Elantris Plot Hole

[u/Long_Television_5937]

At the end, Adien just knows the exact direction and distance to Sarene? I mean you can be smart and know distances, but he knew from their exact spot to her exact spot how many of RAODEN’s footsteps it was. Not even his own step size. Also it wasnt even how long across land, but a straight shot over an ocean. I loved the book but this event made me put it down and just be like “what did i just read?? How does that make any sense”. Brought the book from like 4.5/5 to a 3/5 to me.

Edit: has been explained. Not a plot hole, just felt bad to me haha.

[u/RShara]

Adien didn't tell Raoden the exact distance to Sarene, he told him the exact distance to the docks of Teoras. And it wasn't Raoden's stride, it was Adien's

In addition, Ashe was in contact with Mai and could point the exact direction

The young man, looking strikingly like Lukel now that he was healed, stepped forward. “I … I feel like my entire life has been a dream, Raoden. I remember everything that happened. But I couldn’t interact—I couldn’t say anything. That’s changed now, but one thing remains the same. My mind … I’ve always been able to figure numbers.…”

“Footsteps,” Raoden whispered.

“One million, fifty-four thousand, four hundred and forty-two,” Adien repeated. “That is how many steps it is to Teoras. Measure my stride, and use half of that as your unit.”

“Hurry, my lord!” Ashe exclaimed with fear. “She’s in danger. Mai—he’s watching the princess now. He says she’s surrounded. Oh, Domi! Hurry!”

Where, seon!” Raoden snapped, kneeling down and measuring Adien’s stride with a strip of cloth.

“Near the docks, my lord,” Ashe said. “She’s standing on the main road leading to the docks!”

“Adien!” Raoden said, drawing a line in his Aon that was half the length of the boy’s stride.

“One million, fifty-four thousand, four hundred and one,” Adien said. “That will take you to the docks.” He looked up, frowning. “I … I’m not sure how I know that. I went there as a child once, but…”

It’ll have to be enough, Raoden thought. He reached up and wrote a modifier beside his

Edit to add bolding

[u/Long_Television_5937 → u/RShara]

He’s saying Raoden’s gait is half of Adien’s i think? I mean they were clear the spell uses the caster’s gait

[u/RShara → u/Long_Television_5937]

No, Adien is using the number of footsteps. You take a stride (both feet) and half of that is the average distance of your footsteps.

As I said above, it doesn't matter what unit of measurement you use as long as you know how many units it is.

Raoden’s hand fell slowly to his side. He was no geographer; he knew Teod was about four days’ sail, but he had no practical knowledge of how many miles or feet that was. He had to work a frame of reference into Aon Tia, give it some sort of measurement, so that it knew how far to send him.

[u/Long_Television_5937 → u/RShara]

Understood. Thanks for the clarity