I know they have their own prophecies and maybe even a mission of some sort that put them on the sea long ago, but so far, they have seemed very minor players. I cannot really see what major role they have left to play, but that would make them the only group with prophecies to be so obscure.

The Aiel as warriors and as Dai'shain clearly have some role left to play in the Last Battle. The Seanchan... well, no matter what they will be a major part of the story. I just can't figure out what might happen with the Sea Folk. What is the prevailing wisdom here?

My own largely speculative guess is that it has something to do with the fact that the Amayar appear to be descendants of the Dai'shain. The Sea Folk legends say that during the Breaking they went to sea with no knowledge of seafaring. Sounds to me like they were given a specific mission, perhaps to carry some of the Dai'shain to the safety of islands?

I also think that part of RJ's surprise at the widespread indifference to the Amayar suicides was due to his knowing more about them and understanding their larger significance in the story to come. To readers it was certainly a sad thing, but we knew nothing about these people and I for one have never been able to quite get a grip on even how their protectors (the Sea Folk) fit in to the larger narrative.

If anyone else has some ideas here, please enlighten me!

LoialT