Androl again...

[AnimusMessor]

Androl for all we know IS a main chracter in this book dealing with the Black Tower....Im starting to think that Androl is a Jain Farstrider in hiding too..we have underestimated Androl and for those who have paid close attention to Androl, he is an adventurer like Jain...so...,my question is...should some Heroes still be alive in this time era...who is Androl?...if Jain Farstrider is alive, im pretty sure Androl represents someone...

 

If anyone else has noticed...Androl tries to seem as the simple farmer that doesnt know much about the outside world...but when he is introduced to us, he talks about how to shoot from horseback and a noble looks at him questiongly, and Androl reminds himself on being careful and not saying what other can pick up on... what im trying to get at is that Androl is going to play a big piece in this story...not just because hes talented at creating gateways, but because he has traveled all of "Rand Land" im sure...i believe Androl is another Heroe that has hit old age, and is looking where fate leads him...into another role of leadership....Its the Patterns Will at the end...some have more freedom than others, but in the end, the Patterns will is...

[Terrel88]

I agree with you that Androl is gonna play a big role in the next book, what with the Black Tower about to explode. Not sure if he's a Hero, though- Can't he just be a normal guy with destiny thrust upon him (as several characters have been)? We know he can't be Jain, but there's probably a few other Heroes who were/are the adventuring type. Cool theory mate.

[Hyronimus]

hi there, long time lurker, anyway i figure androl was/is a wilder which would explain the reasonably advanced maddness and the bar.

[threadnecromancer]

I agree with you that Androl is gonna play a big role in the next book, what with the Black Tower about to explode. Not sure if he's a Hero, though- Can't he just be a normal guy with destiny thrust upon him (as several characters have been)? We know he can't be Jain, but there's probably a few other Heroes who were/are the adventuring type. Cool theory mate.

 

Was there not a King of Tarabon named Androl? Oh wait that was Andric, still we never actually saw him get killed we were just told that he had. I seem to recall a rumour that he started channeling (or was that some other guy, I suppose that it could have been the king of Arad Doman), it has clearly been too long since I read those books.

[idiostock]

Also, Noal Charin was Jain Farstrider, unless I misread him telling Mat that Farstrider died honorably, or something to that effect.

[KrisAnton]

Maybe Androl was a one time Warder. He has a lot of experience and doesn't seem to possess any symptoms of the madness.

[Hyronimus]

Actually androl has problems holding the power for too long as he feels shadows pressing in around him, the fact that he seems to have managed it ie. not touching the source too often is more remarkable

[Finnssss22]

I agree with you that Androl is gonna play a big role in the next book, what with the Black Tower about to explode. Not sure if he's a Hero, though- Can't he just be a normal guy with destiny thrust upon him (as several characters have been)? We know he can't be Jain, but there's probably a few other Heroes who were/are the adventuring type. Cool theory mate.

 

Was there not a King of Tarabon named Androl? Oh wait that was Andric, still we never actually saw him get killed we were just told that he had. I seem to recall a rumour that he started channeling (or was that some other guy, I suppose that it could have been the king of Arad Doman), it has clearly been too long since I read those books.

 

 

Andric, the King of Tarabon was killed in aCoS and Ailron, the King of Amadicia, was killed in CoT with both being replaced by Seanchan rulers.

The former King of Illian, Mattin Stepaneos, is still a guest in the WT and the King of Arad Doman, Alsalam, is very much alive and now in Tear reunited with Ituralde.

The only King we know very little about so far is Roedran of Murandy and he of course is high on the list of being either replaced by Demandred or made his puppet.

We already know exactly where the Borderland Kings are.

 

That accounts for all the Kings of the land that we know of.

 

You are right though, something about someone high ranking starting to channel tickles my mind as well. I'll have to do some hardcore research on that me thinks.

 

However, it's much more likely that the new Asha'man, Amarin, was some kind of royalty previously.

My first thought was that Amarin was Naeff in disguise but neither the time-line or his mannerisms are right.

 

I think Androl is just a very well traveled man with some secrets in the same vein as Tam al'Thor.

[KrisAnton]

Actually androl has problems holding the power for too long as he feels shadows pressing in around him, the fact that he seems to have managed it ie. not touching the source too often is more remarkable

 

It may be Sanderson and Jordans excellent writing, but I feel that Androl's symptoms are real. I think his ability with the gateways has the potential to really muck up the Shadows plans and the longer he holds it, the more he draws the eye of the Dark One. We won't know until Nynaeve heals him, IF she heals him.

