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Wheel Funny: Sa'angreal

Here is another filk song written by Semirhage and Ishamael, based on the 80s song "Rocket Launcher" by Bruce Cockburn.
 
Sa'angreal
by Sem and Ishamael
 
(Sammael)
Here comes the Whitecloaks -- second time today
Everybody scatters, and hopes they go away
How many Darkfriends they've murdered, only The Great Lord can say
If I had a sa'angreal...I'd make somebody pay
 
(Semirhage)
I don't believe in Ajahs, and I don't believe in binding
I don't believe in Amyrlins, or their stinking serpent rings
And when I talk with Wilders, of oaths too sickening to relate
If I had a sa'angreal...I would retaliate
 
(Ishamael/Moridin)
In the Two Rivers, one hundred thousand wait
To fall down from starvation -- or some less humane fate
Cry for The Black Tower, with a corpse in every gate
If I had a sa'angreal...I would not hesitate
 
(Demandred)
I want to be the one to kill him -- at least I've got to try
Every time I think about him, fury rises to my eyes.
Situation desperate, echoes of the victims cry
If I had a sa'angreal...that son of a bitch would die
Mashiara Sedai
Mashiara Sedai

WoT If… Rand Drank from the Goblet?

Welcome back to another edition of "WoT If?", Dragonmount's weekly theory blog.  We are going to continue our reread of The Eye of the World, chapters 14 - 16. 
 
Before we start, I do want to say that there will still be SPOILERS!  With the ending in sight, much of what I point out could allude to things that happen in A Memory of Light, so keep that in mind as you read.  Don't continue if you don't want to be spoiled.
 
Synopsis:
Chapter 14, "The Stag and Lion"
 
The innkeeper—Master Fitch—takes the company further into the inn.  He talks about things going on in the city, about the miners come down from the mountains and the town being full.  Lan goes off to the common room to see what can be learned.  Moiraine asks Master Fitch about the Whitecloaks in the city.  The innkeeper says they are only making trouble for the Governor.  Moiraine asks after Min, but then Rand, Mat, Perrin, and Thom are lead off to the men's baths.
 
As they are getting clean, Mat almost lets slip about Trollocs to the bath attendant.  Lan comes in and quickly dismisses the attendant and berates Mat for not holding his tongue.  They are not supposed to even think about Trollocs.  Perrin asks about Trollocs in Saldaea and Lan yells at them again.
 
When they leave the bath, Rand sees Moiraine talking to a young woman with short hair, and dressed in a man's coat and breeches.  They go to a private dining room.  Rand has realized how they can trust no one but themselves, and tries to make up with Egwene; she turns her back on him and he swallows his apology.  After Master Fitch brings them dinner, Moiraine asks Lan what news he has.  Lan says there was a battle in Ghealdan—but he couldn't find out if the Aes Sedai involved were killed, captured, or alive.  There also doesn't seem to be Myrddraal or Trollocs around the city.  Moiraine says they will spend two nights at the Stag and Lion then leave the next morning.  The Emond's Fielders are pleased with this prospect.
 
Rand is sharing a room with Lan and Thom.  Despite the excitement of the common room, Rand lays down in bed and goes to sleep.
 
He wakes up in a stone corridor.  He walks for some time, with no change in his surroundings.  He tries to open a door and enters a room with a balcony that exposes a sky with swirling clouds of black, and gray, and red, and orange—no natural sky.  The stones of the fireplace seem to be made of people's faces, streaming in agony.  There is a mirror on the wall, and Rand's image is distorted and fuzzy.
 
Suddenly, there is a man standing in the room in front of the fireplace.  He is good-looking and dressed in dark, fine clothes.  The man greets Rand, and when he does, the man's eyes and mouth become open furnaces filled with flames.  Rand screams and runs from the room, falling into the room opposite.  The man stands in front of the fireplace in the second room too.  Rand tries to leave, but the corridor is gone.  The door closes, locking him in the room.
 
The man tells Rand that he must be thirsty, and he can drink from the goblet on the table.  Rand reaches for it and lifts it to his mouth, then thinks better of it.  He refuses, and the man is obviously displeased.  Rand asks the man what he wants, and who he is.  The man answers, "Some call me Ba'alzamon."  Rand frantically tires to flee from the room, because Ba'alzamon is another name for the Dark One.
 
Ba'alzamon asks if Rand is the one, and says that Rand can never hide from him.  Does Rand expect power and glory?  Does Rand expect the Eye of the World to serve him?  Ba'alzamon says the White Tower would use Rand, that the Aes Sedai have manipulated him like a puppet, leading his father like a stallion and his mother a brood mare.  He says Rand will be used like Davian, Yurian Stonebow, Guaire Amalasan, Raolin Darksbane, and Logain.
 
Rand shouts the Ba'alzamon is sealed with the Forsaken, forever.  Ba'alzamon says he was never bound.  That he told Lews Therin to kill his family, that he shattered the Second Covenant, that he caused Artur Hawkwing to doom his own empire.  Rand denounces the whole event as a dream.  Ba'alzamon laughs at him and breaks the back of a rat on the table.  He then points a finger at Rand, and Rand's back begins to bend.
 
Rand wakes up from the nightmare and wonders if Moiraine could help keep them away.  He scoffs at himself, realizing bad dreams are better than the Aes Sedai's help.
 
Chapter 15, "Strangers and Friends"
 
Rand wakes the next morning alone in his room.  Lan and Thom are already out.  He had more dreams but can't remember any but the first.  He goes downstairs for breakfast.  The cook gives him something to eat, and begins to explain that a dozen rats were found with their backs broken.  After he's done eating, he goes to find Thom, and ask advice.  Thom is busy in the common room, so Rand goes up to Perrin's room.  Perrin isn't feeling well, and hasn't left the inn.  Rand asks Perrin if he had the same dream; he has.  They conclude that Mat must have, as well.  Rand tries to cheer Perrin up, but is unable to do so.  Rand leaves the inn to explore the city.
 
Out on the street, Rand is overcome by the press of the crowd.  He sits off to the side of the road in front of the inn, trying to clear his head.  He has a headache.  Min arrives and makes fun of him a bit.  She tells him she knows about Moiraine, and that she sees "pieces of the Pattern."  Rand asks what she sees around their group.  Min mostly sees sparks battling a great shadow.  She explains some of the things she saw around Egwene, Thom, Lan, Perrin, and Mat.  Rand finally asks her what she sees around him.  Min says a few things, which don't make sense to her or Rand, but she says she will see him again.  Frightened by her, Rand runs off into the city.
 
Rand looks around the city, and is surprised at how the people don't look any different from back home.  He sees Padan Fain and chases the peddler down.  He tells Fain that everyone thought he was dead.  Fain says the Trollocs burned his wagon and he couldn't get to his horses.  Rand tells him they are staying at the Stag and Lion, and that Moiraine could help.  Afraid of Moiraine, Fain runs off and Rand pursues.  He bumps into Mat.  Rand asks Mat if he had the same dream of Ba'alzamon; Mat has.  Mat says they can ask Thom for advice, but not to tell Moiraine.  As they're returning to the inn, Rand tells Mat about the things Min can see. 
 
Suddenly, Mat points out three Whitecloaks walking down the street.  Mat disappears into a shop and uses his sling to make barrels fall off a wagon, spraying the Whitecloaks with mud.  Feeling giddy, Rand laughs at the Whitecloaks, who accost him and threaten him.  Rand burnishes his sword, and the Whitecloaks see it is heron-marked.  Luckily, the city Watch arrives and chases the Whitecloaks away.  Mat says Rand must be going crazy to behave so with the Children of the Light.
 
They find Thom as they go back to the Stag and Lion.  Both boys tell Thom of their dreams, and he asks them for all the details.  He says it is better to keep this from Moiraine, for the time being.  They rush back to the inn to make sure Perrin doesn't tell her.  At the door, Perrin meets them, flustered, saying that Nynaeve has just arrived.  They go in to see her.
 
Chapter 16, "The Wisdom"
 
As they enter the inn, Min grabs Rand and pulls him to the side.  She says Nynaeve is a part of it—a part of their group.  Before, three or four of them had to be in the same room together, but now she saw sparks with just Moiraine and Nynaeve present.
 
They go into the same dining room, and Nynaeve is there with Moiraine, Egwene, and Lan.  Rand, Mat, Perrin, and Thom enter—the boys and Egwene sitting at the table between the two women.  Lan asks how she found them, and Nynaeve tells him that she followed his tracks.  Lan compliments her abilities, and she blushes.  Moiraine and Nynaeve argue about whether the Emond's Fielders should go on or go home.  Rand says they need to go on, even if there is only a chance that it would bring the Trollocs back.
 
Moiraine dismisses everyone from the room, leaving only herself and Nynaeve to chat.  They wait outside the door, and when Nynaeve comes out, only Rand remains.  Nynaeve comments about how he's grown in just a week.  He asks what Moiraine said.  Nynaeve tells him that the Aes Sedai wondered if any of the boys were born outside the Two Rivers.  Then, Rand realizes that Tam's fever dream must be at least part true.  He tells Nynaeve about it, and Nynaeve confirms that Tam and Kari arrived in the Two Rivers with an infant.  He asks if Mat or Perrin were born outside the Two Rivers, but immediately says it's not his business.  He asks her what she's going to do, and she replies that they'll just have to see.
 
