Elaida

[mwayneknight]

I apologize now if this was discussed, it really is hard to find things in the forums and hard not to open up Topics that was already discussed.

 

I just want to see what people think of my opinion on Elaida, I believe that she will find a way to not only escape from the adam, but also make it also make it powerless. This will be able to put a end to the enslavement (also knowing sul dam can also channel).. She is so stubborn she will never quit, or be totally broken like some other aes sedia that have been.

 

Just a thought.

[thisguy]

Have no idea if you're correct, but I think it's a good thought. One of the elements that make a good story is the element of surprise. Another is for people to rise to a higher (or lower) level. You have both here. The story could be written that she learns from her enforced penance and regrets her past ways. Good idea and I'll give you a congratulations if you're correct.

[Glyphwright]

Not that I don't like your theory, but the way the conflict is going, I don't think the Seanchan issue will be resolved at all by the end of the series. I just don't see them suddenly uncollaring thousands of damane and sending them to train at the White Tower, their military conquests depend almost entirely on channelling, their culture has been depicted as rigid and self-absorbed to the extreme, and Aviendha's vision showed the Seanchan gaining control of the entire Randland in a matter of centuries, raising the White Tower (so much for Egwene being a long-lived and capable Amyrlin), and building a railroad across the Waste to connect with Shara. And the only change in their damane practices was that they started to collar males as well as females.

 

Now, Aviendha may change this future somewhat, but removing the enslavement of channelers that is so crucial to the very existence of the empire, thus changing the entire outlook and course of history of the Fourth Age? At best, the series will end with the hints and promises of seeds planted in the Seanchan leadership's minds, which may come to fruition and the ultimate abolition of slavery over the course of generations. Elaida, I'm afraid, will have to get used to being called Suffa, she hardly deserves any better.

[Sid]

Personally I think she'll shatter like porcelain before she has a chance to be uncollared if she hasn't already. It's true she never succumbed completely to Alviarin's influence, but after finally thinking she was in the clear from that, suffering an even worse fate that nearly breaks even the strongest of women and succeeds with others... I think it's too much. When she realizes that every single one of her interpretations of her Foretellings was wrong will probably be the straw that breaks the camel's back. It all went south for her after that visit from Padan Fain.

[GYLD]

The idea of Elaida beating the a'dam and becoming some kind of champion of liberated channelers is a rather amusing one.

[Maleshub]

Elaida was broken. Period. She was offering 20 Aes Sedai in return for her freedom. And she cannot lie since she is still bound by the 3 oaths. My wild guess is that she'll die in the upcoming Seanchan attack on the WT (whether that ends up an attack on the WT itself or a timely rescue of the WT from a devastating Shadowspawn attack).

[mwayneknight]

I dont know, no matter how irritating, stupid, crazy and just plain dumb she was, i just feel there is something more from her, something big to redeem herself. Dont forget in the first couple books she had a lot of protection for Elaine. I just feel there is something more we will get there.

[Maleshub]

I dont know, no matter how irritating, stupid, crazy and just plain dumb she was, i just feel there is something more from her, something big to redeem herself. Dont forget in the first couple books she had a lot of protection for Elaine. I just feel there is something more we will get there.

 

Slavery seems to be RJ's biggest and worst punishment for characters (e.g. Galina Casban, Sevanna, Elaida). I think the adam is there to stay around her neck. But that's just how I read it ;)

[mwayneknight]

I can totally understand that, and it really does make sense, there is just that tiny little part of me(more to rough the seanchen up and their damn arrogance) that someone will make the adam pointless, and the only one i can see doing it is Elaida. LOL.

[Yarazin]

I am going through my re-listen to the whole series again right now (currently just started book 8) and every time I go through the Elaida chapters I always think one thing... She is so dense. He interpretations on her viewings are so narrow its frightening. She always assumes only one side. I always laugh that she tries to have Gawyn killed. What if he was the Andoran royal from her viewing, and she was ready to just kill him out of hand.

 

I don’t feel she has earned redemption.

[Sasha Grayes]

i think the Elaida's capture only purpose is how to give travelling to the seanchan without really giving it away to them randomly. So they can then proceed to save the day somehow.

