Back Half Theories/Predictions

[TwinStorm He/Him]

So, with the first half of SA done, and reveling in the new book, I turn my eyes to the future. Here is my major predictions/theories/hunches for the back half.

major wat spoilers:

Spoiler

Just to start off with something fun, I had a crackpot theory yesterday abt the epilogues mirroring each other. For instance, in the wok epilogue, Taln returns, and he is major to the back half, so what if bk 6's epilogue has Taln/Kaladin/the Heralds coming back? Bk 7 could follow the same pattern with Shallan returning from Shadesmar, like Jasnah, and so on and forth.

Major theories:

Heralds will return. Taln and Ash each have books, probably not just in the vision, and they will have an active role, hopefully.

Shardic reinforcements will steadily arrive throughout the books, with Cultivation and Valor as the major Shards involved. Cultivation settles on Sel. 

Radiants will spend most of the time gap locked in the Tower, until they are freed by some sort of intervention. El settles down as ruler of Alethkar, and forms an alliance with Venli and Leshwi, as well as with BAM, slowly conspiring to bring Retribution down.

Character theories:

Oroden major character, deals with resentment of living in Stormblessed's shadow. Hopes to become a Windrunner, but becomes another Order instead.

Renarin swears up to the Fourth Ideal in the age gap. Not much else besides that.

Shallan raised twins outside of the conflict, appears mostly in interludes.

Szeth leads resistance against Retribution in Shinovar (purely in interludes)

Adolin leads the Unoathed in Azimir.

Taln is healed eventually.

 

[DiePie]

9 minutes ago, Ookla the Irreplaceable said:

Radiants will spend most of the time gap locked in the Tower, until they are freed by some sort of intervention. El settles down as ruler of Alethkar, and forms an alliance with Venli and Leshwi, as well as with BAM, slowly conspiring to bring Retribution down.

Interesting point I want to bring up: Does Gavinor technically kill Dalinar? I feel like there's a couple of different ways to justify it, but regardless, dealing with the trauma of your grandfather who (your entire life) you were raised to hate, dieing to save your life after you try to kill him is exactly the sort of character development I want out of the back half. I can see Retribution claiming so, in order to manipulate Gavinor to do what he wishes as king of Alethkar.

I like the idea of an independent Radiant city-state on Roshar. But I wonder how isolated it will be. Taravangian is a well-studied man, and I expect he will promote trade among his new lands. Will he try to embargo them, entice then with a legal free-trade zone into joining his empire (like a country joining the European Union)? Will he promote trade with Azir in the hopes that he can strengthen ties to the point that they desire to join willingly (a strategy I believe China has pursued with Taiwan)? Will he try to maximize profits from tariffs between the two empires? The same goes for Azir. Radiants may be able to simply walk across this Pax Taravana (I'm still workshopping the name), settle in it, and take oaths there as a means of gaining soft power over Urithiru. I can't decide which route is more likely (thought thinking about it, the scene where Urithiru is forced to accept Thaylen patent law seems to imply further integration. Otherwise that aspect of it is wasted).

I personally think that getting to/from Shadesmar will be solved long before the start of the back half. The main problem is that the means of getting to/from the cognitive realm relies on Spren and consuming stormlight (as both spren and stormlight are "of Honor"). Well, we already have both light and spren that are of Retribution. My theory before this book (I think I cemented it reading that sample chapter to isles of the emberdark with the Radiant) was that most spren would be enlightened as Odium integrates into Roshar, and now I see how that as even more likely. Thankfully for Shallan, I believe the Azir oathgate spren are already corrupted. Another solution to that problem is the ability to re-key investiture. So long as they have a source (can they get towerlight into a gem without the bondsmith? If not, that's going to be an interesting dynamic, as Urithiru voters now have to either pray and leave out spheres, or smuggle in/trade for bright spheres with either the rest of Roshar or an off-world faction like the Ghostbloods), they can turn it into investiture they need. I think there will be a solution, but not a good one. interesting dynamics regardless.

[TwinStorm He/Him]

7 minutes ago, DiePie said:

Interesting point I want to bring up: Does Gavinor technically kill Dalinar? I feel like there's a couple of different ways to justify it, but regardless, dealing with the trauma of your grandfather who (your entire life) you were raised to hate, dieing to save your life after you try to kill him is exactly the sort of character development I want out of the back half. I can see Retribution claiming so, in order to manipulate Gavinor to do what he wishes as king of Alethkar.

I like the idea of an independent Radiant city-state on Roshar. But I wonder how isolated it will be. Taravangian is a well-studied man, and I expect he will promote trade among his new lands. Will he try to embargo them, entice then with a legal free-trade zone into joining his empire (like a country joining the European Union)? Will he promote trade with Azir in the hopes that he can strengthen ties to the point that they desire to join willingly (a strategy I believe China has pursued with Taiwan)? Will he try to maximize profits from tariffs between the two empires? The same goes for Azir. Radiants may be able to simply walk across this Pax Taravana (I'm still workshopping the name), settle in it, and take oaths there as a means of gaining soft power over Urithiru. I can't decide which route is more likely (thought thinking about it, the scene where Urithiru is forced to accept Thaylen patent law seems to imply further integration. Otherwise that aspect of it is wasted).

