+eveorjoy she/her Posted January 29, 2014 Author Posted January 29, 2014 (edited) Keep in mind the theory is not that Hoid has Nightblood but that he has an awakened sword like Nightblood. (I want to say there is a WoB that disproves Hoid's sword being Nightblood, but I'm not finding it so...) I've heard that too, but of the sake of simplicity of describing the scene it was easier to call the sword "Nightblood" in my post. But you are correct. I hope that Hoid says what the sword is named so more confusion will be avoided. @Speaker4thDead-- (love the name) I doubt Kaladin will die unless Brandon makes some serious changes in the series. Authors who know what they are doing do not kill off characters just for shock value. Speaking as an amateur writer who has attempted to write a main character's death into her story and had it blow up in her face, doing it the wrong way kills the overall story. For example (A spoiler for A Game of Thrones coming up) when Ned Stark died in the first book of The Song of Ice and Fire series he was already effectively gone from the story and all the other characters had taken over. Even though Ned had started as a focal character, his arc ended long before he was beheaded and his death served the story overall as catalyst for the other characters. Kaladin's death at this point would harm the overall story. Alive he inspires, Bridge Four. Dead they would fall apart and there would be no story from them anymore. Currently there are no Surgebinders among them other than Kaladin, and Surgebinders seem to be the focus of this series. His death also wouldn't be a catalyst for any of the other main characters. Dalinar likes Kaladin and he would be sad to see him die, but his death would not affect him like Adolin's or Navani's. Adolin would be glad to see him gone. Shallan and Jasnah don't even know he exists. So his death would serve no purpose to the other characters. Also, if Syl is right, he is the only person on Roshar to attract an Honor spren and therefore the only true potential KR Windrunner. I think that order led the rest so Roshar needs at least one. Does that mean Kaladin will always be safe? No. Another Honor spren could show up and bond with another Windrunner. Another one of Bridgemen could become a more of a focal character. Kaladin could develop and meaningful relationship with one of the other main characters making his death mean something to the story. However, just from the excerpts of WoR already out there, I do not believe the story is moving in this direction, at least in this coming book. I'm not saying this because I love Kaladin. I do, but if his death served the story I'd have no problem with it. It's just right now his death would damage the story overall. Edited January 29, 2014 by eveorjoy 2
Lorna Posted February 1, 2014 Posted February 1, 2014 (edited) I'm hoping it's Sadeas who tries to attack Hoid. That would be a fun scene to see. Sadeas gleefully summoning Oathbringer, planning to finally do Wit in. As the Shardblade comes close to Hoid, he blocks it with Nightblood. The look on Sadeas face would be priceless. Miyabi, on 25 Sept 2013 - 4:14 PM, said: When I asked this of Brandon he got really excited and said it was a good question, but it wasn't Nightblood.This leads me to think it's a different Awakened sword. Ooo... an awakened Shardblade. So Adolin talks to his for a reason... Edit to add Quote Edited February 1, 2014 by Lorna 1
Entyti he/him Posted February 1, 2014 Posted February 1, 2014 I'm going to predict that Kaladin or someone in the main cast will discover Szeth is a puppet for the holder of his oathstone. They then will acquire it, and either use it to control Szeth or destroy it and free him (unclear if this is even how this works, but that's the fun with predictions!). No longer being a puppet, he will join the cause while trying to find redemption for the tragedy he has caused. I am hoping for this outcome, because I love it when evil characters switch sides. They always tend to be the most interesting perspectives.
+eveorjoy she/her Posted February 1, 2014 Author Posted February 1, 2014 I'm going to predict that Kaladin or someone in the main cast will discover Szeth is a puppet for the holder of his oathstone. They then will acquire it, and either use it to control Szeth or destroy it and free him (unclear if this is even how this works, but that's the fun with predictions!). No longer being a puppet, he will join the cause while trying to find redemption for the tragedy he has caused. I am hoping for this outcome, because I love it when evil characters switch sides. They always tend to be the most interesting perspectives. Even if they learn about the Oathstone, how will that get it if it is hundreds of miles away? I guess if they somehow capture Szeth alive they might try to get the stone, but not in book 2. Still, that would mean Szeth survived WoR, which was my original question.
Entyti he/him Posted February 1, 2014 Posted February 1, 2014 Even if they learn about the Oathstone, how will that get it if it is hundreds of miles away? I guess if they somehow capture Szeth alive they might try to get the stone, but not in book 2. Still, that would mean Szeth survived WoR, which was my original question. Well, I'm not going to count anything out at this point. Kaladin might learn to fly. We might find someone with the ability of Transportation. Heck, Taravangian might lose the Oathstone, or circumstances might bring him to the Shattered Plains. Or it could be a plot point reserved for book 3. Either way, my hope is that Szeth lives, and that he gets a shot at redemption. His PoV has shown to me that he does not like what he is or what he does. He is a slave to the possessor of his Oathstone, and I want to see what he does when allowed to make his own choices.
