alwer: More than he seems
by Balwer: 2004-05-06 | Not yet rated
No, I'm not just trying to pump up my namesake's reputation. I honestly believe that Balwer is too knowledgeble and useful to have the simple purpose and simple motives he professes.
TITLE: Path of Daggers, CHAPTER: 8 - A Simple Country Woman
"Lini and Tallanvor—that was what he had heard Maighdin call the fellow who had ridden after her; "young" Tallanvor, though there could not have been more than four or five years between them if that—stayed as close behind Maighdin as possible, with Aram in the way trying to heel Perrin. So did a little stick of a fellow with a pursed mouth, called Balwer, who seemed to pay less heed to their surroundings than Maighdin pretended. Even so, Perrin thought Balwer saw more than she did. He could not say why, precisely, but the few times he had caught the bony little man's scent, he had been minded of a wolf testing the air. Strangely, there was no fear in Balwer, only quickly suppressed ridges of irritation shot through with the quivery smell of impatience."
Why did he help Morgase and company escape? He hated the Whitecloaks, but still worked for them. So why couldn't he just stay with the Seanchan, as they seem to be pretty decent rulers and accepting of locals in positions of power. Given his skill and talent, in six months he could have been an advisor at any palace in the world. Why tromp through the snow with a half-crazy guy who's probably gonna get himself slaughtered by the Shaido? Why does the ex-spymaster of the Whitecloaks content himself with petty wrangling with Cha Faile to give advice to a crazy man? It doesn't pan out.
TITLE: Crossroads of Twilight, CHAPTER: 25 - When to Wear Jewels
"My Lord; my Lady First," Balwer said in that dry voice, ducking a bow in his saddle, a sparrow bobbing on a branch. His eyes flickered toward the Aes Sedai behind them, but that was the only sign he gave that he was aware of the sisters. "My Lord, I recalled that I have an acquaintance in this So Habor. A cutler who travels with his wares, but he may be at home, and I've not seen him in several years." This was the first time he had ever mentioned having a friend anywhere, and a town buried in the north of Altara seemed a peculiar place for it, but Perrin nodded. He suspected there was more to this friend than Balwer was letting on. He was beginning to suspect there was more to Balwer than the man let on."
I think he's a darkfriend, sent by one of the Forsaken to gain the trust of a ta'veren close to Rand and then bit by bit, while he's irrational, lead him astray and turn him towards the Shadow (possibly suggest that he conduct an alliance with what turn out to be darkfriends against the Shaido). Not a helluva a lot of evidence (practically none, in fact) but logically it seems to make sense.
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1
Tamyrlin: 2004-08-04
Now, I think Balwer is interesting, but I don't see why you peg him as a darkfriend. I mean, it is easy to suggest such a thing regarding any mysterious character, which is what people suggest regarding Verin's odd behavior. Obviously, Perrin is suspicious of the man. I think Balwer is an unexamined character, and a more comprehensive theory is necessary to explain his motivations.
2
Him-who-may: 2004-08-04
The reason Balwer hates the Whitecloaks after working for them is that he was not loyal to the Whitecloaks, just Pedron Niall.
Also the new Lord Captain Commander, Eamon Valda, is well known to hate Balwer and the feeling is shared.
Therefore these two things cause him to resent and hate the Whitecloaks.
Its also a possibility, what with Balwer's skills, that he was awear of the plot to kill Niall but I think it unlikley as surely he'd have warned him.
3
waterbucket: 2004-08-04
I strongly doubt Balwer is a darkfriend. He acts the way he acts because it's his nature. Balwer was the former whitecloak spymaster, so there is more to him then he's letting on to Perrin, that doesn't mean he's a darkfriend.
4
snakes-n-foxes: 2004-08-04
I always got the impression that Balwer was the 'Professor type'. By that I mean, he is very very analytical/intelligent about the world around him. He is so far the most intelligent 'intelligence' man in the book (yes, moreso than Thom I would think...but Thom has other skills Balwer doesn't).
Balwer understands that knowledge is power...but he also knows he is not a leader...
Balwer is also extremely loyal to the person, though why I have no exact Idea.
He also comes across as faintly condescending of others who cannot see what he can see (so it will be interesting when he meets Thom).
So it seems to me that the simple reason Balwer hates the Whitecloaks is Eamon Valda. Valda was not intelligent enough to realise his value, and worse, discarded him for his (Valda's) incompetence...Reason enough in Balwer's books to hate him.
As for why he'd follow perrin. I think Balwer may have very quickly put together these things...