[capuga]

I agree with you that Androl is gonna play a big role in the next book, what with the Black Tower about to explode. Not sure if he's a Hero, though- Can't he just be a normal guy with destiny thrust upon him (as several characters have been)? We know he can't be Jain, but there's probably a few other Heroes who were/are the adventuring type. Cool theory mate.

 

Was there not a King of Tarabon named Androl? Oh wait that was Andric, still we never actually saw him get killed we were just told that he had. I seem to recall a rumour that he started channeling (or was that some other guy, I suppose that it could have been the king of Arad Doman), it has clearly been too long since I read those books.

 

 

Andric, the King of Tarabon was killed in aCoS and Ailron, the King of Amadicia, was killed in CoT with both being replaced by Seanchan rulers.

The former King of Illian, Mattin Stepaneos, is still a guest in the WT and the King of Arad Doman, Alsalam, is very much alive and now in Tear reunited with Ituralde.

The only King we know very little about so far is Roedran of Murandy and he of course is high on the list of being either replaced by Demandred or made his puppet.

We already know exactly where the Borderland Kings are.

 

That accounts for all the Kings of the land that we know of.

 

You are right though, something about someone high ranking starting to channel tickles my mind as well. I'll have to do some hardcore research on that me thinks.

 

However, it's much more likely that the new Asha'man, Amarin, was some kind of royalty previously.

My first thought was that Amarin was Naeff in disguise but neither the time-line or his mannerisms are right.

 

I think Androl is just a very well traveled man with some secrets in the same vein as Tam al'Thor.

 

Amarin is the Tearen lord (Algarin?) whose manor Rand is staying at with Logain when it is attacked by thousands of trollocs. Amarin was his brother that could channel that Cadsuane helped out. We see him tell Rand that he wants to learn to channel and he leaves for the Black Tower. Apparently takes up his brother's name as a tribute to him.

[Finnssss22]

 

Amarin is the Tearen lord (Algarin?) whose manor Rand is staying at with Logain when it is attacked by thousands of trollocs. Amarin was his brother that could channel that Cadsuane helped out. We see him tell Rand that he wants to learn to channel and he leaves for the Black Tower. Apparently takes up his brother's name as a tribute to him.

 

 

Nice job man, you nailed it right on the head.

 

His brother's name was Emarin and after Cads took him to the WT and gentled, she helped him to live for 10 years after.

When Algarin offers Rand, Cads and company his manor house as a secluded retreat, he asks Rand to test him for channeling, he can and then Logain brings him to the BT.

[wvlr2]

Androl so far is an interesting character. He does not HAVE to be some super channeler, (Except for his gateways which do make him super as is) but his thought bubbles/POVs do show that something intreging is going on. He just makes too much of a point to "play down" his worldly expierence.

 

While reading this thread, I just had a stray thought. I am not saying that it is true - actually I doubt it, but just wanted to toss it out.

 

Could there have been another "False Dragon" or one of those hapless male channelers that the BA found 20 years ago & "gentled". Now of course, if he was "gentled" he should not be able to channel, but what if they screwed up the process? The BA was going wild at the time and doing a lot of stuff in secret, maybe a group of them did not have enough Power to do the job right, but they did not realize it? Or a part of the "Messy Stuff" we heard about that occured 20 years ago?

 

RJ/BS like to toss in suprises that have links throughout the story, so I'm not sure if this thought is too far off the Deep End.

 

But whatever happens, I would like to hear more on Androl - find out the reason that he is so secretive with people that he otherwise seems to like. Since he is the ONLY CHARACTER in ALL the books that EVER does that! :)

[chinnma]

Androl so far is an interesting character. He does not HAVE to be some super channeler, (Except for his gateways which do make him super as is) but his thought bubbles/POVs do show that something intreging is going on. He just makes too much of a point to "play down" his worldly expierence.

 

While reading this thread, I just had a stray thought. I am not saying that it is true - actually I doubt it, but just wanted to toss it out.

 

Could there have been another "False Dragon" or one of those hapless male channelers that the BA found 20 years ago & "gentled". Now of course, if he was "gentled" he should not be able to channel, but what if they screwed up the process? The BA was going wild at the time and doing a lot of stuff in secret, maybe a group of them did not have enough Power to do the job right, but they did not realize it? Or a part of the "Messy Stuff" we heard about that occured 20 years ago?

 

RJ/BS like to toss in suprises that have links throughout the story, so I'm not sure if this thought is too far off the Deep End.

