Are the Amyrlin and Dragon Equal?

[Muad Cheade]

Trust them no...expect them to kidnap him, I don't think so. But then he learnt how stupid the AS could be after that.

How were the Aes Sedai stupid? Their plan was very, very smart. Rand did not expect it at all. The only reason Rand is not in Tar Valon was due to the Shaido.

[Stitch]

Sure he would have likely gotten to the Tower, but then what? what would they do to try to MAKE him do what they want? Cause its quite likely he would have gone absolutely anti-AS and possibly even turned to the DO; and that's ignoring going crazy, the possibility of his taveren powers running rampant or an assault on the tower by the then armies of dragonsworn including the Ashaman, Aiel etc.

[Muad Cheade]

Sure he would have likely gotten to the Tower, but then what? what would they do to try to MAKE him do what they want? Cause its quite likely he would have gone absolutely anti-AS and possibly even turned to the DO; and that's ignoring going crazy, the possibility of his taveren powers running rampant or an assault on the tower by the then armies of dragonsworn including the Ashaman, Aiel etc.

....He would then be at Mesaana and the Shadow's mercy.

[Stitch]

Well, I am going to give the regular AS the benefit of the doubt and assume that rather than being complicit, or intellectually challenged, they were instead simply too trusting of their own moral and intellectual superiority - such that the idea that the black ajah was amongst them (let alone one of the Forsaken) was simply too fantastic to contemplate <_< though you might just choose to say that they are - in the main - just arrogant biatches

[Suttree]

The Dragon is NOT the champion of the light in every age.

 

That has never been confirmed either way...

 

Andrew_J_Parker Mon Apr 25

@BrandSanderson Can you settle a debate? Will Rand's soul be the Light's champion in every Age, or could it ever be someone else?

 

BrandSanderson Mon Apr 25

@Andrew_J_Parker I believe that Ishy implies in the books he and Lews Therin have fought thousands of times.

 

BrandSanderson Mon Apr 25

@Andrew_J_Parker So at least one major character seems to believe it's always Rand. Whether he's right or not is another question.

[Guest PiotrekS]

'Are the Amyrlin and Dragon Equal?' is a pretty broad question to ask. Equal in what way?

 

Both are (now) politically adept; Rand due to his enlightenment and pseudo-experience from LTT, Egwene from Siuan's crash course in political shenanigans. Both benefit greatly from advisors.

 

They're arguably equal, though different, players in 3rd age politics. As head of the White Tower the Amyrlin has been at the forefront of international politics for nearly 3000 years. The Dragon is a conqueror, the herald of a new age, and a major focus of the fight against the Shadow. Egwene (or her successors) will very likely continue to be a major political force in the 4th age, after the Dragon has died or disappeared.

 

By his own admission, Rand's role in the exoteric fight against the Shadow must diminish. His efforts are needed elsewhere. Knowing that, and considering the events of ToM, it seems likely that he intends Egwene to assume his place as rallying figure and coordinator.

 

If Egwene dies, the Aes Sedai--and thereby much of the Light's forces--will be thrown into chaos. It would be a disaster. If Rand dies (prematurely), it would also be a disaster as he couldn't fulfill his role in defeating/resealing the DO. Neither event necessarily means the DO would win.

 

Egwene has become the guiding hand of the White Tower, the epitome of 3rd Age tradition, subtlety and stability. Rand has seized his power in war and chaos. One can't help but see parallels with saidar and saidin.

 

So, yes, I'd say the Amyrlin and the Dragon are equal in terms of their political influence, equally important in the fight against the DO, and equally relevant to the story.

 

-- dwn

 

Egwene would be unable to fulfill Rand's role as rallying figure and coordinator simply becasue she lacks his universal legitimization and is instead a leader of only one particular fraction. Notice how Rand had to win support from every major group that supports him - he's the DR for most of the nations, but he still had to fight for the Stone, he fed the Cairhienin, he took Illian from Sammael and Andor from Rahvin, he is the Car'a'carn and Coramoor, he began restoring Bandar Eban and fought for Maradon. Not to mention his creation of the BT, leaving aside what happened with it later. Only major group that he has yet to gather are the Sanchean.

