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Re: Again, my point isn't about motivations for Elaida or Gitara ... that is clear DomA Send a noteboard - 15/10/2012 03:15:18 AM
Elaida herself recalled that after her foretelling, which she kept secret, she made sure to attach herself to the girl who seemed most likely to win the Lion Throne.

The evidence is that Elaida "volunteered" herself to Morgase the high seat, and thus got "promoted" as advisor to the Queen of Andor when she won. There was likely no reason for the Hall to refuse to confirm the position, Elaida is capable. Advisors/ambassadors are normally assigned by the Hall (or it's subject to a vote of the Hall anyway, they probably don't initiate all nominations), as far as we know, and it makes sense it's the domain of the "college of Ajahs" as otherwise an Amyrlin would systematically favour people answering to her (it's one of those things Egwene has changed, she's negotiated full power over diplomacy against leaving the Hall final decision over military matters).

It's being demoted as Sitters and being sent as ambassadors to a weak and faraway Court Joline and Teslyn ressented.


It's the Hall and Amyrlin letter her. Can you imagine them letting Hattori or another weak Sister take the role? Important posts are seemingly always given to strong Sisters. The hierarchy demands such things. If Elaida or Gitara had been weak in the Power they would not have been allowed to act as the Advisor to the most powerful monarch in the land.

Gitara not only held that position, but later was appointed Keeper, which is another post we've mostly seen held by very strong sisters. Sheriam, Leane, Silviana. Duhara is the wild card here but that seems obviously a BA situation. Much like Sitters and Ajah Heads, the hierarchy affects these roles to an extreme degree.


As far as we know, multiple other factors are considered before strength in those matters (just like strength is only one factor in the choice of Sitters). Aes Sedai are not completely stupid. They would consider experience and skill, and a personality suitable to that of the leader. It's the same for ambassadors, not chosen exclusively because of strength. Verin was able to influence so much the Salidar embassy because she outranked all of them and not being part of the embassy she wasn't placed under the authority of its leader (who wasn't the strongest of the lot, the Hall simply put her in charge), then Bera and Kiruna arrived and outranked all of them again and took control. So clearly the women the Hall had chosen to be Rand's advisors were not the strongest available...

Now if you're saying that Elaida's strength was probably a factor in the fact someone as young as she was was able to retain the position she had grabbed for herself, you're probably right. It would at least have stiffled protest, if the Hall had any reason to protest, and mind you the fact Morgase accepted her as advisor while High Seat probably counted just as much. She may even have asked Elaida to stay as advisor once she got the crown. Elaida was also the protégée of Galina, so no doubt she had strong support from the three Red Sitters.

When it comes to politics/diplomacy, Aes Sedai don't rely solely or evem mostly on strength. Some of the Sitters are just above average. It's more that strength gives you a big advantage even there, but aside from Joline and Teslyn who were atypical as they were sent as advisors to humiliate them, we just have Elaida/Gitara as evidence a strong woman might be preferred for Andor, and it might have more to do with Gitara's strong personality than anything, and we know Elaida grabbed the position for herself without an appointement.



