Windrunner 5th Ideal Theory [Discuss]

[Hoid Slayer He/Him]

So, I was thinking about the patterns between radiant oaths, and I came up with an idea for a fifth ideal for the wind runners. Many of the theories that I’ve seen circulating around here and on Reddit show the fifth ideal formatted similarly to the others, things like “I will allow others to protect me” or “I will protect all parts of a person, not just physically but also mentally and spiritually.” Both of these ideals stand as pretty individual ideas, building off previous oaths but standing alone. Most importantly, they offer yet another guideline for radiants to follow. I don’t think this matches with the fifth ideal of the skybreakers.

In Oathbringer, we learn that the fifth ideal of the skybreakers is “I am the law.” Unlike the theories I’ve seen about the windrunner fifth ideal, this oath is a true culmination of a radiants journey. Instead of setting yet another guideline to follow, it allows radiants to take matters into their own hands and, most importantly, trust their judgement. This is why the fifth ideal is so hard to reach; it takes considerable strength to take off the training wheels, so to speak, of the previous oaths and learn to fly. For these reasons, I believe that the fifth ideal of the windrunners will be something along the lines of: “I will choose who to protect, and how to protect them. I will trust my judgement.” For all the previous oaths, radiants have been following strict guidelines on how to behave, almost like a little child. The previous ideals are all training so that, once the radiant takes control, they know how to behave and don’t abuse their power. 

This oath will also be the culmination of Kaladin’s arc because throughout the series, he has struggled with making decisions about who to protect. A major part of his arc has been about accepting he can’t protect everyone. During the siege of Kholinar in OB, he freezes up because he realizes that he has friends on both sides, and is unable to choose who to protect.

(This is my first post, so sorry if it became a rant. I hope I’m doing things right)

[Trusk'our he/him]

4 minutes ago, Hoid_Slayer said:

So, I was thinking about the patterns between radiant oaths, and I came up with an idea for a fifth ideal for the wind runners. Many of the theories that I’ve seen circulating around here and on Reddit show the fifth ideal formatted similarly to the others, things like “I will allow others to protect me” or “I will protect all parts of a person, not just physically but also mentally and spiritually.” Both of these ideals stand as pretty individual ideas, building off previous oaths but standing alone. Most importantly, they offer yet another guideline for radiants to follow. I don’t think this matches with the fifth ideal of the skybreakers.

In Oathbringer, we learn that the fifth ideal of the skybreakers is “I am the law.” Unlike the theories I’ve seen about the windrunner fifth ideal, this oath is a true culmination of a radiants journey. Instead of setting yet another guideline to follow, it allows radiants to take matters into their own hands and, most importantly, trust their judgement. This is why the fifth ideal is so hard to reach; it takes considerable strength to take off the training wheels, so to speak, of the previous oaths and learn to fly. For these reasons, I believe that the fifth ideal of the windrunners will be something along the lines of: “I will choose who to protect, and how to protect them. I will trust my judgement.” For all the previous oaths, radiants have been following strict guidelines on how to behave, almost like a little child. The previous ideals are all training so that, once the radiant takes control, they know how to behave and don’t abuse their power. 

This oath will also be the culmination of Kaladin’s arc because throughout the series, he has struggled with making decisions about who to protect. A major part of his arc has been about accepting he can’t protect everyone. During the siege of Kholinar in OB, he freezes up because he realizes that he has friends on both sides, and is unable to choose who to protect.

(This is my first post, so sorry if it became a rant. I hope I’m doing things right)

Welcome to the Shard!

Overall, sounds like a good theory to me.

I suspect the actual words spoken for the Windrunner's 5th oath will be along the lines of "I will protect", but like Skybreakers will have a lot more entailed within. Taking the training wheels off as you put it, as they've progressed enough to determine how to protect. 

Other Orders will probably have something similar, where they grow to embody and have full control over their virtues, though with it comes an even greater responsibility to use it correctly. 

Also, it would be great to get to know you a bit better if you want to post a little more about yourself on the introduction Forum. 

[Hoid Slayer He/Him]

5 minutes ago, Trusk'our said:

Welcome to the Shard

Thanks! I agree that perhaps the ideal should explicitly mention “I will protect”, but I also think that the most important part is that it gives radiants the ability to choose how they use their power, culminating their arc. I will definitely be heading over to the introduction Forum!