I support your view, with maybe a few comments to add...
Shannow Send a noteboard - 03/01/2010 02:58:05 PM
I'm tired of the Bell Curve, as I think the most likely answer is that RJ didn't actually know what a Bell Curve is in the true sense of the word.
Because a true Bell Curve simply does not fit the evidence so well presented by you in the above post.
In any case, I used to think that the 13 sister rule provided a minimum level for a woman like Dagian, but since the increased precision of circles was presented to us in scenes like the Cleansing I no longer hold that view. Therefore, I agree that someone like Dagian might well be less than one thirteenth as powerful as Rand, or at the very least, less than one thirteenth of the power required to overwhelm him in physical terms (remembering that you have to be MUCH stronger than someone to shield them if they are already holding the Power).
As for Egwene, I also place her at about 50. At most.
The quote about Egwene not standing a chance against Moghedien's strength, and the quote about Egwene, Lelaine and Romanda being doubtful of overpowering a single male Forsaken pretty much seals it for me.
We have to remember that three Black Ajah sisters can overwhelm Moghedien, according to Liandrin (if I recall the name correctly).
Therefore, if 3 can do so to Moghedien, then it seems likely that two can do so to Egwene at her full potential.
My only disagreement with your list is that I would place Nynaeve lower, at about 80. To me there is simply too much emphasis on Lanfear's great strength advantage over the other Forsaken for Nynaeve to be so close to her. I also don't think Alivia's "considerable strength advantage" over Nynaeve can be represented by a mere 10% on the strength scale.
Furthermore, I don't believe Alivia equals Lanfear - the most powerful woman of the Age of Legends by a margin big enough to leave her no doubt that she is exceeded by no woman.
In any case, the top individuals leave a lot of room for debate. But what seems incontrovertible to me is the placing of lesser characters like Egwene, Moiraine and the average Aes Sedai.
I don't really know how this notion of Egwene being 60-70% as strong as Lanfear crept up on us. It is not supported by the weight of evidence and should not be seriously considered, in my view.
Because a true Bell Curve simply does not fit the evidence so well presented by you in the above post.
In any case, I used to think that the 13 sister rule provided a minimum level for a woman like Dagian, but since the increased precision of circles was presented to us in scenes like the Cleansing I no longer hold that view. Therefore, I agree that someone like Dagian might well be less than one thirteenth as powerful as Rand, or at the very least, less than one thirteenth of the power required to overwhelm him in physical terms (remembering that you have to be MUCH stronger than someone to shield them if they are already holding the Power).
As for Egwene, I also place her at about 50. At most.
The quote about Egwene not standing a chance against Moghedien's strength, and the quote about Egwene, Lelaine and Romanda being doubtful of overpowering a single male Forsaken pretty much seals it for me.
We have to remember that three Black Ajah sisters can overwhelm Moghedien, according to Liandrin (if I recall the name correctly).
Therefore, if 3 can do so to Moghedien, then it seems likely that two can do so to Egwene at her full potential.
My only disagreement with your list is that I would place Nynaeve lower, at about 80. To me there is simply too much emphasis on Lanfear's great strength advantage over the other Forsaken for Nynaeve to be so close to her. I also don't think Alivia's "considerable strength advantage" over Nynaeve can be represented by a mere 10% on the strength scale.
Furthermore, I don't believe Alivia equals Lanfear - the most powerful woman of the Age of Legends by a margin big enough to leave her no doubt that she is exceeded by no woman.
In any case, the top individuals leave a lot of room for debate. But what seems incontrovertible to me is the placing of lesser characters like Egwene, Moiraine and the average Aes Sedai.
I don't really know how this notion of Egwene being 60-70% as strong as Lanfear crept up on us. It is not supported by the weight of evidence and should not be seriously considered, in my view.
This message last edited by Shannow on 03/01/2010 at 02:59:28 PM
One Power strength - critical analysis of previous posts and some further ideas
- 03/01/2010 07:59:24 AM
2808 Views
I support your view, with maybe a few comments to add...
