Date: 2010-01-01
Type: Verbatim
For a complete catalog of Brandon’s tweets, visit the Twitter Portal at Brandon’s website. See also the TOM Writing and Editing Process page for more WoT tweets from 2009-2010.
Re: Mesaana. People have been misquoting me a lot on this one. Early in the tour someone claimed to have a quote where RJ said…
…that her alter ego hadn’t been seen. This shocked me, since I thought she had been. I have been waiting until I got home to check it out.
The only thing official I have said is that someone claimed RJ said on the Knife of Dreams tour that she hadn’t been seen, and can say nothing until…
…I am off tour and can research old RJ interviews to find if I’ve missed something. I think it likely the person was mixed up.
(later) Word from Maria: RJ said we HAVE seen Mesaana’s alter ego on screen.
That’s good. The guy from DC had me worried. I thought I’d known from the notes exactly who Mesaana was, and that she has been on screen…
Robert Mee, the guy who provided the original quote from RJ confirming that Mesaana had been on screen, told me in an email that he might have been the one to cause all of this confusion since he misremembered the quote when he talked to Brandon. He’s probably right, as he saw Brandon in Bailey’s Crossroads on Nov. 4, and the confusion first showed up a few days later. He sends along his apologies to everyone!
Okay, time to post about Cyndane for you Theorylanders. I have been discussing with Maria all day. She and I have different opinions on…
…some things in the notes, but she has convinced me that she is right. I believed that there were some…issues with her power level.
Dark One playing tricks to keep everyone guessing. But Maria convinced me her Power really is what it seems. So you can disregard my…
…comment about her being really really weak and stick with the word I used earlier: “weakened.”
This is what you get for asking about things that we are still picking apart the notes regarding.
;) You know I love you, Theorylanders. (Even if I sometimes feel like I’m surrounded by a pack of wolves when talking to you.)
Brandon had indicated in The Gathering Storm signing reports that Cyndane was ‘much weaker’ than Lanfear. However, Graendal indicated in The Path of Daggers that Cyndane was, while weaker than Lanfear, still stronger than her, so we knew she wasn’t that much weaker. It’s still up in the air after Towers of Midnight as to why she wasn’t drained as much as Moiraine. The Eelfinn claimed that they killed her by draining her too quickly, but Moiraine thinks that someone came for her. Anyway, we badgered Brandon about it, so he cleared up the confusion.
Calling WoT derivative of Tolkien is like calling Tolkien derivative of Beowulf. True, but missing the point entirely.
Blast. Where did I put my copy of New Spring? (Grumbles and goes up to search his library.)
Found it. You know, I like New Spring , but I really don’t think people should start with it. It reveals too much about Moiraine and Lan.
In response to questions, I’m thinking New Spring is best read after Book Four. That’s a good place to gain context on Moiraine.
A fanmail tonight includes a request for Gawyn to die, and Egwene to hook up with Galad. At least it’s not another begging for Rand + Egwene.
Wow. I did not mean to start an epic Gawyn/Galad/Egwene/Rand thread on my Facebook, but I appear to have done so.
Some interesting reading if you’re thinking/talking about Gawyn as a character can be found here: Sir Gawain and the Green Knight—Wikipedia
(from the comments)
One other way to think of it is thus: The Wheel will keep on turning, and the Age that we live in (or like unto it) will someday arrive. Legends from what is happening in these books will have survived, and become the Arthur legends during our day. Or, in other cases, stories of other characters have survived in other mythologies. (Look up the Slavic god Perun sometime.)
Perrin is not a god, nor is Gawyn the knight of that story I linked. But perhaps someone who lived long ago, in another Age, gave birth to rumors about a young nobleman who made a mistake, and bore the weight of that sin for the rest of his days. And that gave birth to stories, which in turn inspired a poet to write a tale.
The writer of the fanmail in question posted and elaborated at 13th Depository .
You mentioned that something important happened between books 4-6 that people missed…. Can you elaborate anymore on that?
Only thing I’ll say is that I’m sure at least one person has guessed what it has to do with. (They emailed me.)
Brandon was probably aware that Callandor had correctly guessed what it had to do with on Theoryland, since Peter likely told him that we had accidentally disqualified it by way of misinterpreting his statement that we were ‘not on the right track’.
Will we see the Dark One in WoT? Will he walk the earth and physically fight with Rand & Co?
I can’t tell you for certain about the Dark One. There WILL be a confrontation, though.
The last seals will be broken.
Are readers going to be able to figure out timing of events in Towers of Midnight based on the moon references, feasts et al.?
I think they will. It’s going to be tricky, though.
Will you also work on the other two prequels?
If Harriet wants to do them, I’d have trouble saying no. I am very involved with this world now.
It would be almost as hard to let someone else do it as it would be to let them do a Mistborn book.
