Rand's Grand Plan to take Illian

[csarmi]

Sorry, but if it's been discussed before, I can't find it. In general, I have difficulties finding answers to most of my questions on this forum. I don't really know how to use the search function well, it seems.

 

Anyhow, the question is simple:

 

What was the plan that Rand+Bashere+Mat have come up with to take Illian?

[Luckers]

The gathering of the huge army in Illian was the misdirect. Sammael was supposed to focus on that (and focus on the fact that it would not genuinely begin the invasion until Mat arrived, which was vocalised often in order that he head of it). The purpose of this misdirection was that Sammael would feel relatively safe, focussed on waiting for that invasion.

 

The real invasion was essentially what occured--thats what those scenes were about with Rand reviewing the Saldaens riding between two stones. It was to show that they could ride at a gallop through a gateway. The overall idea being that the huge army would lull Sammael into a false sense of security (waiting for Mat to take charge of it), and then the small Saldaean force would use gateways to lay siege to Illian itself, taking Sammael by surprise.

 

Ultimately all that work with the army was made unnessasary by Fain slashing Rand with a knife. Everyone thought Rand was out for the bit, which served the purpose the army was supposed to serve. Hence the attack in aCoS.

[Kaznen]

It was also to put all of Illian's soldiers on the eastern boundry along the Plains of Maredo.  Then when the attack happened and the two AM starting flinging OP around to set off Sammy's wards, the forsaken came to command the armies.

 

Then Rand, his AM, and Bashere's soldiers came charging into an undefended city while Sammy was away.  Then they set off his wards in the city to bring him back where they set a trap for him.

 

The Dragonsworn Army invasion was just a feint that Sammy feel for.

[algspkr]

Rand said that it was to convince Sammael that Rand would not be a part of the invasion.  That way Sammael would feel comfortable attacking the invasion force and allowing Rand to Travel to Illian to destroy Sammael's wards limiting his defenses.

[Muad Cheade]

What everyone else said is pretty much correct.

 

However, I've been thinking about what would've happened if Perrin did take command of the army when Rand asked him early on in aCoS.