How does tying off weaves work? Once they are tied off do they still exact a toll on who first made them? The reason I am wondering how they work is why the rebel Aes Sedai never think to tie off weaves of their globes of light they all learn to make when they are novices instead of complaining of the shortage of lamp oil and candles. They could raise a lot of gold by tying off these weaves of light and attaching them to objects and selling them to the general populace who would love to save on lamp oil. Of course they could tie off gateways and make a mint on travel related businesses not to mention freighting.

Edited January 31, 201115 yr by Bolt Walt

The weave unravels after a time. The stronger the weave, the quicker it unravels. However you also need to factor in how strong the channeler is and how tightly the knot is knit.

 

So tying off a weave to conserve lamp oil during nighttime work would work while selling laps with a ball of light wouldn't. Sammael tied off the gateways he wove for the Shaido, and those unraveled within minutes. Unless you know how to tie off weaves as strongly as Lanfear does when tying off Asmodean's shield you'll end up with a lot of angry customers returning when their light suddenly goes out. This is a skill that isn't widespread among channelers. You also have to consider that Aes Sedai probably wouldn't consider selling their services as lamp makers.

Actually, the weaves need not unravel at all, regardless of their intensity (disregarding Gateways. For some reason it appears one can't tie those).

Week 7 Question: I would like to ask about knotting a weave. Does a channeler determine how long it will last when she knots it or is it dependent on her strength? If a channeler who knotted a weave died, would the weave dissipate immediately?

 

Robert Jordan Answers: The length of time the knot lasts is the choice of whoever makes the knot. It is not strength-dependent. And the knot would continue in existence if the channeler died, at least if the channeler had not set it to unravel in a certain time. Remember, tying off a weave is a way to keep the weave in existence without having to actually channel to maintain it, so once it is tied off, there is really no need for the channeler to continue living for the weave to be maintained.

Actually, the weaves need not unravel at all, regardless of their intensity (disregarding Gateways. For some reason it appears one can't tie those).

Week 7 Question: I would like to ask about knotting a weave. Does a channeler determine how long it will last when she knots it or is it dependent on her strength? If a channeler who knotted a weave died, would the weave dissipate immediately?

 

Robert Jordan Answers: The length of time the knot lasts is the choice of whoever makes the knot. It is not strength-dependent. And the knot would continue in existence if the channeler died, at least if the channeler had not set it to unravel in a certain time. Remember, tying off a weave is a way to keep the weave in existence without having to actually channel to maintain it, so once it is tied off, there is really no need for the channeler to continue living for the weave to be maintained.

 

That brings up endless possibilities! If weaves can be tied off... oh man. Also, that must be closely related to how the AoL AS maintained "standing flows" of the OP to power ter'angreal that needed the OP but were used by non-channelers.