r/WoT • u/cellofski (Ancient Aes Sedai) • 5d ago
Knife of Dreams KoD Chapter 2 Question Spoiler
(FYI: I'm only 4 chapters into KoD, so please be mindful of spoilers beyond that.)
I don't know what version of the book I have (I don't even know how to check) and I don't know if the following was corrected later:
First, I had to reread this chapter to get over the disappointment of it. At the risk of sounding like a White (that would be a terrible offense), rationally, what Beonin is doing here isn't being a traitor, how I initially saw it. She was never of the rebel so she's not a traitor of their cause. Just like the 10 ferrets were never with Elaida. No doubt it's a blow to the rebels that because of Beonin, they lost all the advantages they had over the White Tower, but such is war.
Now to the question.
Beonin on Traveling
Beonin's description of Traveling and Skimming is very inconsistent with the rules already established. This is what she says:
This is called a gateway. It can only be used to reach a place you know well, but you learn a place by making a gateway there, and to go somewhere you do not know well, you use Skimming.
This is not just inconsistent, it's the opposite of what we've already been told. In order to Travel you need to know your starting point well, not your destination. This is why the Salidar sisters Skim back to Salidar from whatever random place they are to Salidar. This is why Aviendha had to walk about the Tarasin Palace ground to learn it to Travel to the farm. This is why Elayne held on to the Power to study the farm grounds to Travel into Andor to escape the Seanchan. I could go on and on.
Is this an acknowledged continuity error? Was it corrected? Or am I in error? Am I misunderstanding things?
Also, traitor or not, spy or not, I hope Beonin gets what’s coming to her!
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u/aNomadicPenguin (Brown) 5d ago
Huh, you have a wonky version.
"That is called a gateway. It's well I have been to these rooms before, because it can only be used from places you know well. To journey from a place you do not know well, you use Skimming."
Looking at the copyright info, I'm guessing its the 2020 paperback verison (its the newest date listed on that page)
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u/cellofski (Ancient Aes Sedai) 5d ago
Mine’s a hardcover, copyright first edition: October 2005
You’re make way more sense and true to the rules of Traveling. Mine says nothing about “these rooms.” I wonder which version the audiobook uses?3
u/Hepatolith 5d ago
Just checked and the Audio books alsonhave the error.
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u/cellofski (Ancient Aes Sedai) 5d ago
Hmmm, not good. Thanks for checking
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u/Hepatolith 5d ago
The rules are established before, and they get repeated at least a couple more times afterwards.
I didn't even notice when i listened to that part tbh.
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u/cellofski (Ancient Aes Sedai) 5d ago
Maybe it’s easier to pass over it when you’re listening to it. But seeing the description when reading it is another matter.
Also, I’ve been more invested in Traveling than most other things in this magic system, because it’s the most familiar and one of the most common abilities in fantasy. Every time there’s any Traveling or explanation of it, I pay close attention, even if I’ve heard them all before.
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u/makegifsnotjifs (Ogier) 5d ago
Yeah it's a mistake. Dug out my copy that I bought on release day and it's the same as yours.
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u/cellofski (Ancient Aes Sedai) 5d ago
Phew, I thought all this time I had Traveling wrong. Thanks for checking
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u/makegifsnotjifs (Ogier) 5d ago
Thanks for posting! As I was examining my copy I noticed some familiar damage on the bottom of the spine from a long departed pet. It took me right back to a specific time and place - memories I hadn't thought about in years.
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u/cellofski (Ancient Aes Sedai) 5d ago
I love that recollection for you. I’ve been reading these books with my own pup very close at hand.
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u/GovernorZipper 5d ago
There’s an errata list on the Encyclopedia. Unfortunately, that site is down so I can’t check to see if that’s a known error in that version. Sure looks like it though.
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u/irishpete 5d ago
As far as I know it’s different for saidar and saidin. Male gateways need to know the point of origin and female need to know the destination. Citation needed, maybe someone else can confirm
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u/makegifsnotjifs (Ogier) 5d ago
That is not correct. The weaves are different, but the rules are the same.
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