Soby

Just finished. Initial thoughts: 1. A piece of my Stormlight soul will be gone forever thanks to Moash and his traitorous baby-fits. 2. I’m not ashamed to admit I choked up hard in the scene between Kal and Tien. 3. Is it me, or is Dalinar well on his well to ascending towards shardhood? I mean he has the authority to accept the words of Kal’s 4th ideal. I theorize that books 6-10 will contain a lot of dealings between Dalinar (Honor) and Taravangian (Odium). 4. Lots of satisfaction in new Nahel Bonds!!!

Haven’t finished reading part 4 yet. But just a thought: is Nightblood’s color/light the same light that Rabonial is seeking to create to destroy Odium?

Thanks for the reply! If she uses Stormlight though will she go unconscious?

Is there an explanation I missed as to why Venli isn’t unconscious?

Anyone think romance may bud between Laral and Kal now that they’re a High Marshall and City Lady? I hoped, even though it was a stretch, that Vivenna and Kal would hitch and Kal’s story would end with him moving to Nalthis... Speaking of Nalthis (and maybe I’m really really late to the party here), but anyone else wonder if the Ghost Bloods may be connected to the planet?

I think you’re right...I don’t think even Shashara could retrieve its breaths but I’m having a hard time recalling this info. Apart from simply tying the Awakener/Radiant systems together in SLa, I’m just thinking about the role Nightblood has on Roshar...

Anyone else wondering how Cusicesh and the sphere imprisoning the Thrill could end up intertwining? Also, quick question just out of curiosity: could nightblood be drained of breaths by a heightened Awakener like Zahel or Azure? Is it possible for a level IV biochromatic entity?

Whenever I read these chapters I’m always struck by the importance of Renarin and the role he may play in the story..I don’t know why. I feel like he may be the literal difference-maker in the success/failure in all the plans being made...

Ok. Great info! Thanks! I couldn’t find any explanation for this on any of the forums or websites.

Sorry and thank you!!!

While awaiting the 4th installment of SLA, I’ve read a couple more Brandon Sanderson series. I’m now on the Skyward series. I’m wondering if anyone can answer why Spensa hatches the plan to pose as Alanik to try get hyperdrives when she lightlanced Alanik’s ship and had it in her possession? Alanik’s ship had a hyperdrive correct? So why the need to pose as Alanik to try get a hyperdrive from the superiority when she already had one in front of her?

1. Maybe the 4th ideal will be spoken by Kal when he’s forced to protect people in a way that doesn’t require the sword? Maybe it’s what needs to happen in order to speak it. 2. So many were hoping R’lain to be the next Bondsmith. I hope Yunfah, who reminds me of a grumpy lawn gnome, tries to bond R’lain only to find R’lain bonding another spren. I’d think Teft takes over the windrunners, but I’m worried about that as I don’t think the future bodes well for the next field commander of the wind runners... 3. I think it’s the right choice for Kal to take on a more support/actual leadership role. In the military, someone of Kal’s position would never be on the front lines in the vanguard anyways...Regardless of their mental state. He’s probably the equivalent of a Colonel at this point...

The more I think about it, the more I believe Navani could be communicating with the Nightwatcher in this chapter via spanreed. I gave a bunch of reasons why I think this could be the case in a previous post. Anyone else? I'd love to know if I'm just off my rocker.

100%. I think Brandon captures the psychology of depression amazingly and I have no issue with the fact that Kal will deal with the ups and downs however long he's in the series. My concern is that his story and how his psyche is used in each novel is becoming monotonous and it makes me concerned for his character because I just don't see Brandon allowing the same "Kal is dealing with his depression until he has some breakthrough in his thinking that allows him to progress in the ideals and then he blows everyone away with some new Radiant power while protecting someone" to keep going on and on, so I wonder what he's gonna do with Kal. Yeah, Adolin's arc is a bit dull because he's basically the same all the time, but because he's been such a stable character, there's opportunity to do a lot with him. He could go super dark. Some people think he'll be Odium's Champion, which I doubt, but that's a different discussion. I agree. I guess killing off Kal would serve no clear literary purpose. I just get a weird feeling about it--like how the Fused almost killed Kal by stabbing at his spine repeatedly; how Kal almost got seduced by Moash, etc. My hope is that Lirin ends up speaking the first ideal and maybe even 2nd and that he somehow plays into Kal's story in a larger way.

