DRAGONMOUNT

Tor Books launched a Wheel of Time mobile text campaign today.  If you text the word Epic to 555111, you'll receive 3-5 trivia alerts per week. Here's the press release: And no, despite this news article going live on April 1, this is not a joke. 

Welcome back!  Before we begin, I want to make a couple of announcements.  First, the blogger application deadline has passed, and I will be revealing the new bloggers shortly!  Second, I know that there are some Memory Keeper reports that didn't make it up during my LOA; the person who was covering for me did not have a chance to get them up.  I'll be gradually sprinkling those in between the regular blogs during the next couple of weeks.   A Memory of Light left a lot of unanswered questions about the Seanchan.  What will become of them now that the Last Battle is over?  Come share your theories in our A Memory of Light Full Spoiler Discussion forum.  Please remember not to talk about spoilers elsewhere on the forums at this time.   There's still time to join in the Aiel Social Group's March Culture of the Month discussion.  They have been discussing the Cherokee.  This thread is full of interesting and well-researched information.   The Shayol Ghul Social Group's popular advice columnist, Narg, is back.  Join him for another exciting round of Ask Narg.    What are your online obsessions?  Whether it's Dragonmount itself, a popular MMORPG, or something else, the Wolfkin Social Group would like to know about it.   That's all for now.  Have a wonderful week!  

The ebook version of A Memory of Light is now available on the Dragonmount eBook store. The AMOL ebook is discounted to $13.99 in our store.  As with all titles in our online store, the AMOL ebook is entirely DRM-Free.  When you purchase it, you'll have access to download both the Kindle-compatible file (.mobi), as well as a standard .epub file which works on Apple iOS devices (iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch), all Barnes & Noble Nooks, and most Android devices.  Get A Memory of Light in our eBook store now. By purchasing this ebook through our store, you are helping to support Dragonmount. Click here for more information about our DRM-free ebook store. Unfortunately, due to the way publishing contracts are designed, we only have the ability to sell this ebook to people with a valid U.S. billing address. We wish we could sell it more widely, and may one day have the ability to do so.   Some fans have expressed an understandable frustration regarding the delay between the release of the hardcover and ebook. There were several reasons for this. The primary reason is that Harriet recognized that traditional booksellers were very supportive of Robert Jordan over the years. By initially releasing only physical copies of the book, it helped support their business at a time when eBook sales are becoming more and more normal.  Harriet believes in a world where brick-and-mortar bookstores are pervasive and successful.     

