#thom merillin

[bogreader]

listening to the john dryden translation of the aeneid narrated by michael page at 2x speed is the closest i get to feeling like a medieval court jester

[wot-tidbits]

Callandor "Who wields me wields destiny. Take me, and begin the final journey"

Three taveren from two rivers

Thom Merillin playing

Lan mandragoram , version inspired by medieval illustrations from Asia and east

Golden Crane Flies Again

What if the Seanchan would open a cofffee place "Nine Moons" where the Kaf is the Best

Dragon Reborn Banner

all by skully_inc

[sparklyeevee]

So I have a thing about like, the notion that powerful female characters in WoT end up dead, dethroned, or depowered by the end of the series. 'Cause that does happen to a lot of the women in WoT, but a) it happens to a lot of the everyone in WoT and b) there are I think more powerful women than powerful men in the series, and I'm not sure the statistics bear out that this affects them more. Since there are Too Many characters in WoT, we're gonna restrict ourselves for the time being to non-villains with more than 5 perspective sections in the books, and who can channel, hold a noble title or high military rank, or have another extraordinary ability. Needless to say, this will involve substantial spoilers for the series, so like, fair warning. We will be sorting characters first by gender and then by whether they are Dead, Dethroned, or Depowered or Doing Just Fine. Loss of Ta'veren status will not, for these purposes, constitute depowering.

Women

Dead, Dethroned, or Depowered

Moiraine Damodred

Siuan Sanche

Egwene al'Vere

Verin Mathwin

Morgase Trakand

Doing Just Fine

Nynaeve al'Meara

Min Farshaw

Elayne Trakand

Faile Bashere

Aviendha

Cadsuane Melaidhrin

Fortuona Paendrag

Pevara Tazanovni

Men

Dead, Dethroned, or Depowered

Rand al'Thor

Geoffram Bornhald

Pedron Niall

Gareth Bryne

Gawyn Trakand

Galad Damodred (debatable)

Doing Just Fine

Lan Mandragoran

Perrin Aybara

Thom Merillin

Mat Cauthon (technically died twice, but he's fine now)

Rodel Ituralde

Androl Genhald

Talmanes

Logain Ablar (debatable)

Four women who seem like they ought to be on this list because of how much they're around, but actually have fewer than 5 perspectives. Mercifully, they balance out

Leane Sharif (DDD)

Birgitte Silverbow (DDD)

Berelain sur Paendrag Paeron (DJF)

Sorilea (DJF)

So, 13 women (not counting the honorable mentions), 5 DDD, 8 DJF. That's 38.46%. 14 men, 6 DDD, 8 DJF, or 42.86%. The difference is less drastic than I expected, but I feel pretty comfortable saying that this does not constitute a trend towards killing and depowering the women of WoT. Logain is debatable because he spends much of the series "brought low" in the kind of way people talk about happening to the female characters, but he ended up on the DJF list because he's fine at the end. Galad is debatable because while he lost his hand and his good looks, he's still got his rank. I put him on the DDD list because if it had happened to Berelain instead, there's no question which list she would be on..

[agardenandlibrary]

Hmm not too pleased to be reintroduced to Thom Merillin when he's sleeping with a girl half his age, if that.

[fedonciadale]

Does anyone else think that the guy that Liandrin killed at the beginning of the show might be Thom Merillin's nephew Owyn?

[alectology-archive]

wot spoilers for last couple of books//

I hate that I imagine thom merillin to sort of look like that old guy from gravity falls so the fact that he and moiraine end up together is super cursed, at least for me, and annoys me a little

[chaos-in-the-making]

Oh the episodes are SO GOOD.

We have Thom Merillin. And we know about Darkfriends now cuz one tried to kill Mat and Rand. Egwene and Perrin are with the Tinkers. And we even were given exposition about Aiel thanks to Thom.

We are missing Elias, who was an integral part of Perrin's story, and I hope we see him!!

