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Nikli tells Rysn that she's forbidden from bonding a Spren and becoming a Radiant now that she's a Dawnshard, and we know that the Dawnshards were used (at least in part) to Shatter Adonalsium, and that part of the weapon that Shattered Adonalsium is why Hoid is immortal. So assuming that that equates to Hoid being a Dawnshard like Rysn, that... That's interesting. Because Hoid DOES have a Spren, the Cryptic that almost bonded with Elhokar. HMMMMMMMMM. Just a thought I had.

I can't find the WoB that talks about this. I remember reading that Rayse has tricked/believes that his Shard is Passion and not Hatred as could be defined by the word Odium. I have a theory that the book 5 ending of the SA will feature Dalinar bonding Rysn to Rayse and she uses her Dawnshard to change Odium to mean passion.

Sigzil is mentioned, along with Kaladin and Teft, as having said the traditional "I legit hate this person" form of the Third Oath, and I wonder who exactly aroused his ire. "Storm it, I gave them the Voidbringer Attack Evacuation Forms, not a single one of them is in formation, they're not even fully packed-- serve them right if I just left them there for the Fused... *sigh* No, I must rescue even those who didn't bother to read Section 32(b)..." *icy glyphs* THESE WORDS ARE ACCEPTED.

Sounds like a device that would be really helpful to make Urithiru more inhabitable. It also sounds similar to the cold/tropical climate described in the Horneater Peaks. From Cord: Theory time - Sibling (or remnant thereof) is in the Horneater peaks now, making things lush. Cord's allusion to the "Ancient pact of the Seven Peaks" - sounds very oath-y to me. I wonder if a plot point of RoW will be Rock proving his devotion to his oaths by returning for punishment, qualifying him bond the Sibling, enabling him to charge the pillar underneath Urithiru to power the tower and make it nice and homey. Seems fitting - like a figurative stew wafting through the entire tower, bringing it to life. It tracks with his character.

An interesting connection that occurred to me, that I haven't seen discussion about in the wake of Dawnshard: I think we might now have all the puzzle pieces to put together the origins of Soulcasters (the fabrial-like devices). They are ancient tools that modern artifabrians have been unable to replicate. We know based on Jasnah's hypothesizing that the ancient humans did not have long lost knowledge: Shardblades, Shardplate, Soulcasters were not created by humans but received via some other, magical means. We've known there is some tenuous connection between Soulcasters and Akinah based on the Kaza interlude from Oathbringer: the Liaforan Soulcaster thinks about a rumor amongst Soulcasters that links them to the abandoned city. She believes there might be some knowledge or power there to cure her of the effects that prolonged use of a Soulcaster has on an individual. In Dawnshard, Nikli tells Rysn that the Soulcasters are kept “out of reverence, as they were offerings to the Ancient Guardians long ago.” So, again we have a connection between Soulcasters and Akinah (via the larkin, which are linked to the island as evidenced by their needing to return and bond the specific mandra variant that exists there). Now, this might be the source of the rumor that drives Kaza to seek out Akinah (I don't think it is, but can't be sure)--but either way, it opens up another question: why do the Sleepless view Soulcasters as offerings to the larkin (I don't imagine the larkin can use them, except for maybe eating the stormlight within the gemstones). I don't have a good answer to this, but it further strengthens the link between Soulcasters and Akinah/the Ancient Guardians. And this is central to my theory: because now we know that the secret hidden on Akinah, the thing the Ancient Guardians were protecting, is one of the Dawnshards; specifically, the one that encapuslated “The will of a god to remake things, to demand they be better.” And what is it that Soulcasters do? Well--pretty much that, if only at a smaller scale! So here's my theory: this Dawnshard of Change was used to create the Soulcasters. Someone (or some divinity) wielded the Dawnshard to imbue the power of Change into these devices, enabling individuals to use the power of transformation without requiring the Nahel bond or Honorblade. Tinfoil hat theory extension: I'm thinking Honor was the one who used the Dawnshard to create the Soulcasters. Based on a comment from Brandon on the Dawnshard megathread: "Soulcasting via a fabrial is way, way less dangerous than Radiant soulcasting--which is in turn far less dangerous than unbound soulcasting (meaning without oaths.)" It seems like the degree of "oaths" or perhaps bonds on the usage of Soulcasting makes it less dangerous. The Honorblades that grant the Soulcasting ability require no oaths to use, and so have great power; Radiant Soulcasters are bound by their oaths, rendering their ability safer; but the Soulcasters are much more limited in their application, often only able to perform one type of Soulcasting. So, it makes sense to me that Honor had some role in creating the Soulcasters, making them safer to use.

