I support your view, with maybe a few comments to add... - Edit 2
Before modification by Shannow at 03/01/2010 02:59:28 PM
I'm tired of the Bell Curve, as I think the most likely answer is that RJ didn't actually know what a Bell Curve is in the true sense of the word.
Because a true Bell Curve simply does not fit the evidence so well presented by you in the above post.
In any case, I used to think that the 13 sister rule provided a minimum level for a woman like Dagian, but since the increased precision of circles were presented to us in scenes like the Cleansing I no longer hold that view. Therefore, I agree that someone like Dagian might well be less than one thirteenth as powerful as Rand, or at the very least, less than one thirteenth of the power required to overwhelm him in physical terms (remembering that you have to be MUCH stronger than someone to shield them if they are already holding the Power).
AS for Egwene, I also place her at about 50. At most.
The quote about Egwene not standing a chance against Moghedien's strength, and the quote about Egwene, Lelaine and Romanda being doubtful of overpowering a single male Forsaken pretty much seals it for me.
We have to remember that three Black Ajah sisters can overwhelm Moghedien, according to Liandrin (if I recall the name correctly).
Therefore, if 3 can do so to Moghedien, then it seems likely that two can do so to Egwene at her full potential.
My only disagreement with your list is that I would place Nynaeve lower, at about 80. To me there is simply too much emphasis on Lanfear's great strength advantage over the other Forsaken for Nynaeve to be so close to her. I also don't think Alivia's "considerable strength advantage" over Nynaeve can be represented by a mere 10% on the strength scale.
Furthermore, I don't believe Alivia equals Lanfear - the most powerful woman of the Age of Legends by a margin big enough to leave her no doubt that she is exceeded by no woman.
In any case, the top individuals leave a lot of room for debate. But what seems incontrovertible to me is the placing of lesser characters like Egwene, Moiraine and the average Aes Sedai.
I don't really know how this notion of Egwene being 60-70% as strong as Lanfear crept up on us. It is not supported by the weight of evidence and should not be seriously considered, in my view.
Because a true Bell Curve simply does not fit the evidence so well presented by you in the above post.
In any case, I used to think that the 13 sister rule provided a minimum level for a woman like Dagian, but since the increased precision of circles were presented to us in scenes like the Cleansing I no longer hold that view. Therefore, I agree that someone like Dagian might well be less than one thirteenth as powerful as Rand, or at the very least, less than one thirteenth of the power required to overwhelm him in physical terms (remembering that you have to be MUCH stronger than someone to shield them if they are already holding the Power).
AS for Egwene, I also place her at about 50. At most.
The quote about Egwene not standing a chance against Moghedien's strength, and the quote about Egwene, Lelaine and Romanda being doubtful of overpowering a single male Forsaken pretty much seals it for me.
We have to remember that three Black Ajah sisters can overwhelm Moghedien, according to Liandrin (if I recall the name correctly).
Therefore, if 3 can do so to Moghedien, then it seems likely that two can do so to Egwene at her full potential.
My only disagreement with your list is that I would place Nynaeve lower, at about 80. To me there is simply too much emphasis on Lanfear's great strength advantage over the other Forsaken for Nynaeve to be so close to her. I also don't think Alivia's "considerable strength advantage" over Nynaeve can be represented by a mere 10% on the strength scale.
Furthermore, I don't believe Alivia equals Lanfear - the most powerful woman of the Age of Legends by a margin big enough to leave her no doubt that she is exceeded by no woman.
In any case, the top individuals leave a lot of room for debate. But what seems incontrovertible to me is the placing of lesser characters like Egwene, Moiraine and the average Aes Sedai.
I don't really know how this notion of Egwene being 60-70% as strong as Lanfear crept up on us. It is not supported by the weight of evidence and should not be seriously considered, in my view.