But Harriet and Tor seem more interested in the Outriggers right now. We’ll see.
Out of curiosity, do you have a list of the sundry unsolved mysteries in the books? Or untied threads and references?
Yes, I do. And, I even have a list of ones Mr. Jordan was planning not to answer or reveal.
Mr. Jordan listed some mysteries in the notes that are NOT to be solved. Perhaps you should try to guess which ones.
Are they not explained, or are they explicitly noted to refrain from releasing the solution?
Some of each. There’s one that I really wish I knew, but he didn’t tell anyone, and said no answer is to be given.
As for the mysteries, there are indeed some that Mr. Jordan did not reveal in the notes. All he said was: “This is not revealed.”
A lot of mysteries or just a few? And any major ones (without going into specifics, I know you can’t)?
No major ones, in my opinion, except for a couple of unresolved plot threads he had been saving for the Outriggers.
I can’t say much more about mysteries. I’ve said before that all major plotlines have resolution. Unresolved things are smaller.
If I have my way, the notes Mr. Jordan [left] will be printed after the series is done. At least in part.
Are the unanswered mysteries at least interesting, or are they like, “who made the baked ham in book 4!”?
Some are very interesting to me.
Are there also some that ARE revealed in the notes, but have an added “but this doesn’t go into the books.”?
Yes, there are, at least in implication. Many of these have to do with things I think he was reserving for the Outriggers.
Yes, I will push for that to be in the notes we release, if the Outriggers aren’t written.
I’m afraid I’m not allowed to show any of the notes right now. Maybe after A Memory of Light . Some may go in the encyclopedia Harriet is doing.
Is the identity of who ordered the attack on Demira Eriff a mystery with an answer? My money is on Taim but surprises are fun.
I’m not going to say which ones. But it’s good to hear what people are curious about.
Re: The Outriggers novels. I’ve posted about this on my website. Short answer is: It’s up to Harriet, but probably not.
Has there been any further discussion of the outriggers between you and Harriet?
There has not. Just the original “What do you think?” discussion. Basically, we decided to shelve it until A Memory of Light was done.
I noticed that you mentioned the Outriggers that Mr. Jordan was planning… Are you planning on writing those as well?
Short answer: Probably not. Longer answer: We’ll decide after A Memory of Light is done, but are hesitant.
One unsolved mystery=is Thom Elayne’s real father?
I’m pretty sure Robert Jordan said that Thom was not her father. I wondered that myself for years.
You’ve been quoted saying Rand and Egwene will get about the same screen time [in Towers of Midnight ] as Mat and Perrin in The Gathering Storm . Is this the case?
That is correct. Though it might be a tad more. This book will be longer, and a lot of that is some extra Rand/Egwene.
Most of A Memory of Light was written by Robert Jordan, right? So that book will go faster? Or is that wishful thinking on my part?
About the same as he did on The Gathering Storm , I’m afraid. Lots of notes, few finished chapters. (He did write the ending, though.)
Will we ever find out why there were blue flashes when Thom fought the Myrddraal at Whitebridge while Rand and Mat fled?
I believe Robert Jordan said something along the lines of “Thom’s knives are special.”
Was the attempt on Rand at the end of The Path of Daggers caused by Torval learning his plan to cleanse the taint? Did Moridin order it?
RAFO, though that is the best theory I read before I became involved in this. It’s very credible.
Did RJ have a strength scale for each of the Five Powers for each channeler (similar to the one for overall strength)?
Not that I’ve seen. Now, there could be something in there I haven’t seen.
But the list I have indicates power level and, in some cases, what they are strong/weak at. Not a full list of all five.
You’re the first to notice that that I’ve seen.
Should we expect Towers of Midnight to be as predominantly dark in mood as The Gathering Storm was?
Well, the Last Battle is close, so things aren’t getting brighter. There’s a reason Mr. Jordan named the last volume A Memory of Light .
But won’t Rand be a bit more ‘light’ since the last chapter of The Gathering Storm ?
RAFO. (But chances seem good.)
That being said, will Towers of Midnight still have its bright moments, like Rand recovering his sanity and will to live at the end of The Gathering Storm ?
There will be those, of course.
Is it significant that Nynaeve (in The Great Hunt ) channels during the test for Accepted and does not burn out?
Yes.
Did you end up finding space for those 50k words on Pevara in Towers of Midnight ? If not, is there a chance we’ll see it before November 2nd?
Got two chapters of it in. Decided I could juggle the timeline, maybe, to get the rest into A Memory of Light .
See here for more info.
Quick, and, perhaps, rather rude question: was Mattin Stepaneos simply forgotten about in The Gathering Storm ?
His presence in Knife of Dreams implied that he’d play some role in the story, yet he’s not even mentioned in The Gathering Storm . Just need to know.
