Seanchan

[DragonSpawn]

One thing I find interesting. RJ has portrayed it as being one of the most stable and expansive empires of humans in Randland (Well except for the very recent instability, which can hardly be used as an example since all of Randland is highly instable there is not one nation that can claim to be unnaffected by chaos and war at the moment).

 

 

What we do know is that before the Seanchan started chaining their women who can channel it was highly instable with constant wars. Women who could channel plotted and manipulated against other women who could channel, sometimes alone, sometimes forming groups, etc..

 

However with the chaining and subordination of the Seanchan "Aes Sedai" elements, peace and stability enterred. A prosperous empire could be built which was before apparently impossible.

 

Is RJ trying to tell us anything specific with this? That some nations are better off without channellers in everyday life in the long run? Or does the Seanchan example bear no meaning?

[Silver]

regarding: "That some nations are better off without channellers in everyday life in the long run?"

 

there are no channelers in every day life on the mainland of randland either and they do mostly ok. of course, in the AoL channelers were part of everyday life and they did great as well.

 

probably just has to do with the backstabbing, politicking and manipulation. on a "tribal" scale like pre-Seanchan consolidation era Aes Sedai could do whatever they wanted without much repercussions. with nations though, it's not possible without large scale warfare so people have to be careful

[Guest Barmacral]

The problem with the Channelers over in Seanchan before Hawkwings armies arrived was that they had nothing to centralize their power the way the Randland AS did. This led them to fighting amongst themselves, which left the continent in chaos for a long time. Its not that any nations are better off without the AS, is that the AS need to be organized.

[Phiotr AlManera]

That some nations are better off without channellers in everyday life in the long run?

All chanellers have to find a place in the society they live in. They have to do this by making their extraordinary powers acceptable in some way.

 

I think there are two variables at work here

(A+)they stay in the tribe or nation they were born into

(A-) or they don't

(B+) they get a social status, based upon their ability to channel

(B-) or not.

 

The Aiel Wise One's = A+ B-

The kin = A- B-

The Seafolk windfinders = A+ B+

The White Tower = A- B+

The 'wise one's' become 'wise one's' by training, but not every wise one can channel though all who can channel are 'wise one's'. So B-

They get legitimacy because of the training and because they are Aiel.

The kin are all channellers. Their only channelling related activity however is healing. Not everybody who can channel can heal. Channelling is not their main activity. So B-

They only channel to do healing, this is hidden but legitimates itself.

The windfinders are embedded in a social structure wich limits their powers but puts them to good use.

The AoL Aes Sedai claimed power but sought legitimaty by being servants. the White Tower added the Oaths as a way to be part of the society.

 

The Seanchan are an exception. Now their secret is out, the system they built won't last.

The Black Tower is an exception too. They haven't found a legitimacy yet. Being Asha'man is not enough in my opinion. What's left of this reason after TG?

I think this is the thing wich Cadsuane is going to learn the Asha'man.

 

So,

Is RJ trying to tell us anything specific with this?

Yes, power needs to be balanced