There's no way that hundreds of Aes Sedai would be sworn to the Dark One, knowing what he is. Even in the War of Power, 50% of channelers were darkfriends.
It's all part of RJ's philosophy on power and evil, and I think it's total rubbish. He can't logically claim that hundreds of Aes Sedai in the current and Age and hundreds of thousands in the previous one worshipped the Devil because of their lust for power, knowing who he is and the price involved. Half of people aren't that stupid even in our world.
If he'd wanted to be realistic he would have had 50 Black Ajah at most, and perhaps 1% of channelers from the War of Power.
I do think the number is high, but then when I think of Sheriam's PoV, I believe we are given a very strong backing for that high of a number. Most of them probably aren't "worshipping the Devil," they are just willing to renounce oaths and morals to gain power. That is a typical human choice. They believed they could get ahead and play the game, not necessarily that the end times would come while they were still alive and that they'd have to take such extreme actions.
The Black Ajah
03/12/2009 10:05:13 PM
- 1103 Views
I'd think the lifespan and power a channeler has are both big factors
03/12/2009 10:31:54 PM
- 615 Views
The BA must be better at recruiting than normal Aes Sedai
04/12/2009 12:47:11 AM
- 689 Views
Re: The BA must be better at recruiting than normal Aes Sedai
04/12/2009 01:14:44 AM
- 612 Views
I see no reason to believe Kari was a Darkfriend. Ishamael is a liar, and that's that.
04/12/2009 01:19:00 AM
- 501 Views
Perhaps
04/12/2009 03:10:23 AM
- 521 Views
The same could be said for the great majority of characters in the series. *NM*
04/12/2009 04:19:50 AM
- 225 Views
In the Age of Legends, 50% of channelers turned to the Shadow, if memory serves. *NM*
04/12/2009 01:11:35 AM
- 247 Views
I think it's absolute nonsense
04/12/2009 04:34:04 AM
- 670 Views
Knowing who he is?
04/12/2009 05:25:26 AM
- 563 Views
agreed. accepting that power comes at a price isn't evil. it's what drives people NOT to fail...
04/12/2009 08:51:01 AM
- 484 Views
Re: Knowing who he is?
04/12/2009 12:04:58 PM
- 494 Views
So by your argument, very few people murder, steal or cheat?
04/12/2009 12:50:35 PM
- 551 Views
I disagree, slightly.
04/12/2009 03:33:49 PM
- 538 Views