Ha! I was right to choose the Gholam in my poll the other day :D Or Worms, they seem really nasty things and I learned sth more! Thx Jon for this great video. I'd love for you to continue doing these videos besides the news ones. Maybe do one about different channeling groups (which is hard to do without spoilers I guess) and their strengths/systems regarding channeling
Thanks for the video. Still on my first reading of the series so I appreciate the explanations. Such a busy man Agin'nor that I'm surprised the other Forsaken didn't stop him,, especially for creating creatures who could attack and kill them. And to make Trollocs cannibals! He is one sick dude
It's heavily implied though, I remember reading a bit about Trollocs' camp, and how it felt almost "human", and then some more lines on them generally.
During the discussion of Fades, you mentioned that sometimes in the book they were able to somewhat blend in with ordinary people. Is that something that only happened in the first 2 or 3 books and then RJ abandoned that concept? I do not remember it happening in later books but I could be mistaken.
I believe you are right in that though I think it's also fair to point out that generally other than the 1st few books we did not have many Fades in areas they would have need to do that in. With the exception of some of the two rivers stuff I think we rarely see any Fades that were likely outside the blight for any great length of time. I also don't think that we see many that would have had much incentive to try to pass as human (something I can only assume is at least somewhat risky for them) like they did in the early books hunting specific people. Frankly after the 1st few books most of the characters were just not that hard to find lol
@@raddude585 yes I agree with all of that. I'd only add that all of our characters quickly became much more dangerous to fades, so it probably stopped being worth it to try and sneak in near to them, as they're much more likely to be noticed and swiftly killed. In the early couple books our Ta'veren hadn't really started fighting too much, only running and defending themselves. By the Shadow Rising at the latest all three had become extremely dangerous fighters, even though they still get waaayyyy more dangerous by the end.
Anyone by chance remember the description of Laman’s sword AFTER Rand puts a more functional hilt on it? I feel like that’s the one that’s a katana, not Tam’s sword.
I think that's likely a hard question to answer. It's implied that different packs of darkhounds have developed slightly different strengths and weaknesses so any given depiction of them in the books might only really represent that specific pack and not them as a species. I think it's safe to say that the darkhounds under Sammael's command in the early books were likely some of the strongest out there and likely hand-picked for that reason.
i just randomly thought of something, there should have been aes'sedai with the army at tarwin's gap in the first book. there is no way that a borderland army goes to war with the shadow without any green ajah marching with them. and i would bet that many green sisters intentionally just live in the borderlands just in case something happens, and the borderlanders are very aware that if they are fighting a trolloc army only an aes'sedai can save the wounded. the reason i don't think there were any aes'sedai there is because the borderlanders SAW rand, yet no aes'sedai seem to have, or to have been aware that a man was channeling at that battle. EDIT: and no i'm not complaining, love the book, but i think it is a good example of robert jordan not always having his ducks in a row.
kght222 You would think that the Green Ajah would be in every borderland nation, wouldn’t you? Ask yourself how often throughout the series we see the Ajahs not doing what they really should be doing. I think this was intentional on Robert Jordan’s part.
Until the dread lords woke there was no reason for the Aes Sedai to live in the blight. It was not a war of the one power it just Trolloc raids really.
@@cleo5401 only aes sedai can reliably heal the wounds caused by trollocs and fades, so yeah, there was plenty of reason for aes sedai to be in the borderlands. nobody said anything about them living in the blight, but they should certainly be with an army headed towards tarwin's gap. or on hand in case of raids to help people recover.
I am loving this series, Jon, but is it truly spoiler free or only in the sense that it doesn’t spoil plot? I personally would tell all first time readers to avoid all “spoiler free” WoT videos because I don’t think there is such a thing when it comes to world building. All of the Shadowspawn you covered should be discovered in the calculated way that RJ reveals them for their full impact. Not knowing about Dark Hounds, Grey Men, and Gholam ahead of time leaves us apprehensive when we don’t understand what exactly is going on even if we realize something is off or seriously wrong. Robert Jordan’s world building enhances the reader’s experience in the very intentional parceling out of information. That’s why I believe there is no such thing as a spoiler free WoT video. That being said, I enjoy all of your content, and it just gets better and better.
I can see the truth in what you are saying. I guess if I was a new reader, I would not watch WoT videos in general, spoiler free or not. I enjoy these videos as you do to renew my knowledge or add to it. Good points you make and I propably wouldn't recommend watching WoT videos to new readers
Are the souls of Gray Men able to be reborn into a normal human? Or is the soul of someone who gave it up to be a Grey Man lost to the Dark One for ever.
