Who do you admire?

[Dark Justice]

I am going trough some serious re-reading again (6th time around now... I know I am still a newbie compared to many of you...), and I was just thinking about the different characters, their strengths and their weaknesses. There are so many well made characters, and even though some might have their bad sides, almost everyone has an admirable side to them. Be it values, knowledge, unselfishness, resourcefulness etc etc etc. Wich is, in your eyes, the most admirable?

 

And please, do not make this into a "supergirls and faile are stupid" thread. There is enough threads that has turned into just one of those threads...

 

After a lot of thinking, here is my top list.

 

1st. Moiraine

In the beginning I didnt really like her, due to trying to push Rand into doing what SHE thought was the correct path. This changed however, and in the end, she helps Rand as well as she can, and bites the bullet against Lanfear.

She is, as I see it, the most unselfish character in the entire series. Taking out Lanfear the way she did was something we have yet to see topped. She is recourseful, and has a wide array of knowledge. You might say she is "street smart" in opposite to Verins "book smart"

 

2nd Tied between Cads and Verin

Both more interested to see Rand win the last battle than scheming for their own benefit.

Both very, very smart. But on a different level.

Verin has planned for theese events for god knows how long, and is pulling strings all over the place to make sure her plans for the survival of the world is not compromiced.

Cads is the stone hard aunt that everyone hated untill they showed her they were not a child anymore, and gives you as much responsability as you can handle, way before anyone thinks you are ready.

 

3d Mat.

Never breaks a promise. How many can honastly say they have never broken a promise.

He always steps up to the challenge when it is needed. And will die before seeing a friend hurt.

 

4th Rand.

Carries the world on his sholders. At a (too) young age he discovers he is the Dragon Reborn.

It takes him a little while to accept it, but when he really accepts it, he does as he thinks he has to. He bites his teeth together and does the job, where most would have dwindled under the weight of the challenge.

 

5th Bashere.

Automatically follows Rand, withought even consulting his queen. He does this because he knows Rand needs trustful people around. And he knows Rand needs good generals. He says what he feels is needed to say, and he does what he feel is needed to do. Rand would most likely have been dead without him.

 

 

So.. That was enough for now I think. Though there is so many more that has earned a way into a top list of admirable people. Like Sorilea (or whats her name), Nynaeve, Lan etc etc.

What you guys think...

 

 

 

 

[vainebekonnes]

Nynaeve is the most admirable character for me.  A self-professed coward, she never once shirks from the challenge before her, even if she can barely breath and is pissing herself.  The scene in aKoD, where she is in the bar and asks, "Will my husband ride alone?"  I get teary eyed.

 

Mat would be second for me.  He is another that never backs down from any situation, and will do the most insane things to save others.  No matter how hard he tries, he just can't leave people behind, even if they aren't his responsibility.  Breaking into the Stone in tDR, saving the Aes Sedai from Ebou Dar, and he does it all without getting credit for it most of the time.  The fact that no one appreciates his sacrifices doesn't even seem to phase him.

[metria31183]

I would have to say that I admire Egwene after LoC and especially in KoD.  In the earlier books she is very childish, selfish, and mule-headed, but after her time with the Wise Ones and she starts growing up, she completely changes.  She learns to accept the consequences of her actions.  That speaks to me because I was raised that way.  I was taught that you can do what you want as long as you are willing to accept whatever consequences (good or bad) that come from it.  I guess I admire her because I see myself in her.

[CUBAREY]

Mat by far is my favorite character. He is a self styled rogue who hates to be called a nobleman but noble is what he really is. He does what he believes right even when he "knows" its stupid to do so.

[Obligatory WOT Reference]

I'm a big Lan fan. He's stone hard, does what needs to be done, and tries to be a bit of a pseuedo father figure to Rand. In tGH he makes Rand act like a borderland lord because he didn't want him to face the amyrlin seat as a naive country boy who's strings she can pull. Also Thom, who knows what Rand is long before Rand knows himself and stays with him anyway in order to help him and make up a debt to his nephew. He is very steadfast and almost killed himself by fighting a fade to save Rand and Mat. They are both not main characters, but i guess they can be described as some of the glue characters that hold our Heroes together.