Nope. I thought about referencing him, but found it distracting. He isn’t forgotten.
Is it possible for us readers to figure out Demandred’s identity with the information we already have?
And now, Theoryland is holding its breath. I think I might have actually answered on tour. I’m not sure what RJ said on the matter, but…
I will say only this: There ARE clues. I think it could be figured out. Maybe. It’s much, much harder than Asmodean’s killer.
Obviously, I must be tight-lipped. Can it be figured out: Yes. Will it make you smack your heads & say “I should have seen it!” Probably not.
(from the Facebook comments on Brandon’s first tweet)
Brandon, you are such a tease…….. but I will “RAFO”. but still it’s a tease.
Sorry. Inherited that from RJ. Still, it wasn’t totally a RAFO. It was a tad more than that. I do see from Tamyrlin’s post that RJ confirmed that you could figure it out.
Sort of. There was room in RJ’s comment for the interpretation that we should be able to figure out that Demandred is simply Demandred. You have made it more clear. Not that we are complaining.
Ah, I see. Well, let me add the official clarification onto what I’ve said: Basically, I’m not merely talking about “Alter Ego” here when I reply to the “Figure out Demandred’s Identity” question. I look at that question as a larger “What he’s been up to, what he’s been influencing, where he’s hiding” that sort of thing.
Why make this distinction? Well, it’s because of things that (likely) others have figured out already. Demandred hasn’t been in-guise in the books at least up to Knife of Dreams . So energies focused on “exactly who is he” would be pointless, to an extent. If he is indeed imitating someone, you haven’t seen that someone through most of the series. At least not in person. You may have seen them now, but if so, they haven’t been on-screen for long.
So, what I’m saying is basically this: There are clues as to what Demandred is up to. You could figure that out. I think it would be hard, but not so hard that someone won’t guess it. (And, knowing WoT fandom, someone probably has.)
Brandon later verified that Demandred does indeed have an alter ego.
There’s no way in hell that Demandred ISN’T Taim.
Except, you know, RJ saying five or six times he wasn’t…
What’s the last word of the book?? [ Towers of Midnight ]
I will give you the full last sentence: “The end of the Thirteenth Book of the Wheel of Time.” Never say I never give you guys anything…
Are you going to point all the hints out in more detail after A Memory of Light ? Or am I being a lazy fan now? :P
I will be much more free of tongue then.
When WoT series is finished, will you feel more inclined to share WoT details that didn’t make it to the books?
Yes, I will.
Did you consult Maria before deciding Egwene shall attempt to fall fleeing raken ? Would she be able to do so Bounded?
I’m a little confused at what you’re asking. Do you mean “Fell?” And what do you mean by Bounded?
Sorry. There has been some discussion around the Third Oath and Egwene attacking retreating raken …
I was asking if you think she could have done the same now, after taking the Oaths (and whether you asked Maria to weigh in).
We did talk about this. I think it’s iffy. Depends on Egwene’s mindset. I don’t think most Aes Sedai could have done it.
In fact, it’s good her circle was with those who hadn’t taken the Oaths yet…
I think Yoniy0 meant ‘would Egwene be able to kill (fell) fleeing to’raken were she bound by the Oaths?’
I don’t know that she would have been able to. Depends. The Oaths depend on how you view what you’re doing.
Elaida got around them (or to the side of them) by convincing herself Egwene was a Darkfriend.
Will we ever learn any more of this “Army of the Night” the Seanchan fought?
RAFO. Sorry.
Lol. In making comments on Towers of Midnight , Maria referenced The Eye of the World …and found an as-of-yet uncaught mistake.
Oh, and I think the error Maria caught in The Eye of the World was a line saying Lan’s homeland had the “hundred lakes” and not the “thousand lakes.”
If you die, who would ask to finish the series for you?
WoT? Wouldn’t be my choice, it would be Harriet’s. But I think Tad Williams would do an awesome job.
Are the taint and the True Power the same?
No, they are different.
Can Mashadar destroy True Power and True Power weaves like it destroyed the taint?
RAFO.
If there was no Cleansing would the taint eventually run out as it’s used by men who go insane & die ad infinitum ?
I don’t think it’d run out. But that’s a “Brandon’s mostly sure, but hasn’t checked the notes.”
Did Mr. Jordan list out what the True Power can/not do relative to the One Power? Are there limits to both?
RAFO. Maybe we’ll put some of that in the encyclopedia. They are certainly different. Towers of Midnight has some hints.
Mashadar is gone, isn’t it? Would it really hurt to say whether the True Power would be affected?
Have we ever confirmed that Mashadar is dead? :)
Does Min’s comment to Corele mean that the Dark One can subvert her viewings BEFORE the Pattern is destroyed?
Asked in reference to the viewing that Elza would serve Rand. Or did it simply not imply she would serve forever?
