Chapter 1 "Apples First"

[jemron]

Awesome conversation so far. Wonderful chapter.

 

Nobody has mentioned that Rand's presence also seemed to heal the guy's hip/leg. What's that about? Could Thom's leg be healed by this too? Do the effects of his presence last after he leaves? Or can he only "hold off" the DO with his presence? I got the impression that they would have to eat those apples quickly in order to keep them from rotting again after he left.

 

Also, I love the fact that now that he is correctly in-sync with the Pattern, people feel him tugging them towards himself.

 

I think he will finally unite the nations like he never could before, just by his presence pulling people together to unify for the LB, IMO. Not by war, but just by the Pattern making things right in preparation for the LB.

[Slick Mongoose]

Nobody has mentioned that Rand's presence also seemed to heal the guy's hip/leg. What's that about?

 

"There can be no health in us, nor any good thing grow, for the land is one with the Dragon Reborn, and he one with the land."

 

I've always had the feeling that this was something more than just ta'veren-ness. It's something specific to the dragon, and seperate from how we've usually understood ta'veren.

 

Whether or not Rand's effect is really temporary is an interesting question. I'd hope it would at least last a while, otherwise it's fairly useless (Only people within a certain radius of the dragon wouldn't starve to death by the end? That would be horrific).

[Gor]

Excellent chapter, very excited about the upcoming release.

 

Re: the topic of Rand's newfound aura of good. I think it is just that. New.

 

He is now seemingly emanating the creator's power from his body. His taveren-ness, the fact that he is the dragon reborn, can wield both the OP and TP are all probably amplifiers of this newfound ability, but I do not think any of them are the direct cause of it. The creator is touching the world again through the Dragon Reborn now that the he is no longer blind.

[aunt_pol]

It's brilliant!!!!!! so happy. Bring on the book!!! :biggrin:

[trench]

Or can he only "hold off" the DO with his presence? I got the impression that they would have to eat those apples quickly in order to keep them from rotting again after he left.

 

 

 

 

Rand tells Almen that "My presence will hold him off for a time, I think, and whatever you take should be safe from his touch" I think if something is harvested while Rand is near it will be safe from spoiling quickly. No telling if the healing thing is permanent though.

[TreeJoe]

His "healing" power is similar to the feeling one gets from under a chora tree, but more substantial.

 

His power over the land is similar to what we saw the Nym doing, but more substantial.

 

There are precedents in both of these things.

 

Joe

[Rufae]

Anyone else worried that Rand is going to the Tower with the Bloodknives still running around?

[Kaznen]

I don't think the chora trees have healing powers, just resting beneath their shade is peaceful.

 

I think Rand was using the DP.

[Aagaard]

YES!

 

Awesome-Rand!!!

 

Finally we see what seperates the Dragon from all the other strong channelers.

 

I too believe he will gather people all along the way to the White Tower like in his dream in EotW.

 

 

Truly first time in a very long time to see a clear Rand.

 

 

Come now 2nd of November

[Sentinel78]

Anyone else worried that Rand is going to the Tower with the Bloodknives still running around?

 

Technically, their only orders were to kill marath'damane (i.e., Aes Sedai). If Rand is identified as the Dragon Reborn, they wouldn't touch him even if they attacked them I think. The Dragon Reborn is known to the Seanchan, and considered essential to the Last Battle (even if their prophecies were corrupted, they have that much straight).

[TankSpill]

Anyone else worried that Rand is going to the Tower with the Bloodknives still running around?

 

Technically, their only orders were to kill marath'damane (i.e., Aes Sedai). If Rand is identified as the Dragon Reborn, they wouldn't touch him even if they attacked them I think. The Dragon Reborn is known to the Seanchan, and considered essential to the Last Battle (even if their prophecies were corrupted, they have that much straight).

 

Right, and the Seanchan aren't technically "evil," just extremely misguided. Though I guess if any of those Bloodknives were Darkfriends, that could cause some substantial issues.

 

I must say, I loved this chapter. Most of my thoughts on it I've gone over in my blog and I'm not going to retype the whole thing here, but I just have to express how confident I now feel in Sanderson's ability to make this series end right. Cannot wait for 11/2.

[Random Man]

Anyone else worried that Rand is going to the Tower with the Bloodknives still running around?

Not really. If one tried to jump him I'd expect his ring would come off and inexplicably fall into his mouth, or he'd trip over his shoelace and fall on his own dagger. Although it may end up being an interesting plot device.

 

I'm thinking that perhaps we don't quite understand the ramifications of one being ta'veren. It would logically follow that as the Pattern starts to fall apart from the DO's touch, the Pattern would weave more tightly around each of the three in order to maintain cohesiveness. The three have definitely become more aware of each other as time moves on. And as Rand is the strongest one, perhaps he's right in his TGS thoughts that he could actually bend the Pattern to himself at this point. The warping we're seeing is the same -- but of light and not of dark, as suited to his change of mood.

[NetSlider]

Nobody has mentioned that Rand's presence also seemed to heal the guy's hip/leg. What's that about?

 

"There can be no health in us, nor any good thing grow, for the land is one with the Dragon Reborn, and he one with the land."

 

I've always had the feeling that this was something more than just ta'veren-ness. It's something specific to the dragon, and seperate from how we've usually understood ta'veren.

 

Whether or not Rand's effect is really temporary is an interesting question. I'd hope it would at least last a while, otherwise it's fairly useless (Only people within a certain radius of the dragon wouldn't starve to death by the end? That would be horrific).

Hhmm, i wonder...does he still have his wounds....?

[TeyedocOTW]

A large number of people following Rand to Tar Valon with unspoiled food will go a long way in making him a popular person upon his arrival. Well, as popular as the Dragon Reborn can ever be.

