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  1. Illegally cute. I call foul. Ed bird doing her education job. Educating us on cute.
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  2. Mraize, Veil and Iyatil of the Ghostbloods secret society. Some more Mraize sketches Veil
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  3. Alright well thanks to the revelations presented in thread, and I've just finished watching Ocean's Eleven and read it and like comprehended it, I'll say that I'm pretty annoyed right now. So, first I guess I'll have to talk about Conq, seeing as apparently he's from Roshar, but isn't from Roshar, and due to his actions, I wanna say that Roshar doesn't want him. So yeah, Conq. Don't know what afterlife is like in whatever faction you're now in, but you probs won't end up in the Roshar one. Don't really wanna say more about that, to be honest. Whatever faction was letting him just help them though, i'm pretty miffed at you too (has the faction that accepted Conq been said in thread? I kinda lied when I said I comprehended it) Secondly, now I know Nyali is an independent. Which doesn't really explain why she isn't acting like an independent. Is anyone in this little faction of peeps actually meant to be in the faction at this point? I mean, it's not like Nyali has the independent role that's hard cause you have to kill everyone, but instead has the one where they could easily go in thread at this point 'I'll just be chilling and using my ability because I'm independent and if you wanna test it then target me' but nope. Apparently it's a role where you gotta help Conq and whoever else is with Conq (I'm guessing the group that all voted on Ecth, because that would explain the bandwagon at this point). Lastly, 'sounds like she's not working with us anymore.' I've got mainly two things to say about this, first being that Nyali should not be using the word 'us' when she is an 'independent'. Okay? Secondly, now Wilson is in this little faction thing as well? Is everyone in this but me? Just because I didn't wanna make any PMs this game as a little thing to see if anyone would actually talk to me otherwise? (btw the answer is no) (This was all written before Conq replied to the thread) Conq, you've asked a great question there, and let me say, I think I've got the answer for you. You see, I didn't know any Rosharians before this cycle either, but now I can guess that Conq and Ecth are the other ones, so that's a start. But let's just not focus on that, let's instead focus on how I was in a similar position to Conq, where I didn't know any other Rosharians. Now that everyone knows that (because i think I told everyone else that when I actually told Joe something 'cause he seems to be in this faction of peeps) anyway, everyone should also be able to say that I definitely did not go to other people saying 'Hi I can't win the game while working with you but I'm gonna work with you anyway because there was no-one in my faction to talk to :(', instead I just chilled, because as long as other people die and I'm not helping the enemy faction, then I'm at least not doing anything negative. (Ecth has now replied to the thread, this is getting kind of long but screw it I'm peeved now) Okay, so apparently Ecth knew of me during T3, but I only know just learnt of him. Well I can definitely say that I am performing to my best this game. Might end the post here, gonna put a TLDR in 'cause I understand how useful it is unlike some people that write even longer posts (hint EL AND AMAN) (Conq has now replied again, but I'm just gonna ignore him because after all he totally isn't from Roshar) To make a medium post short: 1. I voted on Conq. 2. Nyali ain't really being independent. 3. Apparently everyone but me is working together or something. 4. I replied to Conq. 5. Turns out this game has not been good for me. 6. I just ignore Conq now.
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  4. Ugh, I dear hope not. This concept is so popular, there are three different tropes just to describe its varieties. I'd easily withstand Kaladin spending the next two books quietly pining for Shallan from a distance and going all craaawling iiin my skiiin on us if this cliché was the alternative. I'd say not really - she has literally no proof of her identity, and the last time Kaladin saw her, she gave him a completely different story for herself. There's no reason for him to trust her this time when she lied the last time, and there's no reason for her to assume she'll just be let inside - save for the "entitlement" that comes with lighteyes upbringing. Considering that boot theft thing, I'd say she should've swallowed her pride and act slightly more agreeable than "bah, you're so far beneath me, I bet you don't even know who your parents are". True, Kaladin didn't act like he should either, but I'm with goody153 on this one - it's Shallan who's responsible for the conflict escalating like that.
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  5. You don't really pick a colour, 'cause there is already some colour based stuff in SE, where black is game talk, and blue is OOG (out of game) talk. Usually used for stuff like if you can't put much effort in the game due to an RL thing. Otherwise, yeah, you just go to a sign-up thread (of which there are none right now) and just say something along the lines of 'I'm signing up and this is my character name' etc. The members of the Village (good) and the Eliminators (bad) are usually decided by random, but the GM might move some players around so that the game is balanced.
