What's some interesting lore surrounding the Final Empire?

[Cheyenne Sedai]

For the second episode of the Worldhoppers Podcast, (the non spoiler discussion avoiding the rest of the Cosmere and the last two books of era 1) I would like to bring some fun facts regarding the lore of the Final Empire. What were some popular theories before the next book was published? Is there anything interesting surrounding that time? Any other facts in the style of the ones Drew from Inking out Loud brings to the end of their Wheel of Time episodes? (If you have some for the other Mistborn books, they're welcome, and I'll bring them up when we get there)

Spoiler bits of lore are also welcome for our full spoiler discussion.

 

Edited January 19, 2021 by Cheyenne Sedai

[Kingsdaughter613]

2 hours ago, Cheyenne Sedai said:

For the second episode of the Worldhoppers Podcast, (the non spoiler discussion avoiding the rest of the Cosmere and the last two books of era 1) I would like to bring some fun facts regarding the lore of the Final Empire. What were some popular theories before the next book was published? Is there anything interesting surrounding that time? Any other facts in the style of the ones Drew from Inking out Loud brings to the end of their Wheel of Time episodes? (If you have some for the other Mistborn books, they're welcome, and I'll bring them up when we get there)

 

Check Brandon’s annotations. Those were quite interesting.

[Cheyenne Sedai]

Great. I haven't had time to look at those yet, so this gives me an excuse

 

[Honorless]

Oh there's a lot. The planet was (and is still) mostly empty, with only the regions near the poles inhabited. The north pole being where the Final Empire was located. At the edge of the Final Empire, near the Burnlands, people were far enough from the influence of the Lord Ruler and his Steel Ministry for better technology (which they desperately needed to survive). Aside from petty kingdoms, skaa refugees and rebels, these areas were also full of Koloss and Mistwraiths. Occasionally the Ministry dispatched soldiers near the border to break up successful congregations of escapees.

[Cheyenne Sedai]

That's some cool lore without bringing up spoilers. It's one of those things that I know of from implications, but would never think about. 

 

[Kingsdaughter613]

Kelsier was from the Western Dominance. Central and Western Dominance’s have a French-like language. Northern tends to be more Germanic. In-world Kelsier’s name is pronounced similarly to the RL Olivier. (Ie. Kel-see-ay, kind of.)

Edited January 15, 2021 by Kingsdaughter613

[Cheyenne Sedai]

14 minutes ago, Kingsdaughter613 said:

Kelsier was from the Western Dominance. Central and Western Dominance’s have a French-like language. Northern tends to be more Germanic. In-world Kelsier’s name is pronounced similarly to the RL Olivier. (Ie. Kel-see-ay, kind of.)

that debate about pronunciation. But its a nice piece of lore. I assumed he would be from the central dominance

[Kingsdaughter613]

Just now, Cheyenne Sedai said:

that debate about pronunciation. But its a nice piece of lore. I assumed he would be from the central dominance

The pronunciation is from Brandon - who doesn’t use it. It’s how it’s canonically pronounced in-world though.

[Cheyenne Sedai]

I know. That's why I say that. It's *that* debate. I know it's the pronunciation in world, but that Brandon doesn't use it. Its strange. I've never seen something else like that before.

[Kingsdaughter613]

1 hour ago, Cheyenne Sedai said:

I know. That's why I say that. It's *that* debate. I know it's the pronunciation in world, but that Brandon doesn't use it. Its strange. I've never seen something else like that before.

I actually do pronounce it that way now. It took work, but I find I prefer it. It adds to the ‘flavor’ if that makes sense. It also makes it even more unique than it already is. 

I have an aluminum hat theory that the difference is so that Brandon can have Kell appear in another series, but with his name spelled phonetically so as to obscure who he is. But it’s more likely just one of those random things.

[Cheyenne Sedai]

9 hours ago, Kingsdaughter613 said:

I actually do pronounce it that way now. It took work, but I find I prefer it. It adds to the ‘flavor’ if that makes sense. It also makes it even more unique than it already is. 

I have an aluminum hat theory that the difference is so that Brandon can have Kell appear in another series, but with his name spelled phonetically so as to obscure who he is. But it’s more likely just one of those random things.

That's an interesting theory. I'd like to see where it goes.

[BenduLuke]

Since the first Mistborn book I read was Alloy of Law, I kept expecting Vin to start using feruchemy through out the first series. The Lord Ruler is lazy and un-creative in his Magic. I think he subconsciously wanted someone to come along and kill him, but was afraid to let go.

[Halyo_Alex]

31 minutes ago, BenduLuke said:

Since the first Mistborn book I read was Alloy of Law

Oh hey, me too!

[Cheyenne Sedai]

I'd never met anyone who started with Alloy of Law. Interesting

[BenduLuke]

44 minutes ago, Cheyenne Sedai said:

I'd never met anyone who started with Alloy of Law. Interesting

Let me correct that. My first Mistborn book was Alloy of Law. I first read Brandon in Wheel of Time. By the time I found Alloy of Law I had read Elantris, and was Reading the Reconers. I think I noticed Alloy of Law because it was near the Safe Hold series by David Weber (Off Armageddon reef). i was a L'amour fan so the western theme intrigued me. I think I read Way of Kings after binging Mistborn just before shadows of self came out. My favorite character is probably Lyft, followed by Kaladin, then Shallon. I would like to see more Shai as well. Wax and Wayne are just fun to read, so I wonder where their story will go. I really wonder what 3rd Gen Mistborn will do.

Right now Brandon is one of my favorite authors. Card and Modesitt rounding out the top 3. I love just about everything he writes, and appreciate his writing classes online. I hope to one day attend his in person classes down at BYU.

[KSub]

The lord ruler had children. Their descendants are still alive after the catacendre. Brandon has said they aren't important to the cosmere.

[Cheyenne Sedai]

I had no idea. Nice fact. 

[Cheyenne Sedai]

We had a great time recording today, thanks for all the little pieces of lore. Our next episode is going to be the full spoiler discussion, so if there is anything that goes into that category, feel free to leave a comment.