Getting hugged to death by a tree is bad enough, but he lost control of Egwene (who he was inflicting painful headaches on - not exactly as effective or useful as what Rahvin did to Morgase) and then was driven off in a rather humiliating fashion during the Cleansing (Callandor magnified Eben's fading connection to saidin, and hence the strength of Daigian's attacks - that is the only thing that makes this defeat understandable).
In my humble opinion, he falls beneath Moghedien in terms of overall lethality, so it makes sense that Aginor would attempt to use him to secure greater power with the idea to dispose of him once his utility had run out in "The Eye of the World" and that his only successful mission so far has been to free Moghedien from her collar.
Come to think of it, he nearly was captured by the Rebel Aes Sedai, barely staying a step ahead of them. Character thoughts aside, there is no way he could resist the traditional Aes Sedai Shield used against male channelers. With Egwene leading such a Circle, they wouldn't need the full thirteen to accomplish this, and there are more than enough Sisters in the camp who were capable of defeating him if necessary.
In my humble opinion, he falls beneath Moghedien in terms of overall lethality, so it makes sense that Aginor would attempt to use him to secure greater power with the idea to dispose of him once his utility had run out in "The Eye of the World" and that his only successful mission so far has been to free Moghedien from her collar.
Come to think of it, he nearly was captured by the Rebel Aes Sedai, barely staying a step ahead of them. Character thoughts aside, there is no way he could resist the traditional Aes Sedai Shield used against male channelers. With Egwene leading such a Circle, they wouldn't need the full thirteen to accomplish this, and there are more than enough Sisters in the camp who were capable of defeating him if necessary.
Something about Aran'gar makes me uneasy, though I can't quite put my finger on it.
Aran'gar hasn't been that incapable if you ask me. Since being reborn she succeeded in infiltrating the Salidar Aes Sedai as she was instructed to. She caused Egwene some trouble, but always kept close to her as she was commanded. She's done a much better job in Salidar than Mesaana did in the White Tower. She caused paranoia in Salidar, and although she was nearly captured, she wasn't. She actually made quite a well-timed escape with Delana.
At the Cleansing she killed Eben, making her the only one along with Graendal who actually achieved anything, however small it was. In the Forsaken meeting she's seen toying with Graendal, and only Aran'gar puzzles out what she's up to. Something about the way that Aran'gar was presented in this scene made me wonder if Graendal would have ended up as a corpse after she'd used her in an alliance.
She's clearly done several things. As Etzel says, she may have ordered Slayer to kill Rand, and on the other hand, may even have posed as Demandred.
I don't think she should be dismissed lightly, but at the same time I do wonder if she isn't a bimbo.
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Character discussion 7 : Aran'gar/Balthamel
- 22/06/2010 02:40:07 PM
1451 Views
The Forsaken most likely to acquire an STD ...
- 22/06/2010 03:34:41 PM
780 Views
Are you serious?... more than Graendal?
- 22/06/2010 05:45:54 PM
791 Views
Graendal strikes me as a voyeur - she likes to watch more than actively participate, I suspect. 
*NM*
- 22/06/2010 05:49:15 PM
332 Views
*NM*
- 22/06/2010 05:49:15 PM
332 Views
LOL!!! *NM*
Also, Graendal is much more picky in her conquests, I suspect ...
- 22/06/2010 06:07:08 PM
693 Views
but seriously, what is that based on?
- 22/06/2010 07:27:42 PM
676 Views
Makes sense to me
- 23/06/2010 05:02:47 AM
749 Views
I think Aran'gar was Slayer's mystery employer in WH ...
- 22/06/2010 04:17:27 PM
1020 Views
Yeah, I suggested that Aran'gar posed as Demandred
- 22/06/2010 04:54:59 PM
718 Views
The TGS quote is a good point ...
- 22/06/2010 05:27:59 PM
760 Views
I think the patron's identity might be something that RJ not necessarily wanted to reveal. *NM*
- 22/06/2010 06:42:24 PM
696 Views
There's some evidence against that, though
- 22/06/2010 05:47:34 PM
645 Views
I think Aran'gar wouldn't directly confront Demandred
- 22/06/2010 06:41:33 PM
604 Views
Still risky though
- 22/06/2010 07:29:32 PM
652 Views
Osan'gar has GUTS???
- 26/06/2010 03:47:29 PM
803 Views
Of course he has guts
- 04/07/2010 10:16:16 AM
675 Views
If I was a badass Forsaken with enough power to go toe to toe with him YES
- 04/07/2010 02:49:54 PM
790 Views
What will be her next task?
- 22/06/2010 05:01:37 PM
704 Views
He's more fit to sweep up after others' mistakes - maybe his next task will be with Tuon?
- 22/06/2010 05:20:37 PM
652 Views
Re: He's more fit to sweep up after others' mistakes - maybe his next task will be with Tuon?
- 22/06/2010 05:45:40 PM
635 Views
I like this idea to infiltrate the Seanchan as well
- 22/06/2010 06:37:39 PM
653 Views
Wolves can sense channelers - the wolves knew Egwene was different, remember?
- 22/06/2010 07:37:52 PM
726 Views
Maybe Aran'gar rather hides among the 100.000, i.e. she would be hard to discover
- 23/06/2010 08:59:09 AM
603 Views
One of the weakest and least capable of the Forsaken we've seen
- 22/06/2010 05:16:13 PM
697 Views
Are you sure?
- 22/06/2010 05:44:26 PM
792 Views
It's not about dismissing her lightly - it has more to do with being accurate with an assessment
- 22/06/2010 05:49:17 PM
688 Views