^^Ooh OK, now it finally makes sense to me. Sorry if I gave you a headache about it. Thanks for explaining it to me.

How do you know that there are only 9 oath rods/binders/whatever they call them in different ages? Given that one of them is numbered 111, I assumed there must have been at least 111 of them, probably more (like a couple hundred or something), but most of them got destroyed or lost in the Breaking so there are only 2 left that we know of.

According to the BWB, the Tamyrlin has the authority to summon the "Nine Rods of Dominion", strongly implying there are only nine Rods/Regional Governors. Luckers makes a very good point saying each Rod is etched with the number of criminals bound to each Rod at the time of the Breaking.

Also, the fact that the AS oath rod releases and reswears the BA doesn't prove that two different binders can be interchanged, does it? This is the oath rod they've been sworn on all along, so they're just reusing the same, not a different one.

About the interchangeable Rods, that's what I was originally asking Luckers. He made a very good point that all the binders are the same, just numbered with how many AoL AS criminals were originally sworn on them & I think that is a very good explanation.

Or maybe I'm understand this completely wrong, and in that case I apologize.

 

Edit: And yoniy0 already said all that.

 

I do wonder about the whole Galina thing, though. I didn't understand why she didn't unswear herself as soon as she got her hands on the binder in Malden. Why did she wait until Therava showed up to capture her?

That's simple, she couldn't channel without Therava's or Sevanna's permission.

EDIT- OK, I was clearly wrong about the "Nine Rods" thing, but then what did you mean about it referring to the number of people each had binded? Specifically:

Binders were ter'angreal used on criminal Aes Sedai, and the numbering was probably a way of catalogueing and keeping track of them (binders have a lot of room for abuse).

^^ I'm not sure how to take that. Are you mocking me?

Firstly, a binder is not one of the Rods of Dominion. The 9 Rods were regional governers (the rods likely being symbols of their office, like how the Amyrlin Seat is so named).

OK, that makes a lot of sense, though the Tamyrlin seems to be able to command or at least summon them.

Binders were ter'angreal used on criminal Aes Sedai, and the numbering was probably a way of catalogueing and keeping track of them (binders have a lot of room for abuse).

I never thought of that, it also makes a lot of sense.

There is no functional difference between binders, though it remains uncertain if a binder could release an oath sworn on another binder--Galina fears this, which is why she returned to the Shaido.

This, however, is where I must most respectfully disagree. The original AS Oath Rod (#3) clearly releases & reswears the BA in ToM.

This actually supports your claim that "There is no functional difference between binders", though it seems to disprove your claim that "it remains uncertain if a binder could release an oath sworn on another binder", since the original "3" binder serves quite well in exposing the BA.

I was just asking if there was any difference between the Rods & your first point seems to have answered it perfectly.

I can only conclude that the DO/BA has one of the other seven Rods (which I must now admit functions identically no matter what number it has on it) that it uses to swear the three Black Oaths.

Is it ever said what the difference (if any) between the Oath Rod & the binder Sammael gave to Sevanna was?

Specifically the number 3 on the Oath Rod vs. the number 111 on the other?

Is there any difference between them & the the other 7 Rods? Is one meant to "mark" more severe criminals while others are less or more severe?

Gallina is unsure about the "111" Rod when she sees it, but she must have sworn on something that released her & swore her anew.

I know this isn't in the books, but I'm again asking if anyone knows about an RJ or BS quote. Did they ever say anything more than we know from the books about the 9 Rods, like were they varied in their degrees of punishment?

She knows he has a heightened sense of smell, but not that he can smell emotions.

Thanks Luckers. I now must completely change my opinion of her. Although the plotline is still extremely too long & I still don't like her, I cannot hate her like I did.

As Leigh suggested, who here hasn't gotten angry with their significant other but pretended not to be? It changes everything about how I thought about her.

She's just a typical Saldaean Wowan throwing a tanrum and trying to play at game of houses.

That's my whole point. Is she consciously throwing tantrums or is she just like any other spouse, getting angry but not wanting to start a fight by pretending she's not?

^^Wish I could answer that & I'm sorry to ask another question before yours has been answered.

I was glancing through Leigh's re-read at Tor & she pointed something out that may change my opinion of Faile from one of the most annoying characters to just mildly irritating. None of the people commenting could offer proof one way or another.

My question is, is it ever pointed out that Faile is aware that Perrin can smell emotions? I always assumed she knew but now that I think about it I don't remember her knowing anything more that he has a very good sense of smell.

If she knew, then she is an obnoxious woman always throwing anger & jealously at him & then feigning ignorance. If not, she is unaware he can smell it & is outwardly always doing her best to project kindness. It completely changes her character.

I'm fairly certain it's never said in the books, but does anyone know if there's an RJ or BS quote saying one way or another?

There are a lot of joke theories at Theoryland (though I've never heard of that one). Berelain=Moiraine, for example. Evil Min. And then there's Felix/Dida. You can never be sure if all his theories are a joke or if he really believes them.

I heard someone reference the Evil Min Theory somewhere & out of sheer morbid curiosity I spent hours searching for it both here & other places (including theoryland) but the closest I found was people saying things like "that's as crazy as the Evil Min Theory", never the actual theory. Do you happen to know the link to where this guy put it fourth & it was discussed?

