The slightly rambly introduction of a self-conscious Brit

[Xanpheon]

Well hello there, everyone!

I'm Xanpheon, or Xan, a 27 year old who has somehow only started reading Sanderson's works this year (I know, an utter travesty. Merely a child!). Primarily prompted by changes in my daily routine, but even so.

I've always been a fan of high fantasy works and creative magic systems in general - Iain M. Banks, Robin Hobb, Robert Jordan, David Eddings, Tamara Pierce, and so on. Yet the first time I tried to read Sanderson's works - Mistborn, I believe, when I was naught but a teen - I bounced off it. Not sure why, exactly, but it just didn't really appeal to my tastes at the time - I suppose I just wasn't really in the mood for a heist story.

I am exactly one of those sort of people who adore deep interconnected worlds that reward reading each part, and rereading, to appreciate the different ways they connect and the context it provides. So many of my favourite fictional universes are sprung from exactly this - a world self-sufficient where stories happen, influencing each other in subtle but noticeable ways. Not the best example of it, but I've loved Pratchett's works set in the Discworld for that self-same reason.

In terms of current reading progress, I've completed the Stormlight Archive, the two Mistborn Eras, and  White Sand, and have now finished Elantris, Warbreaker, and am starting on YatNP - though I'm re-reading Mistborn at the moment to try and catch references I missed initially. My frankly ridiculous curiousity has lead me to do research on most of the other worlds and stories in the Cosmere, so I am (at least in concepts) freed from the burden of spoiling myself.

Anyway, apologies for all of that - and it's a pleasure to be here!

Edited November 4, 2025 by Xanpheon

[Kansas Stormcursed he/him]

3 minutes ago, Xanpheon said:

Well hello there, everyone!

I'm Xanpheon, or Xan, a 27 year old who has somehow only started reading Sanderson's works this year (I know, an utter travesty. Merely a child!). Primarily prompted by changes in my daily routine, but even so.

I've always been a fan of high fantasy works and creative magic systems in general - Iain M. Banks, Robin Hobb, Robert Jordan, David Eddings, Tamara Pierce, and so on. Yet the first time I tried to read Sanderson's works - Mistborn, I believe, when I was naught but a teen - I bounced off it. Not sure why, exactly, but it just didn't really appeal to my tastes at the time - I suppose I just wasn't really in the mood for a heist story.

I am exactly one of those sort of people who adore deep interconnected worlds that reward reading each part, and rereading, to appreciate the different ways they connect and the context it provides. So many of my favourite fictional universes are sprung from exactly this - a world self-sufficient where stories happen, influencing each other in subtle but noticeable ways. Not the best example of it, but I've loved Pratchett's works set in the Discworld for that self-same reason.

In terms of current reading progress, I've completed the Stormlight Archive, the two Mistborn Eras, and  White Sand - though I'm re-reading Mistborn at the moment to try and catch references I missed initially. My frankly ridiculous curiousity has lead me to do research on most of the other worlds and stories in the Cosmere, so I am (at least in concepts) freed from the burden of spoiling myself.

Anyway, apologies for all of that - and it's a pleasure to be here!

Welcome! We're all insane here, you have entered Wonderland

What's your favorite Cosmere weapon or offensive magic system?

And if somebody offers you a cookie, don't take it

[Belandrius Ohhmar He/Him]

6 minutes ago, Xanpheon said:

Well hello there, everyone!

I'm Xanpheon, or Xan, a 27 year old who has somehow only started reading Sanderson's works this year (I know, an utter travesty. Merely a child!). Primarily prompted by changes in my daily routine, but even so.

I've always been a fan of high fantasy works and creative magic systems in general - Iain M. Banks, Robin Hobb, Robert Jordan, David Eddings, Tamara Pierce, and so on. Yet the first time I tried to read Sanderson's works - Mistborn, I believe, when I was naught but a teen - I bounced off it. Not sure why, exactly, but it just didn't really appeal to my tastes at the time - I suppose I just wasn't really in the mood for a heist story.

I am exactly one of those sort of people who adore deep interconnected worlds that reward reading each part, and rereading, to appreciate the different ways they connect and the context it provides. So many of my favourite fictional universes are sprung from exactly this - a world self-sufficient where stories happen, influencing each other in subtle but noticeable ways. Not the best example of it, but I've loved Pratchett's works set in the Discworld for that self-same reason.