The WOK back blurb makes a reference to "And one of them will destroy us" and then that shows back up in the conversation between Yelamaiszin, Zyardil, and Nickli: "I like the Bondsmith, for example, though I know he will destroy us." I thought it was going to be Szeth as the destroyer, and Dalinar probably would have been my last guess. Any ideas as from y'all as to what the circumstances of this destruction will be?

“Taking the Dawnshard, known to bind any creature voidish or mortal, he crawled up the steps crafted for Heralds, ten strides tall apiece, toward the grand temple above. ” Do you guys think that this is referring to Hoid since Brandon stated on Reddit that Hoid once was a Dawnshard?

Knowing that the Dawnshards carry Commands, and that the Shards carry intent, I think that the reason a lot of the Shards have trouble acting is because they are Intent lacking Command (looking at you Harmony) I think Odium somehow was able to wield the Dawnshard Change, and used it to splinter the other Shards I think that Honor was somehow able to take the Dawnshard away from Odium (perhaps dying in the process). Stripped of the Command to Change, Odium has been bound to the Rosharan system Many have noted how similar the effects of the Dawnshard are to awakening. Its also been noted that Endowment seems to have some sort of plan against Odium. I think Endowment is creating a new Dawnshard, perhaps with a sufficient amount of Breath. It seems within the Intent of Endowment to Endow someone with a new Command.

OK, So I literally just finished reading and skimmed the first page of the Dawnshard spoiler board to make sure nobody had already posted this exact theory. If I missed it, sorry about that. Okay, major dawnshard spoilers: Anyway, that’s not really a thought out theory, just something I randomly thought of as I finished the book, and had to write down before I forgot it.

Theory: The four Allomantic quadrants correlate to the Dawnshard quadrants, and the Shardic groupings. I mean: four groups of four for a total of sixteen? Where else have we seen that? Do the Shard groups have internal and external Shards? Pushing and pulling? If Cultivation, Endowment and Ruin are three parts of the ‘Change’ group, then there’s a very good argument for it. E internal; R & C external. R pulling; E & C pushing. I think this group would probably match the physical quadrant. The other likely possible threesome is Honor, Devotion and Dominion. H & De would be internal; Do would be external. H would be pulling and De would be pushing. I’m not sure whether Do would be pulling or pushing. They’d correspond to the Spiritual/ Enhancement quadrant. This grouping would have a Dawnshard about bonds. Unity? I think Ambition and Autonomy are together. If Odium is telling the truth about being ‘Passion’ then it goes here too. Assuming they form a three parts of four: Am & O are internal; Au is external. Am is pulling and O & Au are pushing. This group would probably correlate to the Cognitive/Mental group. This Dawnshard probably has something to do with drive or will. Preservation would be the only known member of the fourth group (unless Odium is actually ‘Void’). P would be external pushing, and the quadrant would correlate to the Temporal/Hybrid group. This Dawnshard probably has something to do with existence/survival. (Possibly irrelevant, because of two feruchemical metals being swapped, but the Hybrid grouping of Feruchemy includes elements necessary for survival - air, food, health, and the will to survive.) If I’m right about all this, then: Change: Cultivation, Endowment, Ruin. Missing: Internal Pulling Shardic intent. Unify?: Honor, Devotion, Dominion. Missing: External Shardic intent; push/pull status unknown. Act?: Ambition, Autonomy, Odium? Missing: External Pulling Shardic intent. Survive?: Preservation. Missing: Internal pushing and pulling and External pulling. Note: I see Pulling as more active and Pushing as more passive. So Ruin ‘pulls’ things toward destruction, while Cultivation ‘pushes’ them to accomplish. I also think ‘pushing’ Shards may be better at seeing the future, but that that is further varied by intent. Thoughts?

