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[Split] What the Oath Rod does to Channelers!


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I think even with the age-cut and the slowing thing, Aes Sedai needed the Oath Rod (as Siuan so perfectly put it in book 8) to ensure that people would respect their authority without them having to directly resort to dictatorship and using the Power to conquer. Aes Sedai cannot lie, everyone knows that, so even if they mistrust a sister, they still know she is not lying to them. And she cannot hunt them down and kill them with the Power unless they harm her first, so Aes Sedai are accepted (although feared) in most places and by most nobles/rulers. Also, the Oath about not making weapons ensures that people will not try and enlist the White Tower in their own personal wars against other nations, which keeps the Tower as an objective outsider and mediator in international affairs.

 

They didn't need the Oaths in the Age of Legends because Aes Sedai were seen in a good light and respected by all. But then channelers went and destroyed the face of the world, and therefore everyone mistrusts their power now.

 

So, all these things granted to Aes Sedai by the Oaths in modern day WoTland are a necessary sacrifice to their lifespans, methinks, and I think most Aes Sedai would agree.

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Butbut, obviosuly the rod isn't fool proofed. I mean evil dark sisters cheats it... and if colorfull Aes Sedai believe they still can't lie, they'll get even more fooled.

 

So maybe it is better to let Aes Sedai lie so that you openly know they might... instead of trusting that they cannot because then only really evil does that anyways.

 

Me thinks trust needs to be earned... you can't go all "I never lie" because that might be a lie too.

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I am agreeing more with Niklas today. :) It is a tricky thing the Black Ajah have done, and they have caused a lot of harm because even many Sisters went around believing them because they didn't think any of them could lie.

 

Yeayea... trust needs to be earned. But, maybe removing the Oaths just yet would not be the best way. It depends on what happens with the great Black Ajah hunt and the Last Battle, maybe.

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Yeayea... trust needs to be earned. But, maybe removing the Oaths just yet would not be the best way. It depends on what happens with the great Black Ajah hunt and the Last Battle, maybe.

 

Perhaps we should think of it the otherway around and make all girls swear not to lie with the oath rod. Not juts Aes Sedai ones.

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The Oath Rod was a failed experiment. While there were good intentions, ultimately they didn't pan out. It didn't prevent the bad guys from lying and it didn't prevent people from mistrusting an Aes Sedai. Sure, they might go "she can't lie" however there is always a "but" that follows.

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