Oathbringer Update

[Botanica she/her]

Book 4 is Szeth?  I assumed Brandon just swapped books 3 and 5, while 4 would remain Eshonai.

About this, Brandon's answer five months ago is that he tends to use Eshonai for book 4. But it is due to change and we cannot be sure now.

Q&A from Reddit AMA last year:

Q: Is there any word on what character Stormlight 4 will follow?

A: Most likely Eshonai.

Source

[scifan he/him]

Stormform can do some (very) minor airbending if I remember the interludes right, and is at least as resistent as warform.

Plus, shardplate does not simply protect your body, it makes it more resistent on itself while you wear it, like allomantic pewter. Otherwise Renarin wouldn't just have walked away of hitting the ground head-first after jumping from a balcony.

 

Somewhere in SA2, there's a quote about a 200 foot drop being more than what shard plate can help you survive...  and I believe where they were, the clefts would have been in that 200 foot range... past that, I'm uncertain about airbending and how that might help... in the dark while falling and disoriented... unsure.

 

It's possible that Eshoni survived though... *shrug*

[DreamEternal]

Somewhere in SA2, there's a quote about a 200 foot drop being more than what shard plate can help you survive...

For a human, sure. For a stormform parshendi? Who knows.

[Rhaegar'Elin he/him]

It's very interisting to know how Sanderson will structure this book!

 

Random thoughts:

- I'm really pleased with the major role of Dalinar!

- I think S1 is Kaladin: he never missed a part so far... so why start with the third book?

- I have no idea of who could be the novelettes.

- I hope there will be another interlude of Rysn: I love her XD

 

[Jess]

I'm surprised nobody has posited Taravangian for novelette 2.

[DreamEternal]

I'm surprised nobody has posited Taravangian for novelette 2.

Now that would be nice... for Brandon to see if he can write horror.

I for one want to see Redin, the half-eyed bastard, as an interlude character. I still think he will become a minor-character Radiant.

[Guest]

Now that would be nice... for Brandon to see if he can write horror.

I for one want to see Redin, the half-eyed bastard, as an interlude character. I still think he will become a minor-character Radiant.

 

I still annoyed at those future Radiants... The way the books are planned, it looks as if we aren't getting a main character for each order, but Brandon did state a Dustbringer will eventually become a major viewpoint. The problem is we already know who those major character are/will be.

 

So huh.

 

There is something I don't quite understand in the structure of SA.

[DSC01 he/him]

If there is one for each order, and Taln represents the Stonewards, then the only possibility is that Shalash, no longer being a Herald, will become a Radiant and join an Order that is not the Lightweavers. She would be the most likely candidate for Dustbringer, since Eshonai seems likely to become a Willshaper.

[Guest]

If there is one for each order, and Taln represents the Stonewards, then the only possibility is that Shalash, no longer being a Herald, will become a Radiant and join an Order that is not the Lightweavers. She would be the most likely candidate for Dustbringer, since Eshonai seems likely to become a Willshaper.

 

Yes I agree, but I somehow do not like the idea. I do not like being told in advance all of those characters I never heard of are going to be main characters and Radiants. It kinda spoils something. Who knows I may be fine with the Shalash plot arc when I read it, it may be I will love it even, but... I something about all of it does bother me. I can't quite put in words though.

[Ari he/him]

Yes I agree, but I somehow do not like the idea. I do not like being told in advance all of those characters I never heard of are going to be main characters and Radiants. It kinda spoils something. Who knows I may be fine with the Shalash plot arc when I read it, it may be I will love it even, but... I something about all of it does bother me. I can't quite put in words though.

 

I'm not sure that the flashback characters are going to necessarily be Radiants. In fact, I would be seriously surprised if both Eshonai and Szeth ended up as Radiants. (In fact, I really hope Szeth doesn't. Arguably Eshonai isn't at fault for what she did to her people and the Rosharan humans, but Szeth did some really evil things for no good reason, no matter what Nale says, and I hope even the Skybreakers wouldn't take him)

 

The other thing to keep in mind is that it's perfectly possibly that not every order of Knights Radiant will be represented with a flashback character, and will have tertiary characters if any for their PoVs. I'd say Shalash probably makes that quite clear, in fact, that at least one order is unlikely to be represented by a flashback character.