My take:
Sorry for the long synopsis; a lot happened in these chapters.  There's a lot to discuss, as well, so I'll try to do it chronologically.
 
First, Rand thinks when Lan mentions Logain, that the Warder talked "as if he knew him."  I believe we've touched on this before, but it's worth mentioning again.  Of course, we know the end of the series, and nothing has come from a relationship between Lan and Logain, but it's curious to think that their paths might have crossed.  Logain is a minor noble, and Lan and Moiraine have traveled far and wide, so it's not farfetched to think they could have met.
 
There's also something in the scene when Moiraine tells the Emond's Fielders that they will stay in Baerlon for two nights.  She smiles, and turns to Lan and says, "What does Master Andra say to that?"  The tone it's told in really humanizes her.  She's giving the country folk a chance in the city, a treat, and she's enjoying giving it to them.  The cute, almost banter, between her and Lan lets us see she isn't all bad.  She's able to feel joy and happiness.  I really think that this shows us an Aes Sedai who is capable of caring.  Elaida, for instance, would never feel pleasure out of seeing their grinning faces.  (And we see more of this in a few chapters, when Moiraine actually dances in the common room.)
 
Moving on to the dream sequence.  This is the first time Rand is taken to the place with the bizarre sky.  He revisits it several times throughout this book, and a few times in the later books.  When Rand first had dreams that weren't dreams in Chapter 9, "Tellings of the Wheel," I questioned whether he was in a dreamshard or in Tel'aran'rhiod.  After reading this passage, I'm convinced the first a dreamshard—controlled by Ishamael—and the latter Tel'aran'rhiod.  Dreamshards, we find out in A Memory of Light, are a bit of a person's own memories and personalities.  They can shape it any way they want.  That makes sense for the first dream, as Ishamael would be showing Rand images to frighten him and make him suspicious of the White Tower.  However, when Rand enters the room with the balcony and faces in the fireplace, it seems like Ishamael is less in control.
 
Ishamael shows that he, in some ways, has power over the world around them.  When he breaks the rat's back, he forces Rand to look:
 
 
However, if Ishamael was in complete control, he would have force Rand to drink the goblet.  This suggest Tel'aran'rhiod to me.
 
On that topic, what was in the goblet?  Surely not poison.  We know how much Ishamael wants Rand, needs Rand, to fulfill certain prophecies and schemes of the Shadow.  Ishamael needs the Dragon in order to complete his plans.  While there is a lot of back and forth among the other Forsaken (kill him; don't kill him), Ishamael knows the importance of Rand and the balance he brings.   Rand's death this early wouldn't have worked towards Ishamael's advantage.
 
Maybe it would have been something akin to forkroot?  Something that would dull Rand's channeling?  That would make it easier for Ishamael to narrow down which boy he needed.  If he gave it to Mat and Perrin, nothing would happen.  The only problem is, I don't know if the Shadow is aware of forkroot.  Nynaeve uses it on Moghedien (The Fires of Heaven, Chapter 55, "The Threads Burn"), but it doesn't say if she knew of it before Ronde Macura made it well known.
 
It's been so long since my first read through of this book, so it's hard for me to remember what I was feeling then.  I wonder if the reader is supposed to believe that Ba'alzamon is the Dark One.  Rand certainly believes—though Thom doesn't seem to be nearly as afraid when the boys tell him.  To the reader, we figure out soon—if we didn't doubt right away—that Ba'alzamon is really Ishamael.  Looking at this chapter, though, it's incredibly obvious.  Look at the phrases Ishamael uses when tell Rand he was never bound in Shayol Ghul:
 
 
The prologue is probably far from the reader's mind at this point, but it's clearly stated that this man, Ba'alzamon, stood at Lews Therin's side when he killed his family, saw him use the One Power to kill himself.  Elan Morin Tedroni was the only person who saw that.  And while we don't know he's Ishamael, we can ferret out he's definitely not the Dark One.  (Also, Elan Morin uses the name Shai'tan as a curse.  I'm sure the Dark One wouldn’t swear by his own name.)
 
And one last thing on the subject of Ishamael needing Rand, why else would he give Rand the hint about the Eye of the World?  That's like giving away the location to the bank you are going to rob to the police.  It doesn't make sense.  They could have tried to make it a trap—with Balthamel and Aginor waiting—yet they say it was Mat's dagger that led them there, not any plan amongst the Forsaken.  But letting this information slip allows Rand to not only kill two Forsaken, but also get the Dragon Banner, the Horn of Valere, and save the battle at Tarwin's Gap.  Seems pretty stupid for someone of the Shadow to help the Light so much.
 
One last idle thought about this sequence… Is this room within Moridin's fortress that's inside Shayol Ghul?
 
In the next chapter, Rand gets his first reaction to touching saidin.  The time span in-between was about eight or nine days. As he channels a few more times, the span becomes smaller.  I love how it made him giddy this time.  It's a sign to the reader that something is wrong—and Robert Jordan does such a wonderful job of juxtaposing this to the explanation of Nynaeve's first channeling later—but we don't have enough information yet to guess what it is. 
 
This is also where we see real differences between Mat, Rand, and Perrin.  Their first time in a city, and Perrin won't leave the inn.  Rand—who had the same dreams—forces himself to go out, but Perrin isn't able to do that.  He says, "I wish I was back home."  Mat doesn't even need to struggle to put on a normal face and act fine.  This sets up Perrin for being a sort of guy who doesn't like change, who will always want to be as normal as possible.  He says he knows his duty, but he fights against it just as hard—if not harder—than Rand and Mat do.  And this is one of the reasons he really struggled with leadership in the later books.  Many people comment how whiny he got, but if you look at his roots, at his core, you can see why he resisted so hard.
 
And here we are introduced to Min and her viewings.  Her whole purpose though the series is to give hints to the readers.  The things she tells Rand never really help him.  They are for us only, to try and piece together as much as we can.  I love this ability; it's what's kept a lot of theories and discussions going over the course of twenty-three years.  However, some of them are still a bit fuzzy—to me, at least.
 
When Min says Egwene "won't refuse it," I don't think it just means begin Aes Sedai.  I think it's referring to being raised Amyrlin. 
 
The images around Lan I've talked about several times before—mostly insisting he would survive the Last Battle.  So I'll just say that they show only the future, so he and Nynaeve will have at least once child after Tarmon Gai'don.  
 
Perrin's were obvious from the start—as soon as we learned the truth of who Faile really was.  Mat's too are pretty straightforward, after Towers of Midnight came out.  For Rand, the only one that still eludes me is the "bloody hand and a white-hot iron."  The bloody hand could be when his is blown off by Semirhage, but I'm not sure about the white-hot iron.
 
And with Nynaeve's arrival, we see real signs of ta'veren-ness at work in the world.  
 
 
This could be Nynaeve's manifestation of Listening to the Wind—how she knows that emotional storms are coming—but I bet it's just Rand, and to a lesser extent, Mat and Perrin, tugging at her.  Nynaeve is one of the most important characters in the story.  The things she accomplished helped Rand to win.  Without her, many things would have changed.
 
That's all for this week.  Let me know if there's something I glossed over.  And please join me next time as we continue the beginning of this wonderful journey.  Thanks for reading!
Mashiara Sedai
Mashiara Sedai

Hugo Nominations have opened!

Earlier this month, the nomination process for the 2014 Hugo Awards began. The Hugo Awards are science fiction and fantasy's highest honor and awarded each year by the members of the World Science Fiction Society at WorldCon. To be eligible to nominate you need to be a registered member of either the 2013, 2014 or 2015 WorldCons by January 31. Nominating ballots are due by March 31 and the awards will be announced at this year's WorldCon in London. 
 
As we reported earlier, this is Robert Jordan's final year for Hugo eligibility in the category  of "Best Novel" for the Wheel of Time series. However, there are many other categories and works eligible for nomination. If you are planning to nominate for the first time this year, we recommend participating in the process as fully as possible and nominating in several categories. Ballots from first time voters nominating one work in a single category run the risk of being discounted by the Hugo Administrators.
 
What's eligible for a Hugo? Any work of science fiction or fantasy that was published for the first time in 2013, or translated into English for the first time in 2013. That encompasses a wide variety of novels, short fiction, artwork, graphic novels, TV shows, podcasts and more. Anything you've enjoyed or thought advanced the genre in a new or interesting direction can be nominated. The Hugo Award administrators will select the five most popular in each category to become this year's Hugo nominees. 
 
If you're still uncertain what to nominate, here are some eligible works we'd like to draw your attention to. Remember, these are just our suggestions. Feel free to nominate whatever works you enjoyed last year. 
 
