my profile | search | faq | forum home
  next oldest topic   next newest topic
» Wizards.Com Boards   » Wheel of Time   » Circles Shielding

   
Author Topic: Circles Shielding
DaystromX
Member
Member # 123218



posted May 12, 2003 03:23 PM      Profile for DaystromX   Email DaystromX    Edit/Delete Post
I don't remember if it was here, but I remember seeing a discussion about the 13 sisters vs 1 man aspect of shielding. Either way, I figured that someone here might be intersted in what I dug up.

The question was whether the oft repeated fact that the thirteen weakest sisters in the White Tower could shield Rand was something special about the number 13 or just based on any 13 sisters being stronger than the strongest man. Well, in Fires of Heaven, chapter 3, Asmodean is speaking to Rand and says "Thirteen women who can barely channel could overpower most men, linked. The thirteen weakest women in the Tower could overpower you, or any man." This seems to say that there is nothing special about 13, except that that is the number of sisters it would take to be guarenteed to be stronger than one man.

From: Seattle | Registered: Jan 2003  |  IP: Logged
skyman
Member
Member # 133451



posted May 12, 2003 05:10 PM      Profile for skyman      Edit/Delete Post
Hmm... true. But thirteen could also be a number that grants some extra strength to the circle, making thirteen weak channelers stronger than say, 12 strong ones.

--------------------
"Death comes sooner or later to everyone unless they serve the Dark One, and only fools are willing to pay that price."
-Lan Mandragoran

From: Olympia, WA | Registered: Mar 2003  |  IP: Logged
Freya
Member
Member # 93267



posted May 13, 2003 06:54 AM      Profile for Freya      Edit/Delete Post
I always assumed 13 was the magic number because that is the upper limit of women who can link together without a man in the circle.

I'm sure if we went back to the chapter when the Aes Sedai were forming circles to defend themselves in Salidar, you'll see a lot of circles of 13. [Smile]

--------------------
felicia
AKA Freya Culadin

From: dallas,tx | Registered: Jul 2002  |  IP: Logged
Sharn_Penndroen
Member
Member # 82230



posted May 14, 2003 11:47 AM      Profile for Sharn_Penndroen   Email Sharn_Penndroen    Edit/Delete Post
I believe that the number 13 has some significance. It also requires thirteen channelers channeling through 13 Myddraal to force a channeler over to the shadow.

--------------------
A man who will not die to save a woman is no man. - Shienaran Saying

The Light shine on you, and the Creator shelter you. The last embrace of the mother welcome you home. - Shienaran Funeral Ceremony

From: Brookhaven, MS | Registered: May 2002  |  IP: Logged
The Great Gray Skwid
Member
Member # 34606


posted May 14, 2003 01:14 PM      Profile for The Great Gray Skwid   Email The Great Gray Skwid    Edit/Delete Post
I agree. I think there are significant structural differences in shields made by different numbers of people, and I think a shield held by a circle of thirteen could shield anyone, period, resisting or not. Likewise, a circle of six holding a shield already present should be impossible to break (Isn't that what "LTT" tells Rand in the chest? I can't recall exactly...).

--------------------
Evan "Skwid" Langlinais
The Humblest Mollusk on the Net
http://www.thehumblest.net/
Ask me for information about the Texas Darkfriends!

From: The Big D | Registered: Jul 2001  |  IP: Logged
Sharn_Penndroen
Member
Member # 82230



posted May 14, 2003 01:18 PM      Profile for Sharn_Penndroen   Email Sharn_Penndroen    Edit/Delete Post
Yes, that is what he tells him. As long as 6 hold the shield, he can't break it, but if they tie it off, he can. The 6 must remain holding the shield.

--------------------
A man who will not die to save a woman is no man. - Shienaran Saying

The Light shine on you, and the Creator shelter you. The last embrace of the mother welcome you home. - Shienaran Funeral Ceremony

From: Brookhaven, MS | Registered: May 2002  |  IP: Logged


All times are Pacific Time  
   Close Topic    Move Topic    Delete Topic    next oldest topic   next newest topic
Printer-friendly view of this topic
Hop To:

Contact Us | http://www.wizards.com/ | Privacy Statement



Powered by Infopop Corporation
Ultimate Bulletin BoardTM 6.2.0

Shop Games Books Magazines Stores Events Company Worldwide Community