The Wheel of Time Re-read (currently reading - Lord of Chaos)

[Toral Delvar]

I spent entirely too long cross referencing who voted to depose Suian (from the Tower Split page) and her comments on who stood against her before visting Fal Dara. I think my analysis is correct, even if it doesn't make much sense

 

[Aduiavas Ida]

When she says that only two Amyrlins have ever been stripped of stole and staff, she is technically correct. Shein Cunla was still the Amyrlin Seat, she was just used as a puppet or ignored...

 

[Aduiavas Ida]

Who was it that ordered that no one was to leave before Agelmar orders it? Was that one of Ingtars deeds? It was done before the Aes Sedai had properly arrived, so I think it is either Moiraine or Ingtar...

 

[Toral Delvar]

Shein was deposed and exiled! From the Companion.

Although the world at large thought she died in office, in fact she was toppled by a rebellion, and a good part of the Hall that had tolerated her fell with her. Many in the Hall had been willing to deal with and around her, but discontent grew until the Sitters who were no longer willing carried out a coup. Shein actually lived another fifty-one years in a very closely controlled exile until she died in 652 NE. There was some evidence that she was assassinated—smothered in her sleep by her guards—because of a plot to return her to power

She was replaced by Gerra Kishnar in 651, who lasted to 638 when Varuna Morrigan replaced her.

 

[Aduiavas Ida]

Hmm, yes, but she wasn't then "Stripped of Stole and Staff" as Siuan mentions here specifically. Words matter They pretended she had died, so she was never stripped of the Stole officially...

And probably, RJ had not created the lore for the White Tower yet at this point, but that is meta reasons...

 

[Leala ni al'Dareis t'al'Caleum]

On Moiraine's thought that Egwene might become Amyrlin someday, I remember this comment each time I read the book, but this time, I actually paid attention to what Egwene was doing to make Moiraine think this.

She was sneaking Rand away from the Women's Apartments. :rofl That made Moiraine think she showed the initiative necessary for Amyrlin. To me, it made me think she had the heart of a plotsy Blue in that moment.

As far as when she would be made Amyrlin, Amyrlins die notoriously young. I think this was a comment made in New Spring, but even when they didn't die in dramatic fashion like Tamra, they usually only stayed in the position for 40 years on average I think. (Someone may want to look that up, because I'm going off memory here.)

 

[Toral Delvar]

Though part of that is because they become Amyrlin when they have lots of experience.
We have a page in the library that gives the date of birth where known for every channeller, so we’d probably be able to work out how old they were when they became Amyrlin.

 

[Leala ni al'Dareis t'al'Caleum]

True, but part of the comment I'm thinking of...and I can't remember who said it, or where it was in the book, was that even young Amyrlins don't stay Seated (read: alive) longer than the usual average 40 years. I'm thinking the comment was something along the lines of "One would expect Aes Sedai in a protected position to live hundreds of years, but even young Amyrlins never have long reigns."

 

[Toral Delvar]

We don't have the birth for many, but Sierin Vayu was 223, Marith Jaen 284 (which is probably unusually old, but many other senior sisters had been killed in the purge) andSereille Bagand 280

 

[Aduiavas Ida]

Wasn't Siuan the youngest ever, at least until Egwene?

 

[Toral Delvar]

She was. I got one more Amyrlin's age from the Companion (don't remember which, but was able to work out she was also over 200)

I also looked to see when the Sitters got their seats - Evanallein was in 997, so it is possible she wasn't involved in questioning Suian as a Blue. Everyone else was definitely in the Hall for both votes,

 

[Xander Silverstar]

Did we start great hunt?

 

[Leala ni al'Dareis t'al'Caleum]

We did! We started the first few chapters this week.

Prologue to Chapter 6.

 

[Toral Delvar]

I gave my thoughts, we’ve mostly discussed a couple of minor points so far

 

[Aduiavas Ida]

I must say, the Prologue is a fun little tidbit, and certainly more interesting than future books Prologues, but the first time I read it, it was just confusing. I mean, at the end we learned that Bors was a Whitecloak, but otherwise, this is mainly a lot of characters that we haven't met, and mostly characters we won't meet.
I don't think I realized that Ingtar was the Shienaran until way, way later. Not even when it is revealed that he is a Darkfriend did I connect his absence here in the beginning to mean that he was in the meeting. Mostly because his "hunting trip" is overshadowed by the Amyrlins arrival :shifty

I love Siuan here. She is not my favourite character by far, but the meeting between her and Rand is awesome
"Have you let Lan at him, Daughter?"

And sneaky, sneaky Verin

And :balefire Liandrin. She is a hateful character from the very first moment we meet her :tug

 

[Leala ni al'Dareis t'al'Caleum]

When I first read the series, the prologue for The Great Hunt was in the back of The Eye of the World. After reading the first book, I read the prologue and was *immediately* intrigued and needed to know more.

My first read-through, I didn't know that Ingtar was at the meeting until the reveal. On re-reads, though, the um...fervor he has for finding the Horn is pretty apparent.

 

[Merena Orithana]

One of my favorite lines in the books is: Sheepherder, Cat crosses the courtyard!

There are so many hilarious gifs and memes...

 

[Leala ni al'Dareis t'al'Caleum]

:rofl

 

[Aduiavas Ida]

:rofl
I don't think that is what it means, but it certainly could sound like it :P

And yes, Ingtars fervour in getting the Horn is very noticeable on reread.

 

[Ilyra Varnaeron]

I completely agree about Ingtar, on reread it's very obvious that he's the one in the prologue. This still makes me sad, to be honest, because I've always enjoyed this character and his fervor, even though it's misplaced.

I'm also really loving Siuan this time around. Not that I didn't like her before, I feel like I just get her now. The dry wit owns me.