I find it hard to believe...

[elric01]

I find it impossible to believe someone in Rand's place would take the MOST POWERFUL Ter'angreal (Cadensore I believe it's called) and LEAVE it behind. Rand is always worried that he can't defeat the Forsaken and he is always freaking out that he can't handle more than a few Aes Sedai at once and yet he leaves his sword stuck in the ground "To remind them I am coming back". Huh? If Rand is so worried about all his enemies then it would make sense to carry his freaking most powerful sword and Ter'angreal with him where ever he goes and NOT leave it behind collecting dust. Come on Mr. Jordan, this is so unbelievable that I am tugging at my braid in anger and sniffing in disbelief as I write this. If you go to war you don't take the sling shot with you and leave the bazooka at home.

[C Of K]

I remember being pretty disappointed over that myself. But I didn't dwell on it long. The sword is called Callandor. Just think of Calender when you can't remember, because later on in "The Shadow Rising" WoT terminology becomes a whole lot more complicated.

[Talysia]

I used to get mixed up with all the different terms for angreal, ter'angreal, sa'angreal and whatnot, not to mention all of the different Aiel terms and the old language. Now that I'm on my second re-read, it's starting to make more sense.

I was a little confused about Callandor, too. I mean, I can see why Rand did it, but it just seemed a little odd to leave it behind like that.

[etburyan]

He is not an idiot. It is not the most powerful. There is another with more power. He is also afraid of the power too. Remember that he tried to make the girl live again.

[elric01]

Originally Posted by etburyan

He is not an idiot. It is not the most powerful. There is another with more power. He is also afraid of the power too. Remember that he tried to make the girl live again.

If it is not the MOST powerful it certainly is so powerful that he would never have to worry about the Forsaken or the Aes Sedai. And why be "afraid" of the power? I hate characters like Thomas Covenant in the Stephen R.Donaldson books that complain about the new power they are given and are determined not to use it. Blah, blah. Human nature is such that the majority of people would use the power they are given and it is up to the individual whether it is used for good or evil. But just leaving it sitting around while you duck and dodge your enemies makes no sense to me. If it is up to a person to save the world and everyone in it you would not leave your most powerful weapon behind and carry around a "little fat man" that gives you just a little more power.

[Siberian]

I guess he knew he wouldn't be able to take it to Rhuidean anyway.

[BloodNguts]

My impression was that he possibly thought it could be stolen from him. And the whole part about using it possibly making you insane or speeding up the process would be a downer too. At that point in the story, I don't recall him having clearly defined enemies. Maybe he knew who some where but not where. The only thing worse than having the uber powerful thingy is getting it taken from you or your foe having it.

[C Of K]

Yeah, but none of that has really changed to this day. Rand may know who his enemies are by name now, but not necessarily by face, since many of them can alter their appearance. (This wouldn't be Robert Jordan's first cop-out. He's very capable of it...or maybe it was the first *scratches head* definitely not the last, though)

[Rahl Windsong]

Personally I would say that he put the sword there so that it would still be there when it was time to go to the "last battle". After all I think he will be needing that sword at that time. Swords, especially magical and very powerful swords have a habbit of becoming lost, just open any fantasy novel and there is usually a sword or two lost in the pages someplace.

So my theory is that he wanted to be sure it would be around when he needed it. Also he can go get it any time he wants and it won't take to long because of the way they travel now.

[dustinzgirl]

Rand understood something that our current governments should---too much power in the hands of one mortal man is a bad, bad thing.

But yeah, I wanted to see him wield it and kick butt.

PS: Rahl, I think that in fantasy settings, swords are like cars in real life...they have their own personalities, quirks, and ability to be lost over the decades. Seriously, I've had some pretty cool cars over the years I can't figure out where they went, LOL.

[Quokka]

Rand at that stage had really started to believe that he, and only he, understood the prophecy and how it was meant to be fulfilled, (remember his conversations with Moraine before leaving the stone) Rand never left it for him to come back to but for 'he who follows' (or something like that in the prophecy).

It would also have been fairly effective in reminding everyone just who owned the stone. Think of how much of a focus it was for the Tairens floating there for generations and with everyone sure it would always do so, then one morning having it just planted into the ground?

IMO Rand was really starting to believe he was stronger than the forsaken and could handle them but the politics of ruling a nation still had him feeling like a farmboy. When in doubt make a grand gesture.

[C Of K]

Perhaps Jordan was trying to pull off a cool plot turn that no one would expect, and keep Rand weaker than he could have been, at the same time. A lot of people just ended up hating it, though.


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It sort of defeats the purpose of having a sword like that, in a fantasy story, when it is rarely used. Jordan has come up with many reasons why it shouldn't used much at all. To me, they're just cop outs. Rand doesn't necessarily need to be all that much weaker. He's got enemies to every side of him, and most the people fighting for him can't be trusted.

[Tel Janin]

I seem to remember that he left it there to remind the Tariens that he ruled them now. Remember, that was the first country he took over, and (spoiler)






















until the rebels surrendered and made Darlin King of Tear, he still never really controlled it, not the way he did in other countries he conquered. I think if he took the sword with him, the High Lords would have convinced themselves he was gone for good, and started changing all of his reforms back to the way things were. Also, RJ probably figured there would be problems with Rand carrying around a crystal sword that made him all powerful in the Waste. He had enough problems there without it.

[C Of K]

That's what he said, that it was a reminder. I on the other hand, having read my fair share of fantasy novels, I recognize when the author is purposely keeping a character from his full potential.

Rand pretty much used his sword of flames when he was in the waste anyway, and he is a notorious character for breaking rules, and making his own. Something tells me Rand would care less if the Aiel didn't like swords.

I think the "Reminder" excuse was a little weak. After having to concede to the fact that Aiel were pretty much running all over the Stone for a few weeks, the High Lords of Tear shouldn't have forgotten for an instant. Remember, the Stone had never been conquered in over 3ooo years of existence, until then. I think Rand's time in the Stone, and how he came to be there, would be very difficult to forget.

Sword or no sword, that place would never be the same.

[BSOM180]

"Into the heart he thrusts his sword, into the heart, to hold their hearts. Who draws it out shall follow after. What hand can grasp that fearful blade?"

This was mentioned before he did it I think, it was mentioned in passing by someone in an earlier book who was explaining about parts of the Karaethon Cycle making no sense. So I think Jordan planned it from early on. I don't think there were any "cop outs".

Also, if he went to the Aiel with a SWORD, they might be a little peeved at their "He Who Comes With The Dawn" I'd love to see him convince the tribes that didn't want to go with him anyway he had their interests at heart when he uses a sword. The imaginary sword of fire he makes is probably bad enough, without a physical one showing at all times. He also knew their thoughts on swords before he left anyways. I know that if I intended to rule over a people I wouldn't want to spit in their beliefs until I knew they were completely mine, and even then I would try to avoid it.