Why are the Forsaken so stupid? (Spoilers Winter's Heart)

Nadezhda al'Lanahrin

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So, I have finally finished reading Winter's Heart!! I really enjoyed the book, after the Perrin bit. I really like the time we spent in Far Madding, certainly an interesting place. But the thing that bugged me the most in this book, during the cleansing of saidin, were the Forsaken.

I enjoyed them throughout the book, but when they got to where Rand and Nynaeve were channeling, they did precisely nothing. It was understandable with Moghedien, because, well, that how my girl Mog is, but Cyndane, Demandred, Graendal, Aran'gar, were practically useless. Osan'gar was stupid, but that's just him. I could practically see him prancing around the forest, pretending he's as stealthy as an Aiel, with all that lace and embroidery he wore earlier in the book.

Why wasn't Moridin there? Why weren't there Trollocs, Myrddraal, or something? Where was Mesaana and Semirhage? I would think that the cleansing would be of utmost importance? The Dark One tainted it and presumably wanted that to taint to remain. Maybe I will get more in the next couple books, but still the cleansing was more humorous than anything to me.
 

Merena Orithana

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I would have thought they R&N would have been too distracted to fight anyone off. At least initially.

I was thinking it was more of a "I don't want to be the first person to tango" type of deal.

But overall, I agree- there could have been some concerted effort to do SOMETHING. :giggle
 

Arinna Katal

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Right, but concerted effort would have required them to *gasp* work together, which the Forsaken probably would never do. Also, they’re all more concerned with protecting themselves than striking a gallant blow in the name of the Great Lord. There is another minor point that I was going to make, but it involves a minor Gathering Storm spoiler, and I know Nadie isn’t there yet. :)
 

Nadezhda al'Lanahrin

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Yeah, this is all very true. But now I am not even really scared of the Forsaken anymore. I thought it was funny with Osan'gar and Moghedien. However, with all the others I am disappointed. Especially since Moridin is supposed to be Nae'blis. What is he doing that is so important that he can't show up to something monumental?
 

Aduiavas Ida

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I agree that it is strange that Moridin wasn't there, when he is the one insisting all the others need to go.
RAFO about Mesaana ;) Semirhage is too far away to feel it I think.
 

Toral Delvar

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Some of that does get answered.
But also, if you have been following the re-read, the Forsaken frequently do things that don't make much sense. Lanfear pops into the Tower to have a nice conversation with Mat, one of the others (I think Ishamael) sends a gray man after him, but none of them, despite apparently knowing he is vital, just go in and try and kill him. Time after time, they work through proxies, even when they have a power center, they seem to have convoluted plans and hope things just happen to fall their way
 

Kranerian Vrammar

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Strength with the one power does not correlate with competence. They also have a tendency to dismiss and underestimate everyone from the third age. So when there's suddenly enough power to break the world again being channeled all in one spot, it catches them off guard. It's not like they had a sit down where they discussed contingency plans in case of an emergency like that.
 

Aduiavas Ida

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Moridin tried to make them plan and promise to go there though... He just failed the "work together" part of the speech :P
 
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