There's no way that hundreds of Aes Sedai would be sworn to the Dark One, knowing what he is. Even in the War of Power, 50% of channelers were darkfriends.
It's all part of RJ's philosophy on power and evil, and I think it's total rubbish. He can't logically claim that hundreds of Aes Sedai in the current and Age and hundreds of thousands in the previous one worshipped the Devil because of their lust for power, knowing who he is and the price involved. Half of people aren't that stupid even in our world.
If he'd wanted to be realistic he would have had 50 Black Ajah at most, and perhaps 1% of channelers from the War of Power.
I think RJ's intention was to show that many of the AoL (and later BA) AS were unhappy with the system as it marginalizes people who are personally so powerful (relative to normal folk).
I think of the AoL "Chosen" as more akin to counter-culture types who sank into power mongering debauchery over time. IMO that's really what the Collapse was all about. By the time the Chosen of the age hit critical mass they launched their War and (quite literally) all hell broke loose.
I'd go so far as to say that the vast majority of AS in the AoL didn't really give a thought to S'T ... they just wanted to do what the wanted without the censure of the establishment.
I think you are dead-on in this.
We also have the great fortune of having the perfect example: Semirhage!
IIRC she was all pissy because the AoL AS wanted to sever her as punishment of her gruesome experiments. And of course, that didn't go well with the big cry baby so she jumped on the newest, biggest, baddest bully's bandwagon!
~Wotmaniac Reborn~
Formerly known as Logs!
Formerly known as Logs!
The Black Ajah
- 03/12/2009 10:05:13 PM
1168 Views
I'd think the lifespan and power a channeler has are both big factors
- 03/12/2009 10:31:54 PM
672 Views
The BA must be better at recruiting than normal Aes Sedai
- 04/12/2009 12:47:11 AM
761 Views
Re: The BA must be better at recruiting than normal Aes Sedai
- 04/12/2009 01:14:44 AM
665 Views
I see no reason to believe Kari was a Darkfriend. Ishamael is a liar, and that's that.
- 04/12/2009 01:19:00 AM
555 Views
Perhaps
- 04/12/2009 03:10:23 AM
585 Views
The same could be said for the great majority of characters in the series. *NM*
- 04/12/2009 04:19:50 AM
252 Views
In the Age of Legends, 50% of channelers turned to the Shadow, if memory serves. *NM*
- 04/12/2009 01:11:35 AM
273 Views
I think it's absolute nonsense
- 04/12/2009 04:34:04 AM
734 Views
Knowing who he is?
- 04/12/2009 05:25:26 AM
624 Views
agreed. accepting that power comes at a price isn't evil. it's what drives people NOT to fail...
- 04/12/2009 08:51:01 AM
542 Views
Re: Knowing who he is?
- 04/12/2009 12:04:58 PM
566 Views
So by your argument, very few people murder, steal or cheat?
- 04/12/2009 12:50:35 PM
611 Views
You are correct of course
- 04/12/2009 06:03:54 AM
569 Views
Re: You are correct of course
- 04/12/2009 08:28:29 AM
574 Views
I disagree, slightly.
- 04/12/2009 03:33:49 PM
602 Views