Leaderboard

Did you ever hear the Tragedy of High Prince Dalinar the Blackthorn? I thought not. It's not a story the Radiants would tell you. It's a Singer legend. Dalinar was a High Prince of the Alethi, so powerful and so angry he could use the thrill to defeat opponents with shardplate and shardblade... He had such a mastery of the thrill that he could keep the family he cared about from dying. The thrill is a pathway to many abilities some consider to be unnatural. He became so powerful... the only thing he was afraid of was losing his family, which eventually, of course, he did. It's ironic he could protect his wife from others, but not himself.

To quote Shakespeare's famous play, "The Majora's Mask": \

So today I was at work and was thinking about allomancy and FTL technology when I realized that speed bubbles compress space. I can't believe no one has mentioned this before, so I'll act as if this has been proposed before and try and add as much detail as possible. Since I had many hours to work this out, here's what I have: I am basing this on the idea that the cosmere still has einsteinian physics, because I don't think Brandon is just throwing out all that stuff. He's relying on that. And here, there was an idea for a FTL drive called the alcubierre drive. The basic idea is that while no THING can move faster than light, space-time can. So, like surfing a wave, you compress space in front of you, and expand space behind you, and end up going faster than light. So, what I realized is that a speed bubble can't be dilating time without dilating space to some degree or another. Obviously it's not a huge amount, because it's not affecting the people inside enough for anyone to go "huh, this is weird." But, if you're compressing time, you should also to some degree be compressing space as well, based on the whole idea of space-time. And that means with 2 bubbles, you could potentially achieve FTL travel. This idea has several things going for it, but obviously there's a bit more to this process than just a slider and a pulser in a rocket ship. First, this is a relatively viable method of FTL travel, given that unlike many other methods in stories, it doesn't break hard physics. The main issue in the real world is that we don't have a great way to compress space and expand space in the way that an alcubierre drive would require. But huh, look at that! Coincidentally, Bendalloy and Cadmium EXACTLY fit the bill for what you would need! It's almost as if Brandon read about the alcubierre drive at some point, and decided to create speed bubbles to fit the bill, so that they could be around as a power but then later on be realized for their greater potential! Even recently, he's mentioned that there's more to speed bubbles in relation to FTL travel that we haven't figured out yet, and we've gone on and on about the ability for cadmium to enable a "cryosleep" of sorts. This would exactly fit the bill for something reasonable for them to discover in the future once they have a better understanding of realmatics and physics. Speaking of which, real quick, I'll list off what Scadrial needs to get to to have this be a viable technology. First, they need to get an understanding of Einsteinian physics, specifically space-time. Furthermore, they need to understand that speed bubbles are locked on in location to things like the planet, or a moving train. This would allow them to extrapolate that a bubble would stay in place on a spaceship as well. Finally, they need to have completely mechanized the metallic arts in order to get the ship off the ground so that this drive will even work, because it won't work on a planet. Furthermore, I expect them to have figured out how to create spirit webs with allomantic powers that can draw more investiture than even lerasium mistborn would be able to, much less any allomancer born to their powers in that era. So, here's what I'm imagining Era 4 to look like. A long, thin ship stands up on the ground, surrounded by a large, ringed tower. The tower activates, each ring activating a constant upward steelpush on the ship, sending it up and up, faster and faster, like an allomantic rail gun. Once in space, the ship stores its weight as it determines its course by going through similar, larger rings in space. Then, in the back, a large, powerful cadmium bubble activates, and in the front, a similar bendalloy bubble activates. Space time is compressed in the front, and expanded in the back, sending the ship to speeds that are faster than light. In the middle of the long ship, between the large bubbles, smaller, nested cadmium bubbles multiplicatively slow down time for the people waiting through the voyage. It probably also has another form of propulsion, perhaps a solar sail or ionic engines or something. It could land something on a new planet by simply finding a large enough metal deposit to push against as it descends. Now, my hope is that either I will get the chance to ask him about space compression next time I see him, or that someone else will get around to asking it. Given that he worked with Peter closely on the physics of speed bubbles, and that an understanding of space time is fairly universal, I can't imagine that he would create a power like speed bubbles where they manipulate time in such a way, and NOT have it affect space as well, especially as it affecting space leads into exactly the sorts of discoveries we expect from scadrial at some point. Frankly, I'm more surprised that I can't seem to remember this being mentioned before. edit: oh, and I figured I should mention this thought about Era 4 here. Brandon has always made it clear Era 4 isn't going to be the Avengers. My thought is that instead, it's going to be more akin to Star Trek. With a more focused plot line.