 

But whatever happens, I would like to hear more on Androl - find out the reason that he is so secretive with people that he otherwise seems to like. Since he is the ONLY CHARACTER in ALL the books that EVER does that! :)

 

So what you're saying is that would be an explination for his apparrent skill (experience with channeling) and his lack of strength (botched half-stilling). Interesting, I could go with that; however, it seems unlikely that he would know the gateway weave prior to coming to the BT unless he is a darkfriend which would be bad news bears...

[wvlr2]

So what you're saying is that would be an explination for his apparrent skill (experience with channeling) and his lack of strength (botched half-stilling). Interesting, I could go with that; however, it seems unlikely that he would know the gateway weave prior to coming to the BT unless he is a darkfriend which would be bad news bears...

Well if he was one of the "False Dragons" then yes he would have been actively channeling.

 

But he could have been one of those men (sparker maybe) that had not really started conciously channeling, but the BA may have grabbed him & tried to Zap him.

 

He may have never created a gateway before/or maybe he did, but when they cut him, they may have cut the "earth" part of his "link". Explaining why he is so week ing "Earth".

 

He may have realized that after they were done - he could still sense the Source, explaining why he became so secretive.

 

Not really sure how it would all fit together. More likely there is some other reason, but I thought I would toss it out there for people to think about.

 

It is not necessary for me to like him, but with all the "gentling" & BA stuff that went on 20 years ago, it would be interesting "to me" to hear about some BA screw ups. After all, AS did try to gentle Elias.

[Finnssss22]

After re-reading his PoV's I believe his secret is that he has actually been channeling a very long time and is much, much older than he appears.

That would explain how he seems to have many life times of travels and knowledge.

He's a wilder after all, only wilder's have blocks and his was that he could only channel while holding a strap of leather.

That block has allowed him to live such a long time and avoid going mad from the taint.

[Ala Rubra]

That actually makes a lot of sense.

 

I'm believing that now, until proven otherwise.

[Mats Spare Hat]

I never really thought of Androl as being that much of a mystery as far as how he has a varied background. We've seen rural two-rivers type folk, who have pasts that would be contrary to their portrayal as simple folks. For instance, Tam has(had) a heron-mark blade, fought for Illian, was at the Blood Snow/Battle of Shining Walls.

 

As for his lack of strength in the power, but ability to be a gateway wizard...I get the impression it was an authorial point showing how some organizations, like the Black & White towers, can be so wrapped up in strength in the power as being an indicator for how respected, how much you're worth, or what your social standing is. In reality it should be about what you can do, how you can use the power that you do have that makes you special, rather than who can make the biggest fireball, so to speak...

 

...OOOooorrr I could have just read too far into that

[Ashandarei]

Amarin is the Tearen lord (Algarin?) whose manor Rand is staying at with Logain when it is attacked by thousands of trollocs. Amarin was his brother that could channel that Cadsuane helped out. We see him tell Rand that he wants to learn to channel and he leaves for the Black Tower. Apparently takes up his brother's name as a tribute to him.

 

Never noticed that! Damn! Excellent observation, thanks for pointing that out. Explains why he was the one defending the Rand when everybody else was hating on him for "ignoring" the BT and such.

[Elan Tedronai]

actually rand has ignored the BT. The last visit he had there was when he handed out the pins. And he ignored them foolishly i might add. So you can't blame those folks for wondering if rand has abandoned them

[Ashandarei]

actually rand has ignored the BT. The last visit he had there was when he handed out the pins. And he ignored them foolishly i might add. So you can't blame those folks for wondering if rand has abandoned them

 

I don't blame them, but I also know that they are ignorant of how much junk Rand has been saddled with being Dragon Reborn and all- uniting Randland, killing Forsaken, being kidnapped by Elaida's cronies, the list goes on. So I'm glad there's someone there, loyal to Rand, who can say, "Hey, he may have made a mistake by leaving the BT without proper guidance but he's a good guy and he had his reasons."

 

Don't get me wrong, I too think Rand should have dealt with the BT way before this, it's way too large a threat to leave at your back and a hugely beneficial ally to have at your side but you can't say he didn't have decent reasons for being busy.

[TheAngryDruid]

I think Androl's talent with Gateways plus joining a circle with Pevara (and possibly other Asha'man) will allow him to find the "key" for dreamspike and make workable gateways.

 

Thus Logain's faction will escape, get to the palace and help defend the city.

[Finnssss22]

I think Androl's talent with Gateways plus joining a circle with Pevara (and possibly other Asha'man) will allow him to find the "key" for dreamspike and make workable gateways.

