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Is there a better thing in the world than the look of dawning realization in the face of someone who has just fully GOTTEN the full impact of the Cosmere and all of its implications for the first time? I was in church this morning and had brought both of my Stormlight hardcovers to loan to a friend (I started her on Warbreaker, then quickly graduated her through Elantris and the Final Empire Mistborn trilogy. She read The Emperor's Soul this afternoon). As we stood dicussing Hoid, Harmony and all things Cosmeric, a man I'd never met before came up all excited pointing at the books and said "I love those books! Have you read them?" Now there are not a lot of Sanderson fans here in Pennsylvania (I'm working on rectifying that), so I was really excited and asked him if he was a fan of the Cosmere. He said "No, I've read those and the Mistborn trilogy and Elantris, but I haven't read the Cosmere series yet." The look of astonishment and excitement on his face when I told him that was extremely satisfying. I told him that he'd have to read Warbreaker next, and he asked me where that fit in. I thought for a second, and then said His eyes got wide and he turned and called to his wife across the room: "Honey, we're stopping at the bookstore on the way home!" Another one for team Pennsylvania. Someday, I'm going to see this state have the biggest Cosmere fandom in the country, even if I have make every single convert myself. ​

There are many ways to get the investiture needed for the various magic systems. There is directly consuming it from an outside source, like Stormlight, there is harnessing the innate investiture of others, like Awakening, there is channeling the investiture, never actually taking it in but instead acting more like a water faucet for the power, like AonDor, and then there is Skadrial's Allomancy. Where does the Investiture come from? Is it harnessing the innate Investiture? Or is the Investiture simply stored inside the metal like gemstones on Roshar? Or is the investiture burning through the metal, using it as a pipeline like the faucet? Or is the Investiture accessed in a way we haven't seen before, and every Shardworld has a different method to access Investiture? Edit: Typos

So, I'm pretty sure a ton of people here dressed up in Brandon Sanderson costumes for Halloween, so here's the place to show them off! I'll start: I was Wayne! What were your costumes?

Hoid is both an Allomancer and a Ferrochemist. But please note these few things about him. 1. He didn't necessarily use the bead of Lerasium to become a Allomancer unless there was an interview that I didn't read. Regardless of whether he is a Mistborn or just a Misting, and similarly with Ferruchemy. It's still possible that he is compounding much like the Lord Ruler did in order to stay young. Brandon said "He did steal a bead of Lerasium off of Scadrial. If he were to make use of that bead, certain powers would have been gained." 2. He would likely be from Scadrial given he could gain BioChromatic Breath. Despite this many people think he is from Yolen. I will admit that I haven't read ever book in the Cosmere yet, but I'm almost done, and my theory makes sense; at least to me. 3. None of his powers are gained from Hemalurgy So little is known about the ability LightWeaving on Yolen, so to assume that he's from there and that it is heredity it foolish, so let's assume that like BioChromatic Breath, LightWeaving can be gained, or like Forging, it can at least be taught. The ability to visit Shadesmar can be gain in many ways, and the ability to manipulate it comes from practice. He uses Feruchemy to gain limited foresight, so he can know where he should be. This leads to my believing that he has lived through ages, maybe even since the shattering, though we know he isn't a Shard. It's quite possible though. As far as we know, Ferruchemy is strictly genetic, but being the oldest form of magic on Scadrial, it makes sense that he is from there, likely before the Rise of the Lord Ruler. His ability to heal and "bend time" could also come of Terris heritage. I don't think that he is a MistBorn, but rather a twin born of multiple abilities. NOT a full MistBorn and Ferrochemist though. Comment below with objections or support of this theory, I'd enjoy hearing what you guys think about it. -Java

On Scadrial, Bronze Mistings can, with practice, determine what metal is being burned by the wavelength of the pulse. On Roshar, Lightweaving can apparently influence sound and light waves, and the Listeners Rhytms seem to play an important role in their society. On Sel, Raoden tries to understand some books that discuss something about measuring the wavelength of the Aons, or some such. Basically, waves play a large role in Invesiture, particularly in the different uses of Investiture in one magic system. Any thoughts? Any additions to this rough theory of the Cosmere would be invaluable.

