Given the similarities, it begs the question: would you rather be an Aes Sedai or a Jedi?
Aes Sedai have much cooler outfits (the Asha'man have a uniform, so we're ignoring them for this argument). They can choose an Ajah depending on their strengths. They do have to like the color of the Ajah though since it's common practice to dress in the color of your chosen division. Attachments aren't forbidden, and it's not uncommon for the Green Ajah to take husbands. They get rings and shawls and have the freedom to travel. The use of saidar (the female side of the One Power) gives them a quality of agelessness. They still age, but their appearance doesn't show it. They can use the One Power to make themselves impervious to feeling heat or cold. Imagine never sweating. It's a beautiful thing.
But Jedi have lightsabers, and that alone counts for a lot. I'd rather have a weapon at my side just in case something goes wrong. The politics within the Jedi order are nowhere near as deep as they are within the halls of the White Tower. The Jedi don't struggle for power the way the Aes Sedai do. I'll admit it could have something to do with the fact that the Aes Sedai are all women. Emphasis on could. The Jedi can influence the weak-minded, and ultimately, I think the Force is more powerful. It's less like magic. The Jedi are more selfless. They serve the ultimate good of the galaxy, or at least they strive to. I never feel like they're trying to rule the galaxy or even manipulate it. The Aes Sedai are masters at twisting truths (Obi-Wan would fit right in).
Which would you choose?
I cheat. I own three lightsabers and a Great Serpent ring.
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