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What does a Radiant get from swearing her Fifth Ideal? First and Second were important power boosts. Third was the Shardblade (which was left behind at the Recreance) and Fourth was the Shardplate (also left behind at the Recreance). But there are no artifacts left behind that could plausibly be from the Fifth Ideal. Obviously, it's some important power boost that is centered on the Radiant and those around them. There are probably the spiritual boosts (people are more likely to respect the leadership of a Windrunner, the judgment of a Skybreaker, etc) and probably some boosts to the squires and lesser Radiants. But none of these are really story-changing or spectacular enough. On the other hand, there is one thing that would fit a KR reaching their highest power: They can Surgebind without having to carry or directly draw upon Stormlight. The only 5th Idealer we've seen is Nalan, who can burst alight at any time, and Lift never once mentions him needing to breathe in Stormlight. Now, this might be from his Honorblade, which WOB says allowed the Heralds to directly connect to Honor's power. But the Spren copied the power of the Honorblades in crafting the Nahel Bond, meaning that, at least to some extent, the most invested KR are going to have similar powers to the Heralds. Because they're tied directly into Honor, I think this power would not allow them to serve as a source of Stormlight for other Radiants or for spheres (as that would be OP). Further, Lift herself never has to draw on Stormlight, but can turn it on and off in herself. This is partly from her weird powers, and comes directly out of her food supply. But she can choose when she wants to be Awesome or not. (Weaker option: a Fifth Ideal KR can store Stormlight indefinitely, without loss, until they use it. This allows storing power pre-battle.)

It’s been more than five years since I wrote about the difference between Radiants’ primary and secondary divine attributes. I concluded then that spren of an order are attracted to humans who exhibit that order’s primary attribute. I theorized the spren bond leads the Radiants to their secondary attribute but didn’t go into detail. A few days ago, in a very long post on many topics, I wrote about the impact of oaths on Radiant organization. I opined the Radiant’s Fifth Oath means they achieved their secondary attribute. That’s when they fully merge with their spren. This post puts more flesh on that conclusion. Here’s the list of each order’s primary and secondary divine attributes: Order Primary Attribute Secondary Attribute Windrunners Protecting Leading Skybreakers Just Confident Dustbringers Brave Obedient Edgedancers Loving Healing Truthwatchers Learned Giving Lightweavers Creative Honest Elsecallers Wise Careful Willshapers Resolute Builder Stonewards Dependable Resourceful Bondsmiths Pious Guiding The secondary attribute seems a more outward-looking, “uniting” version of the primary attribute. The primary attribute is about the Radiant. The secondary attribute is about how the Radiant should act toward others. It’s like the difference between first person (me) and second person (you). Windrunners better protect when they lead others. Skybreakers seem more just when they’re confident in their judgment. Dustbringer bravery (and hotheadedness) better serves when they’re obedient. Edgedancer love finds meaning in healing. Truthwatcher learning has meaning when given to share. Lightweaver creativity requires self- and artistic honesty. Elsecallers should temper their wisdom with care. (Jasnah “wisely” concluding to kill the Heralds...) Willshaper resolve makes them foundation builders. Stoneward dependability leads to resourcefulness. (Get the job done no matter what.) Bondsmith piety attracts followers to guide. This framework shows oaths bridge the gap between primary and secondary attributes. Each oath brings the Radiant closer to their secondary attribute. When they achieve it, the Radiant can say the Fifth Oath and merge Spiritual aspects with their spren.

So, here's a question I've been wondering. Did Honor break an oath. We know that at the breaking of adonalsium the shards agreed to go their separate ways. But then we see that Honor and Cultivation ended up on Roshar. On top of that, Honor then traps Odium in the same system. Making for 3 shards in the same area. Now I think there is some wiggle room when it comes to trapping odium, and how this can still be construed as honorable and keeping with his promise, but what was his reasoning for sharing the planet with cultivation?

Can somebody kindly post all the Oaths of Knight Radiant that was spoken in Oathbringer with no additional comment, when he/she finishes the book? <3

It's that time again! Time to bring Sharders to account for their foolish promises/bets/oaths!!! We've got a nice spread this book, but no outright loses, sadly. My limb collection does not grow... You win this round, Scott. I think we can all agree that Mr. Grumpy up in the clouds is as Honorary as they get. Yet another win. Though I think we were all surprised at the non-Shardblady method of the execution, Riddles managed not to specify that in his oath. These Words are Accepted, then. Moogle managed to double down: I'll give Moogle this one. As I've said myself, it's near certain their Order 10 at this point. One more book left and then it's bye bye hat, Shardbearer... --- Any oaths I forgot?

I just now was recalled to this by hoser's new thread, but it may be of interest to you guys to know that I have picked up the habit of bookmarking whenever someone (else) makes a foolish oath predicting something. I'd been hoping to be able to post a "now you have to eat your hat" (the usual oath) message, but sadly the first oath has been fulfilled. Since we now know that Shalash has the powers of order #Shash (Lightweavers), Feather can rest easy knowing that her arm is off the market.