The protagonists aren't impressive? Are you not about to jump into a paragraph praising Egwene? I don't read much mediocrity and failing in that description. Did you not claim, in your reaction to the book, that you were impressed by Egwene's change in attitude and her dedication to keeping the Tower together?
And you're about to take my word for it, eh?

And this individual decision of Egwene's is indeed impressive, but the same chapter has her sticking to her ridiculous beliefs about the Oaths. Which make me want to strangle the woman... So you do the math.
No, the protagonists are quite impressive. Well, Rand was impressive at one point, and I am confident he will be again, but overall, yes, the protagonists are impressive.
With every one of the protagonists receiving flak for their actions, and with so many people pointing out their various stupidities? Nope.
Because Elaida is a power obsessed control freak with a vindictive streak?
So? The trial would have shown her in control and in power, and rubbing the mud in Siuan's face in front of all the AS would surely have appealed to Elaida's vindictive nature.
And the Rebel Aes Sedai themselves agreed that Elaida was the lawful Amyrlin.
But also point out that she never gave a trial to Siuan, which Siuan was entitled to, and by bringing in mercenaries and with her shady tactics, violated the spirit of the law.
If it weren't a crime, why bother accusing her of it?
I don't know... I remember some guy talking about power obsession and vindictive streaks. Don't you agree with him?
For turning Warder against Warder? Yes. The first never ordered her Warder to fight another Warder, while the second did. Furthermore, there would be no fight if either side did not choose to participate, which means that they are both responsible.
If both are responsible, but the whole thing started with Elaida's coup, there's nothing wrong with Egwene blaming Elaida for it.
If it was illegal, shouldn't they have convened the Hall to rectify the situation? You seem quite certain that Elaida would never have won in an open trial, after all.
Did I say it was illegal? I said it was shady and bound to cause confusion and anger. Elaida herself anticipated that and brought in mercenaries.
Allow me to offer an example in turn. If my brother is arrested and imprisoned while he is innocent, and in return I bomb the police station, who is the murderer? The arresting officer?
But that's not what happened. What happened is more like some strange suspicious stranger claiming to be a policeman takes your brother away, and his badge does not look like any police badge you've seen. And, he's got some goons working for him who definitely do not belong to the police force. Wouldn't you resist?
And Elaida never saw anything regarding Galina's failure to contain Rand because she was in the Tower, yet you hold it against her anyway. Why should Siuan be spared? Double-standards much? Rand escaped Moiraine's guard, and when she caught back up to him, it was too late and he was already in control.
I hold that aginst her because Galina was following Elaida's exact orders, and those orders are the ones that screwed up the AS's chances of allying with Rand.
More importantly, I'm saying that Moiraine's failures with Rand were not known to Elaida, so could not have been her motivation for removing Siuan.
The entire point of the operation is to have Rand unleashed and without Tower strings. That is the opposite of containment. It is basically hoping the Wheel will keep him alive.
Very well then. Since Siuan did not even try to contain Rand, she could not have failed to contain him, unlike Elaida.
All of which is irrelevant to Egwene's accusation, and in no way argued by anything I have said.
Why? Egwene is accusing Elaida of mismanaging Rand, and Siuan did a better job of that. You were the one who said Egwene has no right to make any such claim.
She doesn't rationalise them because she is apparently oblivious to the entire thing. You rationalise them. You know what Egwene did was wrong, yet you cannot bring yourself to admit that Egwene isn't perfect. So much for liking realistic characters who are mediocre and full of failings.
Really? So, if I say Ishamael raped Lanfear repeatedly, and you said not, you are obviously saying that Ishy is the model of the perfect human being!

Aes Sedai don't have the authority to invent a summons from the Hall of the Tower. Only the Hall of the Tower does. The women who issued the summons do not have the authority to give it. And besides, you know as well as I that she would have disobeyed if it came from Elaida's side (Elaida did summon everyone back to the Tower, didn't she?) so your defense is a laughable defense.
As for enforcing it, not a chance. If she didn't want to go, good luck to the Aes Sedai trying to take her from the Dragon Reborn and the Aiel Wise Ones. It would have been hilarious to see them try.
