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the wheel of time - Why didn't Rand require fealty from the Ashaman?


Since the Wells, dozen of Aes Sedai had swore fealty to him. The Black Tower was supposed to be his weapon and they were getting more and more dangerous by day. The attack on the Sun Palace certainly proved that they were getting out of control. So why didn't he require their fealty?



Answer



The key point here is that when the Aes Sedai swear fealty they can't break that vow (unless they are Black Ajah.) The Oath rod required them to stay "loyal" to Rand because they cannot lie. The Ashaman were already assumed to be loyal to Rand, and specifically swearing fealty does not have the same effectiveness on them, since they are not bound by the 3 oaths like the Aes Sedai.


Essentially Aes Sedai as a whole are a force actively opposing and interfering with Rand, while the Ashaman as a whole are actively under his control.


oaths of fealty are not binding without an oath rod.



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