[Guest]

I'm not sure that the flashback characters are going to necessarily be Radiants. In fact, I would be seriously surprised if both Eshonai and Szeth ended up as Radiants. (In fact, I really hope Szeth doesn't. Arguably Eshonai isn't at fault for what she did to her people and the Rosharan humans, but Szeth did some really evil things for no good reason, no matter what Nale says, and I hope even the Skybreakers wouldn't take him)

 

The other thing to keep in mind is that it's perfectly possibly that not every order of Knights Radiant will be represented with a flashback character, and will have tertiary characters if any for their PoVs. I'd say Shalash probably makes that quite clear, in fact, that at least one order is unlikely to be represented by a flashback character.

 

Actually Brandon did confirm it. The main characters for the first arc are the flashback characters which are: Kaladin, Shallan, Dalinar, Szeth and Eshonai. Those three first spot into the graph can only be filled with any combination of these five. 

 

Adolin is definitely never getting up there.

 

As for every order not being represented, I am unsure... Brandon did state we would have to wait for a main character for the Dustbringers to arrive before finding more about them. There is therefore a main character from this order and since the only characters allowed to be main characters are the 10 flashbacks ones, then someone in there is a Dustbringer.

 

It all made sense when I thought other characters than the flashback ones could be main characters, but since Brandon has irrevocably confirmed it wasn't so, then we are back to place-holding flashback characters into orders. I see no other way to do it and sadly it means any character not listed into those precious flashback books will never grow into importance much higher than tertiary character. 

[DSC01 he/him]

These are some looooong books, though. By the end of the series, even tertiary characters will have their own book's worth of POVs.

[Guest]

These are some looooong books, though. By the end of the series, even tertiary characters will have their own book's worth of POVs.

 

Sure they will, but will they get decent character development? Just in WoR, I can point several instances where Brandon chose to drop Adolin's development to favor Kaladin. I assume the same could be said of other tertiary characters though, to be frank, the nearly totality of tertiary characters we currently have are going to eventually be main characters. Adolin and Navani are the only one who aren't going to evolve in that regards. Navani is unsurprising as she is a very minor viewpoint, but I did expect more from Adolin, a great deal lot more.

[Heir of the Void he/him]

It means any character not listed into those precious flashback books will never grow into importance much higher than tertiary character. 

 

Eh, don't confuse importance and significance with screen time. It's entirely possible to have a very important character who doesn't get much POV, or even appear 'on screen' all that often.

[Guest]

Eh, don't confuse importance and significance with screen time. It's entirely possible to have a very important character who doesn't get much POV, or even appear 'on screen' all that often.

 

I guess this one is completely subjective. How do we rate a character's importance within the story? Do we rate them based on:

 

1) Number of viewpoints?

2) Their place within the story (main characters versus tertiary characters)?

3) Their ability to drive the story forward?

4) Their knowledge?

5) The amount of character development they receive?

 

I think number 2, 3 and 5 likely are those Brandon considers when he drafts these books. Characters such as Hoid certainly are important and significant but, as a reader, I cannot expect to see him start to actively drive the plot forward or him to start getting in-depth character development. He still remains a very important individual within the world of the Cosmere, but we aren't going to start digging into his thoughts massively. Well, not in SA that is.

 

Therefore, when I state "importance" I meant "character development", "importance within the active story arc" and "ability to drive the action". In other words, characters which are going to receive enough viewpoints to get fully fleshed out, which are going to have a decisive role to play within the main narrative and which are going to drive part of the story through their actions.

 

These characters essentially are the flashback ones. Anyone else may have viewpoints but they will remain mostly explore for the 3rd person's perspective and while they may have a role to play into the end climax, it will remain an instrumental one as opposed to a crucial one. Considering how the books are structured, I have doubt characters no getting to be focus ones can achieve, in the long run, the same in-depth character development the focus ones will get.

