Say The Worst Possible Thing Happens...

[Suttree]

It's supposed to be because the lightning isn't made of One Power weaves; the OP sets it up but it doesn't have to touch the target to do so. This does run into problems with why didn't they just lightning the gholam, and I don't think there's an answer to that. Lighting doesn't require a lot of space to setup; when Nynaeve fireballs Rhavin in a hallway, she thinks in hindsight that lightning would have been better.

Huh?! Good thinking. Now, I'm kinda pissed off.

 

Well whose to say natural fire or electricity would even hurt it.

[thisguy]

It's supposed to be because the lightning isn't made of One Power weaves; the OP sets it up but it doesn't have to touch the target to do so. This does run into problems with why didn't they just lightning the gholam, and I don't think there's an answer to that. Lighting doesn't require a lot of space to setup; when Nynaeve fireballs Rhavin in a hallway, she thinks in hindsight that lightning would have been better.

Huh?! Good thinking. Now, I'm kinda pissed off.

 

Well whose to say natural fire or electricity would even hurt it.

Another good point. How about dropping a one ton rock on it's head? :)

[mike hunt's here]

It's supposed to be because the lightning isn't made of One Power weaves; the OP sets it up but it doesn't have to touch the target to do so. This does run into problems with why didn't they just lightning the gholam, and I don't think there's an answer to that. Lighting doesn't require a lot of space to setup; when Nynaeve fireballs Rhavin in a hallway, she thinks in hindsight that lightning would have been better.

Huh?! Good thinking. Now, I'm kinda pissed off.

 

Well whose to say natural fire or electricity would even hurt it.

Another good point. How about dropping a one ton rock on it's head? :)

 

rocks wouldnt work as he has no bones - remember the scene he crawled through a crack in the wall or something?

 

Or were you just making conversation? haha.

 

I always just thought - why dont some kin lady or even elayne just open a gateway through it and cut in half.

 

actually now i just remembered...didnt Rand say Shadowspawn do not survive entering a gateway? Shouldnt the gholam have died entering that skimming thing?

 

Or is the gholam technically NOT shadowspawn or the skimming is NOT travelling? so technical.

[Tiberius]

<already answered>

But if Cads bites it, I hope she's incinerated. Parallis Net and all.

 

Sorry Luckers

[Luckers]

The reason lightning was never used is as simple as that none of the characters really knew. Mat might have been able to figure it out, depending both on how much he remembers post balefire, and indeed how much he'd let himself remember--but he evidentally doesn't. Joline might have been able to figure it out based on the fact that the Seanchan stun-gun electrical weave worked in KoD, but she evidentally didn't--and it is a bit of a step for someone with no understanding of electrons or electricity.

 

So yeah... none of the characters knew. It's probable even the Forsaken didn't realise--though this may well be how Cyndane managed to burn Alivia--they'd have the education, but not the experience of having seen a ter'angreal like this work.

 

but isnt the bolt the weave? if this is explained somewhere else, please just give me a link so i stop obsessing here.

 

No, the bolt is not the weave. A lightning bolt is, after all, just charged electrons making the leap to ground themselves. In this case it is the One Power providing the charge, and perhaps funneling or aiming them in that leap.

 

It's actually precisely the same as the way solar energy works, only instead of the sun providing the energy, its the one power. But sun or Power, its the electrons that then move, and it was the electrons that struck Mat.

[Vardar]

The reason lightning was never used is as simple as that none of the characters really knew. Mat might have been able to figure it out, depending both on how much he remembers post balefire, and indeed how much he'd let himself remember--but he evidentally doesn't. Joline might have been able to figure it out based on the fact that the Seanchan stun-gun electrical weave worked in KoD, but she evidentally didn't--and it is a bit of a step for someone with no understanding of electrons or electricity.

 

So yeah... none of the characters knew. It's probable even the Forsaken didn't realise--though this may well be how Cyndane managed to burn Alivia--they'd have the education, but not the experience of having seen a ter'angreal like this work.

 

but isnt the bolt the weave? if this is explained somewhere else, please just give me a link so i stop obsessing here.

 

No, the bolt is not the weave. A lightning bolt is, after all, just charged electrons making the leap to ground themselves. In this case it is the One Power providing the charge, and perhaps funneling or aiming them in that leap.

 

It's actually precisely the same as the way solar energy works, only instead of the sun providing the energy, its the one power. But sun or Power, its the electrons that then move, and it was the electrons that struck Mat.

