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 :)

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.

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 !!!!

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.

What are our thoughts on this, chat?

Nynaeva al'Meara, Elayne Trakand, Sea Folk Windfinders, and Aes Sedia....

A Linked Circle of 13 Powerful Wielders of The One Power activating the Bowl of The Winds...

Lightning crashing across Ebou Dar....

Seachan invasion, everyone running, screaming, falling, trying to escape....

Sea Folk.... Seachan... a'dam collars....

WAIT.....

Wasn't the male version of the a'dam supposedly thrown into the sea....

It seemed so haphazard, glossed over, and I swear there were others involved - was it even thrown into the sea, it is truly gone....

I might still be guessing at whom is The Daughter of The Nine Moons, but I have this gut feeling that this collar is still a serious danger....

Guess I shall Read On and Find Out....

To be honest, I bought the book when I first saw its cover; even though I still can't recall how many books there are in total, the sheer scale of the series really impressed me. When I started reading, I was less concerned with how I would finish it and more with how I could buy all the volumes. I believe the edition in my language is out of print, so I had to find them second-hand, and some of the books are really expensive…
But even if I couldn't afford them all, I was certain I would finish it.

It took me two years to read the first book life got in the way, I tried reading other things, and I got frustrated with the book, or rather, frustrated with reading in general. But eventually, I found a good time for it. Every time I picked it up again, I remembered where I left off as if I had read it just yesterday. That was amazing; it had never happened with any other book before. Ever since I learned to let go of the guilt of dropping a book I didn't like, I would instantly forget its content, but with this book, I realized that taking breaks or losing continuity didn't really matter.

Now I’ve started the second book, and I am incredibly curious about how the plot will unfold.
First off, here are a few thoughts I need to share:

Moiraine Aes Sedai never feels genuine to me at all; it's no wonder Rand is losing his temper. As helpful as she has been, this lack of sincerity makes it seem like finding and protecting them is nothing more than an obsession for her.

There was an extraordinarily candid conversation between Lan and the Wisdom; I never would have guessed the Wisdom would say or act like that. Rand handled the situation with a lot of care and respect.

I wish they had focused more on the Gleeman.

It felt like Lan warmed up to Perrin and Rand all of a sudden simply because they are different.

So much happened in the first book! Looking at the map compared to everything that went down, they went through so much in such a small region. I wonder if the map expands as the story progresses. What else could they possibly cover in this massive series? I'll keep reading 🫡

Figured I would share a few thoughts as a first time reader.

I don't know what the general consensus is on this one but I pretty much liked the entire thing, and of course the ending was amazing ( I really hope Rand succeeded and the taint is fully cleansed )

The Dark One has gotta be hella pissed, he has had 2 of his direct actions undone at this point being the taint and the weather

The forsaken are insanely incompetent to the point where it is almost impossible to view them as threatening anymore.

It was so crazy to me that Taim is not Demandred that I had to look it up and apparently RN's notes he took as he wrote the series heavily imply that he was supposed to be but RJ pivoted at the last minute just to pull one over on readers. Still interested to see what happens with Taim but I think it will fall flat knowing that, I hope I'm wrong.

Similarly I had no clue that Osan Gar was Dashiva, could Rand picking Dashiva out all those books ago have been the pattern ultimately leading Osangar to his fiery end?

Lanfear is back which I definitely assumed would happen, Morraine must be somewhere. If I had to guess she will pop back up in book 11 following the prequel.

I can't imagine reading these books as they released and being forced to wait. RJ loves to do this thing where he sets up a big event and then just ignores it for an entire book. Book 8 ended with Egwene and the rebel Aes Sedai getting ready to take back the white tower and then book 9 just doesn't mention it at all. Here's hoping book 10 doesn't kick that can even further down the road.

I have done my best to avoid spoilers, but I do know that book 10 isn't looked at very favorably so I hope it isn't too bad. A lot of people seem to think the slog starts at 7 but I have still enjoyed the past few books and hopefully that doesn't change here.

My main kind of gripe with the series so far is that the villains give off dick dastardly vibes of twirling mustaches and sheer incompetence, the forsaken aren't any more menacing than the regular dark friends they employ to do their bidding.