It's before my time, so I'm not sure really. I don't pay much attention to loony theories in general. This one comes up a lot among the older members of the site, many of whom prefer lite WoT discussion. I found this from 1998, which is the year Theoryland was created, but I imagine someone posted a 'real' version of it, and it probably got eaten by the hamsters.

Yeah, I couldn't find it either. I was really hoping to hear someone actually try to convince people & read the responses, lol. But thanks for taking the time to look for me.

There are a lot of joke theories at Theoryland (though I've never heard of that one). Berelain=Moiraine, for example. Evil Min. And then there's Felix/Dida. You can never be sure if all his theories are a joke or if he really believes them.

I heard someone reference the Evil Min Theory somewhere & out of sheer morbid curiosity I spent hours searching for it both here & other places (including theoryland) but the closest I found was people saying things like "that's as crazy as the Evil Min Theory", never the actual theory. Do you happen to know the link to where this guy put it fourth & it was discussed?

According to Brandon, she killed him personally.

Well you would know better than me about what he said. But afaik, he only gave an accidental slip, saying of Asmo's killer, "Well Graendal...", then realizing he wasn't supposed to be answering that, backtracked & said something along the lines of "...is certainly a good candidate." Then after that we got the entry at the end of ToM, which only says she was responsible for the deaths of Aran'gar and Asmodean and for the destruction of Mesaana. That's what I was going by. I never heard of BS saying she killed him personally, but I'm sure you have since you said it.

Not this one at all.

I know you said you don't have the link, but could you explain basically why and how Graendal killed Asmodean, as you see it?

It is indeed. I must admit I must not be that observant cause it never occured to me that she (or he) did it.

Well I don't think she killed him personally, but she's certainly held responsible. Just like it was Rand who technically killed Aran'gar after Graendal left her helpless, Egwene who vegitized Mesaana as a result of her failure after being given the dreamspike, and Sammael who killed Asmodean after their botched plan.

There is a very good writing out there on why and how Graendal killed Asmlodean. I don't have the link myself, but it's really convincing.

I think this is what you're talking about:

http://encyclopaedia-wot.org/main/theories.html

And I agree, it's very convincing.

No, not stated by a character. It was all just speculation and I believe a RAFO until Flinn healed the Sisters I mentioned to their full strength at which time it was confirmed by RJ in his blog I think around the KoD release.

Thank you very much Finnssss for answering my simple question with a simple answer. I was under the impression that not every fan remembered every word of every book & certainly most(like me) had never even thought to read his blog or check his interviews. I thought that if they did, there would be no need for this thread to exist & Luckers knew that when he created it.

Aside from thematic hints (fans guessed it), the interviews.

So it wasn't stated by a character, it was up to the fans to figure it out or read it in interviews. Thank you.

Ahh, thank you, both of you. Do you know where I missed this? I only read through the later books once (I'm going through my first re-read & am currently in the middle of tSR). I remember now that those sisters were healed fully, but did any character figure it out or was it up to us to catch it?

I would also ask if it's possible to completely heal Siuan & Leane now with a man but I suspect the answer is no since they were already healed once. The only reason I bring it up is that all other healing needs to be done soon after the injury except for stilling. So I thought I'd at least ask since this seems to be different.

ok, if that's getting taken elsewhere, I'd like to ask a completely unrelated simple question.

Is it known why Siuan & Leane were only healed to partial strength after stilling but Logain was (apparently) restored to his full power?

I think it is more than possible he will not use them at all, at least not in the way they are supposed to be used. But, he saw how just the sight of one dagger upset a Seanchan. How would a Seanchan opponent react if he pulled out a necklace with three rings on it? That could give him the edge he needs. And there is quite a chance Gawyn will find himself face to face with quite a few seanchan soldiers in the near future...

Good point, I've been thinking about it & I also believe he won't end up using them. But what about him giving them to his sister who might figure out how to make them safer? I know your scenario is more likely if for no other reason than there probably won't be time for such a lull in the action in the last book, but could it play out where she makes one or two that will make the difference for someone in a crucial fight?

Does Gawyn know how to use the blood rings?

Nope. Or at least, he hasn't figured it out yet on-screen.

I was wondering why he was carrying them. Who would he use one on? His mother has been avenged & he seems to have made peace with Rand in his head.

I was just wondering if anyone has updated the WoT army map to the way things stand at the end of ToM.

Currently doing a reread and am on tGH. Is it known who freed Fain at Fal Dara?

 

My best guesses are Ingtar, Verin, or Liandrin.

 

Ingtar released him, according to the encyclopedia. When he told Rand to flee the Fade, they instead pretended to fight and left to free Fain after Rand was out of sight.

I always thought that too, but it couldn't have happened like that. The whole reason Rand doesn't help Ingtar with the fade (other than fear) is that he wants to get to Egwane in the dungeon as fast as he can. How could Ingtar have had time to beat him down there to free Fain without at least running into Rand on his way out?

If the encyclopedia says he released him, I will accept that, but he must have done it before his encounter with Rand & the fade. Especially considering Fain & the trollocs needing enough time to write all that stuff on the wall.

Ahh, thank you.

I'm sure this has been asked before but I couldn't find it. I just started rereading tGH. Does anyone know for certain what the wind was at the beginning that holds Rand in place while he's practicing with Lan, causing him to get cut in the chest by Lan's practice sword? It's very close to the "Wind" that opens every WoT book, but to me it seemed far enough apart & the opening wind never did anything like that in the other books.