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Misc observations from my latest re-read - 14/10/2012 08:26:37 PM 3222 Views
How does LTT know about Far Madding's history? - 14/10/2012 08:29:13 PM 1762 Views
How Stong was Gitara? - 14/10/2012 08:34:43 PM 1700 Views
So so stong. She had incredible stength. - 14/10/2012 09:04:15 PM 1717 Views
Degree of slowing is the same as how long they will live - 14/10/2012 09:22:23 PM 1545 Views
Re: Degree of slowing is the same as how long they will live - 14/10/2012 09:36:19 PM 1336 Views
Not in the mood to deal with you ... Go read the Ages section of 13th Depository - 14/10/2012 09:53:14 PM 1353 Views
Not interested in Linda's private theories. - 15/10/2012 02:29:41 AM 1527 Views
And there's Sorilea... - 15/10/2012 02:53:15 AM 1555 Views
Perhaps, but Bair is in her 80s and can't channel at all - 15/10/2012 03:09:35 AM 1336 Views
Problem is... - 14/10/2012 11:52:00 PM 1451 Views
Again, my point isn't about motivations for Elaida or Gitara ... that is clear - 15/10/2012 12:07:49 AM 1352 Views
Show me where in the books an adviser is selected by Tower authorities! - 15/10/2012 02:58:19 AM 1351 Views
Yet look what happens the minute a Stronger woman showed up - 15/10/2012 03:19:18 AM 1288 Views
Re: Yet look what happens the minute a Stronger woman showed up - 15/10/2012 03:35:10 AM 1414 Views
Yet Morgase herself states she didn't consider Elaida a friend - 15/10/2012 03:45:45 AM 1245 Views
How did Gareth Bryne get to stay Captain General, given his lack of respect to Aes Sedai? - 15/10/2012 04:07:07 AM 1394 Views
He was banging the queen - 15/10/2012 04:19:24 AM 1299 Views
And what Aes Sedai gave him permission to bang the queen? - 15/10/2012 04:30:42 AM 1551 Views
here ya go - 15/10/2012 04:39:29 AM 1405 Views
There's an awful lot for "not many" - 15/10/2012 05:07:30 AM 1341 Views
When did I say I bought into Linda's theories? - 15/10/2012 05:29:27 AM 1266 Views
Re: Again, my point isn't about motivations for Elaida or Gitara ... that is clear - 15/10/2012 03:15:18 AM 1426 Views
The thing is Elaida had no experience in the arena at all - 15/10/2012 03:25:10 AM 1315 Views
IT IS NOT THE TOWER'S DAMNED JOB! She had more than enough credentials for ANDOR - 15/10/2012 03:45:15 AM 1397 Views
Nope. Every other advisor we've seen has been sent from TV - 15/10/2012 03:50:07 AM 1348 Views
Those are not official advisers, those are ambassadors! - 15/10/2012 04:17:51 AM 1406 Views
So now you are saying that Elaida was a personal advisor not an envoy of the Tower? - 15/10/2012 04:22:31 AM 1331 Views
Finally! I was beginning to despair of your literacy! - 15/10/2012 04:34:18 AM 1390 Views
now I am questioning your literacy *NM* - 15/10/2012 04:40:45 AM 879 Views
She didn't "land it". She took the job for herself... - 15/10/2012 04:00:35 AM 1312 Views
Actually every advisor we've seen except Elaida has been appointed - 15/10/2012 04:11:39 AM 1339 Views
You can bully someone into an act, not a twenty year relationship - 15/10/2012 04:22:16 AM 1453 Views
Not arguing that Morgase had a problem with her - 15/10/2012 04:33:10 AM 1286 Views
We know nothing of the sort. - 15/10/2012 05:14:54 AM 1283 Views
Prove that Elaida's post was not Tower sanctioned - 15/10/2012 05:39:23 AM 1397 Views
Re: Prove that Elaida's post was not Tower sanctioned - 17/10/2012 04:15:37 AM 1412 Views
Egwene said otherwise DomA,... - 17/10/2012 05:33:01 AM 1351 Views
Re: Egwene said otherwise DomA,... - 17/10/2012 01:01:47 PM 1447 Views
Just to be clear - 17/10/2012 03:58:58 PM 1292 Views
Re: Egwene said otherwise DomA,... - 18/10/2012 01:23:48 AM 1367 Views
Elayne's thoughts about this - 17/10/2012 04:16:38 PM 1322 Views
And an answer to the rest of your "points" - 15/10/2012 02:48:07 AM 1549 Views
Again. I refer you to Linda's blog. The relevant quotes are there ... Enjoy - 15/10/2012 02:52:03 AM 1352 Views
Oh for the love of...! Here's the relevant quote: - 15/10/2012 04:04:48 AM 1447 Views
Okay, but that's still irrelevant to the Oath Rod & its cutoff period or method, as well as lifespan - 15/10/2012 04:54:26 AM 1292 Views
To quote you RTDB - 15/10/2012 05:16:56 AM 1284 Views
Re: To quote you RTDB - 15/10/2012 05:27:47 AM 1338 Views
Some people look young. - 15/10/2012 05:51:25 AM 1240 Views
I never mentioned the OR... - 16/10/2012 01:38:48 AM 1347 Views
RJ said Sharina would go back to about middle aged - 16/10/2012 02:23:21 AM 1171 Views
And that is probably the ONLY quote that wasn't on Linda's page *NM* - 15/10/2012 04:55:33 AM 782 Views
Told you so. *NM* - 15/10/2012 05:21:58 AM 893 Views
I think so. - 16/11/2012 11:40:17 AM 1496 Views
Aging - 15/10/2012 06:08:47 PM 1427 Views
How old was Lanfear? - 14/10/2012 08:41:35 PM 1384 Views