I looked up the definition of foil and got this: "a person or thing that contrasts with and so emphasizes and enhances the qualities of another" I don't think Moash has to be as simple as "Dark Kaladin" to qualify as a foil character. They come from somewhat similar (but certainly not the same) places. They both went through Bridge Four. They were both deeply wronged by many of the same people, both in ways that cost them people they loved. I don't think digging into the gritty details of those things disqualify Moash as being a foil. His choices post-Bridge Four contrast with Kaladin's, and so emphasize and enhance our understanding of Kaladin's post-Bridge Four character.

This top profile is Mack. I'm not sure how to grade his weakness, because it severely inhibits his ability to be an Elantrian, only allowing him to be affective with sufficient prep time. He also has a lot of gear that makes him strong as well. His total points is 440. I'm also not sure how to rate his power as an Elantrian, so that could bring it down. @Archer I've never been good at this kind of character creation. How would you rate his weakness', and would this level of power be alright if he were a non-combatant? . He has 60 points for his thievery. Probably less if you factor in his weakness and has no more fighting skill than the average guy. I've used him for a few posts, but nothing else. Definitely not OP. Can we move him onto the Era 3 list? 135. Makc the deaf marksmen is within the point values, even without his weakness. I'm not sure how to rate his Equipment, but I think that its stuff that anyone can use, and non invested so I think its good. Hes already on the Era 3 list. I'm honestly lost for him. Definitely not OP though. Can we move him to Era Three? Second to last, Maq. I don't think his boon is worth much more than 90, once you factor in the Bane. And I don't think his power makes him OP. Can you add him to Era 3. Honestly I have no idea how to sum this fella. But I got an OK, so can we move him to Era 3? His Aons are too tiny to be usefull, and I have no idea how he would make them. He has no bones, so Dakhor is useless. Forgery could be useful, if he could carve a stamp. I think he could use chay shan. Unfortunately he is an Amoeba, so it wouldn't be that effective. His allomancy is useless cuz he can't hold enough metal. His feruchemy is kind of useless, he can't store anything. He can really only draw from untapped metalminds. His surges can be useful. The ones that don't require touch to use. Unfortunately he has no idea how to use them because no one ever taught him, and no one knows how to teach an amoeba to surgebind. The shade inside can be useful, on a microscopic level. His tiny body is too containing. He doesn't have enough water in his body for sandmastery. His Aviar carries his petri dish around for him. He can awaken. That's about it. He can't see though, or speak. So he has no idea whats near him. So yeah. Once he figures out how to surgebind, I think he could be usefull-ish. But until then there's like nothing else. Here is the completion of the Mac gang:

Today was my birthday. Yesterday, while I was away from my desk, my coworkers decorated it. Streamers across the cubicle walls, pom-poms on the edge of the shelf and on my computer monitor, felt animal stickers—it was pretty impressive, especially for an hour's work. Today, I got tons of birthday wishes, plus a few emailed cards featuring pugs. After work, I went out for dinner, came home, walked Bruce, and then had some popcorn and hot chocolate after opening the presents from my family. All in all, it was a good birthday. And since this time last year I was in a pretty bad work environment and didn't feel I had the funds to treat myself at all, this feels even more special.

Just realized something: Dalinar's fatal flaw is his rage and his addiction to the Thrill. Evi's fatal flaw is her naivete. Tanalan's fatal flaw is his pride. Everything collides at the Rift to produce a horrifying problem for Dalinar that isn't truly anyone's fault, simply the inevitable result of everyone acting according to their character. It gets resolved through the personal intervention of one of the Gods. The Oathbringer flashback sequence is a classical tragedy.

Hi, I have an idea for a epic rithmatist, but have no idea where to begin. Like, how do I score my character’s power level and where do I go to start rping. Any help is appreciated. I hope that I can make the Alleyverse just a little more interesting.

