Blood and Ashes: A Wheel of Time Spoilercast

Welcome back to a very special episode of the podcast. One with a touching dedication which I'll let Jody make in the episode itself.

Then we get back to our regular shenanigans, recapping and discussing Rand's coterie of women that can't seem to leave him alone, Egwene and Aviendha's burgeoning friendship, a healthy dose of teaching from the Wise Ones, and a darkhound attack. Mat is also there. And you can cut the tension between Rand and Aviendha with a knife.

Rand reveals his next move to the Aiel clan chiefs and permanently frustrated Moiraine, and before we call it a day we check in with Nynaeve, Elayne, Thom and Juilin as a nice teaser for the next episode.

Send in all your thoughts, corrctions, theories, enlightening essays and just about anything you can think of using the links below!

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Enjoy!
Mo, Willie and Jody

Oh boy, oh boy, oh boy! A new episode and a new book!

Right off the bat we get into some serious plotting. First between Elaida and her cronies and then 4 of the Forsaken working together! For now...

Meanwhile Rand is in Rhuidean planning his next move and taking Saidin 101 with his pet Forsaken bard, while Mat spends his time gambling, drinking and philandering.

We also join up with the White Tower escapees as they come face to face with none other than Gareth Bryne himself! Setting into motion a chain of events with massive repercussions.

Let us know what you think about this passage, our recounting thereof and our general musing on the subject matter! You can reach us via any of the links below.

• Twitter - @BloodAndAshPod
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Enjoy!
Mo, Willie and Jody

Well here we are again, a season finale!

We have a very cathartic end to "The Siege of the Two Rivers", Rand throws the cat among the pigeons in the Aiel Waste and then has a showdown with a Forsaken while wrecking an entire city. Good times!

We also discuss the book as a whole and talk about our favorite moments from The Shadow Rising.

Let us know what you think of the book, of the podcast or even our thoughts by using any of the links below:

• Twitter - @BloodAndAshPod
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And lastly, here's that link I promised in the Callbacks section:
13th Depository - http://13depository.blogspot.com/

Enjoy!
Mo, Willie and Jody

Right! We're in it now folks! The penultimate episode for The Shadow Rising.

Perrin has a showdown with Slayer in the Wolf Dream, Loial and Gaul return from their mission to seal the Waygate, and Perrin and Faile tie the knot. All in one chapter.

Then we have our intrepid Black Ajah hunters in Tanchico pull off a heist from the Panarch's palace, managing to find their quarry, face down one of the Forsaken, take out a Black Ajah sister, rescue the Panarch and avoid a balefire blowout. Also all in one chapter.

It's all happening!

So after you've listened to the episode get in touch and send us your thoughts via:

• Twitter - @BloodAndAshPod
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Enjoy!

Mo, Willie and Jody

Hello friends! Things are really starting to hot up now...

Rand and friends arrive at Cold Rocks hold and get a crash course in Aiel custom. Rand ingratiates himself with the Maidens of the Spear, but the hold is attacked in the night by trollocs and multiple Draghkar! But not before Rand has a steamy Waterwood dream...

In Tanchico our intrepid investigators have located the Black Ajah sisters, and after a bit of dream exploitation they also find the object they're looking for: The Domination Bands. Nynaeve also runs into the panarch, some Black Ajah, and oh, one of the Forsaken while in the world of dreams. Yikes! 

We're barreling toward the climax of this book and it's fantastic. So after you've listened to the episode get in touch and send us your thoughts!

• Twitter - @BloodAndAshPod
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Enjoy!

Mo, Willie and Jody

And we're back!

In this week's episode we get a great mix of plotlines.

Perrin settles into the leadership role in Emond's Field and finally comes face to face with Dain Bornhald and his Whitecloaks.

Nynaeve and Elayne bumble their way through the dangerous streets of Tanchico but get their bacon saved by everyone's least hated Seanchan officer, before coming face to face with someone truly terrifying.

Rand and Mat shoot the breeze with the shifty peddlers they met in the waste and finally arrive at Cold Rocks Hold.

But in the most monumental chapter of this stretch the poop hits the proverbial fan at the White Tower as Elaida makes her move, which sends Min, Siuane, Leanne, Gawyn and Logain down their individual paths to... what? Time will tell! (But we know, right?)

Join us online and let's discuss!

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Enjoy, friends!

Mo, Willie and Jody

Hello friends!

In December Willie and I participated in the WoTaHoliday 24h charity stream for the Lightweaver Foundation where we discussed the short story "The Strike at Shayol Ghul".

In the season 1 finale of the Wheel of Time series on Amazon they actually did a cold open set in this time, so it turns out our discussion was quite timely!

The stream itself is archived and available on the Malkier Talks YouTube channel, and the charity we were supporting can be found here.

Hope you enjoy and share your thoughts with us via the social media links below! 

• Twitter - @BloodAndAshPod
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Enjoy!

Mo

In this stretch of chapters we focus solely on Perrin and his exploits in the Two Rivers as he comes to grip with the expectations placed on him by his fellow farmers and villagers.

