skaa he/him Posted January 24, 2015 Posted January 24, 2015 (edited) Brandon said recently that he's now undecided as to who the flashback character for Stormlight 3 will be. Q: Michael asks, have you decided whether it'll be Dalinar, Szeth, or Eshonai as the focus of Stormlight 3? A: Nope, I’m writing Calamity right now, and when I’m done, and I’m, the first thing I will do is go to Stormlight 3, and I’ll start writing on the flashback sequences for all three and decide which one matches the best. Remember that he previously said it will be Szeth. He even had a title in mind, "Stones Unhallowed", though he did say it wasn't final. "Skybreaker" was also a possible title for Stormlight 3, in reference to Szeth's new role as a follower of Nalan. But now that Szeth being the main POV is no longer a sure thing, I've decided to create a poll, just for fun, to see who you guys think the main character should be.To help you decide, here's what I think will most likely happen to Szeth, Dalinar, and Eshonai in Stormlight 3, and how these things relate to the past (in other words, what their flashback scenes might be): Szeth Szeth+Nightblood will kick major shin. Szeth's beliefs, and how his religious leaders betrayed him in the past, will definitely color his interaction with Nightblood. It will be interesting to see the development of his views on what "evil" is. Nalan will show Szeth what it is to be a Skybreaker in modern Roshar. If Szeth accepts the role of being a Knight under the Herald, this will signal a conflict with Taravangian, his previous master. If Szeth no longer feels any obligation to follow the holder of his Oathstone, he might actually kill Taravangian for his crimes (this was predicted as a possibility in the Diagram). A flashback scene in Szeth's POV, depicting the start of his Oathstone-based servitude, would serve as a nice contrast to his showdown with Mr. T. Szeth will return to Shinovar with the intent of vengeance for being wrongfully made Truthless. If Stormlight 3 is going to be his, then the circumstances leading to his becoming Truthless should be part of the flashback sequences. DalinarDalinar will resume his mission to unite the Knights Radiant to fight the Desolation. He will have to unite people from different countries, many of whom might not be willing to follow an Alethi Highprince. Dalinar was in a similar position before when he and his brother Gavilar were trying to unite Alethkar. It will be nice to see how Dalinar the Bondsmith might handle this problem differently from Dalinar the Blackthorn. Kaladin's Squires, knowing that their leader is a Knight Radiant who is therefore higher than any normal lighteyes, might start doubting Dalinar's authority over them, especially if Dalinar commands them to do something they think Kaladin might not like. Remember that Kaladin's Squires can use Stormlight, so Dalinar's status as Knight might mean little to them, especially now that he has no Shardblade. Again, the current Dalinar would probably handle this differently from Blackthorn. At least, I hope so. EshonaiIf Eshonai is still alive, then she will probably continue her struggle with the voidspren controlling her. There might still be a chance that she will break free from Odium's grasp (I'd hope so, or she'd just be another Marsh). Her flashbacks would focus on her dreams of traveling as a youth, and the her feelings of being trapped by her people's isolation from the world, which led her to set out on the expedition that would expose her people to the Alethi. If Eshonai is dead (or presumed dead for most of the book), then the focus will be on how Rlain and any remaining (non-Voidish) Listeners will escape being transformed by the Everstorm. Rlain's bond to Kaladin might be helpful here. If they decide to fight in the Desolation, then they will go against people of their own race, people now controlled by Odium. The flashbacks would probably depict the various discussions Eshonai and the other Parshendi leaders had with regards to their hated gods and the Alethi threat, perhaps revealing a secret contingency plan that might save the world even when their gods do return. ***Myself, I vote Eshonai. She may not be the most interesting Stormlight character in my opinion, but that's only because we haven't really seen much of her. She was barely in Way of Kings. And in Words of Radiance she was, frankly, kind of pathetic, being mostly a tool for Venli's ambitions. I fear that if Stormlight 3 doesn't make her more interesting, she'd be wasted as a character. That's why I hope she'll get the flashback sequences. Edited January 29, 2015 by skaa 11
Xaladin he/him Posted January 24, 2015 Posted January 24, 2015 Upvote merely for the "kicking major shin" reference. Both this world and the Cosmere need more puns. 3
Moogle Posted January 24, 2015 Posted January 24, 2015 (edited) Well, the one I'd like the most is Szeth. He seriously needs some backstory treatment to get people more invested in him "oh hey he's that insane guy". There's enough hints in his PoVs to be compelling, but not enough to make him likeable, when he really does seem like he could be a swell guy. Dalinar? Meh. People already like him. Eshonai could be nice. The question the thread asks is, "who do you think it's going to be", though. Predicting what Brandon does is difficult... but I suspect he'll settle on Szeth. Dalinar was passed over for WoR, so I imagine he'll be passed over again. DIfficult to say. Edited January 24, 2015 by Moogle 1
Guest Posted January 24, 2015 Posted January 24, 2015 Uh...Szeth. And did I mention DUH! I want to see Szeth so bad right now.
