That theory of Moridin being the Dragon reborn is fascinating, but it would have to be that Rand has two souls (or perhaps 1/2 of a single soul) for it to be true. IIRC Rand remembered many, many past lives while he was on Dragonmount.

Eh, I was referring to the loss of the soul. Per that theory, Moridin has none, only whatever life thread he possessed when the DO severed him from the Pattern and granted him a special brand of immortality. It would explain his strange sense of entitlement to Fisher-specific knowledge. After all, per the theory, _he_ too is the Dragon, just like Rand, just like LTT.

I have a sneaking suspicion of something else: Both Rand and Moridin/Ishamael are the Fisher. Afterall, the Fisher is described as being half black and half white. I've also always felt that Moridin is more ripe for returning to the Light than the other Forsaken that are in it for selfish reasons. What if 'The Betrayer of Hope' can be made to see Hope again? It is much easier to do that than to make someone turn away from greed by my way of thinking.

Yeah, that's more or less what I'm looking at here, though I'm not committed to the theory. Like I said, wilder, and borderline loony due to the largely circumstantial evidence for it.

My thoughts: When I first heard the "body swap" theory, it sounded ludicrous. Over the years it has grown on me. Now I expect to see Rand and Moridin grappling in a final fight in some non-physical sense, with Moridin pulling a "Gollum" ending that turns the battle to seal the DO. At the same time, Rand is killed (bodily); Rand comes back in Moridin's body while the three women weep over Rand's corpse. Later Min sees Rand/Moridin and a viewing lets her recognize him. "Woolhead," she says, "Let's go home." Or words to that effect...

 

So, the three are Rand, LTT, and Moridin; Rand lives in Moridin's body, and I tend to guess no more LTT (promise kept).

Even wilder theory: what if Moridin -is- the Dragon Reborn, one that was turned to the Shadow, and as a result, lost not only his soul but his memories as well, all in exchange for immortality? Strangely, there is no mention of a Champion of the Dark in sha'rah...

Two interesting quotes from TPoD:

The Fisher was always worked as a man, a bandage blinding his eyes and one hand pressed to his side, a few drops of blood dripping through his fingers. The reasons, like the source of the name, were lost in the mist of time. That troubled him sometimes, enraged him, what knowledge might be lost in the turnings of the Wheel, knowledge he needed, knowledge he had a right to. A right!

On the board, the Fisher stood waiting, but in the greater game, al’Thor moved already to his wishes. And soon, now... It was very hard to lose a game when you played both sides of the board. Moridin laughed so hard that tears rolled down his face, but he was not aware of them.

The difference, as I see it, is the difference between spirit and body/mind. Spirit are those characteristics, the manifestations of the Dragon Soul, that LTT and Rand share in common - the unique powers of that soul coupled with fierce determination, a rigid personal code, and intense devotion to those they love the most, be it Ilyena or Elayne/Min/Aviendha.

Qualities like that are a deep, subconscious part of a person and while they do play a role in shaping what a person becomes, the body/mind are what the world around them sees, and what constitutes the major difference between the same soul _then_ and the same soul _now_. LTT was born into a world at peace, that didn't force him early on to adapt to something he didn't want to be. Rand, on the other hand... nature vs nurture, personal vs social. The same soul in two different worlds may appear very different.

I seem to recall seeing a quote (might have been a post) that suggested that the Dragon Soul could not be born a woman, since the gender was inherent, and that a Heroine more suitable would be chosen for the role instead, such as Amaresu.

However, if the Dragon soul could be born a woman, then I suspect you'd have a character that, while not necessarily mannish or even close, would be treated as an outsider by society for possessing overwhelming traits that are considered the stereotypical realm of men. Devotion to multiple lovers, by double standard, is considered sluttish, rigid adherence to a personal code, the trait of a domineering shrew. Not because it's right, but because people act that way.

Hidden Empire, by Orson Scott Card. I've been meaning to get around to his books for awhile now, since they come recommended.

Nae'bliss

Siuan

Amathera

Perival

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