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  6. Round Five: Balancing the Scales. This round is one of the most exciting in years. This is Al Vron reporting live from Sennti. Some of the rounds before were real nail biters. There have been a few surprises along the way but everyone seems to be taking their game to another level. So sit back and enjoy some great Sennti action. The local favorite is Sel’s own Dunquaivel. This is her first Sennti match and she’s been groomed by some of the greats. She is rumored to have lightning reflexes and expert training. I know she’s one of the crowds favorites but you got to think that all the attention gets to her. When there are no expectations on you, you can just relax and enjoy the fight but we’ll see how well she does. I was in the Elysium Club last night and someone asked me “Hey Al, when are you going to retire?” I’ll tell you the same thing I told him. When they drag me away. I love Sennti. Ever since I watched my first game as a kid, I’ve been hooked. So until the Sennti execs give me the boot, I’ll keep giving you the play by play and they better come armed because I plan on putting up one heck of a fight. And there goes Dunquaivel. I really think that Sel is pushing her too hard. Being a rookie is tough enough but if you have been flagged as the one to bet, it really adds to the pressure. One of the advantages of being a rookie is that the hot shots ignore you until later but she doesn’t have that luxury and she’s now out of the running. Dunquaivel - Daniyah has been lynched. They were from Sel Round Five has begun. You have 47.5 hours. Vote Tally: Dani (9): Stink, Len, Wilson, Dani, Ec3, Con, Elb, Lopen, Stick Wilson (4): Nyali, Joe, Burnt, Bugsy Ec3 (1): Silverblade
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  7. He's adapting the Joker's "You're just a freak, like me" speech from The Dark Knight.
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  8. My grandmother came over with a bunch of stuff today. She hands me books on knitting (that she thinks I want), gives my brother some bits and pieces, holds out a pamphlet which I took. Seconds later my grandmother (gently) took the pamphlet from my hand and gave it to my brother while talking about something else, like she wasn't even conscious of what she was doing. Would I be wrong in calling ingrained sexism? I get the knitting books and my brother gets all the "Important" stuff? Because I'm offended and I'm not entirely sure why/if I should be. I was literally holding it and she literally took it from my hands and gave it to my brother. What, I'm not capable of holding a pamphlet or something? And it's my grandmother and I know she didn't mean any harm just........yeah. Opinions, anyone?
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  9. So I was thinking about how insanely intelligent Mr T was on the day he made the Diagram. This is a fairly crackpot theory, but it makes sense, and explains some things that didn't make sense to me. I think that on his intelligent days, he actually has more innate Investiture, and less on his stupid days. Hear me out on this. The first thing that made me think about what could be up was how he knew/figured out so much. It simply didn't make any sense to me. I don't care how smart you are, you don't simply deduce that much about the Radiants and Shin. You can't predict the effects of the Stormfather's visions on Dalinar years in advance like that. He simply gained knowledge that was literally impossible to aquire by simple superintelligence. I thought then about the Band's effect on your sight and how people's minds expand on Ascention. The two then connected in my head. What if the boons/banes affect your spiritweb to manipulate you into experiencing a cognitive effect? Magic is performed through Investiture manipulation, so why not this? If, then, Mr T is experiencing a change in his Investiture that directly impacts his intelligence and compassion, what happens when he has an incredibly high day? He gets some low level sight into the Spiritual Realm like you get with the Bands, coupled with the intelligence necessary to truly understand it. Also, since it stems from Cultivation, he may be better at predicting the future. It also appears fairly end neutral since his intelligence is random centering around average intelligence. Since distance is a non entity in the SR, he can figure things out in distant Shinovar and predict who the Stormfather would send visions to etc. To me, this is a satisfactory answer to why he knew so stinking much that day. On a side note, if he had an incredibly bad day, would he die of stupidity? He could potentially not have the base intelligence necessary to keep his heart beating and breath in his lungs.
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  10. The Wheel of Plot turns, and Ages come and pass, leaving memories that pass into legend. Legend fades to myth, and some of those myths end up looking really silly to people familiar with the source material! For example: The silly, nearly incomprehensible inner-city slang of a thieving street urchin in one age is regarded in another as the High Tongue. In the Final Empire, Kelsier was a sociopath and an anarchist, dedicated to destroying the existing social order, whereas Sazed was a great preserver of knowledge and bringer of stability. In Wax's time, we see that the Church of the Survivor is a powerful, organized institution with churches, doctrines, and commandments, and their adherents look aghast at Sazed's Path, viewing it as a dangerously Chaotic (in the D&D alignment sense) religion. Marsh, who saved the entire world from Ruin and destruction by fighting off a dark god's influence just barely enough to pull Vin's earring out, who has acted (mostly) as a benevolent servant of Harmony ever since, is viewed centuries later as the Grim Reaper, bringer of death. It makes me wonder what sort of strange ironies (not to be confused with Ironeyes, of course!) we'll end up seeing in the Mistborn Modern series. How will they look upon Wax, Wayne, Marasi, Steris, and the rest?
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  11. That's actually a really interesting observation. It's not the only time that you'll see something a little anachronistic; I think Wax and Wayne have a lot of metaphors that don't quite make sense given the history of their world. I expect it's for the benefit of the readers (especially the casual readers), so not throw off the pacing of the story. Brandon plays with that concept in Stormlight, with Wit intentionally making references to creatures that nobody on Roshar would be familiar with and totally derailing the conversation. But in terms of the text of the book, it can be treated as a 'translation' to English, with phrases like that meaning more like "the planet's final sighs" said in a way that seems natural to the readers. It does use earth with a lower-case-"e," so it's not specifically referring to our home planet.
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  12. Hey all! I've been a Sanderson fan since grade school when I read the Alcatraz Books, and throughout Jr. High and High School have kept on reading. I've not been reading as much recently as I would like so I have some catching up to do. And as I was starting The Final Empire again today realized that I was not yet a member here. So here I am! You can find me on the Brandon Sanderson Subreddit at u/thedj47 where I am moderately active.