CHOUTAGOD he/him Posted January 24, 2015 Posted January 24, 2015 I have to go with Szeth too. The badassness of his fight scenes against other Shin.... gives me goosepimples. Knowing his origins and general backstory would be very interesting. Well to me at least. Cool topic choice Aaks! 1
skaa he/him Posted January 24, 2015 Author Posted January 24, 2015 (edited) The question the thread asks is, "who do you think it's going to be", though. Predicting what Brandon does is difficult. True. But it's no big deal if we predict wrong. This is mainly for fun, though I'm also interested to see if people can vote for someone who isn't their favorite among the three, or at least have a reason for voting someone other than pure favoritism. Well, the one I'd like the most is Szeth. He seriously needs some backstory treatment to get people more invested in him "oh hey he's that insane guy". There's enough hints in his PoVs to be compelling, but not enough to make him likeable, when he really does seem like he could be a swell guy. I agree that Szeth will eventually need to be more than "that insane guy", and that giving him the flashbacks would help. I think we're far from reaching the threshold for tolerating his lack of backstory, though. I mean, he's got sparking Nightblood with him, right? I guess it would all depend on whether or not his battle against the Shin will happen in Stormlight 3. If he spends the whole book training and doing Skybreaker stuff outside of Shinovar, then I'm sure his backstory could wait. To be honest, I also like Szeth better than either Dalinar or Eshonai. I voted for Eshonai precisely because I thought she is so far the least interesting of the three, and is in desperate need of a quick boost. Edited January 24, 2015 by skaa
Khyrindor he/him Posted January 24, 2015 Posted January 24, 2015 I think NOT using Szeth as the flashbacks would be a wasted opportunity since we won't know everything that happened when he confronts the Shin. I'd like to see him the most, because I'm really interested in Shin and I haven't seen enough of it. Dalinar would be good as well. There is something big that no one knows about in his past. Also shshshshshshsh will probably appear and we will get answers on that. If the book has more Dalinar than Szeth I would equally like it. Eshonai's back story would hopefully reveal more of the Listener's motives to killing Gavilar, their gods and such. I don't know enough about the Listeners to make a guess as to what else we'd see. 2
Redbird he/him Posted January 24, 2015 Posted January 24, 2015 I want to see more of Szeths back story the most, and I feel as if his interactions with Nightblood will be quite interesting.
skaa he/him Posted January 24, 2015 Author Posted January 24, 2015 (edited) I think NOT using Szeth as the flashbacks would be a wasted opportunity since we won't know everything that happened when he confronts the Shin. I'd like to see him the most, because I'm really interested in Shin and I haven't seen enough of it. Yeah, if Szeth w/ Nightblood vs. Stone Shamans w/ Honorblades happens in Stormlight 3, then perhaps Szeth flashbacks will be best. I wonder if the reason behind Brandon's sudden backpedaling on his earlier decision has something to do with this fight being moved to Stormlight 4, or something. Edited January 24, 2015 by skaa
Nisana she/her Posted January 24, 2015 Posted January 24, 2015 I think it will be Seth, for the reasons you have written: he probably will fight against the Shins (what will happen to the Honorblades?) and so we need to know what happened before. But...maybe, his training as a Skybreaker will take more time and the revenge against his people will be in book 4? (No, I really hope it's not, because I love Nightblood!) I'd really like Eshonai (I'm the only one?). It's interesting to understand the relationship between the Listeners and their gods: I hope that from the memories contained in the songs someone, maybe Rlain, maybe Eshonai's mother, will find a way to free the Listeners, and to do something about Venli. It would be interesting to see the difference of the points of view of humans (Dalinar) and Listeners on the meeting of the two groups.
AerionBFII he/him Posted January 24, 2015 Posted January 24, 2015 Szeth I've already geared up for this book...I don't think i could take the emotional strain of more change. Im looking forward to seeing him on his epic trip of revenge and his rise to glory. 1
Caladcholg he/him Posted January 28, 2015 Posted January 28, 2015 Upvote merely for the "kicking major shin" reference. Both this world and the Cosmere need more puns. Ive been been waiting for a good shin splints pun for a while now.
Bort he/him Posted January 28, 2015 Posted January 28, 2015 I'd like to see him do Szeth's story next, followed by Eshonai's, then Dalinar's in book 5 to bring them all together for when the Desolation really hits.
