Heck, if they are so hard up for cash, they could sell weapons and armor! That way, the good guy would get indestructible gear, the cause gets money, and everyone profits. But, instead, in order to get MORE money for themselves, they go with useless decorative objects to adorn the palaces of the wealthy. Egwene consistently finds the worst possible ways to apply wonderful new things.
If I remember correctly they can't actually do this. The third oath is to not use the power to make weapons, is it not?
And yet, they can use it to transform a chain to block harbors so the inhabitants of a city starve. There is a lot of leeway with the Oaths. "Last extreme" of defending life should mean only after retreating is not an option. An Aes Sedai should not be able to use the Power as a weapon if she wades into the middle of a battlefield, since she has other options, like NOT doing that, or turning around and backing off. If they can do the chain or enter a battlefield, they can claim the purpose of the weapons is display or use against Shadowspawn or something. And they can certainly allow novices & Accepted to do it.
“Tolerance is the virtue of the man without convictions.” GK Chesteron
Inde muagdhe Aes Sedai misain ye!
Deus Vult!
*MySmiley*