Shardblades' original intent

[Cuaiir]

Wasn't quite sure where to put this, but while looking through the Brandonothology I found this quote:

"KINGS, for instance, does use artifacts and magical items--very specific kinds, mind you, that are built into the framework of the magic system. But they're there. One of the big elements of this world will be the existence of Shardplate (magically enhanced, powered plate armor) and Shardblades (large, summonable swords designed to cut through steel and stone.)

Emphasis mine

Now, we already know Dalinar has used his Shardblade in this way, but that they were designed to do so brings up an interesting point. Why a Blade, instead of something like a hammer, which would break stones into smaller pieces and batter steel?

Also of note is that they were not designed to cut though flesh or, I think we can assume, the 'soul' of Rosharian humans.

Thoughts?

[Chaos]

Immediately what comes to mind is that the creatures Dalinar fought seemed to have stone-like bodies.

[Cuaiir]

But why cut such stone-like creatures, rather than smash them to itty-bitty pieces, I guess is what I'm trying to get at.

[FeatherWriter]

Well, you have to think that when smashing things you're going to get recoil and that's tiring. Whereas swinging a shardblade around, there's no recoil. The only thing that would make you tired would be the weight of the blade and the energy spent keeping it in motion as opposed to hitting against something then having to change your force's direction again to land a new hit.

[leinton]

Well, you have to think that when smashing things you're going to get recoil and that's tiring. Whereas swinging a shardblade around, there's no recoil. The only thing that would make you tired would be the weight of the blade and the energy spent keeping it in motion as opposed to hitting against something then having to change your force's direction again to land a new hit.

This, and swords are also naturally a weapon made for nothing but fighting. The way that a sword is forged makes it a much more natural weapon than a hammer. It's also possible that some or all of the creatures that have stonelike skin can regenerate themselves if smashed but not cut, or have some other resistance to being smashed. Size of the creature could also be a factor. It's also faster to kill something that you can cut effortlessly through. These are also reasons why the sword is the primary weapon in most pre-gunpowder warlike nations.

[Earendil]

I actually have a fairly radical idea that came to me during my most recent re-read. What if Shardblades are doing exactly what they are supposed to--causing warfare and hatred?

From the prologue, we learn that the Heralds were stuck in a hellish non-existence as part of a deal they made to be able to fight in the Desolations. I originally thought that that deal was to let them live forever, fighting in each Desolation in turn, but it seems like they are still alive during the events of the Stormlight Archive, which means that they either got to cheat, or life was not part of their deal. In fact, the only thing that we know that they lost was the Honorblades, which appear to be Shardblades Ultimate Edition.

So we have supernatural weapons, tools of destruction and the cause of countless wars, in the shape of swords. While Dalinar finds a use for his Shardblade once, swords are very much weapons first and only. When I think about what I know about the Shards that were on Roshar, the nature of a sword aligns much more closely with Odium than with Honor. This seems even more blatant when I consider Syl's reaction to Dalinar's Shardblade.

Here's what I think went down: In order to fight Odium's forces, Honor makes a deal with the devil for shardblades. In the case of the Honorblades, this involves literally giving 10 champions for Odium to have his way with between desolations. For the rest of the shardblades, the price is more subtle, but no less terrible--those who wield them for any length of time develop a thirst for battle--the Thrill. Much like the light-eyed trait, this curse is passed from generation to generation. Through strict discipline and a demanding code of conduct, these problems can be contained, and the blades can be beneficial to the cause of Honor.

Guess what's been missing from Roshar, especially Aleth-Kar, for the past several generations. I believe that is no more accidental than Vin finding the Well of Ascension.

Edited June 22, 2011 by Earendil

[Silus - Shard of Flame]

That is very, very plausible. I'd disagree on the point that swords have a lot of positive cultural symbolism behind them, but then again, knowing Brandon, that might be just the kind of thing he would subvert. But the question arises, what about the nature of the threat would lead Honor to do something so radically extreme in order to arm his champions?

[Earendil]

But the question arises, what about the nature of the threat would lead Honor to do something so radically extreme in order to arm his champions?

I don't have any specifics, but if we assume that the recorder of Dalinar's visions was Honor, I think we get a little insight. From what he says, it's fairly obvious that the recorder (I'll call him Honor from here on) was aware that he was going to loose for a long time before he actually lost. He also suggested raising a champion, since he thinks that Odium would be bound by the rules.

I also want to point out that Preservation made a similar "deal with the devil", because he couldn't create on his own. Making weapons doesn't really fit with my concept of Honor (though Shardplate definitely does), so maybe he partnered with Odium to avoid a massacre, possibly before he realized what the consequences of that partnership would be.