This isn't mockery of Brandon, not even pre-publication Brandon who wrote this. He was (as he says) aware it wasn't ready for publication. Presumably, that's why he was selling Elantris and Mistborn and not Dragonsteel. It just makes me feel better about my own writing, that Brandon Sanderson's earliest efforts were very much in need of improvement. It's actually a compliment--Brandon worked hard to get as good as he is.

I would also say that even in this not-ready-for-prime-time thing, you can see Brandon's inventiveness shining through. It's weird to me, to read a Sanderson fantasy, get 20% or so through it, and know almost nothing about any magic system. Not bad, but interesting.

Note; it's a 27 hour audiobook. I won't finish it for a bit.

So I just started reading Dragonsteel Prime…

and on just the first or second page…

There are a whole lot of similarities between El and the Lord of the War.

Immediately, the perspective character notes that the armor on the humanoid Lord of the War may have been skin, or it may have been organic.

Parshendi carapace is organic, and is what they use for armor.

El has metal - theorized to be Dragonsteel by some (*cough* I dunno including me) [by others it has been said to be aluminum] - inlaid to his armor.

There seems to be maybe some inspiration, like the Shattered plains stuff.

---

I know we generally don't have a typo thread for a Curiosity, but since the first one I found was in the eBook CSS, I wanted to make sure to share it in case it is affecting readability on some devices.

That said, I downloaded the epub and kepub both and they both have each instance in the CSS of selector "line-height:" misspelled as "line-heigh:".

The "hyphens: none;" selector also showed an error, but that may just be compatibility.

I'll update here if I find anything else. 

 

Quote

Shardcast Interview (Jan. 23, 2021)

Brandon Sanderson

 [Dragonsteel Prime] Basically there's not a whole lot that's canon in that anymore. The Sho Del are, the dragons are, and the Tamu Keks are. But all the Hoid stuff is not really canon anymore. He'll get a completely new book backstory. 

1. Sho Del Biology 
   1. The Sho Del are primarily white in colouration
   2. They have 6 limbs: four arms and two legs
   3. They have black eyes (among the few described)
   4. They have  hair-like parts described as grassy strands
   5. They refer to their "hair" as a mane and can curl/move according to emotion
   6. Their blood is white and milky
   7. Their bones/hearts are a mixture of dragonsteel axi, calcium, and carbon
   8. Their bones/hearts are known as Tamu Keks to humans
   9. Tamu Keks are described as releasing some energy like Spiritual Energy not unlike metallic radiation (by Frost so probably true)
   10. There appear to be at least two genders: Female (a daughter) and Male ( a father)
   11. Females can are fertile for many years  (described as possibly being bedridden for 20 years having kids but is a possible hyperbole as it was said by a woman who fears entering adulthood)
   12. Adulthood must be induced via the use of dragonsteel (unclear if pure or as a mixture) 
       1. This dragonsteel substance is referred to as Ana Ku Mae (likely pure dragonsteel)
       2. Adulthood is not possible if a Sho Del waits too long. This dreaded status is known as a Sha La Men Ves and is becoming more common as Sho Del struggle to collect an ample supply of Ana Ku Mae
           
2. Fainlife Flora and Fauna
   • There are Animals in the Sho Del continent of U Poni Sho Del 
     • Sho Del warriors have animal mounts (real? illusions?)
       • "These beasts Jerick had never seen before were jumping through the air, traveling the vast distance between the Sho Del and human plateaus. They were large and reptilian, with four small legs in the front and two enormous ones at the back, legs powerful enough to jump even the fifty-foot chasm. Each beast bore a Sho Del on its back"
       • The Lord of the War rides one at one point, making me think these beasts do exist in small numbers at least
         • "the monster reined its beast in and paused, looking at his fleeing opponents. His face seemed to pause on Jerick, staring at him, though no eyes were visible beneath the dark helm"
            
     1. Sho Del animals might sometimes enter normal areas
        • A lizard is seen in Jerick's town
          • possibly came with the Sho Del assassin as the Assassin was "very angry" when the town killed the lizard
            • "A creature of darkness—or so the priests said. It had a thin, flat head with black eyes, and, unlike any normal lizard, its mouth was lined with teeth. It hissed loudly at its captors as it unrolled, its long tail raising as if to strike. Its most distinguishing feature, however, was its legs. An extra set of limbs sprouted from its belly, making it look almost like some overlarge insect rather than a lizard."
               
