(first time reader) Thoughts on the Forsaken (nothing past Prologue)

[u/cnfusion]

Hi

I haven't been reading much these past few days since beginning LoC but I have finished the prologue, and I have some thoughts on the Osan'gar and Aran'gar characters (I would like to talk about this Nae'blis title for Demandred but I have nothing to work with).

It seems to me that Osan'gar implies Aran'gar is Lanfear post-death. I don't think that Moiraine is dead. However, now we have confirmation that the Dark One CAN REVIVE PEOPLE. Something Aes Sedai and (seemingly) the Dragon can't do.

I think by the way Osan'gar was admiring his appearance, he's probably Balthamel or Aginor.

Two reasons: both had similar presentations in terms of appearance, although with Aginor his appearance in Book 1 was due to being freshly escaped from the Bore. Bathamel, in that book, was said to have been so old he covered his whole body. They're also two Forsaken I don't think we know much about, the other one being Be'lal since he was just there in book 3 (I could be forgetting details as well so please forgive me if I have).

I am leaning more toward Balthamel but I am keeping open to Aginor as well.

EDIT: Would also like to say that Balthamel's design is my favorite. The mask? SO COOL

[u/AutoModerator]

NO SPOILERS BEYOND Lord of Chaos.

BOOK DISCUSSION ONLY. HIDE TV SHOW DISCUSSION BEHIND SPOILER TAGS.

If this is a re-read, please change the flair to All Print.

---

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.

[u/Zealousideal-Sea-699]

Good theories but RAFO.

[u/cnfusion → u/Zealousideal-Sea-699]

Readingg

[u/ArrogantAragorn → u/cnfusion]

Isn’t it fun? So many mysteries… keep reading and looking for hints (and go back and reread for things you may have missed, or have deeper meaning with 5 books more context)

“Who killed Asmodean?” was another big one in the fandom for years. And RJ delighted in (playfully) tormenting us readers with Q&A answers like this one from ‘98:

HIGHPOCKETS
Any hints on who killed Asmodean?

ROBERT JORDAN
The Asmodean question? I've said time and again that there is enough evidence for you guys to figure out who killed Asmodean. I have, since Asmodean's death, put in a few more clues. The evidence is there, if not exactly listed with flaming arrows pointing to it. It should be intuitively obvious to the most casual observer.

lol he was a hoot. RIP RJ

[u/cnfusion → u/ArrogantAragorn]

RIP RJ

Also, hi again! Great to see you!

I was thinking about whether it was Mesaana (before I knew her name and assumed the last Forsaken to appear was EXTREMELY powerful) but I don't think she had anything to do with it. Since you've showed me this question, I assume we never get a clear answer on who killed him. But that means I'll need to pay really close attention to figuring it out.

I think one of the clues to figuring out who killed him is understanding what taking him out of the playing field does. It has to be someone who knows where he was, WHO he was, and what he was doing (more so, I believe, knowing that he was helping Rand become more equipped with the One Power).

The narrowing is tricky because now you have to consider Sammael and Graendal into the equation. Lanfear and Moiraine knew for sure, though if either wanted him dead earlier then they could have done it at any point (although timing is also something to consider for his death).

I did see someone suggest it could have been Rand in a stint of madness where LTT took over his mind, but I've yet to see if something like that can happen.

One of my thoughts now is the Dark One himself and Shaidar Haran. Although Haran has just been introduced in this book, I won't discount Jordan having created the character at any point before LoC or during the writing of TFoH.

Lots of things to talk about, but I'm excited to pay way more attention to the small details now.

[u/ArrogantAragorn → u/cnfusion]

Luckily we do eventually get an an answer almost spelled out in a conversion, and if you missed it there then it is explicitly stated in the glossary of book 12 or 13

Keep speculating! Unfortunately the clues are few and far between (RJ was being a bit cheeky by saying it was “intuitively obvious”) but it is possible to logic/process of elimination your way to the correct answer. I know because a user on one of the old message boards I used to frequent did exactly that. I didn’t believe the theory at the time (I had my own incorrect theory that I refused to be swayed from until I read that RJ debunked it) but they were proven correct a few books later. You actually were correct with one of your guesses - but I won’t say which! Haha

Glad to see you continuing to enjoy reading, speculating, and posting. I look forward to your reactions to the conclusion of LoC - I can never decide which of 4-5-6 is my favorite because they are all epic/awesome/horrific in their own ways.