 

Thus Logain's faction will escape, get to the palace and help defend the city.

 

 

I think we're in for a much, much bigger "mess" than just escaping, like bringing all of Logain's faction in through gateway with their bonded AS linked and ready to rumble.

 

Either way we will find out pretty quickly in MoL, Bs already said that the first half dozen or so chapters will be dealing with and cleaning up the BT arc one way or another.

 

I for one, am expecting a blood bath of mass proportions!

[capuga]

I think Androl's talent with Gateways plus joining a circle with Pevara (and possibly other Asha'man) will allow him to find the "key" for dreamspike and make workable gateways.

 

Thus Logain's faction will escape, get to the palace and help defend the city.

 

 

I think we're in for a much, much bigger "mess" than just escaping, like bringing all of Logain's faction in through gateway with their bonded AS linked and ready to rumble.

 

Either way we will find out pretty quickly in MoL, Bs already said that the first half dozen or so chapters will be dealing with and cleaning up the BT arc one way or another.

 

I for one, am expecting a blood bath of mass proportions!

 

Did he? I didn't hear that one. That would be awesome. The Black Tower story is one of the ones I am most looking forward to.

[Finnssss22]

 

Did he? I didn't hear that one. That would be awesome. The Black Tower story is one of the ones I am most looking forward to.

 

 

Yeah it was fairly recently, book signing I think or possibly off his twitter.

Anyway, there is a reason for it, BS said it's the only story arc left that is still behind the time-line and needs to be caught up before moving back to the others.

Makes sense really, if the Asha'man are going to be of any importance in other arc's.

 

Just to be straight here, all BS mentioned was about the early chapters, he gave no clues or hints about what happens.

[Terez]

His brother's name was Emarin and after Cads took him to the WT and gentled, she helped him to live for 10 years after.

When Algarin offers Rand, Cads and company his manor house as a secluded retreat, he asks Rand to test him for channeling, he can and then Logain brings him to the BT.

Yeah, I saw this thread yesterday and added a section to the Black Tower article (didn't take long). Sometimes I forget about small questions like these that need to be addressed, and can be addressed easily. I probably need to add a section on the Moridin/Demandred influence, Nalaam, and Androl's background as well (those are a little trickier).

 

actually rand has ignored the BT. The last visit he had there was when he handed out the pins. And he ignored them foolishly i might add.

He was just trying to follow Moiraine's advice, probably:

 

Rand did not know whether any of it would work, but some looked worth trying. That plow, for instance, could be handy if Cairhien was ever to feed itself again. He would tell Idrien to build it. No, he would tell Berelain to tell her. Always follow lines of authority in public view, Moiraine had said, unless you mean to undercut someone and bring them down.

Taim was obviously offended by the pinning thing:

 

"Taim."

 

Taim walked to the block stiffly, and Rand bent to pin the silver sword to the tall collar of his coat. It seemed to shine even more brightly against the pitch-black wool. Taim’s face had as much expression as the stone beneath Rand’s boots. Rand handed him the bag, whispering, "Give these to whoever you think is ready. Just be sure they are."

 

Straightening, he hoped there were enough; he really had not expected anywhere near so many men. "Dedicated who advance their skill far enough will be called Asha’man, and they will wear this." Taking out the small velvet bag, he held up what it contained. Sunlight sparkled on finely crafted gold and rich red enamel. A sinuous form exactly like the one on the Dragon banner. That went onto Taim’s collar too, on the other side, so sword and Dragon shone at the sides of his throat. "I suppose I was the first Asha’man," Rand told the students, "but Mazrim Taim is the second." Taim’s face made stone look soft; what was wrong with the man? "I hope that all of you will become Asha’man eventually, but whether you do or not, remember that all of us are soldiers. There are many battles ahead, maybe not always the ones we expect, and at the end, the Last Battle. The Light send it is the last. If the Light shines on us, we will win. We will win because we must win."

 

There should have been some sort of cheer when he stopped. He did not take himself for the sort of speaker who could make men jump and shout, but these men knew why they were here. Telling them they would win should have produced something, however feeble. There was only silence.

So there were two good reasons to back off and leave it to Taim (aside from the fact that Rand was ignoring the screaming voice inside his head that said Taim couldn't be trusted). Taim didn't want him there - Rand might have realized that he'd broken Moiraine's rule - and he seemed to make the students uncomfortable as well, for all they were jumping in the boat with him. Of course, they might have just been uncomfortable because Taim was - he's probably not known for his sweet disposition - but Rand wouldn't have looked at it that way because he thinks everything is his fault.