Tie-in to next series (spoiler)

[fyodor]

So Sanderson said this about the next series

"Anyway, the Mistborn sequel trilogy, as I've said before, takes place in a more technologically advanced version of the world, several hundred years later. They've progressed beyond steam technology to combustion engine technology, are building skyscrapers—that level of technology. It will follow the exploits of a team of Allomancers who are kind of like an Allomantic SWAT team, a group of hybrid mercenary/deputized individuals who are brought in by the police to take out Allomancer criminals. The first book will deal with when they are called in to deal with a Mistborn serial killer. That's how it starts. It will go bizarre from there, of course, but think guns, cars, skyscrapers, and Allomancers. "

I'm wondering now if the unexplained Allomancer kidnappings relate to an attempt to breed a Mistborn and chasing after him in the second trilogy will lead to an investigation of the Set, etc.

Edited November 18, 2011 by fyodor

[DariusJenai]

That was my first thinking, that the Set was kidnapping women for the same reason Straff Venture had several mistresses. They're trying to breed another Mistborn. I can't imagine how powerful a Mistborn would be in a society where they would be the only one.

[fyodor]

That was my first thinking, that the Set was kidnapping women for the same reason Straff Venture had several mistresses. They're trying to breed another Mistborn. I can't imagine how powerful a Mistborn would be in a society where they would be the only one.

Meh-maybe. But in the modern day setting of the new series, he'd be susceptible to aluminum bullet machine guns, flamethrowers, etc.

[Kurkistan he/him]

Meh-maybe. But in the modern day setting of the new series, he'd be susceptible to aluminum bullet machine guns, flamethrowers, etc.

By the power of Grayskull! Can you imagine a single, regular looking man with access to all 16 Allomantic abilities in a modern city of millions, intent upon murder? Fading back into the endless crowds, and using copper to hide his every use of allomancy? Using bendalloy bubbles and the entire range of allomantic abilities to defeat any opponent unfortunate enough to get in close? Using steel-pushes and iron-pulls to their full potential? Rioting and soothing civilians into and out of panics to throw off the police? Using the duraluminum-enhanced version of all of the allomantic abilities?

I'd be afraid of that guy.

Edited November 19, 2011 by Kurkistan

[DariusJenai]

Meh-maybe. But in the modern day setting of the new series, he'd be susceptible to aluminum bullet machine guns, flamethrowers, etc.

All of which would be great if he decided to go against a well-armed group in a stand up fight. However, since he's a serial killer, I imagine he'd be slightly hard to go up against with machine guns and flamethrowers. He'd be almost unstoppable in the underground.

[Green Hoodie Mistborn he/him]

Sadly I have to agree with this idea... I was hoping that the Set's plan would ultimately fail, but it seems that in light of this quote that I had forgotten that their plan is very likely the breeding program and that they do indeed succeed, le sigh

Great idea/theory though!

[lauren.e135 she/her]

By the power of Grayskull! Can you imagine a single, regular looking man with access to all 16 Allomantic abilities in a modern city of millions, intent upon murder? Fading back into the endless crowds, and using copper to hide his every use of allomancy? Making using bendalloy bubbles and the entire range of allomantic abilities to defeat any opponent unfortunate enough to get in close? Using steel-pushes and iron-pulls to their full potential? Rioting and soothing civilians into and out of panics to throw off the police? Using the duraluminum-enhanced version of all of the allomantic abilities?

I'd be afraid of that guy.

That's going to make for some awesome fight scenes.

Meh-maybe. But in the modern day setting of the new series, he'd be susceptible to aluminum bullet machine guns, flamethrowers, etc.

Think Seven or Fallen (in terms of hunt-the-serial-killer movies). Most of it is chase and some close encounters. Kurkistan makes an excellent point. All of those powers are going to keep him very well hidden, and ahead of any SWAT when not hidden. Harmony forbid he get hold of atium and duralumin.

I'm wondering now if the unexplained Allomancer kidnappings relate to an attempt to breed a Mistborn and chasing after him in the second trilogy will lead to an investigation of the Set, etc.

It would make sense that this is where the Set's true motives are revealed--if not earlier. Maybe like:

Book One: Stop the Mistborn serial killer

Book Two: Holy Harmony, what's this Set thing?

Book Three: Try to stop their real plan(??)

