#Dain Bornhold

[asha-mage]

I feel like I am going to be having random WoT Finale thoughts for the next six months, but one I especially want to hit up now:

The actual logistics of the Whitecloak attack on Falme, from the military tactics to the geo politics of it all are so perfectly on point that it's like something Jordan would have written himself.

In the books the Whitecloaks are on Tomon Head for unrelated reasons to the Seanchan (ones that would be hard to establish properly in a tv format where we don't have the time to follow Bornhold Sr for six odd scenes), so the show runners shifted it so that they are explicitly answering a call for aid from a foreign throne. The Whitecloaks are a autonomous military body beholden to no nation that operates with pseudo-legality in most places that are not under their influence, and the idea of expanding that influence to another nation is far to tempting to resist, especially when no other power is answering the Falme's call for aid, including the White Tower, who are the Whitecloak's primary rival. On principles it seems like they are stepping up to help a victimized nation that the 'witches' have abandoned, or even orchestrated the fall of.

And then on a practical level, the actual tactics they employ are fiendishly clever. Using incense burners to create a fog to hide their approach and blunt the effectiveness of the enemy channelers (who need to be able to see something to target their weaves). This also makes sense on a world building level- the Whitecloaks probably have a dozen tactics in their back pockets to deal with an outright war against the Aes Sedai if it ever breaks out. Then once the Whitecloaks close up to the walls, they send in their cavalry first, to overwhelm enemy defenses before they can get the gates shut, then send in the infantry to secure and pacify the remaining resistance not taken out by the shock charge. At this point the Seanchan have to focus their fighting to the streets of Falme, and the best way to do that is to gather their damane on the nearby tower and rain down artillery fire in an attempt to break the Whitecloaks into retreat- a brutal strategy likely to result in the deaths of their own troops and civilians, but necessary if they are going to have any hope of holding the city.

And then is where things get INSANE. See, conventional medieval military wisdom dictates that in a situation where the gates are breached already siege engines have no use. Their too clumsy, taking to much time to aim and fire to be much use in a melee brawl like this. Siege engines are useful for breaking fortifications, toppling walls, etc, so if used offensively almost always come out first. That means that no one is expecting them to roll out of that fog and hurl stones at the damane's position. In one strike Bornhold Senior decapitates the enemy's primary advantage over him and tilts the battle in his favor. (And even if the damane had managed to counter the strike, they would be weakened significantly, having to focus on blocking further attacks and counter attacking the siege engines- not easy with the fog- instead of keeping the fighting in the streets under control).

This might be one of those things that only I care about, but good employment of medieval military tactics combined with magical fantasy elements always makes me go

[mashithamel]

I really appreciate an actor who knows what the fans want ☺️

[clearancecreedwatersurvival]

Still wild to me how common the take is that Nynaeve or any other character didn’t do enough in any particular episode when very clearly like. Each of the main characters had one episode of the season where they were the main focus. Moiraine and Lan got a lot of their character work in the first two episodes, episode three was all about Nynaeve, Rand got a lot of focus in episode 4 as it was also introducing Lanfear, Perrin got to do stuff in episode 5 with Aviendha and Dain Bornhold and accepting being a wolf brother, episode 6 was of course mostly devoted to Egwene, episode 7 had a lot of stuff for Mat.

And then in the final episode, all of the character arcs that were central in each of the earlier episodes resolved or advanced or set something up for next season.

Moiraine and Lan resolving their season long conflict and finally moving to the backseat of the plot supporting the ef5 and co at the forefront, Nynaeve failing to heal someone setting her up to be motivated to break her block next season and foreshadowing other parts of her likely next season arc, Perrin taking revenge for hopper’s death and establishing a blood feud with Dain Bornhold, Egwene’s extremely powerful ta’veren moment and freeing herself from the a’dam, Mat with the horn and also foreshadowing his stuff for next season, and of course Rand finally doing what the show was priming him for all season, stepping into his role as the dragon and beginning to come into his power.

Culminating with all of the above characters working together to defeat Ishamael and keep each other safe.

Not to mention the themes that wound through the entire season, about channelers having their control over the one power shielded or stilled/gentled or taken over by the will of another, and about the sacrifices channelers make and the ones they lose and leave behind. They also explained the magic system more thoroughly in general (I already talked about how well the show sets up power leveling in the magic system elsewhere). And they established some of the political conflicts in many places but especially the factions inside the white tower, and the scheming and infighting amongst the forsaken.

They packed so Much in, didn’t waste a second. I absolutely do not understand how someone can think they didn’t do a frankly marvelous job for how short the season was.

[quietcontradictions]

I'm watching a Q&A thing for the wheel of time show and the actor, Jay Duffy, said the auditions were secret?! Dain Bornhold isn't even that major of a character!

Marvel has ruined the film industry.

[hazelcephalopod]

The Great Hunt Ch 5-6

Just so many things happen all over the place. Many of them quite dark.