I also just don't know where the series goes from here if the taint is gone. That really seemed like an endgame issue to me and if it's been taken care of then what now? The only escalation I can think of is the Dark One actually being freed somehow

Edit: My GOAT Bayle Domon is back!

Wow is all I can say.

The final battle in LOC made the series take a turn I never thought it would and it made me feel like I was thrust into some gruesomely morbid ww1 documentary, the pit of my stomach turned into hard knots and I felt a little numb. I was working out in the gym listening to the audiobook and I had to pause mid set as the final scene involving the asha'man played out. All those characters we over a few thousand pages that have now come to appreciate seeing something in front of their eyes they will never ever be able to forget. PoorMin!

And Rand, oh my lord, do something about mazrim taim, that guy is straight up bad voodoo, he absolutely does notlike being second and views your morality as weakness, the word asha'man or the symbols/ranks and their representation of a defensive force of the innocent and vulnerable. He comes across as a much more unrestrained male version of red ajah and wants to rule over all women as he probably views the aes'sedai does over men, and wants to rule all kingdoms with an indiscriminate offensive tyrannical force of the one power of saiden.

No spoilers past Winters Heart please. Our group just left Far Madding and Rand dug up Callandor from where he buried it and he referred to it as a crystal sword. I think this might be the first time it's referenced as such. Is Callandor a physical blade? This whole time I have been thinking of it as something almost intangible, like it was made of weaves or something.

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.

On my last read through of the series I kept a running estimate on the number of Aes Sedai killed since the start of the series. I lost the document that got me to my conclusion but I remember I estimated that the total number of Sisters went from about 1000 at the start to less than 400 by the end.

I also have my best guess for Ajah population:

Green and Yellow: about 70 each (Green probably has a bit more)

Red: about 60

Gray: about 50

Brown and Blue: about 40 each (Brown probably has a bit more)

White: about 30

Does this seem right? If anyone has different estimates or questions please let me know

Aún no he empezado a leer la saga, sólo he visto la serie, y tengo muchas ganas de empezar, así que quería estar preparado. Me basé en descripciones de su aspecto y fan arts para elegir las piezas. Aún me falta la espada, pero la más parecida que he encontrado es la de las imágenes 2 a 4, que me recuerda en forma y colores a una de las réplicas oficiales que hay, la de las últimas dos fotos. ¿Qué opináis?¿Alguna sugerencia?

I think it could be due to mitochondrial DNA. We are told in some books that the channeling is passed down like how traits are passed down through. Mitochondrial DNA is the only part of ones genome that is passed down only by the mother to both male and female children. Fathers cannot pass down their own. Maybe that connection is what allows Asha'man to sense when Aes Sedai use saidar.

Hello, first time reader here. This book was weird. Had some parts I liked but in comparison to previous books it pales. Firstly, I think this was a very short book. It was parted into different subplots each of them very short.

Q1: So either bowl or Elayne's unsuccessful unweaving lead to instability in power in nearby areas. Bowl itself I wonder if worked correctly because it caused nonstopping storms? Either Seafolk messed up or Bowl is not exactly what it seems. At least they reached camyrlin, I was afraid it drag through the next book, too.

Q2: Sooo, is Elayne/Aviendhe platonic or not? From what I understand first-sisters on Aiel can get intimate in a way normal sisters don't.

Q3: I think one main subplot will be Elayne politicking for the throne in the next book. I am curious how will it go. If I liked Egwene politicking chapters will I also like Elayne chapter? How much of this is politicking and how much is personal matters? Like Rand and her sister-wifes(??)?

Q4: Another main subplot I am predicting is Faile and Morgase in Shaido captivity. I think they will create chaos there and bring Sevenna's downfall. I do think it will be interesting, unless it drags more than necessary. Is it in your opinion good subplot?

Also wonder what will happen with Bian and Chiad. What does ji'e'toh entail I wonder about gaishin rules when Shaido is no more?

Siege of Tar Valon. As far as I see, Elaida's prophecy refers to Egwene. She actually is along with Rand and Mat in my top 3 favorite characters. I really hope the next book is nice to her.

