The Stick Posted June 15, 2023 Posted June 15, 2023 A theory I have seen floated many times which I really don't like is Dalinar ascending to War. To begin with, it would seem like a copy of Mistborn and I think it would be an unsatisfying end. Secondly, Mr. T makes such a wonderful new Odium that I think needs time on screen to develop. I cannot see Brandon murdering Rayse and replacing him with Todium for just a book or two. 3
olivemyheart Posted June 15, 2023 Posted June 15, 2023 I agree. I think it's far more likely that Dalinar becomes Odium's Champion (although I don't necessarily think that would be satisfying either) than him Ascending.
therunner he/him Posted June 15, 2023 Posted June 15, 2023 I agree as well, it would feel like re-tread of Mistborn. However, so far Brandon keeps pulling out unexpected developments, so I hope that hints at War shard are just red herring, and we will see something new on Roshar.
earthexile Posted June 15, 2023 Posted June 15, 2023 I don't think Dalinar is a candidate at this point for a War shard. As of the later parts of RoW, he's sickened by war, and is prepared to bet his soul to end it, to say nothing of letting a bunch of countries remain under Odium's control. Anything to make the killing and destruction stop, even if it's just for some amount of time. He has sworn oaths to bring men together and do better than he has in the past. For Dalinar to become War, leaving aside all the magical nonsense that would have to happen for there to be a War shard, he would have to undo most or all of his character growth. Dalinar at 30 could be War. Dalinar at 60 wants no part of it. 2
ftl Posted June 15, 2023 Posted June 15, 2023 I'm not too worried about that being a copy of Mistborn. The story of Mistborn was about much more than "two shards merge into one" - it was about Sazed's religious journey, about Vin's relationship with Elend, it was about prophecies as manipulation. I think if Honor+Odium end up merging it will still feel very different. I entirely agree about Dalinar not wanting a Shard of War. He's about Unity, not War now. 4
alder24 Posted June 15, 2023 Posted June 15, 2023 I don't really care? Journey before destination! I think if in the end of Cosmere Adonalsium will be reunited, then Shards on Roshar must be at least partially united. This will put Roshar in conflict with Scadrial in the space era. But I am sure it won't happen in KoW. Even before Taravangian's Ascension, I knew merging two Shards that early would be wasteful. If this were to happen it would be at the end of the whole series. At best we might get a return of Honor in KoW. But I'm wouldn't mind War Shard happening. And Dalinar has all forshadowing needed for this. Maybe it's too obvious, like therunner said, but it still might happen. 4 hours ago, earthexile said: I don't think Dalinar is a candidate at this point for a War shard. As of the later parts of RoW, he's sickened by war, and is prepared to bet his soul to end it, to say nothing of letting a bunch of countries remain under Odium's control. Anything to make the killing and destruction stop, even if it's just for some amount of time. He has sworn oaths to bring men together and do better than he has in the past. For Dalinar to become War, leaving aside all the magical nonsense that would have to happen for there to be a War shard, he would have to undo most or all of his character growth. Dalinar at 30 could be War. Dalinar at 60 wants no part of it. Shard of War is a combination of Honor and Odium. Dalinar from flashback wouldn't be suited for it, because he lacked that level of Honor, he wasn't that honorable like he was since WoK. He was certainly passionate, and that is something which is still with him. Likr understanding of Thrill allowed him to trap it, and he still has a very deep connection to Odium and his Passions. Current Dalinar knows both Shards so well that he is suited as a Vessel for both of them. And he knows there is a need for war, defensive war for example. He understands that war in some cases is necessary. He seeks for the opportunity to make peace and unite, but when there is none, he fights. That what Dalinar as the Shard of War would do, put an honorable reason for conflicts sparked by passion. 4
Elder Posted June 15, 2023 Posted June 15, 2023 (edited) I wonder if there might not be more to the title he briefly claimed in Oathbringer: Unity. Bear with me here: Honor has been splintered. What if putting a splintered shard back together changes it? Modifies its intent into something new. Harmony is something new. He isn’t just an alloy of Preservation and Ruin. He has his own stated intent of maintaining balance between the two, despite Ruin being stronger. As opposed to Discord, which would be made of the same Shards and yet would not be the same. Granted, neither of Harmony’s constituent Shards were splintered. And we really don’t know what Unity is. All three of the Roshar Shards? Reconstructed Honor? Refined Honor? War? I mean just because the Light is called Warlight, doesn’t mean the Shard is named that. Storm and Void aren’t Shards. Though, War is also the name of the Rhythm. Here’s an idea: What if Unity is the Anti-Light of War? Also makes me wonder if Harmony might be the Anti-Light of Discord, or Vice Verse. Unity would be a much better match for what Dalinar is already becoming than War. Maybe moreso than mere Honor. Edited June 15, 2023 by Elder 5
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