Disclaimer: this is my first read thru but I’ve watched all of the show thus far and been spoiled on some book things. So… I’m going to lean into that. Enjoy figuring out what I know, and what I think I know, and what I just don’t. Also s/x I add commentary when I edit.

Spoilers for the first and second book and all of season 1 under the cut. Potential spoilers for later books -idk if they’re light spoilers or not.

Ch 5: The Shadow in Shienar

Sun

Ominous title is ominous.

Yup. Stilling is basically gentling. Next!

“Able to sense saidar, the female half of the True Source, but no longer having the ability to touch it. Remembering what was gone forever.” -Tgh on Stilling. Sounds bad

So rare Novices can memorize the names and crimes of every Aes Sedai whose been stilled for 3k years! That’s really rare then

2 Amylins in the 3rd Era have been deposed. Tetsuan, for betraying Menetheren for petty reasons -why did Menetheren get betrayed so much? And Bonwhin for trying to control Artur Hawkwing and nearly destroying TV in the process. So that’s hundreds or thousands of years ago. And Siuan is coming corned her involvement in trying to find the Dragon will get her deposed and probably stilled. Really bad

“Both of the Red, and both replaced by Amyrlin from the Blue. The reason there has not been an Amyrlin chosen from the Red since Bonwhin, and the reason the Red Ajah well take any pretext to pull down an Amyrlin from the Blue…” -Siuan on Tower politics history.

3 -at least- mentions of switchings in 2 pgs

Oh fuck Moiraine you really did cause problems. Like… I get Siuans rxn. They were going to prep him. Moiraine fully YOLO-Ed that

“Yet the world will burn, Siuan, one way or an other, whatever we do.” -(Moiraine) thinking as she talks to Siuan and explaining why she YOLO-Ed it. YWWATWW

“Let whosoever sounds me think not of glory, but only of salvation.” -Moiraine, reciting they Prophecy of the Horn

Once a generation until two years ago and you doubt?!

…oh the actions of gentling. Ok. Fair. You should

“So can Mazrim Taim, the man in Saldaea.” -Siuan mentioning the other fD who can channeld. Also mentioned Logain, whose been gentled

Holy fuck. That’s a lot

That was a seal on the Dark ones prison they broke. And the Amyrlin is the Watcher of the Seals. It’s her job to keep them safe. And none have known where they are for a long time. So not good yea?

See? Should have stayed fully out of sight! Well. Too late. At least she’s on Moiraine’s side

Mm kicking and screaming he might. Good luck!

Few names do

Lol. Safe. Sure

Girl… he needed a little more guidance. The fact he hasn’t bolted yet is kinda a miracle

That approach will scare him more! Maybe try tearing him like a person! A mature-ish person!

Did they not see the Horn?

Also… *shakes head*

Also also, that fucking dagger

“Easier to give up drinking water.” Siuan on not using magic once one has used it.

Still such a flaming… consent!

Yes it’s applicable!

I do wonder if he could just fuck off forever and ignore this shut. Like. Learn to sail and just go. Bye.

…wait… well moving on

Plots within plots!

I’m honestly not convinced that meeting will happen

What is happening? POV change?

Whitecloaks vs boat people?! (I soon learn, regrettably no. Not yet at least)

Bornhold POV? Have we met that guy?

Ok many names. Lord Capt Cmmdr Perrin Niall. Valda. Dain Bornhold.

Well. At least world news is being presented. Caemlyn is on the brink of civil war because of the whole Red vs White (pro queen and TV vs anti queen and TV) situation

Oh the guy with probably half a bit of sense is your best? Nooo /s

… makes the whoel organization more dangerous tho

So stealth mission to Tarabon. Kill anyone who sees them.

“Wild rumors, mainly, about Artur Hawkwing’s armies come back.” -Bornhold to Whitecloak Supreme Niall.

King is a figurehead. Bornhold has three days to leave for the village Alcruna on the Fields or whatever up north-ish(?) form there

Bornhold I can already tell if you had but a handful more brain cells you woulda made a better choice. Like becoming a Warder perhaps. Something actually useful

“Pardon… but who will meet me? Why am I risking war with Tarabon?” -Bornhold. Good question, but honestly the whitecloaks will probably just disavow you if you’re caught. I hope they have that much sense. Not entirely confident they do tho

Uhhuh. Oh well actually checking is nice. I’m not sure you’re any good at that but ok

The bare minimum is not killing innocents tho

Oh lovely. Worse Whitecloaks, Questioners.

Yes I’m sure the torture really makes them confess honestly

Well I’m definitely calling them Questioners then

Fuck, so they likely murdered an entire village of people. So just worse than many Darkfriends I’m sure. (Editors note- we don’t see it but pretty much convinced it happens)

I forgot it was 2k Whitecloaks. Fuck.

Are you fucking kidding me? You’re there to meddle with some townies because you… checks book… don’t like the way they govern themselves. Ok. Assholes

How about you do something useful and go help hold back those strangers instead of this nonsense?

