Right now Tuon certainly has much more power than Egwene. She's the absolute ruler of an empire, while Egwene has to take into account the Tower Hall. Under Egwene's direct control are only Tar Valon and the villages close by. Tuon has way more subjects.
In terms of military power, again the Tuon wins easily. She has the big Seanchan contingent which came with their ships as the core of the armies, which had come from the Seanchan continent, and are much more experienced and better trained that Gareth Bryne's army, the vast majority of which are raw recruits. Then they have the local forces of three countries under their command too. Even after they lost 100 000 strong force to Ituralde's army, they were ready to immediately gather a much bigger one. They have the advantage of the raken scouts.
In terms of number of channellers, it's anyone's guess how many damane the Seanchan have available, but since they've tested every woman in three countries, and have no doubt brought along a significant amount of them from Seanchan, and they also got 300 or so from the Shaido Wise Ones, chances are they should have at least 2-3 thousands of them. Even if they are somewhat less, they certainly are more than the number of full Aes Sedai Egwene has (something like 700-800 at most if all those with stayed away during the split had come back, which is doubtful).
Sure, if we add the possible allies of the White Tower, the situation chances. But Egwene has no control over the Aiel armies or the Andoran ones. She has significant political influence over the leaders of the Randland nations, and they will probably be allies of the Tower in case of a war with the Seanchan, but that's not the same thing. If Elayne thinks it will be better for Andor and Cairhien not to send their armies to help the White Tower, she will do it and Egwene has no way to force her to obey her demands. The same applies even more to every other ruler in Randland.
The advantage of Egwene is the political influence the Tower has, but it's at almost all time low due to the rise of the Dragon Reborn, the Tower split and the Seanchan invasion. Right now the only monarch whose support she can count on is Elayne, and even with her she can't really press the issue as the Amyrlin did in the old days, when there were no Dragon, Asha'man, Seanchan and Aiel to complicate the political situation. The Borderlander rulers, the closest allies traditionally to the Tower, left on their expedition without even informing any of the Tower fractions and are now most probably sworn to Rand. Illian and Tear are under Rand's control.
In terms of military power, again the Tuon wins easily. She has the big Seanchan contingent which came with their ships as the core of the armies, which had come from the Seanchan continent, and are much more experienced and better trained that Gareth Bryne's army, the vast majority of which are raw recruits. Then they have the local forces of three countries under their command too. Even after they lost 100 000 strong force to Ituralde's army, they were ready to immediately gather a much bigger one. They have the advantage of the raken scouts.
In terms of number of channellers, it's anyone's guess how many damane the Seanchan have available, but since they've tested every woman in three countries, and have no doubt brought along a significant amount of them from Seanchan, and they also got 300 or so from the Shaido Wise Ones, chances are they should have at least 2-3 thousands of them. Even if they are somewhat less, they certainly are more than the number of full Aes Sedai Egwene has (something like 700-800 at most if all those with stayed away during the split had come back, which is doubtful).
Sure, if we add the possible allies of the White Tower, the situation chances. But Egwene has no control over the Aiel armies or the Andoran ones. She has significant political influence over the leaders of the Randland nations, and they will probably be allies of the Tower in case of a war with the Seanchan, but that's not the same thing. If Elayne thinks it will be better for Andor and Cairhien not to send their armies to help the White Tower, she will do it and Egwene has no way to force her to obey her demands. The same applies even more to every other ruler in Randland.
The advantage of Egwene is the political influence the Tower has, but it's at almost all time low due to the rise of the Dragon Reborn, the Tower split and the Seanchan invasion. Right now the only monarch whose support she can count on is Elayne, and even with her she can't really press the issue as the Amyrlin did in the old days, when there were no Dragon, Asha'man, Seanchan and Aiel to complicate the political situation. The Borderlander rulers, the closest allies traditionally to the Tower, left on their expedition without even informing any of the Tower fractions and are now most probably sworn to Rand. Illian and Tear are under Rand's control.