Either way I'm looking forward to it. So much can be done with allomancy in a more modern setting (i.e more metal around). I wonder if Hazekillers would come back? So far Brandon has had them in all of his MB books in one way or another. Maybe we might see Hazekiller people again? Or would it be too impractical considering how few allomancers there might actually be?

[Silus - Shard of Flame he/him]

This is a solid theory, I approve.

My thinking is that Aluminum and Duralumin Mistings would become Hazekillers, jealous of the power they don't really have. (that is if they're aware of their power/non-power)

[lauren.e135 she/her]

My thinking is that Aluminum and Duralumin Mistings would become Hazekillers, jealous of the power they don't really have. (that is if they're aware of their power/non-power)

Haha, i love it! Or Chromium or Nicrosil would work really well too. I wonder how hard it would be for a Chromium Misting to leech another allomancer's metals. Perhaps our dear protagonist (or one of them) will be a Chromium Misting because if s/he can deplete the Mistborn's metals, the serial killer will be much more manageable.

[Silus - Shard of Flame he/him]

I believe that Brandon has said that the protagonist might be a Nicrosil Misting.

[Deus Ex Biotica]

I wonder if, in this "modern" setting, aluminum will still be rare. If not, and assuming Allomancy is still relatively common (which I am assuming, what with a "Misting SWAT Team" and all), I would expect aluminum guns and bullets to be widely available, perhaps even the default. To say nothing of aluminum buttons, cars, etc.

I must say, the idea of jumping decades or more into a future where The Set is even more established depresses me somewhat, as it implies that, after Alloy Of Law, Wax spent the rest of his life trying to stop his uncle, but failed to either stop or expose him. Bummer. I suppose an old Waxillium might be some sort of mentor to the new set of protagonists, but I doubt it - if Alloy Of Law is equivalent to the 1850s, and technology progresses twice as fast in a world with the Words Of Founding to help out, this still sounds like the 1920s at the earliest to me (to get SWAT teams and widespread use of cars), so he would be in his late 70s - an impressive feat for a man who got shot repeatedly, and then spent his life fighting against a global conspiracy. And if the book goes all the way modern, it would just be absurd (technology would have to go three times as fast to catch Wax in his early 90s).

Still, seeing more of Scadrial is never a bad thing. I look forward to this series, even as I feel bad for Wax.

-- Deus Ex Biotica

[Thor he/him]

I wonder if, in this "modern" setting, aluminum will still be rare. If not, and assuming Allomancy is still relatively common (which I am assuming, what with a "Misting SWAT Team" and all), I would expect aluminum guns and bullets to be widely available, perhaps even the default. To say nothing of aluminum buttons, cars, etc.

I must say, the idea of jumping decades or more into a future where The Set is even more established depresses me somewhat, as it implies that, after Alloy Of Law, Wax spent the rest of his life trying to stop his uncle, but failed to either stop or expose him. Bummer. I suppose an old Waxillium might be some sort of mentor to the new set of protagonists, but I doubt it - if Alloy Of Law is equivalent to the 1850s, and technology progresses twice as fast in a world with the Words Of Founding to help out, this still sounds like the 1920s at the earliest to me (to get SWAT teams and widespread use of cars), so he would be in his late 70s - an impressive feat for a man who got shot repeatedly, and then spent his life fighting against a global conspiracy. And if the book goes all the way modern, it would just be absurd (technology would have to go three times as fast to catch Wax in his early 90s).

Still, seeing more of Scadrial is never a bad thing. I look forward to this series, even as I feel bad for Wax.

-- Deus Ex Biotica

The time frame for Alloy of Law is closer to 1910: in the broadsheet, and mentioned in passing by a character, there are competing ads for horse drawn carriages and primitive cars. Still, Wax is around 40 years old during the book, so his surviving to the next trilogy is incredibly unlikely. I would hazard a guess that the next MB trilogy takes place during the 2000-2020 equivalent for Scadrial.

Aluminum is actually quite plentiful (to us on Earth). In 2008, around 200 million tons (metric) of Aluminum ore was mined throughout the globe. In years close to 2008, compare this to copper: 15 million, iron: 2 billion, tin: 320 thousand, and gold: 2500. (All in metric tons. Or tonnes. )

[Kurkistan he/him]

The time frame for Alloy of Law is closer to 1910: in the broadsheet, and mentioned in passing by a character, there are competing ads for horse drawn carriages and primitive cars. Still, Wax is around 40 years old during the book, so his surviving to the next trilogy is incredibly unlikely. I would hazard a guess that the next MB trilogy takes place during the 2000-2020 equivalent for Scadrial.