   1. Sho Del Forest Description as seen from quite some distance:
      • "Jerick was accustomed to pines, which tended to grow relatively far apart from one another. U Poni Sho Del’s forest was more like a wall of foliage; one mass of solid shrubbery as opposed to a line of tree. And, of course, the plants were all bone white. Fain animals he had seen before, but it had never really occurred to him that the plants would be Fain as well."
         
   2. Fain Wood might provide some magical abilities according to the prologue:
      1. The dying soldier bought a wooden charm from a Horwatcher; it let him hear the conversation between dragons and the Lord of the War (who is either a human or a god but is not Sho Del)
         
         "He gasped in pain for a few moments, then reached up with his left hand, wrapping his fingers around the small wooden charm at his neck. His good luck charm, purchased for an incredible sum from a traveling Horwatcher wizard
         
         The Lord of the War still stood beside the Dragonsteel well. The lead dragon stared down at the Lord, its dark eyes unreadable. Somehow, Adsen felt like he could feel the creature’s emotions. He was seeing something he shouldn’t; something that was not of men. Something between the Lord of the War and this dragon
         
         Suddenly, Adsen’s charm began to vibrate. He blinked in surprise. He had paid good money for the charm, but he hadn’t really expected it to do anything. Had the Horwatcher actually been telling the truth
         
         We are leaving. The words exploded in Adsen’s mind, ramming their way in through the pain and surprise. Somehow he knew that the lead dragon, the old one, had spoken. The words seemed to come through Adsen’s charm, entering directly into his mind
         
         Adsen could feel surprise, and anger, from the Lord of the War. Leaving? the Lord of the War said, his voice projected through Adsen’s charm."
          
      2. *Possibly* Jerick had a fainlife tree near his property and his castmark is made of it.
         1. Jerick stood before the massive tree. He had never been able to determine just what kind of tree it was—it had leaves rather than needles, but its bark was flaky and layered like that of a waxpole pine. It seemed to grow out more than up, its thick branches extending almost horizontally, like enormous vines. All of the branches were long and twisted, and they didn’t seem like they should be able to grow out as far as they did without breaking. Yet, each branch was powerful; Jerick had climbed in them many times, and they barely gave way beneath his weight. It was like they were made of metal rather than wood" ...
            
            The tips of the upper branches were dark and brittle, the bark charred. Lightning had struck here many times, but, for some reason, the tree had never started on fire. The top of the tree did not come to a point, like the pines or firs he had climbed. Instead, the ancient tree ended in a fat round knob, branches spreading out from it like the palm of a man’s hand
             
         2. Oddities
            1. The colour of this tree is never mentioned (the black colour is actually just a lightning strike).
            2. The cast mark is stained so we never learn the colour that way
            3. The tree is described as maybe having metal in it for support (fain sho del and dragons have metal in them)
            4. Resists fire
            5. Grows out to the side more than up (like the tree walls seen at a far distance in U Poni Sho Del)
            6. Jerick didn't know Fain trees were a thing until the end of the book and he never sees them up close
            7. There is a "source of power" in Jerick's village, and Jerrick;s power is somehow connected to it. Perhaps this tree is a magical tree separate entirely from Fainlife or perhaps this tree is somehow connected to fainlife. 
                