First ever thread!! Hopefully I can construct these thoughts properly. Though I warn you I will probably end up all over the place. SoS - I've just finished SoS and have seen some bits around about Bavadin's shards intent, Autonomy. It strikes me as pertinent that the identity of a shard has been released so close after finding out there is another likely god metal on Scadrial. I would guess that Autonomy/Bavadin is working with Oduim to splinter the shards to remove the interference of the shardholders from the Cosmere, including himself. As we've seen with Preservation Shards are not frightened to destroy themselves to ensure there intent is met. This fits with the Autonomy. Bleeder also had a fanatical belief she was freeing people from Harmony's interference. The god metal spike seen at the end of SoS had, I believe, bits of red rust on, I wonder if Autonomy and Odium are working together and this has corrupted his investiture, the rust the physical realms representation of this. I like the name Autonium Rust and ruin - WoB has said to look closer at the rust and ruin phrase closer. Ruin is obviously just ruin, but rust could represent a completely different shard. It could be everything I've written so far is wrong. Rust could represent a shard, pluck from the air, Decay maybe? Someone also mentioned on a post a while ago that BS had put a clue in his book regarding Trelagism and Trell was mentioned in SoS, Trell had a brother and his name was Nalt. Nalthis is the planet Endowment is. More overlapping Cosmere theology. Belief - My thoughts on the way Odium splinters Shards and the way shards are powered in a sense would be rooted in belief. One of BS best qualities as a writer is how he incorporates religion into the magic system, and how normal people can become figures or religious belief. Now what if the shards themselves are powered by belief, Bleeder tried to break free Elendel from Harmony's control, for the lack of a better word, but this also would have broken down the belief system and government as part of the plan. This would weaken Harmony and give Autonomy or Odium an opening to attack maybe? Not a great theory but could be plausible. Gateways and Stormlight - This is just a thought I've been having regarding the way magic interacts with different worlds. WoB is that when an allomancer burns a metal it is giving access to the power of the shards/creation, a gateway to access magic, each metal is a gateway to a certain power much in the same way that drawing an Aon accesses the Dor with a specific outcome, channeling the power for a specific purpose. On Nalthis each person has a breath to begin with, they are Endowed with a small part of the shard, much like the way life on Scadrial has both preservation and ruin in them. In Mistborn people are picked for there actions to become more, but as the powers come from both preservation and ruin it's not about good or bad actions but almost random, balanced. This is opposed by the investiture on Nalthis, where you have an innate breath at birth, a link to god, but you are Endowed with a divine breath if you are found deserving, dying to save someone. Each of these links or gateways can run out or be used up with The exception to the rule is Roshar, I think anyway. Spren are the gateway and stormlight is the power that is used. Does this mean that Roshar is the nexus for the power of creation as stormlight is freely available to all people, just most don't have the link to access it personally. Like I say these are mostly the ramblings of a madman, think I may have been spiked by BS to miss all points. Thoughts anyone?

This is probably going to go nowhere, but Wayne seems to know a lot about some aspects of the Cosmere. Both in AOL and SOS he mentions the God Beyond, which seems to be his religion of choice, and has been theorised to be related towards Adolnasium. He also wanted to speak to Hoid while Wax was talking to Harmony, could it be Wayne has contacts who are world-hoppers? I think this is unlikely since he probably would have called on them during the crisis in SOS, however, there must be somewhere he has gotten this information. Thanks for hearing my musings.

Whilst thinking on a post I put on another thread I have come up with a theory for the, likely, new god metal on Scadrial piecing Bleeder. Forgive the cut and paste but I can't be arsed to right it all again. The metal was described as having rust on it, one of the opposites of Endowment is Loss. After reading SoS the new god metal has come to the fore, I personally think Rust is formed when Electrons are Lost by the metal to oxygen molecules creating an oxide surface. Our mystery metal may be the shardic manifestation of the opposite of Endowment. Not sure if Loss is the correct name but another opposite word is Deprivation and I much prefer the sound of that. Could be that Bleeder was Deprived of her sanity? Thinking on this some more BS has hinted that we should look into Trellagism some more, and I have found this on the Coppermind: Trelagism was a duelist religion named after the god Trell. Trell's opposite was Nalt, and the two were believed to be brothers. Trelagists believed that night was sacred and daylight was profane. During the night, Trelagists were able to see the Thousand Eyes of Trell (the stars) watching over them, but during the day, Nalt - jealous of the worship given to his brother - would shine his single eye (the sun) on the land, blocking Trelagists from seeing Trell's eyes. One can speculate that their religious observances, if they had any, were at their height during the winter months, and summer months may have contained many petitions to Trell or attempts to ward off Nalt's jealousy. Now the planet that Endowment is on is called Nalthis, so it could be the planet is actually named after its shard holder, I think this mixed with the beliefs of Trellagism point towards Deprivation (tentative name) and Endowment being the closest opposites of each other, maybe even brothers. Probably all a load of straws being clutched but I think it's worth a think about. Whats your thoughts?