Aluminum is actually quite plentiful (to us on Earth). In 2008, around 200 million tons (metric) of Aluminum ore was mined throughout the globe. In years close to 2008, compare this to copper: 15 million, iron: 2 billion, tin: 320 thousand, and gold: 2500. (All in metric tons. Or tonnes. )

To tack onto this, the rarity of pure Aluminum back in the day was a problem of a lack of an efficient purification process, not a lack of raw ore.

Edited November 20, 2011 by Kurkistan

[Deus Ex Biotica]

Yes. That was, in fact, exactly the point I was trying to make about whether Aluminum would still be rare with "modern" technology.

[fyodor]

I agree with you that AOL is later though I'd probably say more turn of the century (i.e. automobiles were still brand new enough to be called horseless carriages instead of having their own names).

Regarding the new series, it's kind of speculative, but I'd probably say earlier than modern day.

"They've progressed beyond steam technology to combustion engine technology, are building skyscrapers—that level of technology. "

He talks about "progressing" beyond steam technologies, to combustion engines, "building" skyscrapers as opposed to living in a world full of skyscrapers,. He doesn't mention electronics, computers, television, etc. It could just be a loose description, but it sounds like something earlier than modern day, maybe 20s or 30s.

F

The time frame for Alloy of Law is closer to 1910: in the broadsheet, and mentioned in passing by a character, there are competing ads for horse drawn carriages and primitive cars. Still, Wax is around 40 years old during the book, so his surviving to the next trilogy is incredibly unlikely. I would hazard a guess that the next MB trilogy takes place during the 2000-2020 equivalent for Scadrial.

Aluminum is actually quite plentiful (to us on Earth). In 2008, around 200 million tons (metric) of Aluminum ore was mined throughout the globe. In years close to 2008, compare this to copper: 15 million, iron: 2 billion, tin: 320 thousand, and gold: 2500. (All in metric tons. Or tonnes. )

Edited November 20, 2011 by fyodor

[Musicspren he/him]

Remember that their technology will not develop the same way ours has. Obviously some things have to come before others (you wouldn't have airplanes before carriages, presumably), but their technology level doesn't have to (I would even say, shouldn't) fit neatly into one period. Maybe because of people like Wax, mechanical air travel becomes less technologically important, and computers are developed before airplanes. Maybe computers use more aluminum (I don't know if this is technologically possible for the inner workings; if nothing else, they could be encased in it) so they won't be ruined every time a Coinshot decided to use one as an anchor. Having your coin pushed out of your hand and onto the ground is one thing; having the same done to your iPod is more detrimental to its health. Energy may be more plentiful; Coinshots and Lurchers could turn turbines. Kurkistan has proposed a excellent method of gaining energy using an iron ferring. If someone like Miles were willing to be a test subject, doctors could learn about treating patients by watching how gold compounders healed themselves. Gold ferrings (particularly compounders) would also be excellent test subjects; if a treatment turned out to be harmful, they could still heal themselves, rather than suffering any permanent harm.

I may be wrong in my particular extrapolations, but the fact remains that the technology on Scadrial will almost certainly not develop as it did on Earth. They won't have "1980s-level technology" overall at any point; there might simultaneously be some areas that were developed well into the 21st century and while others were stuck in the 1950s.

[Kurkistan he/him]

Remember that their technology will not develop the same way ours has. Obviously some things have to come before others (you wouldn't have airplanes before carriages, presumably), but their technology level doesn't have to (I would even say, shouldn't) fit neatly into one period. Maybe because of people like Wax, mechanical air travel becomes less technologically important, and computers are developed before airplanes. Maybe computers use more aluminum (I don't know if this is technologically possible for the inner workings; if nothing else, they could be encased in it) so they won't be ruined every time a Coinshot decided to use one as an anchor. Having your coin pushed out of your hand and onto the ground is one thing; having the same done to your iPod is more detrimental to its health. Energy may be more plentiful; Coinshots and Lurchers could turn turbines. Kurkistan has proposed a excellent method of gaining energy using an iron ferring. If someone like Miles were willing to be a test subject, doctors could learn about treating patients by watching how gold compounders healed themselves. Gold ferrings (particularly compounders) would also be excellent test subjects; if a treatment turned out to be harmful, they could still heal themselves, rather than suffering any permanent harm.