[moroten]

Lan, the ultimate survivor always liked his relationship with all the other characters.

 

Mat, reliable trickster :P.

 

Ingtar, always liked Ingtar, especially when he sacrifices himself for the light even though he is a darkfriend, too bad he didnt turn back to the light.

 

Elyas, he is just simply too cool for school.

[Kaznen]

Aside from the major characters I would have to say Jahar Narshima.

 

He is the only AM sparker who isn't a "wilder" (Rand, Taim, and Logain are) and he is fiercly loyal to Rand.  He is the smartest AM and when he stood up in front of the SAS Hall with over 200 AS watching from the wings he was ready to throw down with them, because of his AM fearlessness.

 

And unlike most AM he works at his non-channeling skills.

[mmeeshal]

I agree with Kaz on Narishma's awesomeness...

 

My list:

 

Tam al'Thor: I dunno... He's not a main character, but from the beginning to the end we are reminded of his solidity and good sense, plus he can farm as well as fight.  He's nice and he's smart.  I think he's the one I admire most.

 

Moiraine: it's been said, but she was so selfless.  Her whole life revolved around doing what she had to to save the world.

 

Cadsuane: she is just amazing... she's like a force of nature, and I love her firm hand and that she wants to help Rand, in her way.

[erickm001]

Yup, Narshima. That scene with the rebel Aes Sedia was too cool. I hope we see more of him in the coming books.

[Jethro]

1st. Moiraine

In the beginning I didnt really like her, due to trying to push Rand into doing what SHE thought was the correct path. This changed however, and in the end, she helps Rand as well as she can, and bites the bullet against Lanfear.

She is, as I see it, the most unselfish character in the entire series. Taking out Lanfear the way she did was something we have yet to see topped. She is recourseful, and has a wide array of knowledge. You might say she is "street smart" in opposite to Verins "book smart

 

I agree 100%. She is by far my favorite female character. So resourceful, she never hesitates. And excuse the irony but that woman has some balls of steel.

 

I'm a big Lan fan. He's stone hard, does what needs to be done, and tries to be a bit of a pseuedo father figure to Rand. In tGH he makes Rand act like a borderland lord because he didn't want him to face the amyrlin seat as a naive country boy who's strings she can pull. Also Thom, who knows what Rand is long before Rand knows himself and stays with him anyway in order to help him and make up a debt to his nephew. He is very steadfast and almost killed himself by fighting a fade to save Rand and Mat. They are both not main characters, but i guess they can be described as some of the glue characters that hold our Heroes together.

 

 

Again I agree 100%. Lan is awesome, that scene where Rand acts like a borderlander made me like Lan even more. I just wished Rand and Lan could have tagteamed in some epic sword fight, back to back against like 50 Darkfriends or something.

 

Ingtar. The only Darkfriend we saw who achieved enlightenment. His bit was one of the most emotional bits in Wheel of Time if you ask me.

[sillyman]

Lan: for the reasons stated above and his sheer awesomeness

 

Verin: Who despite running interference for Rand has managed to maintain her bookish and oft-underestimated facade. 

 

 

[Nightstrike]

Moiraine, because she's a real hero.

 

Verin, because she's really good at working her projects, while still remaining unnoticed.

 

Egwene, because of her astonishing will power.

 

Alivia, because she's been a damane for so long, and still has a will of her own.

 

Setalle Anan, because she survived being burned out for a lot of years.

 

Rand, for fighting the DO. Even being prepared to sacrifice himself in the process.