And we're off. The students are frantically drawing their defenses. Ron, what do you think about their choices. Well, it looks like the students are taking their time, making sure to cover their weak points. The downside of that is... Speak of the devil. It looks like Miffed was taking too long drawing, and that led to an early ambush. Look, on the other side of the field! Apla yer, who was so confident going into this fight, has been eliminated! I guess pride comes before a fall. It looks like the players have developed some secret codes to... Oh wait! It looks like that wild chalking has been eliminated. How did it even get on the field? I don't know Tom, but with only three players out. It's still anybody's game. This round will end in 24 hours, at 4:00 PM EST on Saturday, January 12. Be sure to get your actions in. Player List:

I wasnt saying his situation was similar to Shallan's at all, quite the opposite. I was saying his situation was a lot less different from Kaladin's than you were implying, that Moash was raise by (it sounds like) very loving and supportive grandparents up to the time he left to start travelling, at a similar age to when Kaladin left to join the army. You seemed to be implying that Moash's childhood was a lot more horrible that I believe it was, more akin to shallan's full-time nightmare. But at the end of the day, if you fundamentally disagree with Foils as a literary tool, we probably arent going to get very far on this topic.

Then you're completely misunderstanding me. What they consciously believe about the power has absolutely no bearing. What they picked up would be be whatever the core intent of Devotion is and that core would be filtered through them into a manifestation that is appropriate. Their belief that it was Ambition would be absolutely meaningless.

While I hate Moash, I'm not going to say that it's all his fault or that he and Kaladin are the same. They're not; they're quite different people. Kaladin had the benefit of a loving family, Moash had that ripped away from him. That's already a HUGE difference between them and their respective childhoods, and the smallest of differences can end up being the deciding factor in what you choose to do in your life. Sometimes, you don't really have a choice (or don't feel that you have), both of which are outside of your control. Odium is also just kind of mind controlling Moash by this point. Anyway, personally Moash is not a convincing foil to Kaladin for a couple of reasons. First, their paths are not divergent, in fact they were never treading the same path at all. Second, Moash is obviously completely beaten down - to the point where he allowed himself to be essentially mind-controlled! And third, the concept of "foils" is asinine to begin with. Why do characters need foils? Why can't everyone just be their own character with their own motivations with no need for this black-and-white comparison?

https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1083095876392964096 The dude is crazy. A flying car? Insane! I love it! His new rocket looks like it was covered in tin foil? I don't care, that's an amazing retro-space age aesthetic! This is now an official Elon Musk appreciation thread.

So I made a parody about Spensa lol. It's not my greatest writing, but here it is, sung to the tune of "How Far I'll Go" from Moana

Sorry I didn't do much of that whole theatre setting thing

And now, on the 350th anniversary of Elendel's founding, we, the Ashmount Theaters, release a special production commemorating the life of The Survivor! Coming soon to theaters around Elendel, this play is based on the raising and training of The Survivor. Some of the accounts have been slightly adapted for release in theater, but the core of the story remains the same. A few scenes have been chosen to showcase this momentous play. We hope to see a full house on the release of the final performance. This is Ashmount. Ashmount hopes you have enjoyed this program.

3

2018 was my year of binge reading Sanderson and falling in love with the story! I'm especially excited about all the world building and detailed cultures. My favorite genre of books are most types of fantasy, hard sci-fi, historical fiction, and historical non-fiction. I am a hobby artist and writer as well. Nice to be here and I hope to get to know some good folk!

I have been arting this week for the first time in a while This colorful little birb is called a Townsend's Warbler. He's found in western North America and can fit in the palm of your hand. Original colored pencil drawing: Adobe Photoshop version based on the pencil drawing:

Hoid is already too powerful, and pretty much has been for as long as we've seen him. Mr Sandman has limited Hoid some, though. He can't cause harm directly, and even thinking about it messes with him. Did I miss something? When was that said, because that's a juicy tidbit, and make Hoid as a protagonist the bookends for the entirety of the cosmere, with Dragonsteel and Era 4 both having him as protagonist.