 

Egwene's accomplishements are, on the other hand, limited to Aes Sedai circles (and good personal relations with a few Wise Ones). Aes Sedai are disliked almost everywhere.

 

If Egwene tried to assume this universal role of Rand's, she would be seen as an outsider trying to force Aes Sedai authority over everyone and she would be resisted. Rand's role is universal, because he fights for the whole world and has a role in almost every society, in their prophecies and traditions.

 

Egwene's responsability is to the organization which she leads. I guess some readers, maybe even unconsiously, tend to accept Aes Sedai's point of view that their organization has some kind of universal authority and is superior to all the other groups. I would say that at least a few of the books showed that it definitely is not true and Aes Sedai are not more important than the Aiel, the Sea Folk, the Borderlanders etc.

 

I also think that the ToM showed that Rand's role in exoteric fight with the DO will not be diminished, but on the contrary, will be absolutely crucial. His role in "conventional" war - against the Shadowspawn - will be diminished and that's where Perrin, Egwene, Logain, Elayne, Aviendha, Mat, Tuon,Nynaeve and Lan, Ituralde, Rhuarc, Darlin etc. will be needed. You see that Egwene will likely have no universal authority even if Rand is gone, she will be one of many players.

[UncleButcher1980]

The Dragon is NOT the champion of the light in every age.

 

That has never been confirmed either way...

 

Andrew_J_Parker Mon Apr 25

@BrandSanderson Can you settle a debate? Will Rand's soul be the Light's champion in every Age, or could it ever be someone else?

 

BrandSanderson Mon Apr 25

@Andrew_J_Parker I believe that Ishy implies in the books he and Lews Therin have fought thousands of times.

 

BrandSanderson Mon Apr 25

@Andrew_J_Parker So at least one major character seems to believe it's always Rand. Whether he's right or not is another question.

 

That's me that is! Getting a reply from Brandon. My fame lives on!

 

p.s I linked to this earlier, but here is the thread again which debates hotly weather the Dragon and Champion of the Light are always the same and caused me to tweet Brandon on the issue. It's a good read, I think my opinion changed about twenty times. I'm now leaning heavily towards them always being one and the same.

[Elvira_Sedai]

There is one objective criterium of character importance to the story , it's the total number of his/her PoVs in the whole series . I don't remember exact ones ( Theoryland would help ) , but the list is Rand > Egwene > Perrin > Mat > Nynaeve > Elayne > any other character and Rand , Egwene and Perrin are very close .

 

So , my opinion is that RJ intented all main characters being critical for the story focus , but , of cause , their particular roles are and will be different .

[Mr Ares]

"Do they really?"

 

Rand=LTT is kill, because after book 12, he received all of LTT's memories

Memory and skill are not the same thing - one could remember being really good at something, but not be really good at it anymore. Therefore the rest of your argument falls apart. Rand might not have LTT's skill, so even if LTT is more skilled than Egwene it doesn't mean Rand is. So you have presented no evidence Rand is more skilled than Egwene. Egwene's skill in relation to Nynaeve would only be important if you were demonstrating that Rand (not LTT, Rand) was more skilled than Nynaeve.

If the Dragon Reborn turned to the Shadow, Pattern and the world would be destroyed (see end of book 12).

See start of book 8 - Sha'rah. If the Dragon turns the Light can still win by only leaving him moves that benefit them. Likewise the Shadow can win without turning Rand.