Elza did serve Rand, in her own way. It did not mean forever. That was not a subverting of the viewing. (Or wasn’t meant to be.)
Thanks! That’s what I thought but some will still say you didn’t answer the original question lol. It’s Theoryland.
Robert Jordan taught me to give Aes Sedai answers.
Fair enough. :)
There is one case in which I suspect that RJ gave an Aes Sedai answer and the reporter may not have gotten it exactly.
Q: Was Else always Lanfear? RJ: No. Else did exist as a separate human but was played by Lanfear after Else was expelled.
Strange, because of the personality ‘Else’ showed, and the Tear trap being Mesaana’s trap, not Lanfear’s. Any comment?
MAFO.
(later) I cannot find anything to clarify the question.
PS, thanks for taking time to do Q&A here. Far superior to tour reports, since the Aes Sedai answers are direct from you. ;)
…not to mention the quick responses, and the fact that you have more time to think the answers out. You are awesome!
By the way, not knocking the tour reporters. They rock; we have a lot of good stuff because of them.
I am just reminded of Tam. ‘Tell me what she said. Her exact words, mind, just as she said them.’ And Thom too. :)
Sure. Of course, I’m not convinced half of Theoryland hasn’t joined Twitter only to follow/question me…
When I’m on tour, do be aware that I don’t have notes handy and I’m usually very tired. All answers are suspect.
As for stalking you…someone has to do it to keep the Q&A organized, and I elected myself (also before you came along).
Ha. Just seems that I get a surprising number of tweets from people with no profile picture, and who are only following me. :)
I don’t feel stalked at all. This is how I use Twitter, and I’m happy to answer questions.
No profile pics and only following you? That sounds like my twenty other Twitter accounts…
Min and Cadsuane told Corele that she sees pieces of the Pattern, but if the Dark One destroys the Pattern as he aims to do, then her viewings will be irrelevant. Those that are in reference to things after the Last Battle will only come to pass if they prevent the Dark One from destroying the Pattern. Some took this to mean that Shaidar Haran (essentially, the Dark One) subverted Min’s viewing that Elza would serve Rand when he ordered Elza to help Semirhage torture and control Rand.
You said you were surprised when you found out who killed Asmodean. Who did you think was the killer before you read it?
Problem is, I’d read SO many theories by that point that my head spun. I can’t say who I thought, or it would rule them out.
Who would you say is your favorite Forsaken? And that’s coming from you as a fan more than you as the writer.
Hmm… Ishamael/Moridin.
Who’s second strongest Forsaken after Moridin? Some say Demandred some say Aginor. Did RJ say in his notes?
It IS in the notes, very explicitly. As for your answer…I’ll see if we can get that in the Encyclopedia.
The BWB says that Aginor was second-strongest of the male Forsaken. It also implies that Demandred is somewhat lower on the list than some fans expect, but since the Forsaken are all very close, it probably doesn’t make as big a difference as some imagine.
How does Hatred turn into a blood-sucking mist that destroys energies derived from the Dark One? Will we get a detailed explanation?
Also, will we get a glimpse or further details and explanation on Mordeth’s ‘unnatural’ assassins?
This is not something I’m at liberty to explain. I’ll suggest it for the Encyclopedia.
If I post on Twitter, consider it fair game for reposting. … Note: I’m not 100% accurate all the time.
If Rand goes to Tel’aran’rhiod in the flesh, imagines himself a new hand (or a new body like Lews Therin’s), and then walks out, what happens?
It wouldn’t go with him, I’m afraid. Towers of Midnight gives some hints on why, actually.
I was wondering—why didn’t Amys and Bair contact Edarra in her dreams when they were looking for Tam?
There’s a reason. Towers of Midnight may shine light on that.
Any chance you could clear up Sulin in The Gathering Storm ? Was her appearance a typo or deliberate (Varied answers exist on the web)?
Sure, you guys deserve an answer on this one.
Sulin began life as a simple typo. When I saw it, I shrugged, and had a good reason. Maria thought that reason would not work.
So we decided to retcon it out. Mistake was mine all along. Really nothing special to report there, I’m afraid.
When and why did Moiraine go to the Green Man for the first time? Would we have learned about it in the third prequel novel?
I can’t say specifically, I’m afraid. As a fan, I assumed it was likely.
Will we ever find out what happened to Juilin Sandar, or the guys from Shienar, who haven’t been seen since like book two?
Juilin was in The Gathering Storm . He’s still with Mat. Uno and company are in Egwene’s army. They appear once in a while.
Is it harder to write a novel with the amount of detailed notes Mr. Jordan left as opposed to creating the world yourself?
Some parts are harder, some parts are easier. The notes mean lots of research before I can write some scenes.
That slows me down a lot. But Mr. Jordan was a master worldbuilder, so—in some ways—it is easier. Hard parts have been done.