Best Novel
The Wheel of Time by Robert Jordan and Brandon Sanderson (We believe that the current WSFS rules allow the nomination of the entire series as a complete work now that it's complete.) Steelheart by Brandon Sanderson The Rithmatist by Brandon Sanderson  
Best Editor (Long Form)
Harriet McDougal, for her work on editing the Wheel of Time series and ensuring that her husband's vision was completed.   
Best Related Work
Writing Excuses Brandon Sanderson hosts this podcast along with several other authors. It won the Hugo in this category in 2013.  Dragonmount.com There is unfortunately no category for best fan website, but if you enjoy our work here we'd appreciate the nod.   
Best Fan Writer
Linda Taglieri runs the excellent 13th Depository blog which features the most detailed analysis of the Wheel of Time series online. Leigh Butler is the host of the Wheel of Time Re-Read and A Song of Ice and Fire Read for Tor.com. Aidan Moher is a long time friend of Dragonmount and hosts the popular review and commentary blog A Dribble of Ink. Adam Whitehead maintains The Wertzone, a popular review and fantasy site. He is also a frequent poster to our forums. Maureen Carr, AKA "Mashiara Sedai" who writes our popular theory blog "WoT If…" and edits the rest of our columns.  Best Fan Artist
Amy Dale, for her "Fields of Merrilor" artwork that graces our site.   
Best Professional Artist
Paul Bielaczyc, for his "Dragon Reborn", which is available both as a print and as a t-shirt at Ta'veren Tees. Ariel Burgess, for the body of work commissioned by Ta'veren Tees for  the 2014 Wheel of Time Calendar.   
 
Additionally, our friends at Tor.com publish a large amount of eligible short fiction and art every year. (In particular, please read "The Lady Astronaut of Mars" by Mary Robinette Kowal.) Also, many of your favorite authors will post on their websites about what eligible works they have this year. If you aren't sure if something you enjoyed was published in 2013, check with the author to be sure. 
 
You can learn more about WorldCon, how the nomination process works and how to register by visiting LonCon's website. Remember, participating in the Hugo nomination process is an important way we recognize the best of science fiction and fantasy each year. 
JenniferL
JenniferL

Weekly Roundup January 12-18

It’s Monday, and that means it is time for a new edition of the Dragonmount Weekly Roundup! This week has been an exciting week, with lots of big changes and updates, site wide!
 
First and foremost, the ban on spoilers from A Memory of Light has been lifted. Keep in mind that some of the Social Groups and sub forums may still have bans in place regarding spoilers, and respect the spoiler policy on those boards. However, for General Discussion, you are now free to discuss any of the existing works from The Wheel of Time.
 
Secondly, the Empy Awards are soon upon us! Now, it’s time for nominations. Before nominating, check out this post regarding nomination rules. Nominations are open until January 29. Be sure to check out the amazing forum signatures and the Empy Categories as well.
 
With the change in the spoiler status of A Memory of Light, the Black Tower Social Group has started a discussion thread on The Black Tower in A Memory of Light. The discussion is sure to have some very thought-provoking and interesting ideas.
 
If you still are looking to discuss A Memory of Light, the Band of the Red Hand has a thread discussing the Horn of Valere and its place within the final book. This has been a month-long discussion, but now, with the spoiler policy lifted, is sure to have a much more in-depth conversation.
 
Finally, an update from Dragonmount’s Twitter Feed:

 
 
Remember, you can get daily updates on Dragonmount and Wheel of Time related news from Dragonmount’s Twitter and Facebook pages!
 
That wraps it up for this week! I look forward to our next edition of Dragonmount’s Weekly Roundup!
Moon Sedai
Moon Sedai

Wheel Funny: The Watcher's Watching Me

Our next filk song from Semirhage and Ishamael is based on the 80's classic "Somebody's Watching Me" by Rockwell.   The Watcher's Watching Me, from the POV of: Osan'gar, and Aran'gar, and Sammael, and Semirhage, and Demandred, and Mesaana, and...and...and   By Sem and Ishamael   I'm just an average Chosen with an average lifeI work to remake the world
Hey, hell, I pay the priceAll I want is to be left alone in my average home
But why do I always feel like I'm in the vacuole zone?
 
And I always feel like The Watcher's watching me
And I have no privacy oh o oh
I always feel like The Watcher's watching me
Even in Tel'aran'rhiod 
When I come home at night
I bolt the door real tight
People gateway in unannounced, I'm trying to avoid
But can the people I spy on see me or am I just paranoid?
 
When I'm at a meeting of the Chosen, I'm afraid to drink my tea
Cause I might taste something foul if The Watcher has poisoned me
Darkfriends say I'm crazy, just a little touched
But maybe tea reminds me of forkroot too much
That's why...
 
I always feel like The Watcher's watching me
And I have no privacy oh o oh
I always feel like The Watcher's watching me
Who's playing tricks on me?
 
I don't know anymore
Are Graendal and Lanfear watching me?
Well is a Gray Man watching me?
And I don't feel safe anymore, oh what a mess
I wonder who's watching me now -- (BOO!) --The Spider?
 
I always feel like The Watcher's watching me
And I have no privacy oh o oh
I always feel like The Watcher's watching me
Even in my dreams
 
I always feel like The Watcher's watching me
Who's playing tricks on me?
 
Tell me it cant be
I always feel like The Watcher's watching me
Mashiara Sedai
Mashiara Sedai

The Wheel Turns: Elementary, My Dear Readers

Hello, friends! The Wheel has turned all the way around to Thursday again, which means two things: the weekend is not too far away, and it's time for our Rotating Features blog!
I hope you all had a good couple of weeks whether or not you observed a religious celebration, had a holiday, or if life went on as normal!
This week we are going to talk about something I got into over the winter holiday season, a BBC television series called Sherlock. It is a modern day adaptation of the character Sherlock Holmes, created by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle in the late 1800's and early 1900's, and the plot lines throughout the series often hold subtle homage to the plot lines of the original novels.
 

 
This is different from your ordinary television series in a couple of ways. Firstly, the seasons are very short, only 3 episodes each. Noticeably as well, the main actors are very well known for television work. Sherlock Holmes himself is portrayed very well by none other than Benedict Cumberbatch who has appeared in more than one high profile movie recently, notably Star Trek: Into Darkness. And his companion Dr. Watson is equally well depicted by Martin Freeman who you may recognize as Bilbo Baggins from The Hobbit.
I won't spoil any of the series for you, but it is intelligent, witty, personable, and it's adaptation into a modern day setting is well done. As a childhood reader of Conan Doyle's works, I am satisfied with this rendition of the characters and settings, whereas with the feature films of Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law, whilst reasonable movies, I felt were not really true to the original works and would have been better served as their own animal.
Give it a go and see what you think! It isn't my favorite series ever, there are several that come to mind that I enjoyed much more (perhaps a future article on that!) but I would recommend it as worth a watch. I understand there is also an American take in the same character on-going presently called Elementary, but I have not seen it and have heard mixed opinions on it so far.
That's all for now! Have fun!
Until next time, friends!
 

(image by allegator)
(Editor's Note: Season 3 of Sherlock premiered in the UK on January 1st, 2014.  For US viewers, the season will begin on PBS on January 19th, 2014.)
The_Fnorrll_Reborn
The_Fnorrll_Reborn

Wheel Funny: The Chosen Christmas List

This week, we have a few more filk songs sent in by Semirhage and Ishamael.
 
 
Chosen Christmas List (2005)  
By: Semirhage and Ishamael 
 
Semirhage wants 13 Aes Sedai to torture and turn.
Ishamael just wants someone else's eyes to burn.
Demandred wants the head of the Dragon Reborn under his tree.
To own Callandor is Osan'gar's only Christmas plea.
Aran'gar only wants to be a man,
Moghedien would like a place to hide for as long as she can.
Graendal, of course, wants another pretty pet.
Mesaana will take what ever she can get.
Cyndane wants to be tall.
Will the Great Lord grant any of these at all?
 
 
 
The Chosen XMAS Song (2012)
By Semirhage and Ishamael
 
The Dragon is roasting on an open fire
Trollocs nipping at his nose
Yuletide carols being sung by Darkfriends
And Gray Men dressed up like Eskimos
Everybody knows an angreal and the Dominion Rod
Help to make the season bright
Mesaana's tots with their eyes all aglow
Will find it hard to sleep tonight
They know that The Great Lord's on his way
He's loaded lots of toys and goodies on his sleigh
And every Black Sister is gonna spy
To see if Draghkar really know how to fly
And so I'm offering this simple phrase
To my  Chosen and all of you
Although its been said
Many times, many ways
Merry Christmas to you...
*music* {10 stanzas}
 
Ishamael,
Lord of the  Chosen
 
 
 
Based on Kenny Rogers' "The Gambler"
From the point-of-view of the Dark One
By Charlotte
You got to know when to grovel,
Know when to worship,
Know when to hit the floor,
And know when to pray.
You never count your blessings,
When you're in the Great Lord's presence.
They'll be time enough for counting,
When the pain is done.
Mashiara Sedai
Mashiara Sedai

WoT If… Perrin is a True Friend?

Welcome back to another edition of "WoT If?", Dragonmount's weekly theory blog.  We are going to continue our reread of The Eye of the World, chapters 10 - 13. 
 
Synopsis:
Chapter 10, "Leavetaking"
 
Rand, Mat, and Lan all go into the stableyard where Perrin is standing guard.  Lan asks if Perrin checked the area and Perrin says he has.  Lan sets to work saddling horses.  Mat notices that Rand is wearing Tams sword, and makes a joke about it.  Perrin also has a weapon, an axe made by Master Luhhan.  The boys talk about whether to believe Moiraine's claim that the Trollocs are after them.  Rand confirms that she told the truth about their homes being burned first.  When Rand mentions his father also agreeing that they had to leave, Moiraine appears suddenly and questions him.  Mat and Perrin swear they only left notes, as instructed.
 