[dwn]

Egwene would be unable to fulfill Rand's role as rallying figure and coordinator simply becasue she lacks his universal legitimization and is instead a leader of only one particular fraction. Notice how Rand had to win support from every major group that supports him - he's the DR for most of the nations, but he still had to fight for the Stone, he fed the Cairhienin, he took Illian from Sammael and Andor from Rahvin, he is the Car'a'carn and Coramoor, he began restoring Bandar Eban and fought for Maradon. Not to mention his creation of the BT, leaving aside what happened with it later. Only major group that he has yet to gather are the Sanchean.

 

Rand has gained support through conquering nations and being a prophesied figure to the Aiel and the Sea Folk. And as soon as he leaves one location half the inhabitants start plotting or rebelling against him.

 

If Egwene tried to assume this universal role of Rand's, she would be seen as an outsider trying to force Aes Sedai authority over everyone and she would be resisted. Rand's role is universal, because he fights for the whole world and has a role in almost every society, in their prophecies and traditions.

 

Egwene's responsability is to the organization which she leads. I guess some readers, maybe even unconsiously, tend to accept Aes Sedai's point of view that their organization has some kind of universal authority and is superior to all the other groups. I would say that at least a few of the books showed that it definitely is not true and Aes Sedai are not more important than the Aiel, the Sea Folk, the Borderlanders etc.

 

Like them or not, the White Tower has been the one constant power in Randland proper for the past 3000 years. No other group has that legacy and universal recognition. If Rand hands off his army marshalling and nation wrangling, as he apparently intends, who else but the Amyrlin could possibly take over for him? The only other person I can think of with (perhaps) enough broad symbolic appeal would be Lan.

 

I also think that the ToM showed that Rand's role in exoteric fight with the DO will not be diminished, but on the contrary, will be absolutely crucial. His role in "conventional" war - against the Shadowspawn - will be diminished and that's where Perrin, Egwene, Logain, Elayne, Aviendha, Mat, Tuon,Nynaeve and Lan, Ituralde, Rhuarc, Darlin etc. will be needed. You see that Egwene will likely have no universal authority even if Rand is gone, she will be one of many players.

 

 

"Rand shook his head. "I am not to fight this war, Bashere. [...] I will organize you, but I must leave you. The war will be yours." (ToM, A Storm of Light, pp. 505-6)

 

Rand clearly means to leave the overt war with the Shadow up to the nations and generals, leaving him free to oppose the DO in a different way. His use of ta'veren-fu on Egwene suggests that he means for her to assume his role of war coordinator, much as she let the Hall take over the day-to-day administration of the Tower army.

 

-- dwn

[Guest PiotrekS]

Egwene would be unable to fulfill Rand's role as rallying figure and coordinator simply becasue she lacks his universal legitimization and is instead a leader of only one particular fraction. Notice how Rand had to win support from every major group that supports him - he's the DR for most of the nations, but he still had to fight for the Stone, he fed the Cairhienin, he took Illian from Sammael and Andor from Rahvin, he is the Car'a'carn and Coramoor, he began restoring Bandar Eban and fought for Maradon. Not to mention his creation of the BT, leaving aside what happened with it later. Only major group that he has yet to gather are the Sanchean.

 

Rand has gained support through conquering nations and being a prophesied figure to the Aiel and the Sea Folk. And as soon as he leaves one location half the inhabitants start plotting or rebelling against him.

 

In Egwene's case, all the inhabitants would be plotting or rebelling.

 

And Rand did not only conquer even apart from the Aiel and Sea Folk. In Andor and Illian he fought only Rahvin and Sammael in fact, he didn't destroy these nations' armies, which would be necessary for "proper conquest". In Tear, he strode into the Stone and took out Callandor. The Aiel conquered the Stone. Then him and the Aiel defended the Stone against the Shadowspawn together with the Defenders (Rand rallied them using their own battle cry). He saved Cairhein from the Shaido and the hunger (and ordered Tear to sell grain to Illian as well?My memory is not sure about this). And haven't you forgotten that Rand was a prohesized figure not only for the Aiel and the Sea Folk?