For WoT specifically, is it tougher to write the good guys or the bad and why?
In WoT, I’d say the bad guys. We’ve seen fewer viewpoints from them, so it’s tougher to research them, figure them out.
If you could be from any nation in Randland, which one and why?
Malkier, I think. Though others ask me this question, and I think my answer changes. I just think the Malkieri are awesome.
The last Q&A was found later and added here for date proximity.
Why is the Dragon ‘one with the Land’? Is it just due to him being ta’veren or is there more to it?
More to it. More about being the Dragon than being ta’veren . Who he is.
So it’s more than a title or being ta’veren and Hero of the Horn? The Dragon plays its own unique role in the Pattern?
Note that Prophecy says that the Dragon specifically is reborn time after time.
RJ said the soul is immortal. But Hopper says dying in the Wolf Dream is likely permanent. Is Hopper wrong?
RAFO, for now. Ask again after the last book is out.
I believe I’ve figured out who Demandred is based solely on Lord of Chaos . Is this possible?
It MIGHT be possible. I honestly can’t remember where all of the clues are.
Have you seen any theories online about the ending of WoT that were right?
Yes, I have.
Of course, ‘the ending’ is a rather broad category that could include anything at all about the Last Battle, Rand’s death/resurrection, Shayol Ghul, the sealing of the Bore, etc.
One of Tuon’s Conflicts, is will she ‘protect’ the Tinkers from harm and keep her word? Or is Tuon loyal to the a’dam ?
Tuon is loyal, so far, to the a’dam . In her mind, leashing Tinkers who could channel would be ‘protecting’ them.
Now, how that might change based on interactions with Aes Sedai—and the true secret of sul’dam —is still uncertain.
A Question: I’m curious, how did Elyas escape Tar Valon and Blacks in the Red Ajah? Did Ila, Raen, Luca help him? Laras?
Going to have to RAFO anything about Elyas.
I thought of a Lan question. Did Elyas really teach Lan anything about the Blight? Or was that a TEOTWism?
I have a feeling you are going to MAFO that. Does @MariaLSimons play Magic? Surely we can bribe her with something.
I’ve never questioned that one, so I haven’t thought to ask about it or look it up. Is there a reason I should wonder?
Only that Lan was practically raised in the Blight by the Malkieri. Wouldn’t think Elyas could teach him much about it.
That is a good point. I’ll go ahead and do as you said and MAFO that one. You might be right; might be an EoTWism.
I can’t find anything to clarify this, either. I will just offer up anecdote: I have been reading WoT for 22 years, and went to work for its creator over 17 years ago. I could be said to live and breathe The Wheel of Time. But Terez has taught me much about WoT. It could be a TEOTWism, or Lan could have been thinking of some very specific things that Elyas shared that he found helpful.
I thought about asking how Elyas could teach Lan anything about the sword, too, but I figured the Blight bit was the most incredible. TEOTWism: this was stolen from the fandom for Steven Erikson’s Malazan Book of the Fallen series. The first book of that series is called Gardens of the Moon , and in that fandom, details that are particular to the first book—details that cause continuity issues later in the series—are referred to as GOTMisms.
@FelixPax You post some curious things. Tell me, did anyone ever ask RJ anything about Ila?
Ila is a very mythological name, though. I suspect you are right about its origins.
Though remember, not all of the names are intentionally from mythology. Some just felt right to him, so he chose them.
One thing that confuses me about Asmodean’s murder is that RJ said most people who emailed him were wrong. Surprising?
No, not surprising. Even if one of the common theories is right, then most people emailing are wrong.
For sake of argument, suppose a popular theory is correct. The fact that there are hundreds of theories…
…means that even if 1/3 of people choose the right theory, 2/3 pick one of the other many theories.
So whether it’s a common theory or an obscure one, most people emailing are wrong.
Hundreds? There are less than 10 viable suspects I think, LOL. Maybe 15 if you stretch it.
You are probably aware that RJ was willing to eliminate a suspect for Asmodean at two times: in 2001 and in 2005.
In 2001 he eliminated Rand on a general question; in 2005 at DragonCon he eliminated Fain from a list of suspects.
I think it is time for one more! With only 1.5 years to go, it would be nice to have it narrowed down one more time.
This with knowledge that you’d probably have to ask permission, and that it would be the last time before the reveal.
The new list should probably be: Lanfear, Graendal, Aviendha, Taim, Slayer, Moiraine, Sammael, Moridin.
I don’t think anyone seriously argues anyone else, though I could be wrong.
I will ask if I can eliminate one, just for you.
Lol. Well, I guess there IS a faction that doesn’t care: http://bit.ly/cTGbqQ
For Asmodean’s killer revelation, will it just be an outright name or will it be explained how it happened and such?
