Compulsion

This article is a stub. A longer, more in depth article will be added at a later time.

General

Compulsion is a weave that forces the victim to feel love and admiration for the person who is using it and to be filled with an overwhelming desire to do as they instruct (TSR, Ch. 46). There are limits (TSR, Ch. 46), though these depend on how much of a talent the person has. There are many possible uses and variants. Graendal uses compulsion like a hammer, with no subtly leaving little more than fawning servants, incapable of independent action (TFoH, Prologue). She is however capable of using it subtly, so that no trace can be detected (LoC, Ch. 6). It is a complex weave of Spirit streaked by Water and Air. (TSR, Ch. 54), it can be sliced by spirit (TSR, Ch. 54).

During the War of the Shadow, it was a potent weapon. People were forced to serve the Shadow against their will. Others were converted to undercover agents, to betray the Light at the most damaging times (TWoRJTWoT, Ch. 4).

Compulsion can be unravelled and its effects undone (LoC, Ch. 6). Some people's strength of will and sense of self is so strong that compulsion is never complete and must be reapplied constantly (TFoH, Prologue). Rahvin must do this with Morgase (TFoH, Prologue). When Nynaeve sees Moghedien in Tel'aran'rhiod,she remembers compulsion being used on her (TSR, Ch. 52). Compulsion in Tel'aran'rhiod is stronger than in the real world (TFoH, Ch. 34). It has many limits, but a command to-do what someone wants to do in their inmost depths will hold for a lifetime. (TFoH, Ch. 34). If used unwisely, a victim could lose a day or more, or be slower of wits (ACoS, Ch. 30). It can be used to give a person false memories (TPoD, Ch. 12).

Liandrin knows a simple version, that makes a person more easily persuaded (TFoH, Ch. 34). She uses her weak form on Amalisa to force her to help search for Rand (TGH, Ch. 5). The Blue Ajah has a weave that is in some ways similar to compulsion, but is limited to planting a suggestion in a person's mind (NS, Ch. 23). Verin pieces together a rough form of compulsion form weaves novices half remembered (TPoD, Prologue). It makes a person more susceptible and she uses it to persuade the Aes Sedai captives to swear to Rand. Emotional vulnerability helps and trust is essential

Miscellaneous

Egwene believed that Rand might have used compulsion on the captures sisters, to Pevara, that was forbidden so the possibility didn't occur (Robert Jordan's blog, Friday, January 20th, 2006).

Moghedien uses it on Nynaeve and Elayne (TSR, Ch. 46).

Rahvin uses compulsion on Alteima to get the truth about why she left Tear. Her main concern is that it might put him off her (TFoH, Ch. 1).

Compulsion is one of the weaves that Elayne and Nynaeve learn form Moghedien but do not pass on (LoC, Prologue).

Graendal refuses to teach the Shaido Wise Ones compulsion (ACoS, Ch. 20).

Moghedien uses compulsion on her sedan bearers. Until she releases them, they would die of hunger before letting anyone in (ACoS, Ch. 30). She doesn't have much of a talent for compulsion (ACoS, Ch. 30)

Compulsion is prohibited by the Tower, even weaves that are similar are not allowed (TPoD, Prologue).

Graendal uses compulsion on Moghedien and Cyndane (TPoD, Ch. 12).

Forms of compulsion are a common wilder trick, but it is so strongly discouraged that by the time training has gone long, few can remember much about it (TPoD, Prologue). Theodrin had this (LoC, Ch. 8).

Egwene turns down the suggestion of altering the warder bond to bond Asha'man as it is too like compulsion (CoT, Ch. 30).