I personally think that getting to/from Shadesmar will be solved long before the start of the back half. The main problem is that the means of getting to/from the cognitive realm relies on Spren and consuming stormlight (as both spren and stormlight are "of Honor"). Well, we already have both light and spren that are of Retribution. My theory before this book (I think I cemented it reading that sample chapter to isles of the emberdark with the Radiant) was that most spren would be enlightened as Odium integrates into Roshar, and now I see how that as even more likely. Thankfully for Shallan, I believe the Azir oathgate spren are already corrupted. Another solution to that problem is the ability to re-key investiture. So long as they have a source (can they get towerlight into a gem without the bondsmith? If not, that's going to be an interesting dynamic, as Urithiru voters now have to either pray and leave out spheres, or smuggle in/trade for bright spheres with either the rest of Roshar or an off-world faction like the Ghostbloods), they can turn it into investiture they need. I think there will be a solution, but not a good one. interesting dynamics regardless.

I agree, but for the sake of that theory sacrifices can be made. 

[+Child of Hodor]

9 hours ago, Ookla the Irreplaceable said:

So, with the first half of SA done, and reveling in the new book, I turn my eyes to the future. Here is my major predictions/theories/hunches for the back half.

major wat spoilers:

  Hide contents

Just to start off with something fun, I had a crackpot theory yesterday abt the epilogues mirroring each other. For instance, in the wok epilogue, Taln returns, and he is major to the back half, so what if bk 6's epilogue has Taln/Kaladin/the Heralds coming back? Bk 7 could follow the same pattern with Shallan returning from Shadesmar, like Jasnah, and so on and forth.

Major theories:

Heralds will return. Taln and Ash each have books, probably not just in the vision, and they will have an active role, hopefully.

Shardic reinforcements will steadily arrive throughout the books, with Cultivation and Valor as the major Shards involved. Cultivation settles on Sel. 

 

 

It would be cool if Kaladin showed up in the epilogue of 6. I wonder if Brandon has it in him to keep Kaladin out of an SA book that much. Kaladin has by far the most POVs and page count of the main characters. He really likes having Kaladin around. 

As far as things recurring, I think some of the Death Rattles will happen again in other words they apply to a scene in the front 5 and to a different scene in the back 5. 

Valor will show up. Endowment will be involved I don't know if she'd planet hop though. Maybe Mercy will get involved since Mercy was involved in Odium's fight against Ambition. 

[KaladinWorldsinger]

15 minutes ago, Child of Hodor said:

It would be cool if Kaladin showed up in the epilogue of 6. I wonder if Brandon has it in him to keep Kaladin out of an SA book that much. Kaladin has by far the most POVs and page count of the main characters. He really likes having Kaladin around. 

Kaladin's arc is pretty much over. I think Brandon can easily hold off on bringing back Kal for even 2 books. 

[+robardin he/him]

3 hours ago, KaladinWorldsinger said:

Kaladin's arc is pretty much over. I think Brandon can easily hold off on bringing back Kal for even 2 books. 

As a POV character, yeah. But his impact will always be there.

I mean, he even shows up in The Sunlit Man, albeit in a case of initially mistaken identity... It was still a big ol' pull on the heartstrings to see Nomad/Sigzil, in a moment of decision making and a crisis of conscience, to see a glowing figure in a blue uniform looking out at a storm and whispering, "...Kal?"

Besides, he's a storming immortal Herald now. And the Legend of Stormblessed had already been great and growing among the people even when he was alive. Whatever happens to Vorinism will likely include him as an object of veneration.

[TwinStorm He/Him]

6 hours ago, robardin said:

As a POV character, yeah. But his impact will always be there.

I mean, he even shows up in The Sunlit Man, albeit in a case of initially mistaken identity... It was still a big ol' pull on the heartstrings to see Nomad/Sigzil, in a moment of decision making and a crisis of conscience, to see a glowing figure in a blue uniform looking out at a storm and whispering, "...Kal?"

Besides, he's a storming immortal Herald now. And the Legend of Stormblessed had already been great and growing among the people even when he was alive. Whatever happens to Vorinism will likely include him as an object of veneration.

Spoiler

Sig and all of bridge 4 also probably think he's dead tho so its even sadder for him.

 

[radren]

Soldiers with advanced weaponry from Scadrial will join the fight against Retribution on Roshar. The Rosharans will welcome them as reluctant allies, but the relationship between the two will be icy due to Kelsier's influence. This will be the beginning of their rivalry.

[JPGU]

1.- Shallan and Kelsier will make peace and she will become a full Ghostblood agent leading the New Roshar Branch.

2.- Lopen will be the leader of the Windrunners.

3.- Lift and Vivenna will meet and they will have a rivalry/friendship because of both being Vasher students.