She had no choice to accept the summons because she recognised the authority of the Rebel Aes Sedai. But she chose to accept that authority.
Aes Sedai cannot lie, remember? So when the say the Hall has summoned her, the Hall has summoned her. It is not an invention, and even Elaida agrees that an Accepted has no choice but to obey any AS, rebel or no.
As for having Rand help her with the AS... sure why not? Have an AS-Rand disagreement start over her. That's an option.
Yep.
Thanks!
Given that she, in this very chapter, rants about him needing her guidance, I will assure you it does not. She's been under the delusion that she understood Rand from the beginning of the series. It's actually a funny mirror to the boys' own continued expression of their inability to understand woman. Just some humour in the details.
Not really. Egwene has repeatedly accepted guidance herself, and her belief that Rand needs guidance (which has gained intensity only recently), could well be because she believes he is listening to Cadsuane, who she has been told is a Black.
Only time will tell.
This is about you saying 'Egwene knows nothing of Alviarin's role in breaking the Tower.' What this sentence means is that the rightness or wrongness of the situation depends on its perception. Not a useful or valuable point, just something I noticed and tossed in there.
I still don't see how perception enters into Egwene apparently doing her crime in secret and Elaida doing hers publicly.
No, it does not. Life does not always work out the way you want it to, that's not justification to go around enslaving people. This is why Rand has to learn that he can't just terrify everybody into doing whatever he wants, as Cadsuane is trying to show him. This is why the victory of the Light is not all. Yours is the justification of Mordeth.
If Egwene took her bad luck as an excuse to enslave everyone, like Elaida is planning, you'd have a point. As such, all she did was demand oaths of those women who instead of giving her the obedience that is due to the position in which they put her, were working to undermine her.
Not unlike Rand keeping the AS who tried to capture him captive. He's not announcing a general intention to keep everyone captive, and the fact that they took the offensive justifies Rand keeping them imprisoned. There's nothing of Mordeth in this.
It's defense against a repeat of Alviarin. Alviarin is the Black Ajah. The Black Ajah are Darkfriends.
And Elaida knew this how?
Anyway, this whole point is ridiculous. Elaida's demand for a fourth oath has nothing to do with Alviarin. She stomped her down two books ago, and thinks she is completely cowed. She's asking for this oath now, because of the Rebels (who exist because of her coup) and her own Sitters who're negotiating with them. Neither of these groups are Darkfriends.
She also stated that failing to contain Rand is a terrible offense of Elaida's, so apparently her noble motives depend on who she's talking to. Did I mention hypocrisy somewhere in this thread?
That is not hypocrisy! Elaida tried to contain Rand and failed, and Egwene is pointing out this failure. She never tried to contain him and is instead trying to keep the Tower too busy to interfere with him, a goal in which she has attained a modicum of success. She has every right to point out this failing of Elaida's.
Your thoughts about TGS - chapter 2 *spoilers*
- 24/09/2009 03:17:07 PM
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I liked it *Spoilers*
- 24/09/2009 05:49:41 PM
2188 Views
Mind-numbingly boring...
- 24/09/2009 04:22:52 PM
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Agreed, but only because of the incredibly slow audio reading. FORTY-FIVE minutes for ONE chapter!!! *NM*
- 25/09/2009 06:08:27 AM
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EVERY Chapter in the entire series is read that way.
- 25/09/2009 01:40:07 PM
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Chapter summary
- 24/09/2009 04:31:01 PM
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sounds like its RJs work from the dialogue *NM*
- 24/09/2009 04:33:57 PM
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I should disagree
- 26/09/2009 10:34:58 PM
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Jordan left tons of background info in notes
- 27/09/2009 07:36:11 PM
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Re: Jordan left tons of background info in notes
- 27/09/2009 08:10:06 PM
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Her entry in Encyclopaedia wot makes no mention of her being amyrlin *NM*
- 28/09/2009 01:17:49 AM
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Jordan could have easily added that to her backstory after LOC. It's been at least ten years.
- 28/09/2009 09:46:34 PM
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Re: Jordan could have easily added that to her backstory after LOC. It's been at least ten years.