Ill just jump right in, with some major spoilers — the Dawnshards aren’t what they were anymore(confirmed by Honor), and they aren’t weapons(not in the traditional sense). They are Commands(confirmed in dawnshard) on the godly level that can like bond with individuals. They were used to kill Adonalsium(confirmed in Dawnshard) and we know that Hoid’s immortality comes from the remnants of the “weapon” used to kill/shatter Adonalsium(WoB) so if we put all of that together, we get the new(not stated) spoiler, that ... Hoid is bonded to a Dawnshard!!! Or more correctly. Hoid is a Dawnshard!!!! also the Dawnshard are described as “the four primal Commands that created all things” and then were used to “undo” Adonalsium — the four Dawnshards were used to Shatter Ado into 16 Pieces. And each Dawnshard seems to have created four Shards, which gives credence to the “Four Shard grouping” theories more evidence is a mural that depicts a White sun Shattering into four pieces and then each piece shattered into 4 more pieces(16 shards total. 4 from each of the original 4 shards) — The original 4 Shards in the Mural were described at “mostly symmetrical” so maybe this is a small hint that maybe some of the “4 shard groupings” have ever so slightly more investiture than some of the other groups — Rysn got A vibe from looking at the mural. she felt that Adonalsium(she just thought of it as “the sun” in the mural) wasnt angry from being shattered. More words used to describe what Ado felt during his Shattering “Resignation? Confidence? Understanding?” The resignation and confidence part seem(to me) to suggest that Adonalsium was fighting some sort of war(most obvious, is the vessels themselves) and had finally given up, but was still confident to the end.and Understanding of why his enemies did what they did.

Can someone tell me where to find it? I saw it mentioned, but don’t know where it is?

Hello. So, I’m starting to read Dawnshard now. I read the prologue when it was spoiled in Brandon’s newsletter, but I am otherwise unspoiled. I’m planning to post my thoughts on the book chapter by chapter here, so if you’re interested you can follow along. My predictions for the book: Chapter 1 thoughts (spoilers for Dawnshard): Chapter 2 thoughts (spoilers:) Chapter 3 thoughts (more spoilers): Chapter 4 (many spoilers): Chapter 5 (spoilers, spoilers, and more spoilers): Chapter 6 (spoilers abound): Chapter 7(spoilers multiplied by a hundred): Chapters 8-9 (spoilers to the power of spoilers): Chapter 10 (so many spoilers): Chapter 11 (spoiler overload): Chapter 12 (drowning in spoilers): Chapter 13 (spoilers): Chapters 14 and 15 (spoilers): Chapter 16 (spoilers): Chapter 17 (spoilers): Chapter 18 (spoilers): Chapter 19 (spoilers): Epilogue (still spoilers): Final Thoughts (spoilers):

So, from the information we currently have on Dawnshard from the released prologue makes it seem that Rysn and Lopen will be at the helm of the journey to Aimia. Until recently, they had something in common, disability. Rysn lost use of her legs in the Reshi Isles in Words of Radiance, Lopen was one-handed till he became a Radiant. Despite Lopen's injuries being much older he never viewed himself as a cripple and constantly cracked one-armed Herdazian jokes. Rysn, on the other hand, started seeing herself differently after the incident, to the point that Renarin couldn't heal her with Regrowth. There could be another journey that the characters make, Lopen might teach Rysn to view herself differently, possibly enough for her to deal or maybe even enough for her to heal.

