidence they're foxes and lizards. They hoard and store things in their holes. I've always believed that they store 'payments' and later use them as gifts when someone wishes for them. Moiraine's angreal was probably taken from some channeler as payment for the bargain.
The medallion of the Eelfinn could harm a gholam... It then occured to me to go re read the gholam's POV and how he described taking the life of a channeller:
"The moment of death, when it felt the ability to channel vanish along with life, produced ecstasy. Rapture."
"The moment of death, when it felt the ability to channel vanish along with life, produced ecstasy. Rapture."
I think this was merely preprogrammed by Aginor. Much like a human orgasm, Aginor used it as a driving force to make the gholam better as his job.
Interesting.. similar to what Moiraine say the Finns love of the ability to channel.
The Finns seem to savor ecstasy in its various forms. They savor the soul of humans and their experiences, ta'veren and channelers. Different drugs for different situations.
As for the One Power, the gholam itself compares its itch to that felt by Myrrdraal.
True Power
It does make sense, I guess.. the Finns are really nasty creatures, and they obey physical laws radically different from those of the real world. Interesting genes pool for Aginor to toy with. No reason to believe he restrained himself to human-world genes and didn't get some from Sindhol, or Portal Worlds.
I honestly think if he took genes from Sindhol, they'd most likely be found in a draghkar.