It's implied it's forever lost, and even worse fate than "simply" being lost to the Dark one namely. It's a bit like with balefire, they're erased or something. (But just in the future, not the past?)🤔
As far as I understand we have very little understanding as readers of exactly how souls work in the WoT world. No one in the books is in a position to understand that sort of thing except arguably some of the heroes of the horn. I would recommend looking through www.theoryland.com/wheel-of-time-interview-search.php It is a compilation of various answers that were given over the years from RJ and others about many of the elements of the series. You may find what you are looking for there if you click "souls" keyword category
Trollocks are a cool disposable, cannon fodder foot soldier. but they just arent any good as actual soldiers really. even when under command of a proper captain like a myrdraal they will flee before the odds are even or if they only have a slight edge in numbers. I would take my beloved tolkien orcs any day, they produce there own generals and captains and even build and invent tech and grand fortresses and structures. Just imagine what sarumons large fighting Uruk-hai army that hit helms deep could do in an open field battle to a mob of trollocks! Now that would be a battle to see in total war.
I think you provide great information here. But I have some constructive critism. Maybe you should talk a little slower for those who are new to this and get the information for the first time.
If you tap on the viewing screen you will see 3 dots. Tap on those and you can adjust the play back speed. I also use this if I don't like someone's voice.
Great video. Please do Wolfbrothers or Seanchan Culture/History next
Hey! Really liked the explanations! I think people first picking up the series will find this especially helpful.
Thanks!
I say definitely keep doing these! I really enjoy them :)
Ha! I was right to choose the Gholam in my poll the other day :D Or Worms, they seem really nasty things and I learned sth more! Thx Jon for this great video. I'd love for you to continue doing these videos besides the news ones. Maybe do one about different channeling groups (which is hard to do without spoilers I guess) and their strengths/systems regarding channeling
Great ideas!
Always thought myrdral were trollocs that would have been able to channel if they were born human
That was my assumption as well.
Sound explanation.
I thought that was implied. 1 out of every 1000 people can channel the one power, 1 out of every 1000 trollocs are myrdral?
Great video - I can't remember the wasps and the worms from the books so it was even a bit surprising to hear about them!
Thanks for the video. Still on my first reading of the series so I appreciate the explanations. Such a busy man Agin'nor that I'm surprised the other Forsaken didn't stop him,, especially for creating creatures who could attack and kill them. And to make Trollocs cannibals! He is one sick dude
Bats are my favorite animal, so I really like the Dragkhar.
Most horrifying tidbit of Shadowspawn which isn't in the books but from Q&A: the reproduce with natural biology. D:
It's heavily implied though, I remember reading a bit about Trollocs' camp, and how it felt almost "human", and then some more lines on them generally.
I LOVE THE "EXPLAINED" SERIES MORE THAN AIR!!!!
Thanks for another great explanation
What about the creatures of the Seanchan which seem to from world taken over by the shadow
Can Fades move their mounts with their shadow walk?
I think they can, in the first book when Rand sees a Fade for the first time it's mounted, but when he's goes for a second look it disappears.
Yes they can.
Really enjoy your videos. Refresh some things.
*Mixed with shadow taint from the "true power" not the "one power".
*fades are cunning, all identical and always male
If any of you HAVENT SEEN the alien movies, YOU SHOULD! They believed in making good movies back then and the alien series was one of the best!
What about the corrupted male Aiel seen in the last book? Would those not qualify as Shadowspawn? Surely they are some more than a common Darkfriend.
During the discussion of Fades, you mentioned that sometimes in the book they were able to somewhat blend in with ordinary people. Is that something that only happened in the first 2 or 3 books and then RJ abandoned that concept? I do not remember it happening in later books but I could be mistaken.
I believe you are right in that though I think it's also fair to point out that generally other than the 1st few books we did not have many Fades in areas they would have need to do that in. With the exception of some of the two rivers stuff I think we rarely see any Fades that were likely outside the blight for any great length of time. I also don't think that we see many that would have had much incentive to try to pass as human (something I can only assume is at least somewhat risky for them) like they did in the early books hunting specific people. Frankly after the 1st few books most of the characters were just not that hard to find lol
@@raddude585 yes I agree with all of that. I'd only add that all of our characters quickly became much more dangerous to fades, so it probably stopped being worth it to try and sneak in near to them, as they're much more likely to be noticed and swiftly killed. In the early couple books our Ta'veren hadn't really started fighting too much, only running and defending themselves. By the Shadow Rising at the latest all three had become extremely dangerous fighters, even though they still get waaayyyy more dangerous by the end.
Anyone by chance remember the description of Laman’s sword AFTER Rand puts a more functional hilt on it? I feel like that’s the one that’s a katana, not Tam’s sword.
