The Heralds as Spiritual Bridges and the Reformation of Adonalsium

[Abcll1882]

I’ve been thinking about the end of Wind and Truth and how the new Oathpact anchors the Heralds’ minds in the Spiritual Realm, where infinite Investiture still exists. If their minds are there now, could their return to Roshar open a connection between the Realms and bring Stormlight back into the world without the highstorms?

 

On a bigger scale, I’ve been wondering what happens now that Taravangian holds both Honor and Odium as Retribution. Is his goal to keep taking more Shards until he controls them all? If that’s the direction things are heading, will Hoid directly oppose him—or is it possible that Hoid ends up playing a different kind of role in the end, maybe even taking up power himself to stop Taravangian?

 

Basically, are we seeing the start of all the Shards reuniting—either under someone like Taravangian through domination or under Hoid through balance—and would that truly recreate Adonalsium or something new entirely?

Edited October 16, 2025 by Abcll1882

[Nitpicking]

Brandon has been hinting at a rejoined Adonalsium for many books now.

This is Brandon. If he's foreshadowing it this hard, it won't happen, at least in a straightforward way.

[coolsnow7]

8 hours ago, Nitpicking said:

Brandon has been hinting at a rejoined Adonalsium for many books now.

This is Brandon. If he's foreshadowing it this hard, it won't happen, at least in a straightforward way.

Correct. 

Moreover, we have a glimpse of the future from TSM, where it is explicit that Adonalsium remains shattered.

 

Quote

“I’ve noticed your expression when we mention Adonalsium.”
 

“Contemplation,” he said. “I don’t mean to be contrary, but Adonalsium? He—”

“He’s dead?” she asked. “Yes, we know. Did you think we had no idea of the story? The Shattering? The Shards?”

“I…yes. So I assumed. Since you still talk about him and…well, you know, pray.”

The Sunlit Man p. 400

 

[Nitpicking]

9 hours ago, coolsnow7 said:

Correct. 

Moreover, we have a glimpse of the future from TSM, where it is explicit that Adonalsium remains shattered.

If Adonalsium were recreated, it would be much farther in the future than TSM. I would put Emberdark farther in the future than TSM, but I haven't checked WoBs, that's just off the cuff.

[coolsnow7]

5 hours ago, Nitpicking said:

If Adonalsium were recreated, it would be much farther in the future than TSM. I would put Emberdark farther in the future than TSM, but I haven't checked WoBs, that's just off the cuff.

I agree - but given that all of this happens way later than the end of the Stormlight Archive, it seems highly unlikely that the Heralds are going to be at all involved. 

[Abcll1882]

16 hours ago, coolsnow7 said:

I agree - but given that all of this happens way later than the end of the Stormlight Archive, it seems highly unlikely that the Heralds are going to be at all involved. 

The comment about the heralds isn’t really related it’s more a question on its own if there ties to the spiritual realm can bring stormlight back to Roshar.