Has Perrin got it easy?

[trakand_01]

Ok, so we have the three lads, Egwene, Nynaeve. That's our original 'cast' from Emonds Field.

 

Rand, is the Dragon Reborn, 'nuff said. His plate is pretty full.

 

Mat, is soon to be the worlds' greatest general. He's also charged with looking after a small boy, rescuing Moiraine and keeping his future bride safe. Oh, and he was originally none too keen on taking a bride.

 

Egwene, is the 'puppet' amyrlin although she isnt. She's not turned out quite the way the Little Tower intended, but she's doing very well at it. I understand she is taken by the real tower in book 11. Quite busy.

 

Nynaeve, has it a bit easier, although she has quite a lot on her plate trying to keep Lan / Rand alive and healthy, and Elayne.

 

But PERRIN... of the three lads he's really got it quite easy IMO. Lets look at his 'life' at present:

 

1. Faile. Granted, she's a penalty for him but at least a) there's only one of her (Rand and his 3) and b) she's quite good at staying alive, whereas Mat's women in the past have had a tendency to be murdered - Melindhra by him, Tylin by the Gholam.

 

2. Raising Manetheren. It's a grand feat, and I think it will feature prominently at TG but so far (I'm on book 10), it's not been too bloody.

 

3. Masema. Yes, he's a raving lunatic but at least he's (supposedly) an ally, and although communications are strained, they're not violent at present. I think he is Perrins' biggest problem.

 

4. Berelain. IMO she's doing much more good than bad for Perrin.

 

5. The Wolves. Dont really cause him much of a problem, apart from 'separating' him from others who are scared of his eyes and his hearing.

 

6. Elyas. A good thing, IMO. I think/hope he has more of a role to play in the future.

 

7. The Darkhounds. Didnt seem to be hunting for Perrin.

 

So all in all, I think the only things that we can say Perrin has to 'deal with' are Masema, although at my point in the books they are at least on a truce, and the fact that his entire family was killed and he is bound to be wracked with guilt. Faile is missing at present but I know he gets her back.

 

How comes he gets off so lightly? Rand is battling with being the Dragon Reborn, three women, the taint, Forsaken, Cadsuane, Madness, Moridin etc. Mat is trying to protect Tuon, who happens to be a Seanchan, the Seanchan are hated in much of Randland. Effectively he's assisting the enemy (granted he kidnapped her, or rather, she allowed herself to be kidnapped).

 

Maybe there's more for Perrin in book 11 - I dont know yet, or maybe his 'moment' comes in aMoL, but at present, he seems to have it easiest out of all of them...

 

Or do you think that his 'protection' of the Two Rivers is enough, that that is his 'purpose' in the latter books - doing what Rand so much wanted to do, but couldnt? Do you think Perrin will be instrumental in Rand and Tam's reunion? (For what it's worth, I actually think it will be Faile who sets the ball rolling.)

 

I DO however think that Perrin will have something to do with Verin's revelations. I dont know why, I just think he'll be there, and involved. Other than Rand, she's had the most to do with Perrin.

 

Thoughts?

[Fryn]

If your only on book 10 I don't want to spoil it ><. Even at the end it is hard to pick out what I am talking about, but perin has one of the most important roles in the series. I "think" he forfilled it in KoD.

 

As for difficulty as in hardships he has to endure? He is the only one with a visible external sign that shouts he is different to every other person in the land. He is also the best at dealing with Aes Sedai that have no obligation to follow him.

 

I would also say one faile is 300 times worse than Tuon or the 34 rand has =p. Thats personal opinion though. Perrin is my least favorite of the 3 boys, but he does do a lot. Oh also keep in mind Perrin is going to have to either rule or help rule Saldea (Min's vision of the broken crown - Dreams are wrong, but min never is =p)

[trakand_01]

Don't worry, i've never been afraid of spoilers. I choose to read these forums, if I find out what happens in the future that's my fault.

 

Yes, he is eventually going to part-rule Saldea but Mat and Rand have their own 'dynasty' to come to them too (providing Rand survives).

[Fryn]

Ok then =) Perrin is the Harbringer of TG. From what I have seen the first sign that TG would begin is Perrin throwing away his ax and picking up the hammer. This is what Verin refers to it, and the Seachann commander kepts wondering about his ax =). If you remember back to the dream Perrin had with Lanfear tempting him; she kept messing with him about using a hammer vs an ax, and trying to lead him to glory. Those are the 3 references it that I remember (outside the line in the prophecies).