Hello all, and welcome back to "WoT If?", Dragonmount's weekly theory blog.  This week's topic is the Horn of Valere and the mysteries, and misinformation, behind it.  Before we start, though:   SPOILER WARNING.  This will include content from A Memory of Light.  Please DO NOT read this if you have not completed the book.   This last book really blew off a lot of preconceived notions about the Horn, even for Brandon Sanderson.  In an interview, Brandon says he was surprised that the Horn couldn't be used by a Darkfriend, and added that Harriet had to edit his work to fix it: "She explained that this was one of Jim's ruses, that the characters in [the] book were wrong and repeating bad information, and that Jim had been very clear with her that it was not the case."  This is only one example of how the truth an Aes Sedai says isn't what you think it is.  There were several others throughout the series.   Another issue that shocked me was the severed link between Mat and the Horn.  When Birgitte calls him Hornsounder in A Crown of Swords (Chapter 21, "Swovan Night"), I thought the link had to be intact.  Birgitte's ripping from Tel'aran'rhiod happened after Mat's balefire "death," so she should have known the link was lost.  In A Memory of Light, Hawkwing is aware that the link was broken when Mat was balefired (Chapter 39, "Those Who Fight"), so Birgitte should have known as well.  But, for argument's sake, perhaps Birgitte was calling him that out of respect.  Hawkwing himself called Mat "Hornblower" (Chapter 43, "Field of Glass").  In the United States, even former presidents are still called Mr. President—it stands to reason that a former Hornsounder could still be called Hornsounder.   Another exciting revelation: the Horn summons dead wolves!  There's plenty to talk about from this scene in A Memory of Light.  First, it seems the wolves only appear after Olver blows the Horn at Shayol Ghul.  Why weren't they summoned when the Horn was first sounded?  Is the location of the Horn important?  Olver first blows it in Merrilor, when he's trapped by Trollocs (Chapter 39, "Those Who Fight").  But the heroes all appear around the battlefield, not Olver—Noal rushes off to Olver right after the Horn is sounded.  And even further away, Birgitte appears standing over her dead body.  Why did Birgitte appear separate?  And if she could, why couldn't the wolves?   It isn't until Chapter 46 ("To Awaken"), that the wolves' spirits are called into the battle.  And it's only after Olver blows the Horn at Shayol Ghul.  Perrin notes that the wolves' spirits are all gathered, and it's only after the Horn calls that they ask Perrin to lead them.  Then Perrin thinks, "Why must the heroes all be human?"   We know the wolves have some sort of knowledge about the Last Hunt, and they must realize they have some role to play.  But Perrin's thought about wolf heroes doesn't seem right, unless every wolf is a hero.  The Horn called every wolf that was there, every spirit of a dead wolf—not only a select few that have proved themselves brave enough.  Perhaps the Horn just summons all the denizens of Tel'aran'rhiod.  If the souls of deer or any other wild beast had been near Shayol Ghul, would they have been summoned for the Last Hunt as well?  Or did the wolves only choose to be there because they have a connection to men and knew they could help?   And if the wolves are bound to—or at least called by—the Horn, how come they didn't appear in Falme?  It seems quite possible that some wolves would have been in the area and got caught up in the pull of the Horn.  But there were none.  Perrin was there, and could have led them.  Does this mean that the wolves could only participate once, in the Last Hunt only?   I looked through all the posted interviews at Theoryland to find any recent (Post-A Memory of Light) interviews about the Horn.  There aren't too many yet, so maybe that's something we'll have to ask Brandon Sanderson about.  Based on the way the Last Battle played out, I'm assuming location does matter.  The Horn summoned the heroes—who are naturally bound to the Horn.  They would have been called from anywhere they roamed in Tel'aran'rhiod.  But the wolves, who are creatures of the World of Dreams, yet not bound to the Horn—as far as we know—had to be in the location for the Horn to call them.  This still doesn't explain why they didn't help in Falme, but it does explain why they had to be called separately.    One other thing I found, not necessarily about the Horn, but more about Tel'aran'rhiod, is a theory by FarShainMael on the A Memory of Light Spoiler Board.   FarShainMael suggests a link between Rand post-Tarmon Gai'don and the Horn's power to summon aspects of Tel'aran'rhiod to the real world.  He says:     I think this raises an interesting concept.  We see that Rand has complete control over his surroundings.  He only has to impose his will in order to light his pipe.  This is very close to the way things work in Tel'aran'rhiod.  Rand is one who is bound to the Horn—after he dies, he will be summoned if the Horn were sounded—so it's possible he could use some benefits from the Horn while alive.  Maybe the same would have happened for Birgitte if she hadn't died.  Maybe an aspect of this will pass into the young Gaidal Cain.  We really have no way to know for certain what the Horn does to the heroes who are already born.  But I like FarShainMael's idea.   That's all I've got on the Horn.  I'm really hoping more interviews with Brandon Sanderson will show up and he'll have a bit more to say on the subject.  Next week, I'd like to look at the body-swap theory more closely and examine what exactly happened at the end there.  Thanks for reading!

Tor Books unveiled a brand new book cover for the print edition of A Crown of Swords.  The artwork is by Tyler Jacobson and depicts the scene where Rand meets Cadsuane for the first time.   Here's the full image. Click to see a larger version in our Gallery:     Be sure to check out the full feature on Tor.com.   This new edition matches the style Tor has been using for the series over the past few years. Most of the second edition book covers feature the same artwork from the ebook editions, but this new artwork is brand new.     Wheel of Time second edition book covers:  

Gentlemen, are you suffering from limits to your natural abilities? Trying to keep those special women in your life safe? Not sure if you'll be up to saving the world from hoards of Trollocs?   Try new "Callandor" The natural Saidin enhancement tool   You too can be a Dragon and feel reborn as Saidin once again flows as strongly through you as in your youth. Take an active role in regaining your birthright. Challenge those who would stand before you once more!   That's "Callandor" Now available from "The Stone of Tear" LLC   Check with your Aes Sedai before use. Test results achieved while linked. If channeling for more than four hours, stilling may occur. Callandor is not a replacement for training in the One Power. Do not use Callandor if you are suffering from the taint, as results may change. If you hear voices, see things that should not be there, or start laughing maniacally and cursing Lews Therin, please discontinue use immediately and seek the nearest Red. These statements have not been evaluated by the White Tower. Use responsibly.