“Taraboners claim the strangers are monsters, creatures of the Dark One. Some say they have Aes Sedai to fight for them.” -a Questioner to Bornhold.

… useless assholes. I’m surprised they recognize Trollocs. They’d take order from a Fade if they spoke their tongue and wore a helmet and swore on the Light they were “good guys”

Maybe you could find better use of that skepticism.

Bornhold is right tho.

Byar?! Nooo. That fucker?

“Stones on a board. But who is moving us? And why?

Seelfish fools I’m sure. Because they want power.

POV change, again!

“Twilight was a troubled time for Liandrin of late, that and dawn. At dawn the day was born, just as twilight gave birth to night, but at dawn, night died, and at twilight, day. The Dark One’s power was rooted in death; he gained power from death, and at those times she thought she could feel his power stirring.” -(Liandrin) uhhh.

Ok books on etiquette. I’d also ignore that tbh

Where is she going with this?

Ok. Information gathering. Hope Amalisa is terrified enough not to tell anyone about this.

Well… really like to dominate huh Liandrin?

Oh looking for the boys. G’luck

Well that usually means they exist.

Liandrin confirming the Black Ajahs existence is a bold move

This is the present right?

Well the boys better get out

And… POV shift! To Fain

… on the last page of the chapter

He got a visitor. But who?

Cliffhanger!

Ch 6

The Dark One. That’s what I’ll call that image

A dream

POV Rand

Really fucked up dream!

His friends fucked up. And Fain, baiaclally normal Fain tho

“Two red-clad Aes Sedai stepped through, bowing their master in. A mask the color of dried blood covered Ba’alzamon’s face…” -(Rand). Still dreaming (editor note: bowing became blowing with spellcheck)

& awakened with terror

Nynaeve!

White morningstars again

I mean that’s just basic respect that one

Make something easier then. But also, the boy you’ve known forever who has a terminal curse will do that

That is so sweet. But she should not be doing that alone

… tbc most of them shouldn’t. Maybe none.

No sweetie half the purpose of servants is to spy on people. Like… Maids are high on the list of doing that sort of thing

Good for her!

Well that was fucking depressing

Oh buddy

Wait does saying his name actually do something? What?!

Idk what to think of that

Nynaeve is great. Like… she’s got the most common sense here. Possibly more than Moiraine rn

Fain free and Egwene in trouble. I’d believe that

Theoretically he is right. She’s been going alone this long why stop now? (I later learn this time in wrong. But she has been going alone)

But that’s not thinking. That’s panic.

Well they found him

Well shit there’s Trollocs in here?! What?!!

Strangely that should make things easier for him

Rand still failing to sword any good

Oh shit. That’s a Fade

Ingtar!

Sneaking. Good approach

Yup. That’s vile. Poor guys

Yea don’t let your name be connected to this

Oh fuck it Liandrin

Well that’s horrible

Wait! Does that count as using the One Power as a weapon? >.>

Oh that’s fucking dark!

Oh she found Mat!

Oh no Mat! Egwene! Well at least they might not be as erm… fucked up

Still not convinced you doing that relates to this

Dancing lights!

Oh, right I honestly stopped imagining all the women in skirts. I may forget again tbh

Hey Fal Dara, maybe you shouldn’t keep your dungeons in darkness huh?

Oh dagger being gone seems, uh, not good

Ingtar!

Oh right Fain escaped. I suppose that’s not a given. So yea reminder, Fain escaped this battle

Is Moiraine doing the ignore Rand so others won’t think he’s important thing too? Like the whole giving him space thing doesn’t feel like the whole of it

What causes madness? Like that sort of those two prisoners… Not Mashadar, not like that. I think? Not the Taint -not for this. Machin Shin might. Or something else

The Fade fled. Huh

Oh noo. The horn is stolen. Oops

Oh… Darkfriends really in here huh?

What the hell? Who had the gates closed then? (I’m betting Amalisa, Koiraine or a Darkfriend)

“You really are going mad if you suspect Ingtar.” -(Rand) thinking to himself. Maybe yea

Lol. I love them but fair

That’s terrifying.

I’m with Rand. Answers!

This feels cruel and manipulative too!

‘Here is 0 advice. Do whatever. Why are you crying potential ~19 yr old Dragon Reborn?’

[asha-mage]

Dain, standing up: "Hi, my name is Dain Bornhold and I have a unhealthy homoerotic attachment to Perrin Aybara."

Aram, Gaul, Byar, and Slayer in unison: "Hi Dain."

[asha-mage]

We joke about how Rand is surrounded by Evil Men who want him carnally, but can we talk about how Perrin is just a MAGNET for men with simmering homoerotic attachment to him? Aram, Gaul, Slayer, Bornhold, Byar- a SHOCKING number of men either want to devote their lives to serving Perrin or tearing him down completely.

Hell, even his battlefield banter with Galad reads a little bit like flirting.