 

Perhaps they can, but I have serious doubts.

[DSC01 he/him]

Here's the thing about Adolin: let's say that he's the 4th most important character in both TWoK and WoR. I think he is always going to be in that number 4 slot, for every single book. No, he'll never get to be one of the top 3, but those who will get those slots are also going to drop way below Adolin for some volumes. Most already have.

 

Eshonai? Not even in the first book. Neither was Lift. Szeth? Not even a protagonist. Shalash messed up some art in the first book but wasn't in WoR. Taln (if that's even him) has just acted crazy during his brief cameos. Renarin has been around, but Adolin has been more of a main character than he has, so far. Jasnah has been more in the background than Adolin, for sure. Of the seven flashback characters I just mentioned, five haven't had a single POV chapter yet.

 

So, just for the sake of argument, let's say that Adolin is the 4th most important character in each of the 10 books. At least half of the characters who get to fill the top 3 slots above him will spend much of the rest of the series being the 10th most important character, the 15th most important, not even in the book... He's going to end up being one of the best developed Stormlight characters there is, even if he's always in a supporting role.

 

What I'm saying is, don't get too depressed about Adolin not getting his time in the spotlight, even if you do wish the story was really all about him. 

[Guest]

Here's the thing about Adolin: let's say that he's the 4th most important character in both TWoK and WoR. I think he is always going to be in that number 4 slot, for every single book. No, he'll never get to be one of the top 3, but those who will get those slots are also going to drop way below Adolin for some volumes. Most already have.

 

Well, we don't know that, but I'll take your optimist   You are right in stating someone is giving away his spot for both Eshonai and Szeth when the time comes, though I assume this someone would shrink to number 4. I can't imagine it's going to be Kaladin, so either Shallan or Dalinar quite probably Dalinar. He seems the most plausible, but hey your guess is as good as mine.

 

 

Eshonai? Not even in the first book. Neither was Lift. Szeth? Not even a protagonist. Shalash messed up some art in the first book but wasn't in WoR. Taln (if that's even him) has just acted crazy during his brief cameos. Renarin has been around, but Adolin has been more of a main character than he has, so far. Jasnah has been more in the background than Adolin, for sure. Of the seven flashback characters I just mentioned, five haven't had a single POV chapter yet.

 

To be fair, Shalash, Renarin, Jasnah, Taln and Lift are to be main characters in the second half, not the first one, so their lack of presence in the current narrative isn't all surprising. It is only because we dwell here we know this: the casual reader has no idea. Why is Brandon holding on to Renarin for so long though, I have no idea. He is quite around, so keeping him around without using him seems as a strange choice, but I suspect he has plans with him.... These aren't plans I sadly like to think about 

 

Adolin may be perceived by the casual readers as a main characters, but the author doesn't think of him in such terms. To hear it makes me wonder what it will mean in the end. It may no mean anything, but the books have been structured very heavily on the same 2-3 characters so far: it makes me wonder if others can actually grow. It is hard to envision.

 

So, just for the sake of argument, let's say that Adolin is the 4th most important character in each of the 10 books. At least half of the characters who get to fill the top 3 slots above him will spend much of the rest of the series being the 10th most important character, the 15th most important, not even in the book... He's going to end up being one of the best developed Stormlight characters there is, even if he's always in a supporting role.

 

I never dared hope he would make it to the second half and if he does, I never dared hope he would retain his viewpoints. Brandon did say some characters would have an ongoing arc across all 10 books, but I suspect he referred to his main characters, not his unplanned surprise character. Though this is so far off, I guess anything can happen in between now and then.

 

I hold onto that last one   It is so hard to envision this great plan and how characters outside of it will fall in the end. The structure seems so rigid or perhaps it is just seeing that chart who makes me see it as such.

