This is a big theory...I hope you guys don't pick it to too many pieces, as it took a while. There are some quotes I know exist, but due to my books being in storage, I can't exactly get them out – if anyone can help me by sending them into this thread, I'd be much obliged!

(1a) Evidence: (Mierin/Lanfear) “We have found another source for the one power."

One, it says ANOTHER source for the one power.

Two, the word ‘SOURCE' can be taken in different ways – they could be, so to speak, the spring that starts the river, or the direction from which the river comes.

(1b) Evidence: (No need to reference this phrase) “...The One Power...”

There is ONE POWER. Not Two, not Three, but ONE. There is only ONE Power. (Did you get that?)

(1c) Evidence: (Rahvin, TFoH) "The ties to what he knew as a greater power than the light, or even the Creator."

(1d) Evidence: (Rand, EotW) “The hand of the Creator shelters the world, and the Light shines on us all.”

From the more knowledgeable P.O.V. of an AoL character, there is a separation between the Light and the Creator, and, more importantly, a separation (1d) and a power-differentiation between these two and the Dark One. (ie. the DO is identified as more powerful than both the Creator and the Light) (1c)

Light is a force that aids in self-protection: Early man travelled during the day for their protection, lit fires to protect them in the dark, etc. It is hugely important to both self- protection and self preservation, even in technologically advanced societies (when you are scared, you tend to turn the lights on). More on this later.

(1e) Evidence: (Aginor, EotW) “A glowing rope ran from Aginor, behind him, white like the sunlight seen through the purest cloud...”

(1f) Evidence: (Reference to Rand, EotW) “...split by the shining thread that ran from his body.”

(1g) Evidence: (Nynaeve/Suian, ) “she felt something...torn”

(1h) Evidence: (Lanfear/Rand, tFoH) “It was not at him directly that she struck this time. It was at his link to saidin. Panic rang the Void like a gong at the first knife-sharp touch, the Power diminishing as it slid deeper between him and the Source...”

(1i) Evidence: (Female Severing –Suian? Moghedien?)

There is a cord, connecting a channeler to the source, that can be ‘severed', as the AoL AS referred to it (1i). This is hinted at when Nynaeve ‘heals' stilling, by mending, albeit haphazardly, the cord connecting Suian to Saidar.(1g) The struggle between Rand and Lanfear also shows the cord can be cut – hence ‘knife' references. (1h)

(1j) Evidence: (Ishamael, EotW) "...Ba'alzamon had a cord, too, he saw. A black cord, thicker by far than his own, so wide it should have dwarfed the human body...each pulse along that black vein ate light...”

(1k) Evidence: (Asmodean, TSR) "What seemed to be black threads, like fine steel wires, ran from the man, disappearing in the surrounding dark."

Now, in addition to the white cords mentioned when the connections to pure Saidin, there are the black cords, known to be connections to the DO. (1j, k) Take note that Ishamael, shown later in his form as Moridin to be a chronic user of the Saidar (note that I refuse to refer to it as True Power, as, according to this theory, it is not that at all. I refer to it hereon in as Saidar, corny as that may be), has a massively thick cord (1j), whereas Asmodean, unlikely a regular user of Saidar due to his cautious attitude, has very thin threads (1k).

Now, while there are no examples of visuals of the cords in relation to Saidar, there is mention of ‘feelings', like the ones Nynaeve felt, where the cord was felt or felt to be severed. For lack of proof otherwise, I am presuming that if these cords could be seen they would be in the ‘White Cord' category (as there are no examples of black cords not connected to followers of the DO). There invisibility is explained further on.

This separates Saidar and Saidin (“White Cord” Category) from Saidark, (“Black Cord” Category).

My theory is that rather than these cords being hollow conduits that channel the True Source, they are more like cigarette filters – they make the smoke coming out the other end cooler and cleaner than the smoke going in, but also slow down the flow.

(1l) Evidence: (Precedes the “There is nothing that burns that water cannot quench or air cannot blow out, no rock that water or air cannot wear away.” Conversation)

Males are said to be more powerful in pure, raw power than females, and by this I think that the ‘filter', Saidin, in males cool down and clean the One Power less, such as a badly rolled filter for a cigarette. The connection is a thick, ‘coarse' filter. This is why, in males, the filter is visible as a white cord.

In females, the cord is too thin to be visible, due to their ‘fine', or thinner, filter. It can, however, be felt by a channeler with sufficient talent (ie. Nynaeve).

(1m) Evidence: “You will gain in power with practice, but do not force youself”

My next point is that in the cases of the ‘Black Cord' channelers portrayed, the thickness of the cord varies. The likelihood is that the ‘Black Cord' Saidark, like ‘White Cord' Saidin and Saidar, the power able to be used increases with the use of the power. This also makes sense with the personalities in question: Ishamael is known to have used the Saidark a lot, and Asmodean is unlikely to have used it a great deal. Nevertheless the cord is always there, which means that the coarseness of the filter must be greater than at least Saidar, and likely Saidin (the reason for the latter likelihood is discussed later).