 

 

 

[spothistto]

Rand: He leaves behind everything he cares for - his home, his father, his friends. He accepts who he is, he accepts his responsibilities. He knows he will probably die in the end, but he still struggles to save mankind. He uses people who used to be his companions as if they are game pieces. He knows that this is wrong, but he also knows this is the only way he could survive to see the LB, only way he could succeed. What's not there to admire? Not everybody could do this.

 

Min, Elayne, Aviendha: Setting aside their shortcomings, they stay true to Rand. Even when they know he is doomed to go mad, they still proclaim their love for him, probably giving Rand strength to go on.

 

There is something to admire in every character and I agree with everything previous posters have said.

 

 

[RobertAlexWillis]

Moiraine Damodred Aes Sedai.

 

She was born into a life of privilege.  She could have chosen basically any path; she was born into the highest social class, as a strong channeler, with the native intelligence to do well in any arena.  And she chose to serve.

 

The woman has dedicated her life to what she truly believed in, without becoming so inflexible about her own perceptions that she could not change.  She is gentle whenever she can be (a side that is hard to see but definitely present in this story). She is uncompromising in the face of opposition, but able to compromise with those who have similar motives, but different approaches.  She genuinely recognizes the ability of other people and the validity of their ideas, without being sycophantic or compromising herself.  She is unfailingly loyal to those who are loyal ... her relationship with Lan epitomizes the ideal, to me, in the relationship between a Warder and Aes Sedai.

 

Rand, Mat, and Perrin are bloody lucky that she is the one who found them in the Two Rivers.

 

Finally, she has put her money where her mouth is.  She went willingly, with full foreknowledge, into what amounts to long term torture with only a slight possibility of release.  She did so without placing blame or creating hatred; she made it clear that it was her choice.  Her ability to accept the pain that comes with life as the price for experiencing the full depth and range of emotion and dedication is both admirable, and will most likely prove instrumental in teaching Rand the same lesson.

 

She is as much Aiel as any Aiel.  She is as much a warrior as any Warder.  She is what the Aes Sedai should be; a servant of all.

[Casco]

The most awesome characters:

1. Moiraine

2. Mat

3. Logain

4. Narishma

 

The ones i realy love to read about:

1. Nynaeve, she can be realy fun to read about.

2. Olver, he is cool ^^

[mnwhiterose]

I love Tuon.  Here is a Blood Seanchan who could potentialy channel if taught.  She is about to be crowned Empress and one of her first duties is to get rid of a known Darkfriend and sentence her to serve the Deathwatch Guards until her hair grows out.  Now, if I were the DW, I would keep shaving her head.  I think she would survive quite nicely if she did learn to channel. She has that mentality that nothing is going to break her.  She is determined to see what life is like in a world she is about to take over.  I think she is very kind to her damane, and while she sees them as pets, she truly cares for them.

[Jethro]

Cadsuane. She arranged the Cleansing defense, and it was fantastic, the Chosen didnt stand a chance. Now that is what the Green Ajah is all about. The quintessential Green, a woman with the stones to look Semirhage in the eye. And, seemingly, one who will be involved in helping Rand find his humanity again.

[notorious-big]

Moiraine: (For all reasons previously listed). Especially at the beginning of TEotW, she struck me as a very Gandalf-ish character. You know, omnipotent-seeming, dedicated to a single cause, secretive, but definitely on the Light side. And who doesn't love Gandalf?

 

Lan: (Again, for all the above reasons). If Moiraine (at least in the beginning of the series) was Gandalf, then Lan was definitely Aragorn. My appreciation of him stems from much the same reasons as to why I and everyone else seem to admire Moiraine.

 

Berelain: Because she's a slut! Haha, actually she isn't though, as we find out in Ch. 5 of WH. Still, I admire her. She's a powerful woman who knows what she wants and will use every weapon at her disposal--yes, sex and her body if need be--to secure what she wants. She also knows when to not push it, though. Plus, she's smart and capable. I think Nynaeve put it best in Ch.6 of TSR..."Berelain may look soft - she certainly makes men see her so! - but I do not think she is. She will fight for what she wants."