3. Connection to Dragons:
   1. Dragons are Fain and also have dragonsteel in/on their bodies
   2. Worshiped dragons are called the Dra Sho U Fel by the Sho Del (unclear if all dragons are called this)
   3. Some humans can commune with dragons using Tamu Keks (not easy; not simple; more in one spot makes it easier)  
   4. Sho Del started worshipping dragons on their own
      1. "We leave them because of their need, the dragon replied. We never asked for their worship, but we have done the best with it that we could. Now they have chosen to listen to you instead of us. Gods are not gods when they are ignored"
          
4. Named Sho Del
   1. Du Len:
      • Is a female child who has not taken Ana Ku Mae to enter adulthood
      • Is a Kame Ken Den Tu (magic adept person)
      • Is the daughter of the council leader
      • Is unsure of becoming an adult
         
   2. Fa Len Ko Mar
      • Is the council elder and likely leader of the Shattered Plains forces
      • Called Fa Len by his daughter
      • Is male
      • Is a Kame Ken Den Tu (magic adept)
         
5. Sho Del Magic
   1. Cognitive Illusions
      1. Can project these into the minds of others
      2. The enemy mind fills in the details of the illusions meaning the same projection can vary from person to person
      3. Illusions can deal real harm, block real swords, and kill.
      4. Projecting "nothing" where something is doesn't work well
      5. Illusions require constant concentration and disappear if not projected.
      6. Effects like succumbing later to post illusion-injury  may require other mental projections for a time
      7. Minds can be trained to resist many of these illusions but its not perfect. 
          
   2. Sho Del are able to broadcast their thoughts precisely or widely
      1. "Though I have trouble believing any Sho Del would be careless enough to broadcast so widely that a bystander could hear" - Topaz
          
   3. Sho Del might use items/tamu keks to cast sonic spells (potentially an illusion? Feels different maybe)
      1. "The Sho Del calmly lowered its bow, then reached into his cloak to re- move something thin and white. He closed his eyes and his mouth began to move slightly, his thumb rubbing the object. A spear, thrown by one of the approaching guards, slammed into the ground beside the creature. The Sho Del did not move.
         
         Jerick felt what happened next, and he thought he could see it too. A wiggling bubble exploded suddenly from the stranger, a translucent thing that wavered and vibrated. It moved impossibly quick, expanding like a ripple in water, and it hit Jerick before he could even jump back. Only then did he realize what the bubble was. Sound. He was seeing sound.

         It crashed like thunder, thunder that had struck incredibly close. It slammed into Jerick’s ears, making him gasp in pain. The guards dropped their weapons and put their hands to their ears, groaning in agony. The sound, however, had not been intended just for human ears. Its suddenness startled the massive horde of cattle, causing them to call and run madly.
         
         -----
         Thats what I caught! I would be happy to hear what other lore bits people picked up

• Hoid
  • He holds Dawnshard that based on later description, effectively seeks to bring Physical realm representation of the object as close as possible to spiritual Ideal.
  • This then translates to growth and healing powers.
  • His Dawnshard is then something along the lines of Perfect / Heal, or perhaps simply Life.
  • This would explain why his power is such Anathema to the 'Void' god.
  • As a result of holding it for so long, he can no longer harm others, as it would take them further away from their Spiritual Ideal I think.
• Jerick
  • He seems to hold Dawnshard that is direct opposite to the one Hoid has, one with powers of Destruction.
  • He can use it to effectively soulcast an arrow, or to destroy items with lighting (or cut his father in half).
  • I would suspect that his Dawnshard then is about taking things away from their Spiritual Ideal, hence Destroy/Break/Death, dawnshard.

I also think Ryalla might have Dawnshard. Admittadly, her powers are different (she does not see Axi, but Light instead), however her power does seem be quite substantial. If so, this might be the precursor to the one Dawnshard that is different from the rest. What concept it represents I have no idea, perhaps Seem or Connect, dealing not with items but with forces that Connect them together?

But i need help identifying who a couple of PoV's belong to.

 There were a few PoV’s I had a hard time placing as the narrator(third person omniscent) or a specific character

For example:

Chapter One’s first PoV of “The Lumbermans son was born into a world of magic" and the whole "narrator-y" exposition of Jericks early life that followed is the narrator correct? or is that a Jerick PoV?