Afraid that’s a RAFO.
@Brandon Sanderson and Team Jordan: please don’t rule out anyone who could have killed Asmodean.
Ha. But so many are begging for an elimination. And it has been years.
He never did eliminate a suspect because it was revealed in Towers of Midnight , which he was of course not at liberty to tell us before the book came out. (We knew he wouldn’t do an elimination in that case; we only wanted one if we were going to have to wait until A Memory of Light came out to find out who killed him.)
Do you know what the population of the Westland/Waste/Seanchan are respectively?
I have estimates.
Are the Chosen aware of Taim’s existence? They never address him even in their thoughts.
RAFO. (You totally knew I was going to do that.)
In Kisman’s POV (WH 22) we learn that Demandred ordered the renegades to kill Rand, but not to tell anyone of the order, including Taim. And of course, we know that Aginor/Osan’gar/Dashiva was aware of Taim.
In Lord of Chaos , second chapter, Taim gives Rand a prison seal, the seventh from my count. Does anyone know that all seven have been found?
RAFO. :)
When [ Towers of Midnight ] is done, how far along are you with A Memory of Light ? (How much is already written?)
Only the parts Mr. Jordan wrote. I haven’t done anything for A Memory of Light yet.
On a scale of 1-10 how important will Bayle Domon be to Rand in the last two novels?
I would say on a similar level to what he has been before.
Are there actually Warders and Aes Sedai guarding the Blight at all times? Or is that another TEOTWism?
Well, there are Aes Sedai and Warders staying with most Borderlander monarchs.
I would say that yes, they are up there guarding. There are a disproportionate number, it seems, at times.
Morgase had one Aes Sedai, as did Berelain, to give advice. Borderlanders often have more.
In the prologue of The Path of Daggers , ‘Deceptive Appearances’, it is made relatively clear that Paitar, Ethenielle, and Easar only had one advisor each.
Is Elan Morin a Dreamer/Dreamwalker?
That’s an excellent question. But I don’t know if I’m allowed to answer. Remind me again when the deadline is past, and I’ll see.
Brandon indicated later that there is one male Forsaken who is a Dreamer , which most likely means Moridin.
What is your favorite color?
Oh, it depends. I do like deep reds and blacks a lot.
Can you tell us if Towers of Midnight will include any new maps of cities?
Yes.
Cool! Any chance you can tell us which one? ;-)
That would end the speculation. ;)
(It was Maradon.)
You mentioned that the ending of Towers of Midnight is a heartwrencher. I’m gonna assume that we’ll need tissues then?
Some of the betas did need them at places.
Due to the prologue split, is most of the Towers of Midnight prologue chronologically before most events in The Gathering Storm ?
A good chunk is. But it depends on which pieces of The Gathering Storm you’re talking about…
Thanks! I figured, before everything but the prologue and earliest bits of The Gathering Storm , except maybe the scenes you added for Towers of Midnight ?
Can’t say more on the prologue. But you’re on the right track.
Why doesn’t anyone in the Two Rivers realize how famous their tabac is?
Guess it’s because it’s plentiful to them, so they take it for granted.
It probably mostly has to do with isolation. There’s an implication that they could probably charge a lot more for it, if they were inclined to do so; no doubt Faile and Perrin will argue about that at some point (assuming they survive).
Is it possible to force someone (a learner) to start channeling?
Almost anything is possible, under the right circumstances.
How does the Oath Rod work? Does it accelerate the aging irreversibly, or add years that you get back upon Oath removal?
A good question that people in world don’t know the answer to yet, and only time will tell.
Does Tear’s name have anything to do with the English word (tear), or is it a coincidence only?
Robert Jordan said he got names from mythology or, sometimes, they just sounded right. It might have just sounded right.
Could thirteen Aes Sedai linked shield Rand while he was channeling using Callandor ? What about with Choedan Kal at full power?
I think I’m going to MAFO those. (Which means email me, say I said I’d ask Maria, and we’ll add them to her list.)
I’m pretty sure of the answer, but I don’t want to take the time to sort though the notes and look it up for certain while editing.
I really don’t think so, for either, but I cannot find it specifically stated.
Has anyone personally written to you with an Asmodean’s killer theory that was 100% correct?
You know, people don’t usually write me with theories. Well, some do—but only the really, really odd ones.
Can you at least say anything about how us readers could try and figure out Asmodean’s murder? Timing, motive, etc?
The thing is, people have already discussed this to death. They’ve found the clues, they’ve got the right rationale.
The question is WHICH clues and WHICH rationale are you going to believe.
How long do you think A Memory of Light will be in comparison to The Gathering Storm and Towers of Midnight ? Can you estimate yet?
My guess? Similar length. I don’t know yet for certain.
Do you ever feel that you’re sharing too much info with all these updates?
