“They will all be killed, with no survivors. It’s a simple process:

1.) Enter the minds of the army.
2.) Kill them all.
3.) Feel around and look for survivors.
4.) Kill them all.”

Problem is the Bond. All of Richard’s troops, about 25–33% of SoT’s total forces, are immune to psychic powers. Trying to enter their minds would be futile.

Alagaesia wiping out the force to a man would be a good hit against SoT, since they would be able to use the death words reliably again, but it isn’t too likely. SoT doesn’t march with just soldiers at once. If there are Mriswith accompanying them, they would probably go unnoticed by virtue of being invisible and resistent to searching/finding magic, and if the force was slaughtered they could report back. There are also going to be wizards and sorceresses among their ranks, who have already taken defensive precautions against general magic at least insofar as their bodily well being is concerned, and will be actively watching for any magical tricks from Alagaesia.

“Thats how wards operate in Alagaesia, not SoT. I need to know the nature of this wizards web. The only thing I could find on it is that Zedd used it to keep his identity a secret in Wizards First Rule.”

Shields operate in a similar fashion in both series.

A wizard’s web is a lingering spell that is placed around an object or person to protect it or cause an effect. They have been used to disguise identity, create and sustain illusions, form trapping webs that restrain the one they’re cast on, or create shields that stick around an area or over a person to protect them from damage or assault. For example, Demmin Nass and his quadsman had a wizard’s web placed over them in the first book that blocked any magical attack that wasn’t stronger than the web, deflecting it back at the caster. Also, shields like this are placed in strategic points in areas such as the Wizard’s Keep or the Palace of the Prophets to prevent anyone but certain people, or those with strong magic, from passing them.

“considering that most armys march without much in the way of magical support, it’s possible that the initial battles would leave the SoT with no survivors nor reliable intel. Alagaesia can psychicly track down the survivors and kill them instantly. SoT could dedicate a hero or to in order to get some intel, but that runs the risk of losing them.”

A Mriswith would make an ideal spy/intelligence officer, especially given that there’s plenty of them, not just a few, and they are invisible and undetectable to most magics. No need to risk a hero when SoT could send one of them to gather information.

@Darth Destro
i find that more than a little unlikely, as it has not taken into account master generals like Jagang the Just and Kahlan Amnell. They would not just stand still while their armies are being blown to pieces, they would figure out a counterattack. Secondly the “kill them all with death words” fails to take into account one very simple fact: Mord-Sith are among the Rahl armies. Though in small numbers, I have already explained their lethal abilities. If even Galbatorix tried to cast something as simple as a Death Word on a Mord-Sith, it would be the last bit of harm he would ever do to his future mistress. Oh, I’d just love to see Cara get her Agiel onto Galbatorix…

I’ll have to second AHEM. If Galbatorix took to the field he wouldn’t go after the mord- sith but the super powerful magicians

““I’ll have to second AHEM. If Galbatorix took to the field he wouldn’t go after the mord- sith but the super powerful magicians”

And he’d be quite a force in that department. I don’t think there’s anyone or anything in SoT, shy of Orden, that could bring down Galbatorix. It would probably take two dozen of SoT’s strongest wizards and sorceresses working together to bring him down, especially if he had Murtagh and Thorn for backup.”

I agree. The suggestion of Cara bringing down Galbatorix was not meant as plausible, but as a demonstration of what the Mord-Sith can do. Though it would be cool if Galbatorix was broken by Cara or Bridene…

“Not to mention the dragon Shurikan that’s by his side 24/7″

Yes, a good point. I think I mentioned some posts back that it would be very implausible for a Mord-Sith to be able to capture a Dragon Rider, because the dragon doesn’t actively use magic to be captured and would defend their Rider. No Mord-Sith is immune to a big set of claws.

“I also seriously doubt he could survive a direct attack from Nicholas the Slide, who’s soul stealing bypasses all magical defenses.”

Nicholas is explicitly vulnerable to psychic attacks. A telepath can enter his mind and incapacitate him at the speed of thought, quicker than he can summon his Slide attack. He can only attack with his Slide powers at normal human reflex time, as evidenced when he was too slow to strike at Richard despite seeing him, and thinking about him. This would prove a fatal weakness when tested against Galbatorix’s immense mental power.

“AHEM, I was reading brisingr yesterday and it said that the power inside of Aren Brom’s ring had enough power to destroy a large castle.”

That is correct.