- 03/01/2010 02:58:05 PM
1454 Views
where is this phantom quote of Egwene "not standing a chance"
- 03/01/2010 05:20:20 PM
1143 Views
Here's the real quote
- 03/01/2010 05:38:59 PM
1179 Views
Well that quote perfectly illustrates the skewed way in which you interpret the evidence...
- 03/01/2010 06:18:22 PM
1232 Views
I also think the quote is specific
- 03/01/2010 06:34:38 PM
1189 Views
Skill not Strength is the key that and the potential that another FS was with her
- 03/01/2010 06:51:46 PM
1171 Views
Bah
- 03/01/2010 07:13:01 PM
1129 Views
Who's arguing that?
- 03/01/2010 07:34:21 PM
1103 Views
What ARE you arguing?
- 03/01/2010 07:43:06 PM
1154 Views
That there is far more to strength in her quote!
- 03/01/2010 08:05:20 PM
1049 Views
Re: That there is far more to strength in her quote!
- 04/01/2010 09:40:05 AM
1256 Views
and where do I ever say Elayne is only a small step below Moghedien?
- 04/01/2010 03:08:37 PM
1168 Views
You more than imply it with your own list
- 04/01/2010 03:39:06 PM
1199 Views
and you are fixated on simple strength to the exclusion of everything else
- 04/01/2010 05:05:54 PM
1165 Views
Re: and you are fixated on simple strength to the exclusion of everything else
- 04/01/2010 06:46:45 PM
1596 Views
Tiny Unimportant Objection to "Bell Curve" Point
- 03/01/2010 03:09:55 PM
1311 Views
Re: Tiny Unimportant Objection to "Bell Curve" Point
- 03/01/2010 04:39:25 PM
1220 Views
I've got a slightly revised opinion than my last post
- 03/01/2010 05:16:39 PM
1394 Views
Re: I've got a slightly revised opinion than my last post
- 03/01/2010 06:31:09 PM
1335 Views
It's actually not that complicated ... simple math actually
- 03/01/2010 07:08:52 PM
1168 Views
Yes, but to think that RJ put that much effort into it is improbable
- 03/01/2010 07:19:13 PM
1200 Views
I'm being harsh with one poster who continues to mis-quote things!
- 03/01/2010 07:56:17 PM
1129 Views
Re: I'm being harsh with one poster who continues to mis-quote things!
- 04/01/2010 09:50:38 AM
1226 Views
Re: I'm being harsh with one poster who continues to mis-quote things!
- 04/01/2010 03:26:10 PM
1278 Views
Re: I'm being harsh with one poster who continues to mis-quote things!
- 04/01/2010 03:52:19 PM
1158 Views
You are talking out of both sides of your mouth
- 04/01/2010 05:09:15 PM
1093 Views
Dude
- 04/01/2010 06:21:28 PM
1063 Views
Dude, please go back to Fionwe's post
- 04/01/2010 06:35:03 PM
1146 Views
A reply...
- 03/01/2010 06:02:33 PM
1123 Views
The Tower sample is skewed allright, but to the upper side of the strength range...
- 03/01/2010 06:36:45 PM
1302 Views
Re: A reply...
- 03/01/2010 07:09:55 PM
1240 Views
I think distance is related to Strength
- 03/01/2010 07:21:46 PM
1138 Views
Re: A reply...
- 03/01/2010 08:38:07 PM
1322 Views
amusing side note
- 04/01/2010 05:22:39 AM
1091 Views
Which is exactly what I envisage the AOL distribution to have looked like...
- 04/01/2010 07:03:51 AM
1022 Views
Re: Which is exactly what I envisage the AOL distribution to have looked like...
- 04/01/2010 03:29:47 PM
1112 Views
It may sound silly, but did you look at One Power values in the Wheel of Time CCG?
- 05/01/2010 12:56:41 AM
1641 Views
Re: It may sound silly, but did you look at One Power values in the Wheel of Time CCG?
- 05/01/2010 07:33:21 AM
1222 Views


