[OB] Skybreakers Fifth ideal

[Degamound]

Quote

"The Ideal of Law," Ki said. "It is difficult. You must become law, become truth. As I said, it has been centuries since that was achieved."

This is the fifth and final ideal for the Skybreakers, Szeth even points out how contradictory this ideal is from the previous ideals specifically the second and third ideal. This ideal is thrice mentioned as problematic in short succession, Ki mentions how long its been since its one has achieved the final ideal and that this is not a oath that the Skybreakers are expected to swear and then we have Szeths word as well. 

So what does the fifth ideal mean, well i think the fifth ideal is meant to take away the nationality of the law and by doing this the Skybreakers have to be an attribute of the law greater then men and nations. The reason i think this is because laws of individual nations differ from one another and since the Radiants are supposed to be able to go to any nation the Skybreakers would have to be completely up to date on each and every nations laws. This is where i think the fifth ideal has to comes in the laws of men cant stop true justice.

If the law isn't made or up to date the skybreaker of the fifth might have to be that law and consequences or if the countries penalties are to heavy the skybreakers who are just might have stepped in against this mistreatment of justice; in Hoids story of the Wandersail we see and example of a leader who methods are too extreme  

Nale is the only "skybreaker" that represents the fifth ideal and Szeth calls out Nale and the fifth law again by proxy. Nale admits the damage his mind has taken, the lack of mercy which he used to have. I think this was to show us that Nale is of the fifth and that he has broken this ideal for how can one represent the law, justice itself  if one has no mercy or is lacking in just, his main attribute. Nale uses extreme methods for all the budding Radiants he searches for their crime and carries out the sentence to the extreme regardless of the crime, example. Lift shes a thief but hardly deserves to be cut down. 

[Aleksiel]

I don't think it contradicts the previous ideals, despite what Szeth said. The first specific one SB have is to follow the law above all else, so how can you break that by becoming the law? It was interestingly put it as 'become truth', it reminded me of Shallan saying she seeks truth. Like Spiritual Realm absolute Truth, so I wonder if the fifth SB Ideal is connected to the SR. 

[Degamound]

Becoming truth could refer to a spiritual absolute Truth might even tie in to their uncanny ability to separate the guilty from the innocent.

The reason i think it contradicts the ideal of dedication is because this oath dedicates oneself to a greater truth or person as we learn later but if you become truth does this supersede the previous truth you dedicated to, well i guess it might just realign to your new truth but i think there has to be greater reason no one has sworn this ideal for centuries and i think it because of this ideal.

 

[Subvisual Haze]

Current Swearers of the 5th Ideal: Nale, Judge Dredd

I AM THE LAW

[Calderis he/him]

It must supercede. The Skybreakers oaths as a whole appear to be sequential, but not necessarily additive like the Windrunners. 

Even the wording of Szeth's second oath fits this. 

Quote

I swear to seek justice, to let it guide me, until I find a more perfect Ideal.

It is qualified specifically to be replaced. 

Their third oath swears them to follow an external rule, whether it be a nations laws or a person. This cannot coexist with the fifth ideal as presented. 

Szeth has sworn himself to follow the will of Dalinar. Considering his spren has accepted this oath, I fully believe his second oath no longer applies. He will follow Dalinar's orders, just as if Dalinar held his Oathstone while he thought himself Truthless, and his spren will agree with what he does.