I was at that point just a couple days ago. You score your character based off their abilities in the point index (a link to that can be found near the top of this page in one of @Archer‘s posts) epic powers are a little wierd though. To start rping you just need to go to the alley verse forums under community and choose one, then just start posting in character

@hoiditthroughthegrapevine @John203 I finished! Pancake girl, as sung by none other that Wyndle! I hope you guys like it, it was a bit challenging

There are some things money can’t buy. For everything else, you trade for it. - Wayne Betcha can’t eat just one. -Kandra

When you have a bad stomach ache and all you can think about is: Why in the world is the Dor trying to force itself through me, I'm not even an elantrian... *Draws Aon Daa in the air to check* Nope not a elantrian ... Also when you draw the random Aon Daa in the face of your enemies

No, I'd say Moash currently is more the archetypical shadow of Kaladin's personality. In Jungian thought the shadow archetype is everything we dislike and suppress of our personality. It still lingers in our unconscious thought and can peak out in moments of great psychological stress. We tend to deny its existence (because it makes us realize that part of our personality is not as nice and kind as we like to imagine ourselves), and often project these exact faulty characteristics onto others during conflict. We've seen Kaladin's shadow present itself already. Mostly during his hopeless early weeks as a bridge slave, but also after his extended bout in prison. Depression and emotional burnout bring it to the surface for him. Instead of being proactive he followed orders, believing himself to be ultimately powerless to change the world. He became apathetic to the suffering of those around him because he couldn't deal with it (burnout). Anger for vengeance became especially prominent. That's also why I believe Moash has a clear potential to redeem himself. He's in a dark state of mind and has made bad choices but at his core he's not an evil or sadistic person. He needs someone to help him find hope again like Syl did for Kaladin. People tend to willingly forget: back in Way of Kings Moash actually spoke up for Dalinar as an honorable lighteyes. This was during the scene where Dalinar attacked Listener archers who were about to attack Bridge 4 and then saluted them. It was Kaladin who convinced Moash that all lighteyes should be regarded as evil. Sure Kaladin eventually came around and changed his mind on this, but he still bears some responsibility for encouraging that particular dark aspect of Moash's character.

I dont really think so, if only because Hoid was saying it, and he followed it up specifically to say that he was including himself in the list of people you shouldnt Trust, which is a disturbingly common message from him. Though I suppose his actual choice of words were "be wary of anyone who claims to be able to see the future" which is a bit less absolute than "Dont Trust." Pretty sure it has to either be Shallan or Renarin but not both, since they are very different with renarin getting none of the Illusion magic that Shallan is mastering. And Renarin's the one with the atypical spren for his order, so I definitely think it is indeed him.

They are indeed foils. Moash is exactly what Kaladin would have been if he had dwelled and not learned to let go. Kaladin grew up, Moash didn't. Now we all see the difference, and Moash kind of realizes it himself, with the way he regrets everything. (Honestly I think Moash deserves it, but hey. That's just me)

The Sibling was sleeping during the Weeping while the Chimney Sweeps were Sweeping, but Kaladin had a Salad in the Shower of the Tower when the fateful Hour struck and the Sibling was unstuck from the lumbering of his slumbering and the power in the tower turned back on. I have a disease, similar to Tourretes, where whenever I hear alliteration of certain variety I have to compose a Dr. Seuss like bit of nonsense. Please continue your discussion.

