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Actually, you are the one placing Lanfear immensely high, my list reduced the strength difference... Shannow Send a noteboard - 19/11/2009 05:05:18 PM

I disagree. I think Sanderson has given us important new info that throws the female strength list into turmoil.

Here's why I say so:

1. It is a fallacy that RJ said Nynaeve was as strong as the average female Forsaken. That was our INTERPRETATION. But if I recall correctly, what RJ actually said, was that Nynaeve was as strong as MOST of the female Forsaken.

After Sanderson's quote, I take that to mean that MOST of the female Forsaken are not stronger than Nynaeve.


That was because RJ said that quote when FoH was out, making Nynaeve at least equal or as strong as Moghedien, Semirhage and Mesaana - and weaker than Graendal and Lanfear. Cyndane was not around. That still holds with what RJ said. If Cyndane is really that weak then Lanfear was enormously powerful compared to Graendal, and I find that very unlikely. On the other hand, it fits in with Semirhage's statement that Lanfear be given to her.

The Cyndane quote is an interesting one, and it would be great if Sanderson could clarify the situation for us. But the fact remains that he has not refuted the fact that she is significantly weakened, nor has he refuted the fact that she is below Nynaeve in strength.

In fact, his initial reaction to KCF's question was that only exceptional women are above Nynaeve, and when KCF referred to Cyndane, he was very dismissive of her strength.


To be honest, his next answer scares me. The fact that he argued with Maria over her strength which is clearly on a strength list is horrendous. He initially said that Cyndane was very very weak... who knows if he was confused with Cyndane and Cetalia or Cabriana. Then he said she was weakened, then he said her strength is what we expect it to be.

I agree that the so called definitive strength list hinges around Cyndane's placement, and until Sanderson clarifies the confusion he caused, that placement is now in doubt.


If Cyndane is weaker than Nynaeve it not only throws the female Forsaken into turmoil but the males too and it makes Lanfear so strong it's scary.

Still, we now know Mesaana overrated herself, and we know there are only 6 women above Nynaeve.


Well Mesaana didn't overrate herself actually. She said she matched Semirhage well in most areas and had strength where Semirhage had weaknesses. I still think this is true - Mesaana might be good at the weather for instance - we know that Semirhage is not.

Lanfear, Alivia and Sharina are definitely there. Talaan and Semirhage MIGHT be there. We're not sure of Someryn and we're not sure of Cyndane and Graendal.


Lanfear, Alivia and Sharina for certain. I think there's almost a 100% chance that Cyndane and Graendal are there too because many quotes in the series support this. Someryn is conjecture, but she is probably Forsaken strength.

It is also conceivable that Cyndane is now equal to Nynaeve, making Graendal weaker than Nynaeve.


I don't believe that someone of Nynaeve's strength could fight Alivia with a strong angreal, no matter what her knowledge.

With the new info Sanderson so graciously provided, I'm expecting further clarity in the near future.


I just want him to look at the list before he answers.

Now we just need to get people to ask him. I see that this topic is now being discussed on Theoryland, Dragonmount, 13th depository and even on ASOIAF boards.

Surely the level of interest will result in more people asking him these kinds of questions.


We should move on to the males. They're actually more of an enigma.


The reason Lanfear appears to be so incredibly powerful, is because you insist on placing Cyndane above the average female Forsaken. In doing so you are saying that even a reduced strength Lanfear is STILL stronger than Semirhage, Mesaana and Nynaeve.

If instead, you go with Sanderson's second, rectified quote, which places Cyndane significantly weaker, and which does not refute that Cyndane is below Nynaeve, then the female Forsaken are all much closer together.

You will now have the following:

Lanfear
Alivia, Sharina
Nynaeve, Semirhage
Cyndane
Graendal
Mesaana
Moghedien

Suddenly, Lanfear is not greatly above Semirhage, and is not farther above Graendal than she was above Mesaana or Semirhage on your list.

Personally, I think this makes much more sense.

The entire strong Graendal argument is based largely on one quote by Moridin, which was made casually, without much interest, and does not really tell us anything other than that Graendal could beat Sammael if she struck first and beat him to the draw.

After all, he had no doubt never seen Sammael and Graendal fight it out before, so he had no idea what tricks either might have up their sleeve.

