Mr T's not wrong

[Wreith he/him]

Hi all,

I come here frequently reading through the various theories. First time posting.

I had an idea about Taravangian that I haven't seen around.

First, I assume that his request to Nightwatcher was made like he quotes in WoR  "The capacity to stop what is coming. The capacity to save humankind"

Secondly, I'm a fan of the theory that this request could have been interpreted as two separate requests (not sure of an original theory source, but mentioned here https://www.reddit.com/r/Cosmere/comments/6338rr/sa_taravangians_capacity/). Not mentioned is the possibility that he might have two curses. I don't recall there being a limit of one boon/curse for the Old Magic. I don't necessarily think this theory will turn out to be true, and it's not necessary for my theory, but I like its possibility.

 

Finally, my addition to the discussion of Mr. T's plot:

What if he's mostly right, the diagram will work, defeat Odium, stop the voidbringers, but it will destroy all (most?) life on Roshar other than  "humankind". His solution will work, but it will only save humans.

It stands to reason that, as apparent slaves to Odium, the Listeners also need saving at the very least.

Then the various non-human and partial-human races and maybe even non-sentient life (if anything on Roshar can really be called that)

Also, of course, the spren.

 

It just seemed to me that the solution of the diagram may work but be incomplete and that the larger strife between the Diagram-ites and the Radiants when the big battle comes won't be who needs to win, but rather who needs to survive. Mr. T saving only humans, Radiants desiring to save everyone.

Edited September 20, 2017 by Wreith

[Modal Seoul he/him]

Oh. For a second I thought you were talking about

But I guess not. But welcome to the Shard!

[King Cole he/him]

2 minutes ago, Captains Domon said:

Oh. For a second I thought you were talking about

But I guess not. But welcome to the Shard!

Me too. Taravangian will always be Mr. T in my mind

Edited September 20, 2017 by King Cole

[Toaster Retribution he/him]

It is an interesting idea. This would mean that the spren, Listeners and Aimians all die (RIP Axies). 

While I do think that the Diagram might be human only, I doubt every single non-human individual would perish, as long as Odium still loses. 

[Wreith he/him]

That's true, as far as the war on Roshar is concerned, it would be unlikely that all non-humans would be lost.

That is unless it's bigger than I initially considered and the entire Roshar system is lost. After all, there are humans elsewhere in the Cosmere.

As long as Odium is permanently dealt with, humankind should survive.

[CaptainRyan he/him]

4 hours ago, Wreith said:

Not mentioned is the possibility that he might have two curses. I don't recall there being a limit of one boon/curse for the Old Magic.

At first, I instinctively disagreed with this statement but then I realized I could not quote anything that does say the Old Magic is limited to one visit. Huh. Weird. Welp, maybe someone else knows the source for this or, perhaps, I am just guilty of harboring a false assumption. 

Edit:

Welcome to the 17th Shard btw! Always great to have new people!

 

Btw, I think a mod will move this to the Stormlight Archive forum at some point.

Edited September 20, 2017 by CaptainRyan

[btcannon]

Welcome! Really interesting theory. I am excited to learn more about how the Nightwatcher works as more books are published.