I have come up with an argument that Unity is not a reinterpretation of Honor, as follows. First, did Dalinar take up a full Shard at the Battle of Thaylen Field? I do not think so. Though there are visualish similarities between this scene and the one in which Vin was infused with all the mists, nevertheless, Preservation was an intact Shard, whereas Honor is not intact. Also, Vin's physical form was vaporized during her full Ascension, whereas Dalinar is still flesh-and-bones. So, if Dalinar did not pick up a full Shard, would it have been possible for him to have reinterpreted a full Shard's Intent? Even if it would be possible to do so, does Dalinar know enough about Shards, Shardic Intents, Adonalsium, etc. to know how to reinterpret a Shard's Intent? I think not. Consider, Sazed picked up two intact Shards who had emulated Adonalsium to the extent of not just colonizing some already-existing world, but making a whole world out of thin air. Sazed was a scholar, used to analytical thinking. Yet, he learned very little about Adonalsium from the residual knowledge of the subject contained in the two Shards he took up. Even if Dalinar became a Vessel, I doubt he would have had Intent-reinterpretation downloaded into his mind at the time. So, supposing Dalinar took up enough of a Shard to reinterpret its Intent, he would have done so basically by accident. I don't know about you but of the many things in the Cosmere that require you to know, Intentwise, what you're doing, before you can quite do them, changing the interpretation of Shardic Intent seems like it would be near the top of a list of those. Dalinar, without knowing that his god is a Shard of Adonalsium who assigned the Intent of Honor to an ambiguous fragment of the original god, managed to reimagine his god as if it were Unity and not Honor? All he knows about that Shard, without even knowing that it is a Shard, is that it is known as Honor. Now, you might say, well, did Sazed even know, explicitly, enough to reinterpret Shardic Intent, when he became a Vessel? However, Sazed was in a substantially different position. He was not reinterpreting an already-given Intent, but assigning an interpretation to an emerging Intent. Every Intent has to be interpreted, so in the original case of the Shard being taken up in the first place, that vacuum has to be filled. But once filled, it becomes more a decision, what its interpretation will continue to be. Either you can try to hold on to the interpretation, or you can let the Shard reinterpret you, so to speak. Anyway, Sazed, as a Feruchemist, was used to thinking of his power in terms of a balance of Ruin and Preservation, so assigning the interpretation of Harmony to the Intent of his new di-Shard, would have been a natural cognitive move for him to make. Dalinar, by contrast, would have to rather self-consciously believe that Unity was what Honor was "supposed" to be, and so on, in a situation where he doesn't even know that Honor as a Shard can "supposedly" be anything but what it is, as such. This all brings up the second major condition of the argument, which is the massive difference between the Unity-Honor alternative, and the Harmony-Discord alternative. Unity and Honor would be reciprocal. Harmony and Discord, however, are opposites. Unity can be conceived of as a kind of Honor, or Honor as a kind of Unity, but Harmony is not a kind of Discord. Let's say, Harmony and Discord are on the same level of complexity, whereas Unity is a less complex concept than Honor. It seems as if the Intent of Honor already contained the Intent of Unity within its own interpretation as such, whereas interpreting the Intent of Ruin + Preservation as Harmony excludes simultaneously interpreting it as Discord. Granted, we're talking about the difference between a monadic and a dyadic Shard, with different preambles, but together with everything else considered so far, I'd say that, "I am Unity," has a virtually zero percent chance of being an expression of Shardic reinterpretation on Dalinar's part.

great. That makes me feel much better.

Granted. You can do it inside a titanium box suspended 9.9 miles in the air with only a small planter and some carrots for food. There is an incessant drip in the ceiling to provide water and only a creationspren for company. I wish that I had a range large enough to properly sing the Song of Durin.

Granted, but you cannot speak, see, or hear. I wish for a stick.

As stated in the tags, this fic is inspired by the WoB explaining Fortuity's weakness—public rejection by a woman to whom he is attracted—and hinting it stems from a time that happened in the worst possible way. I found that to be an intriguing deepest-darkest-fear, and this idea began percolating. Will probably be a three-parter, but I'm not making any promises. Part One

MERRY CHRISTMAS! And that's not true. I do look back fondly. But i am glad i left. (Sorry). All of you guys are amazing! And i went to Fiji.

We're always happy to welcome new players to our community! I'm sure I'm speaking for us all when I say we're looking forward to getting to kill know you.

When you get 2 glow in the dark Kaladin and Syl shirts, but you aren't even mad, you just have twice the Stormlight! also @AonEne That cake! ahhhh! looks awesome!

Noooo! The cookies are spiked! You can only accept TUBA approved cookies on these forums.

I am quite fond of his characters and his process of developing them. In my opinion, however, his most masterful ability is the way he creates unique and wonderful worlds. That said, Nightblood + Stick, everyone's favorite inanimate objects.

