[OB] And the Oathblade goes to...

[1stBondsmith he/him]

Adolin!

We know Dalinar is hesitant to take it for himself.

We know he sees its usefulness.

We know that it won't stay with Kaladin, because he is a Windrunner already, and two powered up allies are better than one.

Stormfather said it granted more power/knowledge that Dalinar would hesitate to think himself worthy of.

It must be in the hands of a close and trusted ally.

It is undoubtedly best used by someone who would be eligible to be a champion in fighting, (see coming conflict with Odium's champion).

Renarin, and Jasnah are also powered up, so probably not them.

It is the choice that yelled out during the chapter he spent staring at the blade and talking to the Stormfather, and his remonstration of himself during the sparring chapter about being older, and "why was he trying to fight a young man's battle". 

Dalinar has the Bondsmith role with the knights and a new title of King of Urithiru. Can he be flying off to handle things himself, or does he need to be at central command?

You could not leave such a power unused with the threats being levied on them. Someone must take up the sword and learn the powers.

I don't think this is proof, but it is decidedly the type of foreshadowing Sanderson plants. Besides, who wouldn't think that the Kolin heir is the best choice? It should be so.

[Salkara]

3 minutes ago, 1stBondsmith said:

Adolin!

We know Dalinar is hesitant to take it for himself.

We know he sees its usefulness.

We know that it won't stay with Kaladin, because he is a Windrunner already, and two powered up allies are better than one.

Stormfather said it granted more power/knowledge that Dalinar would hesitate to think himself worthy of.

It must be in the hands of a close and trusted ally.

It is undoubtedly best used by someone who would be eligible to be a champion in fighting, (see coming conflict with Odium's champion).

Renarin, and Jasnah are also powered up, so probably not them.

It is the choice that yelled out during the chapter he spent staring at the blade and talking to the Stormfather, and his remonstration of himself during the sparring chapter about being older, and "why was he trying to fight a young man's battle". 

Dalinar has the Bondsmith role with the knights and a new title of King of Urithiru. Can he be flying off to handle things himself, or does he need to be at central command?

You could not leave such a power unused with the threats being levied on them. Someone must take up the sword and learn the powers.

I don't think this is proof, but it is decidedly the type of foreshadowing Sanderson plants. Besides, who wouldn't think that the Kolin heir is the best choice? It should be so.

But Adolin is currently involved in a very important investigation. Also, he's no longer the Kholin heir. He's the Kholin highprince.

My guess is a different Kholin who is currently twiddling his thumbs but has expressed interest in heading to Kholinar: Elhokar.

[Shadowfax]

I've been trying to think of what would make an interesting story and think it would be fitting for Dalinar to press an honorblade into Kadash's hands. Doubt it would happen, but it would be great to read. I also wouldn't mind seeing it given to Zahel and seeing him react to having yet another sword to deal with, but again, doubt it will happen. 

 

But I also don't think Adolin will end up with it. It just doesn't fit where his story is right now, but I guess it depends on where his story ends up going.

[StormingTexan he/him]

I feel like it is going to come up missing before he has a chance to give it to anyone. Too much talk about how well it was hidden and for Stormfather cant watch over it. 

[Aleksiel]

2 minutes ago, StormingTexan said:

I feel like it is going to come up missing before he has a chance to give it to anyone. Too much talk about how well it was hidden and for Stormfather cant watch over it. 

If someone's dinner goes missing, too, we'll know who's the culprit 

[Shadowfax]

2 minutes ago, StormingTexan said:

I feel like it is going to come up missing before he has a chance to give it to anyone. Too much talk about how well it was hidden and for Stormfather cant watch over it. 

I can't disagree with this. The loss of the blade is just looming over the story. I just also don't want to believe it cause I'd REALLY like to see it used. lol

[StormingTexan he/him]

Just now, Aleksiel said:

If someone's dinner goes missing, too, we'll know who's the culprit 

Only thing better than that would be for a certain person to "trade" for it. Maybe a nice leaf or bottle cork.

[Salkara]

8 minutes ago, Shadowfax said:

I can't disagree with this. The loss of the blade is just looming over the story. I just also don't want to believe it cause I'd REALLY like to see it used. lol

I'm guessing it will be used, but it's going to have to be stolen and recovered first.