Ynax he/him Posted January 28, 2015 Posted January 28, 2015 I want to have Szeth in book five because I want it to end with him, he's really swell and all and with Nightblood things will go more swell. So I have to say Eshonai first, but not because I want Szeth last, but because Dalinar doesn't fit right now... But then the Listeners doesn't seem to be as needing of a background right now so we'll probably end up with Szeth I think though I would like to read about him last. 1
Patrick Star Posted January 28, 2015 Posted January 28, 2015 I don't get you people. The choice is clear. All of the other stormlight archive books will follow the true hero of Roshar. The Stick. 1
AerionBFII he/him Posted January 28, 2015 Posted January 28, 2015 I will use your stick as kindling. No i want it to end with Eshonai! I've already prepared for Szeth to finally play a larger roll and graduate from Interludes and i want Dalinars story about the Nightwatcher. Eshonai confrontation with Venli will only add to the ending of the first arc.
physicskid he/him Posted January 29, 2015 Posted January 29, 2015 I would really like to find the details on why eshonai voted to kill gavilar. it seems obvious that he was of similar motive to the sons of honor but i am interested in finding out the specific circumstances of eshonais discovery of this. another mystery (as sigzil pointed out) is how the parshendi acquired szeths oathstone.
dvoraen Posted January 29, 2015 Posted January 29, 2015 (edited) I'm somewhat stalled between Szeth and Eshonai, but I can't help but think Szeth feels more appropriate. Why? - Eshonai's backstory would likely have a bit of 'ohmy' factored in, specifically with respect to us learning how Gavilar would return the Listeners' gods/the Unmade to Roshar. More precisely, a possibly big hint about the blacklight sphere. Also, we'd probably learn a lot more about the Unmade from her backstory, which could be ... important. To say nothing about Listener history with respect to past Desolations (how they started compared to this time, for instance?). - Dalinar, while viable, makes me wonder if his trip to the Nightwatcher in addition to his wife are both subjects that would lead us towards the 'HMMMMM!' side of the spectrum, a bit. I seriously get the feeling that we haven't seen a direct visit to the Nightwatcher (by character or interlude) on purpose, on account of both description of her and other traits that would give us fuel to burn (discuss). I also wonder if Alethi history would have a buried nugget of interest, since we'd be reading about pre-unification (fractured?) Alethkar in his backstory, for the most part. Whereas with Szeth, what we would learn is probably more of what we already know, such as how the Shin acquired the Honorblades, and what tipped Szeth off to the point of becoming Truthless. I just don't see a huge amount of room for 'omg' factor here, aside from maybe details about the Honorblades and certain aspects of Shin life. Edited January 29, 2015 by dvoraen 1
rjl Posted January 29, 2015 Posted January 29, 2015 I'm confused about Gavilar, what the parshendi said of him doesn't seem to make sense, as intentionally bringing back the unmade wouldn't be an honourable action, and from all reports he'd become an honourable person. Perhaps his plan was something else which the parshendi rightly or wrongly thought would result in the unmade returning. OR, maybe he had learnt somewhere that the longer that passed until the next desolation the more likely it would be for odium to win and so he decided they needed to hurry it up.
Patrick Star Posted January 29, 2015 Posted January 29, 2015 WHO KEEPS DOWNVOTING MY STICK COMMENTS?! I DEMAND THEIR HEAD ON A STICK... NOW!!! SUCH SWEET IRONY!!! @rjl Gavilar doesn't care about honor. He just wants the heralds back to reestablish the Vorin church (and possibly take over Roshar). Step 1: Create a desolation. Step 2: ???????? Step 3: PROFIT!!!
Kelsier Kenobi Posted January 29, 2015 Posted January 29, 2015 I really want it to be Szeth's book. I want to know more about the Shin. So that's how I voted. Eshonai flashbacks really don't sound appealing to me at all, and I feel like we already know quite a bit about Dalinar. I can wait for his flashbacks another book or two. 1
Patrick Star Posted February 1, 2015 Posted February 1, 2015 I really am pulling for Szeth. Mostly because I want to find out what Nalan's up to.
Darkness he/him Posted February 1, 2015 Posted February 1, 2015 Should be about Nightblood. lol, kidding, I'm pulling Szeth too. Actually though, I may get both wishes. Ohpleaseohpleaseohpleaseohplease unsheath Nightblood in an Everstorm and have him consume all the void energy/voidspren/unmade! #NightbloodSavesRoshar 1
natc Posted February 1, 2015 Posted February 1, 2015 I've been wondering. Does Nightblood actually need the investiture it drains, or does it just eternally increase in strength?
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