In terms of current reading progress, I've completed the Stormlight Archive, the two Mistborn Eras, and  White Sand - though I'm re-reading Mistborn at the moment to try and catch references I missed initially. My frankly ridiculous curiousity has lead me to do research on most of the other worlds and stories in the Cosmere, so I am (at least in concepts) freed from the burden of spoiling myself.

Anyway, apologies for all of that - and it's a pleasure to be here!

Hello!

You can only pick one from each planet:

One magic system, One planet, and One species. what would you be?

[Xanpheon]

 

Quote

Welcome! We're all insane here, you have entered Wonderland

What's your favorite Cosmere weapon or offensive magic system?

And if somebody offers you a cookie, don't take it

Good question! Hard one to answer, though. Right now I'm quite torn between  Awakening and Ferruchemy in terms of offensive/weaponry. The reliance on oneself in terms of Ferruchemy, mitigating the risks of losing metals or stormlight (or water) gives a lot of options, especially in terms of how you can combine the primary offensive tools of Iron, Steel, Pewter, and Gold is fascinating to me. Having said that, the options offered by awakening and a stylish scarf also just leave a lot of creativity in how you could express yourself. 

As for the question from Belandrius:
Feruchemy (I would love to be able to store up certain aspects while doing other things), Scadrial, and Human - although while that is very boring of me, it's primarily just because Scadrial seems to be the most "normal" and least likely to get me killed place to live.

Further question: How does one quote in response to a message?

Edited October 16, 2025 by Xanpheon

[Kansas Stormcursed he/him]

2 minutes ago, Xanpheon said:

Good question! Hard one to answer, though. Right now I'm quite torn between  Awakening and Ferruchemy in terms of offensive/weaponry. The reliance on oneself in terms of Ferruchemy, mitigating the risks of losing metals or stormlight (or water) gives a lot of options, especially in terms of how you can combine the primary offensive tools of Iron, Steel, Pewter, and Gold is fascinating to me. Having said that, the options offered by awakening and a stylish scarf also just leave a lot of creativity in how you could express yourself. 

Both are good choices!

Also, if you want to quote somebody directly, you can just click "quote" at the bottom of their post and it'll automatically quote them

[Xanpheon]

Ahhh, I think I see? If this works it will have, anyway. (Never mind I worked it out but can't delete, Oh well! Got it in future).

I will clarify that I was an inch away from Radiant paths, simply because I've always been a massive sucker for the concept of bonded spirits in my stories and magical daydreams(tm). It's purely based on the flexibility of Feruchemy that ended up pushing it over the edge.

Edited October 16, 2025 by Xanpheon

[Kansas Stormcursed he/him]

3 minutes ago, Xanpheon said:

Ahhh, I think I see? If this works it will have, anyway. (Never mind I worked it out but can't delete, Oh well! Got it in future).

I will clarify that I was an inch away from Radiant paths, simply because I've always been a massive sucker for the concept of bonded spirits in my stories and magical daydreams(tm). It's purely based on the flexibility of Feruchemy that ended up pushing it over the edge.

Yeah that's fair. I admit I'm partial to Stonewards both because I am one and because I love the ways you can use Tension

[CoderDrag0n8 He/They]

29 minutes ago, Xanpheon said:

Well hello there, everyone!

I'm Xanpheon, or Xan, a 27 year old who has somehow only started reading Sanderson's works this year (I know, an utter travesty. Merely a child!). Primarily prompted by changes in my daily routine, but even so.

I've always been a fan of high fantasy works and creative magic systems in general - Iain M. Banks, Robin Hobb, Robert Jordan, David Eddings, Tamara Pierce, and so on. Yet the first time I tried to read Sanderson's works - Mistborn, I believe, when I was naught but a teen - I bounced off it. Not sure why, exactly, but it just didn't really appeal to my tastes at the time - I suppose I just wasn't really in the mood for a heist story.