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  13. I'll continue to defend Stephen! Stephen Leeds is a highly intelligent individual, but his mind cannot function at such a high level. In order to make up for this, his brain created Aspects, which are compartments of his brain represented by several hallucinations. Each hallucination is an expert on various subjects. I forget how many there are, but I think I remember there being several dozen. Each of these aspects has some kind of mental disorder, and many think that if Stephen didn't see these aspects, he himself would have those disorders. He can do incredible things with the aspects, such as unconsciously reading a book and creating an aspect with all the knowledge of what happened in the book. So I'd actually go on a limb and say he IS more quirky than L. And well, no one is as Wayne as Wayne. Each of the remaining characters are great in their own right, but the story and psychology of Stephen are vastly more interesting than any of these characters, at least in my opinion. I really wish more people would read Legion, I truly think it's one of Brandon's best works.
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  14. “I did manage to find something out about his powers, Queen Buttercup. I slid a razor edge, more than sharp enough to cut on its own, over his hand without him noticing. It did not cut him, meaning that he does have some damage resistance independent of Epic powers, although I could not say just how significant it is.” So Argon did have a more developed power portfolio, interesting. It was good that Buttercup had had managed to spot Argon’s maneuver, seeing how Kenshin herself had failed to do so. Even if it likely would have been too suspicious, Kenshin did not even consider further examining the corpses. Killing these creatures was easy enough that she didn’t even consider Argon too incompetent to deal with them on his own but seeing how spineless he likely would had have let per proceed anyway. However such an attempt may have turned out, Kenshin considered this as a failing on her part. “Ma’am, if I may ask, do you already have a plan on how to proceed further concerning him?”
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  15. Since no one else mentioned it here, thought I'd also point out the face in a rock formation on page 65, after Kenton joins Khriss' party. It's on the upper right of the page, noticed it on my first readthrough about two months back:
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  16. Is anyone else watching Stranger Things? I powered through the first 5 episodes yesterday and it is quite good.
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  17. Not to deter further discussion about the ethics of Adolin's actions, but to comment on the original topic... I can't stand love triangles. I mean, a little bit of teasing to make us wonder what will happen is great. But I don't like reading about teenage drama, which is what ever love triangle seems to degrade into. If the Shallan-Adolin-Kaladin triangle is still around by the end of book 4 (at least) then I'll be disappointed. I personally prefer Adolin. Mainly because it feels less cliche. I also think there's more room for growth of a Shallan-Adolin relationship. If it just continues as it is then I'd certainly be disappointed, but there are all kinds of ways that Brandon could introduce some interesting conflict and development into their romance. If you think Shallan and Adolin make a boring couple or a bad fit then you're ignoring the potential that they have, I think. Shallan and Kaladin, on the other hand, are both heavyweight characters. They've got their own stories to tell. I honestly don't see how anyone can think there's ROOM for a Shallan-Kaladin love story. It would be completely eclipsed by their personal story arcs. And the two of them (along with their romance) would totally hog the epic story that Brandon is telling. No... That just doesn't make sense to me from a storytelling standpoint. Adolin is a fascinating character, but he's not so strong that he'll get in the way of a romance story on the side. Yes, Shallan and Kaladin both had a difficult past. And they certainly shared a powerful experience being stuck in the chasms during a highstorm. That absolutely explains their awkward relationship at the moment. It doesn't at all mean they're good for each other. Kaladin could certainly use her optimism and all... But I'd much rather seem him conquer his own depression (or learn to live with it better) rather than just be paired with a woman who can patch up the problem. And after everything else... he (probably) killed her brother. I can see Shallan making peace with this, certainly, but I absolutely can't see her being romanced by Kaladin after discovering this. It would make no sense for her character. And Shallan and Adolin DO have a lot in common. Heck, they've both murdered people because they felt it was morally justified and necessary. I'd like to see Adolin being broken in some way, considering he's lived such a smooth and privileged rich-boy life up to this point. He needs some depth for Shallan to connect with. But there's plenty of time for that to develop. Heck, it's likely coming right up, given his final actions in WoR.
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  18. It's fine, I'm sure we can call the Inquisitors back before they reach your front door Actually, I would not mind having another week with the material that I was going to submit, so I will step back and submit on September 5th (please, Silk?).
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  19. I think the answer to the question would be: Had Adolin's mental state been any different when he met Sadeas, would he have killed him still? Had he not been stressed out of his mind, would he have snapped? I think the answer is no. He would have never done it because he has been there and the walked away. The difference here is he just broke down: too much stress, too much pressure. Everyone (especially Dalinar) has been shoveling everything within his yard without taking one moment to check if he was fine with it: Adolin is always fine with everything. You can shove him across the board back and forth and he is fine, except he isn't. He never was, but he loved to pretend he was. He refused to speak up his own doubts and fears, thinking he needed to be strong, for them. The snapping, the rage, it was all of those emotions he had been pilling up for the longest time which erupted. Was it nice? Well, no. Killing someone is never nice, but I still agree with Erunion here. Adolin remains, fundamentally a nice person which may be why he snapped: within his selflessness, he never got the chance to express his true feelings of anxiety. Little wonder he blew up. I also disagree Adolin hiding the clues where the act of a calculating individual: he wasn't calculating anything. If we go and re-read the scene, it says something along the lines of: "Dazed, Adolin still had enough mind to think of doing XYZ". Dazed. Confused. Clearly, he is in shock. Was it the journey or the destination? Only time will tell, but as far as I am concerned with Adolin, the only way to bring about his character wrong would be to not give him the focus he deserves and to ignore his growing mental instability, not giving it enough page time for the readers to dig into it. Adolin also is a rather sensitive guy with strong emotions: the killing will generate a new horde of stronger feelings even which he has never learned how to deal with. Therefore, if Adolin is suddenly composed and calm, then it will be a bad continuity for his character. So hopefully, once again, his arc will be satisfying for all who wishes to read it.
