Far future theory: Kaladin becomes the new Taln

[Vin(Diesel)]

Some people have theorized that some of our Radiants will replace the current Heralds and re-forge the Oathpact.

If so, I have a disturbing suspicion: Kaladin will eventually become the only Herald who doesn't break (he might break during the next few Desolations, but not later), and the other new Heralds will eventually be tempted to pin the whole Oathpact on Kaladin, as the original Heralds pinned it on Taln. 

I know, Kaladin has tried to give up before, but that is because he is more tormented than most Radiants. He would go to Braize with a lot more experience bearing up under suffering than the others. 

[#1 Taln Fan he/him]

I do like this theory, I have a similar one myself. I think that this situation will occur, but Kaladin will take up that position willingly, rather that being abandoned. I think it might even be something to do with his fifth Ideal. I think it would be a killer way to finish out his arc, him sacrificing himself eternally to protect the ones he loves in the most ultimate way.

[AerionBFII he/him]

I don't know about being the knew Taln but it was mighty suspicious that the first true Heraldic casualty was Jezrien.

I see an opening for a Windrunner

Edited April 18, 2022 by AerionBFII

[Harkain he/him]

14 hours ago, Vin(Diesel) said:

Some people have theorized that some of our Radiants will replace the current Heralds and re-forge the Oathpact.

If so, I have a disturbing suspicion: Kaladin will eventually become the only Herald who doesn't break (he might break during the next few Desolations, but not later), and the other new Heralds will eventually be tempted to pin the whole Oathpact on Kaladin, as the original Heralds pinned it on Taln. 

I know, Kaladin has tried to give up before, but that is because he is more tormented than most Radiants. He would go to Braize with a lot more experience bearing up under suffering than the others. 

The only reason I don't think this has happened is I can't imagine Sanderson making Kaladin suffer even more.

In all honesty, I don't want Kaladin to end up suffering like that as well. Maybe as a book 5 ending, with it being reversed in book 6 but I really hope that's not the end point of the series. 

[Mat he/him]

7 hours ago, Harkain said:

The only reason I don't think this has happened is I can't imagine Sanderson making Kaladin suffer even more.

In all honesty, I don't want Kaladin to end up suffering like that as well. Maybe as a book 5 ending, with it being reversed in book 6 but I really hope that's not the end point of the series. 

I think that's why it'd have to be Kaladin's choice- he'd go willingly, with a smile (if that's possible for Kaladin) knowing that he was protecting everyone in the best and most effective way possible. Being forced into the job wouldn't be good for the book or for Kaladin, but assuming he knew what he was getting into and wanted to do it, I'd be alright with the move. I agree that the arc if it goes this way is better without it being permanent, but a reversal one book later would feel a bit cheap, in my opinion. A book 10 reversal would be better.

[Harkain he/him]

7 hours ago, Matrim's Dice said:

I think that's why it'd have to be Kaladin's choice- he'd go willingly, with a smile (if that's possible for Kaladin) knowing that he was protecting everyone in the best and most effective way possible. Being forced into the job wouldn't be good for the book or for Kaladin, but assuming he knew what he was getting into and wanted to do it, I'd be alright with the move. I agree that the arc if it goes this way is better without it being permanent, but a reversal one book later would feel a bit cheap, in my opinion. A book 10 reversal would be better.

Honestly, I just don't let the idea of Kaladin being resigned to being tortured for the rest of forever as the way his story ends.

I could see him becoming a herald (with the book 5 to book 6 break being a renewed oath pact situation), someone breaking at the start of book 6 and then a more permanent solution happening after that being pretty compelling tho.

[IcaroRibeiro he/him]

I find any of those theories of current Radiants becoming Heralds or something akin to them to be terrible terrible ideas, it can totally happen but it would be such an bitter end for arc 1

 

The whole design of how Heralds were used to trap the Fused was flawed from the very beginning. Sacrifice few individuals to a never-ending circle of pain until they break and another war consume Roshar again almost destroying the human civilizations in the process. No, just... not again please. I hope they find another solution, even if it's just temporay until arc 2, but I cannot bear to read all of my beloved characters suffering a decade of torture to comeback and fight in a war again X_X

Edited April 19, 2022 by IcaroRibeiro

[Returned he/him]

He'd be a good choice of the main characters to do this, if we were forced to pick one, and I can see some nice symmetries between Kaladin and what we know of Taln. I do think that Kaladin's tendencies towards self-sacrifice and bearing suffering for others are going to be a major thing to close out SA5.

But I remain skeptical that the Oathpact is going to be re-forged, certainly not like it was. It's just not really a solution to any of Roshar's or the Cosmere's problems, especially with the Everstorm in the mix. And, worst of all, Odium and the Singers have a method for just eliminating Oathpact members anyways. I think it's a lot more likely that we're moving towards something new, not just a restoration of the old solutions that already failed.

Edited April 19, 2022 by Returned
Grammar

[cometaryorbit]

On 4/18/2022 at 9:24 PM, IcaroRibeiro said:

The whole design of how Heralds were used to trap the Fused was flawed from the very beginning. Sacrifice few individuals to a never-ending circle of pain until they break and another war consume Roshar again almost destroying the human civilizations in the process.

To be fair, according to the Stormfather in OB, the torture and Desolation cycle was not the original plan. The trapping was meant to be permanent without Returns/Desolations. The Fused discovered later they could torture the Heralds and make them "bend their oaths" thus allowing Desolations to happen. Apparently the Heralds did not originally realize that was possible (and the Stormfather confirms Honor did not realize).

But yeah, no reforming the Oathpact. It essentially failed way back at the first Desolation.

And it's probably not relevant now that there are weapons that can permanently kill Fused*, and a new Odium with different goals.

*EDIT: I think the Oathpact was only invented since they had no way to make the Fused stay dead. If they'd had Anti-Light they never would have gone that route IMO.

Edited May 3, 2022 by cometaryorbit

[Erklitt]

I agree with those that don't want to see Kaladin suffering even more. And after his big breakthrough in RoW I hope and believe we'll see a triumphant Kaladin for most of SA5, before he fades into the background for SA6-10. Since Brandon has (IIRC) promised some level of closure after SA5, I can't imagine him leaving our favorite character to suffering at the end of it.

However, I can well imagine the question coming up at some point in time and him offering it, maybe in connection with his fifth ideal. Maybe it will even happen for a short time, but my guess is if it does, it will be resolved and a better solution found before the end of SA5.