The Missing Armies

[Din]

Hey there,

 

It seems that many of the world's available armed forces are being marshalled in Merrilor presumably for the purpose of Rand's prosecution of the last battle. There are a number of notable forces not present, however, and I thought it might be interesting to discuss them. If you know of a force that merits a mention, please post about them. Here are a few to get us started:

 

1) Shen an Calhar and the armsmen of Andor/Cairhein

Understandably their role in the near future will be the defense of Caemlyn and Cairhein but, at the least, Mat himself will need to show up with Rand's contingent when Tarmon Gai'don arrives.

 

2) The Shaido

I have no idea what side they will be fighting on but I can't imagine them just vanishing back into the Waste without a futher part to play. Perhaps they have some relationship to the 'dark aiel'.

 

3) The Ogier

We're all savouring the epicness already, I know, but what further speculation could be made?

 

4) Extant Westland Armies

This being the last battle, none can afford to stand aside but no arrangements have been made for the inclusion of certain forces. What will happen to the armies (or remainders of armies in some cases) of Murandy, Illian, Mayene, and Arad Doman?

 

5) The Seanchan

It seems to me that the amassed armies of the westlands aren't going to be enough in themselves. According to Seanchan prophecy Rand must kneel before the Empress before the last battle. This leads me to believe that the Seanchan and the westland forces will be (briefly) united against the Shadow for a time.

 

6) The Atha'an Miere

It seems unlikely to me that the delivery of some foodstuffs will be the last role the Sea Folk have to play but how many combatants could they actually field at this point and how could it be done?

 

7) The Borderlanders

It looks like the Borderland monarchs will accept Rand's offer and be gated to Tarmon Gaidon one way or another but they're not there yet and so, I guess, should be listed.

[yoniy0]

Firstly, the Band (along with much of Andor's and Cairhien's strength) probably came to the the FoM with Elayne, in the last ToM Egwene PoV.

 

Illian's and Arad Doman's armies are marshaled by Rand, so they'll be where they're needed when the time comes. The Winged Guard of Mayene is with Berelain and Perrin, of course.

 

Finally, the Seanchan are in the process of executing a much larger invasion of the Tower. My guess is that they'll find themselves caught in Rand's (or Egwene's) net, eventually.

 

EDIT: Regarding the Band, I forgot that they were still camped outside Caemlyn. Perhaps not all, but certainly quite a few.

[randsc]

Also, the armies are likely (very likely) to be essentially an irrelevancy. This battle won't be fought with armies. At most, they will have an "Aragon at the Black Gate" sort of role.

[Muad Cheade]

I believe Gregorin and the Illianers are already at the Field of Merrilor when Perrin shows up.

 

The Borderlanders are at the Field with Rand in the Epilogue.

 

I doubt the Shaido will play any part on-screen.

[Superhal]

I don't really believe FoM is necessary as a staging ground. I think FoM is just a place where Rand could meet with all the world's leaders at the same time, but that they brought their armies just makes it slightly more convenient. With Traveling, and now male/female linking, there is no limit as to how many, big, or long gateways can be made.

 

Too bad they didn't rediscover the Talent of Conference Calling.

[Din]

The Winged Guard of Mayene is with Berelain and Perrin, of course.

The whole thing? I did't think Berelain had brought her whole army with her, only an appropriately sized escort force.

[yoniy0]

The whole thing? I did't think Berelain had brought her whole army with her, only an appropriately sized escort force.

Hmm, you might be right; I was assuming too much. First we hear of the Winged Guard Berelain has brought it to Cairhien:

Berelain, First of Mayene, was only a few hundred miles south of the city, on her way to join him with a small army; he had no idea how she had led it across Tear.

and I don't believe we ever hear anything more to say either way. I would find it odd if she lets a substantial part of her army idle in Mayene while she marches for TG, but I guess I can't prove she hadn't.

[WhiskyJack]

Aren't Aiel missing from FoM, all of them? Borderlanders on the other hand did go to FoM with Rand..

[randsc]

Aren't Aiel missing from FoM, all of them? Borderlanders on the other hand did go to FoM with Rand..

 

I believe Faile's description was "not a few Aiel."

[WhiskyJack]

Aren't Aiel missing from FoM, all of them? Borderlanders on the other hand did go to FoM with Rand..

 

I believe Faile's description was "not a few Aiel."

 

 

You are right. I just read the chapter. Who were they? They didn't come with Rand because he arrived later with Borderlanders.

[yoniy0]

They don't need him for transportation, they have the WO. If he indicated that he wanted them there, that would be enough.

[WhiskyJack]

They don't need him for transportation, they have the WO. If he indicated that he wanted them there, that would be enough.

 

 

True but why would he bring them there? He is not going to march to SG with an army. Most of the army collected there is due to Eqwene and Perrin came on his own. Borderlands are basically on their way and he could not have left them behind.

[yoniy0]

Some of us believe Rand intended for Egwene to gather the world armies at the FoM. Why, we will have to wait and see.

[MasterAblar]

They don't need him for transportation, they have the WO. If he indicated that he wanted them there, that would be enough.

 

 

True but why would he bring them there? He is not going to march to SG with an army. Most of the army collected there is due to Eqwene and Perrin came on his own. Borderlands are basically on their way and he could not have left them behind.

 

 

I believe Egwene asked them to come.

[David Selig]

Aren't Aiel missing from FoM, all of them? Borderlanders on the other hand did go to FoM with Rand..

 

I believe Faile's description was "not a few Aiel."

 

 

You are right. I just read the chapter. Who were they? They didn't come with Rand because he arrived later with Borderlanders.

 

They came from Tear with Darlin:

 

ToM, Ch. 56

 

Still, she had come, as had others. Aiel had accompanied Darlin from Tear, and her persuasion had been enough to bring a large contingent of Illianers, who camped on the western side of the grass.

[Din]

and I don't believe we ever hear anything more to say either way. I would find it odd if she lets a substantial part of her army idle in Mayene while she marches for TG, but I guess I can't prove she hadn't.

Well she wasn't marching for TG at the time she left Mayene but you'd kind of expect her to want to fetch the rest around about now.