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  20. LG25: Night Three - Rox Felix Rox stood before the town proudly. “My Breath was stolen, yes, but it was recovered! Or how would I be standing here, when drabs have obviously been systematically killed?” “Have they been? Only two have died,” said someone suspiciously. “Well, yes, but more are obviously going to die,” Rox said, waving a hand impatiently. “Just wait and see tonight.” “I don’t think Rox escaped the drab assassin,” another said. “I think he Returned.” Rox gasped in shock. “There’s no call for such needless accusations! I am not one of those Idrian Returned! You all know me. Would I join them?” “If you Returned. If you had no other choice.” “I would never. Not even if it meant my life.” “People will do a lot for their lives,” someone commented quietly. “But… you know what? Fine.” And then Rox suddenly shifted. From a small, scrawny-looking man, he grew, his chin becoming sharper, hair lengthening slightly and softening from greasy to merely sleek, eyes darkening, body changing proportion until he was a perfect specimen of manhood. “I am Luckstar the Fortunate,” he said richly. “Let’s see you lynch me now. I am your god.” Silence spread across the square. Then, a single voice was clearly heard. “You killed Ryth and Asher!” Then there was a roar of sound. And none of Rox’s handsomeness protected him from being torn to pieces by a dozen hands. Ecth was lynched! He was a Idrian Returned! Night Three has begun. You have 24 hours to send in your actions. Vote Count Ecthelion (11): Frozen Mint, Dalinar, Conquestor, Twelfthrootoftwo, Magestar, Straw, Bard, Doctor, Meta, Lopen, Luckat Mark (1): Ecthelion Quicklinks Player List
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  21. Welcome to the forums! Have an upvote! Oh, and don't take the cookie, it's dangerous. My personal strategy for reading epic fantasy is to get it as a kindle book, so I can do quick searches for character names Other than that, I agree with everyone else; just try to immerse yourself in the story, and it'll work out. After you finish reading WoK, I'd suggest reading Warbreaker and Emperor's Soul, then doing a reread of WoK, and then finally starting WoR. It'll help you with some of the WoR concepts, hopefully
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  22. I love what you did with Veil. It looks amazing. Great work!
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  23. After a fourth day in this death hole and being in the middle of all the action, The High Prince decided he wanted to be known as the hero of Roshar! He shouldn't have turned his back on them in the first place. He still felt bad for betraying the Sel after saving him from the other worlds, but Roshar was his home. Wilson , you will live to RP another cycle, Sel, I am sorry, but though shalt not pass! Ending with Daniyah's death.
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  24. But you're not on the faction, so you're not on the ride. You're the body shield on the front of the ride for protection, or you're like Mad Max near the beginning of the latest film. They have to kill you, okay. You were never with them.
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  25. WayneSpren, Stephen has bought and struggles to maintain a giant forty-odd-room mansion because each of his hallucinations wants to have its own room and they turn into monsters if he tries cramping them all into his basement. He does not have any friend that could be empirically proved to exist. He's a specialist in over thirty different professions, but only because he has all those specialists crammed into his head. He can become an expert in any given field within hours without even paying attention to stuff he's learning. He regularly botches his dates because facets of his mind keep on interrupting him. He becomes incapable of deciphering human body language when his specialist on this topic is left behind - oh, and his hallucinations can be left behind, because apparently they can't teleport where he goes, so he has to drive giant cars to fit them in. His aspects have psychological issues of their own, and let's not even get into spoiler-level stuff! Frankly, I'm pretty sure if there was weirdness competition, Stephen would certainly win with L. On that note, hurt David. 1. David--12 2. Megan--18 3. Cody--18 9. Joel--17 10. Melody--16 17. Stephen Leeds--19
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  26. But ultimately she was legit, and part of Kaladin's job is to figure that out. And part of his job is to not lose his temper like that. Might be poor behavior for Shallon, but it was unprofessional of Kaladin and he should have received a dressing down on it. I agree, Shallan did not help her case, but Kaladin should have moved her off to a waiting area and let e.g. Navani check in on it further later on. But it was clear the odds of it playing out that way were not going to happen. That to me was Kaladin overstepping his position
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  27. You see, too them, you're just a freak, like me. They might need you for their homework, but when they don't, they'll cast you out. Where's the answer key? You have all these assignments, and you think you'll do well on them. I have one assignment. Then that's the assignment you'll have to fail if you want to succeed. Sorry, couldn't resist
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  28. I think this will help a lot. Also, if you hang a lantern on how she specifically avoids looking at her grandfather and the guilt she feels over the trauma, then the reader is prepared for something awful, and tension is building waiting for it. Then the big reveal will work better.