- 28/09/2009 10:04:02 PM
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Can someone explain to me where Egwene developed this immense love for the Tower?
- 24/09/2009 04:44:28 PM
2343 Views
Well, she's replaced everything else in her life with the Tower.
- 24/09/2009 04:47:05 PM
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I always thought it was the small town thing
- 24/09/2009 04:50:19 PM
2307 Views
Could it be that Fain could have contaminated her in tFOH?
- 24/09/2009 04:51:56 PM
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So you're saying that an antagonist is being portrayed as idiotic in this series? No way!
- 24/09/2009 04:58:15 PM
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Re: Can someone explain to me where Egwene developed this immense love for the Tower?
- 24/09/2009 06:01:46 PM
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This made my morning happy.
- 24/09/2009 04:45:08 PM
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I think it's different.
- 24/09/2009 05:51:11 PM
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True.
- 24/09/2009 07:21:36 PM
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Re: True.
- 24/09/2009 07:30:06 PM
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I also think Egwene might free them from it once she becomes recognized Amyrlin *NM*
- 24/09/2009 08:36:55 PM
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Re: I think it's different.
- 25/09/2009 03:24:22 AM
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There's still a difference...
- 25/09/2009 04:28:55 AM
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Re: There's still a difference...
- 26/09/2009 12:30:28 PM
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But...
- 26/09/2009 03:44:31 PM
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In PoD, it is revealed that Alviarin makes Elaida swear obedience to her.
- 26/09/2009 07:48:01 PM
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Is Alviarin finished?
- 24/09/2009 04:52:31 PM
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Two possibilities that come to mind
- 24/09/2009 05:11:41 PM
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Egwene knows about the letter, and soon the BA hunters will too.
- 24/09/2009 07:46:34 PM
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She's got to be 'raised' to the shawl first, to take the 4 oaths.
- 24/09/2009 10:33:42 PM
2194 Views
Not finished it yet
- 24/09/2009 05:42:18 PM
2369 Views
Yes, Mesaana's plain white dress seems somewhat peculiar
- 24/09/2009 06:43:45 PM
2363 Views
Are you kidding? Moridin would kill her
- 24/09/2009 10:50:34 PM
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I doubt it - I'm of the opinion that Moridin may be next on SH's "personal attentions" list
- 25/09/2009 05:16:38 PM
2211 Views
If this is true, it could be a ploy
- 25/09/2009 03:06:45 AM
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I liked it *Spoilers*
- 24/09/2009 05:49:41 PM
2188 Views
I think...
- 24/09/2009 07:01:42 PM
2363 Views
Re: I think...
- 24/09/2009 07:33:34 PM
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Re: I think...
- 24/09/2009 08:00:09 PM
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Wasn't there a high turnover in War of Power as well?
- 24/09/2009 08:07:38 PM
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Surely worse happened in the War of Power though before the seals were laid
- 24/09/2009 07:58:54 PM
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Egwene is arrogant as ever...thinking Rand can't possibly get along without guidance *NM*
- 24/09/2009 08:25:24 PM
1450 Views
is she wrong?
- 24/09/2009 08:34:44 PM
2248 Views
The problem is that Egwene isn't honest with herself. Two afterthouts as edits
- 24/09/2009 08:43:38 PM
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Re: is she wrong?
- 25/09/2009 03:38:09 AM
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Re: is she wrong?
- 25/09/2009 04:30:28 AM
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I like Egwene but I didn't like her statement
- 25/09/2009 05:03:33 AM
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What will happen first: black ajah hunt ends or Seanchan attack the WT?
- 24/09/2009 08:38:43 PM
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I can never decide what I think will happen
- 24/09/2009 08:44:03 PM
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Re: I can never decide what I think will happen
- 24/09/2009 09:25:18 PM
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I disagree, the Rebels are better protected
- 24/09/2009 09:36:19 PM
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I agree with you. Rebels are harder to take (rebels have Asha'man too) *NM*
- 24/09/2009 09:59:10 PM
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Yet according to one of Min's visions, Carlinya gets made "property"
- 29/09/2009 03:09:28 PM
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Re: Yet according to one of Min's visions, Carlinya gets made "property"
- 29/09/2009 03:23:45 PM
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OK, I didn't remember the details correctly
- 29/09/2009 03:38:16 PM
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Re: OK, I didn't remember the details correctly
- 29/09/2009 04:11:22 PM
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The title of book 13...