 

[Asmo]

All three ta'veren are essential in the Last Battle, Perrin as much as Mat, and this has become more and more evident as of late. They will play a large role in AMoL. I wouldn't say Perrin has had an easier time than Mat since they got separated - at first, Perrin's troubles amounted to crossing the Ways and handling a few Trollocs, whereas Mat had to face Rhuidean and the Shaido, but later on, Perrin went to Dumai's Wells, the most horrible battle in the books so far, and then was sent in the chaos of Ghealdan, to have his wife kidnapped, be forced to go into a ghost town and enter into an alliance with the Seanchan, then face the Shaido again, have a few people try to assassinate him... the only one of Mat's troubles that can measure up to that is the gholam, and he had an easy enough time with that.

[Ahaz Flagg]

Ya Perrin is by far one of the least liked of the boys to me,  Got to where I just dreaded any chapter with him and Faile, but in book 11 quite a few of his threads closed, and it was not as bad to read about him.  Faile it still sickens me to read any pov form her.

 

But trust me after you read book 11 you will see that he is still quite busy. But I am looking forward to the 1st pov when the new book comes, it should be very good as one of Min's viewings comes into reality!!

 

[Kaznen]

You shouldn't post here looking for spoilers to books already published.

 

Most of your questions/comments were answered in KoD, and some hinted at towards the end of CoT

[Majsju]

Ok then =) Perrin is the Harbringer of TG. From what I have seen the first sign that TG would begin is Perrin throwing away his ax and picking up the hammer. This is what Verin refers to it, and the Seachann commander kepts wondering about his ax =). If you remember back to the dream Perrin had with Lanfear tempting him; she kept messing with him about using a hammer vs an ax, and trying to lead him to glory. Those are the 3 references it that I remember (outside the line in the prophecies).

 

 

Perrin throwing away the axe is one of several signs that the TG is coming. Another one is the ghosts, who appeared before Perrins change of weapon.

[trakand_01]

You shouldn't post here looking for spoilers to books already published.

 

Most of your questions/comments were answered in KoD, and some hinted at towards the end of CoT

 

I never asked for spoilers, I gave thoughts and said that if discussion involved spoilers, that was fine.

 

I think there are very few thread on here that dont include spoilers for at least a selection of people who peruse these boards!

[trakand_01]

Perrin throwing away the axe is one of several signs that the TG is coming. Another one is the ghosts, who appeared before Perrins change of weapon.

 

I had almost forgotten that about his Axe - every time Verin sees him she comments on him still using his Axe, doesnt she?

 

I just dont like him as much as I used to! His character has been ruined by faile's manipulation or ... alteration ... of him.

[Kaznen]

You shouldn't post here looking for spoilers to books already published.

 

Most of your questions/comments were answered in KoD, and some hinted at towards the end of CoT

 

I never asked for spoilers, I gave thoughts and said that if discussion involved spoilers, that was fine.

 

I think there are very few thread on here that dont include spoilers for at least a selection of people who peruse these boards!

You spend time reading the WoT forums and posting, when you could spend that time reading the WoT books and finding the answers that are there.

[trakand_01]

I could say something similarly insulting, but I won't.

 

I dont particularly see it as anything to concern you how quickly I read the books. If you don't like the topic of the thread, please go and read a different one. Everyone else has been particularly helpful. The whole purpose of the forums is to ask questions and get answers.

 

Besides, I can get away with reading forums at work, I think my employer would notice should I sit reading a book. ;)

[wvlr]

Has Perrin got it easy?

 

In answer to your question - No!  He has Faile - one of the greatest trials in the books!

[Hybrid]

Has Perrin got it easy?

 

In answer to your question - No!   He has Faile - one of the greatest trials in the books!

 

Agreed.  I cannot imagine how many WoTers are sworn to the Dark One as a result of reading Faile's POVs.

"Please, O Great Lord of the Dark, when you win, KILL FAILE."

[trakand_01]

Haha, she has a nasty habit of surviving dangerous situations however! Very resourceful for a noble born pompous chit...

 

She is very hard work, I imagine  ;D

[Hybrid]

:D

 

Yes, she is unfortunately quite good at survival.  If she wasn't like all the other spoiled royalty in the series, I might actually like her.  She's only obnoxious because a) she's spoiled and b) she's corrupting Perrin.  He was never my favorite character, but he was cool once.

[Ahaz Flagg]

:D

 

Yes, she is unfortunately quite good at survival.  If she wasn't like all the other spoiled royalty in the series, I might actually like her.  She's only obnoxious because a) she's spoiled and b) she's corrupting Perrin.  He was never my favorite character, but he was cool once.

 

Ya book 1-5 are Perrins high lights, after that it is chore to read!! I so hope Faile is one of the first to die, maybe in Perrins wild mad dash after that will redeem him.

[Hybrid]

Of course, if Faile dies I can imagine Perrin going off the deep end, so I don't know if that would be an improvement.  Perrin was already out of control enough when she was captured, but if she's killed ...

[Majsju]

Fortunatly, those who wants to see Faile die will be terribly disappointed, so you might as well skip AMOL. ;D

 

And if you think Faile has made Perrin boring, imagine what he would be like without her...She is the one who gives him a firm kick every now and then to make him actually stop whining and get get up and do things.