I don't think that the lessening of the highstorms needs to have anything to do with Shadesmar, or anything magical at all. Hurricanes (which highstorms are based on) naturally die down as the make landfall and continue on land (due to lack of moisture to sustain them). As far as the ocean->land dynamic of Shadesmar: Shadesmar represents the Cognitive beliefs of beings in the Physical Realm. People's perception of where "the ocean" is and where "the land" is doesn't change due to minor, temporary things like waves. It also doesn't change quickly (similar to the concept of hysteresis). However, if there was some sort of cataclysmic event that flooded a city, say, then yes, over time Shadesmar would change to reflect that portion becoming "water" instead of "land."

Well, I think I've participated in every Shard Game Seonid has run (missed the early ones run by Joe, though). It was a small post that Seonid made in the Random Stuff thread to try and get more players to join his LG21 Shard game that got me into this whole crazy thing. Since this game is a swan song of sorts, I may as well return to my very first character that I ever played - Vathir, the Nalthian Rambleman. (I didn't know at the time how deeply accurate that could turn out to be for me - I've been rambling on for a long time now...) Vathir, now white haired, slowly stood up. Nalthis, his old home, had been destroyed - it pained him slightly to realise he couldn't even remember what conflict that had been anymore. So many dead... his memory was filled with people who had vanished into the mists of time. And yet, Vathir stayed on. Always returning, always watching as slowly all those he knew passed into the Beyond. And now, there was a storm on the horizon. Another day, another battle. Vathir could just... not go, but that had never been his way. Slowly, he clambered up, and began to walk towards the clouds in the distance - wondering how many of his friends he'd see die this time. Vathir had held it all. Granted the Shard of Devotion by the Almighty, and lost it again. He'd died, and been reborn, and had died a second time. He'd changed sides more time than he could count. He'd watched the agents of Hoid rise and fall, and Shards change hands over the course of centuries. He'd had friends and enemies. He'd seen the creep of suspicion turn friends against friends, the joy of victory, and the price of defeat. And now, it was time to see it all end.

Jasnah. Because she's Jasnah. She is capable and amazing in all the ways that I wish I were, and her issues are ones I relate to strongly. Least? Lift. She fun and crazy and sweet Shard of my soul I can't wait for her to storming grow up.

Maybe you could say those and become a voidbinder? (That was a joke...)

The whole reason he ended up in Bridge four was that a member of his family challenged Sadeas to earn shards and lost. As a result, they came to serve Sadeas, and Rock made some interesting dietary choices that left him in Bridge four. Simultaneously sad, horrifying and hilarious. Fine. Ownership of shards is transferred by heritance, or by right of conquest, correct? Well Rock, proto-Radiant that cannot handle the touch of shards though he may be, killed Sadeas Amaram. Oathbringer went back to Dalinar, cool. But Heleran's plate and blade, by right of conquest, should belong to Rock now. The first Horneater shards. Mission accomplished, sort of. So what is going to happen there, in the year gap? This takes tertiary interest behind everything else that could happen in that year, like the fallout from Rock taking violent, life ending action, despite being strongly adverse to it, and the implication that he is higher in the Horneater heirarchy than he lets on, but still. Interesting to think on, no? So what will happen in the next year with the Horneater peaks, and the self-loathing proto-Radiant Horneater King who wants nothing more from life than to stay with friends and family and make sure they are well fed?

Here's the Scene from Book 4 when Rock finally uses his bond to the Sibling to get the power back on at Urithiru,

Nice theory @teknopathetic!! Seems like a highly plausible location for the Sibling's retreat, conveniently close to Cultivation's shardpool too. That would be awesome if Rock bonded the sibling, only downside would be that they would have to rename the tower city Stewrithiru.