 

If Egwene tried to assume this universal role of Rand's, she would be seen as an outsider trying to force Aes Sedai authority over everyone and she would be resisted. Rand's role is universal, because he fights for the whole world and has a role in almost every society, in their prophecies and traditions.

 

Egwene's responsability is to the organization which she leads. I guess some readers, maybe even unconsiously, tend to accept Aes Sedai's point of view that their organization has some kind of universal authority and is superior to all the other groups. I would say that at least a few of the books showed that it definitely is not true and Aes Sedai are not more important than the Aiel, the Sea Folk, the Borderlanders etc.

Like them or not, the White Tower has been the one constant power in Randland proper for the past 3000 years. No other group has that legacy and universal recognition. If Rand hands off his army marshalling and nation wrangling, as he apparently intends, who else but the Amyrlin could possibly take over for him? The only other person I can think of with (perhaps) enough broad symbolic appeal would be Lan.

 

Aes Sedai universal recognition does not extend to wielding power over other nations. They were respected and feared as powerful channelers, but nobody accepted their right to rule the world.

 

I also think that the ToM showed that Rand's role in exoteric fight with the DO will not be diminished, but on the contrary, will be absolutely crucial. His role in "conventional" war - against the Shadowspawn - will be diminished and that's where Perrin, Egwene, Logain, Elayne, Aviendha, Mat, Tuon,Nynaeve and Lan, Ituralde, Rhuarc, Darlin etc. will be needed. You see that Egwene will likely have no universal authority even if Rand is gone, she will be one of many players.

 

"Rand shook his head. "I am not to fight this war, Bashere. [...] I will organize you, but I must leave you. The war will be yours." (ToM, A Storm of Light, pp. 505-6)

 

Rand clearly means to leave the overt war with the Shadow up to the nations and generals, leaving him free to oppose the DO in a different way. His use of ta'veren-fu on Egwene suggests that he means for her to assume his role of war coordinator, much as she let the Hall take over the day-to-day administration of the Tower army.

 

-- dwn

 

We agree on that one, I misunderstood "exoteric". Sorry.

 

But his manipulation of Egwene only shows that he meant her to make the armies come to FoM. His further plans for the world will be revealed only then, when he presents his terms.

[dwn]

Aes Sedai universal recognition does not extend to wielding power over other nations. They were respected and feared as powerful channelers, but nobody accepted their right to rule the world.

 

[snip]

 

But his manipulation of Egwene only shows that he meant her to make the armies come to FoM. His further plans for the world will be revealed only then, when he presents his terms.

 

I don't mean that the Aes Sedai should (or even could) rule the world, only that the Amyrlin is the only other figure who could act as a marshalling leader in the fight against the Shadow, since Rand is apparently backing away from that.

 

The historical significance of the White Tower gains her most of the Randland nations, particularly the conservative borderlands. Elayne's coalition and presumed support bolsters that further. Egwene's ties to the Aiel would make her acceptable to them. Mat and Perrin would likely be okay with it, as both have already accepted Elayne's leadership to a degree. Even Logain has some reason to trust her. The Sea Folk are somewhat irrelevant but, given Egwene's overtures to them, the Windfinders aren't likely to be completely antagonistic. Of course, the Seanchan will only follow Tuon, and it remains to be seen how that arc will play out.

 

Who else do you see fulfilling that role?

 

-- dwn

[Manscher]

He's not backing away from marshalling the forces of light against the Shadow, but he is not going to fight in the battles themselves. He says he will help organize them, but fighting the actual battles was their job, not his.

[Guest PiotrekS]

Aes Sedai universal recognition does not extend to wielding power over other nations. They were respected and feared as powerful channelers, but nobody accepted their right to rule the world.

 

[snip]

 

But his manipulation of Egwene only shows that he meant her to make the armies come to FoM. His further plans for the world will be revealed only then, when he presents his terms.

 

I don't mean that the Aes Sedai should (or even could) rule the world, only that the Amyrlin is the only other figure who could act as a marshalling leader in the fight against the Shadow, since Rand is apparently backing away from that.

