1)Mat - Lets face it, he says and does everything we would want to. Who else would put sprinkle wart on an Aes Sedai's sweet buns.

2)Rand - He is who he is and watching him develop step by step has no doubt given us the most in depth character.

3)Thom - Tuon says Mat has layers that make an onion look like an apple and Thom is no different. I really like the old guy.

4)Nynaeve - Some don't like her but I always have. Is there a character to be found that is more loyal and honest that wears their heart on their sleeve like Nynaeve?

5)Perrin - Been a long time coming for his character to truly develop into greatness but he is finally there. Slow starter for sure but man he is a hell of a finisher.

6)Talmanes - Yeah, I know he's only a minor character but I can't help myself. I liked him right off the bat, the way he eyed Mat up and down, commented on Daerid being useful but not a friend and then of course saying he would lead half of the horse if Mat led the other. Enjoyed every little bit of screen time he gets, his dry humour compliments Mat infinitely.

7-10)Moiraine, Siuan, Lan and believe it or not...Galad.

LoC Chapter 55 "Dumai's Wells"

I'd think Jain'd become a Hero of the Horn.

He deserves it, although it does make me curious as to why he'd need to tell a Malkieri that "he died clean."

Did it say somewhere that he was a Darkfriend, in an earlier book?

 

Ishamael used Jain to his uses ("painted him a fool"). How isn't exactly clear, but both Ishy and Jain admit that this happened. Jain is probably ashamed of that, so he tells Mat to tell a Malkieri he died clean. It probably has to do with Isam and how Malkier became part of the blight. Jain caught one of the guys who did it. Maybe he feels guilty of not catching Isam? Or maybe he took part on that process against his will? Who knows? Also, Mat is going to run out of Malkieri men to tell about Jain very soon.

Isam is about the same age as Lan and was also just an infant when Malkier fell to the blight. He was carried away by his mother into the blight and never seen again.

As far as what Jain feels guilty for, I think that still remains to be seen and more likely has to do with his disappearance into the blight till he re-appeared at a stedding almost dead. Previous to his disappearance was when he traveled and wrote his book and it's kinda doubtful it was this part of his life that Ishy influenced.

Shienar didn't even become a true borderland until Malkier fell.

I, personally, don't think he's dead. All they would have to do is wound him enough to get by him, as their most sought after goal was Mat/Thom/Moraine.

 

I think we'll see him again.

I do and it would be proper redemption after being manipulated by the Shadow, to come back as a hero of the horn.

As Perrin would say....it just feels right.

Wasn't Farstrider introduced in the series to join Mat as a Darkfriend which is why he says to tell them Jain died clean? I know he was an adventurer and his book is read by everyone( and I think it will be important; his book contains a clue concerning the Forsaken and what is in the Blight- IMHO).He caught up with Mat and the Band after he got the Fox ring didn't he?

I don't believe he was ever a darkfriend but he was manipulated by Ish in some way.

Ish tells Rand as much, saying he painted Jain as a fool.

No, not a darkfriend but I think after he figured out that he was manipulated by the Shadow, he didn't see it as much better and considered himself a fool and a failure.

The reference was in an earlier book:

 

Mat: Are you related to Jain Charin?

Noal: ...A cousin.

 

AHA!

 

Funny how that conversation automatically turned him into Jain Farstrider for me personally, I completely forgot about the cousin part xD.

 

 

Agreed, for some reason I never bought into that whole "cousin" bit. My friends and I had all come to the conclusion that Noal certainly was Jain himself.

 

Personally, I don't think he's dead. I mean, come on, the man is Jain Farstrider for crying out loud! He's supposedly been to Shara and back, not to mention the tales that say he adventured all the way to Shayol Ghul and survived. Snakes and Fixes killing that man? Please.

He's definitely dead. The snakes had his blood on their blades and Jain would of fought till his dying breath to hold them as long as possible.

I doubt we have seen the last of him however, I'm pretty sure at least Matt specifically will see him again ;)

Taim is definitely Tah-EEM.

There was one interview I remember where RJ actually got a little pissy about it, correcting the questioners 2 or 3 times to make the point.