First he stuns his trolloc hunting party by being very familiar with the Tinkers and their ways, undergoes a bit of healing in the Tinker camp and eventually makes his way back to a now well fortified Emond's Field where his work truly begins organising the locals.

The Aes Sedai are there, out in the open now, and it's a good thing since Perrin actually requires some serious One Power healing from Allana. But he has no time to rest as the village is almost immediately attacked by 500 trollocs and 3 fades!

What happens!? Listen and find out!

Then formulate your thoughts on this episode and send them to us at:

• Twitter - @BloodAndAshPod
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Enjoy, friends!

Mo, Willie and Jody

We get treated to wide range of points of view this week as we check in with our main cast and a number of ancillary characters we haven't seen in a while. Some pleasant, some less so...

Rand, Mat, Moiraine, Lan and the Aiel have departed from Rhuidean and have made their way to Imre Stand. But things are not exactly going to plan.

We jump to Tanchico as Nynaeve, Elayne, Thom and Juilin arrive on the Seafolk Raker, and get some great plot development from Egeanin's point of view as she glimpses a number of familiar faces. 

The girls team up with Bayle Domon to root out the Black Ajah, and we get some extened scenes with Jaichim Carridin and the Black Ajah sisters before we jump all the way to the Two Rivers where Perrin is waging an ongoing assault on the trollocs that have invaded his homeland.

There is plotting, scheming, massive implications for long standing loyalties, multiple battles and a particularly rowdy night in an inn for Elayne. Quite the smorgasbord of plotlines, so enjoy!

Send us your feedback by clicking any of the hyperlinks below!

• Twitter - @BloodAndAshPod
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Enjoy, friends!

Mo, Willie and Jody

Welcome back! In this episode we stick with the two main plotlines: Perrin in the Two Rivers and Rand, Mat & Egwene in the Waste.

Perrin is starting to come into his own, giving orders to respected Two Rivers elders, barking at Aes Sedai and organising the farm folk against the dual assault of Whitecloaks and Trollocs. He also puts Slayer in his place and it all just feels... right. And everyone agrees!

Rand and Mat emerge from Rhuidean to, well, not exactly exultation and fanfare. In fact, it's downright hostility from the get-go, even from Aviendha. But Rand knows what needs doing and sets his own path now. 

Mat. Wonderful, cocky Mat. Always ready to lighten the mood. Bless him.

Send us your feedback by clicking any of the hyperlinks below!

• Twitter - @BloodAndAshPod
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Enjoy, friends!

Mo, Willie and Jody

And now for something completely different... Well, somewhat different.

Join us for a trip down memory lane as we travel with Rand through the history of the Aiel in the glass columns in Rhuidean. We recount his visions in chronological order in a bid to make it more digestible. Let us know if we succeeded at all!

Then Perrin, Faile, Gaul, Bain, Chiad and Loial have an encounter in the Ways before making it to Emond's field and getting some bad news.

It's an emotional roller coaster this episode, so hold onto your feelings, we're going in...

Send your corrections, theories and comments via the links below:

• Twitter - @BloodAndAshPod
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Enjoy, friends!

Mo, Willie and Jody

We're in for a real treat here, folks!

Not only do we get a very rare glimpse into the thoughts of our favorite Blue Ajah champion, but we get a big dose of culture and lore dumps from not one, but TWO thus far mysterious nations: The Sea folk and our beloved Aiel!

Nynaeve and Elayne book passage on a Sea Folk raker, making some interesting discoveries in the process. They're joined by Thom and Juilin as the group sets off for Tanchico.

Rand, Mat, Egwene, Moiraine and Lan set off for the Waste with their company of Aiel warriors, but not before Rand does something pretty incredible in the Heart of the Stone to keep the Tairen nobles in line.

It's another doozy of an episode coming in at well over 3h, so sit back and enjoy!

Reach out to us using any of the links below:

• Twitter - @BloodAndAshPod
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Enjoy, friends!

Mo, Willie and Jody

There's a lot going on here. 

In this episode Perrin sets off via the Ways on his quest to liberate the Two Rivers from the Whitecloaks, in a bizarre and spiteful arrangement with Faile. Good thing they have Aiel backup.

Egwene meets Amys in Tel'aran'rhiod and is summoned to The Waste to learn about Dreaming. 

Nynaeve, Elayne and Aviendha prepare to leave for Tanchico, and Moiraine asks Thom to accompany them after meeting with the Aelfinn. 

Oh, and Rand and Mat also go see the Aelfinn, nearly destroying their world in the process.

We even have some romantic moments, one subtle and touching, the other ridiculous and over-the-top, but they're both great.

We hope you enjoy it! Let us know:

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Enjoy, friends!

Mo, Willie and Jody

I hope you like The Stone of Tear, because we're still here. Much to the frustration of Moiraine.

The girls are having no luck squeezing information out of the captured Black Ajah sisters. And Moiraine is having no luck pushing Rand into action. 

Elayne is trying to process her feelings for Rand, so after she and Egwene take a crack at learning something about Saidin and Saidar and their differences, Elayne hangs back and declares her feelings for Rand. Sort of.