Moogle Posted February 1, 2014 Posted February 1, 2014 I'm curious. If Szeth were captured, would he reveal his master was Taravangian?
Duskshard he/him Posted February 1, 2014 Posted February 1, 2014 I'm curious. If Szeth were captured, would he reveal his master was Taravangian? Hmm... I don't know. One the one hand he told Gavilar that his master were the Parshendi, but on the other he was dieing at the time. He's only forbidden two things, 1)To take his own life, and 2) To give away his shard. If I'm remembering that correctly. So I would say that unless he's been specifically forbidden from revealing who his master is, then he could if he so chose. 1
Lorna Posted February 1, 2014 Posted February 1, 2014 I'm curious. If Szeth were captured, would he reveal his master was Taravangian? not if his master instructed him not to.
Moogle Posted February 1, 2014 Posted February 1, 2014 (edited) not if his master instructed him not to. Well yes, the question should have been "Did Taravangian instruct him not to?" since everyone knows how his oathstone works. Edited February 1, 2014 by Moogle
Everstorm Posted February 1, 2014 Posted February 1, 2014 I think Szeth has to die. Syl has shown a repulsion to Shardblades, and Kaladin has get an infused weapon ultimately if he needs to fight the Voidbringers. I imagine that if normal swords and spears could do the job, there wouldn't have been a need for special weapons. So if not a Shardblade, then the only other option he has (being a Windrunner) is Jezrien's Honorblade, which seems to be in Szeth's possession. (This could all be wrong if the Spren ->Shardblades theory is correct, but I would hate it if Syl became just a sword, even if it's a talking sword )
+eveorjoy she/her Posted February 1, 2014 Author Posted February 1, 2014 As much as Kaladin loves the spear, could he ever get rid of it? Why must Kaladin have a blade of some kind?
lummi he/him Posted February 2, 2014 Posted February 2, 2014 As much as Kaladin loves the spear, could he ever get rid of it? Why must Kaladin have a blade of some kind? Well i don't think a spear would be effective against voidbringers that are made out of rock .
+eveorjoy she/her Posted February 2, 2014 Author Posted February 2, 2014 There has been talk of a shardspear. He might receive a blade eventually, but something is wrong with the current blades, even the one Szeth carries. I guess we will see. He doesn't need it now though. The Listeners aren't made out of rock, neither are his human enemies.
Bremen Posted February 2, 2014 Posted February 2, 2014 There has been talk of a shardspear. He might receive a blade eventually, but something is wrong with the current blades, even the one Szeth carries. I guess we will see. He doesn't need it now though. The Listeners aren't made out of rock, neither are his human enemies. Why do you say that?
+eveorjoy she/her Posted February 2, 2014 Author Posted February 2, 2014 Why do you say that? Both Syl and Kaladin get bad vibes from shardblades. It may mean nothing or it might be an important clue. And, my memory could be wrong, but Brandon said somewhere that he originally wrote Kaladin making the right decision and then realized it would be better if Kaladin appeared to make the wrong decision and it destroyed his life, then later finds out it was the best decision after all. Maybe it's nothing but as Syl says in TWoKs page 981 It just feels wrong to me.
Bremen Posted February 2, 2014 Posted February 2, 2014 (edited) Right, but you added the bit "even the one Szeth carries", given most people think it's an honorblade, I wondered why you thought there had to be something wrong with it as well, since all the quotes about something being wrong deal with normal shardblades as far as we know. Edited February 2, 2014 by Bremen
+eveorjoy she/her Posted February 2, 2014 Author Posted February 2, 2014 Right, but you added the bit "even the one Szeth carries", given most people think it's an honorblade, I wondered why you thought there had to be something wrong with it as well, since all the quotes about something being wrong deal with normal shardblades as far as we know. It has not been confirmed, but I agree it is likely that Szeth's blade is an honorblade. Szeth has said it was from Damnation, but that could be his anger at what he does with the blade. Maybe Syl won't have issues with an honorblade but of course this leads to another issue. Kaladin doesn't know how to wield a sword. Despite what Hollywood and some fantasy book lead you to believe, it takes years to learn the proper skills for a sword. Kaladin wielding spear has been described as beautiful and he loves it. Something seems wrong about Kaladin holding any weapon other than a spear. Now, for utilitarian reasons, he might need to take up a blade as a KR because that would be the only way to fight the stone Voidbringers. However, I'd want him to get that sword the same way the KR did. Consider this, when the KR let go of their weapons it did something to those weapons. This might be true of the discarded honorblade as well. Besides Kaladin wouldn't be able to keep the blade. TWoKs page 448 Interlude 6 "A Work of Art." He was required to carry the Blade until his death, after which Shin Stone Shamans would recover it from whomever had killed him.
