Meg Posted May 7, 2013 Report Share Posted May 7, 2013 I'm wondering what a "Trailman" is. I didn't find that word in my dictionary. In the German book it's translated as "Pfadsucher" what I would (re-)translate as "path-searcher". Can anybody explain to me what a "Trailman" is? Thank you in advance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leuthie Posted May 7, 2013 Report Share Posted May 7, 2013 (edited) What's the context? Edited May 7, 2013 by Leuthie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yados Posted May 7, 2013 Report Share Posted May 7, 2013 Sounds like it could mean a traveler? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Meg Posted May 7, 2013 Author Report Share Posted May 7, 2013 What's the context? It's a word that is found once in The Way of Kings. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Binnut he/him Posted May 7, 2013 Report Share Posted May 7, 2013 (edited) I think the context is the flute Hoid is playing, and later gives to Kaladin. A trailmans flute... Edit: During the course of the story, Hoid used a special, ancient flute called a Trailman's flute. Hoid on coppermind Edit: Apparently I was a little slow to quote... Edited May 7, 2013 by Binnut Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Satsuoni he/him Posted May 7, 2013 Report Share Posted May 7, 2013 “This is a Trailman’s flute,” Hoid said, inspecting the length of dark wood. “It is meant to be used by a storyteller, for him to play while he is telling a story.” This one? I think, in this context, "Trailman" mean a traveling minstrel or storyteller. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Binnut he/him Posted May 7, 2013 Report Share Posted May 7, 2013 trail man : one of a group of mounted cowboys driving a herd of cattle here I got it like this 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Meg Posted May 7, 2013 Author Report Share Posted May 7, 2013 Thanks Satsouni and Binnut. (Blame me, I never think about google.) Though it might be an interesting question what herd of cattles Hoid led to which destination I think Satsouni's definition is more exactly. (And sorry, I wanted some open-minded ideas and therefore I intentionally didn't give the whole quote.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leuthie Posted May 7, 2013 Report Share Posted May 7, 2013 A group of cowboys always has a storyteller or two. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhilV he/him Posted May 7, 2013 Report Share Posted May 7, 2013 I first thought of something like a wilderness guide. I assumed a "trailman's" flute would be made more rugged, to survive in harsher conditions. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leuthie Posted May 7, 2013 Report Share Posted May 7, 2013 Definitely related to Worldsingers or something.like them. In any case, I'm pretty sure Brandon just wants you to imagine a flute that a man on a trail many years ago would use. I'm sure he knows exactly what his Trailman's flute is supposed to be and also knows that we don't. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phantom Monstrosity Posted May 7, 2013 Report Share Posted May 7, 2013 I'm pretending it's an ocarina, because ocarinas are cool. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Meg Posted May 8, 2013 Author Report Share Posted May 8, 2013 Apparently nobody but me wondered about this Trailman's flute. Though I like Satsouni's description I'm not really sure about it, because Hoid gives the flute to Kaladin and wants him to keep it and learn how to play it. Hoid did not tell Kaladin to give it to Sigzil (what would be more logical). Maybe sometimes we will learn more about it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lady_Yasha she/her Posted May 8, 2013 Report Share Posted May 8, 2013 (edited) Heh, whenever I hear traveling performer I always think "gleeman" and inevitably picture Thom Merrilin. Edited May 8, 2013 by Lyrebon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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