[DSC01 he/him]

I wouldn't take that chart to mean that the structure is especially rigid. The Stormlight books all have a number of different storylines going on all at once and are also each structured more like a series than a single volume. Keeping track of it all like that doesn't really indicate rigidity (after all, the structure is loose enough that Brandon could make the third volume Dalinar's flashback book instead of Szeth's, as originally planned). Rather, he has to know where to put the various POVs to maintain the momentum of the story and have everything be cohesive. If, for example, Shallan's part of the story in WoR had gotten ahead of Kaladin's, then his POVs backtracked and described events that had already been spoiled, the book would have been a real mess. I would say that the chart indicates an intricate structure, not a rigid one.

[geralt]

Honestly, I'm very interested in seeing what happens to Adolin's character in the future. His role in WoR was a step-up in importance compared to TWoK, but if the little info we got from Oathbringer does turn out to be correct, then he likely won't even be the main tertiary character in it. While that points to him becoming less relevant moving forward, there have been too many hints in the previous books about certain developments Adolin could take that seem to conflict with that.

Reviving the blade, becoming a radiant, developing his relationship with Shallan and dealing with killing Sadeas are all plot points that if tackled have to be given a good amount of pages and viewpoints, which a tertiary character wouldn't get. So, Brandon could either make him a secondary character in the fourth or his fifth book or relegate him to the sidelines by not making him join the ranks of the radiants. 

I'd say the latter option is unlikely, though, otherwise the time spent on showing how close Adolin is to his blade and the clues given here and there (such as when he didn't feel the thrill in battle) would have been for nothing. The only reason I could see him not become a radiant would be to avoid giving every Kholinar powers, which is fair enough I suppose.

[Guest]

I wouldn't take that chart to mean that the structure is especially rigid. The Stormlight books all have a number of different storylines going on all at once and are also each structured more like a series than a single volume. Keeping track of it all like that doesn't really indicate rigidity (after all, the structure is loose enough that Brandon could make the third volume Dalinar's flashback book instead of Szeth's, as originally planned). Rather, he has to know where to put the various POVs to maintain the momentum of the story and have everything be cohesive. If, for example, Shallan's part of the story in WoR had gotten ahead of Kaladin's, then his POVs backtracked and described events that had already been spoiled, the book would have been a real mess. I would say that the chart indicates an intricate structure, not a rigid one.

 

There is a certain rigidity on the structure in the sense the first three spots, those labeled as "primary main character" and "secondary main characters" will only be occupied by the flashback characters. The next spot on the list is a severe drop in terms of viewpoint quantity.

 

 

Honestly, I'm very interested in seeing what happens to Adolin's character in the future. His role in WoR was a step-up in importance compared to TWoK, but if the little info we got from Oathbringer does turn out to be correct, then he likely won't even be the main tertiary character in it. While that points to him becoming less relevant moving forward, there have been too many hints in the previous books about certain developments Adolin could take that seem to conflict with that.

Reviving the blade, becoming a radiant, developing his relationship with Shallan and dealing with killing Sadeas are all plot points that if tackled have to be given a good amount of pages and viewpoints, which a tertiary character wouldn't get. So, Brandon could either make him a secondary character in the fourth or his fifth book or relegate him to the sidelines by not making him join the ranks of the radiants. 

I'd say the latter option is unlikely, though, otherwise the time spent on showing how close Adolin is to his blade and the clues given here and there (such as when he didn't feel the thrill in battle) would have been for nothing. The only reason I could see him not become a radiant would be to avoid giving every Kholinar powers, which is fair enough I suppose.

 

Brandon isn't going to make him a secondary character within book 4 or 5. I has been my hope he would as nothing ever said not being a flashback character prevented you from having a main narrative. 

 

Turns out I was wrong. Adolin is never becoming anything more than a tertiary character (I have it on good authority, so this is not a speculation, but a fact) and I do agree this contradicts his trajectory within WoR. I too thought he would keep on growing, but this growth will have to happen with a tertiary character viewpoint which may means no viewpoints until Part 4, depending on which one he is (which I do not know).

 

I agree no tertiary character has a strong enough presence in the current plan to allow proper exploration of all the clues Brandon dropped relating to Adolin. 