Lan tells them they are ready to go when Egwene comes into the stableyard, insisting she will go along with them.  After some argument, Moiraine says Egwene can accompany them.  Lan says she can take Thom's horse, when Thom pops out of the hayloft and says he will travel with them as well.  After more discussion, Thom is allowed to go.  They choose Bela as a horse for Egwene.
 
They sneak out of the stable and into the night.  They pause as mounted riders—the organized watch discussed before Winternight—ride past.  They go quietly through the outskirts of the village; Rand constantly looks about, holding on to the last images of Emond's Field. 
 
Traveling through the countryside, parallel to the North Road, Rand see a shape in front of the moon, something like a bat.  He tells Lan, who calls it a Draghkar.  Wanting speed, Moiraine directs them to the North Road at a gallop.
 
Chapter 11, "The Road to Taren Ferry"
 
The group races up the North Road.  Rand didn't anticipate running at such speeds, and begins to worry about Egwene and Bela.  The old horse surely couldn't keep up with this pace for long.  He vows to drop back if Egwene slows.  He silently cheers Bela on, trying to give her strength, asking the Light for help.
 
Lan slows them down and Rand sees in surprise that they are already to Watch Hill.  The villagers and Thom discuss resting in the village, but Lan only gives them a moment to catch their breath.  Moiraine circles the horses, draining their fatigue with the One Power.  When she gets to Bela, she tells Rand that the old mare has a good heart, and is the least weary of them all.
 
The Draghkar's scream fills the night, and the horses spook.  Rand barely holds onto Cloud's reigns.  They mount up and run.  As they run, Rand notices sudden banks of fog appearing around them.  Rand suspects Moiraine must have used the One Power to summon it.  The riders clump together, still running at full speed. 
 
After several hours, Lan slows them again.  They are in Taren Ferry.  The houses are strange to Rand's eyes.  The Warder leads the group to the ferry owner, then makes a deal with him to carry the group across the river.  Master Hightower agrees to meet them at the landing.
 
Chapter 12, "Across the Taren"
 
They take their horses to the ferry landing.  Following the examples of Thom and Lan, Rand tries to make himself look more intimidating.  Hightower appears with his workers and demands the money promised.  Lan informs the man he will receive it on the other side of the river.  As they cross, Rand asks Lan if Hightower would rob them.  Lan comments on human nature, that men are more likely to do bad things if their deeds are hidden.  This makes Rand worry about Darkfriends.
 
On the opposite bank, Hightower wants his gold.  Moiraine says each worker will also receive a silver mark.  The men walk off the ferry.  As Lan hands out coins, Moiraine looks at the river.  Suddenly, the ferry comes lose, and is sucked into the water by a whirlpool.  Moiraine apologize that they lost their ferry in her service and has Lan pay the man more money.  Hightower takes the coins, then rushes into the fog. 
 
The fog ends a few feet up the bank.  Thom wonders why Moiraine didn't make the fog extend all the way to Baerlon.  Moiraine explains that this will trick the Draghkar into thinking they have taken a boat up or down river.   Mat finally works up the courage to ask Moiraine if she caused the whirlpool.  She only says that she intends to get them all safely to Tar Valon.
 
Lan had prepared a campsite along the bank on their way to the Two Rivers.  After hobbling the horses, they go inside a small covered area.  Moiraine and Egwene are speaking about the One Power, and a bit about the Red Ajah and insane male channelers.  Moiraine tells Egwene that she is one of a handful of people who will channel the One Power whether she wishes to or not.  She is also close to her change, and it would be better if Moiraine guided her in it.  The Aes Sedai pulls out her blue stone and holds it between their hands.  Small lights flash off the stone.  Egwene produced the last light on her own.  She rushes to Rand, proclaiming she will be an Aes Sedai.
 
Chapter 13, "Choices"
 
Before going to sleep, Moiraine uses the Power to drain the fatigue out of all the travelers.  Thom tries to pull away, but Moiraine forces him.  They rest for an hour, then remount and continue on their way.  They travel north, taking great pains to avoid towns, farms, or people.  Their first night, Lan begins to teach the boys how to use their weapons.  Moiraine tells him to continue the lessons.  Thom entertains them at nights with juggling and stories. 
 
Two days after they leave the river, Egwene unbraids her hair.  She and Rand shout at each other, and Rand says Aes Sedai are Darkfriends.  Lan quiets them down, and Rand realizes he said more than he should have.
 
Two nights after that, Mat suggests that they head south once they reach Caemlyn, instead of going to Tar Valon.  Moiraine heard him, and threatens the boys.  She would rather kill them herself than let the Dark One have them. 
 
Another night, Rand sneaks close to listen to Egwene's and Moiraine's nightly chats.  The two women talk about the male Aes Sedai who went insane, and of the taint on saidin.  Moiraine accidently lets slip that someone else in Emond's Field can learn to channel.  Moiraine tells Egwene that Aes Sedai are both good and bad, strong and weak, brave and cowardly.  The Power will not change who she is.  Egwene then asks why the Trollocs came to the Two Rivers.  Moiraine's eyes look to Rand's hiding spot, and he quickly, and quietly leaves the area. 
 
After a week, they arrive at Baerlon.  The city has a twenty-foot high wall surrounding it.  The Emond's Fielders gape at it and Thom rolls his eyes.  Moiraine instructs them not to talk about Trollocs or Fades.  She warns them that Darkfriends may be in the city, so they need to be careful.
 
They approach a small, closed gate, and the gatekeeper hurries to open it for them.  He tells them of a battle between Aes Sedai and the False Dragon in Ghealdan—and that the man can channel and is heading for Tear.  He also says Whitecloaks are in the city.  Rand asks Thom what heading for Tear would mean, and Thom explains about The Karaethon Cycle.  The Prophecies of the Dragon state that the Stone of Tear will only fall when the Sword That Cannot Be Touched is held by the Dragon.
 
The group goes down an alley and enters into the back entrance of an inn.  The innkeeper, Master Fitch, rushes out and welcomes them to the Stag and Lion.
 
 
My take:
In all honesty, not much happens in these few chapters.  This is the calm before the storm unleashes.  As far as pacing goes, I think Robert Jordan used this time intentionally to lull us—like Mat—into a false sense of security.  Moiraine warns repeatedly of the danger, but our wayward heroes often disregard her advice (like when they get to Shadar Logoth).
 
One curious thing about the trip across the river, Moiraine tells Lan that they don't want to stand out in Master Hightower's mind.  However, their actions are very suspicious.  When Lan doesn't put away his coins, he lets on that he knew more than he should have.  When Moiraine insists they pay the man before he could demand it makes them seem like they're scheming.  The situation could have been handled better, I think.
 
I also think it's funny that Mat already has an aversion to the Power being used on him.  The other two ta'veren quickly get over this fear.  Mat keeps it till the very end.  I like that, despite how much he does grow, some of his roots are still the same.
 
Moiraine's character also changes a lot over these chapters.  Our first impression of her is of a kind noblewoman, who hands out coins to children in town with a ready smile.  Next, we see her as a figure of power, regal despite her soot stained clothes, as she Heals Tam.  Here, we see her merciless and far beyond the typical Aes Sedai coldness:
 
Knowing what we know now, we are outraged at this flippant disregard for the Pattern.  What would have happened if she tried to kill Rand?  But, at the time, she only has clues about who, or what, they are.  Would it be better if Rand were killed than turned towards the Shadow?  The Borderland rulers seem to agree with Moiraine's way of thinking when they approach him to fulfill the prophecy (Towers of Midnight, Chapter 51, "A Testing").
 
There's also the use of Moiraine's passive aggressive way of bullying:
 
A lot of Rand's inner confusion stems from these few simple words.  How long did he fight against things, struggled against the Pattern itself, because he felt he had no choice?  We know he did.  We saw how many choices he had when he used the Portal Stone in The Great Hunt (Chapter 37, "What Might Be").  Moiraine, I feel, only spoke the truth as she saw it, yet I think this had unexpected consequences for Rand, and his relationship with her in the future.  
 
One last thing to pull out from this section.  One thing I've always disliked about Mat's character in the beginning is how quickly he turns away from Rand when he finds out Rand can channel.  That told me that Rand wasn't a true friend of Mat; true friendship accepts no matter what.  And I was moved to tears when at the end of The Eye of the World Egwene only hesitates a moment before throwing her arms around Rand when she finds out he can channel.  The two contrasted so greatly.
 
However, on this reread, I wanted to pay attention to the opposite side of the argument.  How did Rand react when he found out Egwene could channel?  The scene where she finds out is quickly cut—the chapter ends right after she tells him.  However, in the next chapter, Rand and Egwene have the argument about her hair being braided:
 
He realized he hadn't talked to her in two days, since he found out she could channel?  I was incredibly disappointed!  I always thought better of Rand.  I thought he would be the type to accept others as they are, not take Mat's way of isolation.
 
But I was wrong.  It did take Rand time to come to terms with Egwene channeling the Power.  I think the only one of the bunch who wasn't put out at all was be Perrin.  Likewise, he doesn't really judge Rand when he finds out in The Great Hunt.  
 
That's all I've got for these chapters, but let me know if there's something I overlooked.  Join us next time when the storm (Nynaeve) unleashes its fury on our travelers.  Thanks for reading.
Mashiara Sedai
Mashiara Sedai

Weekly Roundup December 29-January 4

Happy New Year! Hopefully, the Wheel’s turning from 2013 to 2014 has been safe and happy for us all. With the holiday season behind us, and a new year beginning, it is time for another exciting edition of Dragonmount’s Weekly Roundup!
 
