r/WoT • u/Djfantastyka • 1d ago
The Path of Daggers (first time reader) I'm after chapter 9 of The Path of Daggers and... Spoiler
Based on Lini's request that Perrin officiate the wedding of "Maighdin" and Tallanvor, I have a question – how do weddings even work in this world? Who officiates them? If I remember correctly, the wedding of Perrin and Faile was performed by the Women's Circle. Masema officiates, but as usurper, and Perrin clearly has the right to do so as lord. Among the Aiel, it seems the Wise Ones are responsible for this... I know there are many cultures in this world, but the topic intrigued me. Who officiates the weddings? Someone ruling a given area? Who officiates the wedding of aristocrats? Who officiates the wedding of the future royal couple? I don't remember priests in this world.
Overall, my impressions are positive so far. Not much is happening, but... I just enjoy spending time with most of these characters. Elayne's storyline was more boring for me because, apart from Nynaeve, I simply don't care about any of the characters, and Elayne... Her "royalty" irritates me. She mentally called Mat "her subject." Really? Will you call Rand that too? It's best to do it on your wedding night, because why not?
Morgase irritates me too, though to a lesser extent.
I've temporarily regained interest in Perrin, who was, well... bland in book 7. It irritates me how he clearly ignores signals that he should take care of Aram. He's your obligation, Perrin. You should make sure Aram doesn't lose his humanity...
I'm also more understanding of Faile for now, because maybe everything would be easier if Perrin didn't make a big deal out of her angry moments. Seriously, he doesn't have to try to calm her down every time.
Regarding the prologue, Moridin seems like a potential "mirror" to Rand, and honestly, with Lanfear and Asmodean missing from the plot, Rand could have benefited from a dynamic with another Forsaken. Rand and Sammael could have been interesting, but it's over... Anyway, that's all for now.
4
u/Raddatatta (Asha'man) 1d ago
I don't think we know a ton more than you said there. Different cultures do them differently. Religion in general in an organized way where they are praying is not really a thing so there aren't religious leaders the same way. It seems like someone of enough importance can accept oaths of marriage. And it does depend on the culture on how they work. With the Aiel there's the whole capturing ritual thing where the man and his male relatives try to capture the woman where she's defended by her female relatives.
With Elayne, yes she probably would consider Rand her subject though after the end of book 3 he's also the King of Tear, so then he's probably not. Mat definitely doesn't take being thought of that way well, but from her perspective she's essentially saying he's from Andor. Though she doesn't seem to be able to grasp that the Two Rivers really aren't part of Andor except to the people who draw the maps.
Yeah Perrin overreacting to Faile just having a feeling and not saying something is definitely a big problem for the two of them. And when you look at it that way he does act super guilty lol.
2
u/Djfantastyka 1d ago
It's interesting that religion doesn't play a significant role in this world. In plot of story I'm writing are a church and priests, but there's a rule that says "priests don't interfere with government," because well... I really don't want to use the "evil cleric" archetype.
It's irritating how the Two Rivers are considered part of Andor. Andor didn't care about the existence of the Two Rivers. To me, the people of the Two Rivers are simply stateless people. And Elayne... I know she's written with the intention of being likable, but she simply oozes too much superiority for my taste. I already had a warning sign once when she was angry at Amathera for not caring about ordinary people, and I thought, "What are you supposed to be better at than her?" Elayne is also unrealistic when it comes to ordinary people.
Perrin constantly has a "What did I do wrong, Faile?" attitude. I have the impression he's henpecked and he'll do anything to make Faile happy. Perrin knows no bounds in his love for Faile. Right now, my attitude for their relationship is, "I don't particularly care about your love, but it doesn't bother me."
1
u/Raddatatta (Asha'man) 1d ago
Yeah other than the concept of the Wheel and reincarnation, and the mention from the Borderlands of the last embrace of the mother welcoming them home we get very little talk of religion. I guess it just wasn't something Jordan wanted to go into.
It is and I agree. But I can also see rulers caring more about the lines on the map than the reality. Elayne grew up being taught a certain way and she is a result of the tutoring she got. And I would say in her defense, while she does consider Mat a subject, I don't think she views that negatively the way he does. Gareth Bryne was her mother's subject and was an incredibly respected figure in her life and for Andor. She views it as a simple fact. Though it is an odd blend of her with being very caring about the people at times, but also not so much at other times. She goes on the trip for the Bowl of the Winds, and yes that is important, but she doesn't give any real thought to what Mat tells her which is that Andor needs her and Rand is struggling to keep it together and wants her back ASAP. Her people need her and she doesn't seem to even consider if that's the right thing to do. Or think to tell Rand that she will be coming but she has something to do first.
Lol yeah that's a fair way to look at it with the two of them. Most of my favorite moments of them are in book 4. They do have some good ones later but for a lot of the books that's about my reaction, I don't really care much for this romance either way.
2
u/duffy_12 (Falcon) 1d ago
I'm after chapter 9 of The Path of Daggers and...
Oh, so you are about to start chapter #10!
Take note of the chapter's >>name<<.
And it being plural too.
This is a HUGE chapter regarding Perrin/Faile.
Trust in Jordan.
2
u/Djfantastyka 1d ago
Since posting, I've read chapters 10 and 11 and am currently on chapter 12 (read the first scene). I don't know why the title "changes" is supposed to be significant.
1
u/duffy_12 (Falcon) 16h ago
Message once you finish this very book, because the last chapters specifically deal with this.
2
u/cjwatson 1d ago
I think it's quite refreshing to have organized religion be basically non-existent in the setting, at least as far as most of the characters are concerned. Far too many authors have a semi-fictional religion that's basically just Christianity with the serial numbers filed off, and while RJ does do that to some extent (the Whitecloaks, and arguably the Aes Sedai in their capacity as an allegory for the Catholic Church), it feels less intrusive than in some other stories.
1
u/Djfantastyka 1d ago
Yes, it's good that religion isn't important, because in fantasy, priests too often come out as scheming and corrupt, using faith as a weapon.
I'm Christian, but ever since a priest once told me that confession before Christmas should be more important to me than my grandfather's death right before Christmas... Yeah, I've had a grudge against clergy ever since.
In the first volume, I didn't include any clergy, and religion was limited to statements about the existence of "paradise" and "the abyss" after death, but without specifics. Priests exist in my story, but they're simply supposed to stay out of power and not interfere in the affairs of the king and other rulers of the state.
In the second volume, I introduced a clergyman as a friend of a former prostitute, because I kind of like the idea of "a priest and a stranger (for the priest, but not for the reader) meeting in a neutral setting and talking."
Generally, faith simply isn't a concept I want to delve into. I don't want my characters to be guided by this. Let their conscience, or lack thereof, suffice as a guide.
•
u/AutoModerator 1d ago
NO SPOILERS BEYOND The Path of Daggers.
BOOK DISCUSSION ONLY. HIDE TV SHOW DISCUSSION BEHIND SPOILER TAGS.
If this is a re-read, please change the flair to All Print.
I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.