(To the old-timers out there: I'm back!) Part I: Elevations Here is what we know about Dawnshards as of OB: They were ancient weapons used to destroy the Tranquiline Halls. They can bind any creature voidish or mortal. Tanavast thought they can be used against Odium. We know that "Tranquiline Halls" is just another name for the previous home of the Rosharan humans, which was on Ashyn. We also know that the tragedy on Ashyn that led to mass migration were at least in part caused by the use of Surges, and that Odium was involved somehow. Based on that, I think it stands to reason that the Dawnshards must have granted Surges. And because of the way Tanavast talks about them almost fondly, I also think they must have existed before Rayse invaded Ashyn. In other words, Rayse merely corrupted them. Since the Oathpact and the Immortal Words are of Honor, it's not that far-fetched to speculate that Dawnshards were originally from Cultivation. (Here's a more thorough justification of that claim.) Unlike Honor, Cultivation wasn't interested in oaths. Her manifestation of Investiture would instead require "growth" of some sort. So here's the first part of my theory: I think Dawnshards were Cultivation-based Cognitive entities that granted Surges based on excellence. This is how it would work: When a person reaches a given threshold of proficiency in an appropriate skill or profession, being bound to a Dawnshard for that profession would grant him a Surge. When he reaches an even higher level, he gains another Surge from the Dawnshard. This is akin to how Vorin ardents grant Elevations (whatever those are) to those who excelled in their Calling: For example, there could be a Dawnshard that grants Surges (one of which is probably Gravitation) to leaders with the greatest domain and influence. So, ambitious people who wish to gain power from that kind of Dawnshard would try to gain more followers, etc. In the same way, the best physicians might gain Regrowth as an Elevation. The best artists might gain Lightweaving. So on and so forth. Conversely, failing to sustain a certain level of excellence means losing the bond with the Dawnshard. That could be how this particular manifestation of Investiture prevented abuse. Then Odium came and corrupted the Dawnshards. Perhaps the "Passions" had something to do with this. Perhaps Odium's corruption made the Dawnshards search for passion rather than excellence. So anyone with intense ambition could attain power just by wanting so bad to be great at a Calling. Imagine how well that would go. As we know, the cataclysmic events on Ashyn forced many of the survivors to move to Roshar and for the rest to live on the floating cities that the planet has now. It was presumably around that point as well that Ashyn's magic started relying on disease, instead of the Dawnshards. Thus the era of the Dawnshards ended. Part II: Callings This second part is just pure speculation through and through. I just wanted to see if I could come up with a list of professions, all medieval or ancient in origin, that could have been associated with Dawnshards. Let's call these professions "Callings" after the similar Vorin term, just for convenience. In the list I'll also include the following: - Divine Attributes best suited for each Calling - Surges that would be thematically fitting for each Calling's Elevations Unlike Honor's system, where the Radiants often experienced tension between their Attributes (creativity versus honesty, bravery versus obedience, etc.), I believe Cultivation's old system instead promoted complementary attributes to better cultivate the Calling. Take Note: Obviously, in both real life and good fantasy, nobody within any profession will consistently exhibit the stereotypical traits of their profession. As Shallan said, "we’re more complex than mere bundles of personality traits." I think Brandon makes pretty complex characters, but that won't stop others, like the Dawnshards and the spren, from seeing the patterns they want to see. Remember, this is all completely speculative, just like any Skaa Theory(TM). Feel free to post your own list of Callings if you wish. Let's start with the only Calling in my list that was mentioned in-book in a context that involves a Dawnshard: Herald. Calling: Herald Attributes: Careful and Obedient Surges: Transportation and Abrasion In medieval times, heralds were messengers hired by nobles and monarchs to communicate with others on their behalf. The Surge of Transportation would have been a god-send for that task: Imagine messengers who can move between two correspondents in no time at all. The Surge of Abrasion also fits this idea of speed, but I'm more interested in the idea of "spiritual abrasion", wherein one "smoothens" relationships between parties. We saw a glimpse of this when Lift managed to soften Nale's heart for a few minutes. Heralds were the precursors of diplomats, and endeavored for peace and understanding to prevail between their lord and others. As diplomats, they needed to be careful and logical as they forge agreements between parties, but still obedient to the will of the lord they represent. By the way, using Abrasion would allow one to crawl up gigantic steps, as in the Poem of Ista. I bet the character in the poem was supposed to be a Herald on Ashyn. The steps were, after all, made for Heralds. (The descriptions for the rest of the Callings below are placed in spoiler tags for length.) Calling: Knight Attributes: Just and Resolute Surges: Gravitation and Transportation Calling: King Attributes: Guiding and Leading Surges: Tension and Gravitation Calling: Scribe Attributes: Wise and Dependable Surges: Transformation and Tension Calling: Scholar Attributes: Learned and Honest Surges: Illumination and Transformation Calling: Artist Attributes: Resourceful and Creative Surges: Cohesion and Illumination Calling: Priest Attributes: Pious and Builder Surges: Adhesion and Cohesion Calling: Squire Attributes: Protecting and Giving Surges: Adhesion and Progression Calling: Herbalist Attributes: Healing and Confident Surges: Progression and Division Calling: Surgeon Attributes: Brave and Loving Surges: Division and Abrasion So, do you guys like my list? By the way, did you notice how Division, the Surge of destruction and decay, is in the hands of medical Callings in my list? I believe this is how Cultivation would choose to do things. What do you think? If you noticed my little hints here and there, you'll realize that there is way more to this theory. But I'm stopping here for now to avoid bloating up this post any further.