I understand that he’s clinically depressed. I have 2 immediate family Members with clinical depression. My issue isn’t that he is depressed, and my point isn’t that he should get over his depression—I know it’s life-long. My point is that it seems like it’s becoming the primary literary device that moves Kal’s story along. I love the realism that Brandon captures in regards to human psychology—especially in regards to human suffering. All I’m saying is that it seems like Kal’s story is primarily just ups-and-downs until he has some breakthrough that progresses him to the next ideal at this point...my issue isn’t the depression—it’s the device being used to shape his character at this point...and I don’t even really have that big of an issue with it. I’m just saying, I wouldn’t be shocked if Brandon pulled a GRRM and killed off a primary character like GRRM killed off Ned Stark—the protagonist of ASOIAF book 1...

Crazy takes and just pontificating: 1. Someone in the thread mentioned their tiredness of Kaladin’s dreariness. I admit, I can empathize for Kal, but honestly, his arc with his mental state (trauma, etc.) is getting repetitive. There’s not really much growth. Brandon is a fan of GRRM, and if Kal stays on this path, I honestly could see a surprise coming like the death of Kaladin that would shock everyone. I love Kal. Overall, he may be my favorite character, but I could also see his arc coming to a close if all that’s left of his story is ups-and-downs until he finally gets past whatever is clogging his mind to progress to the next ideal, over and over and over. I almost could see him sacrificing himself in someway to protect others. 2. There’s a lot of theories on who Navani’s communicating with via spanreed. Just a thought for me was that maybe it’s a spren—ie The Nightwatcher? The Stormfather opened up dialogue with Dalinar in a strange way. It seems that the Sibling and Nightwatcher will probably have unique lines of introductory communication with whoever they choose to bond. Navani becoming a Bondsmith seems a bit redundant, but I wouldn’t put it out of question. Cultivation has hidden herself from Odium and now that Odium failed to make Dalinar his champion and now would “have to face Dalinar himself” as revealed by Taravangian’s vision in OB, Navani could be the safest bond for the Nightwatcher. The Stormfather has protective feelings for spren and was also a bit demented as he continues to come to himself via his bond with Dalinar through time. So I wouldn’t be surprised if the the Sibling or Nightwatcher has similar protective feelings towards Spren and are a bit demented until they bond a human and grow. Navani also seems to fit with the characteristics that Cultivation would deem as admirable. Side note: I’m hoping Rlain is a Bondsmith as well... Also, bondsmith’s May have to sacrifice some things that other radiant’s are allowed to enjoy. The Stormfather requires that Dalinar doesn’t use him as a Shardblade because he sees them as abominations. Similarly, if it’s say, the Nightwatcher opening lines of communication with Navani, it may require her to give up her love of fabrials for the same reason Dalinar is required to give up his love of Shardblades.

1. I thought anyone can regrow anything if they become a squire or knight. It’s just that the Truthwatchers and Edgedancers can’t heal others if the wound has been there too long. Like Renarin couldn’t give Gaz his eye back, but Gaz gets his eye when he takes in his own Stormlight. 2. I can’t help but tie Renarin’s part in this chapter to the vision that Taravangian had with Odium at the end of OB. Renarin is the dark horse...And I love how similar he seems in some ways to Tien.

I finished my re-read. Yeah the book makes it clear that Dalinar is Odium’s chosen champion. But I’m curious now as to whether Odium can even pick a new champion? During Taravangian’s interaction with Odium, he sees that Odium can’t see Dalinar again or else he’d be forced to fight him himself, so he has to use “agents” to do his work for him. What do you guys think?