Then in Interlude one, between Frost and Topaz, there isnt really any internal dialogue or such presented from either of them to give any indication as to who’s PoV it is. Only “Frost said” and “Topaz said” but the interlude does end with a “narrator-y” paragraph.

Quote

Frost nodded humbly, and with that the fool was gone, slipping along the outside of the building to the stables where an enormous Ke’Chan waited for him with a pair of horses. They rode away at a full gallop, sensing an urgency that no one else on the continent seemed to understand. With Cephandrious gone, the castle plants seemed to wilt slightly, the air seemed to turn a little colder, and two youths awoke the next morning to find that their best—and perhaps only—friend in the palace had disappeared without a word of farewell.

i cant tell if this is either a Frost or a Narrator PoV?

Then in the middle of chapter 52, directly after Topaz does his healing/growth blast we get this PoV(This Is the whole PoV)

Quote

An invisible wave of life washed over the castle. Soldiers who had fallen, both human and Sho Del, felt their wounds suddenly heal. Bodies that were dead remained so, but any with even a spark of life left in them were completely revitalized. Men left for dead sat up, finding their armor mangled and torn, but their bodies intact. About two dozen of these rescued men—fourteen of them bearing the symbol of a tree on their armor—could be found on the fields behind the palace, amongst a scattered group of five hundred bodies. Where the fighting continued, a man impaled on a Sho Del sword felt his life return suddenly, his vitality lifted, his pain extinguished. He looked down at the sword still sticking from his chest, then up into the eyes of his confused opponent. A second later the wave had passed, and he began to die again. In the garden, where the energy had been focused, hundreds of trees sprang from the ground, growing from tiny seeds to enormous pines in the blink of an eye. Seeds that had lain dormant for years, seeds that would never have grown on their own, suddenly burst to life. The trees appeared like a tidal wave of wood, growing so closely together that they pushed one another out of the ground as they shot up, tossing several full-sized trunks high into the air. Branches snapped and pressed together, shattering even as they grew, for there was no place for them to go. Those watching could hear the wood groan and pop, a sound similar to an enormous rockslide. The resulting wall of trees had grown so closely together that they would never survive—there wouldn’t be enough light or nutrients to support them. Six arrows thunked into the trees.

Narrator right?(seems kind of obvious on this one, but i dont want to be wrong on my analysis)

https://www.backerkit.com/c/projects/dragonsteel/words-of-radiance-leatherbound/updates/4692

PS: check your email (Sanderson newsletter) for Emberdark sample chapters if you want more Yolen content (Dragons!)

The one I feel matches best, so far, would be Kalord Strafen as a possible match for Rayse. He's shown that he is "loathsome, crafty and dangerous" (description of Rayse by Hoid, WoK Epigraphs), and has a history of not getting on with Hoid at all. Additionally, the old Kalord Strafen is described as having a "birth name long forgotten", which could be Rayse (even assuming that the character name wasn't subsequently changed by Brandon). When Rayse appears in Oathbringer, he presents himself with "a golden crown in his powdery hair", which seems fitting for one who was once a king.

Alternatively, Bat'Chor as Rayse, based on knowing that Rayse and Hoid were once friends. The route Bat'Chor seems to be heading down would suggest a possible ending to that friendship.

Other less developed theories:

Tzern as Tanavast, who Hoid thinks is "a fine enough fellow" who "bought me drinks once" (WoR Epilogue).

Courteth as Edgli. Seems to have the right amount of selfish disinterest hidden behind a veneer of actually caring. Also doesn't care much for Hoid (Oathbringer Epigraphs).

Yoharn as Ati. Very lacking in evidence, but one could assume that Yoharn likely has red hair like his father, which is a known trait of Ati. Known, as a mortal, for being kind and generous 

Ryalla as Valor. Some of the little we know is that Valor is female and fond of Hoid.