Book 6 Speculation - Contact Between Spiritual Realm Universes

[teknopathetic he/him]

Theory:
I think in the back half, the two spiritual pocket-realms of "Herald-Elysium" and "Bubble-Karbradth" are going to make contact. This contact will greatly thwart Taravangian as he does not want his people knowing they have already died and he does not want the Cosmere knowing that he indeed has human connections/motivations. 

This also might motivate the heralds to do a return. Having learned some things from Karbrath, the heralds return to use it against Taravangian. Or, in a more juicy turn, Battar makes contact with Karbradth and breaks the Oathpact in favour of following Retribution. 

Mechanics:
1. In WaT, we see that while Chana was on Braize the second time, she was able to be enter into Shallan's spiritual realm memory of the wedding. She did not need to be told of this vision, but was able to sense it and allow herself to enter of her own accord. 

So, hypothetically, the semi-dead heralds may be able to enter other Spiritual Realm universes in their cognitive-aliveness-state. Chana has done it once, so we know this is a possibility. The Braize-pull did not stop Chana from doing this, so in theory a slide into another pocket-realm is possible. It may require a bit of connection such as the connection Battar/Dova has to the city. However, we don't know that. Perhaps heralds and/or shadows and/or Herald-attached spren like Syl have an intrinsically enhanced ability to go on Spiritual Realm pocket-universe vacations. 

The heralds are tremendously old and have many connections to may people and places. Something as large as Bubble-Karbradth may make enough noise for a herald to sense (especially Battar).

2. Also, we know that one does not need to fully enter another Spiritual realm bubble. In WaT, many characters are able to peek into other pocket dimensions while remaining fully in their own dimensions. Contact could occur without a full transition into other bubble. Enlightened spren seem to be better at this, but who knows what oathpact-spren might be able to achieve in this state or what special rules may apply to what Taravangian is doing to sustain Karbradth. 

Plot:
1. This gives Battar a very interesting arc. Does she turn on Odium for doing this to Karbradth? Does she want to support Retribution? Does she have connections to those in Karbradth that matter to her if/when she begins to heal? Is she interested in ruling Bubble-Karbradth? Has she made any oaths to Odium that compromise her agency? Is she salvageable? Is it wrong to support Retribution? There is so much to do with Battar in this situation. 

2. Gav claims to be a child of the spiritual realm. Maybe there is something to this moving forward. 

3. Perhaps a new character in Karbradth will somehow realize they are trapped. Perhaos praying to the heralds will form some sort of connection. 

Problems:
We simply don't know what Herald-Elysium is or does. Brandon may decide:
1. It is a completely impermeable wall in either direction. That is until someone "breaks in the new way" and return begins. 
2. Heralds are the only beings that can pass between their own wall of protection. It is possible to do spiritual walkabouts.
3. Heralds and Spren can peek into other pocket realms, just like Shallan and Co did in WaT. 
4. Any spiritual realm being can pass in and out of this realm easily or  with some meaningful effort/connection.
5. Spren in this pocket realm are able to traverse the Spiritual Realm and make contact. Syl and 121 may become curious about Karbradth. 
6. Surges used in the spiritual realm may allow for pocket-realm movement in some way. 
7. Something we haven't considered. 

Thoughts:
It is in Brandon's hands regarding how he wants this thing to work. My point is however that this is a possibility with precedent re:Chana. But seeing as we have a whole book basically exploring how pocket-dimensions work in the spiritual realm, I think we are going to get more exploration of this interaction between the two new pocket dimensions we have going forward.  

Edited January 31, 2025 by teknopathetic

[KaladinWorldsinger]

Now I am going to be a bit disappointed if this doesn't happen

[Qianweilian He/him]

On 1/29/2025 at 1:20 PM, teknopathetic said:

his people knowing they have already died

Do we know if they actually died or were just teleported to the SR?

[ChillPenguin]

On 2/2/2025 at 12:10 PM, Qianweilian said:

Do we know if they actually died or were just teleported to the SR?

Based on Taravangian’s statements at the end, I think they were just sent to the SR.

Also, I’m not sure the Heralds are in the SR but they are in a vision and that’s where all visions have happened so far. I think though that Retribution is actively maintaining the bubble around his people so I would guess he’d know pretty quickly if someone is there that shouldn’t be.

I guess there’s a chance he won’t be aware because he will be busy preparing to fight the other shards. In any case, his saving them will be relevant.