Is It Really?

[Darthe]

WoT is very near and dear to my heart, as I am sure it is with many of you. Though I have not yet acquired nearly the history or depth of knowledge that many of you on this forum have I have still found myself pondering a couple of questions from the series and the theories I have read. This one in particular has been bugging me for a while now however.

 

Rand's connection to the TP is killing me. The DO grants the ability to use the power or not and so he himself must be stronger than it. That makes him stronger than even the Choeden Kal. Rand stated at several points that he felt as powerful as he was while wielding the access keys and he even used it to kill one of "The Chosen".

 

Rand was able to weave effectively on various occasions with the TP though he knew practically nothing about that source of power. From Graendal and Moridin's perspectives we have learned that weaving the TP is different from weaving the OP in the same way that a male weaving is different from a woman, however I know that this could be explained away semi-neatly by Rand's ability to seemingly naturally understand how to form weaves on various occasions or from LT's memories, yet the issue that comes to mind most readily is that LTT was scared to death of the TP and so obviously was not partial to using it/ Rand was able to simply and accurately make several of the most complex weaves including balefire using something that is most certainly unnatural.

 

With this said here is my theory of sorts, I believe that the DO has done this before to the previous champions. I think that he has lulled them into a false belief that they could use the TP against him and that in his victories he simply denied them access to it if they didn't succumb to its madness/death causing abilities.

 

I also think that Rand is now pulling a major one over on the DO and has something that we do not yet know about that granted him his massive power-up in TGS, something to do with the internal battle between the taint or TP and the mysterious light in his head that we saw from Nynaeve. If I had to guess I would say that this has something to do with the Creator providing for his champion, along with other new tricks in the bag (darkfriend seeing eyes a la Fain anyone?). Again, this is total speculation, but I think it would be great to see so long as it is not done in an entirely campy or corny manner.

 

EDIT: Also, Elayne and Egwene displease me

 

Thank you!

[GYLD]

You say Rand used the True Power on various occasions, but after killing Semirhage, I'm pretty sure he never used it again. He carried around the Choedan Kal at all times specifically so he would not be tempted by the TP.

 

Now, what Rand did to Elza and Semirhage does not necessarily require any familiarity with the True Power. Way back in the TDR, Nynaeye used Balefire with no prior knowledge of even such a weave existing. If it's possible to instinctively lash out like that with the One Power, well it's not unreasonable to assume the same could happen with the True Power.

[Suttree]

Rand's connection to the TP is killing me. The DO grants the ability to use the power or not and so he himself must be stronger than it. That makes him stronger than even the Choeden Kal.

 

 

Not sure what you mean here. Rand has access to the TP through his link with Moridin caused by the balefire incident in SL. The TP is though to be some of the essence of the DO. We really don't have a reference for how strong it makes him but Lanfear was pretty certain that they could destroy him with the CK.

[Darthe]

You say Rand used the True Power on various occasions, but after killing Semirhage, I'm pretty sure he never used it again. He carried around the Choedan Kal at all times specifically so he would not be tempted by the TP.

 

Now, what Rand did to Elza and Semirhage does not necessarily require any familiarity with the True Power. Way back in the TDR, Nynaeye used Balefire with no prior knowledge of even such a weave existing. If it's possible to instinctively lash out like that with the One Power, well it's not unreasonable to assume the same could happen with the True Power.

 

 

That's fair, I unfortunately do not have the books with me to properly refute at the moment, but what of the reasons behind Rand having access in the first place? I know BS and others have at some points alluded to the DO possibly not being the sole source of access to the TP but nothing has been confirmed one way or another. We cannot doubt, however, that the DO will try to use Rand's access to it to his advantage. How do you think he would do so?

[Darthe]

Rand's connection to the TP is killing me. The DO grants the ability to use the power or not and so he himself must be stronger than it. That makes him stronger than even the Choeden Kal.

 

 

Not sure what you mean here. Rand has access to the TP through his link with Moridin caused by the balefire incident in SL. The TP is though to be some of the essence of the DO. We really don't have a reference for how strong it makes him but Lanfear was pretty certain that they could destroy him with the CK.

 

I am sorry for the lack of clarity, I was referring to the DO obviously being stronger than whatever abilities he grants by far (certainly stronger than the Choeden Kal right?) and it seemed to me that Rand compared not just their seduction but the powers of one another as being akin though that could be careless reading on my part. Why do you say that it is Rand's link to Moridin that gave him his link to the TP? I thought that was speculation still.

[bobarose]

once Rand takes care of the D O the true power is probaly going to be avalible to all.

there will be three sources of power.

[Suttree]

Why do you say that it is Rand's link to Moridin that gave him his link to the TP? I thought that was speculation still.

 

It may be speculation but it is by faaaaar the most concrete theory and most take it for granted as being the case. Not sure what else fits really? We also have this...

Question

Is Rand's access to the True Power via his link with Moridin, created at Shadar Logoth?

Brandon Sanderson

 

No one may channel the True Power without the Dark One's permission, and Rand doesn't have that.

 

I know there have been some footnotes attached to that quote although again, I don't feel as if anything else fits.

[Darthe]

Suttree I definitely see your point, thank you for the thoughts. It is a lot to think about, but that is part of the majesty of RJ's works. It does feel like a stretch to assume otherwise considering BS said that Rand didn't have the DO's permission, I wonder if the DO even knows then (probably).

 

 

BelRobin, so do you think that the TP is something separate from the DO and that he is perhaps keeping it from the world?

[Suttree]

Suttree I definitely see your point, thank you for the thoughts. It is a lot to think about, but that is part of the majesty of RJ's works.

 

Indeed.

 

Welcome to DM!

[Darthe]

Thanks!

[bobarose]

the D O is definatly blocking the true power.he has twisted what was good into some sort of sick

reward for his power hungry sheep.

[msbee]

Here is Graendal's explanation of the difference in using TP and OP.

Working with the True Power was similar, yet not identical, to working with the One Power. A weave of true Power would often function in a slightly different way, or have an unanticipated side effect.

The wording allows plenty of room to manoeuvre, especially since he only used that one weave. Also I found this:

Interview: Oct 27th, 2009 - BYU: TGS Midnight Release - Matt Hatch preliminary report (Paraphrased)

Matt Hatch - I asked, in essence, are One Power and True Power balefire the same?

Brandon Sanderson - He answered that the True Power is another source of power, that Aes Sedai were researching another source, like a different form of battery, to power their weaves and that for balefire, what it does is essentially the same between both power sources, but that it has different affects on the individual using the power source (this appeared to be a reference to what True Power does to its user).

 

And the reason we assume he only used that one weave is this

Shane Crenshaw (2 August 2011) - When Rand saved Ituralde from the Trollocs, did he use the True Power or saidin?

Brandon Sanderson (2 August 2011) - Rand has resisted using the True Power except for that one dangerous moment. He can still sense it, though.

 

There is much more on this and Semirhage in the TL Interview database search, 'true power' tag

Beware though, you can get lost for hours in there

[Darthe]

 

There is much more on this and Semirhage in the TL Interview database search, 'true power' tag

Beware though, you can get lost for hours in there

 

 

Ooh I see! This is going to make my day, going through it. Thanks!