 

The historical significance of the White Tower gains her most of the Randland nations, particularly the conservative borderlands. Elayne's coalition and presumed support bolsters that further. Egwene's ties to the Aiel would make her acceptable to them. Mat and Perrin would likely be okay with it, as both have already accepted Elayne's leadership to a degree. Even Logain has some reason to trust her. The Sea Folk are somewhat irrelevant but, given Egwene's overtures to them, the Windfinders aren't likely to be completely antagonistic. Of course, the Seanchan will only follow Tuon, and it remains to be seen how that arc will play out.

 

Who else do you see fulfilling that role?

 

-- dwn

 

I imagined rather some kind of war council, with Mat, Perrin, Egwene, Nynaeve, Tuon, Logain, Elayne, Aviendha etc. I don't think any single one of them could play the dominant role.

[dwn]

He's not backing away from marshalling the forces of light against the Shadow, but he is not going to fight in the battles themselves. He says he will help organize them, but fighting the actual battles was their job, not his.

 

The Dragon will always be a rallying figure, but someone still has to be the Supreme Commander of Allied Forces, as it were. Someone has to hold the war effort together while Rand is off playing with Callandor. For the moment it looks like that person will be Egwene.

 

-- dwn

[dwn]

I don't mean that the Aes Sedai should (or even could) rule the world, only that the Amyrlin is the only other figure who could act as a marshalling leader in the fight against the Shadow, since Rand is apparently backing away from that.

 

The historical significance of the White Tower gains her most of the Randland nations, particularly the conservative borderlands. Elayne's coalition and presumed support bolsters that further. Egwene's ties to the Aiel would make her acceptable to them. Mat and Perrin would likely be okay with it, as both have already accepted Elayne's leadership to a degree. Even Logain has some reason to trust her. The Sea Folk are somewhat irrelevant but, given Egwene's overtures to them, the Windfinders aren't likely to be completely antagonistic. Of course, the Seanchan will only follow Tuon, and it remains to be seen how that arc will play out.

 

Who else do you see fulfilling that role?

 

-- dwn

 

I imagined rather some kind of war council, with Mat, Perrin, Egwene, Nynaeve, Tuon, Logain, Elayne, Aviendha etc. I don't think any single one of them could play the dominant role.

 

There will undoubtably be a war council including those and others (the great captains, clan chiefs, various monarchs, etc.), but someone still has to mediate and coordinate the different factions.

 

-- dwn

[Manscher]

He's not backing away from marshalling the forces of light against the Shadow, but he is not going to fight in the battles themselves. He says he will help organize them, but fighting the actual battles was their job, not his.

 

The Dragon will always be a rallying figure, but someone still has to be the Supreme Commander of Allied Forces, as it were. Someone has to hold the war effort together while Rand is off playing with Callandor. For the moment it looks like that person will be Egwene.

 

-- dwn

I highly doubt Egwene would be in that position, her knowledge of war is just to small to handle such a job. As Rand said, he will organize them, that sounds very much like a Supreme Commander, but that he will not fight in the actual battles themselves as he as another job to do. Even if going to Shayol Ghul somehow takes days or weeks and a replacement is required, I would very much think that either Mat or Perrin are better suited for that. Besides Rand trust those two far more then he trusts Egwene.

[Guest PiotrekS]

He's not backing away from marshalling the forces of light against the Shadow, but he is not going to fight in the battles themselves. He says he will help organize them, but fighting the actual battles was their job, not his.

 

The Dragon will always be a rallying figure, but someone still has to be the Supreme Commander of Allied Forces, as it were. Someone has to hold the war effort together while Rand is off playing with Callandor. For the moment it looks like that person will be Egwene.

 

-- dwn

 

For that we need a general and not a political leader.

