Moiraine's death

[balefire]

Seems to me most WOT readers get the most upset about the scene where Rand reads Moiraine's letter after her tussle with Lanfear. I agree, & when I read that part I was furiously thinking, why in the Light did that bloody fool Rand allow this to happen? Instead of feeling sorry for Moiraine now that it's too late, he should have averted the disaster by balefiring Lanfear to begin with. You got to admire her courage in facing 1 of the Forsaken alone. Fortunately she's not really gone for good, or else I'll be really disappointed.

[QuirkyTemplate]

... yep.

I thought it was funny how right after that conflict he instantly went from "Rand can't kill" to shooting off Kamehamayha balfires at random.

But I dig it.

[balefire]

Maybe after that incident he decided to wise up a little. I don't have the books with me so I can't see when exactly he did a change-over. Maybe Moiraine's apparent death serves some useful purpose after all, heartbreaking as it may be.

RJ, what are you doing?! Bring her back! I want to see her balefire Cyndane! (I believe she's Lanfear reincarnated, although some people may disagree.)

At least that Light-blinded fool now knows the advantages of using balefire. Anyone knows what balefire is made of, please speak! I always want to know what flows are used to weave what. And what about gateways?

Originally posted by QuirkyTemplate
... yep.

I thought it was funny how right after that conflict he instantly went from "Rand can't kill" to shooting off Kamehamayha balfires at random.

But I dig it.

[QuirkyTemplate]

They never say how balefire was made, but I bet if you search pretty hard, you can find out the gateways.

[balefire]

Originally posted by QuirkyTemplate
They never say how balefire was made, but I bet if you search pretty hard, you can find out the gateways.


I thought balefire is all 5 Powers, but no confirmation from any book. Gateways involve Spirit, as shown in LoC when Egwene Travelled to Tel'ara'rhiod, & Air was used by Elayne in PoD when they were attacked by Seanchan. But I don't know if anything else is involved.

[talyn rahl]

I thogh that Balefire was equal mixes of the land powers (Fire and earth) and a little dash of spirit.
but i could be wrong

[balefire]

Originally posted by talyn rahl
I thogh that Balefire was equal mixes of the land powers (Fire and earth) and a little dash of spirit.

What gave you that idea? And what do you mean "land powers"? Fire has nothing to do with land. Do you mean "male Powers"?

[jade]

i think rand's reluctance to kil lanfear was based on the fact that she was female...

[Milamber]

What gave you that idea? And what do you mean "land powers"? Fire has nothing to do with land. Do you mean "male Powers"?

Maybe what he meant is DESTRUCTIVE POWERS!!!!:D I mean, there is only so much that can be done with air and water.:p

Milamber

[astraea]

Air and water can be very destructive... you can torture someone with flows of air, or suffocate them, or you could destroy fields and crops and buildings with water... and thats not even using the powers creatively. It could be argued that spirit can be the most destructive power, as you can destroy someone's mind or use Compulsion or whatever.
Air and water are the 'female powers' (as in, a female is more likely to be strong in these whereas a male is more likely to be strong in fire and earth, hence Egwene is an unusual case), but that doesn't make them any less dangerous or destructive!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[balefire]

Originally posted by Milamber
Maybe what he meant is DESTRUCTIVE POWERS!!!!:D I mean, there is only so much that can be done with air and water.:p


Earth & Fire are traditionally viewed as the most destructive of the 5 Powers. Remember Moghedien's remark about men being prone to violence & destruction?

Originally posted by astraea
Air and water can be very destructive... you can torture someone with flows of air, or suffocate them, or you could destroy fields and crops and buildings with water... and thats not even using the powers creatively. It could be argued that spirit can be the most destructive power, as you can destroy someone's mind or use Compulsion or whatever.
Air and water are the 'female powers' (as in, a female is more likely to be strong in these whereas a male is more likely to be strong in fire and earth, hence Egwene is an unusual case), but that doesn't make them any less dangerous or destructive!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Spirit affects the mind/soul so it can't be used in a purely physical attack, which is important for large-scale destruction. Water doesn't really help unless you're at sea or there's a river/lake nearby. Notice that most uses of the Power as a weapon involve Air, Fire & Earth. I suppose Fire & Earth are traditionally regarded as most destructive because Fire is the element of violence & destruction, & Earth works most often since most battles take place on land. Recall the Asha'man trick of exploding people & objects with Fire & Earth. In contrast, Spirit, Water & Air are the Healing Powers. So it looks like Water & Air are used to Heal while Fire & Earth are used to kill. All 5 Powers can be used constructively or destructively, but the scope for destruction is wider with Fire & Earth. Air works best as "telekinesis" & "force fields" but Fire & Earth can do more damage. Imagine setting a battalion/village/ship on fire. Or collapsing a building by using Earth on the foundations, or creating earthquakes.