I am exactly one of those sort of people who adore deep interconnected worlds that reward reading each part, and rereading, to appreciate the different ways they connect and the context it provides. So many of my favourite fictional universes are sprung from exactly this - a world self-sufficient where stories happen, influencing each other in subtle but noticeable ways. Not the best example of it, but I've loved Pratchett's works set in the Discworld for that self-same reason.

In terms of current reading progress, I've completed the Stormlight Archive, the two Mistborn Eras, and  White Sand - though I'm re-reading Mistborn at the moment to try and catch references I missed initially. My frankly ridiculous curiousity has lead me to do research on most of the other worlds and stories in the Cosmere, so I am (at least in concepts) freed from the burden of spoiling myself.

Anyway, apologies for all of that - and it's a pleasure to be here!

Did you like Wayne?

And again, Would You Like A Cookie?

[Xanpheon]

Just now, Kansas Stormcursed said:

Yeah that's fair. I admit I'm partial to Stonewards both because I am one and because I love the ways you can use Tension

My biggest issue with Surgebinding, even as I acknowledge that it is a very sensible restriction, is that you only have access to two surges - and those are also inherently restrictive. The surges of Division and Regrowth on their own would be utterly fascinating when combined - destruction and recreation together, rebirth in a sense. Is it a bad thing? No, absolutely not, and I would still love to be a Willshaper or a Edgedancer, but even so.

2 minutes ago, CoderDrag0n8 said:

Did you like Wayne?

And again, Would You Like A Cookie?

Wayne is good! He's a precocious scamp but a very good bean indeed.

"My mum told me never to take cookies from strangers!"

[CoderDrag0n8 He/They]

8 minutes ago, Xanpheon said:

My biggest issue with Surgebinding, even as I acknowledge that it is a very sensible restriction, is that you only have access to two surges - and those are also inherently restrictive. The surges of Division and Regrowth on their own would be utterly fascinating when combined - destruction and recreation together, rebirth in a sense. Is it a bad thing? No, absolutely not, and I would still love to be a Willshaper or a Edgedancer, but even so.

Wayne is good! He's a precocious scamp but a very good bean indeed.

"My mum told me never to take cookies from strangers!"

Cmon, please? 0.0? It’s very unsafe

[NerdSandwich she/her]

how bout a crumbl cookie?

[Xanpheon]

2 minutes ago, YouCantHaveMySandwich said:

how bout a crumbl cookie?

The cookies are very tempting, but I am trying to lose weight - and unfortunately, holding your breath does not heal you in this world.

[Belandrius Ohhmar He/Him]

54 minutes ago, CoderDrag0n8 said:

Cmon, please? 0.0? It’s very unsafe

I see what you did thereI always take cookies from people

[-ACE- he/him]

1 hour ago, Xanpheon said:

Well hello there, everyone!

I'm Xanpheon, or Xan, a 27 year old who has somehow only started reading Sanderson's works this year (I know, an utter travesty. Merely a child!). Primarily prompted by changes in my daily routine, but even so.

I've always been a fan of high fantasy works and creative magic systems in general - Iain M. Banks, Robin Hobb, Robert Jordan, David Eddings, Tamara Pierce, and so on. Yet the first time I tried to read Sanderson's works - Mistborn, I believe, when I was naught but a teen - I bounced off it. Not sure why, exactly, but it just didn't really appeal to my tastes at the time - I suppose I just wasn't really in the mood for a heist story.

I am exactly one of those sort of people who adore deep interconnected worlds that reward reading each part, and rereading, to appreciate the different ways they connect and the context it provides. So many of my favourite fictional universes are sprung from exactly this - a world self-sufficient where stories happen, influencing each other in subtle but noticeable ways. Not the best example of it, but I've loved Pratchett's works set in the Discworld for that self-same reason.

In terms of current reading progress, I've completed the Stormlight Archive, the two Mistborn Eras, and  White Sand - though I'm re-reading Mistborn at the moment to try and catch references I missed initially. My frankly ridiculous curiousity has lead me to do research on most of the other worlds and stories in the Cosmere, so I am (at least in concepts) freed from the burden of spoiling myself.

Anyway, apologies for all of that - and it's a pleasure to be here!

Hello and welcome to the shard! What is favorite book not by Brandon?

Also, (this is a new addition to my welcome posts) Do you want me to make fancy words for you?