Re: How old was Lanfear? - 14/10/2012 11:27:12 PM 1421 Views
I couldn't find it - 15/10/2012 12:22:43 AM 1319 Views
Are the Seanchan prophesies false? - 14/10/2012 08:43:55 PM 1500 Views
I've only been saying no for years. - 14/10/2012 09:21:43 PM 1576 Views
Not the same thing - 14/10/2012 09:44:43 PM 1312 Views
Show me some damn PROOF already!! - 15/10/2012 03:19:18 AM 1488 Views
Re: I've only been saying no for years. - 14/10/2012 10:15:29 PM 1609 Views
Your argument is based on a faulty premise. - 15/10/2012 08:11:19 PM 1194 Views
Of course there is truth... - 14/10/2012 09:42:24 PM 1419 Views
Didn't know Bsand had confirmed the corruption. Thanks for sharing - 14/10/2012 10:02:40 PM 1362 Views
Re: Didn't know Bsand had confirmed the corruption. Thanks for sharing - 14/10/2012 10:23:17 PM 1420 Views
Hmmm ...I like it! It is actually very similar to what Nynaeve does - 14/10/2012 10:31:48 PM 1462 Views
How do the Black Ajah not figure out who the others are? - 14/10/2012 08:48:14 PM 1396 Views
Who says they can't? - 14/10/2012 09:23:11 PM 1393 Views
True to a point - 14/10/2012 10:00:01 PM 1322 Views
Was Sheriam ranking? Would many of them have met her? Not everyone even gets to meet the SC. - 15/10/2012 03:23:16 AM 1348 Views
Perhaps not. But a woman like Sheriam would stick out - 15/10/2012 03:37:12 AM 1258 Views
Re: Was Sheriam ranking? Would many of them have met her? Not everyone even gets to meet the SC. - 15/10/2012 03:52:39 AM 1384 Views
But isn't it interesting that Sheriam and Galina, both young and strong are on the SC? - 15/10/2012 04:06:38 AM 1238 Views
Galina isn't young. *NM* - 17/10/2012 03:24:30 AM 852 Views
Yes she is - 17/10/2012 03:46:39 PM 1386 Views
85 years being BA, 90 years as a sister does not qualify her as a "young AS" - 18/10/2012 05:35:33 PM 1357 Views
She is not dissimilar to Sheriam when she made her rise IMO - 18/10/2012 06:53:54 PM 1304 Views
Re: She is not dissimilar to Sheriam when she made her rise IMO - 18/10/2012 08:10:58 PM 1334 Views
I think Linda is correct in this particular instance - 19/10/2012 02:14:23 AM 1460 Views
You mean the SC? - 14/10/2012 10:47:31 PM 1388 Views
No others meet as well - 14/10/2012 11:01:21 PM 1373 Views
Re: No others meet as well - 14/10/2012 11:36:50 PM 1348 Views
Yet rank and file BA have methods of communicating - 15/10/2012 12:14:36 AM 1231 Views
Re: Yet rank and file BA have methods of communicating - 15/10/2012 03:26:59 AM 1351 Views
I concede that the rank and file likely don't meet in large groups - 15/10/2012 04:54:04 AM 1298 Views
Re: I concede that the rank and file likely don't meet in large groups - 15/10/2012 02:28:45 PM 1419 Views
I agree that RJ probably had some thing up his sleeve - 15/10/2012 03:01:20 PM 1212 Views
Re: I agree that RJ probably had some thing up his sleeve - 15/10/2012 05:57:04 PM 1514 Views
I have a different opinion of Delana - 16/10/2012 01:20:32 AM 1650 Views
Re: I have a different opinion of Delana - 16/10/2012 11:51:34 PM 1288 Views
Egwene only notes Alviarin as the Head. Verin may not have even mentioned or know who was SC - 18/10/2012 02:55:19 AM 1344 Views
Re: Egwene only notes Alviarin as the Head. Verin may not have even mentioned or know who was SC - 18/10/2012 03:40:54 PM 1246 Views
Give the sign to a woman and see how she reacts - 18/10/2012 06:57:38 PM 1358 Views
Re: Give the sign to a woman and see how she reacts - 18/10/2012 07:26:56 PM 1286 Views
Not a good plan, I'll give you that - 18/10/2012 07:37:45 PM 1421 Views
*sigh* - 18/10/2012 08:25:23 PM 1359 Views
*double sigh* - 19/10/2012 04:03:00 AM 1305 Views
Re: *double sigh* - 19/10/2012 05:48:25 PM 1311 Views
Agreed *NM* - 20/10/2012 04:57:18 PM 765 Views
Re: Egwene only notes Alviarin as the Head. Verin may not have even mentioned or know who was SC - 18/10/2012 04:59:25 PM 1393 Views
Not conclusive ... in fact the whole bit is vague ... I wonder if RJ would have given us more detail - 18/10/2012 07:23:30 PM 1400 Views
Not conclusive? - 18/10/2012 08:49:49 PM 1239 Views
Don't put words in my mouth that I never said - 19/10/2012 04:08:22 AM 1228 Views
double post *NM* - 19/10/2012 04:08:22 AM 770 Views
Is there a Dark Friend WO? - 14/10/2012 08:51:16 PM 1452 Views
Re: Is there a Dark Friend WO? - 17/10/2012 08:33:27 PM 1498 Views
I'd like to see more discussion on this; I'm curious as well - 18/10/2012 12:44:35 AM 1263 Views
Just a note about Bair - 18/10/2012 07:53:45 AM 1373 Views
I don't see how it could be possible - 23/10/2012 09:31:51 PM 1259 Views
Galad and Gaywn ... Channlers? - 14/10/2012 10:47:55 PM 1539 Views
Re: Galad and Gaywn ... Channlers? - 14/10/2012 11:36:25 PM 1493 Views

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