[SPOILERS] Continued discussion about the Black Tower in and after AMoL [SPOILERS]

[Niniel]

Last month we discussed theories about what will happen to the Black Tower in and after A Memory of Light. If you want to read it look here.

 

Now we have new information due to the release of the prologue: By Grace and Banners Fallen and Chapter 1 and 2. In this thread we can discuss this. The main focus will of course be on the Black Tower but if you want to talk about the rest of the prologue as well then please do. Our excellent guest mod Yoni0 will be with us this time too.

 

Spoiler warning! If you do not want to know what is going to happen in AMoL don´t read this thread. The whole thread will be filled with spoilers. Both from the prologue and chapter 1 and 2. Starting now!!!

 

 

 

So what are the news? Pevara and Androl are trying to think out a way to get a message out from the tower. Pevara has to admit that even if they got help from the rebel aes sedai that is camping outside the walls, they would not be able to save the tower. The asha´mans are battle trained and if the aes sedai should attack they would likely all fight for the BT. Androl, who is still a mystery, has agreed to be the rebel leader until Logain returns. There seems to be few people left that they really trust. Old friends is suddenly acting strange. Pevara has told Androl about the 13x13 and they are afraid that people are turned evil against their will. We get conformation that Emarin is lord Algarin, which we already guessed.

 

Taim is now a Chosen. Wow! His work with getting control over Rand´s asha´mans by gaining his trust has earned him his new name - M´Hael. We know that many of the BT asha´mans is under his control. The Chosen scene rises many questions: Why does M´Hael enter through a door when the others got there by gateways? What is going on between Taim-Moridin and Taim-Demandred.? Finally we know for sure that Taim is not Demandred. :)

 

What else? Camelyn is burning, Talmanes is a great hero, Aviendha needs to change the future of the Aiel, Leilwin Shipless is on her way to the Amyrlin, metal is melting, people are heading for the last battle... And last but not least - we get to know about the Town, Red veiled Aiel and Slayer.

 

Later tonight I will post my thoughts about it all. Go ahead and fill in the details and tell us what you think about the scenes. Has the prologue changed the way you think about the Black Tower in the book to come?

[yoniy0]

For me, the thing about Taim was too little too late. So what if he's a Chosen now? Does that make him any more dangerous than he already was (or any less so)? It's almost pointless for the Shadow to spend time doing this at all (the only thing it achieves for them is to strengthen Taim's loyalty, of which I was already certain enough).

 

The part about Androl and Pevara was interesting, though. More so for what it lacked than for what it contained; firstly, although Pevara flirted with the idea, Brandon managed to keep our resident Gateway specialist from a Circle for the meanwhile. We'll have to keep waiting to see if he could perhaps make use of one (side note, I tend to think the fact that the prologues are released before the book has affected the way they're written, so as to leave more mystery for us readers; Brandon is probably more affected than RJ was -- I recall prologues being filled with much more real advance than we got this time, and the previous ones).

 

Secondly, where are Naeff and Logain? Androl made a point of not reaching out for help, but surly he'd accept theirs if it were offered, right? So Naeff will only get there the day before tFoM meeting, but I'm really worried about Logain. And the fact that Rand seemingly ignores his absence is mystifying.

[John Snow]

Now that's he's chosen, I assume he can TP, so that's significant

And the red-vieled Aiel...those are interesting

[yoniy0]

Now that's he's chosen, I assume he can TP, so that's significant

Why do you say that? We know Aran'gar couldn't. Moghedien can't. In all likelihood, Demandred and Cyndane can't, nor Hassalam.

[John Snow]

But they were in disgrace. I think Demandred can, there's no reason for him not to.

On the other hand, M'Hael has been elevated, and I don't see much other point to it anyways.

[yoniy0]

Demandred might be able to now. However, after TGS came out Brandon said that Ishamael would win a FS free-for-all because "he's got the TP". I tend to interpret that as "no one else does", at least not at the time of their release from SG.

[Niniel]

I just loved the Isam part. It was great to read about his childhood, how he grew up and his feelings about it. It was great to learn about the Town and the red veiled aiel. I expected a town in the Blight but I was not sure about the aiel. Now I just want to learn even more about it all. It will be interesting to see what will happen to Slayer. Luc still have a role to play according to Gitara´s foretelling.

 

I liked the scene with all of the forsaken (- Cyndane). But I did not like that Taim is now a forsaken. I wonder what is going on. Why did he enter through a door? What is his true history? Again - I want to learn more. Can´t say I´m very interested in Demandred´s doings but the interaction between him and the other forsaken is interesting. My favorite, Graendal, has been punished by getting an ugly body. Kind of lame. I´m sure she will adapt though. It doesn´t look like her soul is taken so hopefully she will get an interesting story in AMoL.