AND I ALREADY LOVE MY OTP!!!!!

[amys-the-wise-1]

#WoTBookSpoilers

@havocthecat

Under the cut because of book spoilers (not spoiling everything - promise!) but discussing some literary aspects of how RJ established such from the first pages:

So Egwene is the one character who jumped her fate with the first major decision - to leave with Rand et al - when she wasn't fated to go - but Moiraine says it best when confronted with the situation -

"She's now part of the pattern, for good or bad I do not know yet."

If you look at almost everything that does happen, Egwene is thrust/pushed forward, either by her ambition, her pride, her trauma, or her insatiable thirst for knowledge. At each step, she's racing head-first into whatever she can achieve, without necessary concern for the consequences.

But it all starts with the story of Manetheren but also her reading of the Adventures of Jain Charin - aka Jain Farstrider.

It's the tales that the townsfolk of Emons Field ask Thom Merillin, of Materese the Healer (cough Nynaeve cough) but also Elsbet the Queen of All, and Anyla the Wise Counselor, as well as Tell us about Lenn. How he flew to the moon in the belly of an eagle made of fire. Tell us about his daughter Salya walking among the stars.

History turning to legend turning to Myth - and yet some history is still oral history, depending on who knows the stories and wisdom to share.

When she hears about Amon Al'Caar Al'Thorin and the queen Eldrene, that is the biggest spark - to her imagination and the start of her quest.

Everywhere you read, it mentions that she chafes at any restrictions on her thirst for learning, even when it's for her own safety. That unbridled ambition gets her into so much trouble, and also eventually cuts off quite a bit of learning she did need - even if she was called by the Hall. She pushes beyond all restraint, beyond all limits of safety, and like boys who aren't told to temper their ambitions, there comes a time when her actions write cheques that her arse can't cash - or the cost is entirely too high.

Admittedly, when I was younger, I identified with Egwene and Nynaeve - but now, being Amys age (hence the avatar!) I can also see where ambition needs to burn, having the discipline to self-restraint, to hold to self-discipline, is vital for living a long life - by knowing when to push the limits and blow past boundaries - but also knowing when safety is the smart course.

It's almost befitting in the narrative that those who ran well past the boundaries have the consequences of [spoilers I promised not to speak of ] but it's also a narrative aspect of agency, too.

Queen Eldrene burned with the rage of a million souls and depths of sorrow for the death of her husband and warder and enacted vengeance for what happened - which resulted in the almost complete annihilation of the Shadow's forces - but also immolation of Manetheren - like a nuclear blast had gone off, with the remnants of the balefire and the One Power burning down the mountain home to the living stones of the Mountains of Mist.

And the story lives on via oral tales told to the Aes Sedai thousands of years later - in the resultant tales of Tetsuan and the consequences of her jealousy of Eldrene's beauty but also sheer power in the Saidar.

Tetsuan, when it became known what happened to Manetheren (a major military force for the Light) and the annihilation of the country itself, was brought before the Hall and her treason and treachery came to light. Because of Tetsuan and her jealousy, she hindered any aid to come to the rescue of Manetheren.

Manetheren fell because one Amyrlin was jealous of another's power and beauty.

So, Tetsuan, raised from the Red Ajah, was stripped of stole and staff and was the first Amyrlin to be sentenced to be stilled for her betrayal of Manetheren.

She lived and worked as a scullery maid for 3 years after her stilling.

Even 2000 years later, her lessons of betrayal are still taught to tower initiates - that no one is above the law of the Tower of Aes Sedai.

Egwene knew the consequences for racing forward - and knew the lessons of what happened to those who were either severed, stilled, or burned out.

Some fires burn for a thousand years before failing. Others burn for a blink and are extinguished. Both are living lessons on ambition - but also knowing restraint.

