It really started when thinking about ending the Seanchen practice of collaring people who can channel. I know a lot of people think that this will simply happen with an order from the top, but I think that is too simplistic. The system of damane/suldam is a pillar of Seanchen society. Even if the Empress, May she live forever, were to declare an end to the system, I do not think it would go away that easily. We know that Seanchen sociey is wrought with rebellions. Were the Empress to declare an end to the system on which a large part of the ruling segment of society bases it power, I would guess a lot of rebellions would take place, especially since currently the Empress is very far from the seat of power for her society.

So, . . ., that got me to thinking of what could help lead to an end to the practice. Obviously, the revelation that suldam can also channel could help, but still many will simply take this as either trickery from Aes Sedai or untrue propanganda. Even when Tuon seems to accept it might be possible, she shows no interest in that fact changing anything about the system.

But what if something else, outside the system, were to force the changes. What if the system were to become ineffective, at least in part. If the effectiveness of the damane collar were to be lessened, then it would be much easier for Tuon (if she were so inclined) to implement changes, to abolish the system.

But the collar has been around for a long time, so any flaws in the collar system would have been explored by now, right? Well, maybe not. There are a lot of new things with the Power going on and maybe one of those things could be a flaw in the collar system.

What if the bond that Ashaman create with their "captive" Aes Sedai interferes with the function of an adam? This seems plausible, as we know that the bond created by the Ashaman forces the Aes Sedai to obey them. It seems at least possible that a "bond" that creates that kind of relationship with one person might interfere with another "bond" trying to create the same kind of relationship with someone else. Especially if the first bond is created by saidin and the second by saidar.

I know that there is some solid evidence against this theory, in that whatever the bonds that were created by Alanna and Rand's trio with him didn't interfere at all with the male adam's effectiveness on him, but that may not be the exact same situation (for one thing Logain's bond with Gabrelle and Toveine gives him a lot more control of them that Alanna's does with Rand, which makes me think that the bonds are not exactly the same).

Anyway, what if the adam doesn't work when the Seanchen try to collar Toveine or Gabrelle or one of the other 49 "bonded" Aes Sedai? That would create quite a problem for the whole system (one must assume that most reasonable Aes Sedai would run out and get themselves bonded right quick if word of that leaked out).

It would also create quite an impetus for the White Tower and the Black Tower to work together.