Death Rattle about Ishar not Taln

[thaidenheimer]

The burdens of nine become mine. Why must I carry the madness of them all? Oh, Almighty, release me.

 

With what we know about Ishar and taking on other heralds madness, I no longer think this death rattle is about taln. 

[Inevitability]

I think that’s definitely a possibility now. Great catch

Personally, I still think it’s referring to Taln because it seems that Ishar has some choice in the matter of lessening the madness. Taln didn’t. 
To your point though, from Taln’s reaction (in OB?) for how long it has been since a desolation - I would say that the death rattle doesn’t fit with his character

[Display-Names-Are-Stupid]

But if it was Taln wouldn't it be the burdens of 10? Including his own burden.

It always didn't quite make sense to me for it to be Taln because of this. If it was him, surely it would read 'the burdens of the other nine join mine' or something like that. To me it makes more sense for it to be Ishar talking about his and the other 8 Heralds who abandoned the Oathpact. 

Also asking for a release it what would bring him back to Roshar, and we know that Taln didn't break. 

[Ninth of the Night]

Yeah with everything we've learned about Taln since he first showed up, I never would have thought of him when reading that Death Rattle.

He was beyond relieved when he learned the others abandoned him to handle Braize alone. Heck if they had just run it by him from the start, Taln probably would have gone along with it regardless. He was the only one who never broke, logically he was their best chance to get a longer reprieve than just a few months. Funny that he ends up (probably) breaking the record of all the other Heralds combined.

Anyway yeah that Rattle does not fit Taln at all. He loves sacrificing himself for others, it's like his whole thing.

[BinarySecond]

I like to think Taln wasn't catatonic on Braize, he was just absolutely tearing it up like Dynasty Warriors.

Ishar holding back the madness concerns me - How much worse *could* it be? Is it why he seems so much further gone that the others? 

 

None of the others seem to have such grand delusions.

[Aon Tia she/her]

On 9/21/2024 at 6:17 AM, thaidenheimer said:

The burdens of nine become mine. Why must I carry the madness of them all? Oh, Almighty, release me.

 

With what we know about Ishar and taking on other heralds madness, I no longer think this death rattle is about taln. 

I like it. Makes sense. 
also agree with @BinarySecond could explain why he is said to be (by SF) and sure is "the maddest of them all"

Also, i think that BAM has some Connection related powers and Ishar being the Unchained Bondsmith, clearly has some Connection/Adhesion related powers, so yes makes sense that he tried to help other heralds but doomed himself.   

[coolsnow7]

On 9/23/2024 at 3:51 AM, BinarySecond said:

I like to think Taln wasn't catatonic on Braize, he was just absolutely tearing it up like Dynasty Warriors.

Ishar holding back the madness concerns me - How much worse *could* it be? Is it why he seems so much further gone that the others? 

 

None of the others seem to have such grand delusions.

Jezrien was definitely as far gone. Still I think you’re correct that he’s much further gone than the others we’ve seen.

[BinarySecond]

5 hours ago, coolsnow7 said:

Jezrien was definitely as far gone. Still I think you’re correct that he’s much further gone than the others we’ve seen.

Jezrien at least knew who he was, I think; "Have you seen me?" I always took that as reference to the statues of the Heralds.

Ishar seems to think he's something that he's not.

[Aleph-Naught he/him]

On 9/20/2024 at 5:47 PM, thaidenheimer said:

The burdens of nine become mine. Why must I carry the madness of them all? Oh, Almighty, release me.

 

With what we know about Ishar and taking on other heralds madness, I no longer think this death rattle is about taln. 

I think you're right, especially in light of this passage from the first Interlude (emphasis added):

Quote

"...[Kalak's] life seemed a blur, a wash of grey and brown, a fresh painting left out in the storm. These days he felt only panic, indecision, and a crushing darkness. Always nearby, always threatening him. Without Ishar holding some of it back… it would have destroyed him long ago..."

 

[Forts Board]

I heard this on the Lost in Roshar podcast and thought... "OHHHHHHHHHH"