 

Actually, there are two types of lighting weaves used in the books. In book 3, Eggy sets the weaves for lighting, it's a direct weave. In book 4, Eggy/Avi/Rand set clouds to make lighting for them. They mention it's easier to use what's already there.

 

I'd assume the direct weave lighting Eggy and Elayne set up would be stopped by the amulets, much like fire, but the cloud version, the AOE version woudln't.

 

Let me know what you think of that. (The weave version was used post Eggy's training with the Seanchan. She set the weaves, and held them ready. and Elayne copied her, I can dig up quotes if need be, I'm hoping you remember them so I don't have to go back).

[Neophyte]

So, just to hijack this back to the original topic, I'm betting that if any of the Aes Sedai get the deceased Cadsuane's paralis-net, It will eventually find its way to Elayne for study and copying. She's friends with the Amyrlin, and very high in her own standing, plus very determined to learn about ter'angreal. Even if she doesn't get the set on the spot, its hard for me to see her not getting it eventually.

[Luckers]

The reason lightning was never used is as simple as that none of the characters really knew. Mat might have been able to figure it out, depending both on how much he remembers post balefire, and indeed how much he'd let himself remember--but he evidentally doesn't. Joline might have been able to figure it out based on the fact that the Seanchan stun-gun electrical weave worked in KoD, but she evidentally didn't--and it is a bit of a step for someone with no understanding of electrons or electricity.

 

So yeah... none of the characters knew. It's probable even the Forsaken didn't realise--though this may well be how Cyndane managed to burn Alivia--they'd have the education, but not the experience of having seen a ter'angreal like this work.

 

but isnt the bolt the weave? if this is explained somewhere else, please just give me a link so i stop obsessing here.

 

No, the bolt is not the weave. A lightning bolt is, after all, just charged electrons making the leap to ground themselves. In this case it is the One Power providing the charge, and perhaps funneling or aiming them in that leap.

 

It's actually precisely the same as the way solar energy works, only instead of the sun providing the energy, its the one power. But sun or Power, its the electrons that then move, and it was the electrons that struck Mat.

 

Actually, there are two types of lighting weaves used in the books. In book 3, Eggy sets the weaves for lighting, it's a direct weave. In book 4, Eggy/Avi/Rand set clouds to make lighting for them. They mention it's easier to use what's already there.

 

I'd assume the direct weave lighting Eggy and Elayne set up would be stopped by the amulets, much like fire, but the cloud version, the AOE version woudln't.

 

Let me know what you think of that. (The weave version was used post Eggy's training with the Seanchan. She set the weaves, and held them ready. and Elayne copied her, I can dig up quotes if need be, I'm hoping you remember them so I don't have to go back).

 

Nope, whether you use clouds already in existence (and the charged electrons that go with) or you charge the electrons yourself, the lightning bolt is an effect, not the direct weave itself. The former may be easier for the channeler than the latter, but even the latter doesn't change the laws of physics.

[shortkut]

The reason lightning was never used is as simple as that none of the characters really knew. Mat might have been able to figure it out, depending both on how much he remembers post balefire, and indeed how much he'd let himself remember--but he evidentally doesn't. Joline might have been able to figure it out based on the fact that the Seanchan stun-gun electrical weave worked in KoD, but she evidentally didn't--and it is a bit of a step for someone with no understanding of electrons or electricity.

 

So yeah... none of the characters knew. It's probable even the Forsaken didn't realise--though this may well be how Cyndane managed to burn Alivia--they'd have the education, but not the experience of having seen a ter'angreal like this work.

 

but isnt the bolt the weave? if this is explained somewhere else, please just give me a link so i stop obsessing here.

 

No, the bolt is not the weave. A lightning bolt is, after all, just charged electrons making the leap to ground themselves. In this case it is the One Power providing the charge, and perhaps funneling or aiming them in that leap.

 

It's actually precisely the same as the way solar energy works, only instead of the sun providing the energy, its the one power. But sun or Power, its the electrons that then move, and it was the electrons that struck Mat.

 

Actually, there are two types of lighting weaves used in the books. In book 3, Eggy sets the weaves for lighting, it's a direct weave. In book 4, Eggy/Avi/Rand set clouds to make lighting for them. They mention it's easier to use what's already there.

 

I'd assume the direct weave lighting Eggy and Elayne set up would be stopped by the amulets, much like fire, but the cloud version, the AOE version woudln't.