This is NightBloodTheWorldHopper's first post!

I have been wondering this ever since I noticed that Hoid is a different age in the books he appears in. Or, at least he seems to be a different age. Does he only visit each world once, in a certain order? Or is he ageless? Any theories on his age? I think he is ageless, or can change his age. Maybe he has a power from a certain world that can make him age the way he wants? Please put your thoughts here, maybe ask around.

So hi, this is my first new topic that I have posted. I'm a huge Brandon Sanderson fan. I have read everything that he has released and will continue to do so until I am an old man. I have gotten at least 20 different people into Brandon's work so far. I basically recoommend him to everyone I talk to regularly. My strategy is to talk a lot about his books and slowly get them to agree to red one of them. I start them off with Mistborn and move them on to The Stormlight Archive (It's a lot harder to get people to commit to a 1000 page book without being a fan). So recently, I got a new job and I have been working my strategy on the guy who sits next to me. I got him to start Mistborn. This is what is baffling me, he didnt love it and he thinks that Brandon is a bad writer. Not describing enough of the world, not cring about the characters, he named several other things. This is just crazy to me!!! Mistborn was amazing! It got Harriet to have him finish WoT! So this guy, he is way way way smarter than I am. He talks about a lot of things that are over my head, he's like a literary critic! So what can I do to defend my favorite author? What can I tell him about the improvements Brandon has made as a writer to get him to read Way of Kings? I'm just not smart enough to debate with him, i need help! Thanks for anyone who takes the time to read my pointless post.

Can Shallan Forge things? Like, go into Shadesmar, and change a chair into a nicer chair. Would Shallan need Stormlight for that?

I have a hypothesis that splits off and follows different possible threads. -Brandon says that it is possible to bring together and recombine the Shards. -The Shards exist on all three planes of existence (Physical, Spiritual, Cognitive) -There is a shardpool representing each of the shards that have made a world their home. My theory is that there is an actual connection between all the shards, and being represented by the residing body, the shardpool. But maybe I'm using 'connection' too loosely. These connections would be closer to (in my mind) to a relationship of a black hole/white hole, or the strings of time as seen in "Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure". Each Shardpool is connected via this connection or webway (screw it, I'll throw 40k into the mix too.). Worldhopping could be possible by using the webway as a type of "portal" (the how, no idea) and gaining access to other worlds through use of the webway. Which would explain how it is more difficult to get to a world that has a shattered shard. It's possible to get there, but not as easily as when the shard is present. Is this new... or has someone already covered this, and I missed it?

On Scadrial, the metals are separated into physical, mental, temporal, and enhancement abilities. There seems to be some focus on different realms with different Shards: Preservation and Ruin, for example, are physical Shards, since their traits are purely physical. Honor seems to be focused on the Cognitive realm, or mental realm, given the importance of spren and Shadesmar in the story. Since there are four classes of metals, it stands to reason that we are missing a realm. Any questions? Suggestions? I would appreciate any potential insight into a possibility of a fourth realm. P.S. Oh, and for those that say that Sanderson has told us time and time again there are three realms, he also told us there were eight metals.

Alright, since the instructions for my origami models would take up eight gallery posts, at a suggestion by someone who will remain nameless for his (or her) own protection, I've decided to make a topic for it instead. Please note that all of the spoiler tags will contain about eight attachments. As I make new instructions, I'll edit them into this post. Axehound Aon Aha

Hey guys long time lurker but I got this theory and had to test it out to the community. There are spoilers to Shadows of Self. The spike used by Bleeder is described as long as a finger, silvery with bits of red like rust. Now Sazed aka Harmony knows atium so it's not that. We have WoB stating Odium has plans for Harmony I think that the metal is a manifestation of his Investiture just like on Roshar he has spren. The only link I have are the bits of red, Odium seems to have red investiture. So what is Odium planning if that is his attack? Only another shard can interfere as MeLaan says the kandra are frightened.