Anyway, that's my list. But I suspect Sanderson will clarify everything before long in any case, if the current trend continues.
This message last edited by Shannow on 19/11/2009 at 05:07:14 PM
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Female Forsaken strength : a new post - 19/11/2009 04:12:35 PM 1655 Views
Except... - 19/11/2009 04:26:32 PM 698 Views
There's no evidence for that - 19/11/2009 04:31:17 PM 651 Views
It's common sense - 19/11/2009 04:40:01 PM 632 Views
No, it's based on absolutely nothing - 19/11/2009 04:50:30 PM 667 Views
If you agree that there are stronger damane than Alivia... - 19/11/2009 05:00:05 PM 591 Views
I didn't say that - 19/11/2009 05:07:33 PM 606 Views
Well, I think you are wrong... - 19/11/2009 05:35:27 PM 590 Views
Glad to have you back. Now for the arguments to start! - 19/11/2009 04:29:01 PM 707 Views
Hmm... - 19/11/2009 04:47:12 PM 709 Views
Actually, you are the one placing Lanfear immensely high, my list reduced the strength difference... - 19/11/2009 05:05:18 PM 778 Views
But I'm not - 19/11/2009 05:17:05 PM 685 Views
Let me ask you this... - 19/11/2009 10:13:12 PM 730 Views
Very good point *NM* - 20/11/2009 01:38:55 AM 312 Views
One possibility - 20/11/2009 03:18:55 AM 641 Views
All assumption - 20/11/2009 04:11:20 AM 580 Views
Why introduce that concept, if it is just of academic importance? - 20/11/2009 07:41:54 AM 565 Views
You don't know the significance of it at all - 20/11/2009 03:14:46 PM 676 Views
Why? - 20/11/2009 03:17:51 PM 1200 Views
Re: Why? - 20/11/2009 04:30:50 PM 547 Views
How can you argue in such a way and still keep a straight face (presumably)... - 20/11/2009 05:07:39 PM 585 Views
Re: How can you argue in such a way and still keep a straight face (presumably)... - 21/11/2009 10:55:47 AM 573 Views
Is Graendal the only Forsaken NOT to overstate her own ability then? - 21/11/2009 01:53:28 PM 679 Views
Probably not in this case - 21/11/2009 11:34:25 PM 562 Views
Your rankings hinge ENTIRELY on whether you have Graendal correctly placed. - 20/11/2009 03:24:22 PM 524 Views
Yeah... entirely - 20/11/2009 04:33:45 PM 543 Views
Okay, "entirely" was a bad choice of word. - 20/11/2009 09:57:52 PM 568 Views
Re: Okay, "entirely" was a bad choice of word. - 21/11/2009 10:48:16 AM 628 Views
Re: Let me ask you this... - 23/12/2009 04:30:27 PM 597 Views
*correction*Re: Let me ask you this... - 23/12/2009 04:32:02 PM 564 Views
my comments w/ edit - 19/11/2009 04:37:27 PM 650 Views
Re: my comments w/ edit - 19/11/2009 04:54:30 PM 715 Views
Re: my comments w/ edit - 23/12/2009 04:42:15 PM 523 Views
What ever happened to all teh info from wotmania? Especially the FAQs? *NM* - 19/11/2009 05:01:45 PM 396 Views
http://13depository.blogspot.com/ *NM* - 19/11/2009 05:31:01 PM 321 Views
Re: Female Forsaken strength : a new post - 19/11/2009 05:39:10 PM 662 Views
Re: Female Forsaken strength : a new post -- What about Dexterity?? - 19/11/2009 06:44:31 PM 674 Views
This perfectly matches my understanding of the situation. - 19/11/2009 07:06:31 PM 543 Views
Agreed! This make more sense than the previous list *NM* - 20/11/2009 12:07:37 AM 356 Views
Too many levels - 20/11/2009 01:48:24 AM 675 Views
You are completely right about too many levels. - 20/11/2009 04:17:17 AM 555 Views
21 levels is largely a myth - 20/11/2009 04:27:27 AM 555 Views
Re: 21 levels is largely a myth - 20/11/2009 01:51:17 PM 690 Views
Thanks for the post. Interesting stuff there. *NM* - 20/11/2009 03:14:12 PM 295 Views
That's good to know. - 20/11/2009 07:56:41 PM 523 Views
I have to disagree for a couple of reasons. - 20/11/2009 04:14:40 AM 665 Views
Talaan is not stronger than Nynaeve - 28/11/2009 08:27:22 PM 691 Views
Re: Talaan is not stronger than Nynaeve - 28/11/2009 10:05:15 PM 777 Views
Talaan has be channeling for 6 or 7 years - 28/11/2009 10:56:12 PM 595 Views
Re: I have to disagree for a couple of reasons. - 30/12/2009 12:37:40 AM 1001 Views
Agree with nearly all - 20/11/2009 04:43:47 AM 557 Views
more hopefully to come - 20/11/2009 08:15:00 PM 534 Views
Thanks KCF, that's a great question to ask. - 20/11/2009 08:28:32 PM 758 Views
A little more evidence that Nynaeve is stronger than Semirhage - 29/11/2009 12:12:37 AM 552 Views
I agree that Graendal is the 2nd most powerful woman Forsaken - 29/11/2009 04:07:00 PM 521 Views
It's possible - 30/11/2009 08:23:28 PM 527 Views
Re: It's possible - 01/12/2009 06:18:56 PM 640 Views

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