 

Also, Egwene has some bad baggage - even though she has good relations with three Wise Ones, Aes Sedai she leads are treated with contempt and mistrust by the vast majority of WO. I seriously doubt whether Mat and Tuon or Perrin (after she tied him up in the middle of battlefield?) would like to be Egwene's subordinates, she can't even be sure of Elayne and Nynaeve (she's seriously disconnected from them). Fair point about Logain though, she's got some points there.

 

The same with Tear, Illian and Andor - decent relations with Egwene when it comes to some polite correspondence, but large mistrust and dislike for Aes Sedai (not to menion the kings kidnapped by the White Tower). Even borderlanders' traditional loyalty to the While Tower might weaken somehow when Lan establishes himself as the king of reborn Malkieri with his independent-minded wife

[XXX]

Trust them no...expect them to kidnap him, I don't think so. But then he learnt how stupid the AS could be after that.

How were the Aes Sedai stupid? Their plan was very, very smart. Rand did not expect it at all. The only reason Rand is not in Tar Valon was due to the Shaido.

 

The Ash'aman would have got to Rand sooner rather than later as they were using travelling to search for him. And the AS could not have won against them.

 

Even if they got him to the tower..the "all knowing" AS would have destroyed the world as Rand would not be able to fight the DO.How is that smart?

[XXX]

Aes Sedai universal recognition does not extend to wielding power over other nations. They were respected and feared as powerful channelers, but nobody accepted their right to rule the world.

 

[snip]

 

But his manipulation of Egwene only shows that he meant her to make the armies come to FoM. His further plans for the world will be revealed only then, when he presents his terms.

 

I don't mean that the Aes Sedai should (or even could) rule the world, only that the Amyrlin is the only other figure who could act as a marshalling leader in the fight against the Shadow, since Rand is apparently backing away from that.

 

The historical significance of the White Tower gains her most of the Randland nations, particularly the conservative borderlands. Elayne's coalition and presumed support bolsters that further. Egwene's ties to the Aiel would make her acceptable to them. Mat and Perrin would likely be okay with it, as both have already accepted Elayne's leadership to a degree. Even Logain has some reason to trust her. The Sea Folk are somewhat irrelevant but, given Egwene's overtures to them, the Windfinders aren't likely to be completely antagonistic. Of course, the Seanchan will only follow Tuon, and it remains to be seen how that arc will play out.

 

Who else do you see fulfilling that role?

 

-- dwn

 

The Aiel take instructions only from their chief of chiefs. The AS count for nothing among them. The Ash'aman will never accept any authority over them by the AS. The Seachan do not even look at the AS as humans...and they control 1/3 of Randland.They will accept Rand if he kneels to them according to their prophecies..Egwene never.

 

Egwene has shown zero knowledge of any kind of military tactics. You do not need her to inspire the troops. Rand can do it even if he is not on the field. It makes sense to give the leadership to the 4 great captains with Mat in over all command all swearing to Rand. I will be very very surprised with both Egwene and Elayne do not swear to Rand at AMOL in return for his help in saving their respective holds of power from destruction.

[XXX]

"Do they really?"

 

Rand=LTT is kill, because after book 12, he received all of LTT's memories

Memory and skill are not the same thing - one could remember being really good at something, but not be really good at it anymore. Therefore the rest of your argument falls apart. Rand might not have LTT's skill, so even if LTT is more skilled than Egwene it doesn't mean Rand is. So you have presented no evidence Rand is more skilled than Egwene. Egwene's skill in relation to Nynaeve would only be important if you were demonstrating that Rand (not LTT, Rand) was more skilled than Nynaeve.

If the Dragon Reborn turned to the Shadow, Pattern and the world would be destroyed (see end of book 12).

See start of book 8 - Sha'rah. If the Dragon turns the Light can still win by only leaving him moves that benefit them. Likewise the Shadow can win without turning Rand.