Welcome back to "WoT If?".  As we look deeper into A Memory of Light, there are several foreshadowed events that need further examination.  The topic of this week's scrutiny is Moiraine and how "important" she was during the final showdown.  SPOILER WARNING.  This will include content from A Memory of Light.  Please DO NOT read this if you have not completed the book. Moiraine.  Everyone was so happy for her return.  She was the embodiment of Aes Sedai for most readers, and her influence over Rand was what helped him become the Dragon Reborn in strength.  Early on, we had some hints that she was coming back, that she really wasn't dead.  Min thinks:   This lets us know, pretty early on, that Moiraine might be coming back.  We know Min's viewings are never wrong, so even though she doubts, we can read between the lines.  But this also brings up the point that Moiraine will do something that will help Rand win.  We see more of this when Mat actually rescues the Aes Sedai.   This is quite obvious.  Moiraine will "save the world."  Or is that what's really being said?  Moiraine's return would save the world, not necessarily Moiraine herself.  Let's look at what Moiraine does which might constitute as saving the world. 1.  Make Rand remember laughing and crying (The Gathering Storm, Chapter 50, "Veins of Gold"). I thought for sure that Moiraine's return would be what caused Rand to come back from the edge of madness and destruction.  Since Cadsuane did it, Moiraine's sudden appearance didn't add anything to Rand's state of mind.  He was surprised to see her, but it did nothing for his well-being.  2.  Tells Egwene she must break the seals (Chapter 6, "A Knack"). This was an important part of the Last Battle.  If the seals weren't broken, Rand couldn't re-seal the Dark One.  However, it wasn't Egwene who broke them.  Logain did.  And he would have done so even without Moiraine's insistence.  As far as we know, the Asha'man knew of Rand's plan to have the seals broken.  Moiraine's words wouldn't have swayed Logain in the least. 3.  Help Rand by linking with him, Nynaeve, and Callandor (Chapter 23, "At the Edge of Time"). This was supposed to be one of the key moments during the Last Battle.  Rand thought long and hard about who could be trusted enough to link with him at this fight.  Moiraine's aid might have been considered saving the world, except that she didn't do anything of any real use.  Aviendha—Rand's original pick—could have easily substituted in with no outward change in the event.  And if Moiraine was given the prophecy of saving the world, Nynaeve would need a similar prophecy because she helped just as much—if not more—than Moiraine. Since Moiraine didn't really add much to Tarmon Gai'don, let's see who was a better fit for "savior of the world." Perrin: He killed Lanfear, who had him under compulsion, and kept her from killing Nynaeve, Moiraine, and Rand right before the deed was done (Chapter 48, "Light and Shadow"). Moridin: He used Callandor and unwillingly gave Rand the True Power to use as a buffer (Chapter 47, "Watching the Flow Writhe"). Nynaeve: She gave Alanna andilay, which kept her lucid enough to release Rand's bond.  The same argument could be made for Alanna, too, that she saved the world by releasing Rand's bond (Chapter 46, "To Awaken"). Egwene: She forced Rand to let go of all the guilt and all the names on his list of dead women (Chapter 38, "The Place That Was Not"). Tam: He reminded Rand that he could use one-handed sword techniques, which kept him alive as he dueled Moridin (Chapter 15, "Your Neck in a Cord"). And finally, the only way it could be Moiraine who saved the world: Thom. Since Moiraine was rescued and bonded/married Thom, he was there to protect the entrance to Shayol Ghul: "Someone will need to guard the entry into the cave, my wife" (Chapter 23, "At the Edge of Time").  If Moiraine had not survived, Thom would not have been present to dispatch all the Darkfriends who tried to enter under different disguises.  If Aviendha had been the other woman, there wouldn't have been a Warder to guard their backs.  So, with that logic, Moiraine might have been the savior, but only because she fell in love with Thom Merrilin. That's all I've got to say on this particular issue.  Let me know what you think.  For next week, I'd like to look at the Horn of Valere and who else—besides the Heroes—might be bound to it.  Thanks for reading.  

