To Shaggy:
Its also quite possible that the Horn of Valerie is a red herring (we must remember it played no role at the end of the AOL) and will not have a significant role in AMOL at all. RJ is said to have intended to have left certain subplots unresolved in AMOL. Moreover, we know he had intended to write an outrigger novel based 10 years after Tarmon Goidon centered on Mat and Tuon in which the Horn of Valeire could have played a part.
That could be, that would make an interesting outrigger, but I don't think so. The horn is supposed to bring the heroes from the AOL's back to battle the DO. RJ was pretty good about setting up characters and other events. How many books had one or two sentences about Logain before he became a part of the story? I think the Horn of Valere is the same way. I think he talked about it just enough, so that when he goes back to it we'll remember the importance of it.
I think that since this series was originally supposed to be a six book series(??), and the role that the horn played in the first couple of books, and that he knew from the get go how the series would end, I think the horn definitely plays a part. On top of that it'll probably be the pivotal point in the battle.
I'm wondering if Jain Farstrider has a role in the final book or not? So far it doesn't seem like he even belongs in the story. Here's what it says about him in the glossary.
A hero of the northern lands who journeyed to many lands and had many adventures; the author of many books, as well as being the subject of books and stories. He vanished in 981 NE, after returning from a trip into the Great Blight which some said had taken him all the way to Shayol Ghul.
He could be a red herring, however, lets say he's not. What's his purpose? There is a group of nomads cruising around looking for a song, I forget the groups name, I think that perhaps the song is tied to Jain Farstrider, and maybe even the Horn of Valere.
Another possibility could be, and I don't know where 981 NE fits into a time line, but maybe he got changed into an Ogre while at Shayul Ghul. Maybe that is where the Ogre population originated from?
Anyone else have any thoughts about this or anything else?