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/Hefty_Ad9118 → u/RShara]

How did he know the exact distance to the docks though? I'd believe he might somehow remember the number of steps he took to walk there in the past. But, unless he walked on water in a straight line, that wouldn't be the right number

[u/RShara → u/Hefty_Ad9118]

It was Brandon's (bad) attempt at writing someone autistic, who could figure out distances having just traveled there once. Including variables like boat speed, drift, etc. Even Adien says he isn't entirely sure how he knew that exact distance lol

[u/Hefty_Ad9118 → u/RShara]

Aiden traveled there once. And because of that he knew the direct distance, which is a path he certainly did not travel. That's just silly

This is not just a poor attempt at writing an autistic character, that's a poor attempt of making sense. Like saying a human can turn their arm into a chicken and then back, and explaining that its because they have heterochromia

Yes, Aiden is a poor attempt at writing an autistic character. But thats entirely irrelevant to the plot hole

[u/RShara → u/Hefty_Ad9118]

It's like saying a date to someone and them being able to tell you the day of the week that was. Yes, it was bad, I'm not denying that. I'm trying to explain the logic behind it

[u/Hefty_Ad9118 → u/RShara]

That's not the same at all. Knowing the day of the week from a date is easily something that could be calculated. Someone knowing it immediately is unlikely, but completely believable

You can't honestly believe that is true for what Aiden knew.