The Gravitation surge and Steelpulling have similar effects, pulling one thing towards another; the Transformation surge, as well as Forging and one Aon I can't remember have Soulcasting properties, changing haw an object thinks of itself. Bronze serves the same purpose as other seeing abilities. How far do the connections go? Does each Allomantic metal have a Surge counterpart, with other pairings in AonDor, Feruchemistry, Haemalurgy, and Breaths? Are these connected to the Shards somehow? (i e each Shard has one ability that each magic system uses slightly differently)

I was rereading Words of Radiance recently, and I noticed something interesting: early in the book, Bridge Four was hanging around and doing Bridge Four stuff, but an ardent had started drawing them. This seemed odd to Kaladin. The sketch of Bridge Four tattoos, signed Nazh, said that he spent all day following Bridgemen around. In that timeline, Nazh had to have sketched it roughly between when they get the tattoos, and when they march off to fight the Parshendi. My theory is that the ardent was secretly Nazh. My evidence is a bit sparse, but it just seems to fit, to me at least. First of all, that one ardent was the only person to draw Bridge Four, save Shallan, and we know she isn't Nazh. Adding to that, drawing Bridge Four, in general, instead of just individually just seems like an odd thing to do, but what better way to find their tattoos? Secondly, an ardent is a good disguise for gathering information and such, and Nazh wouldn't be the first worldhopper to do this, as evidenced by Zahel/Vasher. Finally, having to "spend hours watching bridgemen", as the sketch says, instead of just pretending to be an ardent and drawing them, I would imagine is just Nazh complaining, since Nazh seems fairly smart, and the ardent thing works far better for drawing a precise tattoo pattern. Thoughts? Have I missed anything? Sincerely, Evil Reptile

I rather hope people don't complain that I'm...errr...complaining...but anyways. On to the show. We all know that Brandon's books (particularly his Cosmere books, I can't address his other books, but I mainly want to talk about epic fantasy anyways) have strong and polarizing female characters. This is wonderful, women like Vin, Jasnah, Shai, and Siri are fine characters, and yes, Shallan is alright too, although she isn't personally my favorite. But, these strong characters are...well...all on the side of "good". It's funny. since, that's what I have a problem with. All the women (generally speaking) are on the side of good. Most of the villains (particularly the major ones) are men/male, and while it might seem odd, I have a bit of a problem with this. It might be due to genre, but I would like to see an intriguing female villain, or even a super-powered one...just because, I can't exactly remember when a female was the "big(ger) bad" of an epic fantasy novel (think Ruin sized, I guess). A part of me finds this...unnerving, strange as that may sound. All I really want to see, though, is a well-written/powerful/cool female villain. So, a few topics of discussion for you guys: 1. Do you feel there's a lack of (well-written/powerful) female villains in epic fantasy, and if so, what do you think contributes to this. (Perhaps I'm not reading the right stuff?) 2. Is this perhaps linked to audience expectations? Why can't women be evil (and "strong") when men can be? 3. Finally, in the Cosmere novels (this is why this post is marked for spoilers) do you think their may be a problem that there really are few (I can only think of that Mistborn-chick in Finale Empire at the moment) female villains? Yes, this what got me thinking about this topic in the first place, and since Brandon often seems to like reversals, I'm a little surprised this is the case... Yes, I kind of realize this topic makes me into a super-feminist weirdo, but yeah. Also, if this needs to be moved, that's fine. I wasn't exactly sure where to put it...

Recently, I finished reading Elantris. At this point, I have read most of the primary Cosmere novels that are out thus far, with the exception of the Emperor's Soul. I have not read any of the novellas. I really want just a general summary of how the Cosmere works. What I understand so far: The Cosmere is a universe containing all of the worlds of the afore mentioned novels. There are worldhoppers (such as Hoid) who go from planet to planet. I have no idea of their purpose. There are several shards, including Honor, Cultivation, Ruin, and Preservation. I know there must be shards on Sel and Nalthis, but I'm not certain of their extent. It's a large thing to get one's mind around, and I would appreciate any clarification.

