this is a frequently raised and apparently strong argument against Slayer

However, there is a problem with this point, which i have previously raised, but which has not been responded to.

so hopefully someone can show me the hole in my thinking firstly in response to this argument against Slayer and then separately in response to my other thoughts in rebutting other arguments against Slayer. Moreover, please address my thoughts on why Slayer is IO, how he satisfies "how" and "where" and how it is a "crime of opportunity":

- In Slayer's POV he shows pride in killing the two AS but thinks nothing of offing Asmo. This is RJ showing us that Slayer didnt do it, right? ALthough it clearly is evidence to support the argument againts, i think it may be a red herring and i dont think it is as strong against Slayer as appears at first blush --.

The problem i have is that this argument assumes Slayer would KNOW that he was killing Asmo the forsaken and not just Rand's court bard-- simply someone he was told, while getting an assignment, to off if he ever happened to come across him (e.g.: "get the dragon's court bard only if the opportunity arises but dont let it distract you in any way from your job"

Also, was Asmo using the MoM? In any event, there isnt anything to show that slayer know what asmo the forsaken looked like.

Therefore, by not knowing he killed Asmo the forsaken, he has no reason to think on the event with pride.

Your thoughts? please debunk/rebut!


Secondly, my thoughts in support of Slayer, which have been raised by others too and also my response to common arguments against:

Basically SLayer did it in Finnland/TAR (one the other or both)


He is IO by virtue of hints previously provided regarding his abilities, as well as by virtue of the circumstances that can be deduced during his murder-
abilities:
enter TAR in flesh,
enter and exit ToG in waking world
enter ToG in TAR but i'm not sure based on previous RJ Q/A stating that you cant enter ToG in TAR, which unfortunately conflicts with Birgette telling Perrin in TAR that ToG CAN be entered in TAR, but is more difficult to exit
sensing the three taveren and sensing fain generally to hunt them
Knows effect of killing in Tar: previous experience with killing wolves in TAR--if there is a purpose other than just "fun" it could relate to the fact that death is final. he knows this. Even if he knew it was Asmo also he would know Asmo cant be resurrected for revenge.

Circumstances of murder (explained below in more detail)
door stepped through-not normal
room stepped into -not pantry
Asmo had ALREADY walked through a door, which he thought looked odd (indicating it was not the real door to the pantry), and into a room, which he thought SHOULD have been (indicating that it was not the pantry). If this is correct, then Asmo was already standing in Finnland/TAR when he saw Slayer!

Also--to counter another common argument-
That Asmo could still channel--people cite instances demonstrating he could defend himself.

However, this has a hole as well--and the hole here supports our Slayer did it in Finnland argument.--Basically -- Dont channel in Finnland or else. Moreover, if he's in TAR can he channel more than spirit? Now, with Asmo shielded as he is and already in Finnland, i can see him getting offed either by trying to channel or by Slayer's hand.


Keep in mind that Asmo had ALREADY walked through the door--If this is correct, then Asmo was already standing in Finnland/TAR when he saw Slayer!

What about the "You, NO!" and my disatisfaction with the argument against?

the argument is that there is no evidence that Asmo had previously seen Slayer/knew of him so how would he recognize him and know his purpose

However, RJ Q/A has stated that ALL of the foresaken at least KNEW of Slayer and that SOME (intentionally withholding WHO) of the foresaken HAD SEEN Slayer while some had not.

It was my impression when reading Asmo's recognition of the killer that he PAUSED for a split second when he said "YOU? NO!" To me, that indicates it was someone that he did not immediately recognize but based upon the circumstances, the surroundings, etc., he deduced his identity and purpose.

In support is the fact that Asmo is with Lanfear in TSD and previously, AND keep in mind that lanfear claims TAR AND keep in mind Slayer's connection to TAR. that's a nice recipe for Lanfear having dealt with Slayer.

If there were previous interactions, Asmo being with Lanfear may have, at least picked up enough tidbits that AT MINIMUM were enough for him to deduce the identity of Slayer and therefore what he was about to do.

The "HOW" and "WHERE" "Crime of Opportunity and, as to the door--how it could lead to Finnland

--the doorframe terangreal is destroyed at this point.

Maybe that doorframe terangreal locked the place to enter and with it destroyed, the entry was no longer locked to one door. maybe any door can be used to exit ToG.

Or if Slayer was in ToG in the flesh and had entered via TAR, he could simply step out of ToG/TAR in teh flesh anywhere he wants, no?


Slayer sought to exit the ToG in the flesh in an out of the way place. Assignment? Fain? Rand? bonus was the bard.

He opens a door and then--in walks Asmo into Finnland and/or TAR. He takes the opportunity and offs him. No resurrection. The HOW is satisfied b/c he was killed in the flesh and the WHERE is satisfied because it happened while he was in TAR.

I think this is a strong argument in favor and shows the holes in arguing against.

Cant be balefire. Holes--sensing by people nearby, as well as the fact that the "Where" issue is IGNORED.

Slayer can exit TAR ANYWHERE HE WANTS into the waking world. I think it's significant b/c if he is in TAR in the flesh and enters ToG in the flesh but in TAR, perhaps he can step out of ToG (b/c it was entered in TAR)from TAR in the flesh anywhere he wants.

this also addresses the argument that any of the forsaken are still suspects b/c they all are familiar with TAR. HOWEVER, they are NOT familiar with ToG and/or entering it in the flesh in TAR.

I think TAR was used b/c we had a previous hint from the wolf in the wolf dream that death in TAR is final when you are in the flesh.

the argument that we dont know if it only applies to wolves is silly. TAR rules apply to everything -- every object and every living being.