Bondsmiths are amazing

[Immortal Platypus]

Okay, I've been thinking about how Odium is trapped on Roshar because Honor forced him to invest there (binding him). Could a bondsmith (Nahel bond) strengthen or weaken these bonds? Could that be why Odium wants Dalinar (THE BONDSMITH!!!) to be on his side? If not, could a person wielding Ishar's Honorblade do it because they are "a bondsmith unchained?"

[That1Cellist he/him]

I think that with just the Honorblade, you would be unable to release Odium from Roshar, as you are not acting as Honor in that sense. It is possible that I am incorrect in this. We don't really know what Bondsmiths are capable of at their fullest potential, and I think that upcoming Stormlight books will likely explore this.

[Returned he/him]

I think that the short answer is that that sort of thing is in the Bondsmith portfolio of powers, so it's the kind of thing they work with and could perhaps do. Whether or not they could overwhelm a Shard's direct action is a bit murkier.

There isn't a lot of evidence I'm aware of, but the one piece I recall offhand suggests to me that there is more to it than just any Bondsmith, chained or not (I'm not even all that clear on what, precisely, being chained or unchained prohibits or allows). Odium does make a comment in Oathbringer that hints at this:

Quote

"I wish I could simply let her have this place."

"So do it. Leave us alone. Go away."

Odium turned to him so sharply that Dalinar jumped. "Is that," Odium said quietly, "an offer to release me from my bonds, coming from the man holding the remnants of Honor's name and power?" (Oathbringer, page 550)

The reference to Honor's name and power makes me think that there is something distinct about the Stormfather, which is a Sliver of Honor, which has relevance to Odium's being trapped on Roshar. Bondsmiths made by bonding the Nightwatcher or the Sibling would still be Bondsmiths, but would not have the same connection to the Shard which (somehow) imposed the bonds which confine Odium.

[Letryx13]

12 hours ago, ImportantQuestions said:

Okay, I've been thinking about how Odium is trapped on Roshar because Honor forced him to invest there (binding him). Could a bondsmith (Nahel bond) strengthen or weaken these bonds? Could that be why Odium wants Dalinar (THE BONDSMITH!!!) to be on his side? If not, could a person wielding Ishar's Honorblade do it because they are "a bondsmith unchained?"

In RoW, Odium states that the reason Dalinar can ease the restrictions on him is because he represents Honor.  Dalinar is bonded to the Stormfather, who contains what remains of Tanavast's soul, which I think is the main reason he represents Honor.