Hmm, you may have convinced me. At least about everything except the TP. As you point out, it is fairly obvious that it is possible to channel saidar in the town to turn the men (can't believe I missed that!), and you're probably right that Isam did not mean the SN would kill him then and there (and there are too many possibilities about him fleeing the Chosen to conclude much). So the OP is not blocked (at least saidar is not). I'm thinking that saidin might be though. That this is kind of a farm for breeding and containing male channelers who are required to stay in the town unless granted permission to leave. The women live elsewhere or are shipped in. If the men are unable to touch or sense saidin maybe they don't go mad, or at least it is easier and safer for training to happen.



Does Isam have any idea that Moridin channels the TP? Does he even know about the TP? It seems more likely to me that only saidin is blocked (probably using something like at Far Madding) and that Moridin, using the TP shocked everyone by channeling. What you suggest is certainly possible, but often the simplest solution is best. As for their inhuman attitude, that also matches up pretty well with being turned to the shadow (and we know this happens).

Why would Isam have lived there, though? Where are all these urchins coming from? Borderland raids?

There must be more to the town than just the Red Veils. It was apparently started during the Trolloc Wars so it could have begun as a place to train male dreadlords and (or) to turn channelers to the shadow. Did Isam have his gift before he met Luc? Was he born with it or was something done to him? I forget if RJ ever gave us any background on Isam/Luc.

About Taim, I realize it isn't likely he visited the Town, but it's possible, especially if he was brought at first to be a new dreadlord (don't forget he had been channeling for a while before declaring himself as Dragon... Ishy could have had a number of plans for him).