[OB] Odium Questions

[+Authweight]

So, I have some questions about Odium. I'm going to throw some questions out here, and add my own speculation and ideas. But this isn't a theory post - it is really just about thinking about some questions that are left unanswered after Oathbringer.

1) What originally brought Odium to the Rosharan system?

The simple answer is that he was going around killing shards, and Honor and Cultivation were next on his list. But that by itself doesn't completely explain it - why did he target them? Did he find their combination particularly threatening? Did he just see it as a fight he could win?

2) What does Odium actually want?

Our general understanding of Odium is that he is trying to kill other shards to consolidate his power. But I don't think it is entirely clear if he is planning to kill off all the other shards, or if he is only planning to kill off some of them. And even in killing other shards, what is it that Odium wants, exactly? Does he want to rule the whole cosmere uncontested? Not every shard seems to be driven to dominate everything, and seem more or less content running their own worlds. What exactly sets Odium apart?

Also, in the more immediate term, what is Odium trying to achieve with the Desolations? Is it just Odium fulfilling his Intent? