I admit freely that Graendal could be as low as Mesaana, or indeed as high as you place her. But my point is, we have no evidence whatsoever to decide that.
You base a large part of your argument on Graendal's statement that women stronger than her were very rare. Are we to take it then that Graendal was the ONLY member of the Forsaken who did not overrate her own abilities?
Because based on the examples of the Forsaken self assessments so far, Graendal's very rare statement probably means she only bumped into 1 or 2 people EVERY DAY who exceeded her in strength.
I said that tongue in cheek, but the truth is, if Graendal's own opinion of her supposed strength is what you base your assessment on, then it certainly leaves a lot of room for questioning.
And besides, other than Moghedien, ALL of the Forsaken were of rare strength. So Graendal's quote tells us nothing really about where she lies compared to the other female Forsaken.
What I'm therefore pointing out is that your list, while it could certainly be true, is based on a heck of a lot of conjecture at this point in time.
You base a large part of your argument on Graendal's statement that women stronger than her were very rare. Are we to take it then that Graendal was the ONLY member of the Forsaken who did not overrate her own abilities?
Because based on the examples of the Forsaken self assessments so far, Graendal's very rare statement probably means she only bumped into 1 or 2 people EVERY DAY who exceeded her in strength.
I said that tongue in cheek, but the truth is, if Graendal's own opinion of her supposed strength is what you base your assessment on, then it certainly leaves a lot of room for questioning.
And besides, other than Moghedien, ALL of the Forsaken were of rare strength. So Graendal's quote tells us nothing really about where she lies compared to the other female Forsaken.
What I'm therefore pointing out is that your list, while it could certainly be true, is based on a heck of a lot of conjecture at this point in time.
It's a quote you've been happy to use for years before this, and now suddenly it's unsuitable to you because it contests your theory in some way.
In fact, Graendal isn't hyperinflating anything - the quote originates from her own admission that Cyndane is stronger than her in the Power. If anything, this is a rare quote from a Forsaken conceding that another channeler has an advantage over them.
She said finding a woman of greater strength was exceedingly rare, even in her own age. She's not saying she could defeat Cyndane, or that she is more skilled. It's a tangeable and measurable aspect of the One Power, which we all know.
Of course, what the statement means to you is your decision. To me, when Graendal says that a woman of greater strength is 'exceedingly rare indeed', it indicates that only Lanfear held such a place above her, and that her strength is one of her assets among the women. Still, if you want to believe that Semirhage, Mesaana and Lanfear are these exceedingly rare women, then by all means, indulge yourself.
Wheel of Time board admin
Fan of Lanfear
Fan of Lanfear
Female Forsaken strength : a new post
- 19/11/2009 04:12:35 PM
1782 Views
Except...
- 19/11/2009 04:26:32 PM
814 Views
There's no evidence for that
- 19/11/2009 04:31:17 PM
764 Views
I agree with Sidious - we have no evidence at this time, so she should remain off the list
- 19/11/2009 04:38:31 PM
772 Views
It's common sense
- 19/11/2009 04:40:01 PM
720 Views
No, it's based on absolutely nothing
- 19/11/2009 04:50:30 PM
784 Views
If you agree that there are stronger damane than Alivia...
- 19/11/2009 05:00:05 PM
706 Views
Glad to have you back. Now for the arguments to start!
- 19/11/2009 04:29:01 PM
821 Views
Hmm...
- 19/11/2009 04:47:12 PM
831 Views
Actually, you are the one placing Lanfear immensely high, my list reduced the strength difference...
- 19/11/2009 05:05:18 PM
911 Views
But I'm not
- 19/11/2009 05:17:05 PM
800 Views
Let me ask you this...
- 19/11/2009 10:13:12 PM
840 Views
All assumption
- 20/11/2009 04:11:20 AM
706 Views
Why introduce that concept, if it is just of academic importance?
- 20/11/2009 07:41:54 AM
675 Views
You don't know the significance of it at all
- 20/11/2009 03:14:46 PM
793 Views
Why?
- 20/11/2009 03:17:51 PM
1314 Views
Re: Why?
- 20/11/2009 04:30:50 PM
661 Views
How can you argue in such a way and still keep a straight face (presumably)...
- 20/11/2009 05:07:39 PM
700 Views
Re: How can you argue in such a way and still keep a straight face (presumably)...
- 21/11/2009 10:55:47 AM
695 Views
Is Graendal the only Forsaken NOT to overstate her own ability then?
- 21/11/2009 01:53:28 PM
796 Views
Probably not in this case
- 21/11/2009 11:34:25 PM
680 Views
Your rankings hinge ENTIRELY on whether you have Graendal correctly placed.
- 20/11/2009 03:24:22 PM
649 Views
Yeah... entirely 
- 20/11/2009 04:33:45 PM
660 Views
- 20/11/2009 04:33:45 PM
660 Views
What ever happened to all teh info from wotmania? Especially the FAQs? *NM*
- 19/11/2009 05:01:45 PM
505 Views
Re: Female Forsaken strength : a new post
- 19/11/2009 05:39:10 PM
790 Views
Re: Female Forsaken strength : a new post -- What about Dexterity??
- 19/11/2009 06:44:31 PM
801 Views
Seems good, except I'd bunch up the upper levels and place Nynaeve a little higher. *NM*
- 19/11/2009 09:46:16 PM
404 Views
Too many levels
- 20/11/2009 01:48:24 AM
782 Views
21 levels is largely a myth
- 20/11/2009 04:27:27 AM
669 Views
I have to disagree for a couple of reasons.
- 20/11/2009 04:14:40 AM
805 Views
I thought of something else to support my upper limit theory on gateways
- 20/11/2009 01:53:05 PM
788 Views
Talaan is not stronger than Nynaeve
- 28/11/2009 08:27:22 PM
823 Views
more hopefully to come
- 20/11/2009 08:15:00 PM
644 Views
Thanks KCF, that's a great question to ask.
- 20/11/2009 08:28:32 PM
887 Views
I'm the same way. I should be studying for law school finals, but I'm distracted. *NM*
- 20/11/2009 09:45:46 PM
320 Views
I agree that Graendal is the 2nd most powerful woman Forsaken
- 29/11/2009 04:07:00 PM
637 Views