[Theory] Unity and Adonalsium

[Szeth_Pancakes]

When I was looking at some recent threads theorizing about Unity (basically the only time we ever hear it referenced is when Dalinar says "I am Unity!" at the climax of OB and Rayse says "we killed you!), I realized that I had my own theory - and that it also solved the problem of how Adonalsium was shattered. Before I continue, I would like to state that this isn't just a repeat of the things I said in the "death of Unity" thread - I crafted my thoughts into a full-fledged theory this time.

1. What is Unity?

Let's get straight to the point - I believe that Unity is a lot like a Shard, but not - it's more like a binding agent. Like an egg used in baking. It isn't there to taste good, it's there to hold the things that taste good together. By this same logic, Unity is there to hold the Shards of Adonalsium together. I'll get to how it does this later, but the implications for this are pretty staggering.

Firstly, it would explain how Adonalsium was shattered - Unity was somehow removed from the equation (e.g. its holder was killed), making Adonalsium's Investiture split into sixteen pieces. There are a couple different options for why it couldn't hold itself together. It could've been in 16 different pieces at the start, or (and I think this is the more interesting option) it could've been too big to hold itself together. Maybe Investiture works in weird ways on a large scale, and Adonalsium is just so Invested that it splits into sixteen different pieces. (I don't actually have any supporting evidence for this, but it sounds plausible).

2. How does it hold things together?

I believe that Dalinar's "Bondsmith unchained" powers are, in reality, the part of Unity that he holds. I say "part" because I believe all three Bondsmiths hold a part of Unity. This feels like it could have some prevalence in KoW or back-half Stormlight, or in Era 4, where the reformation of Adonalsium seems like it'll be at least a small plot point. I think this because Dalinar's main power is Connection manipulation, and that's exactly what you'd need to hold Adonalsium together.

This could also apply to Ishar's destruction of Ashyn - maybe he removed the Connection between the planet and its magnetic field, or its orbit, or something big. Backing up a little further, I think something from his experimentation allowed him to gain access to the remnants of Unity and somehow piece them back together - again, that's something we'll probably see when the time comes for Herald flashbacks.

 

yeah that's basically it

This is all just wiiiiiild speculation. But I think it makes at least a modicum of sense. Let me know your thoughts!

[Frustration]

So, if Unity is dead, how did Harmony happen?

[Szeth_Pancakes]

5 hours ago, Ookla the Frustrated said:

So, if Unity is dead, how did Harmony happen?

Sazed's Connection to both Preservation and to Ruin probably did that.

[NameIess]

39 minutes ago, Ookla the Confused said:

Sazed's Connection to both Preservation and to Ruin probably did that.

So Adonalsium didn't have a connection to his own power? That means that Adonalsium didn't have a host, but simply was the power. Otherwise he would've kept at least a bit of his power.

[Szeth_Pancakes]

2 minutes ago, Ookla the unintelligible said:

So Adonalsium didn't have a connection to his own power? That means that Adonalsium didn't have a host, but simply was the power. Otherwise he would've kept at least a bit of his power.

I'm not in the "Adonalsium had a Vessel" camp. I personally don't like the implications.

[Frustration]

14 hours ago, Ookla the Confused said:

I'm not in the "Adonalsium had a Vessel" camp. I personally don't like the implications.

What implications specifically?

[cometaryorbit]

I tend to think Adonalsium lacked a Vessel; from Secret History, it seems that the Shards have Vessels because the first sixteen claimed parts of Adonalsium upon killing it.

We know Investiture develops sapience on its own if left alone; Adonalsium wouldn't have needed a Vessel to have a mind.