Now a brief break from this part of the theory, and onto the second part: I will return to this later.

(2a) Evidence: “The Dark One and all the Forsaken are bound at Shayol Ghul. Beyond the great blight, bound at the moment of creation, bound until the end of all time. The hand of the Creator shelters the world, and the Light shines on us all.”

It is common knowledge in Randland that the Dark One is bound away – at Shayol Ghul, it is said. Now, it is known that each time the wheel turns it features different, different faces, places, etc. but only the same Souls and events, playing out in their infinite variety. Yes? Of course –varieties most exemplary example being the worlds accessible through the portal stones. There are even worlds there where the DO's creatures rule.

Initially, at the moment of creation, the DO was NOT imprisoned. HE WAS MERELY DENIED ENTRANCE. (there is not a ‘new' creation every new turn of the wheel, but rather, at the moment of creation the wheel was turning and had always been turning)

If the Creator included in the ‘code' of the pattern a non-intervention clause, saying that neither the Creator nor the DO could intervene in the weaving of the pattern, then imprisonment would not be needed – rather, he would still be kept away from the pattern, but the Creator would be playing a much more passive role. Why would the Creator be able to imprison the DO anyway? They are supposed to be equal! Duality people!

Now say that the DO, in AoL, or perhaps another age, did break into the pattern – hence breaking the rules inherent to the pattern. I do not believe that he entered fully then, for if a base law of the pattern is non-interference then his entering fully into the pattern would cause a system crash – the destruction of the pattern. He entered partially, and there is a major code-breakdown: the taint on Saidin, one of the major processes in the pattern, and an important part of the self-preservation protocol.

THEN the DO was locked out again, through the Dragon at the time – the hole in the code was repaired, but due to the taint, the seals were not perfect. The DO continued ‘hacking' into the code of the pattern, resulting in a slow exertion of more power into the pattern. He could supply his followers with the means to protect them from the repercussions of his presence– protection from the ‘bug' known as the taint. At the point where he broke into the pattern, the pattern was thinnest, ie. a soft point in the code that he had been concentrating on to break through again. Shayol Ghul

As the seals break, and more of his presence leaks into the pattern, ‘bugs' break into the pattern – bubbles of evil – and also ‘bugs', or rather ‘cheats' or ‘hacks' like the Forsaken – souls that were not reborn. More rules broken.

The DO, the opposite and equal of the Creator, is the ultimate rule-breaker, a hacker to hack the ultimate firewall.

Now the Creator cannot break his own rules, so he instead programmed into the pattern built in defence mechanisms, similar to the Matrix's ‘Agents'. The ta'veren. The most powerful of these agents is the Dragon. The Dragon was the soul who sealed away the DO last time. These agents are designed to manipulate the pattern from within, able to reprogram and capable of the feats needed to defend the pattern against a power as great as the Creator.

Rather than the DO trying to destroy the pattern, he is merely maintaining the balance intrinsic in RJ's world – he is trying to break the rules that the Creator created.

(3a) Evidence: "The One Power," Moiraine was saying, "comes from the True Source, the driving force of Creation, the force the Creator made to turn the Wheel of Time."

(3b) Evidence: (EotW, Glossary) “...The driving force of the universe, which turns the Wheel of Time. It is divided into a male half( saidin) and a female half (saidar), which work at the same time with and against each other.”

Now, windmills do not turn if there is a slight breeze. They take a wind to make them turn. Likewise the Wheel of Time needs a strong flow for it to turn. An incredibly strong flow. I suggest that the One Power when it flows from the True Source is UNFILTERED (3a), and this can be referred to as the fourth category – the Creators' One Power. It is said that Saidar and Saidin operate together to turn the Wheel (3b), and this is, in a way, true: the unfiltered One Power is, in fact, both Saidin, Saidar and Saidark, all operating in their original unfiltered form. In addition, Saidin and Saidar are synonymous with the One Power in Randland, so this may be what the Aes Sedai meant in the first place.

(3c) Evidence: (Rand, EotW) “...and the Light shines on us all.”

As the DO and Light and Creator are separate, mentioned briefly earlier (1b), then the Light must be synonymous with the One Power in its forms Saidin and Saidar, the tools of the Creator in the pattern. This separates the Filters into “Creator” (Unfiltered), “Light” (Saidin/Saidar) and “Dark One” (Saidark). Saidin and Saidar are called “Light” Filters because they seem to have been supplied to aid in the self-preservation of the pattern, and as was earlier mentioned (also 1b), Light and Protection go hand in hand. “The Light shines on us all.” Is a mantra of self-protection, warding off the DO (3c). The connection is therefore logical. And also, to followers of the DO, the Creator (who plays no part) and the “Light” Filters, are inferior in raw power to Saidark, hence their observation that they serve the greater power.