The unmade clearly were once something different likely of honor or cultivation. My theory is that they were the dawnshards. My evidence is the abilities of one of the unmade an and the quote of one of the dawnshards. The quote from a poem that jasnah finds while researching in the palinaeum about the dawnshards states roughly it can bind any creature voidish or not. This sounds similar to the unmade that can bind the chosen and allow them to manipulate the surges. However it could just also be that the dawnshard is a reflection of the surge of connection uses by the bondsmith. Also the fact that there are nine unmade indicates that they originate in braize. This is my best guess.

The unmade clearly were once something different likely of honor or cultivation. My theory is that they were the dawnshards. My evidence is the abilities of one of the unmade an and the quote of one of the dawnshards. The quote from a poem that jasnah finds while researching in the palinaeum about the dawnshards states roughly it can bind any creature voidish or not. This sounds similar to the unmade that can bind the chosen and allow them to manipulate the surges. However it could just also be that the dawnshard is a reflection of the surge of connection uses by the bondsmith. Also the fact that there are nine unmade indicates that they originate in braize. This is my best guess.

I've looked about on the forums and people still seem to have no idea what the Dawnshards are. I have yet to see this theory put forward and it seems reasonably obvious to me, but aren't the Dawnshards simply those perfect gemstones that don't leak stormlight? Dalinar uses "The King’s Drop" to capture Nergaoul. Here are some quotes from the Wiki as well as one I pulled from the Rysn interlude. “A mythological treasure ... much like the Dawnshards or the Honorblades. Certainly worth seeking, but only with great caution.” –Shallan “They say it’s a chunk off the Stone of Ten Dawns.” -Vstim, referring to The King's Drop. "Taking the Dawnshard, known to bind any creature voidish or mortal, he crawled up the steps crafted for Heralds, ten strides tall apiece, toward the grand temple above." –from The Poem of Ista. (Jasnah's note: I have found no modern explanation of what these 'Dawnshards' are. They seem ignored by scholars, though talk of them was obviously prevalent among those recording the early mythologies.) In theory there are 10 of them (one for each gemstone/surge), but there are only 9 unmade to capture (gotta catch em all). Is this too obvious an explanation? Am I missing something fundamental? Let me know what you think.