 

It is a disappointment to say the least as the book I read give me inklings it would go down differently, but as others would say, this is Brandon's story and in his story, Adolin isn't a main character, but a supporting one with a very limited role. 

 

This being said I do agree with your other statements, but I would say there are no good reasons to prevent Adolin from becoming a Radiant if this is where his journey drive him.

[geralt]

Brandon isn't going to make him a secondary character within book 4 or 5. I has been my hope he would as nothing ever said not being a flashback character prevented you from having a main narrative. 

 

Turns out I was wrong. Adolin is never becoming anything more than a tertiary character (I have it on good authority, so this is not a speculation, but a fact) and I do agree this contradicts his trajectory within WoR. I too thought he would keep on growing, but this growth will have to happen with a tertiary character viewpoint which may means no viewpoints until Part 4, depending on which one he is (which I do not know).

 

I agree no tertiary character has a strong enough presence in the current plan to allow proper exploration of all the clues Brandon dropped relating to Adolin. 

 

It is a disappointment to say the least as the book I read give me inklings it would go down differently, but as others would say, this is Brandon's story and in his story, Adolin isn't a main character, but a supporting one with a very limited role. 

 

This being said I do agree with your other statements, but I would say there are no good reasons to prevent Adolin from becoming a Radiant if this is where his journey drive him.

 

That is a bit weird if true. I understand why primary characters have to have their own flashbacks, but restricting the secondary character positions based on that doesn't make as much sense I think. As you said, though, it's Brandon's story and if he feels Adolin isn't a main character who are we to dispute that? 

In that case, though, it's harder to see what Adolin's place in the story will be as his chances of becoming an Edgedancer have become much lower in my eyes. I guess his part of the story could focus on him coming to terms with being overshadowed by the people surrounding him and take a more supportive role in battles. Like in the climax battle in Words of Radiance, fighting the big bad guy isn't the only thing to do and I could see him lead the troops as he did there. I suppose that'd be disappointing for his fans, though.

 

On another note, am I the only one slightly worried about how the politics between the princedoms will become increasingly less relevant? They've been one of the most enjoyable aspect of the series, but as things stand I don't see how anyone could oppose Dalinar in any meaningful way, especially considering Sadeas is out of the picture now.

[DreamEternal]

On another note, am I the only one slightly worried about how the politics between the princedoms will become increasingly less relevant? They've been one of the most enjoyable aspect of the series, but as things stand I don't see how anyone could oppose Dalinar in any meaningful way, especially considering Sadeas is out of the picture now.

I wouldn't worry much, as international politics will most likely take their place, and are bound to be very interesting.

But then, I've never liked how Brandon handled politics in his books. All too often, the protagonists get out-manouvered but win anyway because they have the strongest mistborn/lifeless army/duelist and can beat or intimidate everyone ibto place.

Now, the spying, theft and conwomanship in Shallan's chapters were what I liked, and I am interested in seeing how he will handle the great number of secret groups pulling strings through Roshar.

[Guest]

 

That is a bit weird if true. I understand why primary characters have to have their own flashbacks, but restricting the secondary character positions based on that doesn't make as much sense I think. As you said, though, it's Brandon's story and if he feels Adolin isn't a main character who are we to dispute that? 

In that case, though, it's harder to see what Adolin's place in the story will be as his chances of becoming an Edgedancer have become much lower in my eyes. I guess his part of the story could focus on him coming to terms with being overshadowed by the people surrounding him and take a more supportive role in battles. Like in the climax battle in Words of Radiance, fighting the big bad guy isn't the only thing to do and I could see him lead the troops as he did there. I suppose that'd be disappointing for his fans, though.

 

Sadly, it is true   I had really be hoping it wouldn't be the case, but the author has decided otherwise.

 

Brandon has confirmed the characters around which the series is orchestrated are the flashback characters and, as a result, only they are getting to be primary and secondary characters. He said there will be a rotation within those as Eshonai and Szeth will take one of those spots in their own focus book (which means someone is getting downgraded). The only good news is Adolin's little arc is likely to amount to more than Szeth's due to his more important presence in all the books.