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  29. I may need to scour the art for more faces... There seems to be an awful lot of them.
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  30. I'm hoping the nightwatcher boon/bane is undone so she starts mentally maturing. I'm also having a hard time with an entire book dedicated to her as she is now. This isn't a young adult series, Alcatraz, etc. The novella in the CC (Arcanum Unbounded) may convince me otherwise though.
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  31. Someday I'll hit Steel Inquisitor and then I'll just have to ask people to never up/down vote my posts again... oh well, I've got quite a ways to go.
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  32. Sometimes he just RAFO's stuff because he hasn't decided if it is going to be important yet. Contrary to popular belief, he hasn't planned every plot point yet
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  33. I wouldn't do that, life is very precious to me (said the guy making dead baby jokes in English) EDIT:
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  34. The Valar are the shard-holders...
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  35. Ooh. Neat. I figured that Donna pic might be a cover or something. I. Need to check this artist out. Also, super villain films. Am I the only one really disappointed they didn't make a Rogues movie? I mean, maybe they want to save them for the Flash...but that could have been a way more fun super villain film than Suicide Squad. Antman was able to do a heist movie...so why not use the Rogues, trying to break into Waynetech for their next big score? Set up the Rogues for a Flash film, and tell a supervillain movie about supervillains committing a crime...except rooting for the Rogues avoid the pitfall of rooting for serial killers and murderers, since the Rogues generally avoid killing. Plus. The sheer hutzpah of stealing from Batman.
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  36. I think I finished the first chapter of my serial web novel. It needs some improvements, I need to clean it up a little, fix my horrible character and environment descriptions, add some foreshadowing when I know what to foreshadow, but otherwise II am happy with it... oh and its a bit on the short side, but I guess it works.
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  37. This was probably to show that despite that we empathize with them (mostly because we see their thoughts and the reasons behind their actions), they can be just as unpersonable and rude as everyone else. I think that scene did a good job to humanize them.
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  38. I have a Theory that Nightblood's bond give to the partner the ability to absorb Stormlight on Roshar but it's a theory therefore better to use canon material. IF an Herald may develop Squires (and we don't know) and Szeth becomes a Nale's Squire he will gain the ability to drawn in Stormlight and this will allow him to unleash Nightblood. As other option if Nale is actually at top of the newformed Skybreaker's Order (also a couple of Radiant is enough), Szeth may become a squire of one of them (with the time)
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  39. About to spend 12 hours locked in a room with a person I dislike. After getting a total of three hours sleep. How grand.
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  40. I'm just thinking about Kelsier by personality. Brandon has said before that in "another time" Kelsier would have been the villain due to his sociopathic tendencies (The WoB is something like that). Knowing Brandon, that could have been foreshadowing. (or a red herring... either one).
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  41. ...I don't think so. I'll bet 1,500 boxings on Telsin. Wayne...is hilarious. Extremely. Having him be the villain would honestly suck. And...what connection to the Set would Wayne have? No connection that we know of. Heck, he SHOT one of the high ranking members IN THE FACE, despite his issues involving guns. Although said member did walk away completely fine afterwards, because F-Gold can heal shots to the face, limbs ripped off by an explosion...pretty much anything as long as there's enough Health in a Goldmind, as Miles showed about a million times in AoL. Yeah...my money's on Telsin.
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  42. I think several things need to be kept in mind when it comes to Shallan: she hardly ever have third person's perspective. It is thus each time we are reading her, we are reading her own personal thoughts. This implies each time we are being told others are reacting in a given way towards Shallan, we aren't truly reading this individual's thoughts on Shallan: we are reading what Shallan thinks this person thinks of her. See the difference? People do not marvel in pure ecstasy each time she opens her mouth: Shallan believes they do. People aren't constantly praising her outstanding intelligence: Shallan perceives they do. Unfortunately, Shallan is a very unreliable narrator who takes in, who absorbs only what she wishes to. As Blightsong so nicely put it: she is insane. She mushes reality so it will fit how she wishes others to perceive her: she crafts lies and truths around her hoping to become this image of herself she has made. She firmly believes if she were to face life face on, without lies, she'd be nothing more than a ball crying endlessly. She isn't strong enough yet to accept she doesn't need this crazy plotting not to break down or perhaps it is within her nature as a Lightweaver. After all, her entire progression has been geared around her accepting facts, about stopping fearing the truth so much, but she isn't there yet. Therefore, her thoughts on reality aren't... reality. Not completely. If we were to read third person's perspective on her, we would probably read a much different story. She's a bright girl, there is no denying it, but she isn't as clever as she thinks she is. She isn't half as smart as she constantly tries to make us believe she is. She is over-confident, she is careless, she is rushing into the unknown without proper preparations and she is stupid enough to think she fooled an ageless private secret organization known for its stealth. Just because she stumbled on a spanreed conversation and she put on a disguise, she naively believes they bought her game. They didn't. You aren't a worthy secret society working in the shadows towards an unreadable agenda, cleverly assassinating your enemies, if you can't see through the poor attempt an inexperienced 17 years old girl is doing at fooling you. Even Sebrarial, she didn't fool. She hid her age, this is true, but he admits later on he agreed to her bluff merely out of curiosity. I would also note the other Highprinces were highly curious about Shallan: everyone wonders who will get her hands on Prince Adolin. It was a calculated risk: if she turned out being a burden, he could still throw her out. He had nothing to lose as for her "salary", it is barely enough to sustain her personal slaves and guards, so hardly a luxury. As for Dalinar, yes he is uptight, but it has been made very clear it was his way to control his emotionally impulsive side. He hated the man he once was, he couldn't control himself, therefore he sought to implement a strict code of life to prevent him from ever stepping into those former shoes again. This being said, Dalinar isn't a block of ice: he has feelings and his feelings for Navani are both very strong and very real. He wrestles with himself on several occasions, wondering if being with her was the right choice, stating outright he feared his love for her would destroy the careful control he has been able to establish. If he were to refuse her, to send her away on the pretense he has to be uptight at all costs, then he wouldn't be such an interesting character: this duality in him, this desire to control combined with his feelings are what make him compelling. I do not know how else to state it. As for his kids, they are adults. Single-parents shouldn't prevent themselves from dating again simply because their adult children may throw a tantrum. Each time we read those characters, we have to be careful to separate the character's thoughts from how others perceive them. I feel you are mad for characters not behaving in the way you would personally approve of. I may be reading you wrong here, so please correct me if I did, but it seems to me as if you wish all characters were Kaladin or very similar to Kaladin... Wouldn't this be boring? I love the diversity we have going on here: each character has its own duality, his own fight and all are interesting.