Given what happens, I can posit that Egwene Al'Vere's name will be a teaching lesson for thousands of years - of being like the myths of Icarus, who moulded wings of wax and flew to the sun, like Lenn who flew to the moon in the belly of a Dragon, and his daughter Salyia who walks among the stars. It's Mosk and Merk throwing fire.

Some legends live past the turnings of the Wheel.

And her story will be told as well.

Rather to live in immortality than failing and becoming the scullery maid that no one wants to remember.

Glory vs Mundane existence.

alright time for me to scream incoherently about Egwene and how much I love her and how much justice the show is doing by her already. Heavy, heavy book spoilers below the cut.

So, first, the boring context of my relationship with her as a character: I read Wheel of Time first as a teenager, and being part of the generation that grew up with HP and identified most with Hermione (and who was identified with Hermione by others, bookish girls who always seem to have the right answers in class ftw), Egwene stood out to me as part of that mold almost immediately. Because Egwene is part of that character archetype, the smart girl who picks things up quickly and further proves her mettle and courage by using her brain and wits. My first and most cherished memory of reading the Wheel of Time books is when Moiraine helps Egwene touch the Source on purpose for the first time, and Egwene turns to Rand with excitement shining out of her eyes and says "I'm going to be an Aes Sedai!" I understand why they scrambled that scene like they did and lost that particular line, but that wide-eyed innocent joy Egwene shows is one of her most powerful traits because of where she goes in the series.

In episode 5 of the Wheel of Time show, Nynaeve tells the story of Egwene catching breakbone fever and pushing through, calls her "unbreakable." That's Egwene in a nutshell. The scene with Eamon Valda is delicious in many ways (okay an entire standing ovation to Abdul Salis for delivering to us an Eamon Valda that makes my skin crawl off my body, holy hell), giving excellent Perrin characterization (PERRIN GOLDENEYES MY BELOVED) and showcasing some of the theology of the Children of the Light, but along with all of that, it shows us Egwene as she is under pressure and how she ALWAYS will be under pressure: clever as a fox, quick as a whip, and unbreakable as cuendillar. Egwene is a sponge for other cultures and walks of life, and she's incredibly talented and intelligent, not just in channeling but in talking to people. It's so gratifying to see her staring down Eamon Valda the same way she'll one day stare down the Seanchan who try to leash her, and the Aiel who train her, and the White Tower under Elaida who try to break her, and one day, an entire HECKING army at the Last Battle. This is the future true Amyrlin Seat, this is the girl who will become the most powerful woman on the battlefield, not because of her channeling ability, but because of how empathetic and knowledgeable she is.

Madeleine Madden is understanding the assignment beautifully and bringing such a strong performance to the role of Egwene; from the very first time we see her, floating down the river, I burst into tears, because SHE GETS IT. The writers GET IT. The showrunners GET IT. Nynaeve and even Elayne and Aviendha are powerhouses, but the true meaning of what it means to channel saidar is embodied by Egwene, because she fully understands the first lesson: she submits to the flow, and through her acceptance, she gains power and understanding.

(I mean, also a fair bit of pride and a heaping helping of PTSD but this is a fantasy series peopled by an enormous cast of complex and textured folks, of course one of the main characters is going to have her foibles, too. Let me just gush forever about her good qualities for a bit. And entirely skirt around what happens to her on that battlefield at Tarmon Gai'don, even though it is unbelievably badass, bc it is also sad.)

[wot-tidbits]

RJ’s notes Part 72 by Matt Hatch

EP. 1 ROBERT JORDAN'S WHEEL OF TIME NOTES: Writing The Dragon Reborn

The Dragon Reborn

Plots

They spread out, these small parties [Rand and Mat alone, then Rand and Mat together, then Perrin and Loial alone Egwene and Nynaeve (?and Elayne?)] Each seeing small, simple, ordinary life as well as the grand.

