A log in which Accepted and Brown Ajah Apprentice Lexica meets with Relena Sedai of the Green Ajah to discuss a historical figure. The conversation quickly turns towards the Battle of Maighande and Relena Sedai demonstrates her knowledge of historical battles as Accepted Lexica learns the importance of considering possibilities beyond her own theories.
Point of view: Lexica
Main character: Relena
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Relena gestures with her hand.
The door swings silently and shuts with a click.
Relena says 'I'm glad we got a chance to chat.'
You smile at her.
You say 'Thank you for making the time to speak with me Aes Sedai'
Relena says 'So What historical figure were you studying?'
You say 'Specifically, I am studying the battle of Maighande and its location.'
Relena nods, bells jingling.
Relena says 'What brought your attention to it.'
You say 'Discussions with Catisune Sedai on the Ten Nations Compact and my own investigation on the end of the compact.'
You say 'As Im sure you know, this battle was a great victory for the light but the challenging aspect is noone seems to know the location the battle occured.'
Relena walks to a tall maps chest on the far wall and begins searching through long thin map drawers.
Relena says 'Ah, here it is.'
Relena pulls out a flat but worn map.
Relena lays out the old map in an open section of table.
Relena says 'come, look at this.'
You say 'The reason I wanted to speak with an Aes Sedai of the Green Ajah is a key figure in the battle, the Amyrlin Seat at the time, Rashima Kerenmosa.'
Relena says 'This is a map from that era, the ten nations, circa 1300 AB'
Relena nods, bells jingling.
You nod at her.
Relena says 'I find hypotheticals and discussions of battles tend to be clearer when there's a map in front of me.'
You nod at her.
Relena says 'Rashima Kerenmosa, yes, go on.'
You say 'Well, given Rashima Kerenmosa was part of the Green Ajah. I was hoping maybe there were some notes or information left behind regarding her travels.'
You say 'She did not survive Maighande, though it was said several dreadlords she defeated lay near her body.'
Relena says 'We have records of her major battles, the 5 warders who served her, some small information about her death, and her defense of Tar Valon itself.'
You say 'Kaisin Pass and Sorelle Step?'
You smile happily.
Relena says 'They served as her primary advisors and shared much battle lore. However, the nature of their final battle was the reason we lost so much of the information from that time.'
You nod in agreement.
Relena says 'Larapelle and Tel Norwin as well.'
You nod in agreement.
Relena nods, bells jingling.
Relena says 'A string of victories that broke the back of the invasion.'
You say 'Do you view Maighande as an offensive push or a defensive stand?'
Relena says 'The string of victories makes many to believe that it was the culmination of a long push.'
Relena says 'But I have my own theories.'
You say 'I had viewed it that way as well but discussing with several of the Brown Ajah their view was more of a defensive battle.'
Relena says 'It is my personal belief that the string of victories were a searchparty for the source of the rapid trolloc movements.'
Relena says 'I belive that the final battle took place in a Stedding or near one.'
You say 'Interesting, so that would also mean the battle could have taken place to the west rather than north.'
Relena says 'I believe the trollocs were using the Ways to flank and out maneuver our forces and these battles were tracking down the elusive foe.'
Relena says 'A fight in a stedding might also point to a reason the Dreadlords were ineffective against her.'
Relena says 'Some claim her as the greatest with the One Power of her time. But she was a tactician first.'
You say 'Knowing that Manetheren and Arihdol had both fallen, the waygate in the two rivers would be a potential access point and Stedding Tsochan near the great forest.'
Relena says 'Interesting, that waygate may be how Manetheren was so overwhelmed.'
Relena says 'It is said that they were in the Blight when word reached them of that attack. It could be...'
Relena taps her lip thoughtfully.
Relena says 'Ah, alas, I wish we had more of her notes.'
You say 'The thought I have been investigating is that this was a last gasp push from the remaining Nations.'
Relena nods, bells jingling.
Relena says 'One option would be to consider the battles you do know of. See if there are locations you can eliminate and work with a more narrow set.'
You say 'Looking into a likely meeting point for those Nations and with Safer to the west and Aelgar, Eharon, Essenia to the south. I think more and more Manetheren may be a key area.'
You ponder life, the universe, and everything.
Relena says 'Interesting, it is good to have a working hypothesis, but don't disregard other alternatives because that idea has merit.'
You say 'Erulisse Sedai pointed out the importance of a water source.'
Relena nods, bells jingling.
You say 'If you were to lead an army on a long march, would you look for a river or a lake as primary water source for the army?'
Relena says 'Moving water is always better. Care, that you do not confirm your biases. I can find water sources in all four corners of these lands.'
You nod in agreement.
You say 'It was more to narrow the search in the west, there are lakes and rivers that could serve as base camps.'
Relena says 'You must ensure when trying to grasp this tangle of history that you are not led astray because it "feels" right.'
Relena nods, bells jingling.
You say 'The point would be to find such a location and then look for a suitable position that could serve as an advantage in battle.'
Relena nods, bells jingling.
Relena says 'That makes sense.'
You sigh.
You say 'Which doesnt narrow down potential locations and still leaves a wide search area.'
You sigh.
You say 'I see your point Aes Sedai, there is a waygate in the spine, a stedding, and a nearby river.'
Relena says 'When I'm looking at a tactical problem, I try to first eliminate impossible options, then impractical ones, then look at what is most convenient for me, and my enemy.'
Relena says 'Choosing ground isn't about finding the ideal. It's about finding the place your enemy will meet you and you have some advantage.'
Relena says 'Generally that means either tricking them to believe they are finding you, or more likely giving a slight advantage where you think you can exploit yours more.'
You say 'Dreadlords entering the stedding is an interesting thought, they must have thought they had a significant advantage.'
Relena says 'indeed. Since many waygates are built by steddings, it may have been an ambush.'
Relena says 'The rigors of these things require footwork too. My apprentice has been studying some of these old battles for some upcoming classes. Maybe she can assist you with the research.'
You smile happily.
Relena says 'Have you met Mindy?'
You say 'I have not but I would welcome the help.'
You say 'I have also asked Theren Gaidin if his apprentice could accompany me into the wilds as well.'
Relena says 'I will leave her a note of what we discussed and ask that she reach out to you. It would be good to group on these adventures. Old battlefields bring interesting folks. Sometimes they are in dangerous lands.'
You nod in agreement.
Relena thinks hard.
You say 'It is not a task I dare take up alone, the shadow grows bolder these days.'
You say 'I feel as though I spend more time chasing Ghast around the library than I do studying.'
Relena grins evilly.
Relena says 'That one has given me a run for it sometimes.'
You say 'Do you know if there is a list of angeal that were lost during Maighande?'
You shake your head.
Relena says 'I do not know. Though I have not read all our records on this matter.'
You say 'I will speak with Callesa Sedai on the matter, I think the Brown Ajah will likely have records.'
Relena nods, bells jingling.
Relena says 'Thank you, Accepted. It is a pleasure when the research of the Browns comes across my path.'
You say 'I did not consider the Stedding and originally thought Rashima Kerenmosa may have possessed a ter'angreal or strong angreal.'
Relena says 'I feel sometimes that I am a Brownish sort of Green.'
Relena says 'Interesting thought'
You smile at her.
You say 'Thank you for taking the time to discuss this with me. I will let you know if I uncover anything of interest.'
Relena says 'I must go soon but that is not a bad idea. You should pursue it. Mayhaps it leads to something useful.'
You nod at her.
Relena opens the door.
You curtsey before her.
Relena beams a radiant smile at you.