Question about concepts in Isles of the Emberdark

[Ogeas]

Hello, not sure where else to post this so I understand if it has to be removed.

Through out the book there are many concepts/terms thrown around and I was not able to find information about all of them. I'd like to know if there is anything to be known about "solemn 7", "9 stars" and "oath of the first".

Thanks!

[Treamayne]

Welcome to the Shard. Please consider an Intro Post to let us know what you have or have-not read (whichever list is shorter). Also, please consider checking out the Sharder FAQ for some useful forum info and tips. 

8 hours ago, Ogeas said:

not sure where else to post this

Q&A is meant for questions with answers, theories go in the associated book/series/section forums (Cosmere discussion, Mistborn, Stormlight, etc.) It makes searching Q&A for common questions easier. 

8 hours ago, Ogeas said:

Through out the book there are many concepts/terms thrown around and I was not able to find information about all of them. I'd like to know if there is anything to be known about "solemn 7", "9 stars" and "oath of the first".

Solemn seven is not a term. IED Ch 28:

Spoiler

Still, Starling watched that door. Normally she didn’t let Crow get to her, but she was exhausted after the rescue…and still couldn’t shake the haunting feeling from her encounter with the entity.

Nazh was last to arrive, floating in through the wall, eyes back to their normal cheery blue—with the faintest hint of a green glow to them, only visible in dim light. That made them a solemn seven, all seated save Nazh. Starling herself, ZeetZi with his feathers tight against his head, Ed with one of his notebooks—already writing about the experience with the entity. He’d be celebrated by the other arcanists after this, particularly if his essay was compelling.

They were seven crewmembers around a table, with a solemn feeling permeating the meeting. 

 

Nine stars - IED Ch 28:

Spoiler

“Indeed,” ZeetZi said, though his feathers lay flat against his head, a sign of worry. “I will help Ed see that they are made comfortable, Lieutenant, but you should know that the captain is in the hallway just outside. I fear her fury could rival that of nine stars…”

“I’ll confront her. Thank you.” Starling took a deep breath, and stepped into the cramped hallway.

We do not know what, if anything, nine stars means. It is not capitalized, so it is not referencing a Proper Noun. The implication is one star is fiery and violent, and Crow would be angry enough to equal nine of them - but it would not be the first time that Brandon hid foreshadowing in otherwise-normal description.

 

Oath of the First - IED Ch 35:

Spoiler

People, she told herself. People. Maybe not like any other, but still people. And a member of my crew.

“I have sworn the oath of the First,” Chrysalis said softly. “Hoid helped me escape a life I came to revile. I will never do harm to another again, by my sworn word. But if they find me, Starling, they will burn me. They see my kind—innocent or guilty—as abominations.”

I am not certain if you have read Stormlight Archive (or how much of it) but this appears to reference Dawnshard Ch 6:

Spoiler

The problem is not that, Nikli sent. The problem is that I am coming to like them.

This is not unexpected, Yelamaiszin sent. It had a smooth, calming buzz. It was First, the oldest of the swarms on Roshar. Nikli was the Twenty-Fourth, youngest of them. I like the Bondsmith, for example, though I know he will destroy us.

<snip>

rclomedarian crosses us again, said Yelamaiszin, the First. It meddles more and more. It has met with these new Radiants.

Are we certain it was wrong to do so? Nikli asked. Perhaps that was the wise move.

You are young, Yelamaiszin sent, calm and sure. Youth is beneficial in some ways. You learn faster than us, for example. Nikli could imitate humans better than the others. When the swarm that had become Nikli had been Separated, it had already contained hordelings evolved for this subterfuge. Nikli had further evolved them, and was now certain that the body didn’t need the tattoos to cover the seams in its skin.

Arclomedarian is dangerous, Nikli sent. I can see this. But it is not as dangerous as the true traitors.

Both are equally dangerous, Yelamaiszin sent. Trust us. You do not bear the scars of memory older swarms do.
<snip>

At this point of conflict, the question was sent to all of the swarms—all twenty that still accepted the leadership of the First—to ask. Was it time to sink the human ship?

What we do not know is if the Oath referenced is this one (to follow the First's leadership and laws) or if there will be a different, more specific Oath, in the future that this is referencing.

Hope that helps.

Edited Saturday at 11:08 AM by Treamayne
SPAG