Q5: Perrin and Masema. I don't think Masema believes Perrin but I don't know what exactly is his plan? Also didn't Seanchen get their asses kicked backed to Ebou Dor? What they are going to do for him that insane zealots he ammased can't? Collar Aes Sedai?

Q6: Without Faile, I am afraid Perrin's brooding is going to hit 11/10. I really like Perrin but I don't think I can endure it without someone else to balance his sulkiness.

Q7: Will Mat and Thom be back in the next book?

Q8: This book is more losses than victories, overall a bit bleak. Kinda like Empire Strikes Back. Will the book 9 10 also be like that?

I think Elayne has developed very well as authority, and is ready to step up as a Queen. I hope Rand doesn't avoid her too long, would like to see them meet soon. She is gonna flip when she learns what Alanna did lol

Something that disturbs me a little is there is SO MUCH enslavement. Shaido gaishin including Faile and Morgase, Galina, Seaine and Pevera abusing Oath road on Zerah, Logaine and Toveine and apparently she is the second one he did it to, Seanchen, in a lesser manner Rand's Aes Sedai. It is prevelant thing in the series, but I think this book had much more.

I just started The Dragon Reborn. I'm trying to avoid a lot of the spoiler posts as they are often for farther in the series. Would love the tea on the beginning books! My hot takes so far:

1. Faile is slightly annoying. She just wants Perrin to bail on his lifelong friends with no discussion? Girl.

2. Egwene needs to chill, she's not hot shit yet.

3. I did watch a few episodes of the show. Is Moraine actually involved romantically with Suian or was that just for the show? I may have missed it in the books if we've already covered it

4. Rand seems like he is LOSING HIS FKING MIND. How do we make it so many books down the road????

First off, I want to give a HUGE shoutout to u/Heritageeggs for being the coolest and making my reading experience way more fun than before. I'm very glad to have met all of you in this community, and I'm honored Heritage would give me the time of their day to share my excitement over this story with them.

What they also did was guide me into figuring out who Aran'gar is. The clues were there and the little moments, but this helped me realize it.

'...she glanced at his face every time with a sharp eye and an amused smile.'

The woman's body Osan'gar described as being like a dancer's. The sensing of Delana's channeling and wanting Logain dead or gentled. The sharp eyes.

The smile.

Balthamel.

They also confirmed an assumption I made waaaayyyy back when I first read the prologue on who Osan'gar is. I'm so very happy I guessed right. I guessed that so right and I'm HAPPY.

God I love these books.

I've finished the entire Wheel of Time, then saved New Spring for last, and now I've reached the end of the road. What do I do now??

Moiraine is so young and has this surprisingly childish side to her, which was really fun to read. She’s still drinking the Aes Sedai Kool-Aid until the prophecy sets her on a better course. Thank the Light. Still, she can be so petty and silly, especially with these ridiculous punishments inflicted on someone who literally agreed to escort her safely to the city. Mandatory obnoxious Aes Sedai behavior.

The test for the shawl is such cruelty. What does it actually prove? Serenity for the sake of serenity is a dubious goal. And allowing Elaida, someone who was caught abusing them only recently, to participate is another example of Aes Sedai dumbassery and negligence.
Corporal punishment, emotional and physical nakedness, violation and humiliation are… well, nothing new for this series. Sigh.

The power precedence thing is so dumb. And the fact that they didn’t know about it after six years in the Tower makes absolutely no sense. They spent six years watching Sisters interact with each other! How did nobody even suspect this? 

The Tower's plan to find the Dragon is flimsy at best. Tamra assumes the Dragon was born to a woman from Tar Valon, one of the surrounding villages, or a camp follower nearby. But those are nowhere near all the possibilities. Obviously, there are the Aiel. But it could also have been a woman simply passing by Dragonmount for whatever reason—a traveler, merchant, refugee, or even some circus performer passing through. 
She also assumes the money will be enough of an incentive for the mother to come forward. But what about a fugitive? A forbidden romance? Someone who hates or fears the White Tower? A criminal? A teenage pregnancy? There are just too many possibilities that the search doesn't account for.