Discussion of intent has come up quite a bit lately, so I feel it's about time to formally put down this theory. I've listed many of the points I'll make here elsewhere, but I've never strung them together in one place (excluding Discord). Section 1: Origins To begin, we must address the Shattering. We know that a group consisting of at least 16 people somehow killed a divine entity, and split it's power among themselves. Each of these pieces has an intent which demands the power they hold be used in certain ways. I believe that these intents are quite literally Adonalsium torn asunder. I believe that Adonalsium had no Vessel. The sheer amount of investiture that comprised the sum of all shards means that when it developed a mind it easily surpassed sentience, and became a sapient being. When a Shard is splintered, the Vessel is no longer holding the power and it is separated from the mind that guided it, whether that Vessel was killed or merely gave up the power. This was not an option for Adonalsium. It was the power. When it was Shattered, the mind was shattered with it, and the remnants of that mind became the intents that drive the Shards we know. Section 2: Interpretation The intents of the shard are, by this idea, far more malleable than is often stated. This is speculation, and I base it largely on Ati, and I see no real way to confirm or deny this until we see a single shard change hands and be held long enough to express its intent. A mind is needed to guide the Shard. The Vessels can alter the way that that power is made manifest. My view on this, is that the names of the Shards that we know is not the pure intent of the Shards themselves, but the interpretation of that core concept by their Vessel. Much of this grew out of my head canon for Ati. In the letters between Hoid and Frost we are told that Ati was a "kind and gentle man," and yet he become a monster that reveled in the death and suffering of all. I believe that the kind and gentle man viewed Ruin as a monstrous force that needed to be contained, and Leras agreed with him. They worked together to attempt to contain this immeasurable force. It was Ati's belief that was his undoing. His interpretation of the force of Ruin as monstrous and destructive created the very monster that he feared. His interpretation forced the Shard to manifest in the way he believed, and this was so at odds with his nature that it overcame and consumed him. But a Shard still requires a mind to guide it. So while his interpretation of Ruin subsumed his personality, it was still shaped by the belief that caused it to be so violent and sadistic. Sazed in contrast views Ruin as a natural force. I don't think he would become that creature even if he held only Ruin. For a hypothetical example of what I mean, look at Vin. She did not hold the Shard of Preservation long enough for us to know what the outcome would be. Considering her immediate actions, I propose that she could have been called "Salvation" or "Protection." Shifting the focus away from stasis, to "preserving" life. It is a drastically different interpretation of a concept that exists at the core of both words. The protection of what is. Due to this interpretation, I don't believe that any attempt to categories the Shards is possible until we see them with different Vessels and are able to try and determine what the actual core concept of each is, and what was actually taken from Adonalsium itself. So perhaps Rayse is not lying, and Passion truly is the core intent of what he holds. The name Odium is known though, and regardless of what he states, I think it is the intent he has made manifest.

Sometimes a hypocrite is nothing more than a man in the process of changing. Law is light and darkness does not serve it. Ask and I will answer. -Nale is the Man. I will take responsibility for what I have done. If I must fall, I will rise each time a better man. -words that touched me personally. Now THAT is a worthy ideal. You tried to help the people of the market. You mostly failed. This is life. The longer you live, the more you fail. Failure is the mark of a life well lived. In turn, the only way to live without failure is to be of no use to anyone. Trust me, I've practiced. I love tradition. I've fought for tradition. I make my men follow the codes. I uphold Vorin virtues. But merely being tradition does not make something worthy, Kadash. We can't just assume that because something is old it is right. One can believe in a story without believing it happened. Plan every battle as if you will inevitably retreat, but fight every battle like there is no backing down. Every moment in our lives seems trivial. Most are forgotten while some, equally humble, become the points upon which history pivots. Like white on black. The question is not whether you will love, hurt, dream, and die. It is what you will love, why you will hurt, when you will dream, and how you will die. This is your choice. You cannot pick the destination, only the path. You Cryptics mimic … weird stuff? The fundamental underlying mathematics by which natural phenomena occur. Mmm. Truths that explain the fabric of existence. Some men, as they age, grow kinder. I am not one of those, for I have seen how the cosmere can mistreat the innocent—and that leaves me disinclined toward kindness. Some men, as they age, grow wiser. I am not one of those, for wisdom and I have always been at cross-purposes, and I have yet to learn the tongue in which she speaks. Some men, as they age, grow more cynical. I, fortunately, am not one of those. If I were, the very air would warp around me, sucking in all emotion, leaving only scorn. Other men … other men, as they age, merely grow stranger. I fear that I am one of those. I am the bones of a foreign species left drying on the plain that was once, long ago, a sea. A curiosity, perhaps a reminder, that all has not always been as it is now.

What do you call Vin when she has atium? InVincible

Why was Sauron able to Conquer Elantris? Because he had More Dor. Mordor, get it?