<snip>

As for aluminum computers, it is theoretically possible, but aluminum only has about 60% the conductivity of copper, which would result in massive energy loss and heat problems compared to copper-wired computers.

I might have a small solution to save our poor iPods from destruction in a Allomantic world. It could very easily be the case that Coinshots/Lurchers simply do not have the precision to push/pull upon any of the discrete wires packed into modern circuitry. This would result in them only being able to push upon entire chips or collections of chips, making it far less likely that the ability to push/pull upon a single wire would allow them to send an entire circuit out of whack.

I also don't think that we have any evidence that aluminum encasing works to shield metals from Coinshots and Lurchers, so we'll have to wait and see on that one. I doubt it would work, though: If that were the case, then the Vanishers could simply have used aluminum-plated bullets instead of spending the money to make them pure.

Thanks for referencing me, although, looking earlier in the thread, I realize that ulyssessword proposed a very similar machine, albeit one that required tapping weight, and therefore might have been susceptible to the "energy loss" problem that's been discussed, but never quantified for large taps upon metalminds.

The idea of studying a gold ferring/compounder's reaction to medical treatments is quite interesting, neatly sidestepping the incredibly large ethical problems raised by human testing/experiments in the real world.

[Deus Ex Biotica]

Remember that their technology will not develop the same way ours has. Obviously some things have to come before others (you wouldn't have airplanes before carriages, presumably), but their technology level doesn't have to (I would even say, shouldn't) fit neatly into one period. Maybe because of people like Wax, mechanical air travel becomes less technologically important...

You are absolutely right about the first part, and I was probably being too free with talking about technologies in terms of years from our world. It'll be really cool to see what sort of society Brandon Sanderson, with his dislike of exactly mirroring a given historical era, will give us.

As for airplanes in particular, though, I would bet money they show up in the next trilogy. Miles very specifically thinks about them, and how the Words Of Founding mention them, in his second POV chapter, and that's got "Foreshadowing" all over it.

-- Deus Ex biotica

[lordofsoup]

Wax could definitely be around 150+ years later, if he realizes that it is impossible to stop the current Set, it would be possible with a few Cadmium mistings, you could slow down time a lot. And I thought that was one of the purposes of Marsh to keep order if someone managed to create a Mistborn with violent tendencies far into the future, so that Harmony could stay out of it and not have to mess with his Harmonic ideals.

Edited November 25, 2011 by lordofsoup

[lauren.e135 she/her]

That's extremely interesting. With enough Cadmium one could effectively time travel.

It will also be interesting to see how much the characters we know from MB series 1 (TenSoon, Marsh, etc) will interfere with various happenings. I.E. will they step in to help stop the mistborn serial killer?

[lordofsoup]

Dam I wish someone asked Brandon if a Mistwraith was in AoL.

[Kurkistan he/him]

Dam I wish someone asked Brandon if a Mistwraith was in AoL.

If by Mistwraith you mean Kandra, other people have found out that we did see TenSoon as Beritt at the end and that MeLaan gave Wax his Pathian earing.

Edited November 26, 2011 by Kurkistan

[Deus Ex Biotica]

Alternately, if by Mistwraith you actually mean the non-sentient biological mashup oozes, I don't recall seeing one, but people talk about (Wayne even draws them on Wax's sketches!), so we know they still exist in the world.

[lordofsoup]

Actually I meant both. lol

[Pechvarry]

That quote in the OP honestly describes the setting of Alloy of Law pretty much perfectly.

The era I'd like to see depicted in the 2nd trilogy: the cusp of America pre-information age. So, technologically, similar to the 60s-80s. Probably closer to the 60s in regards to computers (dealing with The Internet and cell phones is just a pain). Probably on the 80s end of medicine (as mentioned, the metal arts supply interesting avenues for medical advancements), and definitely very current understandings of metallurgy, which requires a strong foundation in chemistry, which, in turn, requires their knowledge of chemical reactions/combustion/rocket ships to be rather modern.

I also really want the setting to emphasize Chicago-style L-trains -- tracks 30' off the ground would really help Lurcher travel.

Btw, I'm quite sure they specify that aluminum coatings do, indeed, block allomantic push/pulls of all assortments. Hence, Riot/Soothe and Steelpush/Ironpulls.