RJ stuffed up... - Edit 1
Before modification by Shannow at 08/05/2011 02:15:55 PM
To me it makes sense that every Channeler would have numerous angreal if possible. It also makes sense to me that there would be many angreal identical to one another (like Elayne's ter'angreal). If you can make one you would likely make more of the same in one sitting. Since there doesn’t seem to be a limit to how many angreal you can use at one time then I would think angreal, even in a time of peace, would be wanted by the masses of Channelers.
The only reason I can think of that there is not a lot of angreal is that they must be very difficult to make. The only other reason I can think of as to why there is not more is that maybe the production of angreal was limited by the Aes Sedai themselves; however over a period as long as the AoL was it seems like there should be millions of angreal even if production was limited or they were difficult to make.
The only reason I can think of that there is not a lot of angreal is that they must be very difficult to make. The only other reason I can think of as to why there is not more is that maybe the production of angreal was limited by the Aes Sedai themselves; however over a period as long as the AoL was it seems like there should be millions of angreal even if production was limited or they were difficult to make.
There are a number of instances where RJ appears to have committed errors of logic in favour of plot requirements. Two of these relate to the apparent lack of effort required in the construction of angreal and cuendillar.
By having Elayne construct ter'angreal so easily (and by association angreal as well), and by having Egwene construct Cuendillar so easily, RJ renders absurd the idea that these two items could have been rare in any way back in the AOL.
I am not rejecting the idea of Elayne or Ewgene having these two respective Talents. But it would have been far more logical if even with these Talents, it should take Elayne months to construct a ter'angreal and that it should have taken Egwene an equal amount of time to create a small goblet of Cuendillar, rather than constructing an entire Harbour chain in a few days.
No matter how talented these two ladies are, in the AOL there were MILLIONS of powerful and talented channelers, so anything these two can achieve could have been duplicated a thousandfold back then.
The entire world should have been full of permanently indestructible Cuendillar objects in that case. And ter'angreal and angreal should have been as cheap as plastic is in our world.
I also reject the notion raised elsewhere on this thread that the Forsaken would have been unwilling to openly carry angreal, out of some sort of pride or unwillingness to admit weakness.
Lews Therin had a well publicized paralis net. He had his own personal Sa'angreal. Even the weakest of angreal appear to come close to doubling a channeler's strength. In a time of war, every advantage is sought after. Especially in an environment such as the ranks of the Shadow, where it is each man for himself.
The Forsaken should have been carrying angreal like a Mafioso carries guns.
The only reason why they did not have them at Shayol Ghul, is that the Dark One probably forbade them bringing any along. But in all other circumstances I am sure they carried loads of the stuff.
Incidentally, this also invalidates the theory that Lanfear somehow had a strength augmenting angreal hidden on her person. If the others were not allowed to bring along angreal to Shayol Ghul, she would not have been allowed to either.