Magical Development

[Windrunner he/him]

Well Raoden noticed the bone twists looked like ancient Fjordell characters. So I imagine they just started going through them and experimenting with what they did. As for how the Fjordell characters were discovered, I have no idea. Perhaps the one of the Shards had to tell them directly.

Anyway, I think one Dakhor monk with the Aon cancelling ability would be better then 50 soldiers. Just one, though. All they need is one Dakhor monk to sneak into Arelon and cancel the giant Rao that makes up Elantris. Then the Fjordell forces could attack before the Elantrians had a chance to restore it. They'd be nearly powerless and would fall quickly.

[Riddlesinthedark he/him]

Well Raoden noticed the bone twists looked like ancient Fjordell characters. So I imagine they just started going through them and experimenting with what they did. As for how the Fjordell characters were discovered, I have no idea. Perhaps the one of the Shards had to tell them directly.

Anyway, I think one Dakhor monk with the Aon cancelling ability would be better then 50 soldiers. Just one, though. All they need is one Dakhor monk to sneak into Arelon and cancel the giant Rao that makes up Elantris. Then the Fjordell forces could attack before the Elantrians had a chance to restore it. They'd be nearly powerless and would fall quickly.

I'm confused on this, since Dilaf doesn't have Aon-cancelling but Aon-Invunerability, from what I remember.

He couldn't prevent them from casting Aons or transporting to Arelon, he just shrugged them off like one does a mosquito.

[Windrunner he/him]

Remember when Raoden was at his coronation, with the illusion of his face before the Shaod? Dilaf manipulates the Dor and cancels that Aon, revealing Raoden's true appearance. It seems likely that he could do the same to the Rao that makes up the city as well.

[Riddlesinthedark he/him]

Remember when Raoden was at his coronation, with the illusion of his face before the Shaod? Dilaf manipulates the Dor and cancels that Aon, revealing Raoden's true appearance. It seems likely that he could do the same to the Rao that makes up the city as well.

OOh, I had forgotten about that.

Was that a specific manipulation of the fifty monks ability, or something any monk could do with a little time and understanding, though?

Edited August 28, 2012 by Voldy

[Windrunner he/him]

That's a very good question. His resistance to attacks from the Dor was what cost the lives of 50 men. That may be tied to his Aon canceling ability or it may not be. I don't think it's something any monk could do though. If they could cancel Aons it could have been possible to cancel all the Aons that were being used on the monks at the end of the book. You could make the argument though that they weren't close enough, but Dilaf disabled Raoden's Aon from a distance. Regardless, I don't think "learning" is involved. If they have the right bone twists, I think that they'll be able to use that ability. Just like an Allomancer with the right sDNA will be able to burn a certain metal. Does that make sense?

[Riddlesinthedark he/him]

That's a very good question. His resistance to attacks from the Dor was what cost the lives of 50 men. That may be tied to his Aon canceling ability or it may not be. I don't think it's something any monk could do though. If they could cancel Aons it could have been possible to cancel all the Aons that were being used on the monks at the end of the book. You could make the argument though that they weren't close enough, but Dilaf disabled Raoden's Aon from a distance. Regardless, I don't think "learning" is involved. If they have the right bone twists, I think that they'll be able to use that ability. Just like an Allomancer with the right sDNA will be able to burn a certain metal. Does that make sense?

Perhaps substitute "preparation", which fits my intended meaning better I think.

I actually would see countering/disrupting Aons as a magical equalizer to Elantrians, a sort of counterspell.

It may be a matter of having the right bone twists, but we've also seen that extended experience/close attention had a palpable effect on the skills of the Allomancers. Not every Soother was breeze, or Seeker--Marsh, etc

Edited August 28, 2012 by Voldy

[Riddlesinthedark he/him]

Are the geographic/physiological changes exclusive?

Or could the Fjords bring their magic out of the shadows, and start shaping cities/geography?

That could very well be the counter to Elantrian tattoos, if that is the route BS goes.

The next book is supposedly set in Fjord, right? Perhaps part of the setting will be a mysterious city-fire, and a massive rebuilding project, to go along with the newly-arisen God.

[Windrunner he/him]

Hmm, what do you mean by "magic equalizer"? As in a power that levels an otherwise unfair playing field between Elantrians and Dakhor monks? Your point about Allomancers is a fair one. You're referring to increased abilities like when someone burning bronze is able to access more information? I'd think that was more along the lines of being familiar with the power, and thus more able to notice nuances in the information they're receiving. I don't think we'll get anywhere arguing about whether the Aon canceling ability is skill related or a power in and of itself since we know so little about Dakhor.

[Riddlesinthedark he/him]

Hmm, what do you mean by "magic equalizer"? As in a power that levels an otherwise unfair playing field between Elantrians and Dakhor monks? Your point about Allomancers is a fair one. You're referring to increased abilities like when someone burning bronze is able to access more information? I'd think that was more along the lines of being familiar with the power, and thus more able to notice nuances in the information they're receiving. I don't think we'll get anywhere arguing about whether the Aon canceling ability is skill related or a power in and of itself since we know so little about Dakhor.

Also that Pewter-dragging "stretches" your abilities.

Edit: Yes, thinking of it in roleplaying/gaming terms.

I agree with your last point, all though 99% of what we do here is wild mass guessing, hoping to be that one monkey at the typewriter. I'm not personally argueing, just speculating in hopes of those correct nuggets.

Edited August 28, 2012 by Voldy

[Shardbearer he/him]

I can see them trying to build some fortresses in the shape of Aon Rao, kind of like mini-Elantris outposts to amplify AonDor in other places, such as Teod.

[dyring]

I can see them trying to build some fortresses in the shape of Aon Rao, kind of like mini-Elantris outposts to amplify AonDor in other places, such as Teod.

If they managed to build a copy of Elantris, (or maybe it would need to be an Aeon shaped after the land their in, as Elantris is shaped after that land, chasm and all), one could not help but wonder if the shaod would start to appear around that city aswell....