Speaking of hanging, Rand is starting to consider it as a suitable treatment for the High Lords of Tear. Can't say I disagree. 

Then all hell breaks loose when Lanfear shows up and Rand's hand is forced to make a decision about what happens next. Exciting stuff indeed!

We also reference two episodes of The Podcast of the Dragon. They are Episode 25: The Power of Nope and Episode 26: Thus Do We Sing the Beginning. Great content and I highly recommend them both, especially Episode 25.

Tell us what you think by reaching out via any of the following social media links:

• Twitter - @BloodAndAshPod
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Enjoy, friends!

Mo, Willie and Jody

It might be a new book but we pick up right where we left off. Almost.

After checking in with Min who's finally made her way to the White Tower we also get a brief catch up with some of our least favourite characters. Padan Fain, Dain Bornhald and High Lady Suroth. Gross.

And then it's straight back to The Stone of Tear where all breaks loose when a bubble of evil targets our 3 favourite ta'veren. It's an action packed stretch but somehow we still get distracted by a double entendre, revel in the radness that is everything related to The Maidens of the Spear and are all repulsed by the High Lords of Tear.

Despite all the black hearts present in this stretch we still have lots of laughs and manage to come up with some theories ripe for correction, so please do chime in using any of the below social media links.

• Twitter - @BloodAndAshPod
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Enjoy!

Mo, Jo and Wil

And here we are, the finale for The Dragon Reborn!

Mat, Perrin, Rand, the girls, Moiraine, the Aiel and just about every person you can think of converge on The Heart of the Stone and action ensues!

We summarize the final chapters, pick our favorite moment from the episode and then spend a bit of time talking about the book as a whole and pick our favorite moment (thing?) from the book as a whole.

Clear your schedule, sit back and enjoy the climactic end of The Dragon Reborn!

Mo, Willie & Jody

Oh boy, Tear is bursting with ta'veren as virtually everyone converges on the troubled city. 

Nynaeve, Egwene and Elayne arrive and immediately set about tracking down the Black Ajah with the help of a fan favorite character. 

Perrin, Moiraine, Lan, Faile and Loial arrive and take up lodging next to a smithy where Perrin gets to flex some old muscles. Literally and figuratively. And as a result his axe gets some competition from a new hammer...

Mat and Thom arrive in the rain, at night, but immediately start searching for the girls and Comar and Mat's luck runs wild.

All this to set up a climactic finale, and yet we still get distracted by Mortal Kombat, clog design sensibilities and a double entendre that almost completely derails us. We also (foolishly) thought this might be a shorter episode due to the smaller number of chapters. Haha, how naïve we were.

Let us know what you think as we get ready for the big finale in the next episode!

• Twitter - @BloodAndAshPod
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Enjoy!

Mo, Jo and Wil

Things are getting pretty hectic right off the bat with Perrin and co. arriving in Illian, getting attacked almost immediately, discovering some disturbing things about forces of the Shadow and making a run for Tear.

Mat also fends off an attempt on his life with the help of Thom, on their way to Caemlyn to deliver Elayne's letter. The city seems to be under a malevolent influence but Mat makes his way to the Queen and her... advisor. He learns of a plot on Elayne's life and immediately sets off for Tear, where the girls are also heading.

But of course we also need to talk about female Trollocs and Native East African languages. Speculation with no real evidence abounds. Come join the fun!

• Twitter - @BloodAndAshPod
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Enjoy!

Mo, Jo and Wil

And we're back! Join us as we dust off the ol' brain cobwebs after a full week's break and dive right back into The Dragon Reborn. And BOY, what a set of chapters...

Perrin spies on some Forsaken, manages to piss off Moiraine to no end and has to constantly spar with Faile. Verbally, obviously.

Rand is... struggling. Haggard from the constant attacks he's lashing out in spectacular fashion.

Mat pretends not to be a hero while acting extremely heroically and cracking wise.

But the women steal the show. Nynaeve, Egwene and Elayne encounter their first Aiel, and holy cow, do the sparks fly. Nynaeve conjures some insane weaves, and Aviendha and the Maidens of the Spear kick the door down. Literally.

True to form we find all sorts of miniscule detail to ponder when we're not nerding out about how rad everyone is being. Or mad. Depends on the POV.

Send us your thoughts and feedback via any of the following links:

• Twitter - @BloodAndAshPod
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Enjoy!

Mo, Jo and Wil

Just as we get used to being in the Tower, everyone hits the road! Or the river, as the case may be.

Mat defies all laws of physics in both an altercation in the streets of Tar Valon, and at the dicing tables. Plus he runs into an old friend and they set off together on another grand adventure!

We also catch up with Perrin who is suddenly confronted by two elements from Min's viewings about him. His life is about to get really complicated...

We have our usual mix of irreverence and pedantry, but the majority of the episode is pure plot progress as our friends set out in the world and take care of business!

Send us your thoughts and feedback via any of the following links:

• Twitter - @BloodAndAshPod
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Enjoy!

Mo, Jo and Wil