Egwene actually has a huge power base, and it is growing. She is the Amyrlin, and has the powers of the office. She has the power of the purse, she can spend Tower money where she wants. She has the power of appointment. She can appoint Sisters who are loyal to her to positions of power, she can appoint Sisters who are troublemakers to far meaningless offices. Elaida sent Teslyn to Ebou Dar. She has the power to deal with rulers of other countries.
I'm not so sure about the appointment part. From what I understand, the Hall has a great deal of influence over this process. Besides, what offices are there to which Egwene can make appointments? The only one I can think of it as ambassadors to other nations; the Hall and Ajahs run the rest.
Egwene power is also growing. Egwene already has Sitters who are loyal to her including Doesine, Yukiri, and Saerin. After the Sitters, and Ajah heads the next 4 most influencai Aes Sedai are loyal to Egwene. Nyneave the most powerful Aes Sedai, Elayne the next most powerful Aes Sedai, Silviana the Keeper, and the Mistress of Novices. Egwene also brought 1500 new novices into the Tower. The existing novices are loyal to Egwene, the 1500 new novices will be loyal to her. In the next 20 years most if not all of these will become Aes Sedai and will tend to be loyal to Egwene.
Egwene can rely on what, ten Aes Sedai? Out of approximately 1000? Elayne and Nynaeve aren't planning on living their lives in the Tower to be able to support her, so while trustworthy I really can't count on them as being reliable when it really comes down to it. As you say, she'll need 20 years for all the novices to become AS before she's able to rely on them. In the interrim, she'll have to fight tooth and nail to get anything done.
Egwene, a poor leader?
16/12/2010 05:59:15 PM
- 2323 Views
Egwene isn't supposed to be a leader. She's a dictator and a politician.
16/12/2010 08:21:13 PM
- 1486 Views
Re: Egwene, a poor leader?
16/12/2010 10:53:20 PM
- 1169 Views
If the Shadow had removed Elaida so Egwene was Amyrlin whilst Rand was still Dark ...
16/12/2010 11:56:08 PM
- 1130 Views
Same thing if Elaida was in charge when meeting w/ Dark Rand. *NM*
17/12/2010 02:10:20 AM
- 613 Views
Except Rand wouldn't go to the WT with Elaida in charge, without having to fight
17/12/2010 02:50:18 AM
- 1257 Views
Re: Egwene, a poor leader?
17/12/2010 03:07:40 AM
- 1259 Views
Exactly how loyal do you think Nynaeve and Elayne are?
17/12/2010 04:52:34 AM
- 1047 Views
Re: Exactly how loyal do you think Nynaeve and Elayne are?
17/12/2010 05:44:30 AM
- 1149 Views
Re: Egwene, a poor leader?
17/12/2010 02:30:48 PM
- 1218 Views
Re: Egwene, a poor leader?
17/12/2010 08:25:39 PM
- 981 Views
Re: Egwene, a poor leader?
18/12/2010 05:06:21 AM
- 1135 Views
Re: Egwene, a poor leader?
19/12/2010 08:41:31 PM
- 1051 Views
Torturing Nynaeve for exclusively her own political ends. *NM*
20/12/2010 12:14:55 AM
- 644 Views
Re: Torturing Nynaeve for exclusively her own political ends.
20/12/2010 01:24:12 AM
- 1102 Views
And the most painful torments were caused by Egwene
20/12/2010 09:31:44 AM
- 1214 Views
Re: Egwene, a poor leader?
20/12/2010 12:57:42 AM
- 980 Views
She has the same power base as any Amyrlin - the Aes Sedai, the artisans, Guards & citizens of TV
17/12/2010 05:51:20 PM
- 1131 Views
Ta'veren vs. Mary Sue
17/12/2010 07:33:28 PM
- 1521 Views
I see them as being the same thing.
17/12/2010 08:11:30 PM
- 1148 Views
I don't think the case can be made for Rand having it easy
17/12/2010 11:04:58 PM
- 1062 Views
I would say that in the grand scheme of things, Rand's had good to balance out the bad.
20/12/2010 06:27:35 PM
- 1050 Views
Funniest statement I've ever seen on here.
18/12/2010 05:22:28 AM
- 1154 Views
But you are just undervaluing Egwene's struggles in comparison to the other characters.
20/12/2010 06:17:17 PM
- 1454 Views
Re: But you are just undervaluing Egwene's struggles in comparison to the other characters.
22/12/2010 05:28:01 PM
- 1234 Views
Yes, but for completely different reasons...
18/12/2010 12:35:23 AM
- 1176 Views
You think Egwene has more power than Tuon?
18/12/2010 12:27:01 PM
- 1005 Views
Definitely...
18/12/2010 03:24:12 PM
- 1041 Views
I think comparing Egwene to McCain is asking for trouble on several fronts.
20/12/2010 12:33:04 AM
- 1004 Views

She has a pretty powerful weapon...
20/12/2010 02:41:32 AM
- 1029 Views
RJ is more powerful.
20/12/2010 03:25:49 AM
- 1154 Views
Re: She has a pretty powerful weapon...
20/12/2010 09:46:22 AM
- 1114 Views
Re: She has a pretty powerful weapon...
20/12/2010 09:55:03 AM
- 980 Views
Re: She has a pretty powerful weapon...
20/12/2010 10:27:59 AM
- 1069 Views