[White_star]

I have always admired people who are self-sacrificing and spothistto said it perfectly:

Rand: He leaves behind everything he cares for - his home, his father, his friends. He accepts who he is, he accepts his responsibilities. He knows he will probably die in the end, but he still struggles to save mankind. He uses people who used to be his companions as if they are game pieces. He knows that this is wrong, but he also knows this is the only way he could survive to see the LB, only way he could succeed. What's not there to admire? Not everybody could do this.

Rand has been my favorite character since the beginning of the series and still is.  He has had the self sacrificing spirit ever since he was a child, when he gave Egwene that feather.  As mentioned above, he sacrifices everything willingly and without complaint to save the world of whom most will celebrate his death.  He is ALWAYS thinking of others before himself (if he even thinks about himself at all) and his only worry is how many will have to pay the price with him.

 

If I had to make a list of the five most self-sacrificing characters, they would be:

Rand

Moiraine

Thom

Mat

Nynaeve ties with Lan

 

[Myder Avery]

First the women who remind me of my Mother:

Cadsuane, Sorilea, Sulin, Siuan: Indomital, unstopable forces of nature.

Second the indomitable Aes'Sedai (coolnes in battle):

especially the greens: Cadsuane, Moraine (blue), Rashima (legendary amrylin) Carighan (legendary green)

Third the Swordsman: Lan, Lan, Lan.

Fourth: Lews Therin Telamon, he's almost as crazy as I am.

Fifth: Mat Cauthon, super quotable, "One pretty woman" (I added another line "why am I not over the mountains by now?")

I know its a long list but that's why I love WOT

[funsize]

In the beginning, I hated Moiraine because she was so manipulative and distanced. But she definitely earned my respect in FoH (or maybe tSR? I'm not too sure whenabouts), especially after her encounter with Lanfear. I love how she dedicated herself completely to her cause.

 

I really disliked Egwene, but after KoD I'm beginning to respect her a little more (although I'm still leaning more to dislike currently) because she was such a hypocrite and was the first and most willing to turn her back on her past.

 

I dislike Cadsuane even though I can respect her reasons. But her methods irk me to no end, especially her "Do as I say or else" mentality.

 

I love Mat. Once he's committed to something, he'll see it through no matter what.

 

I really respect Loial too, because he stands for what he believes in and is always so modest about his role in the good guys efforts.

 

I admire Lan too, because he knows he can never win his war, but he fights on anyway. Moreso because he refuses to use other people in his war.

 

Nynaeve is pretty cool too, especially her two showdowns with Moghedien. At first I disliked her because she was so demanding and controlling, but she earned my respect after she defeated Moghedien twice whilst pissing herself scared (her humiliation at Egwene's hands probably helped a little, too).

 

I love Rand's Asha'man bodyguards. They're just too cool.

 

I admire the Aiel who follow Rand. They know he's going to "destroy" them, but they follow anyway because they believe in him.

[Hallow]

Alot of characters tbh.. Rand, Mat, Moiraine, Lan are all up there. Also really Like Jahar, the whole "There were five of us, but one died defending his Aes Sedai. Remember his name. Eben Hopwil. Remember him!" speech made my skin crawl more than anything in the entire series.

[mnwhiterose]

That was a good scene. And I also get goosebumps from it. 

[spothistto]

Yes, got to admire his courage. Speaking so to a hallful of Aes Sedai.

[rhadamanthus]

I'll agree with everyone mentioned already (especialy moraine - great post RAW).

 

I'll add Logain, simply because he is (I think) the most confident and pragmatic asha'man.

 

He knows who he is, and what he is cpaable of.  He recognizes his limits, and his corresponding role.  He never appears flustered, ashamed, or defensive.  He is what he is.

 

Rand is the same way, but his confidence is continually shaken by the prophecies that say he will destroy everything.