 

Let me know what you think of that. (The weave version was used post Eggy's training with the Seanchan. She set the weaves, and held them ready. and Elayne copied her, I can dig up quotes if need be, I'm hoping you remember them so I don't have to go back).

 

Nope, whether you use clouds already in existence (and the charged electrons that go with) or you charge the electrons yourself, the lightning bolt is an effect, not the direct weave itself. The former may be easier for the channeler than the latter, but even the latter doesn't change the laws of physics.

has that been confirmed because with that logic almost everything becomes an effect

[Luckers]

The reason lightning was never used is as simple as that none of the characters really knew. Mat might have been able to figure it out, depending both on how much he remembers post balefire, and indeed how much he'd let himself remember--but he evidentally doesn't. Joline might have been able to figure it out based on the fact that the Seanchan stun-gun electrical weave worked in KoD, but she evidentally didn't--and it is a bit of a step for someone with no understanding of electrons or electricity.

 

So yeah... none of the characters knew. It's probable even the Forsaken didn't realise--though this may well be how Cyndane managed to burn Alivia--they'd have the education, but not the experience of having seen a ter'angreal like this work.

 

but isnt the bolt the weave? if this is explained somewhere else, please just give me a link so i stop obsessing here.

 

No, the bolt is not the weave. A lightning bolt is, after all, just charged electrons making the leap to ground themselves. In this case it is the One Power providing the charge, and perhaps funneling or aiming them in that leap.

 

It's actually precisely the same as the way solar energy works, only instead of the sun providing the energy, its the one power. But sun or Power, its the electrons that then move, and it was the electrons that struck Mat.

 

Actually, there are two types of lighting weaves used in the books. In book 3, Eggy sets the weaves for lighting, it's a direct weave. In book 4, Eggy/Avi/Rand set clouds to make lighting for them. They mention it's easier to use what's already there.

 

I'd assume the direct weave lighting Eggy and Elayne set up would be stopped by the amulets, much like fire, but the cloud version, the AOE version woudln't.

 

Let me know what you think of that. (The weave version was used post Eggy's training with the Seanchan. She set the weaves, and held them ready. and Elayne copied her, I can dig up quotes if need be, I'm hoping you remember them so I don't have to go back).

 

Nope, whether you use clouds already in existence (and the charged electrons that go with) or you charge the electrons yourself, the lightning bolt is an effect, not the direct weave itself. The former may be easier for the channeler than the latter, but even the latter doesn't change the laws of physics.

has that been confirmed because with that logic almost everything becomes an effect

 

Almost everything with channeling IS an effect. The question is does the effect need the continued presence of the Power to sustain its existence. So, when you bind someone with Air, what is happening is that molecules in the air are being influenced so that they form with enough consistancy around you that you cannot move through them (Siuan makes this very clear in tGH: "She held up her hand - Egwene gasped, and even Nynaeve's eyes bulged - and there was a sword in it. With blade and hilt of an odd bluish white, it looked somehow . . . cold. "Made from the air, child, with Air."--and there are several other repititions of the same statements later--'Air' (capital--of the Five Powers) incites 'the air' (non-capital--the gas) into the form), or when you throw a fire ball Fire is creating the heat and Air is gathering the oxygen to fuel it--but in both these cases if you remove the Power catalyst the effect will disipate.

 

With throwing a rock, the power has provided the catalyst and the force at the point of origen--once in motion the kinetic force of the rock takes over and doesn't need the Power to maintain--so get rid of the Power and the rock still has its effect. Creating lightning is much the same, only further along--rather than providing the force the Power is simply providing the energy--once that energy reaches a certain point the electrons then provide there own force and make the leap all on their own.

 

So yes, almost everything with the Power is an effect--there are exceptions, shields for instance seem purely to be of the Power and have no functional influence on the phyiscal world--the question is whether that effect can exist without the Powers on going presence to sustain it, or whether the Power has simply catalysed the effect. With Lightning, as with throwing the rock, the Power is simply the catalyst, and from there the Laws of Physics take over.

[XoMeltdownoX]

The reason lightning was never used is as simple as that none of the characters really knew. Mat might have been able to figure it out, depending both on how much he remembers post balefire, and indeed how much he'd let himself remember--but he evidentally doesn't. Joline might have been able to figure it out based on the fact that the Seanchan stun-gun electrical weave worked in KoD, but she evidentally didn't--and it is a bit of a step for someone with no understanding of electrons or electricity.