The Band of the Red Hand is preparing to discuss the Horn of Valere in A Memory of Light. Note that spoilers are not allowed yet, but the thread has started to prepare those interested in the discussion to begin talking about the Horn and its place within the Wheel of Time series.
 
The Kin are discussing motivational quotes and phrases. Is there an image, a quote, or some saying that motivates you? Share it with the Kin, and join the thread to learn more phrases that inspire.
 
Do you know some really neat trivia? Can you relate it to the Ogier or any other Wheel of Time Culture? The Ogier now have a trivia battle!
 
In Shayol Ghul, the Forsaken have taken over and are plotting the new reign for the new year. Plans include ruining resolutions, Cursing the New Year, and turning the baby New Year to the Dark One.
 
In the White Tower and Warders, the White and Brown Ajahs have combined forces to host an Olympic Carnival! Discussions include an opening ceremony and ball, knowledge about Sochi, Russia, a lodge for discussion, a forum signature contest, and a Winter Dessert contest.
 
To round out the social groups, the Wolfkin are discussing how long it is acceptable to live in pajamas.
 
Finally, an update from the Dragonmount Twitter Feed:

Remember, you can get daily updates on Dragonmount and Wheel of Time related news by subscribing to Dragonmount’s Twitter and Facebook pages!
 
Please remember to sign into your social groups and have a fantastic New Year!
Moon Sedai
Moon Sedai

Robert Jordan's Final Year of Hugo Eligibility

It's January and that means awards season is upon us. The biggest award in science fiction and fantasy literature is the Hugo Award, awarded by the members of the World Science Fiction Society at the annual WorldCon. The Hugos are often described as "the Oscars of speculative fiction." They are one of our oldest awards, being granted since the 1950's. Brandon Sanderson won the award in 2013 for his novella, The Emperor's Soul and many other significant writers have won this award as well. Notable Hugo winners include Robert Heinlein, Lois McMaster Bujold, Orson Scott Card, Kurt Vonnegut, and Anne McCaffery. It's truly the highest achievement that an author can obtain and perhaps the most meaningful, as the Hugos are not awarded by a jury or committee, but rather by a direct vote of the members of the World Science Fiction Society. 
 
Who is the World Science Fiction Society? It's one of the oldest, if not THE oldest fan club for science fiction and fantasy fans in the world. It's made up of thousands of fans like you and me, as well as writers, artists and editors and other professionals in the field. In short, these are the people who care about science fiction and fantasy and want to see more quality work done in this area. WSFS has been in existence since the very first WorldCon, held in 1939. Anyone can become a member of WSFS by paying the membership fee, which can include entrance to that year's WorldCon. 
 
LonCon, the 72nd annual WorldCon, will take place in London this year. The members of that convention will award Hugos for works published, broadcast or otherwise made available during the 2013 calendar year. This includes A Memory of Light, the final book in the Wheel of Time series. As an active member of WSFS, I'm very excited at the prospect of being able to nominate this book and honor my favorite author and the amazing literary achievement that is the Wheel of Time. But...
 
In re-reading the WSFS Constitution recently, I saw this clause in the Hugo eligibility rules:
 
 
Simply put, because no portion of The Wheel of Time has ever been nominated for a Hugo, the entire series became eligible as a single work when it was completed. I've contacted the Hugo Administrators for this year and they declined to rule on this interpretation, preferring to wait and see if the nominations received require one. So if more folks nominate just A Memory of Light, that will make the ballot. If more nominate for the entire series, then the series will be listed. If it doesn't make a difference either way, then they won't need to rule. 
 
There's a precedent for this interpretation, though not quite on this scale. Black Out and All Clear, a duology by Connie Willis was nominated and won in 2011 for Best Novel. The first season of A Game of Thrones was nominated as a whole, and won in the Best Dramactic Presentation-Long Form category in 2012. So not only do we have the opportunity to honor one of the most significant fantasy authors, but also to make Hugo history. 
 
Oh yeah. We. As I mentioned before, the Hugos are an entirely democratic process. There is no jury or committee. Anyone, including you, can participate in the process. All you have to do is register as either an Attending or Supporting member of this year's WorldCon. Attending membership is just that. You plan to attend the convention and your membership includes all WorldCon and WSFS publications, attendance at the convention and voting rights for the Hugos and WorldCon Site Selection. Supporting membership is usually significantly cheaper and includes just voting rights and publications. Both categories of membership include access to the Hugo Voter Packet, which in past years has included electronic copies of all or most Hugo nominated works that year. This ensures that all voters have the opportunity to read and fairly evaluate all the works before completing their ballots. 
 
If you'd like to participate in the nomination process, you need to be a Supporting or Attending member by January 31st. Attending membership is currently US $185. Supporting is US $ 40. You can register at the LonCon website, as well as read more information about the Hugos, WSFS and WorldCon. 
 
Even if you don't think that Robert Jordan deserves a Hugo for his work on the Wheel of Time, I still invite you to join WSFS. Its a truly international organization of fans and being a member connects you to a much wider world of fandom with rich traditions and stories. Voting in the Hugos is an incredible privilege and one that I encourage you to take advantage of, regardless of who you plan to nominate or vote for. 
JenniferL
JenniferL

Wheel Funny: Demandred's Holly Jolly Christmas

Here is another holiday filk song by Semirhage and Ishamael.     A XMAS Wish From Demandred (2009)Composed by Sem and Ishamael
Channeling Demandred... Too much eggnog? Is there ever too much Eggnog?
    Have a holly jolly ChristmasIt's the best time of the year
Well I do fear the Last Battle's near
But have a cup of cheer.
Have a holly jolly Christmas
And when you walk down the street
Say hello to Darkfriends you know
And everyone you meet.
Oh there is Dragonmount, big where you can seeThe Dragon waits for you
Kill him once for me!
Have a holly jolly ChristmasAnd in case you didn't hear
Oh bygolly have a holly jolly Christmas
This year.
  Have a holly jolly ChristmasAnd when you walk down the street
Say hello to Myrddraal you know
And every Trolloc you meet.
Ho ho, the mistletoe hung where you can seeSemirhage waits to torture you, kiss her once for me.
Have a holly jolly Christmas, and in case you didn't hearOh bygolly have a holly jolly Christmas
This year.
  MERRY XMAS TO ALL AND HAPPY HIDING TO FAIN!
~Demandred
Mashiara Sedai
Mashiara Sedai

Wheel Funny: The Dragon Got Runned Over by a Reindeer

This is the first in a short series of filk songs written by Semirhage and her husband, Ishamael.  They are published authors, under their pen names Ciaran and Coal Corby, and host several Yahoo writing groups. 
 
 
The Dragon got runned over by a reindeer
Walking home from Caemlyn Christmas Eve.
You can say there's no such thing as Santa,
But as for me and Semi, we believe.
 
He'd been drinkin' too much eggnog,
And they'd begged him not to go.
But being drunk only enhanced his madness,
So he stumbled out the door into the snow.
 
When they found him Christmas mornin',
At the scene of the attack,
There were hoof prints on his forehead,
And incriminatin' Claus marks on his back.
 
R: The Dragon got runned over by a reindeer
Walking home from Caemlyn Christmas Eve.
(On his way home)
You can say there's no such thing as Santa,
(Say there's no Santa)
But as for me and Semi, we believe.
(Great Lord, we believe)
 
Now we're all so proud of Cauthon,
He's been takin' this so well.
See him in there watchin' Gleemen,
Drinkin' beer and playin' stones with Barid Bel.
 
It's not Christmas for them in Caemlyn.
All the nobility's dressed in black.
And they just can't help but wonder:
Should they open up his gifts or send them back?
 
R: The Dragon got runned over by a reindeer
Walking home from Caemlyn Christmas Eve.
(Midnight before Christmas)
You can say there's no such thing as Santa,
(Say there's no Santa)
But as for me and Semi, we believe.
(Great Lord, we believe)
 
Now the goose is on the table
And the pudding made of fig.
And a blue and silver candle
that we can light the Dragon's pyre with!
The queen has warned all her friends and neighbors.
"Better watch out for yourselves.
They should never give a license,
To a man who drives a sleigh and plays with elves."
 
R: The Dragon got runned over by a reindeer
Walking home from Caemlyn Christmas Eve.
(Minding his own business)
You can say there's no such thing as Santa,
(What do you mean there's no Santa?)
But as for me and Semi, we believe.
(Great Lord, we believe)
 
Oh
As for me and Semi, we believe.
(We believe in Santa Claus.)
Mashiara Sedai
Mashiara Sedai

Fantasy Review: Domain

Welcome to another edition of Fantasy Review. This review might contain a few spoilers.
 
Domain
by Steve Alten
 
Synopsis:
The story is based on the Mayan prophecy that the world would end in 2012.
 
Dominique Vasquez is a psychologist transferred to the case of Michael Gabriel. Her superiors think she is new and easily manipulated and would help in their motive of keeping in their care. But Michael Gabriel spent years with his father, Julius Gabriel, researching about the end of the world. He is convinced that the world would end unless he does something. But he is kept under psychologists so he cannot escape. He sees hope in Dominique as she believes he can get well and works to get him out of that institution but even she does not believe his talk about the world's end.
 