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  43. Here's the draft of the Skateboard design I did in Art Class. The actual skateboard is going to the exhibition, so I won't be able to take photos till then
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  44. Today was a relatively quiet day in the Restaurant at the End of the Cosmere. Most of the usual people were here, nursing their drinks, talking in quiet tones. They were all worldhoppers, of course. Drawn from all the corners of the Cosmere: Sel, Scadrial, Roshar, Nalthis, Taldain and Threnody. Rosharan heat fabrials warmed the restaurant, while the walls had been tastefully decorated by a native of Nalthis with the Fifth Heightening, so it looked aesthetically pleasing from almost any angle. The floors were plain tile, and at a corner was a Scadrialian machine that played music, operated by a sleepy Scadrilian armed with a bandolier of medallions. The machine only played Scadrilian music, which often annoyed the Nalthis worldhoppers with the second Heightening, but it was tolerated. There was a shining pool outside the entrance, which many worldhoppers used to get here from the Physical Realm. The bartender was always there, greeting newcomers, catching up on news, serving drinks. Only very few of the patrons knew who he truly was, and they weren’t telling. (Yes of course Khriss knows). A sign on the wall stated the rules of the Restaurant. Brawling of any kind is prohibited, either with Awakened Objects, Allomancy, Feruchemy, Hemalurgy, Surgebinding, AonDor, Soulforging, Sand Mastery or plain physical brawling No interplanetary warmongering Be nice to each other. No Hoid. At one table, some of the Seventeenth Shard were grumbling over their drinks about their long drawn-out and futile search for that impossible, thrice-cursed Hoid. They had been joined by a new member, Wan ShaiLu from Sel, whom Galladon had apparently recruited when she showed up in Elantris. She was cursing his name very creatively indeed. They had just come from Roshar, intending to go to Nalthis next. (The King’s Wit was probably laughing very hard indeed all the way in Roshar.) Kelsier sat in a far corner, (Without Marsh today, thankfully) nursing his metal-sprinkled ale. (You had to specify which world’s ale you were ordering, or you might end up with Selish Connection drinks, which made you want to draw for hours, or Rosharan Horneater Ale, which could melt cups.) Being a Cognitive Shadow rather than a physical being inside the Cognitive Realm, he didn’t actually need to drink, but he liked to keep up the pretense. Besides, he liked having Demoux worship him whenever he walked in, which often caused Seventeenth Shard meetings to be delayed. Mostly he sat, absorbing the gossip from all around the Cosmere, always grinning at people at seeming like he was formulating some dark, deep plot. At another end, Khriss was scribbling down her latest thoughts on life, the universe, and everything. Alternately, she could be writing her next Ars Arcana, having just visited Sel. Kenton half dozed beside her. Nazh was doodling Aons on a piece of parchment, thankful for the break. There had been a particularly hasty escape when Nazh had tried to study a naked Dakhor monk at Khriss’ request. She owed him a drink for that one. And there were the Kandra, of course. Mysterious group, they tended to keep to themselves when they visited the restaurant. They never stayed long, only coming in for a short drink before going to whatever Shardworld Harmony was currently showing an interest in. They tended to switch back to their natural forms inside the restaurant, which freaked people out, of course. That’s probably why no one knew their names yet despite them having frequented the bar for years. Vasher had dropped in for another visit in between his trips from Nalthis to Roshar. As per usual, he had a large pile of empty mugs beside him and was currently holding another pint of ale. Vivenna sat beside him, primly reading a book. Blessedly, Nightblood was nowhere to be seen. Iyatil was back, taking Mraize for another spot of Worldhopping. They had just visited Scadrial, and apparently were due for a visit to Threnody, seeing as how Mraize had been bartering for silver knives at the restuarant’s small merchandise stall. Silver was always in good stock in the restaurant, seeing as how nobody wanted their drinks interrupted by a bunch of red-eyed cognitive shadows. The restaurant filled with a quiet, content hum. News flashed relatively quickly through the Worldhopper community. A plot on Scadrial, Harmony facing a red mist. Kandra quietly inquiring after ‘Trell’. Roshar was a dangerous place to be in, currently, due to the Everstorm coming. Business as usual in Sel and Nalthis. On another note, Joshin and Mi’chelle were settling in nicely at Scadrial. Congratulations all around. The bell rang hesitantly, and a ragged figure entered. Her dress was tattered, and hemmed at the knees. She had a glove made of the same material as her dress on her left hand. She was tall, regal, although looking much the worse for wear. She had violet eyes and was currently holding a rather large Shardblade. Rosharian. She blinked, taking in the scene before her. The other worldhoppers barely spared her a glance before returning to their respective conversations. The bartender smiled and waved her over to an empty table. Jasnah Kholin blinked again. “I’m at a bar,” she stated in her flattest voice, “In the middle of the Shadesmar.” Only Vivenna stood to welcome her, shooting an exasperated glance at an inebriated Vasher. “Hello, stranger. You would best leave your weapon outside. Welcome to the Restaurant at the End of the Cosmere!”