 

So yeah... none of the characters knew. It's probable even the Forsaken didn't realise--though this may well be how Cyndane managed to burn Alivia--they'd have the education, but not the experience of having seen a ter'angreal like this work.

 

but isnt the bolt the weave? if this is explained somewhere else, please just give me a link so i stop obsessing here.

 

No, the bolt is not the weave. A lightning bolt is, after all, just charged electrons making the leap to ground themselves. In this case it is the One Power providing the charge, and perhaps funneling or aiming them in that leap.

 

It's actually precisely the same as the way solar energy works, only instead of the sun providing the energy, its the one power. But sun or Power, its the electrons that then move, and it was the electrons that struck Mat.

 

Actually, there are two types of lighting weaves used in the books. In book 3, Eggy sets the weaves for lighting, it's a direct weave. In book 4, Eggy/Avi/Rand set clouds to make lighting for them. They mention it's easier to use what's already there.

 

I'd assume the direct weave lighting Eggy and Elayne set up would be stopped by the amulets, much like fire, but the cloud version, the AOE version woudln't.

 

Let me know what you think of that. (The weave version was used post Eggy's training with the Seanchan. She set the weaves, and held them ready. and Elayne copied her, I can dig up quotes if need be, I'm hoping you remember them so I don't have to go back).

 

Nope, whether you use clouds already in existence (and the charged electrons that go with) or you charge the electrons yourself, the lightning bolt is an effect, not the direct weave itself. The former may be easier for the channeler than the latter, but even the latter doesn't change the laws of physics.

has that been confirmed because with that logic almost everything becomes an effect

Blossoms of Fire, Arrows of Fire are direct weaves. You could argue about whether fireballs are direct or an effect, but I agree with Luckers assessment on the lightning.

[FarShainMael]

In TGS, Avi weaves Air and Water to pull water from a nearby stream to put out the fire resulting from the death of Adrin. She tried to use those weaves directly but they failed.

[NetSlider]

I have to agree that Nyn probably will be "new" Cady. I mean, just as the old hag did what she thiught was right so it seems does Nyn - no one else was like" oh yeah? Keep ur stupid ring, i am AS and will do whats right!" very much like WO initiation except she didnt need to b trained like someone i can name (sorry, had to take a shot at Egghead) :)

[Durinax]

I have to agree that Nyn probably will be "new" Cady. I mean, just as the old hag did what she thiught was right so it seems does Nyn - no one else was like" oh yeah? Keep ur stupid ring, i am AS and will do whats right!" very much like WO initiation except she didnt need to b trained like someone i can name (sorry, had to take a shot at Egghead) :)

agreed, especially with the balefire discussion

[Barid Bel Medar]

They also have another thing in common, they have both spanked Amyrlins.

[Luckers]

They also have another thing in common, they have both spanked Amyrlins.

 

Albeit not sitting ones. True story.

[Barid Bel Medar]

They also have another thing in common, they have both spanked Amyrlins.

 

Albeit not sitting ones. True story.

 

Shhh, way to upstage my joke

[TristanWebb]

Just cause his was better doesn't mean yours was ruined.

[Barid Bel Medar]

I feel like Demandred...

 

Why Luckers Therin, WHY!!!

 

Edit: It was tongue in cheek, I am not really disappointed.

[TristanWebb]

Let's be honest here, you always knew you were going to be second best, it says so right in your name.

[Barid Bel Medar]

Let's be honest here, you always knew you were going to be second best, it says so right in your name.

 

exactly!

 

Didn't have to point it out though :(

[Vardar]

The reason lightning was never used is as simple as that none of the characters really knew. Mat might have been able to figure it out, depending both on how much he remembers post balefire, and indeed how much he'd let himself remember--but he evidentally doesn't. Joline might have been able to figure it out based on the fact that the Seanchan stun-gun electrical weave worked in KoD, but she evidentally didn't--and it is a bit of a step for someone with no understanding of electrons or electricity.

 

So yeah... none of the characters knew. It's probable even the Forsaken didn't realise--though this may well be how Cyndane managed to burn Alivia--they'd have the education, but not the experience of having seen a ter'angreal like this work.

 

but isnt the bolt the weave? if this is explained somewhere else, please just give me a link so i stop obsessing here.

