The Wheel Of Time 1x06 | Moiraine opens the Waygate 

Lol ikr. Makes no sense

Its explained in the books, the vast majority of the populace doesnt know about them. The path guidings are written in Ogier script and Machin Shin/the Black Wind, made it incredibly dangerous, nearly impossible to travel the Ways

@@zacherynielsen3453 I always find it interesting how these things are so dangerous yet plot armour protects everyone who uses it. As I said, far to unplausible to be 'believable'.

Out of the 14 books the Ways are only used succesfully 3 times. Rand cannot access them after Padan Fain recruits the Blackwind to hunt for him specifically in the Ways. Perrin uses them a 2nd time and barely gets through safely. The forces of the Shadow use them regularly because they dont care about the losses they experience. For everyone else the risk is too great so they are only used sparingly and they need an Ogier to lead them, or be able to translate the.Ogier language on the markers, which makes their use even less reliable. So again they are used irregularly

@@zacherynielsen3453 Which makes them even more of a Mcguffin. As I said they are simply unrealistic and the plot armour lets them get through when they need to. I did enjoy the books I'm not trying to discourage people from reading them merely saying that with age and experience the story itself is just not believable and whilst I have no problem with your explainations it just sets my point.

I see your point. Game of thrones kind of shifted a lot of older people who read fantasy wanted from the classic good vs evil/light vs dark style fantasy to the realistic gritty fantasy where anyone can die at any time if they make stupid decisions. It's a more grown up fantasy. I'd say WoT is kind of a halfway because it still has the plot armour of major characters surviving unlikely events (with a metaphysical explanation) but still tackles some difficult themes (slavery, rape etc).

Pwrhaps theu have a male channeler or a black ajah on their side or an object capable of harnessing one power

They can't even use it themselves