4.- Adolin will be the first main character to meet Kaladin after he returns from Braize, and the scene will parallel the duel in Words Of Radiance.

5.- The Blackthorn will kill Adolin or Renarin, and the one that survives+Gavinor will defeat him by freeing his soul and letting what is left of Dalinar go to the Beyond.

6.- We will have more Herlad flashbacks than just Ash and Taln (I think that Chana for book 8 and Nale for book 9 could fit).

7.- Szeth will have a son whose name will be in honor of Kaladin.

8.- Syladin is inevitable. (I don't know if i like it or not, but i think it will happen).

 

[logicless.bt]

I think a Moash redemption is still in the cards. Idk why he'd still be alive otherwise. Preferably it will take all 5 books for him to stone.

 

Renarin and Rlain haven't acted out their Bridger of Minds stuff yet. Not sure how Renarin could end up leading the singers but I do think it'll happen. Maybe via BAM.

 

Valor influence feels like a given, and I'm still on the moon theory.

 

Yawnagawn and Lift get together. Gawx gets a huge leap in relevance compared to books 1-4.

 

Jasnah doesn't get to fifth ideal before book ten. Elsegating ends up being a huge deal because it makes the cold war go hot by providing access to Scadrial from anywhere on Roshar.

 

Taln doesn't get same before his book. I also think that Taln breaking is going to be a critical plot point in his book, and that it will be welcomed. He's done enough, no one blames him for breaking.

 

Cultivation is more in control than she seems.

[Szeth Pancakes he/they]

On 12/10/2024 at 7:51 PM, DiePie said:

Interesting point I want to bring up: Does Gavinor technically kill Dalinar? I feel like there's a couple of different ways to justify it, but regardless, dealing with the trauma of your grandfather who (your entire life) you were raised to hate, dieing to save your life after you try to kill him is exactly the sort of character development I want out of the back half. I can see Retribution claiming so, in order to manipulate Gavinor to do what he wishes as king of Alethkar.

Even before the whole time dilation reveal, I was excited to see what role Gav would play in the back half. I always imagined him in some kind of leadership position at Urithiru, but that seems unlikely now. I could totally see him repressing his guilt over the timeskip, then getting some therapy from Lift when the rest of Radiant society rejects him for serving Retribution.

I'm interested to see how Spiritual Realm Kharbranth plays out, and if that's the start of Taravangian pushing away the fact that his philosophy is kinda crem. 

Yanagawn, Azir, and the Unoathed are going to be major players, which I'm excited for. The Vorin countries have gotten their fair share of spotlight; I think Azish culture deserves a good amount of time there too, especially when there's not a siege going on.

Since the back half is now basically concurrent with Mistborn Era 3, there's definitely going to be some stuff happening there. I haven't been keeping up with WoBs so I don't know if Brandon's said anything about that, but it's exciting!

[Stormblessed615]

Taln didn’t break though 

[Soccorro]

Kaladin and the Heralds will return in the end of book 7. Books 8 and 9 have Heralds flashbacks and I think Heralds will get a bigger role in present day narrative. I hope books 6 and 7 are more like WoK and WoR. Smaller in scope, focused of character study of 2-3 characters, characters have individual chapters instead of multi character povs. I missed old book structure in WaT

[logicless.bt]

48 minutes ago, Stormblessed615 said:

Taln didn’t break though 

I mean the new Oathpact. Taln will be subjected to pressure and break, and it will be completely impossible to blame him.

A major theme of SLA is breaking and healing. He is THE unbreakable character, so subverting that would be interesting for his flashback novel.

[Markolius]

In Lift book probably she would be a little bit overwhelmed with situation, where she is only Radiant that can use her powers outside the Tower.

Renarin book probably will be about seeking for BAM (again?!), but in this time it will be focused on plans of BAM, because ain WaT all line with BAM was not about her plans, but about redemption of unhonorobal act of her capturing.

Will be absolutely love to see how Kaladin will be tutoring the son of Adolin and Shallan, who maybe will be called Dalinar...

[Moony009]

I found it interesting that Sanderson seems to be impacting the Heralds more with the time dilation than the rest of Roshar.  I believe the gap for the back five books is supposed to be 10 years, which might give Kaladin only months to help the Heralds, since Ishar apparently indicated to them that years on Roshar might only be months for the Heralds.  I'm guessing that choice is to not give the Heralds enough time to go through substantial therapy before having to get back to Roshar, so they will still likely have serious issues upon coming back for the back five books

I'm expecting that will be highly relevant for Taln and Ash, who are supposed to be flashback characters, but also Battar (Dova).  Nothing is set in stone, but I feel Sanderson is not ditching the idea of Battar turning on the other Heralds, even with the help the Heralds already received in WaT, and even with whatever help Kaladin might give them between the two arcs.  Tara/bution (Todium at the time) seemed intrigued by the idea of recruiting her, and by the idea of her returning to be among the Heralds again while being his servant.  This, plus the curious way she helped reforge the Oathpact make me think she is not going to go the route of Nale.

Edited December 12, 2024 by Moony009