 

No, the bolt is not the weave. A lightning bolt is, after all, just charged electrons making the leap to ground themselves. In this case it is the One Power providing the charge, and perhaps funneling or aiming them in that leap.

 

It's actually precisely the same as the way solar energy works, only instead of the sun providing the energy, its the one power. But sun or Power, its the electrons that then move, and it was the electrons that struck Mat.

 

Actually, there are two types of lighting weaves used in the books. In book 3, Eggy sets the weaves for lighting, it's a direct weave. In book 4, Eggy/Avi/Rand set clouds to make lighting for them. They mention it's easier to use what's already there.

 

I'd assume the direct weave lighting Eggy and Elayne set up would be stopped by the amulets, much like fire, but the cloud version, the AOE version woudln't.

 

Let me know what you think of that. (The weave version was used post Eggy's training with the Seanchan. She set the weaves, and held them ready. and Elayne copied her, I can dig up quotes if need be, I'm hoping you remember them so I don't have to go back).

 

Nope, whether you use clouds already in existence (and the charged electrons that go with) or you charge the electrons yourself, the lightning bolt is an effect, not the direct weave itself. The former may be easier for the channeler than the latter, but even the latter doesn't change the laws of physics.

has that been confirmed because with that logic almost everything becomes an effect

 

Almost everything with channeling IS an effect. The question is does the effect need the continued presence of the Power to sustain its existence. So, when you bind someone with Air, what is happening is that molecules in the air are being influenced so that they form with enough consistancy around you that you cannot move through them (Siuan makes this very clear in tGH: "She held up her hand - Egwene gasped, and even Nynaeve's eyes bulged - and there was a sword in it. With blade and hilt of an odd bluish white, it looked somehow . . . cold. "Made from the air, child, with Air."--and there are several other repititions of the same statements later--'Air' (capital--of the Five Powers) incites 'the air' (non-capital--the gas) into the form), or when you throw a fire ball Fire is creating the heat and Air is gathering the oxygen to fuel it--but in both these cases if you remove the Power catalyst the effect will disipate.

 

With throwing a rock, the power has provided the catalyst and the force at the point of origen--once in motion the kinetic force of the rock takes over and doesn't need the Power to maintain--so get rid of the Power and the rock still has its effect. Creating lightning is much the same, only further along--rather than providing the force the Power is simply providing the energy--once that energy reaches a certain point the electrons then provide there own force and make the leap all on their own.

 

So yes, almost everything with the Power is an effect--there are exceptions, shields for instance seem purely to be of the Power and have no functional influence on the phyiscal world--the question is whether that effect can exist without the Powers on going presence to sustain it, or whether the Power has simply catalysed the effect. With Lightning, as with throwing the rock, the Power is simply the catalyst, and from there the Laws of Physics take over.

 

Ok, I suppose this is the one you're referring to in the other thread, thanks.

 

So then how is the lightining being directed? The only way to ensure it strike it's target would be to set the weave to create perfect charged particles at 2 points, one starting from your body (I'd assume) and one at the place you want struck. How the issue with this is even if this is so, the range of the attack would be extremely limited, since the "weave" as it were would have to go from you to the target you want hit. Fireballs can be thrown, or pushed and aimed, being lighter than air, they travel in a certain direction, thus when you throw it, you essentially tie it off (again, assuming, trying to rationalize it).

 

So the problems I see with your conclusion are thus:

 

1) If the lightning is an effect, and the power is only used to create charged particles, it still means Mat/Cads/Ny/Golem cannot be attacked directly by Lightning, since you'd have to place the charged particle on them to ensure they were struck. (you could be reasonably certain they would be struck by placing it near them, but how close can the power get to them before unweaving?)

 

2) If you're just creating the two charged particles near each other to make lightning (I.e. range doesn't matter because you just create the charge and let it go off) how the hell are you aiming that? Seems like a lot of people would die from errant strikes. A whole lot.

 

3) How did Eggy "Set up" the weaves without letting them go? Create 2 uncharged particles? What is she presetting (Air maybe)? Was she really going ot unleash that in a small room with lots of metal around, perhaps metal on their bodies? Again, this seems like a real danger.

 

4) The distance issue. We know you can only affect what you can see right? If you're not just creating a bolt and hoping it'll go in a general direciton (Again, hella unsafe) then you're extending a "thread" of power to whatever your target is and then charging particles to let the lightning run it's course. Lightning would become a short range attack.

 

I had one more, but my boss interrupted me and I can't remember :(. I'll think on it.