Don’t know. I worry about it mostly for Harriet’s sake. I try to reign myself in, actually. I’d probably share more…
…but I don’t want to make Harriet uncomfortable. This isn’t my world, it’s hers.
Compared to the A Memory of Light note content and detail how much was left for the remaining two prequels? Were they as detailed?
There are lots of notes for everything. But RJ did not leave any scenes written, which is a big difference.
Will you ever give us annotations for WoT like you did for your other books? Or would Harriet & Co. say no?
This isn’t likely to happen, as I don’t think Harriet would want me to do it.
However, a book length work of annotations plus some of Mr. Jordan’s notes might be possible. It will be up to Harriet.
Do you think Towers of Midnight is better than The Gathering Storm , A: as an author, B: as a fan? WoT fans will buy it regardless…
I’ll have to think about that one more. They are very different books. It’s like comparing Book 4 and Book 1.
Both are strong. But they do different things. One is focused, the other has more scope. But both are good books.
Was Semihrage’s “kitchen girl” quote in Lord of Chaos prologue significant in terms of who killed Asmodean?
I’m going to RAFO that one out of principle, because it’s about Asmodean, but I’ll answer it eventually, once the books are out.
Will Nynaeve shave her head, and lose the braid? A la, Empress Fortuona style?
Ha ha. One I can answer. No. She will not.
Should not Rand recall now, who Nynaeve was in ‘past lives’ post The Gathering Storm “Veins of Gold” chapter?
Rand might have known Nynaeve in a past life, if she lived when he did. But he might not recognize her in a different body.
Do you know if there are any plans to release another bundle of the WoT books? Like they have for 1-9? (3 book bundles)
Yes, they probably will. My three, at the least. Maybe a five book of the last ones?
Noal Charin: was he drawn to Mat by the pull of a ta’veren , or was there something of a “Hero to Hornsounder” pull as well?
You’re making assumptions about Noal that have not been clarified in the text. ;)
On a more serious note, total RAFO on whether Jain is/was/will be a Hero. It’s been talked about for years and years.
And I suspect that it will continue to be a source of discussion for some time. ;)
Well, it’s such a common assumption that I didn’t even realize it hadn’t been stated as true yet. :-p
But while I’m assuming, I take it that Noal’s past may be one of those things Robert Jordan didn’t intend to reveal. :-p
RAFO on what RJ would or wouldn’t reveal. :)
I wonder “when” will Farstrider’s real background be exposed to Mat, Thom?
At least four people should know who Farstrider really is: Loial, Elder Haman, Elder Arent, and Speaker Covril.
Two other characters might know who Farstrider really is too: Birgitte from Ebou Dar, and Luca from Shangtai.
Obviously a bunch of other older characters have a chance of recognizing Noal as Farstrider in Caemlyn too.
Continues whistling and walking the other direction.
Masema: was he being manipulated by a Forsaken from the start? His dealings with Suroth, and him not wanting to go to Rand?
Masema was not manipulated from the start, but once he was noticed as a potentially useful tool.
Both his dealings with Suroth and his mistrust of Perrin in The Path of Daggers were Forsaken-induced, right?
Influenced at the least. Depends on how you view induced.
This question was explored further here .
Elayne and Rand’s babies… Calian and Shivan?
RAFO … on Elayne’s babes. :)
Who is nastier in your opinion between Padan Fain and Isam/Slayer?
Nastier? Fain. But I think Slayer is cooler.
What does the end look like? Does Shaidar Haran make an appearance? Moiraine alive? Any time travel to the Age of Legends?
You totally know I’m going to RAFO those. :)
When is Towers of Midnight released, October? Can you post a chunk on here early?
November 2nd. And I’ll try to post some early.
Did Mat break the treaty with the Aelfinn/Eelfinn when he asked the four questions in The Shadow Rising ….any consequences??
RAFO. :)
Are there many themes in WoT that will only become clear as we read the final two books? Things going back to early books?
I think so.
Q: When do you start A Memory of Light ? (Asked with a smile, but with real curiosity too I’m sure.)
A: I start it January 1st. I’m taking four months to relax my brain and work on something else, to refresh myself and keep creative.
Was Rand’s super balefire beam palace sized or a narrow beam?
Not palace sized.
Who is your favorite character, and why?
Perrin, because I feel like him most of the time.
One thing our family is looking forward to is the compendium when the story ends. Will you be helping?
It is mostly Harriet/Maria. But I have some requests I plan to put in. :)
Is there specific reason for the WoT team’s and your seeming reluctance to possibly pursuing outrigger novels?
Because we don’t want to exploit Robert Jordan’s name. Doing books he told us to do is one thing.
Doing more is troubling. There’s nothing wrong with Outriggers; I’m not worried about them.