Here's a breakdown:

1) Unfiltered One Power – “Creator”

2) Saidark Filter – “Dark One” Filter

3) Saidin Filter – “Light” Filter

4) Saidar Filter – “Light” Filter

I suggest this: From the True Source flows unfiltered One Power, turning the Wheel. Souls inside the pattern develop connections to the True Source, and channel it through their particular filter, Saidin, or Saidar. Because of the immense power of the unfiltered One Power, it cannot be used inside the pattern – a system cannot utilize power greater than it's input.

(3f) Evidence: (Rahvin, TFoH) "The ties to what he knew as a greater power than the light, or even the Creator."

The DO can break, or at least bend, these rules. Drawing from his own essence, he can ‘cheat' the system, and create a filter – Saidark – that is coarser than is allowed by following the patterns inherent rules. This results in the massive raw power wielded by Saidark wielders (3d). But the, following common sense, the DO's power must be greater than that wielded by others – why else would someone risk their souls but if it were not obviously greater? (3e)

(3g) Evidence: Dialogue between Egwene/Elaine and Rand, concerning Rands experience of Saidin and the girls' experience of Saidar.

(3h) Evidence: Difference between TP (the watcher scene)

The difference between handling different coarseness of flows is evident in that the users of the three Filtered Powers are unable to teach each other how to use the One Power. (3f, g) Presumably Saidark users can teach each other, but given their allegiances, they are unlikely to.

Footnotes:

(4a) Gholam and Nullification of the One Power

Evidence: “The flows melted away around the Gholam.”

Gholams are also explained by this Unified Theory, because they are a result of the nullification of the One Power – another ‘bug' in the system, or rather a ‘cheat', as it is manufactured by those with connection with the DO.

Mat's amulet is, however, a different story, explained further on.

(4b) The Voice At Tarwins Gap

The voice largely presumed to be the Creator at the end of EotW is, in my opinion, more likely to be the DO. Like a hacker, he needs his code to be executed in the right order (perhaps ‘execute' is a double entendre here), and hence did not want anything to happen that did not aid his cause. The Creator would not interfere.

(4c) Protection of Male Forsaken from the Taint

Evidence: (Asmodean, TSR) "What seemed to be black threads, like fine steel wires, ran from the man, disappearing in the surrounding dark."

The Forsaken's protection from the taint is a use of Saidark, hence Asmodeans use of it – he does not seem like the type to use something as dangerous as using Saidark without serious need. This would be a small-scale version of what Rand did at the end of WH to cleanse the taint, using Saidark instead of Saidin.

(4d) Snakes and Foxes, the Dark One and the Third Constant

(i)Evidence: (COS, Mat) “...a piece of red cloth with the web of lines drawn in black ink, and arrows showing which lines allowed movement only one way and which both.”

In ‘Snakes and Foxes' (SNF), the board, it seems to me, is twofold. It represents both the Eelfinn and Aelfinn and how to go about dealing with them, but also represents the structure of the universe in question. For now, lets look at the universe.

The web of lines seems to me to be reminiscent of the pattern. Verin comments on TAR and calls it ‘the third constant', along with the Creator and the DO. This seems to me to be reflected in this board: the red cloth that the web sits in.

TAR is the substance in which the wheel and pattern floats. It is both within and without the pattern – it is a ‘grey area', with regards to the rules. It exists in all places, parallels and times. The freedom in moving in time in TAR accounts for prophecy (day-dreams), prophetic dreaming, and Min's visions (also day-dreaming). Most souls are temporally limited, however, just as most souls are limited in their entrance into TAR itself. This is self-evident: not all people are prophets, not all dreamers are prophets, not all people are dreamers, and not all dreamers are people.

This leaves two questions: What is the significance of the one-way and two-way paths? Why is it that you cannot win unless you cheat?

I'll answer the second question first. The goal of the game is to reach the centre of the board, but either the Snakes or the Foxes get you unless you cheat so our new question is, what is at the centre of the pattern?

The pattern weaves to fit a certain image, but what it uses to paint those images is inconsequential. So the pattern is heading towards a certain goal. The ‘centre' of the pattern. So a person can choose which path they take, but cannot prevent their inevitable future. Classic pattern dynamics at play. But the twist the game brings is this: you can cheat. And, boys and girls, who's the best at cheating? That's right, boys and girls: the DO! More on this later.

(ii) Evidence: (TSR, Mat) "Thus is our treaty written; thus is agreement made. Thought is the arrow of time; memory never fades. What was asked is given. The price is paid."

(iii) Evidence: (EotW, Mat ) "Courage to strengthen, fire to blind, music to dazzle, iron to bind.”