But things take a turn when mysterious things start happening. Things hidden for thousands of years awaken and wreck havoc. Dominique can believe Michael and try to get him out while being chased by people in powerful positions.
 
This book is followed by Resurrection and Phobos. 
 
Pros:
This book provides an interesting look at 2012. This book was first published in 2001 and it's interesting to see in which areas we have developed and in which we have not.
 
I have had experience with some other fiction on the Mayan prophecy of the world's end and to be honest I find this to be the best among them.
 
The facts are quite thoroughly researched. If you have ever heard about ancient alien conspiracy theories, you might get the references.
 
Cons:
It is written in present tense. I find it difficult to read books written in present tense. I won't notice it for a while but once I do, it doesn't stop bugging me.
 
If you keep up with the series, the timeline gets difficult to follow. By Phobos, there has been so much of past-present-future-past-future that you start losing sense of what is happening when.
 
My Rating:
For only this book (not taking into account the rest of the books in the series), I will give it a rating of 4/5.
 
If you are interested in reading this book, you can buy it here from Dragonmount's eBook store.
Panchi
Panchi

The Wheel Turns: For a Few Gold Crowns...

Hello, friends! The Wheel has turned all the way around to Thursday again, which means two things: the weekend is not too far away, and it's time for our Rotating Features blog!
 
Are you a huge, mega, massive Wheel of Time fan? Oh, yeah?! What do you have to prove it?
 
In case you're wondering what I'm referring to, it's Wheel of Time merchandise! The internet is full of various Wheel of Time related things for purchase. A little while ago you may remember we discussed where you could procure a heron-marked sword, should you so desire (and if you don't desire, why on earth not?!)
 
There is so much more available though. One leading Wheel of Time merchandise website I wanted to bring to your attention is Ta'veren Tees.
 
As you would expect, they sell Wheel of Time T-shirts, such as one with the Golden Crane of Malkier below, which is the one that caught my eye.
 

 
But they also do a lot more. From posters to maps, coins to ornaments, calendars to playing cards, they have a wide range of themed merchandise from our favorite series. The artwork looks pretty good on the clothing range. A colleague of mine at the White Tower Social Group here on Dragonmount has a few of their T-Shirts and she really looks spiffy in them. If you have any of their other products, drop us a line below in the comments to let us know what you have and what you think of it!
 
Me? Well, the spare money I have for such things is still going into my piggy bank to be able to afford that heron-marked sword which I know is coming to me!
 
That's all for now! Have fun!
 
Until next time, friends!
The_Fnorrll_Reborn
The_Fnorrll_Reborn

WoT If… Lews Therin Was There from the Start?

Welcome back to another edition of "WoT If?", Dragonmount's weekly theory blog.  We are going to continue our reread of The Eye of the World, only chapter 9 this time, but there's a lot to talk about. 
 
Before we start, I do want to say that there will still be SPOILERS!  With the ending in sight, much of what I point out could allude to things that happen in A Memory of Light, so keep that in mind as you read.  Don't continue if you don't want to be spoiled.
 
Synopsis
Chapter 9, "Tellings of the Wheel"
 
In a dream, Rand is running through a desolate landscape, unseen pursuers behind him.  He scrambles to the top of a cliff with a long drop below him and no other place to go.  In the valley below the cliff is a single mountain reaching far into the sky.  He doesn't know the mountain, but he remembers it.
 
Unseen things begin to pull on his body, drawing him towards the mountain.  A familiar voice tells him he must serve.  Rand struggles to resist the pull of voice and fingers and uses his stubbornness and anger as the source.  He curses Shai'tan and suddenly sees a figure hovering over him, a figure in a blood red cloak and a face that is horrible, but not described.  Terrified, Rand throws himself off the edge of the cliff.
 
He lands in some grass with a different mountain looming over him.  Beside it, there are a river, an island, and a city out of a gleeman's tale.  Rand knows that safety waits in that city, but as hard as he runs, he cannot reach it.  The city gets smaller and smaller and the things chasing him get closer and closer.  He screams, and trips.
 
He is on paving stones within the city.  Around him are happy faces, people urging him forward, toward the tall tower in the middle of the city.  Rand wants to see a bit more of the city before going to the tower, so he turns down a side road, and sees the tower before him.  He turns down anther road, and the tower is still there.  He tires to run from it, but the people around him gesture him forward.  They need him to go.  He obliges.  He walks to the tower and the crowd sings and dances around him, giving him garlands around his neck.  He dances with them.  He gets to the square outside the tower and the crowd stops.  He continues on alone.  He enters the tower and a Myrddraal waits inside for him.
 
Rand wakes up at the inn.  Mistress al'Vere has left him some food, so he eats it quickly, then stands beside his sleeping father.  As he touches Tam's forehead, Tam opens his eyes.  Rand tells Tam everything Moiraine had said about the Dark One being after him, Mat, and Perrin.  Tam reluctantly agrees that Rand needs to leave. 
 
Lan arrives and says there is trouble.  Rand starts to take off the sword, but Tam tells him to keep it.  Rand hugs Tam—and unable to ask about the fever dreams—leaves with the Warder.  Mat is waiting outside in the hallway and they all go downstairs together.
 
In the street in front of the inn, a mob has gathered.  They threaten the inn and the Aes Sedai.  Moiraine raises her wooden staff, which shoots fire out the ends, and tells the villagers about Manetheren.  At the end of her story, the villagers apologize for their behavior and leave. 
 
Lan leads Rand and Mat out to the stableyard and Rand realizes he is actually leaving his home.
 
My take:
 
When I read this part the first few times, I felt that the dream sequence was a waste of time.  I wanted to continue with the story—especially the part when Moiraine tells of Manetheren.  Many agree that scene is one of their favorites.  But looking at the dream now, looking at it closely, there is a ton of information we can pick up.
 
First off, there's a very subtle hint that Lews Therin is present inside Rand.  We typically don't think of Lews Therin emerging until The Fires of Heaven—when small phrases start showing up in Rand's conversation (like calling Moiraine "little sister" (Chapter 2, "Rhuidean")).  But he is clearly here now, if you look close enough.  I'm surprised I've never noticed before.
 
During the dream sequence, when Rand's looking at Shayol Ghul and the Bore, he thinks:
 
 
Just a quick side note on Shayol Ghul.  My understanding of it is that it was created when Mierin and Beidomon drilled into the Bore—we see in the glass-column ter'angreal that the release of the Power from within the Bore brought down the Collam Daan.  So, the land around became barren after it was opened. 
 
Therefore, Lews Therin and the Hundred Companions would have seen Shayol Ghul as it is in Rand's dream.  The source of the memory had to be from Lews Therin!  One strange thing to think about is that Mat and Perrin are seeing these same dreams—after all, Ba'alzamon isn't sure which of them is the Dragon Reborn yet.  To them, would it be just another mountain, since they don't have that "memory" to guide them?
 
Another thing Rand remembers is the voice calling him.  It says:
 
 
Notice that this voice is "familiar" as well.  After this, Rand sees a figure.  He doesn't describe what the figure's face looks like, but we can assume that it's the flame-filled eyes and mouth that Ishamael uses.  It's the form of Ba'alzamon. 
 
Whose voice is it actually?  It isn't really the Dark One—because he speaks in ALL CAPS.  So, this has to be the voice of Ishamael.  His voice would only be familiar to Lews Therin.  And Rand knows that if he listens hard enough, he would remember the voice.  This could be the first time that Lews Therin's personality is trying to dominate Rand's.  What would have happened if Rand had let him, if Rand would  have listened hard enough?  Would he have realized that Ba'alzamon was really Ishamael?  Would Lews Therin and Rand merged sooner?  Would it have cause peace or sown more chaos?
 
And that makes me wonder about Rand's childhood.  There's many studies that suggest that children are more sensitive to supernatural presences—or more perceptive to things that are unseen.  Would Rand have been more susceptible to Lews Therin's personality as a child?  Would it have made things easier if they had merged back then?  Or would it have erased the good ethics Rand learned from Tam and the Two Rivers?  Did Rand every have an imaginary friend who was actually Lews Therin?
 
I know these questions sound silly, but reading this one scene made them all likely possibilities.
 
When Rand dreams of Tar Valon, I wonder about the purpose of it.  Was Ishamael trying to scare him away from the Tower by showing a Myrddraal inside?  Rand actually does take a lot of the things Ba'alzamon says as being true—mostly about Aes Sedai and the Tower.  This could be the beginning of that seed of doubt.
 
Also, when he's going towards the Tower, he thinks as he dances with the crowd that, "his feet were lighter than they had ever been, dancing with... He could not remember the name, but it did not seem important."  I wonder who he was thinking about dancing with.  Could it have been Egwene, or maybe Ilyena?
 
There's one last thing about these dreams.  We didn't really find out about dreamshards until A Memory of Light (prologue), but it seems to me that all this time Ishamael has been using them when he pulls Rand, Mat, and Perrin into his Dreams.  In my opinion, this is confirmed when Rand realizes he's in a dreamshard, and it leads him to Ishamael (Chapter 4, "Advantages of a Bond")—the same way he was usually called into Dreams of Ishamael's making during The Eye of the World through The Dragon Reborn.
 