[Fryn]

Fortunatly, those who wants to see Faile die will be terribly disappointed, so you might as well skip AMOL. ;D

 

And if you think Faile has made Perrin boring, imagine what he would be like without her...She is the one who gives him a firm kick every now and then to make him actually stop whining and get get up and do things.

 

My issue with Faile is she sees Perrin as a pet she can mold. Well that and the prissy traits she has (and every bloody noble in the story to be fair). The only noble in the story that I actually enjoy reading is Tuon. Elayne would be better, but she is very petulant at times.

 

Honestly I think Berelain would of been better for Perrin as a means of having his character change. I have to agree that to me at least Perrin has become bland overtime, but that was mostly due to the Faile kidnap saga which dragged on for too many books, and seemed forced to extend the story. It could of been done like Rand's portion has been of late and had 1 - 2 chapters devoted to it. At the beginning Perrin to me was the strongest of the 3 boys (in personality and character)... he is now dead last. All I hear when I read his PoV is a lovestruck puppy that can't think on his own.

[schneb]

I'd be inclined to say that Perrin has it the hardest of the three boys.  Here's my reasoning.

1) All three of the boys have some sort of advantage going for them.  They're all ta'veren.  Rand has the whole being the strongest channeler of the current age alive. Mat has his luck and memories, and Perrin is the wolf-brother.  Of these three advantages Perrin's is least useful for the tasks that he's doing.  Sure the wolves occasionally help with battles with the caveat that these battles have to be out in the wilderness where wolves can be found.  The only other benefit that Perrin derives from being a wolf-brother is the better vision, hearing, and sense of smell.  These traits are good for reading people around him, but aren't of much use for anything else.  The other two boy's advantages seem to go more in line with what their task is.  Mat is an exceptional general because he can call on appropriate memories for pretty much any battle situation he encounter, and he's smart enough to extrapolate new tactics from those memories based on his current assets and environment.  Rand by virtue of being the Dragon reborn is able to command either respect or fear from almost anybody he comes in contact with.

 

2) Options.  Perrin is the only one of the boys that has to deliberately decide what he's going to do.  Sure Rand has to make decisions, but those decisions are all dictated by who he is and what he knows has to happen.  Mat meanwhile just seems to make his decisions on the spur of the moment trusting that luck will make his choice the right one.  Perrin however has to study his choices out before he decides what will be best for himself and his followers.  While I don't believe that the pattern will allow him to make the wrong choice in anything major.  These choice have to weigh on him quite a bit.

 

3)Armies and battles.  Rand has an entire people that are ready and willing at a moment's notice to sacrifice anything to achieve a goal.  He also has the coerced armies of three additional nations (Tear, Illian, and Carhein) to fight his battles for him.  In addition to all of these human assets, he has access to some of the best strategists available (Bashere and the clan chiefs) to plan any action these armies take.  Mat's battle credentials were already mentioned in point 1.  He also has the added advantage that his men know his reputation and are willing to follow his orders completely and exactly.  Perrin on the other hand has no great generals nor any memories to plan his battles for him.  He has to study the problem out on his own and come up with his own strategies.  His "army" consists three distinct sets of people.  The first is populated by people with whom he has close ties of friendship and kinship so he feels their wounds and loss on a much more personal level than Mat or Rand (with the exception of women deaths).  This group of people is also largely untrained in any kind of formal warcraft.  They previously had only taken up arms to defend home and family from attack.  The other two groups of people in Perrin's army don't even recognize him as their leader.  They belong to either Gheldean or Mayene and look to their respective rulers and commanders for orders.

[Hybrid]

I agree with the above, and would like to add one more point.  Perrin has one other thing going against him - his appearance.  Mat has nothing which marks him as different, except for the scar around his neck, which he can cover.  Rand also has markings, but again, they can be concealed (though now he is missing a hand, which will be harder if not impossible to conceal).  Perrin, on the other hand, has golden eyes, which have caused discomfort and distrust among almost everyone he's met.  In WH, for example, after saving Morgase's party from Masema's people, Morgase or Tallanvor refers to him as "the Dragon Reborn's wolf-eyed killer."  Most of the people who meet Perrin are unable to look past the eyes.

[trakand_01]

Good points, guys - great discussion!

 

I think after so many topics discussing Mat and Rand, it's good to really talk about Perrin - with the whole Faile thing I find it very easy to lose sight of the 'real' Perrin, behind the subdued man she's made him!

[Ndshacker]

I read someones sig and it said perrin is an emo, and some points its right. When he chops of the aiels hand for example. Cant slit mine, gonna slit yours!

[Mr Ares]

I read someones sig and it said perrin is an emo, and some points its right. When he chops of the aiels hand for example. Cant slit mine, gonna slit yours!

Emo?