 

Brandon's structure doesn't allow for more than 3 main viewpoints per book and these are primarily restricted to Kaladin, Shallan, Dalinar in the first arc with incursions by Eshonai and Szeth. For the second arc, I suspect these will be primarily restricted to Jasnah, Lift and Renarin with incursions by Taln and Shalash, but this is pure speculation on my part. I don't actually know, but I think it will likely go this way: not much is known for the second arc.

 

This being said, Adolin can still become an Edgedancer, but his progression won't be followed as closely as Kaladin's or Shallan's (or anyone else for that matter). He is getting his own arc, but I suspect it will never be as developed as other characters and yes, I also suspect the Adolin's fans will be disappointed by it. This is pure speculation though: it could be Brandon will do wonders with those few POV, but I have my personal reserves. Too many has been left out of Adolin's arc in WoR due to him playing second fiddle to basically everyone, I have a hard time imagining it won't happen again.

 

It is very difficult to actually like Adolin: it is better to like Kaladin    Adolin is not a character many casual readers expected to see remaining on the side tracks, especially not after the events of WoR. Many readers expected him to have a strong arc involving dealing with the aftermath of Sadeas's death, many wanted to read it, but the outlay doesn't seem to allow it: no POV in Part 1. Not even one. It means our crew will find out about Sadeas's demise, but we won't get to read Adolin's thoughts, not until Part 2, at the earliest, but we could have to wait for Part 4. It implies the event will be used to fuel Dalinar's progression and not Adolin, just as the huge built up for the 4 on 1 duel ended being relevant to Kaladin and not the one supposed to be the main actor through them.

 

Taking on a supporting role into battles and simply dealing with everyone being Radiants will indeed be a sore disappointment when compared to what his arc could have been. Simply leading the soldiers will also be a disappointment as he is already doing it: no interest in seeing it become his arc. In fact, I'd argue it isn't an arc at all. If it is one, it is the least satisfying of them all, as all readers remember through the end climax is Kaladin fighting Szeth, nobody took note of the fact Adolin is actually the one who won the battle.

 

I will venture is saying Adolin's arc potentially is the one many readers will ultimately end up dissatisfied with because it won't be fully explored and not everyone will understand why. I have read all the WoB, the interviews, I do comprehend "the plan" and why it is there, but I still don't quite understand why. 

 

 

On another note, am I the only one slightly worried about how the politics between the princedoms will become increasingly less relevant? They've been one of the most enjoyable aspect of the series, but as things stand I don't see how anyone could oppose Dalinar in any meaningful way, especially considering Sadeas is out of the picture now.

 

I am not sure this is done. Simply because they all came to Urithiru does not mean they are going to accept Dalinar the Bondsmith. 

[geralt]

I wouldn't worry much, as international politics will most likely take their place, and are bound to be very interesting.

But then, I've never liked how Brandon handled politics in his books. All too often, the protagonists get out-manouvered but win anyway because they have the strongest mistborn/lifeless army/duelist and can beat or intimidate everyone ibto place.

Now, the spying, theft and conwomanship in Shallan's chapters were what I liked, and I am interested in seeing how he will handle the great number of secret groups pulling strings through Roshar.

 

That's a good point I totally didn't think about. At the end of WoR Dalinar was already mentioning how it was already difficult to get the other countries to listen.

 

I can see where you're coming from, but what I like about it isn't the tactics used as those were far too simplistic, but the relationships between the various highprinces. All the bickering and the alliances were very entertaining to read.

 

I can't say I felt the same about Shallan's infiltration missions and the like, as I found them slightly too unrealistic and convenient for my liking, but I am definitely excited to see the plotting of all those organisations.

 

 

Brandon's structure doesn't allow for more than 3 main viewpoints per book and these are primarily restricted to Kaladin, Shallan, Dalinar in the first arc with incursions by Eshonai and Szeth. For the second arc, I suspect these will be primarily restricted to Jasnah, Lift and Renarin with incursions by Taln and Shalash, but this is pure speculation on my part. I don't actually know, but I think it will likely go this way: not much is known for the second arc.