So for those who don't know, Noah Bradley is a professional artist best know for working on Magic the Gathering and his own personal project, "The Sin Of Man" Now, besides being an absolutely incredible artist some of his "SOM" stuff is very Cosmere and specifically Roshar exc. A lot of stuff that looks like Greatshells, Chasmfiends, and even Thunderlasts. Made me really hope Brandon someday hires him to work in the Cosmere proper because his art fits it perfectly. Just look. Really cool, I highly recommend you check him out especially "SOM" and that Peter see's this, the Cosmere deserves each of it's worlds to have art like this alongside what were already getting in SA.

Hello Everyone, For a School project that i am doing i have to make a presentation to my Librarian on seven books that i have read, and in the presentation i must recommend whether the book should be added to the library's collection, or i can recommend that it be removed. The decision to add or remove must be based on the gender stereotyping found in each book and what people will learn about the role of gender from reading it I am basically done with the presentation but i feel like i am repeating myself throughout the presentation and i have run out of good ideas/examples. So i thought that i would turn to the community that i know best and that i have found to be extremely intelligent and fair in regards to discussion/argument of a topic. Which is why i humbly come to you now. The seven books (Note that i can use an entire series as a single book) that i have chosen to analyse in terms of Gender stereotyping are as follows: 1) Stormlight Archive 2) Mistborn 3) warbreaker 4) Elantris 5) The Painted Man (Peter V. Brett) 6) The Name Of the Wind (Patrick Rothfuss) 7) The Black Prism (Brent Weeks) I look forward to the discussions we will have around this sensitive topic. if i do use any ideas or comments from our discussion i will reference it completely.

I've had trouble getting into Alloy of Law thus far - the wild west style setting really doesn't appeal to me. That said, I'm a huge fan of everything Cosmere. I'm afraid to troll the forum too much for risk of spoilers... Do I miss out on any major Cosmere developments or details if I don't finish this book? I've read everything else in the Cosmere and just can't get into this one.

Hi all, I just figured I'd share my recommendations for newbies on how to approach the mammoth that is the Cosmere. For a new reader, it can be difficult to figure out what's going on and how to learn more. Here's how I'd go about tackling the Cosmere works. Feel free to add your thoughts and amendments. (copied from Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/brandonsanderson/comments/3folks/which_step_into_the_cosmere_do_i_take_next/cty6130): By order of importance (in my opinion): Stormlight - Right now, this is where the most Cosmere action is happening. Mistborn - Most relevant plot in the Cosmere besides Stormlight. There are three Eras planned, each in the form of its own trilogy. The first is completed, the second is underway. The third is post-Stormlight on the timeline, and will have great bearing on the Cosmere universe. Era one (the original trilogy) gives you quite a bit of insight into how a world in the Cosmere functions. I'd consider this must-read. (Full disclosure, I haven't been able to get hooked on the second trilogy. I'm not big on the setting. Gonna give it another try, though.) Warbreaker - The main things you'll get here are another magic system and a couple prominent crossover ("worldhopper") characters. This provides some nice easter eggs in Words of Radiance. Elantris - Doesn't give a huge amount, but a light read. Again, provides a bit of insight about how Cosmere magic systems work and background for at least one minor worldhopping character. White Sand (Unpublished) - This one is interesting. It's going to be published next year as a graphic novel, but you've been able to get it for a long time by writing Brandon and asking for a pdf of the unpublished draft. This contains a character that, to date, hasn't showed up in full but has Hoid-esque qualities that could make her a big player. Sixth of the Dusk (Novella) - I love this story. Its main Cosmere function is to foreshadow the third Mistborn trilogy. It's a great standalone read, too. Emperor's Soul (Novella) - Good story, no noteworthy tie-ins to Stormlight as of right now. It does flesh out the Elantris planet a bit more, and could have greater impact in the future. Shadows for Silence (Novella) - I'm not sure if the community has really pinned down anything huge in this one. There are some tidbits if you dig deep. Still a good read. Stormlight is the most rewarding, and what first got me interested in Brandon Sanderson. I think it's a great place to start, and worth a second read once you've ventured into other novels if you're up to it (if you're on this forum, chances are that you're hooked). Release dates boxed me into reading Way of Kings, then gobbling up everything else I could until Words of Radiance was released. I'm happy I went about it this way, as it made Words of Radiance more rewarding. Following Way of Kings: If you're strapped for time, start with the original Mistborn trilogy and Warbreaker. Elantris shouldn't be skipped, but isn't a top priority either. Read White Sand when it comes out, or write Brandon to get the draft version. Other stances are welcome.