Hey, I haven't found a thread on this topic. If there is one however, please provide a link for me. We know about Dawnshard from a poem of Ista. Taking the Dawnshard, known to bind any creature voidish or mortal, he crawled up the steps crafted for Heralds, ten strides tall apiece, toward the grand temple above. —From the Poem of Ista. I have found no modern explanation of what these "Dawnshards" are. They seem ignored by scholars, though talk of them was obviously prevalent among those recording the early mythologies (from coppermind.net). There was some speculation that Dalinar's sphere was a Dawnshard but Brandon shattered that theory. Do we have any new information about them and what their future relevance might be? Thank you for your answers.

Theory: The Dawnshards are powerful spren: the splinters of Adonalsium hanging out on Roshar. Sub-theories: Dawnsingers are spren-symbiotes with the Adonalsium spren Dawnshards may be physical spren-blades I’ve seen this idea floated around the forums lately, namely here, and since I tend to agree with it I wanted to give it a home First of all, I want to compile the little that we know of Dawnshards and Dawnsingers. Dawnshards: This remark by Shallan is, I think, the basis for the assumption that Dawnshards are some kind of shardblade. Not only does it have “shard” in the name, but the first time we are introduced to the term it is linked to honorblades as a comparable item of value. This may or may not be a valid assumption. I originally read this as the Dawnshard being a physical object, though this is not necessarily the case. Lately I try not to be too literal in reading Jasnah’s notes. I draw your attention to the word BIND in this quote. Perhaps similar in nature to a nahel bond? Spren symbiosis? And not just bind, but bind any creature. Voidish I imagine refers to the listeners, and mortal to humans. So far we have seen nahel spren bind humans, and nonsentient (assumedly) spren bind listeners, as well as distinctly odious spren bind listeners. However, there has been no overlap in the type of spren that will bind humans/listeners. Dawnshards could bind both. This would imply the Dawnshards no longer exist, or at least are no longer able/willing to help. I also read this as the Dawnshards having had sentience--thus leaving the humans “alone” in the present. Dawnsingers It is possible that the Dawnshards have no relation to the Dawnsingers, but that would strike me as an odd worldbuilding—err, worldnaming?—choice. I assume—and I think it is a fairly common assumption—that the Dawnsingers are whoever/whatever hold/wield/bind the Dawnshards. In Vorin culture at least, Dawnsingers are given credit for creating the dawncities, great works of architecture including the Palanaeum, and glyphs and letters. Of note is this quote from Kabsal (possibly an unreliable source, admittedly) This suggests there is a relation between Dawnsingers and spren. From what we know of spren, they have a very difficult time interacting with the physical world. In order to perform the wonders ascribed to the Dawnsingers, these “kindly spren” likely would need some kind of physical bond. Adonalsium Spren Now time for a little Word of Brandon Source Apparently there are (or were) spren that are splinters of Adonalsium. The spren we have seen so far have been splinters of Honor and/or Cultivation and/or Odium. So, how would these Adonalspren be different? My guess: moar power. Power of creation itself. So, binding one of the Adonalspren could provide access to more surges or different surges than what nahel spren offer. My pet theory is the Adonalspren might provide access to all the surges, though I have no real basis for that. Whatever the distinction between Adonalspren and other shardspren, I get the impression their power may be in line with that of the Dawnshards/Dawnsingers of lore. One last WOB, which I don’t yet know how to interpret: Source Note the present tense. So, these dawnshards still hanging out? It is possible that these spren have also been trapped into blade-form. That would, essentially, have killed them and prevent them from actively helping in the upcoming desolation. Yet they would still be present. That begs the questions, how would one bind and Adonalspren, and how would one sever that bond?