QuantumHarmonix he/him Posted February 2, 2014 Posted February 2, 2014 I just thought of a way Szeth might survive. We suspect that Kaladin is better able to hold onto stormlight, so what if he fights long enough to exhaust Szeth's suply? The only problem I see is the shardblade, it seems Kaladin would need something to stand up to a shard. I suppose he could borrow a blade, but what do you think the chances are that he will get his own blade before Szeth shows up?
Duskshard he/him Posted February 2, 2014 Posted February 2, 2014 Don't forget that Kaladin has fought and killed an opponent with a Shardblade already using only a spear, and that was before even beginning to learn about his abilities.
QuantumHarmonix he/him Posted February 2, 2014 Posted February 2, 2014 Don't forget that Kaladin has fought and killed an opponent with a Shardblade already using only a spear, and that was before even beginning to learn about his abilities. True, but I don't think any of Kaladin's weapons survived the fight and that shardbearer wasn't trying to kill him. Without a shard of his own Kaladin will have to stay out of melee range and use lashings to attack. But Szeth is pretty skilled with lashings as well, so I don't see that being terribly effective. But I suppose he could stay out of range until Szeth is out of stormlight, then lash him to the ground.
Delightful Posted February 2, 2014 Posted February 2, 2014 I'm going to predict that Kaladin or someone in the main cast will discover Szeth is a puppet for the holder of his oathstone. They then will acquire it, and either use it to control Szeth or destroy it and free him (unclear if this is even how this works, but that's the fun with predictions!). No longer being a puppet, he will join the cause while trying to find redemption for the tragedy he has caused. I am hoping for this outcome, because I love it when evil characters switch sides. They always tend to be the most interesting perspectives. You know, I Szeth is so much a total obedient slave to the holder of his Oathstone that I actually cannot imagine him having the free will to do something. What would he even do? What does he know how to do aside from killing and manual labour? It's almost too weird to think about. But I do feel really bad for him, so regardless I want to see some redemption happening before he dies, no matter which book that's in.
+eveorjoy she/her Posted February 2, 2014 Author Posted February 2, 2014 I just thought of a way Szeth might survive. We suspect that Kaladin is better able to hold onto stormlight, so what if he fights long enough to exhaust Szeth's suply? The only problem I see is the shardblade, it seems Kaladin would need something to stand up to a shard. I suppose he could borrow a blade, but what do you think the chances are that he will get his own blade before Szeth shows up? One of those half shard shields could arrive in Dalinar's camp before Szeth. Then at least Kaladin would have a shield against the shardblade. Besides having a blade and knowing how to use it are two very different things. As much as I dislike what Amaram did he was correct when he said that because he knew how to use a sword he could be skilled with a shardblade. Kaladin has never held a sword in his life. He doesn't have time to learn how to use one before Szeth gets there.
Moogle Posted February 2, 2014 Posted February 2, 2014 I just thought of a way Szeth might survive. We suspect that Kaladin is better able to hold onto stormlight, so what if he fights long enough to exhaust Szeth's suply? The only problem I see is the shardblade, it seems Kaladin would need something to stand up to a shard. I suppose he could borrow a blade, but what do you think the chances are that he will get his own blade before Szeth shows up? How do you think Kaladin can manage to draw the fight out for more than a few seconds? Szeth can move as fast as he wants with Basic Lashings, something Kaladin can't match. I really can't see Szeth running out during the fight. I could see Kaladin stealing all the Stormlight and leaving Szeth none, though.
QuantumHarmonix he/him Posted February 2, 2014 Posted February 2, 2014 How do you think Kaladin can manage to draw the fight out for more than a few seconds? Szeth can move as fast as he wants with Basic Lashings, something Kaladin can't match. I really can't see Szeth running out during the fight. I could see Kaladin stealing all the Stormlight and leaving Szeth none, though. If they have the same power set, why can't Kaladin match Szeth's basic lashings? I think they will be roughly equal in using surgebindings by the time Szeth shows up, which would mean that the one that has the most stormlight wins.
Moogle Posted February 3, 2014 Posted February 3, 2014 If they have the same power set, why can't Kaladin match Szeth's basic lashings? I think they will be roughly equal in using surgebindings by the time Szeth shows up, which would mean that the one that has the most stormlight wins. Kaladin doesn't have any idea that he can use Basic Lashings, which is a huge advantage for Szeth. Even if Kaladin learns about Basic Lashings, there's no way he can get good enough to match Szeth in the short time before Szeth assassinates Dalinar. Learning to fight while being able to change your orientation seems like the sort of thing that takes a ridiculous amount of practice.
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