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Trelagism


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Let's compile what we know of Trelagism and Trellism.

1) Trelagism was a religion on Scadrial during its Classical era, before the Lord Ruler's Ascension. It was practiced by the Nelazan who lived close to the poles. They mapped out the various astronomical bodies visible from Scadrial.

2) They believed that Trell and Nalt were brothers. The latter was jealous of the former and cast his single burning eye (the sun) upon the lands to block out the Thousand Eyes of Trell (the stars)

 

1) Trellism is the belief in Trell. Is associated with a new metal which is described as silvery with distinctive, dark red spots. It has only been seen used Hemalurgically so far: on Kandra and to create Chimeras

2) Several members of the Set, in both high and low positions, are followers of Trellism, and the organization itself may exist for the purpose of serving Trell. Bleeder was also turned by Trell.

3) Trell has their own Faceless Immortals, who are described as having red eyes. A red miasma is how Harmony chose to represent Trell to Wax in BoM. They are also associated with "men of gold and red, bearers of the final metal"

4) There seems to be a strong element of anti-establishmentarianism in Trellism, namely: freedom from Harmony and social justice from the central government in Elendel or more broadly the Basin

 

Now the most popular theory (and the one that I subscribe to)

Trell is Autonomy or one of her Avatars

1) The stated motives of Trell's followers align well with Autonomy's Intent

2) White Sand spoilers

Spoiler

Trell is a character in White Sand whom Kenton meets. He's one of the construction workers who thank him

 3) Trelagism's reverence for stars aligns well with Autonomy. She seems to currently be inhabiting Taldain's star.

4) The long day/night cycles experienced by the Nelazan is reminiscent of Darkside Dayside division of Taldain

5) Autonomy is said to have multiple Avatars. There is a thematic resonance with worshiping a multitude of astronomical bodies

6) Autonomy's star might be visible from Scadrial.

Spoiler

Autonomy's Investiture is usable wherever her starlight reaches

7) Trell is a Shard we know. It isn't Endowment. Honor, Ambition, Devotion and Dominion are Splintered. This only leaves Cultivation, Odium and Autonomy. The former two are embroiled in the conflict on Roshar.

8) Autonomy is stated to have a habit of interfering on other worlds by Khriss

 

Trell is Odium

1) Has a track record of attacking other Shards. Odium is known to fear Harmony.

2) The break between Stormlight front 5 and back 5, during which the Wax and Wayne era books take place

3) Is known to corrupt Investiture (red)

4) Similarities with religions on Roshar

Spoiler

It can be argued that various that multiple pre-Ascension religions on Scadrial seemed connected to other Shardworlds. The Astalsi and Dadradah religions seemed close to Nalthis. The Southern Scadrian religion is similarly dualistic but quite clearly refers to Preservation and Ruin (and later Harmony). It should also be noted that the dualist religion of Trelagism is similar to the Purelaker religion of Nu Ralik and Vun Makak. There is also some resemblance with the Tashikki faith of Tashi and Nun Raylisi (note that Odium's Vessel's name is Rayse). The Passions, the Thaylen faith also seems to have some connections to Odium, the note-worthy part being that both Ruin and Odium have used that word (with a capital P). 

5) the agents of Trell align with Odium's Intent. 

Spoiler

He has a history of turning a part of the population against another, as we see on Roshar

6) Alongside purple and black, gold is a colour associated with Odium. "Men of gold" might also refer to 

Spoiler

the Iriali, who have, as of OB, sided with Odium. They might also be a refugee group on Roshar, like the Ashynites, according to their religious lore of the One and the Long Trail

7) Odium's forces comprise of several beings that may pose as Trell's Faceless Immortals:

Spoiler

the Fused or Singers in shadowform as noted below.

 

Both Autonomy and Odium

1) May have worked together in the past to Splinter Honor, and before that Devotion and Dominion, the former sounds like an opposite to Odium, the latter to Autonomy.

2) possible red herring in a broadsheet in era 2 "Vote for Passion, Vote for Freedom"

3) the break between Stormlight front 5 and back 5

Edited by Honorless
added spoiler boxes
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I know most of the theories is that its Autonomy, and it does make sense.  Trell is a character in White Sands and we know Autonomy likes to make avatars that appear to be gods worshiped on other planets.  

 

However, I just finished Alloy of Law for the third time yesterday, and "Men of Red and Gold" just screams Odium to me.  Red is the color of interference and Gold is associated with Odium.  Also, I believe Trell's "Faceless Immortals" to be a Shadowform Parshendi, like the one who tried to steel the gem in Oathbringer.  "Faceless Immortals" is just a term for a shapeshifter servant of a god, and they fit the bill, right down to the Red Eyes.  Which, again, goes with the "Men of Red and Gold".  

 

But then, Odium is trapped right now.  Though, that could be why everything is so low key no Scadrial, Odium isn't able to give it his full attention.  Unless he and Autonomy are working together.  A "Red Miasma" would indicate one Shard interfering with another, so maybe its the color of the two of them working together to try to interfere with another.  Hopefully we'll find out in Wax and Wayne book 4.  

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