What is the difference (if any) between the Darkhounds we see prior to the Last Battle and the packs that fought at Shayol Ghul?
I think that's likely a hard question to answer. It's implied that different packs of darkhounds have developed slightly different strengths and weaknesses so any given depiction of them in the books might only really represent that specific pack and not them as a species. I think it's safe to say that the darkhounds under Sammael's command in the early books were likely some of the strongest out there and likely hand-picked for that reason.
There is none. They are all the same type.
The new pack of Dark hounds in book 10 is it possible these are the wolves Slayer was hunting ?
i just randomly thought of something, there should have been aes'sedai with the army at tarwin's gap in the first book. there is no way that a borderland army goes to war with the shadow without any green ajah marching with them. and i would bet that many green sisters intentionally just live in the borderlands just in case something happens, and the borderlanders are very aware that if they are fighting a trolloc army only an aes'sedai can save the wounded. the reason i don't think there were any aes'sedai there is because the borderlanders SAW rand, yet no aes'sedai seem to have, or to have been aware that a man was channeling at that battle.
EDIT: and no i'm not complaining, love the book, but i think it is a good example of robert jordan not always having his ducks in a row.
kght222 You would think that the Green Ajah would be in every borderland nation, wouldn’t you? Ask yourself how often throughout the series we see the Ajahs not doing what they really should be doing. I think this was intentional on Robert Jordan’s part.
@@danalou_who7765 true, given the position of malkier the aes'sedai should have had a full time and fully staffed embassy there.
Until the dread lords woke there was no reason for the Aes Sedai to live in the blight. It was not a war of the one power it just Trolloc raids really.
@@cleo5401 only aes sedai can reliably heal the wounds caused by trollocs and fades, so yeah, there was plenty of reason for aes sedai to be in the borderlands. nobody said anything about them living in the blight, but they should certainly be with an army headed towards tarwin's gap. or on hand in case of raids to help people recover.
I am loving this series, Jon, but is it truly spoiler free or only in the sense that it doesn’t spoil plot? I personally would tell all first time readers to avoid all “spoiler free” WoT videos because I don’t think there is such a thing when it comes to world building. All of the Shadowspawn you covered should be discovered in the calculated way that RJ reveals them for their full impact. Not knowing about Dark Hounds, Grey Men, and Gholam ahead of time leaves us apprehensive when we don’t understand what exactly is going on even if we realize something is off or seriously wrong. Robert Jordan’s world building enhances the reader’s experience in the very intentional parceling out of information. That’s why I believe there is no such thing as a spoiler free WoT video. That being said, I enjoy all of your content, and it just gets better and better.
I can see the truth in what you are saying. I guess if I was a new reader, I would not watch WoT videos in general, spoiler free or not. I enjoy these videos as you do to renew my knowledge or add to it. Good points you make and I propably wouldn't recommend watching WoT videos to new readers
What happened to the female Trollocs after the Last Battle?
Yeah guys. Be careful out there! LOLz!
Are the souls of Gray Men able to be reborn into a normal human? Or is the soul of someone who gave it up to be a Grey Man lost to the Dark One for ever.
Lost forever I would imagine, like the Forsaken
It's implied it's forever lost, and even worse fate than "simply" being lost to the Dark one namely.
It's a bit like with balefire, they're erased or something. (But just in the future, not the past?)🤔
What happened to the souls given to the Dark One after the Last Battle?
As far as I understand we have very little understanding as readers of exactly how souls work in the WoT world. No one in the books is in a position to understand that sort of thing except arguably some of the heroes of the horn. I would recommend looking through www.theoryland.com/wheel-of-time-interview-search.php It is a compilation of various answers that were given over the years from RJ and others about many of the elements of the series. You may find what you are looking for there if you click "souls" keyword category
Trollocks are a cool disposable, cannon fodder foot soldier. but they just arent any good as actual soldiers really. even when under command of a proper captain like a myrdraal they will flee before the odds are even or if they only have a slight edge in numbers. I would take my beloved tolkien orcs any day, they produce there own generals and captains and even build and invent tech and grand fortresses and structures. Just imagine what sarumons large fighting Uruk-hai army that hit helms deep could do in an open field battle to a mob of trollocks! Now that would be a battle to see in total war.
Came here from Warhammer fantasy so HI!, they kind of sound like beastmen.
Welcome!! Im a big Warhammer fan as well!!
Ah it feels good not being the only one here.
Why is Logain even on the damn show at this point?
First comment!
The show sucks but I love the fades!!
I think you provide great information here. But I have some constructive critism. Maybe you should talk a little slower for those who are new to this and get the information for the first time.
If you tap on the viewing screen you will see 3 dots. Tap on those and you can adjust the play back speed. I also use this if I don't like someone's voice.