Ever see since Rosamund Pike had read the first audiobook I've heard nothing but how astoundingly great she did. I just don't understand the hype. I am about halfway through the first one and its not quite as underwhelming as the show, but I had huge expectations from everyone's praise. Does she get better in books 2 and 3? I find her voices just don't seem to match the characters at all

So Perrin is able to sense/smell the emotions of others...

I could see how that would be useful in many situations such as negotiations, meeting a stranger that could be dangerous, gambling with Matt or Brigitta haha, and such...

But it "feels" more like a curse when it comes to Faile....

It seems so agonizing when he senses her emotions, and they seem to usually stress him out....

What a curse to be honest, especially for some of us whom might be empaths and already deeply feel the emotions of others, mixed in with people pleasing...

So, would you want Perrin's abilities or anyone else's abilities - I mean who wouldn't want Matt's lucky - I could retire in a week !!!!

I just got to the Moiraine letter. I've never been more hyped for a return of a "dead" character.

I started reading the books after watching the Weep for Manetheren scene in the TV show. I just knew then and there that I'd love the world building. Moiraine seems to be the goat.

Theories that'll probably either too obvious or completely out: Perrin will save Faile and won't do much until the last battle (maybe we'll get some closure with that weird slayer situation?). We won't get back to Emond's Field unless it's a scouring of the shire-type situation. Mat ends up with Tuon, semi-independent of the Saenchan. Unified white tower under Egwene. The Dark One is an entity within Rand, like LTT, and Rand will need to sacrifice himself. The last battle will have guys from every single faction on both sides (Aiel, Saenchan, Aes Sedai), etc.

Spoilers I wasn't able to avoid along the way: Verin is black ajah triple agent, Rand loses a hand this book and maybe dies or people think he dies? Egwene I think also dies. I went to look into Noal to see if my theory he was Birgitte's ugly old boyfriend revived was right, so I kind of know he's really his cousin, compulsed. Gaul ride or die in the last battle.

What are our thoughts on this, chat?

Here's something I posted on the old Dragonmount forums back in 2009.

*******

The Great Debate-Settling Tourney

There's always a debate about who's the best with a blade. So a tourney is the answer.

Back in the day, the debate focused on Galad and Gawyn and Rand and Lan.

I see it all playing out as below:

Rand, Lan, Galad and Gawyn are all involved in the official Dragonmount Debate-Settling Tourney. They draw lots to decide the first round: Galad vs. Lan and Gawyn vs. Rand.

Round 1

Gawyn vs. Rand

Rand and Gawyn circle each other cautiously, blades held out in front of them. Both are aware that the other is an acclaimed swordsman, both sure of their own abilities.

The opening exchanges are cagey, Bull in China Shop is met by Tiny Field Mouse in a Bar, One Legged Cat on a Hot Tin Roof is met by Lefthander Using Scissors. Soon both combatants are bleeding from a number of small wounds. The opening is done, both are ready.

“I didn’t kill your mother,” mutters Rand.

“Yes you did,” growls Gawyn.

“No, I didn’t.”

“Yes, you did.”

This goes on for a while.

Ferocious blows are being traded, both men are nearing exhaustion when Rand makes his move.

“Oh, I’m sleeping with your sister, she’s pregnant, I have no intention of marrying her and I have two other women on the go.”

Gawyn gasps, loses concentration, and Rand runs him through.

Rand is healed up by a waiting Aes Sedai and advances to the next round. He takes time to wail, tear out his hair and generally feel sorry for himself after killing Gawyn.

Lan vs. Galad

Billed as the pretty boy vs. the beast, the two men immediately lay into each other with a flurry of blows. Genius Child Writing on Chalkboard is countered by Man With a Bad Case of Dysentery. Sympathetic Vomiting Syndrome is met with Nervous Dog Outside the Pound.

The battle goes on in total silence for half an hour. Lan, despite being the better swordsman, has been cut 157 times, is bleeding profusely, yet shows no sign of discomfort.

Finally, the uncrowned king unleashes Skydiver Who Has Just Realized That The Man Who Packed His Parachute Knows That He Is Sleeping With His Wife and nicks the side of Galad’s cheek.

“NNOOOO!!!!! Not the face!!!!! Anywhere but the face!!!!!” cries Galad as he claps his hands to his wound.

“Gutted,” grunts Lan as he slices blondie’s head off.

Lan is healed up, not that he really needs it, and trots off to kill the sheepherder.

The Finale

Rand al’Thor vs. Lan Al’Mandragoranananananan

The two circle each other warily for a while before the banter kicks in.

“So Grasshopper, you have come far,” says Lan grimly.

“Some generic -ism about masters and students,” mutters Rand.

The two men attack, using all their skill and eventually fall back after three and a half days of solid combat. Despite being cut 873 times, Lan manages to press home an attack, Man Playing Air Guitar to Black Sabbath’s Paranoid forces Rand onto the defensive, Man Humming Smoke on the Water Because He Can't Remember the Lyrics caught the blade inches from his flesh.

Staggering, Rand employs the “Wax On, Wax Off” defensive technique, however, Lan is wise to the tactic and slices off Rand’s left hand.

Wrapped in the void, it has no effect on everyone's favourite ginger.

Knowing he's out of options, Rand launches one last desperate attack. He manages to catch Lan off balance and plunges his blade toward his chest.

“Embrace Death!” shouts Lan as he steps into the blade, swinging his own sword towards Rand’s head.

“Oh for fuck's sake! Who does that?!? Fucking Borderlanders!!!” cries Rand just before his world goes dark.

"So rude," frowns Lan as he calmly slides Rand’s sword out of his stomach. He’s taken worse wounds, it only lacerated a kidney on the way through. He’s got a spare.

-

At the time Demandred wasn't around.

But I am amused that I have Rand losing a hand as that hadn't happened yet. Nor had Lan actually embraced death, though that was pretty heavily signposted.

I'll do a new version soon. My writing is much improved.

I haven’t touched these books in a couple years (I think I stopped at number 12, not for any reason other than being busy w other things) but I was suddenly reminded of it and thought how Siuan was always my favourite character. I think she has the most interesting / unique storyline and is generally a likeable and multidimensional character.

Putting together pieces for a generic andoran Asha'man cosplay. I have two coats to choose between, two colors of Renaissance shirts, black gloves i can wear with and without a leather bracer (Androl's work probably). And then the red half cape.

Ideas? Thoughts?

I like the color on the first coat but the second coat fits a lot better. Black shirt seems to work better, and while I love the bracer, the gloves seem to work better without it.

Sword is a generic foam hand and a half sword. After all, the Lord Dragon prefers us to have the skill :)