[Rufae]

Anyone else worried that Rand is going to the Tower with the Bloodknives still running around?

 

Technically, their only orders were to kill marath'damane (i.e., Aes Sedai). If Rand is identified as the Dragon Reborn, they wouldn't touch him even if they attacked them I think. The Dragon Reborn is known to the Seanchan, and considered essential to the Last Battle (even if their prophecies were corrupted, they have that much straight).

 

 

Actually, men are considered marath'damane too. (reference the Avi/Rand jaunt to Seanchan when he got his spear) Rand is also known to be the leader of the force that has repelled the Seanchan advance and inflicted heavy losses on them in their Illian campaign. They have been told to kill as many channelers as possible. No except was made for the DR.

[b3arz3rg3r]

Anyone else worried that Rand is going to the Tower with the Bloodknives still running around?

 

Technically, their only orders were to kill marath'damane (i.e., Aes Sedai). If Rand is identified as the Dragon Reborn, they wouldn't touch him even if they attacked them I think. The Dragon Reborn is known to the Seanchan, and considered essential to the Last Battle (even if their prophecies were corrupted, they have that much straight).

 

Besides if they met the current Rand I think they'll prostrate themselves and beg to serve him as bodyguards.

 

His "healing" power is similar to the feeling one gets from under a chora tree, but more substantial.

 

His power over the land is similar to what we saw the Nym doing, but more substantial.

 

There are precedents in both of these things.

 

Joe

 

Makes you wonder whether the Song will be rediscovered again in this book and whether Rand will teach Aes Sedai and Asha'man how to create Nyms, doesn't it? Cause he can hardly keep running around the world just so that people don't starve.

[Rufae]

Also, anyone else notice similarities between this scene and the Perrin prophesy of things blooming wherever he went? Is this a sign that all three of the ta'averns (Rand, Perrin, Mat) will exhibit this effect?

[Random Man]

Also, anyone else notice similarities between this scene and the Perrin prophesy of things blooming wherever he went? Is this a sign that all three of the ta'averns (Rand, Perrin, Mat) will exhibit this effect?

I'm pretty sure the trees flowering all around him was an allusion to his family's death. They were buried in an orchard IIRC because his mother liked the smell of the blossoms.

[NetSlider]

Also, anyone else notice similarities between this scene and the Perrin prophesy of things blooming wherever he went? Is this a sign that all three of the ta'averns (Rand, Perrin, Mat) will exhibit this effect?

 

Ha, I can see Mat's reaction already. LOL

[nwash_10]

YES!

 

Awesome-Rand!!!

 

Finally we see what seperates the Dragon from all the other strong channelers.

 

I too believe he will gather people all along the way to the White Tower like in his dream in EotW.

 

 

Truly first time in a very long time to see a clear Rand.

 

 

Come now 2nd of November

 

 

Where exactly is this dream in EotW

[NetSlider]

I think first dream Rand has when Tam is wounded.

[Aagaard]

It is one of the dreams were he is running from what he believes is Ba'alzamon (sp).

 

Anyway he walks into Tar Valon ( I think, he speaks of a big white tower in the middle of an island) and encounters a myyrdraal which speaks to him and says something akin to "we have been waiting for you"..

 

I don't have the books with me right now but its in the first one!

[Sentinel78]

Also, anyone else notice similarities between this scene and the Perrin prophesy of things blooming wherever he went? Is this a sign that all three of the ta'averns (Rand, Perrin, Mat) will exhibit this effect?

 

So far it's only tied to Rand. The Dragon is specifically mentioned as being linked with the land, and we've already seen him affecting the land in a bad way (tGS), and also in good ways (end of tEotW and so far in ToM). If this were a natural ta'veren effect, people would know about it, e.g., Artur Hawkwing, etc. We've seen nothing like that around Mat/Perrin aside from Mat's luck perhaps.

 

I'm thinking it's Dragon-specific, but we'll see. I used to think Perrin's flower-blooming viewing was either him rediscovering the Song or him adopting the Way of the Leaf, but neither seems likely now.

[DemandredFO]

Everybody's excited that Rand seems to have Nym powers and more, and I'm glad too. I can't help wondering, Brandon said victory had its price or something; seems like there will be a price for this. I don't know what that price is but nothing is free.

Egwene's anger might come from Rand looking like he's actually in charge and maybe lecturing AS in failing the test of time. Since AS Hate to admit wrongdoing, except afew, I could see arguments. In Rand's present Egwene won't want him in the Tower because she mightn't be able to keep control of her AS. Also, she wouldn't him finding if they had any male angreal or sa'angreal and she definately wouldn't want him finding the horn of Valere. I think she'll try to hold that as a bargaining chip.

Last, I could see there being a fight over the binder, not likely but perhaps. Rand will be able to see the flaws that could get lot's of people killed. Likely an army of DF's or led by them attacks but they have to be in danger to do stuff. Not being trollocs makes it difficult. Rand will know all this now, plus the side affect and could tell Egwene so.

[Random Man]

I think first dream Rand has when Tam is wounded.

Chapter 9, "Tellings of the Wheel" in EoTW. Rand sleeps after Moiraine heals his father and has a dream of walking into Tar Valon, straight up to the White Tower where a Fade greets him.

 

What a wonderful birthday present! I've been wondering if/when they'd release the first chapter. Great timing because I actually took my birthday off from work for once.

 

Also, I noticed that Rand said he doubted the Amyrlin would be pleased by what "he" told "her." Doesn't seem like he's concerned she's going to be angry about something that had happened before. I'm guessing this has something to do with new understanding he has in combination with what happened back in the AoL with the female Aes Sedai and the Fateful Concord. What was her name? Lara Rose Pentae or something? The "voice" of LTT was dwelling on this in TGS and "Rand" had been pressing him for answers.