Harmony's sword?

[TheGingerROOT]

In the pre-chapter text (can't remember what it's called) of the Rhythm of War chapter 'A Cage Without Bars,' Harmony says that he is looking for a sword that embodied the two aspects of the power he holds, Ruin and Preservation. In the previous pre-chapter text he mentions being hampered in his ability to act due to his two held Shards being opposites, so is it logical to think of this as Harmony seeking a champion to act on his behalf against/with other Shards? If so, I have a theory.

I'm not sure if there's a running theory on this, but the main Cosmere character that comes to mind for that is Kaladin. He's trained/training as a surgeon and is a skilled fighter. Particularly in The Way of Kings, there was a constant internal dialogue about whether Kaladin or his father were correct in how they could protect: Kaladin choosing to protect using force while his father protects through medical care. Kaladin is currently in a spot where he can protect using both methods, acknowledging that he needs time to deal with his PTSD and depression but is enhancing his abilities in the medical area. 

The main barrier I see to this potentially occuring is that due to Kaladin's nahel bond with Syl he is anchored to the Rosharan system, as per Mraize's conversation with Shallan/Veil/Radiant in part 1 of Rhythm of War. Now this is entirely conjecture, but I am assuming that by the end of Book 5 several key things relevant to this will occur: a way of transporting Rosharan Lights to other systems will be discovered, which will be linked to finding a way for Connected individuals to move outside of their systems as well. While I don't believe Kaladin is intended on being a main character for the back 5 (correct me if I'm wrong), that doesn't necessarily mean that he won't still be a major player in another form like being a champion of a Shard that isn't "native" to the Rosharan system and is thus not present for Rosharan events all the time.

If there is an existing theory thread regarding this, could someone please point me in its direction?

[KaladinWorldsinger]

Harmony's sword is a teaser for Mistborn era 2. Wax is the person the term is referring to.

[+honorblades he/him]

I've actually had this same thought about Kaladin, but I agree with @KaladinWorldsinger, it is more than likely Wax. I compiled some quotes about it. 

 

Quote

I have begun searching for a pathway out of this conundrum by seeking the ideal person to act on my behalf. Someone who embodies both Preservation and Ruin. A … sword, you might say, who can both protect and kill.

(Harmony) - Rhythm of War, Chapter 29

 

Quote

"I'm not Harmony's hands", Wax whispered. "I'm his sword."

(Wax) - Shadows of Self, Chapter 25

 

Quote

The only way I can fight the Voidbringers is to pretend there's a difference between the ones I have to protect and the ones I have to kill.

(Kaladin) - Oathbringer, Chapter 20

 

Quote

He had been delivered up to the sky, and had found magnificence there. He'd been given the power to protect and defend. 

(Kaladin) - Oathbringer, Chapter 73

 

 

There's actually way more than this for both characters. If Wax wasn't around, I would definitely say Kaladin is at the top of Harmony's list. 

[TruthwatcherDan he/him]

4 hours ago, honorblades said:

I would definitely say Kaladin is at the top of Harmony's list. 

I would love to see Kaladin acting as an agent for Harmony... the poor guy could use a little harmony in his life, it just seems constant agony the way it is currently.

*Burns a glyphward for Kaladin: "Peace, Serotonin, Harmony"* 

[Returned he/him]

15 hours ago, TruthwatcherDan said:

I would love to see Kaladin acting as an agent for Harmony... the poor guy could use a little harmony in his life, it just seems constant agony the way it is currently.

Wax had kind of a rough time of it...

[Staenbridge]

On 20/04/2022 at 3:19 AM, honorblades said:

There's actually way more than this for both characters. If Wax wasn't around, I would definitely say Kaladin is at the top of Harmony's list. 

I'd say the most important one is actually from Miles Hundredlives in Alloy of Law (ch. 19):

Quote

Miles kicked him in the side to keep him down. "I don't care about the Survivor's mandate. I've found something better. That doesn't matter to you. You're just a sword, a tool that goes where it's pointed[...]"

Miles means it in the sense of Wax being a sword for "the establishment" i.e. the corrupt Elendel elite, but given how Harmony literally tells Wax that he's 'the tool he sends to fix problems by applying bullets' just a few pages earlier in Alloy of Law, it's clearly not just an apt comparison for material stuff.

Earlier in AoL Ch. 18:

Quote

How can you see things like what has been done by the Vanishers, Waxilium asked, and not do something to help?

I have done something to help. I sent you.

The theorist in me wonders if Wax's discontent and agreement with Miles' assessment is not also because he literally just got told by his God that he lacked free will in coming to kill the Vanishers, but perhaps we're a little too soon in Wax's character progression for that kind of idea to be manifesting in Wax.  

[Morningtide she/her]

On 4/18/2022 at 10:24 PM, TheGingerROOT said:

In the pre-chapter text (can't remember what it's called) of the Rhythm of War chapter 'A Cage Without Bars,' Harmony says that he is looking for a sword that embodied the two aspects of the power he holds, Ruin and Preservation. In the previous pre-chapter text he mentions being hampered in his ability to act due to his two held Shards being opposites,...........

I had similar first thoughts, but now I think it will be Wax. It just makes more sense logistically, what with Wax and Wayne taking place after Stormlight Arc 1.

[cometaryorbit]

Yeah, pretty sure it is Wax. The Lost Metal blurb also supports that.

[StanLemon]

16 hours ago, Staenbridge said:

IThe theorist in me wonders if Wax's discontent and agreement with Miles' assessment is not also because he literally just got told by his God that he lacked free will in coming to kill the Vanishers, but perhaps we're a little too soon in Wax's character progression for that kind of idea to be manifesting in Wax.  

This is one of the things I like about Wax's character growth in BoM. Him coming to the realization that it isn't that he lacks free will and does the things Harmony wants done, but that Harmony chose him because Wax is the kind of person that would do what Wax does. Best exemplified when Wax has the choice to die or live and he chooses to live and continue. Sure Harmony does some very morally questionable things to nudge Wax, but Wax is still Wax

[Duxredux he/him]

There's a lot of interesting issues and perceptions going on here. Harmony gets quite a bit of flak for how he handles Wax, but try contrasting it with Odium's work to turn Dalinar into his champion or Sazed's own life experiences as the prophesied Hero of Ages. Who was given more free will? I don't think it's a simple or easy process to become a champion of a Shard and embody their attributes. Wax is good at killing other people, but he really didn't have a good handle on personal acceptance of pain, change, or death. I probably don't either, but I think that was something integral that aligned Sazed to both the powers of Ruin and Preservation. For the record, my opinion is that until everything is done and done, attempting to judge the actions of something that can see the future will always have incomplete information.

I agree that Wax is probably Harmony's sword. I also think that Harmony had far more in mind than simply bringing Wax back to Elendel than to stop the Vanishers, considering that's what put Wax onto the trail of Mr. Suit, the Set, and eventually Trell. In the process he also saved Steris his future wife and Marasi, someone that Harmony worked hard to put into a position of influence. I haven't heard anyone complaining about Harmony manipulating Marasi's life. The sisters would probably have been kidnapped without Wax in the city, and we've seen what Marasi has already accomplished. 

Again, considering Sazed's life of servitude, loss, and death (including Tindwyl), I don't think it's an easy or simple process to become the champion of Harmony, but I bet it's gonna be important for Sazed to have a champion.

Edited April 25, 2022 by Duxredux