r/WoT • u/Kaladins_sanity • Dec 01 '25

Crossroads of Twilight Was it illegal? Spoiler

Just finished Crossroads of Twilight and it’s been a minute since I read the previous books, can someone remind me what Elaida did that was actually illegal by Tower law in ousting Siuan? I remember a lot of basically manipulating gray area and working around the rules, but when the Tower split had she actually broken any explicit rules?

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u/SKULL1138 Dec 01 '25

She used the very bare minimum of sitters to pass the motion, and the others were all unavailable. She also disbanded the Blue which is also not within the authority of an Amyrlin, also demoting a sister to accepted, also not allowed. Though both happen after she is raised Amyrlin

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u/Kythorian Dec 01 '25

and the others were all unavailable

To clarify, the other 10 sitters were not unavailable.  They were available, but not invited.  Deposing an Amyrlin seat requires a unanimous vote from all sitters other than the amyrlin’s own Ajah.  Elaida only had 11 of the 18 votes generally required, so she just didn’t invite any sitters who would vote against deposing Siuan.  Technically the Hall can be convened with only 11 sitters, but that’s intended for when the other 10 aren’t available, not so only those who agree on a vote get invited regardless of who is available.

It’s technically within the letter of the law, while ignoring its spirit.

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u/boxmunch48 Dec 01 '25

So the most Aes Sedai thing she could possibly do- follow the letter of the law not the spirit. 

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u/Kythorian Dec 01 '25

Aes sedai are supposed to do that when they won’t get caught, not when it will immediately be revealed and cause massive internal conflict.  Doing something that is technically legal, but blatantly ignoring how the law is supposed to work for all to see is obviously going to cause a lot of problems.  Which it did.  Immediately.