[Shadowfax]

Just now, Salkara said:

I'm guessing it will be used, but it's going to have to be stolen and recovered first.

I would be totally okay with this, I just hope it doesn't get used by the wrong person. By wrong person, I mean I want it nowhere near Taravangian or his Diagrammers lol 

 

And now great.. I have this awful suspicion that may very be were it ends up <sigh>

[Salkara]

Just now, Shadowfax said:

I would be totally okay with this, I just hope it doesn't get used by the wrong person. By wrong person, I mean I want it nowhere near Taravangian or his Diagrammers lol 

 

And now great.. I have this awful suspicion that may very be were it ends up <sigh>

Well, they do know about it, but apparently the Shin Shamanate also know about it and have some ability to locate it (Spiritual Fortune anyone?). I'm holding out hope for a showdown between Dalinar & co, Mr. T, and the Shamanate.

[hypatia she/her]

Another party on the search for Honorblades is the one, who "traded" the Honorblond of the man who calls himself Taln with an ordinary Shardblade.

Perhaps even a Herald -Jezrien- is possible, if he stops drooling.

On the other hand - a toilet is such a ridicolous idea it's nearly brilliant, who would look there for something "holy"?

[Wreith he/him]

16 minutes ago, Salkara said:

Well, they do know about it, but apparently the Shin Shamanate also know about it and have some ability to locate it (Spiritual Fortune anyone?). I'm holding out hope for a showdown between Dalinar & co, Mr. T, and the Shamanate.

This was my thought. I think Shin are going to come looking for it.

[Shadowfax]

17 minutes ago, Salkara said:

Well, they do know about it, but apparently the Shin Shamanate also know about it and have some ability to locate it (Spiritual Fortune anyone?). I'm holding out hope for a showdown between Dalinar & co, Mr. T, and the Shamanate.

Now that would be interesting to read. I do keep forgetting the Stone Shamans, but you're right. Szeth believed they'd come for the sword, so I don't see why they wouldn't. 

[Guest]

Everything hints towards the Honorblade being given to Elhokar. Or it being stolen. I really do not see the rational for Dalinar giving it to Adolin.

[Pattern he/him]

Just now, Shadowfax said:

Szeth believed they'd come for the sword, so I don't see why they wouldn't. 

Really, you don't see Szeth taking revenge with the Stone Shamans, carrying our well liked cheery Nightblood? I think they will have to take care of their own wellbeing for a while.

[Shadowfax]

Just now, Pattern said:

Really, you don't see Szeth taking revenge with the Stone Shamans, carrying our well liked cheery Nightblood? I think they will have to take care of their own wellbeing for a while.

I think he will go for them. The question is: Will ALL the Stone Shamans be in the same place. If only 1 or a few are sent after the blade, but he begins in Shinovar, we can have both Szeth's revenge AND the Shamate fighting to retain the honorblade from Dalinar/et al.

[Wreith he/him]

3 minutes ago, Pattern said:

Really, you don't see Szeth taking revenge with the Stone Shamans, carrying our well liked cheery Nightblood? I think they will have to take care of their own wellbeing for a while.

I think, as an aspiring Skybreaker, Szeth has no higher authority to appeal to in Shinovar than the Shamans, and thus wouldn't have legal grounds to attack them on his own volition. I think his new oaths may prevent the vengeance we've been expecting

Edited October 4, 2017 by Wreith

[Pattern he/him]

5 minutes ago, Wreith said:

I thik his new oaths may prevent the vengeance we've been expecting

Which new oaths? Szeth has not bonded a spren so far. He "only" carries Nightblood. Nalan may not have chosen wisely, but that is not surprising at all.

5 minutes ago, Shadowfax said:

I think he will go for them. The question is: Will ALL the Stone Shamans be in the same place. If only 1 or a few are sent after the blade, but he begins in Shinovar, we can have both Szeth's revenge AND the Shamate fighting to retain the honorblade from Dalinar/et al.