Moving on past the dreams, and I know I've brought this up before, but I'm still completely flabbergasted that Tam didn't even suspect the Rand might be the Dragon Reborn.  Tam says, "What would Trollocs want with you boys? Or the Dark One, the Light help us?"  I know, and I think Robert Jordan and Brandon Sanderson have both commented on, how no one really believes they are a part of prophecy, but when Tam finds out Shadowspawn are after his adopted son, why wouldn’t he think back to where he found Rand?  That should have stirred some memory.  He should have some idea, even if it's only a gut feeling.  The Dark One wouldn't be hunting people just for the hell of it.
 
I still tear up when I read Moiraine's account of Manetheren.  Wheel of Time—one of its major themes, at least—is about bravery in the face of defeat.  We see this continually with many of the characters, and nations.  The Borderlanders, the Aiel (past and present), the people of Manetheren.  All show unspeakable bravery when called upon.  And I love that this tale is our first taste of what the people of the Two Rivers are capable of.
 
But Moiraine's speech has more purpose than just inspiring us—the readers—and captivating the Two Rivers' folk.  This hidden piece of their history prepared the Two Rivers to pick up their bows, pitchforks, and axes—this made them ready to follow Perrin.  If they never learned about how ordinary shepherds and farmers fought for Manetheren, they never would have found that inner vein of bravery and courage.  They would have assumed the troubles of the world would pass them by.  But Moiraine rekindled that part of the Old Blood within them.  In just a few pages, she turned them into warriors.
 
And one last bit about Manetheren.  When Moiraine is speaking of the hoard of Trollocs and Dreadlords, she says:
 
 
Besides the prologue, "Dragonmount," this is the first evidence we see of Ishamael not being completely sealed within the Bore.  He brags later that he caused all sorts of chaos along history's timeline—making Hawkwing hate Aes Sedai, forming the Black Ajah, etc.—but here is proof.  Notice Moiraine's use of the word "some evil."  There had to be more than just Dreadlords there.  In fact, Ishamael would be necessary to recruit Dreadlords.  With only shadowspawn working for him, how could the Dark One let channelers know he was looking for help?  People would need to be convinced or coerced.  And that would most likely require Ishamael.
 
I'm really hoping the Encyclopedia will give us more information on the nature of Ishamael's half-caught abilities.  It's hard to sum up all he was capable of.
 
But that's all I've got for today.  It's incredible how much you can squeeze out of one chapter.  Join us next time for more of The Eye of the World.  Thanks for reading!
Mashiara Sedai
Mashiara Sedai

The Wheel Turns: To Spit in Sightblinder's Eye

Hello, friends! The Wheel has turned all the way around to Thursday again, which means two things: the weekend is not too far away, and it's time for our Rotating Features blog!
 
Just a quick one this week folks, as I haven't had much time to write. I wanted to briefly draw your attention to something which might just slate your thirst for that bit more Wheel of Time goodness, if--like me!--you were not aware of its existence, and perhaps have finished the series and are looking for something else to fill your fan needs!
 
I came across it recently and found it fascinating. To cut to the chase, it's a little background story, written by Robert Jordan himself, which better explains the attack on Shayol Ghul and the sealing of the Bore by the Hundred Companions. If you're a hard core Wheel of Time fan, you probably know of it already! And shame on me for only just having found out about it. If you haven't heard of it before, though, then I'm doing the world a service by spreading the word about this extra bit of Robert Jordan goodness.
 
You can read it on Dragonmount itself by clicking on this link.
 
Below is the excerpted forward Jordan wrote for this little background story. It's such a shame his ideas for future tidbits of extra information will never fully come to fruition.
 
 
I hope you enjoy reading it! Let me know if there is any other parts of the series I have somehow managed to live my life without up until now!
 
That's all for now! Have fun!
 
Until next time, friends!
The_Fnorrll_Reborn
The_Fnorrll_Reborn

Fantasy Review: Night's Rose

Welcome to another Edition of Dragonmount’s Fantasy Review. This review will contain slight spoilers.
 
Night’s Rose
By Annaliese Evans
 
Synopsis:
Rosemarie Edenberg, who is known by the name Briar Rose, hunts down the ogre tribes who hunt the humans of the earth. Like Sleeping Beauty, she slept for (almost) a hundred years. She did not wake up to a kiss from a perfect prince, however, but to something much darker.
 
From that moment, she worked to eliminate the ogres. She has two men who hunt with her: Ambrose, her fey advisor, and Gareth, a vampire. The story is more mature than what I’d expected to find: the romance starts within the first chapter.
 
Hot Button Issue/Spoiler: In her past, Rose was raped, and one of her two men involved in her love triangle ‘let it happen.’ It made the romance between the two a little more sordid, a little less appreciable.  This issue right here made it harder for me to complete the book.
 
Pros:
The story does is an interesting mix of history and Sleeping Beauty, a fairy tale with romance. The relationships are complex, and the adaptation of the fairytale are intriguing. Rose herself is a strong woman, and I think she was a fascinating character.
 
Cons:
The book was really hard to get into. While I ordinarily enjoy historical fictions, and I love the story of Sleeping Beauty, it was very hard for me to get started with reading the book. Perhaps it is because of the inclusion of vampires in the tale. I have recently read far too many vampire stories in recent years. Or, it could be that the tale hit into the steamy romance almost from the beginning.
 
My Rating:
2/5 Mostly because of the hot button issue.
 
If this book seems to spark your interest, you can purchase it through Dragonmount’s eBook store.
Moon Sedai
Moon Sedai

Weekly Roundup November 24-30

The Wheel Turns, and November has passed. I trust we all had an excellent Thanksgiving! The Holiday season is upon us, and the year is drawing to a close. That can only mean one thing: time for another Weekly Roundup!
 
Have you seen Catching Fire yet? Do you like Jennifer Lawrence? Visit the Movies and Games Discussion and talk about it!
 
Did you participate in NaNoWriMo? If so, did you reach the 50,000 word goal? If so, the ACW Tuathan’an have a NaNoWriMo Brag thread!
 
Are you anticipating Christmas? If so, the Band of the Red Hand has an amazing Advent Calendar, sponsored by the Band’s own BFG and tonnalea!
 
Finally, an update from the Dragonmount Twitter feed:
 

 
Remember, you can get daily updates on Dragonmount and Wheel of Time related news by subscribing to Dragonmount’s Twitter and Facebook pages!
 
And a final note, as it is now December: don’t forget to go sign in at your social groups and have a fantastic Holiday season!
Moon Sedai
Moon Sedai

The Wheel Turns: For Whom The Bell Tolls...

Hello, friends! The Wheel has turned all the way around to Thursday again, which means two things: the weekend is not too far away, and it's time for our Rotating Features blog!
 
We're almost halfway there! Where you ask? To the next season of the hit television series A Game of Thrones, based on the Song of Ice And Fire books by George R. R. Martin. It airs once per year, for ten weeks only, and then it seems like such a long wait till the next season! But it should be back beginning of April 2014 so we're getting closer.
 
If you know anything about the books or the series, you will know that it is one of the most brutal stories you will come across. It seems no character is safe from serious injury or some form of untimely demise. This reputation caused one fan to create the following image:
 

 
That, is the series of books so far and each of those colored pieces of paper represent the point of death of a named character within the series. It's quite a body-count. All in all, if you get the chance to fulfill your dream of living within a fictional world, Martin's may not be your wisest choice.
 
I wonder how that body-count stacks up against other works of fiction, or our own dearly beloved Wheel of Time series. In the comments below, see who you can name who died--permanently!--within the series. (Beware of spoilers in that list if you haven't yet completed the books) and let's see how many we can collectively come up with.
 
As a bonus feature after such a morbid topic, here is a selection of Game of Thrones heroines as art nouveau paintings.
 
That's all for now! Have fun!
 
Until next time, friends!
The_Fnorrll_Reborn
The_Fnorrll_Reborn

WoT If... Lan Lied for Moiraine?

Welcome back to another edition of "WoT If?", Dragonmount's weekly theory blog.  We are going to continue our reread of The Eye of the World, chapters 7-8. 
 
Before we start, I do want to say that there will still be SPOILERS!  With the ending in sight, much of what I point out could allude to things that happen in A Memory of Light, so keep that in mind as you read.  Don't continue if you don't want to be spoiled.
 
Synopsis
Chapter 7, "Out of the Woods"
 
As dawn approaches, Rand is happy to smell the chimney smoke from Emond's Field.  However, there's too much smoke on the air.  As he exits the woods, he sees that half the town is in ruins.  Villagers are poking through the charred rubble and Master al'Vere's horses are pulling Trolloc corpses down the road.  
 
Haral Luhhan, the blacksmith, shows up and leads Rand to where Nynaeve is.  They run into Egwene, who quickly goes to get the Wisdom. 
 
Rand notices that Mat's house has burned down and inquires if his friend is all right.  Master Luhhan says Mat is fine.   He also mentions that the Trollocs raided his house as if he had "gold and jewels in there."  When Rand wonders what they'd do if the Trollocs come back, Master Luhhan replies that the Two Rivers folk will survive.  Rand realizes that the villagers are moving with purpose; they're already starting to rebuild.
 
Nynaeve comes out and says there is nothing she can do for Tam.  Rand tries to convince her, but she refuses.  Rand decides to take Tam to the Mayor.
 