 

This being said, Adolin can still become an Edgedancer, but his progression won't be followed as closely as Kaladin's or Shallan's (or anyone else for that matter). He is getting his own arc, but I suspect it will never be as developed as other characters and yes, I also suspect the Adolin's fans will be disappointed by it. This is pure speculation though: it could be Brandon will do wonders with those few POV, but I have my personal reserves. Too many has been left out of Adolin's arc in WoR due to him playing second fiddle to basically everyone, I have a hard time imagining it won't happen again.

 

It is very difficult to actually like Adolin: it is better to like Kaladin    Adolin is not a character many casual readers expected to see remaining on the side tracks, especially not after the events of WoR. Many readers expected him to have a strong arc involving dealing with the aftermath of Sadeas's death, many wanted to read it, but the outlay doesn't seem to allow it: no POV in Part 1. Not even one. It means our crew will find out about Sadeas's demise, but we won't get to read Adolin's thoughts, not until Part 2, at the earliest, but we could have to wait for Part 4. It implies the event will be used to fuel Dalinar's progression and not Adolin, just as the huge built up for the 4 on 1 duel ended being relevant to Kaladin and not the one supposed to be the main actor through them.

 

Taking on a supporting role into battles and simply dealing with everyone being Radiants will indeed be a sore disappointment when compared to what his arc could have been. Simply leading the soldiers will also be a disappointment as he is already doing it: no interest in seeing it become his arc. In fact, I'd argue it isn't an arc at all. If it is one, it is the least satisfying of them all, as all readers remember through the end climax is Kaladin fighting Szeth, nobody took note of the fact Adolin is actually the one who won the battle.

 

I will venture is saying Adolin's arc potentially is the one many readers will ultimately end up dissatisfied with because it won't be fully explored and not everyone will understand why. I have read all the WoB, the interviews, I do comprehend "the plan" and why it is there, but I still don't quite understand why. 

 

 

 

I am not sure this is done. Simply because they all came to Urithiru does not mean they are going to accept Dalinar the Bondsmith. 

 

 

Personally, as of now, the second arc's main characters don't exactly thrill me. Other than Jasnah, none of them stood out to me as people I'd particularly want to read more of.

 

Isn't that very unlikely, though, considering how all the known radiants so far have or will be given a main slot in the books? Adolin would be a very weird exception.

 

I never really thought of it in that way before (probably because Kaladin's probably my favourite character   ), but it is indeed kind of funny that we didn't get to see Adolin's reaction to having won that duel. Like, something that should have been a no-brainer should have been including a section of him being incredulous of the feat he had just accomplished, or one in which he faced his "friend" - Javalin I think? - or at the least showing the moment he was crowned champion and not just mentioning it like it was no big deal.

 

Well, to be fair, Adolin's role in the last fight was actually quite prevalent. That most readers remember the more cliched, typical Kaladin vs Szeth fight speaks more of what people appreciate than anything else really. Adolin led the charge against the parshendi/voidbringers, won his plateau by using his brain and defeated Eshonai, so his feats may be considered on par with what the other radiants accomplished in my eyes, if not better.

 

About the princedoms not accepting Dalinar, do they actually have a choice in the matter when they literally can't go anywhere without his permission and everything he said/done has been proven true? I'll be very surprised if he finds any opposition at all from the Alethi.

[DSC01 he/him]

Jakamav is Adolin's supposed friend.

 

Maxal, don't forget that Adolin doesn't need a POV to show up. He turns up in just about everyone's POVs. I think it actually is a wise decision to delay a POV from him. We'll still see him, hear him talk, probably get some, "Gee, Adolin is acting kind of funny," comments from the other characters. There will likely be an impact on his relationship with Shallan and maybe friction with some of the other characters. When we finally do get a POV and see what's going on inside of his head, there will be more for him to react to.