(See the following page)

 

also, TAKE THE COOKIE, it is very safe...

[Xanpheon]

5 hours ago, -ACE- said:

Hello and welcome to the shard! What is favorite book not by Brandon?

Also, (this is a new addition to my welcome posts) Do you want me to make fancy words for you?

(See the following page)

 

also, TAKE THE COOKIE, it is very safe...

Hmmmm, very good question.

There's a couple, I don't think I could say a single one. I love Thud! (Pratchett), the Redemption of Althalus (Eddings), Excession (Iain M. Banks), and maybe a Wizard of Earthsea?

And thank you very much! But I don't think I need one right now.

[-ACE- he/him]

2 hours ago, Xanpheon said:

Hmmmm, very good question.

There's a couple, I don't think I could say a single one. I love Thud! (Pratchett), the Redemption of Althalus (Eddings), Excession (Iain M. Banks), and maybe a Wizard of Earthsea?

And thank you very much! But I don't think I need one right now.

Good choice. I haven't read any of the books except for earthsea, but its really good.

[BigBadBagsworth He/him/his]

By the by, have you read the terms and conditions?

 

There is danger present in the terms and conditions.

[Keke They/he]

WLEOCME WELCOME GUYS IM ALWAYS LATE TO THESE!!
have you watched/listened to epic the musical!?

do you like anime?

Star Wars?
WHAT COLOR ARE YOU BONES?

[Honors Spectral Image She/her]

On 10/16/2025 at 8:30 AM, Xanpheon said:

Well hello there, everyone!

I'm Xanpheon, or Xan, a 27 year old who has somehow only started reading Sanderson's works this year (I know, an utter travesty. Merely a child!). Primarily prompted by changes in my daily routine, but even so.

I've always been a fan of high fantasy works and creative magic systems in general - Iain M. Banks, Robin Hobb, Robert Jordan, David Eddings, Tamara Pierce, and so on. Yet the first time I tried to read Sanderson's works - Mistborn, I believe, when I was naught but a teen - I bounced off it. Not sure why, exactly, but it just didn't really appeal to my tastes at the time - I suppose I just wasn't really in the mood for a heist story.

I am exactly one of those sort of people who adore deep interconnected worlds that reward reading each part, and rereading, to appreciate the different ways they connect and the context it provides. So many of my favourite fictional universes are sprung from exactly this - a world self-sufficient where stories happen, influencing each other in subtle but noticeable ways. Not the best example of it, but I've loved Pratchett's works set in the Discworld for that self-same reason.

In terms of current reading progress, I've completed the Stormlight Archive, the two Mistborn Eras, and  White Sand - though I'm re-reading Mistborn at the moment to try and catch references I missed initially. My frankly ridiculous curiousity has lead me to do research on most of the other worlds and stories in the Cosmere, so I am (at least in concepts) freed from the burden of spoiling myself.

Anyway, apologies for all of that - and it's a pleasure to be here!

Heyyeyeyeyeyeyeye do you play any instruments? And and and and ummmm what’s your opinion on water?

[NerdSandwich she/her]

ik its for him but I'mma answer anyways

Water is great

Who could hate

The liquid of life

That WE'D ALL DIE WITHOUT

unless you're like Kaladin idk he just doesn't die.

 

[Belandrius Ohhmar He/Him]

On 10/16/2025 at 3:06 PM, Xanpheon said:

Hmmmm, very good question.

There's a couple, I don't think I could say a single one. I love Thud! (Pratchett), the Redemption of Althalus (Eddings), Excession (Iain M. Banks), and maybe a Wizard of Earthsea?

And thank you very much! But I don't think I need one right now.

Just take the cookie

[Xanpheon]

On 10/17/2025 at 8:36 PM, Honors ghost said:

Heyyeyeyeyeyeyeye do you play any instruments? And and and and ummmm what’s your opinion on water?

Yes and no, I used to play Guitar and Cello, but it has been years since I seriously practiced. It's something i keep meaning to get back to, I still have the instruments, but actually knuckling down to do it is a very different proposition.

Water - I drink it all the time. It's easier and cheaper than any juice or fizzy drink, and tea is a bit too much effort.