the good, the bad and the ugly

[Caelan Arendor]

In Christian doctrine followers of evil, adherents of the fallen angel Lucifer, are not rewarded after death but are instead cast by the devil himself into eternal hellfire. In this way, Satan appears almost as God’s instrument of judgment, rather than granting the apostate—whom Christian doctrine calls the “sinner”—any form of reward or postmortem joy for following him. Where, then, lies the logic in this? 

 

Here I find striking parallels to our own epic: the Dark One is portrayed in the text as the ‘Father of Lies.’ His promises are never sincere; even the most faithful followers are tormented, betrayed, or destroyed the moment they falter or become expendable. The motif reveals that in the service of the Dark One no true reward exists—only exploitation and ruin.

 

I will try to sift out some examples and present them to you for evaluation at the appropriate time.

 

I have to reread about Alviarin (who ist tormented by Shaidar Haran), Galina Casban (captured by the Seanchan and left to her fate), Jaichim Carridin and many many more...

[Tovya]

Alviarin was tortured by Mesaana, and after that it was Mesaana who was assaulted by Shaidar Haran. 

 

And Galina was captured by the Shaido, it was Liandrin who wound up with the Seanchan after Moghedien left her shielded in Amadicia. 

 

But you're spot on with Jaichim. 

 

However the thing to note is that the Dark One doesn't directly interact with all darkfriends, only the Forsaken and Padan Fain have been down into Shayol Ghul to speak to him. He does a bit more through Shaidar Haran, but even that Myrdraal tends to only check up on Forsaken. Follows of the Dark One are more predisposed to tearing each other down to bring themselves up, rather than helping each other, so that's why they turn on one another so easily. 

[bringbackthomsmoustache]

Also the use of the mindtraps on Moghedien and Cyndane, destroying the physical appearance of the vain Graendal, the decision to resurrect Ishamael as Moridin (when he would rather have ceased to exist).  In book 1 Rand's dream about the deceased Howel Gode suggests that he received some form of punishment after death rather than a reward.  The only definitive reward is the apparent offer of immortality to the forsaken, and even then if the dark one actually wins this would destroy existence outright so no real benefit from this. 

[Sabio]

Weakness is punished.  If some Darkfriend screws up why should the DO care or aid?  Carridin was pretty much screwed over by the Forsaken and the BA.  But they are tools to be used, and when they are of no use they get tossed aside.  The fact so many Forsaken got a second chance was due to there really being no replacements, so he couldn't simply toss them aside like he might have in the war of power.  Semi was sacrificed in an effort to break Rand.