Egwene and Nyneave set by the Amyrlin Seat to track down any of the Black Ajah left in Tar Valon. Or maybe just to track down the Black Ajah anywhere? Maybe limited to Liandrin, and possible those who went with her? Amyrlin would try to leave Elayne out of this, but I suspect Elayne would want in anyway, especially once she discovered Liandrin, in particular, was the quarry. Elaida woud certainly meddle in this especially if Elayne manages to get involved. They will have some success and some failure in this. With perhaps a victory of some significant degree.

Thom Merillin perhaps meets Mat in Tar Valon. [What is Thom doing there?] […] Maybe looking for Moiraine? Not likely to admit, if he is. […] Maybe Thom and Mat travel together until they are separated. Thereafter, Thom joins up with Perrin (?), who has now separated from Loial, while Mat joins up with Rand.

Loial finds a stedding overrun, with all the Ogier killed. He travels via the Ways to carry Word/Warning. Did young Ogier woman who gave him a flower die, there or elsewhere? If so, how did she come there, and why?

Mat will leave Tar Valon (after making an enemy of Galad). He will end up in the Aiel Waste with Rand.

Rand and Mat: Meet where? When? How?

Mat meets a girl. Here, or later??

His luck is a side effect from the dagger.

Robert Jordan had plans to connect Berelaine with Mat as alternative.

Rand goes to the Aiel Waste, to the city in the middle of the Waste, where he learns the origins of the Aiel. Prior of this, we must see the Aiel fight, I think.

Rand goes to Tear? The Stone of Tear, and Calandor, the Sword That Cannot Be Touched.

Something must set Rand on this trip. What? Does he sneak away? If not, he will have plenty of argument/manipulation from Moiraine.

Does Rand travel by means of the Ways, or Portal Stones? Is his control of the Power good enough? Is he foolish/desperate enough?

NOTE: Whatever Rand has set out after, how is it that he ends up in the city in the Waste?

Sets out from the Mountains of Mist. If he is intent on the Sword That Cannot be Touched, how does he intend to fetch it alone? Perhaps he takes Shienarans with him? Or perhaps some sneak after? Ragan and Masema?

NOTE: There are worlds, dream worlds, that can be reached by dreams that are as real as those reached by the Portal Stones?

It is possible that what happened to Mat and Perrin when Ba’alzamon invaded their dream broke some sort of barrier for them. Maybe they are now able to enter dreams that are not dreams themselves, though certainly not under conscious control at first, if ever. This would have nothing to do with the One Power, though both would be afraid that it did.

Aludra and her dragon were part of the notes before writing the Dragon Reborn.

While Aviendha, Faile, Logain and Gaul are missing in that part of the notes.

Aram and his motivation to leave the Tinkers are mentioned in the notes.

Else Grinwell is mentioned as doing a poor job of being novice.

Cairhien was at first like Victorian England and Imperial Germany.

Tear was at first like Imperial Russia.

NOTE: Perhaps Perrin can track Rand partly by his effect on others. He is so strongly ta’veren that he alters peoples lives just by being near them.

Mat would loose his left eye probably as part of a bargain and he would gain the ashandarei (not by name, just described).

The flow of Callandor is not in the early notes.

After finishing the Dragon Reborn Robert Jordan thought he would need three more books to complete the story.

Egwene was going to end up with Galad after Gawyn dies and he will raise the Gawyn’s baby.

In the notes for the Dragon Reborn we don’t have any clue what is the Moiraine’s plan for Rand and whether she has plan in the first place. In the very early notes Moiraine was going to be Amyrlin.

Galad is considered to be king of Cairhien.

Robert Jordan knew in advance that Rand won’t be the POV character through most of the book. He wanted Rand to be going through his mental stuff off-screen.

At some point in these notes Robert Jordan did write down that he thought that Lanfear was at least as strong in the One Power as Ishamael and then almost made possibly as strong as Lews Therin. He made Lews Therin stronger than Ishamael. And this is not how the charts later turned on.

Nothing about the eyes and ears spying network of Moiraine.

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