Cosmere Headcanons

[Mags she/they]

I've realized that we don't have a thread for this here, and I think it could lead to some fun discussion.

If you don't know, a headcanon refers to something a fan imagines about the characters or story (such as a scenario or relationship) that doesn't appear on screen/on the page. Usually it's something that adds to existing canon, instead of changing or replacing it, though the lines are very blurry, and any respectful discussion of 'what if' scenarios is also welcome.

We also wanted to discuss some headcanons within @TiredLoreEnthusiast's intro thread, but Treamayne pointed out that it would be more appropriate to move it over to a new thread in the discussion boards, so here we are!

I'd list some of my own headcanons now, but at the moment I'm a little too busy. I'll get to that later . . .

One other thing I want to note: Headcanons can be infamous in some fandoms for breeding toxicity, and while I've never seen that sort of behavior in this fandom, I think it's worth mentioning. Try to be respectful--remember that your headcanons are just your interpretation of the work, and if others disagree that's okay. The beauty of art is that it can be interpreted many different ways. 

Edited December 17, 2024 by Ookla the Finwëan

[Ookla de los Cuervos he/him]

I like to think that the slums worship Wayne on scadrial

[Treamayne]

5 hours ago, Ookla the Finwëan said:

I've realized that we don't have a thread for this here, and I think it could lead to some fun discussion.

Mostly linked to my list of "WoB Questions" I'll never get to ask. Most of my Headcanon is related to the answers I believe to be true until we get more data either way to prove or disprove my hypotheses.

Sel

Spoiler

Quote

The Shaod is, at least partially, determined by an individual's Devotion to <something>:

On 1/10/2023 at 10:41 PM, Treamayne said:

• Raoden - Devoted to the people of Arelon
• Galladon - Devoted to his farm so much he built his house by hand
• Taan - Devoted to Sculpting
• Shaor - Does Narcissism count as Devotion to herself?
• Karata - Devoted to her family and the Children
• Saolin - Devoted to Eondel and the Army
• Mareshe - Devoted to Artistry and Craftsmanship
• etc.

Quote

Seon's are shown to Pulse to emotion rhythms. I believe these emotion rhythms are related to the Singer Rhythms - where a Shard's power is the "note" and the emotion is the "beat" - e. g. so while the "Rhythm of Consolation" for Singers would be different than Seons (because the Base Tone is different) they would be mutually recognizable.

Elantris Ch 32

Spoiler

“All right,” Sarene said. “So after I ran off, Ashe called your seon and told you I was pursuing the king.”

“‘The foolish girl is going off to get herself killed’ were his exact words, I believe,” Roial said, chuckling.

“Ashe!”

“I apologize, my lady,” the seon said, pulsing in embarrassment. “I was rather out of sorts.”

 

 

 

Taldain:

Spoiler

Kenton, after changing the Diem's Charter, created a new Mastrell Path based on the skills that helped him and that the Diem can use to help society (as opposed to the showboat circus of th original Path). 

Scadrial:

Spoiler

Quote

One of the few legitimate plotholes in a Sanderson work - I believe that TenSoon took Zane's Missing Atium
  (there is no WoB or Annotation yet explaining what happened to the bag of Atium Zane retreived from the Tree before going to find Vin)

Quote

Fuzz used a Command on Kelsier to make him a Cognitive Shadow (not just the Well's power). M:SH Ch 1-1:

Spoiler

Kelsier whispered. “Help me live. I’ll show you . . . spectacular.”

Fuzz wavered, and Kelsier could sense the divinity’s hesitance. It was followed by a sense of purpose, like a lamp being lit, and laughter.

Very well. Be Preserved, Kelsier. Survivor.

Something shoved him forward, and Kelsier merged with the light.

 

 

I'm sure there are more, and I'll update later when I have time to think of them. . . 

Edited December 17, 2024 by Treamayne
SPAG

[Quantus he/him]

One that I'm still trying to hang onto against accumulating evidence to the contrary  is that the Rosharan Continent is a giant Cryptic causing a ripple on the seafloor of what would have otherwise been a water planet.   Id previously thought that would be revealed as the identity of the Sibling, on the logic that the Highstorm is a planetary sized effect and the whole continent might be it's Peer with the Tower just being it's interFace.  Im not sure if there are any named candidates left, but I still like to think that's how the Fractal shape is maintained even if it's something barely sentient.

I once saw a pretty solid argument that Feruchemical "Determination" is actually storing Intent, and that the Ars Arcanum description as a Mania/Depression slider is just what happens when a Ferring stores non-specific Intent Power/Amplitude/Volume without storing it as a specific Intent.  I'm treating this as a personal Headcanon until we learn something new in the next era.   

I like to think the barely mentioned "Potion" magic from Sel is going to be the pinnacle of personal modification/augmentation, even more than Forgery, feruchemy, or AonDor.

I have others but Im drawing a blank at the moment.  And Im in the last stretch of WoT which has my head spinning...

[TwinStorm He/Him]

All of Lumar is an archipelago. No real continents, just islands.

Whimsy annoys the rest of the Shards.

I’ll think of more, I’m sure.

[ANHlittleinsane girl but gendern't mostly]

AHHHH OK WAIT SO LEMME COOK:

Shallan hcs:

- Her hair is a dark red, but still vibrant, cause she’s Veden

- She has light green eyes because color theory

- Since she’s short around the Alethi and has to walk fast to keep up, she’s a super fast walker all the time even when it’s just her

- Curlier hair than Radiant or Veil

Radiant:

- Lighter, blonder shade of red hair, she’s an actual ginger, Shallan’s just Karma Akabane lol

- Her hair has no curls, because she wears it in a braid, and it’s easier to draw braids with straight hair, and she’s a drawing, kinda

- Her eyes are light blue, because Radiant was partially created to assimilate more with the Kholins and I will duel all of y’all on that

Veil:

- Her skin tone changes based on what country she’s in, for espionage

- She wears a white hat and a white suit and she OWNS IT

- She can’t draw, but she CAN forge signatures and handwriting!