Who would win in a fight, Vain or findail?

[Dirty Whirl]

This question is a bit more superficial than most asked on the watch, I think, but im interested in what everyone thinks. I don't think that we can just say that Vain would win becuase findail couldn't escape from him, because we have to remember that findail didn't want to partially damage him, just completely destroy him. Thats an assumption based on the fact that he healed him after the warped urvile fight.

[Warmark]

I'd have to read reread ost of the Second Chrons to give an accurate answer, but, i'd definatley want Vain to win.

[A Gunslinger]

Givne their dual nature and Findail immortality...I'd have to say it would be an ageless draw.

[Relayer]

We also have to consider that Vain was able to escape from Elemesnedene. It appeared that the Elohim were trying to keep him from escaping, but there's too much we don't know...

Were they unwilling to stop him at all costs, including actually killing him, and hence he was able to escape?

Since they recognized the need Vain served, was it somehow a ruse? i.e. if they could stop him from continuing with the quest they might have hoped to force our favorite Sun-Sage to take the ring.

Were all of the Elohim trying to stop him, or only some of them?

Is any one Elohim (Findail) as powerful as the collective?

[iQuestor]

SRD would win, of course.

[A Gunslinger]

SRD would win, of course.

There is the ONLY answer!

[The Dark Overlord]

How about a tie?

[A Gunslinger]

I had posed the tie as an outcome...perhaps the battle would rouse the worm?

[Creator]

Actually I believe Findail would win if he could fight.

Consider the following from The White Gold Weilder:

A moment later, Vain appeared.
.... His wooden forearm had been darkened
and charred, but the damage was only superficial.

His left arm was withered and useless, like a congenital
deformity. Pain oozed from several deep sores. Mottled
streaks the color of ash marred his ebony flesh..

This was after Vain attacked the sunbane defored ur-viles. Clearly THEY had the power to hurt him [and most likely destroy him if the party had not moved on which compelled Vain to follow.]

Then consider the following passage:

Findail.... addressed Vain.
"Do not believe that you will win my heart with bravery."
His voice was congested with old dismay, covert and un-
mistakable fear. His eyes seemed to search the Demondim-
spawn's inscrutable soul. "I desire your death. If it lay within
the permit of my Wurd, I would slay you. But these comrades
for whom you care nothing have again contrived to redeem
you." He paused as if he were groping for courage, then
concluded softly, "Though I abhor your purpose, the Earth
must not suffer the cost of your pain."

Suddenly lambent, his right hand reached out to Vain's left
shoulder. An instant of fire blazed from the touch, cast
startling implications which only Linden could hear into the
fathomless night. Then it was gone. Findail left Vain, went
to stand like a sentinel confronting the moonlit prospect of
tile east.

.....

Vain's left arm was whole, completely restored to its
original beauty and function.

"The PERMIT of his Wurd" - this suggests to me that Findail has ample 'power' to kill Vain. It his his 'Wurd' that keeps him from exercising his power in such a fashion.

Near to the end, Findail apparently overcame his Wurd! lol Knocking Vain off an abyss

"Fall!" the Appointed raged. His fists hammered the air.
The rock under Vain's feet ruptured in splinters. "Fall and
die!"

The Demondim-spawn fell. With the slowness of nightmare,
he dropped straight into the abyss.

However,

At the same instant, his dead arm lashed out, struck like a
snake. His right hand closed on FindaiTs forearm. The Ap-
pointed was pulled after him over the edge.

and later we find out from Findail:

—He has compelled me to preserve him!

"preserve him" - apparently Vain needed Findail's help to survive!

I think the evidence is clear. Absent restrictions of Wurd; in a one-on-one battle; Findail would easily destroy Vain!!

[A Gunslinger]

Creator...you ROCK!!! Great analysis!! I hereby bow to your superior skill.

*doffs cap*

[Creator]

Creator...you ROCK!!! Great analysis!! I hereby bow to your superior skill.

*doffs cap*

Awwwww Thanks!!