I’m worried that it will be harder to stop after doing them, and I feel it WOULD be wrong not to stop then.
Any plans for the other WoT prequels?
As of right now, no plans. We are hesitant because we don’t want to exploit RJ’s legacy.
Did Verin know the weave to hide her channeling ability from being detected by another female channeler?
Sneaky sneaky Verin knew a lot. And that’s all I have to say at the moment.
Is Taim a Darkfriend?
Wow. I could really blow things up with that one, eh? I’ll be safe and RAFO.
Do you think you’ll actually be able to wrap up the story in A Memory of Light ? Seems like a lot of endgame threads still open.
I have no plans to split the book again. I am 2/3 through the outline. Anything can happen, but it looks like one.
Re: A Memory of Light , I hope there’ll be tons more Tuon/Seanchan?
There will be more than there was in Towers of Midnight .
Is there going to be any chance of fans getting their names in A Memory of Light ?
Yes, there will be. Next spring, hopefully, another charity gig.
What was your first reaction after you find out how the story ended?
Satisfaction. It ends well. It didn’t knock me off my seat, like some things in outline, but it was wonderful.
Are the prophecies competing a la The Belgariad (by David Eddings), or are they complementary?
Not competing like The Belgariad , and certainly not intelligent like in The Belgariad .
Some may be interpreted wrong, others may be recorded wrong, but there is not a this/that nature to them.
The questioner is probably referring to the dark/light prophecies, as this makes the best comparison for Eddings. Brandon is saying that they will all be fulfilled, whether dark or light. (The Seanchan prophecies are another matter altogether, and Brandon was hinting at this in his last tweet; there is good reason to believe that the Seanchan prophecies have been corrupted.)
I can’t figure it out….what was the “little thing” that was missed [from books 4-6]?
End of [ Towers of Midnight ] Chapter 55.
Will we see more from Shara or the Land of the Madmen?
RJ said there would be no major action in Shara. He was uncertain on Madmen.
Why is Hoid trying to restore the Pattern?
Lol. Hoid has no involvement in anything WoT. :)
How many rounds are there in the Age of Legends game sha’rah ?
MAFO.
I can’t answer that MAFO off the top of my head.
(later) I don’t know.
Who is the best swordsman in WoT right now? Lan, Galad, or Gawyn?
Lan. Then Galad. Then Gawyn. Gawyn is luckier than he thinks he is.
[ Towers of Midnight ] Chapters 48-49.—was that all in Jordan’s notes? So so sad and dark!
I’m avoiding answering questions about what was specifically in the notes and what wasn’t, for now.
Ok, well, can you comment on your own feelings of those chapters, as a fan?
Awesome but very disturbing. As a fan, they’re discomforting.
Who on earth is Nakomi?
RAFO. :) I’m leaving that one open to interpretation.
Where those fellas in red veils? Human or Shadowspawn?
RAFO. :)
Will A Memory of Light be centered on Mat? Rand had The Gathering Storm and Perrin had Towers of Midnight .
It will be pretty equal.
You’ve said in the past that Aviendha’s voice was one the hardest for you to write….is this still the case?
It still takes the longest to prepare for, but it is no longer as difficult as it was.
Are Aviendha’s children conceived naturally or are they a consequence of something Power-related Rand and Aviendha do together?
RAFO. :)
Which character kept you up at night worrying the most?
Rand. In both books.
The names for kids in Aviendha’s vision: Were they from the notes for Outtrigger books? Or written up by you?
I’ll answer that specifically after the books are all out.
Was the fog in A Crown of Swords during the fight between Toram Riatin and Rand a bubble of evil or did Fain control the fog?
RAFO.
The glossary entry for Daved Hanlon in TPOD says that it was a bubble of evil.
Was Asmodean killed with balefire?
I will see if I can give additional details. I’ll ask Maria and Harriet for their read.
What did we miss that would have told us who killed Asmodean?
I don’t think people missed it. RJ said it was obvious, and many guessed it correctly. So I’d say they got it.
If you ask on a fan site, they can get you the ‘Sherlock Holmes’ style investigation of the subject. It is right.
RJ was joking when he said it was ‘intuitively obvious’.
You said at a book tour that we’d seen Demandred lots already—is this true? Has he been ‘on screen’ in Towers of Midnight ?
I was being jokey on that one, meaning the times he’s appeared as himself or been referenced as himself.
I have not answered if we’ve seen him ‘In disguise’ yet. Or I didn’t intend to. Might have sounded that way.
Is Logain working for Demandred?
Oh, you KNEW I was going to RAFO that one. :)
How often does Demandred contemplate killing Moridin?
Less than the other Chosen. He is focused on Rand. He contemplates Moridin, but mostly he wants Rand.
Who was bringing the Trollocs through the Portal Stone to attack Perrin and the Whitecloaks?
RAFO. :)
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