Theoryland Archive

It Could Be Anyone

📁 Are they good or evil? 👤 Morguen 📅 1998-07-31 💬 2 replies
Well, what I have to say isn't very specific. It's more on the whole general topic. Many people believe that Taim is Demandred and that Verin is a forsaken or Darkfriend. We've had evidence to suggest that such things have happened, even if Taim and Verin aren't what we think they are. Given the powers the forsaken have, or have access to (mindtraps, compulsion, etc.) and the tendency a lot of characters have to disappear, it could be anyone. Even people we firmly believe to be on Rand's side could be under compulsion (Dobraine, for instance). Because of the Taint, we're not even sure Rand is good anymore. Is anyone? I suppose the only characters safe from this suspicion are POV (Point of View) characters, who think in ways of helping Rand (as rare as these people are). I think we would know if a POV character was compelled remember when Moggy compelled Nynaeve and Elayne?

Replies (2)

Tamyrlin #1
1998-07-31
True about the point of view characters, although I would like to throw this wrench into that thought. What if their minds were played with before we met them and they were planted near Rand for the time being until they are called on by Semirhage for example to flip out or to do what they were 'programmed' to do. What we know as hypnotism, could she use that type of 'compulsion'?
Lews Therin Telamon #2
1998-08-21
Concerning the assumption that POV characters cannot be Darkfriends. We all know that Suroth is a Darkfriend from hers and Liandrins words in TGH. However, since then, we have had Suroth's pov many times, and not once has she mentioned the 'Great Lord' or serving any master. So, we cannot just assume that any pov characters are not darkfriends. However, I do have strong suspicions concerning Verin, and I believe that Taim is Demandred.