 

I'm guessing there are no quotes on this (Otherwise someone would have broken them out already).

[NetSlider]

Well, Nyn didnt spank sitting amyrlin....yet. Though we do have one more book to hope for that... :)

[Neophyte]

Ok, I suppose this is the one you're referring to in the other thread, thanks.

 

So then how is the lightining being directed? The only way to ensure it strike it's target would be to set the weave to create perfect charged particles at 2 points, one starting from your body (I'd assume) and one at the place you want struck. How the issue with this is even if this is so, the range of the attack would be extremely limited, since the "weave" as it were would have to go from you to the target you want hit. Fireballs can be thrown, or pushed and aimed, being lighter than air, they travel in a certain direction, thus when you throw it, you essentially tie it off (again, assuming, trying to rationalize it).

 

So the problems I see with your conclusion are thus:

 

1) If the lightning is an effect, and the power is only used to create charged particles, it still means Mat/Cads/Ny/Golem cannot be attacked directly by Lightning, since you'd have to place the charged particle on them to ensure they were struck. (you could be reasonably certain they would be struck by placing it near them, but how close can the power get to them before unweaving?)

 

2) If you're just creating the two charged particles near each other to make lightning (I.e. range doesn't matter because you just create the charge and let it go off) how the hell are you aiming that? Seems like a lot of people would die from errant strikes. A whole lot.

 

3) How did Eggy "Set up" the weaves without letting them go? Create 2 uncharged particles? What is she presetting (Air maybe)? Was she really going ot unleash that in a small room with lots of metal around, perhaps metal on their bodies? Again, this seems like a real danger.

 

4) The distance issue. We know you can only affect what you can see right? If you're not just creating a bolt and hoping it'll go in a general direciton (Again, hella unsafe) then you're extending a "thread" of power to whatever your target is and then charging particles to let the lightning run it's course. Lightning would become a short range attack.

 

I had one more, but my boss interrupted me and I can't remember :(. I'll think on it.

 

I'm guessing there are no quotes on this (Otherwise someone would have broken them out already).

 

I think we may be worrying a little too much about actual mechanics here ... I know that Jordan was a physicist by training, and that he tried to keep channeling pseudo-scientific in the sense of rules and consequences, but ultimately this is magic we're talking about. None, or at least very few, of the effects we've observed from channeling actually do have safe real world correlates - you go on (accurately) at some length about the (very real) dangers of lightning at close quarters, but creating a ball of fire (or a sword of fire, for that matter) in your hand is not exactly safe either. (And ripping holes in spacetime should be pretty darned dangerous as well - gateways are effectively wormholes, and there are reasons that we can't make those and keep them stable.)

 

I guess what I'm saying is that suspension of disbelief has to come in here at some point. We can't explain the effects of channeling in purely real world terms because channeling doesn't exist in the real world. For the purposes of the story, there comes a point where the things that work do so because the author says that they do.

 

This applies in all directions on these arguments, by the way. Luckers says that "the bolt is not the weave" because "A lightning bolt is, after all, just charged electrons making the leap to the ground themselves." But by that logic, fire is just energy released from chemical combustion. The weaves should just provide the initial energy to start the reaction (and create the fuel?), and you could throw a fireball at the gholam (or Mat), release the controlling weave (of compressed air? do we know what holds it in a cohesive ball?) a moment before impact (when inertia will carry the burning ... fuel? ... into the target) and watch the sucker burn down from 100% all-natural fire.

 

Or maybe both Power-wrought lightning and fireballs don't behave exactly like the phenomena we observe in the real world (after all, having a lightning bolt spring from your hand should burn you to a crisp too ....)

 

The truth is, we don't know, with precision, where the "weave" leaves off and the observed "effect" begins. They are pretty much always intermingled in a way that leaves the author free to do what he wants with it. Like most any magic system, there is enough ambiguity to let the author create the desired effect, since the author made the rules to begin with. As to whether an appropriate application of lightning could have killed the gholam, we can speculate, but I don't think anyone can say "yes" or "no" with 100% certainty.

 

Personally, I was hoping they'd blow it in half with a cannon dragon. Or maybe Mat would shove a Nightflower down it's throat.

[LoLPoR]

Egwene will claim Cad's ter'angreal as the Amyrlin Seat because she's a stickler and all ter'angreals and such belong to the tower. Then Elayne will study them, copy them, and hand them out much to Egwene's dismay.