We see things elsewhere in the Darkfriend world where beggars can give orders to nobles, so who is to say that someone in a Daigian-like position might not rise to the Supreme Council. How influential was Alviarin, after all, in the White Tower? It is far more likely that her rise as Keeper owed more to her leading the Supreme Council for over a decade than her rise to the Council resulting from some unsubstantiated & speculative status she may have held in the Tower.
But I would argue that in the Tower where the hierarchy is not only ingrained into initiates, but impossible not to immediately sense. I can't see the BA straying too far from the standard AS system.
Alviarin is strong for an AS, as are Galina, Sheriam, Verin, and all the Sitters who are Black etc... in fact we've not really encountered a lot of the weak BA Sisters... except the original 13...
Liandrin was the leader of her little crew despite being much younger than most, probably because she was the strongest. And we know they still internally follow the AS system:
Knife of Dreams
Nine out of Ten
“You forget yourself,” Marillin said sharply, and the next instant they were arguing about whether Temaile should defer to her! In truth. Temaile should-Elayne could sense their relative strengths-yet it hardly seemed a topic they would argue over now!
Clearly BA still follow the AS ranking.
In general I agree with your view of the Black Ajah being influenced by Aes Sedai habits (witness Delana's initial arrogance when facing Aran'gar). Playing devil's advocate, however, I would posit that in the example you give at the end there, that particular group of Black Sisters is suffering the same affliction as Merana's embassy in LoC - cut off from their real authorities, they are falling into standard White Tower habits (no matter how they work in the Black, they still have to show deference to the right people in public). We even see signs of this in WH, when they note that Temaile is going her own way, despite who Moghedian left in charge.
There is likely more personal wriggle room when one is not bound by the oaths, thus creating more likelihood for one such as Temaile to go her own way. At the same time the consequences of going your own way (should you end up in failure) are winding up like Falion!
Domani Drag Queen in the White Tower ... Aran'gar watch out!
Two BA leaders
- 28/11/2009 10:07:00 AM
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Actually, she might not have known Verin
- 28/11/2009 11:11:05 AM
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Well...
- 28/11/2009 11:23:31 AM
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If the council don't know each other, I doubt Sheriam knew Verin was BA at all (hence the surprise) *NM*
- 28/11/2009 02:54:38 PM
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Possible, yes
- 28/11/2009 03:05:12 PM
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Re: Possible, yes
- 28/11/2009 05:29:58 PM
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Who says the Black Ajah has the same leadership criteria as the Tower?
- 28/11/2009 07:35:32 PM
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You bring up a good point
- 28/11/2009 09:10:56 PM
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So do you.
- 29/11/2009 02:32:00 PM
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You are probably correct
- 29/11/2009 03:23:44 PM
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i'm not so sure
- 28/11/2009 05:35:58 PM
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Absolutely not.
- 28/11/2009 07:17:43 PM
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there's a difference between control and intimidation
- 28/11/2009 10:58:03 PM
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If by "free rein" you mean a Forsaken looking over your shoulder
- 29/11/2009 04:17:56 AM
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Re: If by "free rein" you mean a Forsaken looking over your shoulder
- 29/11/2009 04:41:03 AM
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