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  45. To not freak him out, it would be better to specify the "other hair" as chest hair or leg hair, at first. There are other people in line behind you, and they are listening on. You wouldn't want them to think that you're some kind of crazy perv, would you? If he does want to know the real reason why you ask, the best answer is the refuge in audacity. I would say that I needed the information to make a "Roshar Fundraising Swimsuit Calendar" , because the Knight Radiants need Stormlight and what better way than to sell calendar folios for spheres.
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  46. Stormlight Archives Regency Romance PART TWO If this stranger, this Doctor Kaladin, had been properly courteous - or even good-humoured in the least, in his manner - Shallan would have felt no inclination to respond with insolence. But he had not the air of an elegant gentleman; that surely would have made her shy instinctively towards girlish hesitance. Doctor Kaladin had instead a dark face with heavy brow furrowed in irritation; though he was young - not much older than her, on inspection - his face had none of the softness or gentleness of youth; his lips were set into a stern line. This Kaladin creature spoke with the cultured tones of gentle breeding; despite this, he seemed set on being disagreeable from the start: Shallan had always thought herself sympathetic with those of lesser station, but here, she could feel nothing but antipathy. "Aye, ye be addressing the Lady Shallan," said Shallan, exaggerating her rural accent to one fitting of the servants back home. Her former governess, Madame Tyn, made a study of regional accents and dialects, and had taught her on the condition to never speak like that in front of distinguished company. That would hardly apply to Kaladin. "Pledged clanswoman and shieldbearer to The McValam." "You don't sound like a lady," remarked Kaladin bluntly. She gave him shallow curtsey, no more than a mere dip of the knees, and with a curt toss of her head, circled around him. "Ye dinna look like any doctor I ken," Shallan said. "A real surgeon would ha' better hair than yers, I reckon. Do ye keep it for emergency bandages?" Kaladin sputtered. "Emergency bandages-" "Too stringy fer tha', maybe. Emergency sutures, more like." Kaladin's brows gathered together, and his mouth twisted down with ire. "You do not seem like any lady, would I not be mistaken if I judge you an opportunistic impostor who has managed to deceive herself into Lady Jasnah's good graces? And I, Miss, am no leech-peddling barber surgeon." "E'en tha' job's got folks looking foward to yer comin', aye," said Shallan, "I'd think ye'd be better suited fer bailiff...or hangman. Ye would'na need a rope when yer breath would work faster." Kaladin's face reddened pleasantly, or so Shallan thought, and his body stiffened. He took a breath, then stepped closer to her, hands clenched in tense fists by his side. "Look, you-," he began. "Lady Shallan, the carriage awaits," called Countess Jasnah. The last trunk had been loaded onto the last cart; the first had already departed and was now a merry puff of golden dust on the road ahead. "Doctor, your credentials are in order. My uncle the prince recommends you warmly, I am most astonished to see." "Yes," Kaladin said, and after a pause, "thank you." He turned finally away from Shallan, and took the offered wallet from Jasnah's hands. He did not offer the wallet to Shallan; instead he tucked it into his coat's inner pocket. Lady Jasnah nodded; a footman bowed as he held open the carriage door painted with the tower-and-crown in white with gold details. The folding steps had already been pulled out. "A Kharbranth Academy scholar, I was naturally impressed to see that," said Jasnah, holding her skirts, as she ducked into the soft curtained dimness. "Will you be joining us for the ride to the house, Doctor?" Doctor Kaladin's eyes flicked sideways at Shallan. He had composed himself by now, and she observed that when he wasn't dis-tempered, he made a well-formed figure of a man - taller than most, with handsome breadth of shoulders, and graceful hands etched here and there with pale white scars over tanned fingers and knuckles. His face, though it lacked in beauty or elegance, had its own decisive character made more distinguished by darkly perceptive eyes. Shallan tore herself away and took the footman's guiding arm into the carriage. She did not look back. "I shall ride with the coachman, if it pleases you, Lady Jasnah," said Kaladin after a few moments. "I would not want the road dust from my journey here to soil your clothes nor the upholstery - my Duke had it cleaned for your arrival. He comes from The City to-night and expects Lady Shallan's informal presentation for this evening after supper." There were a few clinks and creaks as footmen found their places, and the horses shuffled impatiently in their traces, then the carriage started moving. Shallan twitched aside the pale blue lace curtains on the window and watched the warm green countryside trundle by, dotted and dashed with the occasional hayrick or wind-breaking treeline. She now felt a thrill; elation gently warmed in her chest: the world suddenly seemed to blossom around her when not very long ago she had imagined that it was like a box folding inwards and unstoppably inwards. She had dealt with that Doctor Kaladin, unpleasant as he was, with remarkable ease; no doubt this unfamiliar southern land would be filled with many such as he, but she could - yes she would - crest over such trifling difficulties and find herself comfortably settled as