Tor.com posted a lengthy interview between Tor publisher Tom Doherty and Harriet McDougal (Robert Jordan's widow, and the editor of the entire Wheel of Time series).  They cover many topics ranging from their approach to marketing The Eye of the World in 1990:     ... to discussion about the upcoming ebook release of A Memory of Light (due on April 9th, and soon to be available on our online store)     The full interview can be found here on Tor.com.

We're back!  Our book tour hiatus is over, and I'm also back from my travels.  Things should be back to normal around here shortly. If you are interested in being my new Rotating Features Blogger or Fan Art Friday Blogger, now's your chance to apply.  The call for applications can be found here.  Applications are due by March 27th. We are currently in the process of announcing and congratulating the winners of the Empys, Dragonmount's membership awards.  Please stop by to show the winners some love.     It's time for the March Clan Wars at the Aiel Social Group!  This month, the events include Assassins, Paintball, a Word Scramble, and an Art Contest.  Check out the link above for more information. The Band of the Red Hand Social Group has begun a new feature.  Each month, they will discuss a popular Broadway musical for their Musical of the Month.  It's a wonderful way to celebrate this beloved form of music.  They are currently discussing the children's favorite Mary Poppins.  The White Tower & Warders Social Group is featuring several stimulating discussions in honor of International Women's Week.  If you are interested in talking about this important topic, look here.  Please note that some of the discussions are sensitive in nature, and mature, thoughtful discourse is required. Evil creatures and people are gathering for some mischief.  What vile things are they plotting?  Find out in the role play Long Shadows Gathering.    

The book tour blog hiatus on the front page is over, so that means I need to flesh out my staff again.   I am calling for applications for two people to join my staff as bloggers. Applications for these positions will be open until Wednesday, March 27th.   Description of the Job Positions:   1. The first open position is for a Fan Art Friday Blogger.  This person will be responsible for a short weekly column that will have such content as fan art, analysis of fan art, and occasional interviews with artists.  Please look here for past examples of this column.   2. The second open position is for a Rotating Features Blogger. This person will be responsible for a short weekly column that will have different types of content each week. This person will work off a list of ideas for features (partly ideas that have already been thought of for you, and partly ideas you can make up and run by me for approval) and rotate the features. For instance, the first Thursday of the month could be for interviews with people who have contributed to the fandom, the second Thursday of the month could be for tips about WoT merchandise (e.g. where to get the best Aes Sedai rings), the third Thursday of the month could be a contest, etc.  Please look here for past examples of this column.   Job Duties for Both Front Page Blogger Positions:   1. Bloggers are expected to produce content in their respective areas for the front page once per week. They must be able to meet deadlines in a timely manner.   2. Bloggers occasionally will be called upon to assist the Front Page Admin with brainstorming new ideas for features.   3. Bloggers are expected to dedicate time each week to the Front Page Bloggers Staff Board and the DM Staff Board. As members of DM Staff, they act as representatives of the members of DM and their input is vital in the decision making process. Bloggers should be actively engaged in discussions on staff boards.   4. Bloggers must be able to give at least a 6 month commitment of approximately 5 hours per week. LOAs will come up, of course.   Anyone who thinks they can fulfill the requirements may apply. Strong candidates are people who possess the following qualities: efficiency, writing ability, organizational skills, creativity, maturity, and the ability to work well with others.   The Application Process:   If you are interested, please send an email to frontpage@dragonmount.com.   In each application, please include:   * Your DM Handle.   * Some details about who you are in real life, including anything you think will have prepared you for leadership (including past online leadership experience).   * A sample of your writing consisting of at least three short paragraphs. This can be in the form of a brief essay, a blog, a school paper, a newspaper article, a forum post, a short story, or a role play. You do not have to write something new for this application; in fact, many of you already have forum posts that are long enough to count. I mainly want to get an idea of your writing style.   * Anything else that you think would set you apart from other applicants.  Why are you the best candidate?       Note: Please specify the position for which you are applying (Fan Art Friday Blogger or Rotating Feature Blogger) in your application.   If you have any questions, please feel free to ask and I will try to answer them.   --Dwyn