The board is also a remembrance of the dealings between mankind and the ‘Finn. A kind of ‘manual', as I see it, it tells you that you cannot beat them unless you ‘cheat' – break the agreements that were set in ancient times.

(iv) Evidence: (TSR, Moirane) “Sensations, emotions, experiences [...] perhaps they feed on them in some manner.”

We have seen a few things concerning the ‘Finns. Their world began to ‘collapse' under the pressure of two ta'veren being in it at once. Cyndane tells us that they share a world. The Snakes have a ‘rounded' nature, the Foxes ‘angular' – this is shown in both their worlds and in the game. Also, the Foxes seem more dangerous – they wear human skins for clothes, and they were hidden away in Rhuidean. AND they tried to kill Mat – the only reason he left ‘Finnland the second time was that it was one of his wishes. They also feed on emotions, sensations and experiences.

Access to the ‘Finn is another theory in itself, so I will continue onto their significance. RJ said himself that the world of the ‘Finn has a totally different set of natural laws, and this is evident in the ‘fractal' nature that Mat saw, and also the ‘rounded' and ‘angular' nature he observed. Where in the universe have we seen where natural laws can be bent? TAR.

Evidence: (TSR, Birgitte) “...they are not evil the way the Shadow is evil, yet they are so different from humankind they might as well be...”

The ‘Finn live within an enclosed part of TAR – they are natives so to speak, but held in the Tower of Ghenjei. The Wise Ones say that entering TAR in the flesh ‘evilises' you. I think that perhaps, people who spent too much time in TAR became ‘Finn', and a ter'angreal was created to hold them. (BTW, did anyone else notice the striking resemblance that the Tower of Ghenjei has to a NASA rocket? Hehe. That's almost as cool as the ‘killing' ter'angreal that is really a radio telescope.) The ‘Finn, obviously angry, aren't very to humans anymore. But that is neither here nor there.

One ‘Natural Process' that has not been explained in this theory is Rebirth. There are two things to be explained: One, not all souls are reborn. Where do they go? Two, souls are not reborn immediately. Where do they go? We know from Birgitte that ‘Hero' souls live in TAR in the gap. I can't see normal souls going somewhere different. Who or what makes the differentiation? I think placing souls (not bodies: bodies become ‘Finn when in prolonged exposure to TAR) in TAR explains both: Non-reborn souls are stupidly caught by ‘Finn, or ‘ripped' a la Birgitte (surely Birgitte was not the first). Souls simply wonder around their own dream world – similar to a dream, and appear. The difference between dreaming souls and dreaming bodies would not be apparent to dream-walkers.

Now I come full circle: the Third Constant was a ‘grey area' as far as rules are concerned. Hence, the DO's presence can be exerted there, at least with the same strength as he can exert on the Physical world. Hence, he is able to ‘resurrect' the dead, by ‘hacking' the universe. By cheating the game. The multiple directions of movements along the thread are evidence of this, ‘cheating' fate.

A long road to a short answer, but there you are. A lot of unconnected theorising there, so I'm sure you can tear this bit apart.

(4e) The One Power and All Its Fruity Flavours.

Evidence: Egwene/Moirane “There is nothing that burns that water cannot quench or air cannot blow out, no rock that water or air cannot wear away.”

There has been comment in the past that rather than Power Differentiations between Saidin, Saidar, and Saidark, it is rather a matter of taste. Saidark ‘tastes' Evil, Saidin ‘tastes' masculine (violent, etc., as Rand's POV Shows), and Saidar ‘tastes' feminine (as the ‘flower' shows). I believe I have already explained my reasoning for at least the superiority of Saidark. Why would the Darkfriends turn to the DO if they were not promised greater power? Specifically Forsaken, though the exceptions among them are notes in the Guide. Demandred turned from the light because – and he was not an unintelligent man – he wanted greater power. As did Lanfear. Most of the Forsaken, who have access to Saidark, did this. Asmodean, who instead wanted to be arty for eternity, did not use Saidark often, and this is testified by his thin connections to the DO. I believe that this character-based argument is sufficient to prove that Saidark is the more RAWLY powerful of the filtered powers. Remember, if used skilfully, I'm sure Saidar could outdo Saidark. It has been shown that with skill, it can outdo Saidin.

It has also been pointed out that more and more exceptions to the rule of females being less powerful than males in the One Power are occuring. But, despite the occurrence of powerful Saidar-weilders like Nynaeve and Alivia, the general rule (including the AoL records), show that males are stronger in Raw Power than females. Despite the exceptions, there are, with the appearance of more Asha'man, more examples that concede to the rule.

That's it! That was fun! As I said, any help with the quotes I can't find would be obliged, but I think enough evidence is directly quoted to make it viable. Tear it to pieces boys!