This is a possibility. They have to hurry, though ;-)

Edited October 4, 2017 by Pattern

[Shadowfax]

1 minute ago, Wreith said:

I think, as an aspiring Skybreaker, Szeth has no higher authority to appeal to in Shinovar than the Shamans, and thus wouldn't have legal grounds to attack them on his own volition. I think his new oaths may prevent the vengeance we've been expecting

Is he an aspiring Skybreaker though? We know Nale picked him up, and we know he wants him to join, but it'd be up to a spren to decide and I can't recall anything in text that would support that he is in fact becoming one. Until he starts on the path with a spren, I think he's going to be more influenced by Nightblood than any Skybreaker oaths.

[Wreith he/him]

1 minute ago, Pattern said:

Which new oaths? Szeth has not bonded a spren so far. He "only" carries Nightblood. Nalan may not have chosen wisely, but that is not surprising at all.

He hasn't actually spoken oaths that we know of. I meant more his new seeming loyalty to Nale.

poor choice of words, sorry

[1stBondsmith he/him]

Last time Dalinar felt he might be losing it, he abdicated to Adolin. He said Adolin was ready. His loyalty is unassailable. The only thing I think could keep him from choosing Adolin would be some intrigue with finding out late that Adolin killed Sadeas. Some legal challenge might stop him;but if he does not find out, then it is Proving Day for his eldest son.

[Guest]

59 minutes ago, 1stBondsmith said:

Last time Dalinar felt he might be losing it, he abdicated to Adolin. He said Adolin was ready. His loyalty is unassailable. The only thing I think could keep him from choosing Adolin would be some intrigue with finding out late that Adolin killed Sadeas. Some legal challenge might stop him;but if he does not find out, then it is Proving Day for his eldest son.

Dalinar never gave an advantage to Adolin. He has no guilt towards Adolin, not feelings which prompts him to over-compensate, but he does so with Elhokar. Giving the princedom to Adolin isn't the same as giving him a Honorblade: the princedom is not a toy, not an advantage, not nothing, it merely is additional responsibilities Adolin do not even want.

Giving the Honorblade to Elhokar is giving him the means to become a hero and thus mitigate how bad he feels towards both him and Gavilar. 

[Subvisual Haze]

1 hour ago, Pattern said:

Really, you don't see Szeth taking revenge with the Stone Shamans, carrying our well liked cheery Nightblood? I think they will have to take care of their own wellbeing for a while.

We only saw him briefly in Edgedancer, but that's not at all how I saw Szeth's new character.  He seemed very introspective and questioning of his place in the world, but not harboring any demonstrative murderous intent.  He didn't even seem to have fully bought into the Skybreaker pitch yet, he openly questioned Nale at one point.

[Pattern he/him]

6 hours ago, Subvisual Haze said:

He seemed very introspective and questioning of his place in the world,

This is nothing new. Szeth always was very introspective but he also always bowed to tradition and Shin law as being Truthless. So for years he had to kill people against his will and conscience, all because a false verdict of the Stone Shamans. That Szeth openly questions the unhinged Nalan in Edgedancer is only a small progress for him, not at all indicating he does not seek revenge anymore. He only hesitates in following someone blindly. Szeth will try not to come into a situation where he has to kill against his conscience again, This does not make him a forgiving person or even a pacifist. He has a long open tab with the Stone Shamans.

In WoR, Nalan even encourages Szeth to bring judgement to the Stone Shamans, that is the main reason he gives him Nightblood. It is meant to face the enemies with Shards and powers.

What is to be seen is how Szeth reacts to Nalan's change of attitude at the end of Edgedancer. Perhaps the "new" Nalan will have a calming influence on him. The old Nalan openly offered training to Szeth, to accomplish his new task (that is bringing judgement to the Stone Shamans (bringing judgement = killing for old Nalan).

Edit:

Oh, and the Honorblade goes to...Elhokar, if it is not stolen first. Reasons given by @maxal.

Edited October 5, 2017 by Pattern

[aemetha he/him]

Perhaps Szeth spending time with the Skybreakers is less about foreshadowing his becoming a Skybreaker, and more about his character learning from the experience and developing to be someone who decides his personal code is more important than laws that arbitrarily punish and can be deliberately misinterpreted. Perhaps Szeth is meant to be a Willshaper?