Smitty24 Posted March 30, 2017 Posted March 30, 2017 I'm going to preface this by apologizing if this topic has been discussed before. I don't have a ton of time to read through all of the 17th Shard Forum so if it has been previously discussed, please direct me to the proper page (thanks in advance). I've been re-reading through Edgedancer and a thought occurred to me... Lift's ability to metabolize food into Stormlight seems oddly similar to Misting's and Mistborn's abilities to do the same with metal on Scadrial. We obviously know Worldhopping is possible and that all powers in the Cosmere are linked together somehow, but I still don't believe we have a clear idea about how powers translate from one world to the next. Of the worldhoppers that I'm aware of, none have shown their powers on more than one planet. Some haven't even shown their powers at all (other than the ability to worldhop). So, is it possible (or even probable) that Lift is originally from Scadrial, born with the powers of a Misting/Mistborn? It would explain why she needs to ingest something in order to gain Stormlight (I think metal would be a poison to anyone not on Scadrial which would explain why she needs food and not metal for Stormlight). We know almost nothing about Lift's past and where some comes from. If any of this is true, I'd also believe she was brought to Roshar at a very young age (before she realized she had Misting/Mistborn powers on Scadrial). This could explain why she's never had thoughts about worldhopping or another planet. My only question then would be, who brought her and why? I don't believe Lift would have worldhopped herself (otherwise I think that ability would have at least been hinted at by now). So what do you think? Does my theory hold any weight? Am I crazy for not thinking that Lift is originally from Roshar? Is there something in the text that I have missed which would point me to an answer? (I'm only on chapter 4 of my re-read and I don't remember all the details from my first time through). Curious to know your thoughts! 2
Pagerunner he/him Posted March 30, 2017 Posted March 30, 2017 So, Lift's abilities are from the Old Magic; they're something unique to her, based on what she asked for. We've actually seen Hoid use Allomancy on Roshar (pay very close attention through Shallan's flashbacks), so it looks like a Mistborn on Roshar would function normally, without any weird side effects. Allomancers wouldn't be powered by Stormlight; they'd still be powered by the metal forming a path to Preservation, to draw power to accomplish Allomancy. 1
kenod Posted March 30, 2017 Posted March 30, 2017 (edited) I think it would be unlikely, as nobody ever notes her looking different from other Rosharans. If someone had brought her, than they would also have had access to some form of magic that can change a person's appearance. While this is possible with illusions, I think that the larkin eating her stormlight would have also gotten rid of it. this would mean that someone used a form of magic on her that can permanently change appearances, and the only think we know that can do that is Dakhor. If she is in some way connected to worldhopping, I think it would be one of her parents. Also, Allomancy on different planets would still work as it would on Scandrial. Edit: ninja'd, kind of Edited March 30, 2017 by kenod
Oversleep Posted March 30, 2017 Posted March 30, 2017 14 minutes ago, Smitty24 said: I still don't believe we have a clear idea about how powers translate from one world to the next That's the fundamentall flaw in your train of thought. There is no such thing as conversion or translation of magic between the worlds. If you're an Allomancer, you burn metal wherever you are. If you have Breath and worldhop to Roshar, Breaths do not change into Stormlight.
Spoolofwhool Posted March 30, 2017 Posted March 30, 2017 Scadrians are just as vulnerable to metal poisoning as everyone else. It just usually doesn't occur on allomancers because they burn the metals first.
Smitty24 Posted March 30, 2017 Author Posted March 30, 2017 You all bring up very good points. I feel dumb now... But then again, that's why I posted this question in the first place. Pagerunner, I'm glad you posted that link to the Q & A... Some very interesting stuff (not just involving Lift) in there. And now I need to go re-read those Shallan flashbacks again. Thanks again!!!
Pagerunner he/him Posted March 30, 2017 Posted March 30, 2017 20 minutes ago, Smitty24 said: You all bring up very good points. I feel dumb now... But then again, that's why I posted this question in the first place. Pagerunner, I'm glad you posted that link to the Q & A... Some very interesting stuff (not just involving Lift) in there. And now I need to go re-read those Shallan flashbacks again. Thanks again!!! Hey, there are no dumb questions. Only dumb people, sorry, I meant to say we all have to start somewhere.
Caesura27 Posted April 18, 2017 Posted April 18, 2017 (edited) Not sure if anyone has brought this up yet, but I remember reading something that Brandon wrote in someones book. It was something like "Stormlight makes plants grow." There might be something there with the energy cycle passing down stormlight through consumption and Lyft's boon or whatever it was allowed her to tap into the ambient stormlight in food that was originally absorbed by plants. I'll look for the exact quote, but I'm pretty sure this is what is going on. Q: For Words of Radiance, could you put a comment about something in the upcoming books, nothing specific, just something I can think about? Something like "Renarin has a spren" you wrote for somebody else in The Way of Kings? A: [brandon wrote]"Stormlight makes plants grow." Edited April 18, 2017 by Caesura27 Added original Brandon quote
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