Lanfear's strength level on the female side seems to be far more freakish than Rand's strength on the male side.
Among the male Forsaken, it seems that Rahvin, Sammael, Aginor, Demandred and Ishamael are all very close to Rand's strength level.
In contrast, there is a significant gap between Lanfear and Graendal for example, large enough for Cyndane to fit into.
And Graendal herself says it was very rare indeed, even in the Age of Legends, to encounter a woman that exceeded her in strength.
So even Cyndane's level is extraordinary in Graendal's view. Lanfear therefore must be an absolute freak.
So how do we solve this discrepancy on the female side.
The following model, solves it, in my view, and also agrees with all the evidence we have thus far.
Lanfear
Cyndane, Semirhage, Alivia
Graendal, Mesaana, Nynaeve
Moghedien
That puts Lanfear at the top - check.
It puts Cyndane above Graendal, but weaker than Lanfear - check.
It puts Nynaeve equal to the average female Forsaken - check.
It makes Alivia stronger than Nynaeve - check.
It makes women stronger than Graendal very rare indeed - check.
It allows Mesaana to state that she compares relatively well with Semirhage, although some (unnamed) WEAKNESSES in her own repertoire is balanced out by other (unnamed) strengths she has over Semirhage - check.
I favour this model, and with the current evidence, it is as feasible as the one which puts Graendal higher than Semirhage.
What my model also does, is it reduces the gap between the majority of the female Forsaken and Lanfear. Because by reducing Graendal's level, it means Cyndane's level is also brought down, as the only comparison we have between her and the other female Forsaken is that she is stronger than Graendal.
To me this is a neater explanation.
Now, Cyndane is just one level above Mesaana, and at the same level as Semirhage, who in turn is just one level below Lanfear.
This makes the overall spread of the female Forsaken tighter. Which would make more sense, I believe.
Among the male Forsaken, it seems that Rahvin, Sammael, Aginor, Demandred and Ishamael are all very close to Rand's strength level.
In contrast, there is a significant gap between Lanfear and Graendal for example, large enough for Cyndane to fit into.
And Graendal herself says it was very rare indeed, even in the Age of Legends, to encounter a woman that exceeded her in strength.
So even Cyndane's level is extraordinary in Graendal's view. Lanfear therefore must be an absolute freak.
So how do we solve this discrepancy on the female side.
The following model, solves it, in my view, and also agrees with all the evidence we have thus far.
Lanfear
Cyndane, Semirhage, Alivia
Graendal, Mesaana, Nynaeve
Moghedien
That puts Lanfear at the top - check.
It puts Cyndane above Graendal, but weaker than Lanfear - check.
It puts Nynaeve equal to the average female Forsaken - check.
It makes Alivia stronger than Nynaeve - check.
It makes women stronger than Graendal very rare indeed - check.
It allows Mesaana to state that she compares relatively well with Semirhage, although some (unnamed) WEAKNESSES in her own repertoire is balanced out by other (unnamed) strengths she has over Semirhage - check.
I favour this model, and with the current evidence, it is as feasible as the one which puts Graendal higher than Semirhage.
What my model also does, is it reduces the gap between the majority of the female Forsaken and Lanfear. Because by reducing Graendal's level, it means Cyndane's level is also brought down, as the only comparison we have between her and the other female Forsaken is that she is stronger than Graendal.
To me this is a neater explanation.
Now, Cyndane is just one level above Mesaana, and at the same level as Semirhage, who in turn is just one level below Lanfear.
This makes the overall spread of the female Forsaken tighter. Which would make more sense, I believe.
This message last edited by Shannow on 13/11/2009 at 08:51:42 AM
Semirhage's strength in the Power...
12/11/2009 06:57:37 AM
- 1085 Views
No you did not...
12/11/2009 07:27:06 AM
- 704 Views
I'll look again tonight, but I'm sure Nynaeve made a comment...
12/11/2009 07:33:29 AM
- 709 Views
Actually, Nynaeave is far stronger than Moghedian now
12/11/2009 12:30:29 PM
- 662 Views
We DON'T know that Graendal is stronger than Semirhage and Mesaana...
12/11/2009 12:48:32 PM
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Inconsistency?
12/11/2009 08:53:39 AM
- 636 Views
Holding a shield vs. making one...
12/11/2009 03:19:09 PM
- 601 Views
Don't they clearly say one single would suffice but they used 2 for
13/11/2009 04:57:15 AM
- 538 Views
To HOLD her. Didn't I make the distinction clear?
13/11/2009 05:04:58 AM
- 519 Views
Reducing the number of people holding the shield, reduces the strength of the shield correspondingly
13/11/2009 07:15:24 AM
- 506 Views
Not necessarily true (Plus, another possibility)...
13/11/2009 07:43:37 AM
- 502 Views
I agree about the angreal, but not the 1 woman shield part...
13/11/2009 07:50:26 AM
- 530 Views
Agree to disagree?
13/11/2009 08:07:59 AM
- 504 Views
Sure, just a couple of points...
13/11/2009 08:18:15 AM
- 590 Views
Re: Sure, just a couple of points...
13/11/2009 08:51:28 AM
- 573 Views
Interesting concept...
13/11/2009 08:59:53 AM
- 603 Views
The answer lies in a fundamental difference between spinning and maintaining a weave...
13/11/2009 09:33:00 AM
- 602 Views
Yeah, I posted on this
12/11/2009 08:53:26 PM
- 562 Views
Hmmm....
13/11/2009 12:42:37 AM
- 610 Views
Mesaana thought she matched Semirhage
13/11/2009 01:45:09 AM
- 743 Views
Re: Hmmm....
13/11/2009 06:56:56 AM
- 539 Views
I think Sanderson just doesn't have the interest and knowledge of relative strength that RJ did..
13/11/2009 07:07:45 AM
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Re: Hmmm....
13/11/2009 07:59:57 AM
- 597 Views
The reason behind our (certainly MY) hesitance to place Nynaeve too high, is Alivia...
13/11/2009 08:04:51 AM
- 618 Views
There is a simple answer... skill...
13/11/2009 08:21:25 AM
- 615 Views
Except that...
13/11/2009 08:49:15 AM
- 609 Views
What about Sharina?
13/11/2009 09:17:20 AM
- 517 Views
No evidence either way, but you leave a massive gap between Lanfear and the average Forsaken...
13/11/2009 09:31:27 AM
- 622 Views
I don't think it's massive
13/11/2009 09:46:27 AM
- 590 Views