The Last Battle

[Luckers]

I think the original poster got waygates and gateways mixed up. Using the Ways to move forces seems like a rather stupid idea. Especially for Rand who has first hand experience of why it is stupid.

 

You're probably right, yet you're also wrong. Rand certainly would not use the Ways, but nor is using them stupid anymore. In KoD nearly a hundred thousand Trollocs were moved through the Ways without attracting the wrath of Machin Shin indicating some shift in the way that Machin Shin opporates... whether as an effect of the Cleansing, which i concider unlikely, or as an ongoing effect of the Black Wind's encounter with Fain, which to my mind is probably the case.

 

No matter which is true the reality is that large forces can move through the ways now. And as a whole; Moridin's reaction to the situation shows that the Trollocs did not enter the Ways piecemeal.

[Majsju]

I think the original poster got waygates and gateways mixed up. Using the Ways to move forces seems like a rather stupid idea. Especially for Rand who has first hand experience of why it is stupid.

 

You're probably right, yet you're also wrong. Rand certainly would not use the Ways, but nor is using them stupid anymore. In KoD nearly a hundred thousand Trollocs were moved through the Ways without attracting the wrath of Machin Shin indicating some shift in the way that Machin Shin opporates... whether as an effect of the Cleansing, which i concider unlikely, or as an ongoing effect of the Black Wind's encounter with Fain, which to my mind is probably the case.

 

No matter which is true the reality is that large forces can move through the ways now. And as a whole; Moridin's reaction to the situation shows that the Trollocs did not enter the Ways piecemeal.

 

There is a quite obvious difference, the shadow doesn't give a hoot if they waste a hundred thousand trollocs or so, they have the "man"power to take such risks. Imagine if Team Light would lose one hundred thouand soldiers just like that, it would be a disaster.

 

And, we have far better knowledge of what's going on than Rand. He can't even be sure that the trollocs actually used the ways, much less how many that entered them. For all he knows, perhaps 5oo.000 trollocs entered. 80% casualties before even reaching the battlefield?  Bad idea.

[Luckers]

As I said, Rand would certainly never use the Ways.

[Majsju]

And of course, unless he recruits some trolloc converts, Rand has the little advantage of being able to have all his troops Travel.

 

But during the actual battle Rand will be too busy heading for SG to be too involved with any of the fighting going on in the rest of the world.

[Luckers]

Don't be silly. Why travel when you can walk?

 

Builds character.

[Majsju]

Walk? What are you, some kind of hippy?

 

Obviously, Mat will accidently stumble upon a stash of perfectly functionable Sho-wings:)

[Child of Lir]

Yes, they're in that stasis box that Sammael had. No wonder he was cagey about it with Graendal, the little monkey!

[drovja]

I know that in KOD, we're told specifically that shadowspawn can't survive the trip through a gateway (when Rand is talking to Logain about the 'Deathgates')..... but, I can't for the life of me figure out why.  If it's some by-product of the shadow taint used in their creation, shouldn't the Forsaken (with their tie to the DO) have some kind of similar restriction?  I don't get it.

[Davram]

Not really.....the Forsaken weren't made by the DO they just went to his side and formed a connection....but that doesn't limit them in any way

[Jasin Natael]

Does the DO have more of a connection with the forsaken than just cleansing saidin?

And if so,as the bore gets weaker would he have more influence over them ???

[inkubate]

i dont think that th DO ever had an "influence" over the Chosen other then getting them to do what he wants them to do, He has always been able to get them to do that, so he influences them but he doesnt have "control" over them, they still have free will is what i mean...

[Ealdur Tinuviel]

The Last Battle will be focused on Randland, though I could see a PoV of Seanchan or Shara with Trollocs attacking.

 

Rand goes to Shayol Ghul, but the fight will be in a lot of other places, as well.

 

The Borderlands will be overrun.

 

An army of Trollocs and dreadlords mount an assault on Tar Valon, burning the city and advancing all the way to the White Tower itself.

 

We'll probably get a PoV of someone like Rodel Ituralde, with him fighting the Trollocs.

 

Basically, the whole last book will be the last battle.

 

 

[inkubate]

didn't RJ say that we wouldnt get to see Shara? no biggy really

 

but the whole last book cant be TG, there has to a least be a few chapters before and at least one after.....*shrugs* (i liked the old smilies from the old forum)

[BrainFireBob]

It'll be the battle for Rand's soul, or an internal battle where Rand makes a choice- perhaps the choice to remain bound to the Wheel, despite the cost, because he loves the world so much? It'd fit the difficulties foretold with his hardness- and all else will be distraction to hide that the central struggle, all that matters, is Rand and his choices. But they'll be a lot of Shadowspawn invasion and chaos meant to disguise the fact it's not a military victory that matters at all- LTT's mistake.

 

That's my personal theory of the Last Battle.

[inkubate]

oooh, good one...

 

but heres something i just thought of, will Rand jump right into the last battle because its his duty, or will he have a spout of depression and remorse and sit the first few rounds out?