- 24/09/2009 09:19:17 PM
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Swing and a miss.
- 24/09/2009 10:33:46 PM
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As said
- 25/09/2009 06:37:46 AM
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Both at once, I don't think it will be a neat A then B, or B then A
- 25/09/2009 03:53:30 AM
2126 Views
I didn't catch any hints as to Mesaana's identity. Were there any?
- 24/09/2009 08:51:23 PM
2060 Views
Also... this makes me miss RJ even more
- 24/09/2009 08:52:52 PM
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I can't wait to actually read the chapter-- I thought it was very well written *NM*
- 25/09/2009 12:18:48 AM
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Could Elaida pass a 4th Oath?
- 25/09/2009 05:13:08 AM
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I think it would serve as motivation for those who say "You don't have to like the Amrylin" to turn.
- 25/09/2009 06:08:19 AM
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The Black Ajah would never stand for it, even if the other sisters would
- 25/09/2009 06:38:19 AM
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Re: The Black Ajah would never stand for it, even if the other sisters would
- 26/09/2009 04:45:32 AM
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Fain as the source of much of the Tower's woes
- 25/09/2009 05:30:49 AM
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No one else thinks Fain has had any influence on Elaida's erratic behavior? *NM*
- 25/09/2009 05:32:05 PM
1284 Views
What about Mesaana?
- 25/09/2009 06:03:41 PM
2009 Views
Definitely Mesana-- but I was wondering if the Shadar Logoth taint leaked onto Elaida a little
- 25/09/2009 07:43:24 PM
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Mat vs Egwene
- 25/09/2009 03:34:35 PM
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Re: Mat vs Egwene
- 25/09/2009 03:38:39 PM
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Re: Mat vs Egwene
- 25/09/2009 03:40:32 PM
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Re: Mat vs Egwene
- 25/09/2009 04:16:16 PM
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That's not his argument though
- 25/09/2009 04:34:35 PM
1988 Views
I think...
- 25/09/2009 03:47:26 PM
2216 Views
Egwene and Mesaana
- 25/09/2009 06:07:37 PM
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Come now...even though Mesaana is whimpy for a Forsaken, she would wipe the floor with Egwene...
- 25/09/2009 06:10:13 PM
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Egwene would need to lead a circle or use an angreal to beat her. *NM*
- 25/09/2009 06:31:42 PM
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Unless it was based on willpower as in a conflict within Tel'Aran'Rhiod
- 25/09/2009 07:19:50 PM
2096 Views
Well... that elicited quite a reaction.
- 28/09/2009 06:25:52 AM
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I had many of those same thoughts.
- 28/09/2009 05:27:43 PM
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Re: I had many of those same thoughts.
- 28/09/2009 06:42:56 PM
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Re: I had many of those same thoughts.
- 28/09/2009 11:08:00 PM
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She'll do everything to re-unite the Tower - except anything that could actually re-unite it
- 29/09/2009 02:26:10 AM
2163 Views
Hmmm....
- 29/09/2009 05:30:44 AM
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Re: Hmmm....
- 29/09/2009 06:26:17 AM
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Re: Hmmm....
- 30/09/2009 03:00:01 AM
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Elaida, Formidable?
- 29/09/2009 11:48:04 PM
2266 Views
How do you figure?
- 30/09/2009 12:15:47 AM
1881 Views
Aside from successfuly orchastrate the coup what has she done?
- 30/09/2009 12:35:07 AM
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Re: Aside from successfuly orchastrate the coup what has she done?
- 30/09/2009 02:29:37 AM
2011 Views
Oh yeah, and...
- 29/09/2009 04:22:57 AM
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The Dark One's Touch
- 30/09/2009 06:21:24 PM
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Re: The Dark One's Touch
- 30/09/2009 06:44:53 PM
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