Mraize's Branch

[LordJuss]

Hi,

 

I note a conversation from way back discussing the contents of Mraize's cabinet of curiosities.

 

The discussion settled on reasonable answers for most items but couldn't identify the "branch of a tree with writing on" though there was a general feeling it should probably come from Sel (as all the other worlds were represented).

 

I've been back over Elantris and I think there's a hint there. Here's a description of one of the monks of Dakhor: "arms like knotted tree branches, skin pulled tight over strange ridges and unspoken symbols."

 

Later on Raoden kills one of these monks, leaving "a scattering of smoking bones" and something similar then happens to the entire Dakhor army.

 

Finally, towards the end, Raoden examines one of the bones:

 

"The bone, retrieved from the body of a Dakhor monk, was deformed and twisted [...] It was like a carved piece of ivory, or a bundle of engraved wooden rods all twisted together. Most disturbingly Raoden swore he could make out slightly familiar symbols in the carving [...] - ancient Fjordell characters."

 

Looking at some archaeology sites, it's clear that telling charred bone from wood is actually quite tricky and that's before magical deformities are involved. Given that Shallan was only observing for a moment she could easily have mistaken such a bone for a tree branch.

 

So I reckon it's the charred bone of a Dakhor monk.

 

Any thoughts?

 

LJ.

[Jo and the Bush all/any]

That is an Excellent Deduction. I think you're on the right Track, if not completely Correct.

 

And Welcome to the Forum.

[soulcastJam he/him]

Yes, good idea!

 

@The Only Joe, I want to like every one of your posts because I like your signature quote so much. =)

[Kurkistan he/him]

Excellent catch, LordJuss.

[Eilemelie]

... Looking at some archaeology sites, it's clear that telling charred bone from wood is actually quite tricky ...

Not sure I agree with you on that one. From my experience (and I might ad I'm almost finnished with my archaeology education) burned bones tend to shift in white and a blue that I'm pretty sure I've never seen wood come in.

[Patrick Star]

But... But... According to my reputation, I'M A DAKHOR MONK!  I don't want my arms to shrivel!

 

On a serious note, good work.  Makes sense, and I think it's probably correct.

[LordJuss]

Not sure I agree with you on that one. From my experience (and I might ad I'm almost finnished with my archaeology education) burned bones tend to shift in white and a blue that I'm pretty sure I've never seen wood come in.

 

Excellent, a real archaeologist. I was hoping one might be around.

 

Some of the sites I looked on seemed to suggest there could be some confusion but I have no direct experience in the matter. Do you know if there are any processes that might have that effect? I know that ivory goes brown with age but I don't know if bone does the same.

 

Cheers,

 

LJ.

[Zea mays]

Good theory LJ. Remember the Shallan's frame of reference is based on Rosharan flora, rather than "normal" earth trees.

[Eilemelie]

Excellent, a real archaeologist. I was hoping one might be around.

 

Some of the sites I looked on seemed to suggest there could be some confusion but I have no direct experience in the matter. Do you know if there are any processes that might have that effect? I know that ivory goes brown with age but I don't know if bone does the same.

 

Cheers,

 

LJ.

Very old bones (unburned) often shift in brown hues. These would also be less likely to have broken up into pieces less than an inch across - something bones most often do during or after the burning - and as such would probably be a better bet for something that looks like wood.

[LordJuss]

Thanks. That sounds plausible. Maybe age then, rather than burning. And as Zea mays points out, most Rosharan branches are covered in crem, which will make the whole thing even more difficult.

 

Given the reference to 'arms like knotted tree branches' I think it's still viable.

 

LJ.

[bluedeath33 he/him]

You said we'd identified all the other items, don't suppose you could link me to the list or know off hand the others? Cheers in advance for the help

[Weltall]

Spoil-tagged since this isn't Cosmere Theories and some of these are technically spoilers

 

Vial of pale sand: Invested sand from Taldain (White Sand)

Thick hairpins: Probably Hemalurgic spikes from Scadrial (Mistborn)

Lock of golden hair: Possibly Iriali as their hair is noted to be 'golden' and we know they didn't originate on Roshar. If so, we don't know the original source. An alternative is that this is a Royal Lock from Nalthis but I don't think that's likely because of the next item.

Odd flower: One of the Tears of Edgli from Nalthis (Warbreaker)

Silver knife: From Threnody where silver is essential and a weapon made of it is worth its weight in platinum (Shadows for Silence...)

Chunk of crystal: Amberite from The Aether of Night (unpublished, you can get a copy by asking Brandon nicely)

And that leaves the branch that's the subject of this topic. My own suspicion is that it's not a Dakhor bone because the descriptions don't match. Dakhor bones themselves are twisted into the shape of Fjordell characters, they don't have writing appear on them.

Edited March 2, 2017 by Weltall

[Vissy]

Maybe he brought a cheap knock-off from a Silverlight bazaar

[Weltall]

I would give my left arm to spend a day in Silverlight; just think of how much you could learn. And then you could find someone there with an equivalent power to Regrowth to heal you back up again. Or change your name and travel to Roshar and become Lopen the Chosen One.