This message last edited by Zeratul on 20/12/2010 at 04:00:31 PM
Egwene, a poor leader?
- 16/12/2010 05:59:15 PM
2546 Views
Egwene isn't supposed to be a leader. She's a dictator and a politician.
- 16/12/2010 08:21:13 PM
1736 Views
Re: Egwene, a poor leader?
- 16/12/2010 10:53:20 PM
1446 Views
If the Shadow had removed Elaida so Egwene was Amyrlin whilst Rand was still Dark ...
- 16/12/2010 11:56:08 PM
1341 Views
Same thing if Elaida was in charge when meeting w/ Dark Rand. *NM*
- 17/12/2010 02:10:20 AM
744 Views
Except Rand wouldn't go to the WT with Elaida in charge, without having to fight
- 17/12/2010 02:50:18 AM
1483 Views
Re: Egwene, a poor leader?
- 17/12/2010 03:07:40 AM
1492 Views
Exactly how loyal do you think Nynaeve and Elayne are?
- 17/12/2010 04:52:34 AM
1309 Views
Re: Exactly how loyal do you think Nynaeve and Elayne are?
- 17/12/2010 05:44:30 AM
1373 Views
Re: Egwene, a poor leader?
- 17/12/2010 02:30:48 PM
1452 Views
Re: Egwene, a poor leader?
- 17/12/2010 08:25:39 PM
1190 Views
Re: Egwene, a poor leader?
- 18/12/2010 05:06:21 AM
1388 Views
Re: Egwene, a poor leader?
- 19/12/2010 08:41:31 PM
1298 Views
Torturing Nynaeve for exclusively her own political ends. *NM*
- 20/12/2010 12:14:55 AM
762 Views
Re: Torturing Nynaeve for exclusively her own political ends.
- 20/12/2010 01:24:12 AM
1311 Views
And the most painful torments were caused by Egwene
- 20/12/2010 09:31:44 AM
1434 Views
Re: Egwene, a poor leader?
- 20/12/2010 12:57:42 AM
1203 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
1380 Views
Ta'veren vs. Mary Sue
- 17/12/2010 07:33:28 PM
1863 Views
I see them as being the same thing.
- 17/12/2010 08:11:30 PM
1422 Views
I don't think the case can be made for Rand having it easy
- 17/12/2010 11:04:58 PM
1289 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
1279 Views
Funniest statement I've ever seen on here.
- 18/12/2010 05:22:28 AM
1379 Views
But you are just undervaluing Egwene's struggles in comparison to the other characters.
- 20/12/2010 06:17:17 PM
1693 Views
Re: But you are just undervaluing Egwene's struggles in comparison to the other characters.
- 22/12/2010 05:28:01 PM
1487 Views
Yes, but for completely different reasons...
- 18/12/2010 12:35:23 AM
1409 Views
You think Egwene has more power than Tuon?
- 18/12/2010 12:27:01 PM
1231 Views
Definitely...
- 18/12/2010 03:24:12 PM
1256 Views
More explanations...
- 20/12/2010 02:51:25 AM
1248 Views
Re: More explanations...
- 20/12/2010 03:58:58 PM
1418 Views
I think comparing Egwene to McCain is asking for trouble on several fronts.
- 20/12/2010 12:33:04 AM
1229 Views
- 20/12/2010 12:33:04 AM
1229 Views
She has a pretty powerful weapon...
- 20/12/2010 02:41:32 AM
1253 Views
RJ is more powerful.
- 20/12/2010 03:25:49 AM
1411 Views
Re: She has a pretty powerful weapon...
- 20/12/2010 09:46:22 AM
1321 Views
Re: She has a pretty powerful weapon...
- 20/12/2010 09:55:03 AM
1230 Views
Re: She has a pretty powerful weapon...
- 20/12/2010 10:27:59 AM
1289 Views

