Half-Baked Dustbringer Theories

[SirNoSell]

Hi guys, have been away from the SA for a while and recently wanted to put out ideas I've only been revisiting.

Feel free to comment on what you like, I've only put so much depth into this but I felt I wouldn't get it out in time so here goes:

I believe that we know one of the Dustbringer ideals already. Some people are familiar with the following quote provided by Sando:

"I will stand when others fall"

I believe this is a Dustbringer ideal and I would back up this claim with the third ideal Dalinar spoke about:

“I will take responsibility for what I have done. If I must fall, I will rise each time a better man. ”

The wording fall comes up in both of these oaths.

For context, it has been theorised by some that the oaths Dalinar are speaking are closely tied to the "Honor Arc" of the Herald wheel.

Quick Side Note:

As for the second ideal, I believe it is based on the Windrunner order.

“I will unite instead of divide. I will bring men together. ”

Reason: The wording 'unite' makes me think of adhesion. Not very in-depth, more of a hot take. The best way to protect people is to put them with other people so that their strengths can cover their weaknesses. And the best way for a group of people to protect each other is to appoint someone that is the most capable of leadership.

It's also no secret that the next book that will come out at the time of this post is about the Skybreakers so I'm trying to do a flimsy process of elimination.

That's when he will swear the fourth.

Side Note over:

Reasons why I think the quote/ideal is related to the Releasers.

• Most people attribute it to a Willshaper or Stoneward because of the wording and how the orders are Resolute and Dependable. I believe that bravery is actually the most associated with it. "I will stand when others fall", you think of that in a physical sense but you need to consider the figurative aspect. Standing up for others or especially yourself is courageous, it makes you brave. People will continue to fall and fall and cowardly avoid the difficulties they face but someone who stands in the name of adversity is the ideal of bravery.
• Responsibility- The word responsibility is used in Dalinar's third ideal and we know since RoW that Dustbringers are themed towards Responsibility - SN: A fire-based spren made an appearance in the same book of the reveal if that counts for anything.
• Risk takers - I believe that since the order is filled with people who are strong-willed and like to crack things open to see how they work. That along with the self-control theme means that they would deal with a lot of risk management. I actually looked up a bit of engineering risk management and it's a very interesting field I won't dare try to butcher. The point is, with the great amount of power they wield, they will inevitably cause more damage than they may have intended. Learning from your mistakes is a great way to mitigate said risks.

1. Dustbringer Ideals

2nd Ideal of Bravery - "I will stand when others fall in the face of danger"

3rd Ideal of Accountability? - "I will take responsibility for what I have done", "I will make own up to my mistakes".

4th Ideal of Service ?" - "I will stand by " " no matter the direness.

5th Ideal of the Guardian - "I am Self Control...?"

2nd Ideal - The radiant will usually start out as someone who will conquer their fear, I like to imagine those in this order make have caused some irrevocable or deep damage against something or someone and they want to make amends. They are risk-takers and I also believe they become initiates like the WRs and SBs as this is arguably the most dangerous order in the arc and the entire circle save the Bondsmiths.

Therefore I don't think it would be a stretch to find out that they get their shard blades here. 

My reasoning for this:

• I believe they would honestly classify a shard blade as less dangerous than their surges. We know that their orders gets their surges later than most.
• It could be a test to see how they use their shard blade and if they use it to do more damage than is necessary. 

3rd Ideal - I believe this is where the person must answer for a past misstep or mistake they've taken recently. They will need to come to terms with answering for their mistake. I think maybe carrying out a sentence or repairing something the best they can. 

We also know that the Division surge has been awarded here from knowledge of Malata and if we were to use her as an example, precision and staying within limits have been achieved if not mostly achieved.

4th ideal - I notice that the orders of the "Honor Arc - Windrunner, Skybreaker, Dustbringer" are hierarchical due to them dealing with power, both physical and political. Here they receive Abrasion which means they get access to explosives and pyrotechnics now. They also get their plate here most likely as well but I'll talk more about that a bit later. They are in positions with a lot of power so that means they have to dedicate themselves to something other or run the risk of using them for selfish destructive reasons. The scale has now tilted in favor of obedience than bravery.

5th ideal - They are in complete control of all their surges and themselves. Don't have much to go on for this.

Anyways, you guys get the point I'm trying to make

More Theories:

Dustbringer Plate Uses:

• Propel themselves with their palms forward for increased speed
• They could use the fingers on their gauntlets like cutting tools?
• Self-Explosion...?

Duties:

• I believe that 'generally' radiants followed their patron's role and Chana was known as the guardians. They dealt with threats to people's safety in what way they could:
  • Battlefield - Chana was known for being quick so it's no surprise they could glide across the battlefield as mobile or stationary artillery
  • Settlement Defenses - They could easily fire rays of heat from atop fortifications
  • Domestic disaster - They could act as emergency services in the case of things like a collapsed building. Chana is also well-known for 

Here is also a pretty good representation of what I think the surges would look like:

I might add more in the future but for now, this is as much as I can scrunge up for now. Thanks for being patient enough to entertain my ramblings and please add what you think might be more logical or if I didn't go into something in-depth enough.

Edit: Another interpretation of "I shall stand where others fall" is that those who are falling are the victims of some mishap or crime and the Dustbringer is standing for them or by them in some way. 

Edited November 1, 2022 by BrightLord Swageas

[Spearguy]

I'm pretty certain the I will stand where others fall oath belongs to the stonewards, and that most oaths will have little overlap with those from other orders, but other than that this is a great theory.