Not a Stretch Under the Circumstances.
The Name With No Man Send a noteboard - 27/11/2009 02:24:12 PM
If you can get the Dragon addicted on a drug only you can provide, thats a pretty useful tool.
The plan to capture Rand has existed since early in the series.
The link to Moridin, in turn, was never planned for by the Shadow. It was a random event, caused by the crossing of the balefire streams in CoS. And its effects are still being discovered by both parties as they go along.
So I have four problems with the idea that this event was planned by the Shadow:
1. Did Moridin have any idea that Rand could access the True Power through their link?
He'd have to be pretty stupid not to realize that, and whatever else he is Ishy's not stupid. He's the only Forsaken who's ever figured out the DO's end game, so early it's why he turned.
2. If so, did he share this with the Dark One?
Could he conceal it? The DO is very knowledgeable about the world even when Forsaken aren't involved, but when they are he knows just about everything (probably because of the black chords, or rather the link they represent.) It's uncertain whether he knows but very plausible.
3. How did they know the situation would play out in such a way that Rand would draw on the True Power?
Because they knew Semi was free, that the DB was captured, that Semi fantasized about using it on LTT and that he would have no other options if she did. That's the answer to Semi's pathetic wails asking why she was betrayed: Because she was never more than a valuable piece to be sacrificed at need, and even the queen is worth sacrificing for checkmate. She makes the mistake so many Forsaken do: She trusts the DO too much (i.e. at all.)
4. Why would they not rather have Rand captured, under their power at Shayol Ghul, where they could break him in far more inventive ways, and get him to eventually access the True Power by swearing to the Dark One himself?
Why not capture him and turn him with a circle of Myrddraal since that may be the only way you can prevent someone returning to the Light if they want to enough? If that's not an option the next choice is a chain voluntarily accepted rather than one forced upon him. People usually don't resist fates they choose as much as those thrust upon them.
Too many coincidences in the above for it to be a reasonable plot by the Shadow, in my view.
It's not as coincidental as it sounds because all the pieces of Semi's original plan to collar Rand were still in place. All that changed was that Semi and the DB were both in Rands possession, but once the DO changes that he can go back to his original plan, and that's probably just what he did.
What will be the punishment for Moridin for allowing Rand to do what he did?
22/11/2009 12:04:27 PM
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Given that LTT was more scared of the TP than of killing Min, I doubt the DO didn't intend it. *NM*
22/11/2009 12:43:38 PM
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How do we know it wasn't part of the DO's plan?
22/11/2009 04:58:44 PM
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That presumes that Moridin KNEW that Rand could access the True Power through their link...
22/11/2009 05:22:51 PM
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You're assuming that Rand channeled the TP through Moridin
22/11/2009 06:01:46 PM
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You are correct.
22/11/2009 06:11:11 PM
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Well, it was win-win for the Shadow.
22/11/2009 08:18:12 PM
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The Shadow aka Moridin doesn't want Rand dead because he might die with him
23/11/2009 12:40:08 AM
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No, I don't think so.
23/11/2009 12:48:30 AM
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And when it was absolutely necessary he did allow for it but...
23/11/2009 01:21:33 AM
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Re: And when it was absolutely necessary he did allow for it but...
23/11/2009 04:21:55 AM
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Not a Stretch Under the Circumstances.
27/11/2009 02:24:12 PM
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I agree, I think the Dark One DID give Rand permission to use the TP
22/11/2009 06:56:55 PM
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Nothing
23/11/2009 05:09:02 AM
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I thought Rand was so desperate that he reached the True Power alone.
23/11/2009 11:39:13 PM
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