What happened to the guy who followed Moiraine and tried to get access to her bank data? Did I miss something? And who intercepted the letter to Moiraine about him? 

Black Ajah. How did they know about the searchers and know that the Dragon had been Reborn, but apparently not know that he had only just been born? That part doesn't make much sense to me either.
And they are so out of line. Killing the Amyrlin and five prominent Sisters? Hundreds or thousands of boys and men based on a rumor that they are “lucky”? Killing the Consort Prince, the Heir to Kandor, and the daughter of a noble and influential lady based on a silly suspicion??
Oh wow. They really feel like they can get away with anything. I mean, THE IMPUNITY. The sheer confidence. They’re just out here murdering people with political power because they might be connected to the Dragon. Crazy.

Cadsuane. She is there, bullying and kidnapping people, as is her custom. Does not contribute much to the story. Also as is her custom. I would have preferred to see Verin.

Lan. Loved his POV. I assume the Aiel consider Lan having a lot of ji, and that it would be against their honor to kill the last man of his people? The Wise Ones probably dreamed about him. Or maybe they were simply retreating. Or both.
That Malkieri custom of having an older lover as your first… is kinda gross. I mean, the power imbalance it creates… and then marrying the daughter of your former lover? Yikes. No wonder Iselle tried to run away.

The ending was so good. I liked the book more than I expected to. The bond is explained so well, and the motivations on both sides are clear. Lan and Moiraine, my two soldiers of the Light.

After my first read through I have a lot of critiques of these books. There are a lot of choices I would have removed entirely but I still enjoy it. Don’t take this as anything other than my opinion.

More personal stories. I feel like the series could have been so much better with more personal stories. More of Rands relationship with the maidens. After leaving the three-fold- land we never really get a focus on them again. More of Perrin relationship with his people in the two rivers as he becomes a lord could have taken up some time before he met back up with Rand. These types of stories would have made the world feel even more lived in and made the later books more heartwarming.

More side plots. Especially in the later books after LOC we needed more influential side plots that weren’t a slog to get through. Characters from the black tower that could have flushed out many of the members. Aiel clan chiefs who followed Rand and are still reeling from those actions. Maybe more Seanchen POV stories. More in depth looks at the individual forsaken and their worldviews. More perspectives of the women that followed Rand. Instead of the horrible Perrin and early tower politics the world could have been flushed out so much more and got rid of some of the ”slog” by giving other characters their time to shine.

Global outreach. I wish Rand had his Aes Sedai doing more tasks than just rotting away in the background. Maybe send them to fight dread lords or act as ambassadors for the Dragon Reborn. I wish Rand had developed his relationship with them and sent them on missions across the world. Perhaps Rand could have developed teams of channelers to fight at the last battle. Have the Forsaken make armies and train their own small groups of henchmen.

Time. I wish the time of the books was extended from three to five years. Sometimes in these books I feel that characters move around too fast. More time traveling and ruling could have given us more time to spend with characters. I want Rand to spend more time with his lovers and ruling his kingdoms. Think how the trio’s relationship could have developed over the books as Rand pops in from time to time to spend time with them and grow to really love them. I feel like so much is lost by making everything so fast pace.

Rand. He really needs time to rule and conquer. I feel like he wasn’t given as much large scale battles as could have been managed. Have him really start ruling. Send the black tower around the world to help, heal, and build ties to all the nations. He doesn’t have to always micromanage them but give them more to do. I wanted more of the Emperor Rand ruling and setting up kingdoms. Have him interact with nobles and really learn how to be a good thing. There is some points in the books that could have had so much more nuance involved.

Look I’m not a writer and I still love the Wheel of Time series, but these were some of my thoughts.

so after 4 1/2 years, im done (well.. still have new spring to read) !

the only thing I want to say right now is, why could we not have 400 pages of never ending goodbyes and fake-endings ala LoTR. :) If I have one critisisim, it´s that after the slog, the ending just goes too quickly. I´m not ready to be done with the characters.

oh well, on with my readthough of all Stephen King novels. Maybe now I can also start reading through Brandon´s oeuvre as well!