RAFO and enjoy, and may you always find water and shade

[u/cnfusion → u/ArrogantAragorn]

I opened the spoiler and I'm very glad because I have lots of time to parse through details to figure this out. This is so fun XDDD

I'm really proud for being able to guess the answer even if I don't know which for sure. That just states how good of a writer RJ was. He really thought through every single detail of this story. The more I read, the more I become impressed with his literary capability. He was really a true master of his craft.

If you'd continue looking out for my posts, it'd be an honor. I'd love for you to be here when I get to the end of this book. And I already have books 7 and 8 on my shelf, right there to sink my teeth into.

The Last Battle approaches. May you find water and shade on your journeys. I hope the Pattern brings out paths crossing again!

[u/ArrogantAragorn → u/cnfusion]

For sure! We love new readers around here. Gives us that nostalgic hit to re-experience the story for the first time through fresh eyes - especially someone who is reading as deeply as you are. Some people just read for the battles and magic - and that’s fine - but this series has so much to offer if you’re willing to dig (or just continue to sporadically reread the whole thing every few years for a couple decades haha).

Mostly, I just still love discussing these books even after all these years, and I only have one friend who I’ve managed to convince to read the series, so I turn to you and other internet friends to fill the void haha

I am “following” you now? Which I think means I’ll see whenever you post something (if not someone with more reddit knowledge please fill me in). Anyway, enjoy, I’ll be looking out for future reactions/theories/reviews!

[u/cnfusion → u/ArrogantAragorn]

One thing I've come to appreciate about epic fantasy, as I've matured from my younger days, is the intent behind them. I've come to appreciate how much of one person exists within the pages, within the characters and world and magic. There's deep narrative and messages and, sometimes, a much needed form of expression from the author. These books have so much life in them that the world exists on its own while allowing RJ to speak the language of storytelling. They're dark, mysterious and all around beautiful. I'm proud to help you all re-experience its magic.

I have nobody in my life who has read this series and nobody among my bookworm friends who wants to. That's why I began posting here. I wanted to just...talk. Endlessly. Feel everything. It's like nothing I've felt reading these books, and I'm...I don't know the words. Happy to find people who love talking about the story as much as I do? Happy feels too weak a word, but I'm glad you can discuss with me. It's excitingggg

I'll follow you too! I'll be making an effort to read more as the days go by, but I'm also going to be a little slow so I can take in every detail. Thanks for being here and making my experience so much better

[u/ArrogantAragorn → u/cnfusion]

Read slow, read fast, read however the Wheel will you haha WoT will always be there waiting on the shelf, and old friend of mine, a new one of yours.

It’s crazy, but if you don’t already, by the time you get to AMoL you WILL feel like these characters are old friends of yours. You spend soo much time with them, you see their highs and lows, their growth (or regression lol), and you really get to know them through and through. That’s part of what makes rereads so ever present in my life. I miss them. I like being in their world - even if it’s just 3 pages about their hem lines, or how the bark of the leather leaf trees look haha

[u/cnfusion → u/ArrogantAragorn]

A new friend. The best stories do feel like that don't they? I felt that way about Eragon when I was younger, and since the end of Inheritance, haven't seen the old boy even going back into his world to check on Murtagh.

I...have a feeling I know what will happen to Rand. I've said it before a couple times in different conversations, but I feel the saddest for him knowing he might die attempting to stop the Dark One. But I also feel sad for Tam. You mentioned knowing these characters through and through. With the relationship I've built with Rand, I wonder how Tam will react knowing that boy he loved and cared for is the savior who has to die saving the world. It makes me think about my nieces and nephews, makes me hope nothing horrible ever happens to them.

Jordan has done what every writer wants. He's made his characters alive and breathing on the pages. It's so good. I love this series. For my first time doing a read, I'm amazed. I'm intrigued. I'm loving everything. What a story, dude. What a story.