Oathgate question and possible retcon

[Awaken Returner she/her]

While relistening to Words of Radiance, I noticed something odd. When Shallan finally activates the Oathgate, she remarks that “they have been moved opposite crem.” Adolin had to cut a doorway.

The question being, should that not have been possible? In Oathbringer, Oathgates were described to have functioned by transporting the whole device alongside anything on it. I recall Dalinar mentioning he could have transported Azimir’s dome to Urithiru. If Oathgates functioned by transporting the platforms (control building included) and not just the contents, should not have Stormseat’s Oathgate transported itself to Urithiru? If so, should not the sealed control room from Urithiru moved itself to the Shattered Plains?

I imagine the Oathgates used to function by only transporting the people and objects on top of the platform in Words of Radiance and were retconned into transporting the entire device as well in Oathbringer.

If anyone has the exact lines that would be helpful.

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Sorry about the disappearing posts, thanks for answering though! Posted twice on accident. Sorry on mobile.

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I realize you could choose how much is transported, but on WoR they transported the whole thing. The crem should not have been there.

Edited November 23, 2021 by Awaken Returner

[dannnex male]

I just responded to this but then it disappeared so I'll try again I guess

You can do both, depending on how you activate the oathgate. you can either transport the whole thing or just the contents of the control room. Transporting the whole thing costs a lot more stormlight. IIrc they learned how to transport the whole thing in the time between WOR and Oathbringer, 

Edited November 23, 2021 by Danex

[Mage he/him]

Yeah, what Danex said.

However I think the distinction between the two types of oathgate transfer is whether you take the whole platform or just the building. I don’t think there’s an option for just the contents of the building. When shallan transferred them in WoR she took the control building and the crem was on the outside so it stayed behind.

[NameIess]

Actually, the oathgate on Urithiru wasn't sealed. Shallan merely rotated the oathgate control building, causing the doorway to open into an area that was still covered in crem. The control buildings on Urithiru had much less crem on them, due to the hightsorms rarely reaching the tower.

[Bamee6 he/him]

I would be interested to see a peek into one of the Oathgates, there a very few artist adaptations to be found.