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Per Livingston's *Origins* book, there was going to be a plotline where Rand was blinded and wandered the world as a beggar. (I think the inspiration for it was some aspect of Arthurian legend - like the Fisher King, Amfortas, who is wounded and the health of whose land is tied to the health of his own body.) I suspect this early prophecy about the beggar's staff was foreshadowing something like that, which ended up getting cut once RJ evolved the story beyond the direct Arthurian parallels.
In some ways I wish he'd expanded on that more, it sounded interesting.
The fisher was a piece that you could also cause to change hands and was powerful if on your side, but added a lose condition. So risk-reward.
“The Dragon is one with the land” is said a lot. And that’s a direct reference to the Fisher King. So while the term isn’t used much, the idea is pretty central to the story.
We kinda see it play out when Darth Rand is in full swing. His ta’veren influence becomes bad (more bad coincidences than good ones), can’t stop food spoiling, etc. Then when he becomes Good Rand he causes blooming apple trees, sunshine, unspoiled food etc. What’s happening in Randland is a direct reflection of his state of mind.
The White hot iron was a reference to an early plot idea of Elayne (or her mother) having to brand Rand some time during the story for some crime that was later abandoned. The beggar's staff was a reference to his time wandering around in a torn cloak and staff before his epiphany on Dragon Mount; that was planned to be a much more involved story line than what it turned out to be.
The absolute best bit in my opinion is the span of Wintersnight, to the group being separated in Shadar Logarth. Notice how many times it’s mentioned that Rand shivers, and what exactly our favorite Blue is doing at the time.
The white hot iron was intended for a plot element that didn’t pan out, but I reckon it makes sense as a vision of balefire.
Same with the beggar’s staff, but that can fit into Rand’s visit to Ebou Dar in the guise of a refugee, right before he goes full crazy in TGS.
The best / funniest one for me is in the prologue, when Mat is asked how he will make his fortune, and says something along the lines of “I’ll save an Aes Sedai, and she’ll reward me for it.” Makes me laugh every time after finishing the series.
Mat instead of May
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Per Livingston's *Origins* book, there was going to be a plotline where Rand was blinded and wandered the world as a beggar. (I think the inspiration for it was some aspect of Arthurian legend - like the Fisher King, Amfortas, who is wounded and the health of whose land is tied to the health of his own body.) I suspect this early prophecy about the beggar's staff was foreshadowing something like that, which ended up getting cut once RJ evolved the story beyond the direct Arthurian parallels.
I feel like the fisher king was mentioned in the books but nothing ever really came of it.
Yeah, I think it's that Moridin is playing some fantastical form of chess that has the Fisher King as its checkmate-able piece
In some ways I wish he'd expanded on that more, it sounded interesting. The fisher was a piece that you could also cause to change hands and was powerful if on your side, but added a lose condition. So risk-reward.
“The Dragon is one with the land” is said a lot. And that’s a direct reference to the Fisher King. So while the term isn’t used much, the idea is pretty central to the story.
We kinda see it play out when Darth Rand is in full swing. His ta’veren influence becomes bad (more bad coincidences than good ones), can’t stop food spoiling, etc. Then when he becomes Good Rand he causes blooming apple trees, sunshine, unspoiled food etc. What’s happening in Randland is a direct reflection of his state of mind.
Interesting that that was essentially Paul's story in the third Dune book.
The White hot iron was a reference to an early plot idea of Elayne (or her mother) having to brand Rand some time during the story for some crime that was later abandoned. The beggar's staff was a reference to his time wandering around in a torn cloak and staff before his epiphany on Dragon Mount; that was planned to be a much more involved story line than what it turned out to be.
The absolute best bit in my opinion is the span of Wintersnight, to the group being separated in Shadar Logarth. Notice how many times it’s mentioned that Rand shivers, and what exactly our favorite Blue is doing at the time.
I think the white hot iron is supposed to be referencing the heron brands, no?
No, I don't think that is the case
I recently reread EotW, and was struck by all the foreshadowing of Egwene being Amrylin.
I'm only a little ways in again, but I already caught the " work hard and study, and you can become the Amyrlin someday'
The white hot iron was intended for a plot element that didn’t pan out, but I reckon it makes sense as a vision of balefire. Same with the beggar’s staff, but that can fit into Rand’s visit to Ebou Dar in the guise of a refugee, right before he goes full crazy in TGS.
The best / funniest one for me is in the prologue, when Mat is asked how he will make his fortune, and says something along the lines of “I’ll save an Aes Sedai, and she’ll reward me for it.” Makes me laugh every time after finishing the series. Mat instead of May
Who is May?
Mat I meant to say Mat.
Ah that makes sense. Yeah pretty ironical :D