[OB] Theory - The Third Original Shard on Roshar is not Odium

[Junes]

Something just click for me after reading Oathbringer. Odium might not be one of the three original shards on Roshar.

 

Based on a dead rattle in TWoK - "Three of sixteen ruled, but now the Broken One reigns”. At first glance, this seem to refer to Honor, Cultivation, and Odium. However, after reading  Oathbringer, I have a reason to believe that Odium might not be one of the original three shards on Roshar as we have always assumed. The third original unknown shards might be 1) splintered by Odium (less likely), 2) hide somewhere from everyone (likely), or 3) fled away from Roshar after the arrival of Odium (more likely). It might even be the survival shard BS have mentioned.  

 

My theory is based on the facts that there are three godspreens on Roshar, each a spreen of a shard. Stormfather for Honor, Nightwatcher for Cultivation, and a sleeping spreen for the other original shard of Roshar.

 

I find it is very unlikely for spreen of Odium to bind with a Bondsmith and help knight radiants fight with Odium during prior desolations before Aharietiam. It is more likely for a spreen of the third unknown shard to be the one that bind with a Bondsmith. The unknown shard maybe already be splintered at this point in time (though this is not likely as there would be more impact on Roshar). The unknown shard may just do into hiding and is the one who send Dalinar vision that the stormfather doesn’t know about. Or the unknown shard may have already fled away somewhere (Survival shard is that you?).

 

“Three of Sixteen ruled” makes it sound very obvious that the three are Honor, Cultivation, and Odium. But I think BS is misdirecting us to think the third one is Odium and that he will surprise us by introducing the third unknown shard in the future book.

 

Good example of his superb misdirection of this type is “Unite them”. At first glance it refers to "Unite Alethkar", second glance it is "Unite Rohsar", and third and current glance is it is currently "Unite the three Realms". For this one, I do believe that BS will even pull it one step further by turning it to "Unite Adolnasium".

 

TLDR – “Three of sixteen ruled” refers to Honor, Cultivation, and an unknown shard who either fled Roshar, went into hiding, or splintered after Odium invade Roshar.

 

What do you think about this theory?

 

 

  

 

 

Edited November 22, 2017 by Junes

[PhineasGage]

So I get where you are going with this one, and I don't want to shut it down completely because I can see the links you are drawing. That being said, I feel there maybe needs to be a bit more depth from the information we have in the books.

For example, what Intent might another shard have that relates to what we know of the world?

We know Honor and Cultivation are worshipped as deities in different parts of Roshar. The only other religions i can immediately think of are the long path of the Iriali (seems to relate more to Adonalsium imo) and the Passions of the Thaylen (which definitely relate to Odium), and the purelakers. Can you tie a third shard to a specific religion or ethos on Roshar?

Do we have any indication of a third perpendicularity on Roshar? I don't remember one being mentioned either by worldhoppers in shadesmar, or in Arcanum Unbound.

Ok, I don't expect you to answer all these but any more canon detail would be very useful.

[redbishop]

I like it, and wouldn't it be FANTASTIC if it were...  Unity?  Unity overlaps very nicely with the One of the Iriali, and Dalinar's commentary.  Since there are some hints that the Sleeping Third is the Sibling, and seems to be slumbering as part of Urithiru - which is a place that brings together the Oathgates, monarchs, and various Orders of KR, that could work.

I like this theory.  Have an upvote.  This is fuel for drivin' thoughts, and may spur some word and WoB searches.

[Sandra she/her]

A while ago, I read a theory, that was very similar to yours. Unfortunately there's a WOB that contradicts it (from Arcanum):

Questioner

The line about "three of sixteen [ruled] and now the Broken One reigns" - did Odium follow three other Shards to Roshar or is he the third Shard?

Brandon Sanderson

Odium is the third Shard on Roshar.

[PhineasGage]

Just now, Sandra said:

A while ago, I read a theory, that was very similar to yours. Unfortunately there's a WOB that contradicts it (from Arcanum):

Questioner

The line about "three of sixteen [ruled] and now the Broken One reigns" - did Odium follow three other Shards to Roshar or is he the third Shard?

Brandon Sanderson

Odium is the third Shard on Roshar.

Good job on citing that to clear things up

[Blacksmithki]

To be fair, Roshar is not the only planet in that system, so this theory is unlikely but not dead.