....Perrin may be next king of Manetherin/Saldea, has the fealty of Ghealden, and the first of Mayene following him...and he's a friend to the Dragon Reborn...Perrin 'may' end up the most powerful ruler in the world after the last battle....but the biggest point is...Perrin LISTENS.
Perrin also has the beggining of an intelligence network, which I'm quite sure Balwer will eventually appropriate.
Reason enough I'd say, for Balwer to give his loyalty to Perrin.
5
Birgitte: 2004-08-04
I'm with waterbucket on this one. I just wanted to add that his friend travels with his wares so he has been a lot of places. It isn't impossible that Balwer and him have met. Also, he might be a spy for Balwer. That's what I thought initially after reading about it.
6
Anubis: 2004-08-04
this theory would make a bit of sense except for one thing. balwer was the head of the children of the lights elaborate spy network. he has hinted to perrin that this network is at perrins disposal. its taveren luck nothing more. balwer is just talking to people who were part of the old spy network. he hates the children because they're stupid and because they killed Pedron Niall.
7
Callandor: 2004-08-05
Don't think he's a Darkfriend. Have to catch him in a lie or something that leads Perrin to danger or possible danger before that is even close to being true. So far, Bawler hasn't done either to my knowledge.
8
Aelfinn: 2004-08-05
I think RJ just likes seeing us squirm about Balwer. I doubt if he'll ever reveal Balwer's true motivations.
And snakes-n-foxes, good idea.
9
Dorindha: 2004-08-10
I have a strange liking for Balwer, and mostly agree with the comments above: I don't think he is a darkfriend, and I do think he is one of the more intelligent characters of the series. His motivations are a little odd at times: I think it's reasonable that he left the Whitecloaks - he was loyal to Niall, and Valda not only hated him, but did not know his worth, and I thank Balwer looked down on him (didn't Balwer also walk in on Valda killing Omerna?). I don't know why he would have helped the Morgase party to escape, unless it was jsut from a sense of justice - Valda treated her a lot worse than Niall did, and Balwer blatently doesn't have a lot of respect for some of the Whitecloak theories. AS for his loyalty to Perrin, it might be that he is picking the winning side, or that he feels it is the place he is most needed... he doesn't strike me as the type to be bothered about the "politics" of the thing - he is there to serve his employer as far as he is able.
10
rand bloody althor: 2004-08-10
As of yet, all that we have is speculation on Balwer's light/dark status. And seeing how RJ likes to point out that we have enough information to reach conclusions on most things, I would have to say that Balwer is no darkfriend.
Put yourself in Balwer's shoes...You walk into the room to find your lord captain commander dead and Eamon Valda standing over the corpse. Your loyalty having been to Niall in the first place, not to the Children, you undo any connections to the Children that you have and look for a new employer. The taking of their fortress would only speed this decision. The two employers on hand are the Seanchan and the Queen of Andor. As a spy, you rely on knowledge of your surroundings, and with no knowledge of the Seanchan to display your abilities to any high degree to their elite, you must make the career decision to follow the Queen. Being drawn to Perrin after following the Queen away was a matter of chance for you, and allows you to advise a much more powerful person than Morgase...Simple career moves. It is logical that as a spy master, you have contacts around the country. And it is pretty logical to have a merchant contact in So Harbor, or anywhere for that matter, bc merchants obtain info much quicker than the average joe in Randland.
11
Sagara: 2004-09-04
Honestly, i would say Balwer is a common person who is loyal and morally upright. It just so happens that Balwer has an uncanny ability to get information. He is loyal to Pedron, so he is angry at the Whitecloaks. He kinds of takes revenge by helping Morgase escape, and at the same time fulfills him being morally upright. I can't say why he didn't choose serving the Seanchan. Maybe he's racist... Moving on, when he met Perrin, he could have seen traits in Perrin that he liked in Pedron, making him like Perrin. Also, Perrin is sort of a common guy with strong values, which Balwer can relate to and wants to support. It's kind of likely, but a lot of "if"s. Well, this isn't much of a theory, but how much can you expect from a 16 year old?
12
Aiel Finn: 2004-11-17
Balwer's choice of Perrin is quite obvious when you think of him as a spymaster extrodinaire. He leaves Amador because he has no knowledge of the new regieme and he can get out. He takes Morgasse with him because he knows that if he travels alone he will have troubles and she is a powerful person who may be able to get him a new job. When he runs into Perrin, he finds a young lord with lots of power, power which is growing everyday, and no spymaster. Also, he sees that Perrin is the type who will always consider any information he has. This is the perfect place for a spymaster to be.
Aside: 16 year olds have come up with some of the best literary theories ever.