At the inn, Thom helps Rand carry Tam inside.  The Mayor gets him settled in a bed and sends Thom off to get Nynaeve.  Rand tells Bran that Nynaeve won't help, but he thought the Mayor could make her.  Thom returns and says Nynaeve will not come.
 
In desperation, Rand asks what he can do.  He can't just watch his father die.  Thom mentions that the Dragon's Fang has been scrawled on the inn's door, which prompts the Mayor to remember that Moiraine is an Aes Sedai, and Aes Sedai can Heal.
 
Rand runs to find Moiraine and asks her to Heal Tam, saying he will pay any price.  Moiraine agrees and returns to the inn with Rand. 
 
Chapter 8, "A Place of Safety"
 
In Tam's room, Moiraine tells them all to leave, but Rand asks to stay.  Moiraine allows it.  Lan asks Rand about the heron-marked sword while Moiraine begins to work on Tam.  Rand confesses that he saw a man in the woods the day before, a man who wore all black and the wind didn't touch his cloak.  Lan berates Rand, saying he should have told them.  Moiraine chimes in that knowing wouldn't have given them much of an advantage.
 
Rand asks if his father is okay.  Moiraine tells him the blade the Trolloc used was tainted by the forges of Thakan'dar, and the taint is inside Tam's body.  She pulls out an angreal to Heal him properly. 
 
Lan tells Rand that the dark rider was a Myrddraal.  Rand then confesses that he spoke to a Trolloc at his home.  He explains to Lan everything that happened the night before, and Lan tells him that few men south of the Borderlands have killed—or even seen—a Trolloc.  
 
Moiraine completes her Healing and Rand is so happy he repeats his early promise of paying any price. She then tells Rand that he must leave with them.  She explains that his house, Mat's house, the blacksmith's house, and the Aybara farm were the first places to be attacked.  This means that the Dark One was after Rand, Mat, and Perrin ("In one of you or all three, there is something the Dark One fears").  Rand doesn't believe her right away, but understands that to refuse her offer would be putting his village in jeopardy.  He also feels a bit relieved that Perrin and Mat must leave too.  Moiraine and Lan leave to find the other two boys.
 
The Mayor and his wife come back into the room.  Circumspectly, Rand asks the Mayor about which houses were struck first.  Bran confirms that the Forge and the Cauthon's house went up in flames before anything else.  Since she didn't lie about that, Rand thinks she didn't lie about the rest.
 
Rand tries to stay awake in Tam's room, to be there when his father wakes up, but he falls asleep.
 
My take:
 
Chapter 8, in literary terms, is referred to as the "call to action."  In it, Rand willingly agrees to start out on this journey.  He could have said no, and stayed (or could he?), so this is where the real journey starts.  From here on out, the plotlines thicken and expand.  I love reading these parts.  It's so easy to get captivated by the thrill of the beginning.
 
A few things to point out about these two chapters.  Some just idle thought, others really interesting ideas.  First, the idle:
 
Why would the Trollocs bother burning Fain's wagon?  He's the one who led them there—we find out later—so why go through the effort of burning all his things?  At this point, Fain is still the Dark One's "hound," but wouldn't it have been easier on him—and the Shadowspawn—to still have his wagon?  They had to carry him most of the way, so why not let him have some of his supplies to help make the trip faster?  
 
I could maybe see that they wouldn't want to leave any clues for the Two Rivers folk, but that doesn't seem like something a Trolloc, or a Myrddraal, would even think about.  Why would they care if the Two Rivers though Fain was a Darkfriend—not that anyone would have made that connection, I'm sure.  Maybe it was just the battle frenzy that overwhelmed the Trollocs?  Either way, it seems unnecessary. 
 
And what of Thom and his hinting about Healing from an Aes Sedai?  I understand his point about being a stranger, but it seems sad that he wouldn't even offer the advice to save Rand's father.  The Mayor got there eventually, but it could have been the difference between life and death for Tam.
 
I think this is one of the many miraculous ways Robert Jordan worked in foreshadowing.  We see Thom being very manipulative in this scene.  Rand isn't able to see it, but we sure can.  And later, we learn that Thom is a master of daes dae'mar, used to making people dance to his tunes.  How awesome it is to go back to these early chapters and see that Thom is Thom, even then.  The Thom we know later would have done the same thing.  His character is established from the start, and he remains true to it all throughout the series.
 
And just a little bit of clarification on the whole ta'veren thing.  Robert Jordan said this in an interview:
 
Last time, I did argue that Rand was ta'veren from birth, but it seems Robert Jordan said otherwise.  He also states that Rand only became ta'veren shortly before Moiraine arrived.  That means, a few days, a week, before Bel Tine.  That would explain Rand's luck with the Trolloc, and his easy evasion of the Fade on the road.
 
However, I still think there's more to it than that.  Rand's whole life has been strewn with coincidences that led him to where he is—where he is needed.  If ta'veren-ness ebbs and flows, perhaps Rand was ta'veren earlier, and then it went away.  It took some mighty big yanks for the Pattern to get Tam up on that mountain right as Rand's mother died.
 
Oh, and more proof that Rand is ta'veren in these chapters is that Moiraine mentions dreams.  She means the dreams that aren't dreams—which will be coming up in the next chapter.  And we know that Ishamael is responsible for these dreams.  We also know—much later in the series—that Ishamael is able to find ta'veren and that's the only reason he was able to start the dreams so soon after escaping the Bore.  Since Rand has these dreams, he has to be ta'veren.  Otherwise, Ishamael wouldn’t have been able to contact him, Mat, or Perrin.
 
Another curious thing here is Rand's insistence to pay a price for Tam's Healing.  I'm thinking and thinking, and I can't find a single time when Moiraine uses this to her advantage.  When Rand starts misbehaving, why doesn't she remind him that he owes her a debt?  A debt he can "never repay"?  It seems to me this would have been the best way to manipulate him.  He would have honored his word to her—especially since he really is eternally grateful that his father was saved—so why didn't she use it?  That seems like an un-Aes Sedai thing to do.
 
As I mentioned last time, Rand's first channeling is coming up later this night.  So, it's understandable that he might already be feeling the effects of saidin—one of which might be the ability to sense Shadowspawn.  But in chapter 8, Rand shivers and rubs his arms when Moiraine channels.  Again, this is a subtle clue left by Robert Jordan, to hint at something we don't really discover until The Dragon Reborn.  
 
Here's something I've never really picked up on before.  When Moiraine tells Rand he has to leave and Rand says he doesn't want to, Moiraine looks at Lan, and the Warder "said suddenly" statistics of whose houses were attacked first.  We learn that Aes Sedai cannot lie, but Warders can no problem.  One of the reasons they keep the Warders around, I'm sure, is to have someone who can lie at any moment.  And the obvious shift—with Moiraine's look and Lan's sudden speech—definitely points out that something suspicious is going on.  
 
While reading through this, I can't see an outright lie.  But perhaps there's one buried deep in that statement.  
 
When Rand finally decides he will go, Lan sighs in relief.  That sentence makes me wonder about what would have happened if Rand had refused.  Would the idea of price be brought up then?  Or would Moiraine be desperate enough to use Compulsion—or something similar if she doesn't knows the weave?  Would Lan knock him out and carry him over his shoulder?  How much would change if Rand hadn't willingly made the first step outside of the Two Rivers?  I think the story would have ended quite different if that had happened.
 
Well, that's all for this week.  Not too many answers, and just a bunch more questions.  Please join me next time for the next few chapters of The Eye of the World.  Thanks for reading!
Mashiara Sedai
Mashiara Sedai

Weekly Roundup November 17-23

Hello! I do apologize for missing last week, but the Wheel has turned again, and it is time for another Weekly Roundup! This has been an exciting week, both on Dragonmount and in the real world!
 
In the Debates and Discussions board, there is a new conversation about a recent rules change in the U.S. Senate. Now, Senators can only filibuster Supreme Court nominees instead of having the chance to filibuster all nominations made by the Executive branch. What do you think of this? Discuss!
Saturday marked the 50th birthday of the BBC series Dr. Who, and to celebrate, the BBC produced a much publicized 50th anniversary special, “The Day of the Doctor.” The TV Show & Sports Discussion forum has a special Dr. Who discussion thread, for those who have already seen the show. A discussion of the episode can also be found in the Black Tower. Want to discuss how you became a fan of the Doctor? Visit the Warder’s Guild!
 
In other, non-Doctor Who related news:
 
The Black Tower has a new Official Random Thoughts thread.
 
The Band of the Red Hand is talking about Elder Scrolls Online. Another discussion of this upcoming game is taking place in the Movies and Games Discussion forum.
 
In the White Tower and Warders Social Group, the Gray Ajah is hosting a Thanksgiving celebration! Visit Tar Valon and discuss your favorite foods and traditions, get your Thanksgiving fortune told, talk about autumn crafts and play hangman!
 
A new interesting thread opened in Shayol Ghul. The “What would I say?” thread is about a social media robot that looks at your Facebook statuses and generates posts for you. It told me I would say, “I’m going to start a freaking ridiculous.” 
 
Now the Weekly Social Media update:
From Dragonmount's Facebook Page: 
 

 
Remember, you can get daily updates on Dragonmount and Wheel of Time related news by following Dragonmount's Twitter and Facebook pages!  
 
I hope everyone has a safe and happy Thanksgiving and a safer Black Friday!
Moon Sedai
Moon Sedai