A Sampling of Darkfriends - ch. 32

One of the interesting creations in EotW are the darkfriends--humans allied to the Dark One in return for riches and power once the world is recast in the Dark One's image after Tarmon Gai'don. The first darkfriend we meet is Howal Gode. Gode is a wealthy man who stops in Four Kings at the inn of the Dancing Cartman. Gode is obviously sent there by an unknown master within the darkfriend heirarchy. What becomes characterstic in this and the succeeding chapters as Mat and Rand march their way to Caemlyn, is that Gode, along with three others, are patient enough to wait for the time to strike and make their move. They're all fanatical--and sometimes stupid. Gode receives Rand's first taste of saidin by receiving a lightening bolt to the face (serves him right). The woman who attempts to take their lives through stealth in a town east of Market Sheran. Before this, Paitr, a well-dressed young man, walks straight up to them sitting at a table and seems star struck by them--obviously he's been given their description and told of their importance to the Father of Lies.

A few conclusions can be drawn here: 1) Mat and Rand have been the subject of conversation within dark circles since the sacking of Emond's Field. This means that potentially every town/city is a threat. No where is safe. AND 2) darkfriends are dumb morons who do not see the inherent paradox of power struggles. This paradox exists because once a darkfriend becomes powerful then they are automatically made a target by other aspiring and ambitious darkfriends who only wish to usurp and supplant them. This is easily seen in Miilton's Paradise Lost. Satan has to quell countless uprisings and revolts to his power due to the very paradox of opposing tyranny by becoming tyrannical. Therefore, it's easy to conclude that darkfriends are not very educated and are weak-willed. Those who let their greed and base emotions rule are those who are destined to constantly repeat their same mistakes--logic and reasoning having been relegated as unimportant or nonexistant functions. This, for those who fight for the Light, should be a relief. Satan's prey are, in literature anyway, always the weak-willed and weak-minded. They have to be. If not, darkness would have a firm grip on the world at all times with light attempting to make cracks on the dark facade and shine through. But it's not. Darkness/evil is always attempting to subvert the inherent and dominant good. Stories are always trying to show how to repel evil or simply restore the world to the realm of good, as it's supposed to be. It's never the other way around. Now imagine that world. Yikes.

Very interesting. I think the perfect poster child for Dark Friends are the Trollocs. They are very dumb. But are full of broot strength. So it seems those higher up in the chain of command are a bit more intelligent, but need unintelligent drones to do their bidding. To be subservient, you need to be dumb. If you were smart you would realize you were being used to reach someone elses goals and not your own.

The only problem there is that humans are the only ones who can be classified as darkfriends. But you know what, that got me thinking. The only other humanoid race in this world is Ogier. Are there any Ogier that serve the Lord of the Dark? Now that would be horrifying. Ogier can run as fast as a horse and they stand ten feet tall. I think they're actually bigger than Trollocs. Plus, of course, they have their intelligence and long lifespan. I wonder if there are any Ogier darkfriends?