I’m re-reading Stormlight in order to prep for RoW. In Oathbringer in the Chapter “Riino,” Kal sees a vision when he touches the large sphere in the lighthouse. It says: “The enemy’s champion was coming. Kaladin knew in that moment—an overpowering sensation thrumming through him—that Dalinar was in terrible, terrible danger. Without help, the Blackthorn was doomed. “Where!” Kaladin screamed to the light as it began to fade. “When! How do I reach him!” The colors diminished. “Please!” He saw a flash of a vaguely familiar city. Tall, built along the stones, it had a distinctive pattern of buildings at the center. A wall and an ocean beyond.” By reading a few pages further, we know that the city Kal sees is Thaylen City when he draws what he saw and Shallan confirms the location. We know it’s where the battle of Thaylen Fields eventually occurs... I guess I’m wondering if this is suitable evidence that maybe were all over analyzing “the enemy’s champion” and that the enemy is Odium and his champion was Amaram? Kal’s vision says “odium’s champion” was coming and the place it was coming was the city Kal saw and drew, which is Thaylen City. Any thoughts? I’ve seen so much speculation as to who Odium’s champion will be, but maybe it simply was Amaram based on the vision Kal saw.

Ooooohhh good catch! I shoulda reread that part before opening my big mouth!

Syl in shadesmar...lol.

I’m late to the party on this one. Dalinar: Not an E and potentially not a J. He does come across as an ISTJ but at the same time he has internal monologue in OB referencing the fact that Navani’s “clock” if you will helped him get to meetings on time for the first time in his life—that’s not very istjish. Shallan: Absolutely not a INFJ. She is 100% isfp or infp—i’d Lean 90% sure she’s infp. She gets sidetracked way to easily. She gets lost in her day dreams, art, and fantasies. She’s caring and has a deep sense of being broken or different than everyone else. Navani: ES or EN FJ: She brings the best out of everyone else and is a diplomat. Adolin: ESFJ for sure. Kaladin: 100% INFJ. He’s a protector—he bears the weight of the world on his shoulders; he’s caring but extremely serious. He’s definitely Ni in terms of cognitive function.

@turtle373 I’m not sure about Gavilar—hence the topic start. I’m curious about your and others thoughts on it. What makes me question Gavilar apart from everything already discussed is that he expected an assassination attempt but was utterly surprised that it was the Parshendi that sent Szeth. Why? Because he thought they wanted his help in bringing the fused back to Roshar to seek vengeance on humans for their displacement on Roshar, but Eshonai and the 5 made it clear they assinated him to keep their gods from returning. So I guess the question is who did Gavilar expect to assassinate him? The answer to that might reveal who’s ultimate goals Gavilar was pushing to achieve apart from his own.

I agree that Odium May have spoken to people without them knowing it was him. But I think Amaram had knowing interactions with Odium as well. The reason I say this is the following quote: “And what is this?” Meridas asked. “The fulfillment of my promise to you,” Odium said. “Swallow it.” “What?” “If you wish for the promised power, ingest that—then try to control the one who follows. But be warned, the queen at Kholinar tried this, and the power consumed her.” Meridas held up the gemstone, inspecting it, then glanced toward Dalinar Kholin. “So, you’ve been speaking to him all this time too?” “Even longer than I’ve been speaking to you” It seems like Odium and Amaram struck a previous deal where Amaram was promised power and that Amaram displays a level of jealousy when he realizes that Odium has been dealing with Dalinar in addition to himself. I mean this all could have just taken place literally at Thaylen Fields and that’s it...but it’s curious. Especially when Taravanagian strikes a deal with Odium and knows how to contact him to have a negotiation.

How do we know she’s not granted access to the surges? Can you explain? Regardless, I think that Rlain is currently a windrunnner squire. We’re left in OB feeling sorry for him because he feels like an outcast and the lingering question everyone has from that point on is whether he is able bond an honor spren or not. Venli bonding Timbre is what seems like Sanderson’s way of answering the question of Rlain in a roundabout way and then he’s mentioned by Lopen passingly afterwards as someone who belongs to “us” meaning those trying to become radiant not just members of bridge 4. So I think Rlain will in fact manifest surgebinding abilities apart from evidence that the bond listeners/singers have with radiant spren is vastly different from the nahel bond.