 

 

Rand has smashed forsaken after forsaken with the OP. Egwene managed to beat one of them in TAR(no OP use there). He uses so many weaves in Maradon that on his own he smashed tens of thousands of shadowspawn. Where exactly has Egwene shown evidence that she is a better fighter than him?

 

Oh I agree she knows better how to make a shiny metal...

[XXX]

The Dragon is NOT the champion of the light in every age.

 

That has never been confirmed either way...

 

Andrew_J_Parker Mon Apr 25

@BrandSanderson Can you settle a debate? Will Rand's soul be the Light's champion in every Age, or could it ever be someone else?

 

BrandSanderson Mon Apr 25

@Andrew_J_Parker I believe that Ishy implies in the books he and Lews Therin have fought thousands of times.

 

BrandSanderson Mon Apr 25

@Andrew_J_Parker So at least one major character seems to believe it's always Rand. Whether he's right or not is another question.

 

RJ is the one to answer that question which we will unfortunately never hear the answer to...however IMO as he has borrowed the concept from religions where a "champion" appears every time evil begins to raise it's head in an age, I will assume it is the same here to.

[Guest Czechs In The M'Hael]

The Dragon is NOT the champion of the light in every age.

 

That has never been confirmed either way...

 

Andrew_J_Parker Mon Apr 25

@BrandSanderson Can you settle a debate? Will Rand's soul be the Light's champion in every Age, or could it ever be someone else?

 

BrandSanderson Mon Apr 25

@Andrew_J_Parker I believe that Ishy implies in the books he and Lews Therin have fought thousands of times.

 

BrandSanderson Mon Apr 25

@Andrew_J_Parker So at least one major character seems to believe it's always Rand. Whether he's right or not is another question.

 

Sorry, but I dont think Ishamael is a reliable enough source to convince people. I know he hasnt lied about everything, and I dont disagree that its always Rand, but if I was asking that question to Brandon I would have raised that to him. Ishamaels word isnt enough to go by itself.

[Entreri]

"Do they really?"

 

Rand=LTT is kill, because after book 12, he received all of LTT's memories

Memory and skill are not the same thing - one could remember being really good at something, but not be really good at it anymore. Therefore the rest of your argument falls apart. Rand might not have LTT's skill, so even if LTT is more skilled than Egwene it doesn't mean Rand is. So you have presented no evidence Rand is more skilled than Egwene. Egwene's skill in relation to Nynaeve would only be important if you were demonstrating that Rand (not LTT, Rand) was more skilled than Nynaeve.

If the Dragon Reborn turned to the Shadow, Pattern and the world would be destroyed (see end of book 12).

See start of book 8 - Sha'rah. If the Dragon turns the Light can still win by only leaving him moves that benefit them. Likewise the Shadow can win without turning Rand.

 

No doubt that LTT is more skilled than Egwene, we are talking about the greatest AS in AoL, let's get real.

 

Egwene has not shown any high level skills, she found the 100 AS Weaves to be complex and has not memorized all of them. Nynave on the other hand...Exactly.

 

Let's look at some of Rand's actions: Untainted saidin (done the impossible, almost nobody believes it, Logain still thinks the Creator did it), defeated massive armies, killed 1000's of Trollocs at once (Stone of Tear, Moraine was astounded), defeated Forsaken in One Power battles, defeated an army of at least 500,000 at Maradon.

 

Egwene? Her only notable victory was against Messana, but that was not using the Power.

 

It is no contest. Not sure why you are still at this, it should be self evident.

 

I think you can have some argument that Nyaneve may be more skilled (curing Severing/impossible, healing madness, even Zen Rand was amazed, facing and defeating Moghdien in OP battle as a noob), but certainly not Egwene. I would say that in this Age, the most skilled female AS is Nynaeve.

[randsc]

XXX47, those are all excellent reasons why it is completely illogical for Egwene to be given command. You are right in every respect. The notion is absurd.

 

It is also what is going to happen. I don't think I have every read an author more in love with a character than Jordan was in love with Egwene.