This is my reaction blog for Wind and Truth. Beware of spoilers! Index post here. 

Title: People Who Build
Well, that sounds like a culture clash explanation for Kaladin is incoming… except no, this is an Adolin chapter, not a Team Shinovar one. Do the Azish have anything like that? Or is Adolin just going to be musing about the construction of his newest battleground? I’m probably speculating way too much.

Icons: Jez and Kak
Kak for resolute defense, and possibly for the metal essence when they’ll be fighting under the giant brass dome? Jez for leading, since Adolin is going to be commanding the defence…sort of, except under the primary leadership of the Azish bureaucracy and local generals, so that’s probably a point of friction as well.

Epigraph: What do you mean “impending events” in Iri? We know about the “plague” (which honestly remains a very disappointing WoB that it’s just the common cold not something more serious to live up to the ominous hints throughout the series so far), and that’s more of a past/current event than something that could be considered impending. Oh wait, was that limited to the Purelake? I had in mind that it was more widespread, but Iri is potentially further afield than the epidemic would have reached yet. Do we know of anything happening in Iri? I vaguely recall some deaths among noble families, but I could be misremembering. Sounds like something to pay attention to going forward.  Regardless, “The age of transitions” sounds more encompassing than just a shift in what the Sleepless are up to.

Nice to see Adolin being all diplomatic, and also kind of funny to recognize the culture clash even as he tries to be accommodating.
Also, it still gets to me sometimes that Emperor Yanagawn is Gawx, the random thief kid who the Azish bureaucracy installed since nobody else wanted to be assassinated. He continues to exceed expectations for everyone involved.

Turning everything into bronze is definitely a tactic I hadn’t thought of, even if it turns out to be nonviable. The enemy can soulcast too, though, right? How useful is this dome actually going to be? Battlefield control against Fused has got to be difficult.

The Connection-based translation spell is doing a good job. I’d honestly forgotten that Dalinar put it in place.
Maya’s still being talkative. I love it! 

Oh, I thought that Stems business was an Azish bureaucratic speech that Adolin had clued into via the Connection magic. Turns out it was chess openings. That’s neat, especially that it’s a continent-spanning game not just a local tradition. But at the same time shouting at the Emperor for not knowing how to play chess when he’s been cramming everything else about leadership is not the smoothest move, mister diplomat. Even if Yanagawn approves.

Oh, Adolin. Your fashion obsession is adorable. Yes, of course everything admirable about you in this moment is down to the cape.

Colot, rejected by the honorspren. Ouch. I wonder how that impacts his chances for a different order? Hanging out with Adolin could give him more opportunities, I suppose. (Maya might put in a good word for him?)

Oh, Adolin’s ex is going to be his battle scribe. That won’t be awkward at all. “We never dated. Unless you ask her.” Yeah, that’s not a good sign, dude. I still ship you with Shallan of course, but it makes you sound like a bit of a playboy jerk.

Regals in stormform and direform. Have we noted the latter yet? I don’t remember. Certainly doesn’t sound promising.

Good news: May Aladar is being professional and nearly friendly about this, and is happy to contribute.
Bad news: Maya is being judgy and Adolin just admitted to dating every young noblewoman at the Shattered Plains. 
Good news: their banter is great, and Maya is in a good mood.

What is Adolin’s secret anti-thunderclast weapon? I ask because Chekhov needs to know what just got put up on his wall. And I am ever so excited to see whatever it is in action!
I also note that horses were used to pull the cart it’s in. I wonder if that’s a common thing in the military, since Chull are so slow? I expect only high-priority carts get that sort of extravagance.

I didn’t realize that all of Adolin’s troops were irregulars–either reactivated retirees or other veterans who haven’t seen combat in a while. That’s going to make things a bit trickier, not to mention the lack of Shards.

Huh. There’s the title drop and it’s from Highprince Aladar being proud of Alethkar’s direction under Dalinar who is building alliances rather than perpetuating infighting. That’s not at all what I expected.