[Master of the Anvil]

The creativity of this is cool, but I don’t think it fits very well. We know Elaida is stubborn, but there are really two kinds of stubborn. There’s the Suian stubborn: she’s coarse and overbearing, but ultimately when faced with a dire situation she’ll use her intelligence and skill to outwit and out play everyone else; and then there’s the Elaida stubborn: which is basically just using her power to force her will onto others. This is evident by their practices as amrylin. Suian’s type of stubborn is not going to break because it can bend. Elaida’s on the other hand will shatter when she doesn’t have power to loom over everyone else. I she’ll break, she basically already did. This is just my opinion, but I think this has been shown in other parts of the book like with the BA captured by the Shaido wise one(can’t remember the names currently and don’t have the books with me).

 

That said, I don’t wish the adam on anyone, even Elaida, who is probably one of my most hated characters for all the reasons stated above and more. Elaida could certainly use some punishment, but not the what the Seanchan do. I’d much rather prefer her to be under the thumb of Cads or even Edge than enslaved by the Seanchan. Heck, I wouldn’t even mind if Edge or Cads used the adam(not that either would) because it’d be a good tool, the unacceptable part of the adam is how the Seanchan use it to destroy a person. The adam in the hands of Ny and Elayne when dealing with Mog was totally understandable IMO.

[Pinzarn]

I personally think that the Elaida storyline is done. I doubt we will see any page time for her unless she is mentioned by another character.

 

In regards to the Dragon's Peace, I am leaning towards all AS and WO will be uncollared and returned.

[Durinax]

I personally think that the Elaida storyline is done. I doubt we will see any page time for her unless she is mentioned by another character.

 

In regards to the Dragon's Peace, I am leaning towards all AS and WO will be uncollared and returned.

kinda fits one viewing of a AS getting the collar, and then having it vanish

[Clouded]

Wasn't that Edesina who had that viewing? Her viewing was fulfilled when she was captured by Seanchan in Ebou Dar, then freed by Mat.

[Maleshub]

I personally think that the Elaida storyline is done. I doubt we will see any page time for her unless she is mentioned by another character.

 

In regards to the Dragon's Peace, I am leaning towards all AS and WO will be uncollared and returned.

kinda fits one viewing of a AS getting the collar, and then having it vanish

Wasn't that Edesina who had that viewing? Her viewing was fulfilled when she was captured by Seanchan in Ebou Dar, then freed by Mat.

 

If I remember correctly, the viewing was on Edesina in Salidar. Elaida's a'dam will most likely not come off. I don't think the WT would go to great length to get her back. Most Ajah heads seemed to think that she got what she deserved.

[TLHansum]

. I’d much rather prefer her to be under the thumb of Cads or even Edge than enslaved by the Seanchan. Heck, I wouldn’t even mind if Edge or Cads used the adam(not that either would) because it’d be a good tool, the unacceptable part of the adam is how the Seanchan use it to destroy a person.

 

I (mentally) pronounce her name Edge-when too! So many names in this series sound better in my head than on audiobook

 

(hem)rhoid-ean!!

[Zorlon]

The idea of Elaida beating the a'dam and becoming some kind of champion of liberated channelers is a rather amusing one.

For some reason your post makes me wonder if RJ was making a point in using the name "a'dam" for a device used to chain and control powerful women.

[BFG]

I don't think that she'll beat the a'dam, but I was wondering if she'd have a foretelling that would help bring the Seanchan and teh Randlanders together, it seems that her fore-tellings are becoming more frequent...

[thisguy]

The idea of Elaida beating the a'dam and becoming some kind of champion of liberated channelers is a rather amusing one.

For some reason your post makes me wonder if RJ was making a point in using the name "a'dam" for a device used to chain and control powerful women.

 

Maybe! Or, maybe "A dam" As in Damn.

[mwayneknight]

Was just re-reading Lord of Chaos, I know maybe people hate Elaida, but also remember, according to Padan Fain, she was touched but the evil of Shadar Logoth(he did it himself), so can not fault her for all of her problems.

[GB]

and i think someone describe her as being brittle even if she is hard; so wasnt hard to break her into being a meek damane

[Hagazussa]

I have always seen Elaida as a bully, I do not see her as strong of will, she is brutal and aggressive and when she have the backing of the White Tower then she is big and strong, but like allot of bullies I think she will shatter like glass when tables are turned on her. However I do think that in the end that Seanchan will stop their practice of keeping damane, my money would be on it becoming generally known that Sul'dam can channel and that will throw the Seanchan into enough turmoil to stop the practice. However the books have taken some twists and turns I would have never expected so who knows.

[BFG]

I'll have to admit the Taim thing because it's one of the arguments I make when looking at Nials work, but there's plenty of small-minded, limited thinking before she comes into contact with him, Siaun and Leane's stilling (with only the barest respect for the law) for one.