TheDarkDesperado he/him Posted October 5, 2017 Posted October 5, 2017 (edited) The intervention of another Shard irrevocably changing the balance of power in the system. My theory is rooted in the knowledge that Odium is diminished somewhat making him weaker than other Shards, though he would be safe from Cultivation as her intent likely keeps her more passive another Shard would be able to defeat him. So that gives me 3 main variants of this idea, A) Odium is shattered and/or absorbed by another Shard between books 5 and 6 creating a new antagonist and changing the game entirely B.) Odium finally absorbs another Shard, prizing his survival over his purity, making the Champion plan likely unusable and likely necessitating intervention from outside forces C) Another Shard arrives in Roshar but doesn't immediately shatter and/or absorb Odium, likely being hostile to the native humans this could force a 3 way conflict and/or intervention from outside forces All of these are also founded on the idea of needed a significant status quo shift for the second arc and the Desolation of the first arc being over by then, it would also be likely that Hoid might try to engineer one of the above scenarios given his opposition to Odium and all could result in the destruction of life on Roshar which he's stated wouldn't deter him from his goal. I admit this is all a bit vague and wild but let me know what you think and if you agree which scenario is most likely or the one you would most like to see. edit: also please be forgiving of this topic, I haven't started one in a long time if ever. Edited October 5, 2017 by TheDarkDesperado 2
Yata he/him Posted October 5, 2017 Posted October 5, 2017 As Stormlight Archive have to be a standalone series the introduction of an unkwon Shard from nothing is unlikely. The Cosmere's knowledge needed to understand this as a whole without a Deus Ex Machina feel is too High for the target Reader. 3
Frostlander Posted October 5, 2017 Posted October 5, 2017 (edited) So, I have a feeling that one of the ways we’ll describe the front vs. the back five will be arcs for Honor and Cultivation. This series could be (on one very zoomed-out level) about the stories of two shards, their enemy, and their time in the Roshar system. I’m thinking this based on the Orders of the flashback characters for both halves, and the fact that we’ve learned a lot about Honor, but almost none of our main characters know much about Cultivation. Jasnah just thinks she’s a deity worshipped out in the west, and we'll presumably be learning a lot more about her, too. I think Honor’s arc will mostly run its course by the end of the 5th book. Some of our main characters will be dead or otherwise occupied, while others (Renarin, Jasnah, some of the Heralds, Lift) will playing bigger roles in the back 5. Several of these characters may have the potential to travel a bit more or see a bit more beyond just the planet Roshar, so any conflict with Odium’s champion will likely widen the scope. Plus, if he’s actually lured out or escapes, we may see some of the mythological planets that Rosharans talk about, Braize, the Tranquiline Halls. Because this isn’t Dragonsteel or Mistborn Sci-Fi, I’m hesitant to bring in too many shards or planets. I’m not sure that Brandon wants to have that much crossover, even in the back 5. I’m actually curious about the possibility that Odium might be “picked up” by one of our characters. It might be that Rayse is the big casualty. That would give us a change in antagonist, a bigger scope, and a potential cliffhanger. So, I think shard-wise, we’ll mostly be looking at Odium, Cultivation, and Honor’s legacy. Shardholders might be a different story. It’s also possible that, much like the conflict with the Parshfolk, we are totally misunderstanding all of this right now. Brandon has managed to believably lay the foundation for huge changes in our perception of events in just a little over two books. I think we’ll have a better idea of the general trajectory of the first five based on Oathbringer. What he’ll give us in Part 5 of the 5th book that will change the entire series, I have no idea. Edited October 5, 2017 by Frostlander clarification 2
Salkara Posted October 5, 2017 Posted October 5, 2017 I think it's more likely that Odium is planned as the big bad for this series rather that the whole Cosmere, so having him be damaged makes it so humanity actually had a shot at winning. A fully-powered, undamaged Odium would require some sort of divine intervention, but I don't think this series is going to take a "humans were saved by a divine being" path. Rather, I think it's going to take a "find redemption in the hearts of men" path.
Nix Posted October 5, 2017 Posted October 5, 2017 (edited) 10 hours ago, Salkara said: I think it's more likely that Odium is planned as the big bad for this series rather that the whole Cosmere, so having him be damaged makes it so humanity actually had a shot at winning. A fully-powered, undamaged Odium would require some sort of divine intervention, but I don't think this series is going to take a "humans were saved by a divine being" path. Rather, I think it's going to take a "find redemption in the hearts of men" path. Unlikely, as there is some indication that in Bands of Mourning that Spoiler Odium is threatening Scadrial. Or, at the very least, we have WoB indications that Odium is afraid of Harmony. There seems to be likely future interaction there. Furthermore, the point of Odium's champion being challenged seems to indicate that there would be some benefit for him avoiding further direct conflict with Roshar (and possibly Cultivation). Namely, winning might somehow allow him to break Honor's binding so that he can escape the Roshar system, which is definitely a long term goal for him. 16 hours ago, Yata said: As Stormlight Archive have to be a standalone series the introduction of an unkwon Shard from nothing is unlikely. The Cosmere's knowledge needed to understand this as a whole without a Deus Ex Machina feel is too High for the target Reader. I agree for the most part. Though I don't think it's impossible. With three existing shards, the Greater Roshar system has so much clout that it's possible that it's a growing nexus of shardic activity. I think the most likely option is that Odium leaves though. Edited October 5, 2017 by Nix superfluous language
Salkara Posted October 5, 2017 Posted October 5, 2017 (edited) 25 minutes ago, Nix said: Unlikely, as there is some indication that in Bands of Mourning that Reveal hidden contents Odium is threatening Scadrial. Or, at the very least, we have WoB indications that Odium is afraid of Harmony. There seems to be likely future interaction there. Spoiler Afaik, we don't have confirmation that Odium was the opposing Shard. Unless it's been debunked by a WoB I haven't seen, there was a lot of support for the idea that Autonomy could be behind the events in BoM. 25 minutes ago, Nix said: Furthermore, the point of Odium's champion being challenged seems to indicate that there would be some benefit for him avoiding further direct conflict with Roshar (and possibly Cultivation). Namely, winning might somehow allow him to break Honor's binding so that he can escape the Roshar system, which is definitely a long term goal for him. I think that's in direct conflict with what the Stormfather said in OB ch. 16 (emphasis mine): Quote To pick a champion, then lose, will only cost him time. He has that in plenitude. He still will not agree easily, but it is possible he will agree. If presented with the option in the right moment, the right way. Then he will be bound. “And we win…” Time, the Stormfather said. Which, though dross to him, is the most valuable thing a man can have. The SF is saying that beating Odium's champion only buys humanity more time, nothing else. Edited October 5, 2017 by Salkara
Nix Posted October 5, 2017 Posted October 5, 2017 12 minutes ago, Salkara said: The SF is saying that beating Odium's champion only buys humanity more time, nothing else Time, perhaps, but Odium is also concerned about a direct confrontation and I can't imagine he is happy about being Trapped on Roshar. From the sentence prior: Quote To fight directly might coax out forces that could hurt him, as he has been hurt before. Those scars do not heal. Being able to leave would give him more options. Plus, I know there's some speculation that Spoiler Trell could be more than one entity and that Autonomy and Odium could be working together. After all, Sazed seemed really concerned, which might indicate that the threat is greater than one shard could offer, That said, knowing Brandon, it could go all sorts of ways.
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