u/FrostyMonth111

I’m talking about pre-cleansing of the taint here.

I see arguments about how it is inhumane and the reds are evil. Also that by gentling men, they usually commit suicide after so the genetic pool of channellers gets smaller and weaker. However, what would’ve been the alternative?

They still them at the tower, which is obviously not ideal as they then become suicidal, however the alternative was being driven mad and killing people they love and themselves likely.

If they killed them on the spot like in the vileness then that’s cruel too.

The sharrans remove all their rights and use them as breeding stock which gets around the weaker pool of channellers but is also inhumane.

There just doesn’t seem to actually be a good solution, and the tower chose the least harmful of a bunch of horrible options.

I know some channellers seem to be good with all 5 powers (namely Nynaeve, probably Rand) and some with multiple (Egwene) but I wondered based on the books or companion who are good candidates for most proficient with individual elements?

It seems it would be notable among the Aes Sedai at least because they seem to know their own weaknesses well. Obviously wind finders are noted for their water and air weaves but I mean beyond cultural / gender based affinities.

In the wiki it says Lews Therin was the most powerful, only matched by Ishamael during the time of legends, both their pages mention this. However, Rahvin is also stated to be the same power level as them but is left out of any consideration for most power?

Was he simply less skilled or notable than them? Is this just an oversight?

I know black ajah approach sisters they think will join, but I also mean with normal people too? Has anyone been asked and survived to tell the tale? I can’t think of any examples but it’s hard to imagine a 100% success rate in killing those who say no.

Fork root wasn’t used and therefore all the wise ones could participate in the battle?

I always remember how few channellers were in the fight and if there were 400 wise ones I think they likely could’ve taken out the forces alone, and while they likely included weak channellers, there were serious hard hitters in the shaido (Someryn being the strongest wise one, Therava not far behind).

Do you ever feel bad for those taken as Damane? I know some were truly evil but I think a lot were just forced to follow Sevanna. Many seemed to trust Therava more and she did get to escape but I always thought it was interesting Perrin agreed to let them be taken as damane - I get why but it’s still a shame to me.

I feel arguments could be made for Elaida, the white cloaks, Cadsuane (though redeemed) and many others.

Taking only the highest level of each gender, I’ve noticed they are notably taller than weaker channellers, even those just a level below them.

Of women: Lanfear (5’11) and Semirrhage (6’1.5), (Alivia’s height isn’t noted)

Of men: Rand (6’6, Rahvin (6’8), and Ishamael (height not stated just that he’s shorter than rand, but not pointed out for being short either).

Now this does fall apart if you include anything but the highest tier for each gender; but thought it was interesting RJ decided to also make them physically imposing.

The wonder girls aren’t particularly tall of course.

Edit: Alivia is 5’5 so the exception here. However she was added much later so perhaps this was early RJ reasoning.

Outside of just mask of mirrored and illusions, can the one power be used to enhance beauty?

We know Graendal was know to be the most beautiful and second only to Lanfear that most characters have ever seen. It seems quote the coincidence that two of the most powerful channellers of all time also happen to be the most beautiful, given both are also vain.

Do we think that their beauty is enhanced by a weave or advanced surgery with the one power or ter’angreal? Or do you think they’re just constantly enhancing it with compulsion or mask of mirrors? That seems inefficient.

Perhaps the true power allows it, or it was a bargain with the Finn (at least for Lanfear)

It always struck me that given the importance of raw power in both the modern aes sedai and the forsaken, that these two who are the strongest they can be for their genders don’t really live up to others of their strength (LTT, Lanfear, Ishamael) in terms of of importance to both the plot and the dark one / shadow?

I felt Semirrhage in particular was very underutilised given her role as a master healer and thought there’d be more of a dynamic between her and Nynaeve.

For example, after his death, is it possible that they could repent or are they just fundamentally evil? We know his influence is corrupting so I just wondered of any of them (if they’d survived) would live to regret their choices?

I know they all swore to him willingly but it was also after the bore was drilled and evil started corrupting people.

So it turns out she (Lanfear) survived I just read after I thought she’d died. Whether you want to take Brandon’s interpretation as true or not, what do you think she did after the last battle?

I wonder if she was meant to be in the outrigger books and involved with the Seanchan.

The only thing I can imagine her wanting to do is to regain her former strength by some means, and take revenge but maybe she would turn her hatred towards the Seanchan? Probably too optimistic.

It occurred to me that it’s the only Ajah that actually requires a talent (healing). Whereas all other ajahs accept all aes sedai. What would even happen if someone who can’t heal chose yellow?

I know Aes Sedai tend to throw fireballs and lightning, but what are the other groups go to?

Obviously the greens were trained for battle, and reds do well against channellers but which individual Aes Sedai actually were actually effective in battle?

Obviously the wonder girls are all effective but who are some others you think were actually useful?

I know the real answer here is: not as many as you’d imagine.