 

The BT scene was kind of cute. Androl and Pevara will surely be friends or bonded later on. I hope they can gather all people loyal to Rand. It would be horrible to see one of the Two River boys to get turned to the shadow. I wonder what Logain´s role will be. "He who comes after" seems to be Narishma and now Androl seems to be the BT hero. Is it Logain´s destiny to kill Taim?

[John Snow]

Out of curiousity, .what main character do you guys think should die? Besides Rand.

[yoniy0]

It would be horrible to see one of the Two River boys to get turned to the shadow.

Yes. If Brandon was looking for a way to make us really feel the darkness of things, going after Evin or Bode would just be perfect. I just hope he doesn't go there -- they don't deserve it. Much better having someone we know, who's put his life on the line, pay the ultimate price (and WoT was never about shock. GRRMesque might fit okay, but not GRRMness).

[Niniel]

I do think we need some deaths to make it feel like "real". But as you say, it´s no asoiaf.

 

 

Out of curiousity, .what main character do you guys think should die? Besides Rand.

 

Most of the forsaken. My bet is that Moghedien survives though. Other evil beings like Slayer, SH and black ajah members.

 

Of the good guys? I think many of the minor character will die, like Talmanes, Bashere, several aes sedai, wise ones and asha´mans. I don´t think Cadsuan will make it. I have to admit that it´s looking bad for Min, who is my favorite character. Lan? I don´t know. Gawyn? Tam? I don´t think many of the main characters on the good side will die.

[John Snow]

I really hope Ewegene dies. :/

[yoniy0]

Yeah? Well I hope Snow really is dead, and that he'll become a wright. How's that? Ah? Had enough, come to beg forgiveness? Well fine.

 

[John Snow]

Nah, our friendly Red Woman is going to bring him back.

After all, Jon is whats-his-name reborn. It is known.

 

But that's another series

[Niel an' Tyomn]

I really hope Ewegene dies. :/

 

YOU SAY THAT ONE MORE TIME!!!! :madmadmad: I love Egwene!!!

[Niel an' Tyomn]

But arm .... Yea I cannot wait for it!

[John Snow]

Sorry, Ewegene is on a high horse. BS says she has no more character development, leaving one option that will make me happy.

Death.

[Niel an' Tyomn]

She is AMAZING, and has plenty of developing to do as an Amyrlin and possibly a mother and preceding that a wife. On the side, wouldn't it be funny if Gawyn could learn to channel!

[Niniel]

Lets continue with the prologue talk and skip the "I hate/love Egwene". I have seen to many threads being eaten by that.

[Ithillian Turambar]

It certainly got me excited for the release of aMoL. The Forsaken constantly popping up in new bodies is a bit annoying. Just STAY DEAD already!

 

The BT bit made me feel a bit anxious. I hope Logain manages to come through and claim his glory. At least it showed that Taim was always a bad guy at heart and was never Turned.

 

Could the fact that Taim entered through a door be something to do with the SG stone used to build his Palace? Maybe there is now some kind of perma-gateway link through to SG because of this, so his Palace somehow exists in both places.

[Niniel]

Interesting thought. I will think about that on my way to work. :)

[Turin Turambar]

Permanent gateway secret passage. I like that.

[Ithillian Turambar]

 

Thank you! I totally made it up on the spur of the moment lol

[John Snow]

Can we put Chapter 1 spoilers in here too?

[yoniy0]

I don't see why not, but it might be considerate to wait for a couple of days, just so everyone can have a chance to see it. Before we do, however, I'll want to amend TinaHel's first post with its spoiler alert (and so, I'll leave it up to her to decide the proper time).

[Darthe]

I found the ending online...

 

*SPOILER*

 

 

Rand discovers that his real father is Ishmael who used a mist of mirrors to look like Janduin and he has a very angsty hatred grow inside him. He harnesses the TP and the power of the Eye which he has carried in his soul the entire time and creates another world for dark things to rule. He places them all there and magic leaves that world along with their memories and it becomes our world which the Seanchan take over. In the alternate plane Rand (who totally lives, you really can't trust prophecy with an agent of free will) has a perfect life with his three wives and frees everyone from feudalism. He also forever holds Deus Ex Machina close to his heart. Or maybe that was the wrong series.

 

*END SPOILERS*

 

Seriously though, I will never forgive this world if the series goes cliche on us in the end. Poor Sword of Truth.