a lady Duchess that all of Anglethi society would look to. THE END. Now imagine a Purelake Interlude here. I skip that one every time I re-read. Author's Notes: The last time I wrote short stories or fanfiction was 4 or 5 years ago, so I'm a little rusty with my prose. For stylistic influences in this work, though I'm copying the writing style of classic period romances in general (not the modern paperback bodice-rippers), I would name Charlotte Bronte as the main inspiration to fit with the thread topic. Of course there's some Austen in there as well, mixed with more modern authors for the dialogue lines because I feel using old-style for that sounds too stiff and lacks emotional impact. A few hundred years ago, barbers and surgeons were the same thing. Physicians diagnosed illnesses, but it was barber-surgeons who did the actual surgery and amputations. Their razors could cut skin and give a close shave. Shallan is joking Kaladin on his unfashionable and messy hair. A bailiff in medieval times collected taxes as part of their job. I also referenced the scene in the hallway of Elhokar's palace when Shallan meets Kaladin for the second time in Words of Radiance. If you're wondering why I made Shallan Scottish, it's a reference to the post from a similar thread here, and since all those classic romances took place in England, I tried to make a weird fusion for humourous reasons.
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  47. So I got my brother a Sanderson book for Christmas with an answer to a Cosmere question written in it at this signing, and I thought it might be interesting to all you folks here. The question was - "If Cultivation and Honor were romantically involved, why did Cultivation not help Honor against Odium?" The answer - "She did." Typical Brandon, leaving more questions than answers, but still, I hope it's a valuable point of data.
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  48. I am the space dragon. I am the epic serpent. I am the length that coils around creation. My scales are black as the void between stars, and in my eyes shimmer the lights of a billion galaxies. My fangs are light years long, their roots wider than solar systems and their points sharper than atoms. To stare into my face is to stare into eternity. In my foremost claw I hold a planet pinched between my claws, a tiny blue green sphere I found as a newly hatched space dragon. I hold it up to my cosmic eye, peering down at the tiny little creatures that crawl about its surface. For thousands of years I watched them bicker and war amongst each other. I saw hatred and ugliness in their hearts. At times I considered flicking the little blue pebble into its sun, to cleanse its filthy people with nuclear fire. But each time I tried I stayed my claw, convinced by some nagging in the back of my infinite mind to let them live another century. Another age, it pleaded. Give them another age, and they will show you beauty. And so I waited. The millennia passed like ticks of a clock to my all-encompassing eyes, but to my weary view it seemed to last forever. It seemed all the little primates ever did was fight and torment one another. In one age they learned to cultivate fields and forge steel, and immediately turned on their less advanced neighbors. In another age they crossed one of the great oceans of their world, only to slaughter their kin on the other side. In the latest age, they discovered how to split atoms themselves, and immediately utilized the god-like energy they'd produced to murder entire cities. I tired of their senseless violence. Ignoring the pleading voice in my mind I lifted the world on high, determined to fling it into a nether-dimension and have it consumed by the flame-hounds for all eternity. But in the last moment before I could destroy the speck, I saw a single beautiful glimmer of light from its surface. It was a single witty primate with a story to tell. I watched in awe as he hatched a vision of the cosmos, an epic story arc that told the tale of gods and magic and lost forlorn spirits. I watched in admiration as he put that vision on paper, in stories that made me laugh, cry, and love. I, who had watched stars burn at the end of their lives--I, who had watched entire galaxies grow cold--I, who had watched the universe itself be born in a fiery explosion at the Beginning of all things... was impressed. The microscopic primate had impressed the great space dragon. Though to my eyes the life of a star seemed only to take a second, the infinitesimal ticks of time in between his novels were far too long for my liking. So for the first time, I deigned to speak to the little primates. Because they, like myself, were impressed with the witty one's writing, and were eager to discuss the wonder of his words. My forked tongue, an ethereal force transposed over the fabric of reality, graced the servers of their Internet and began to Speak. Earthlings, rejoice! Sing in praise of the primate that tamed the Dragon. Sing in praise of the primate that saved his world from the one who felt it held no merit. Sing not of your wars and petty bickering, but of the basic creativity that's kindled in every one of you, waiting to be unleashed. When you look at the sky, see not the great space dragon, but see reflected in my eyes the beauty of your species. And rejoice. Ooookay I have no idea where all that came from. The truth is, I'm a hairy, dusty teenager with no redeeming physical characteristics. The space dragon is way cooler. : P
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  49. Kandradate? Well, you'd never get bored. ^_-
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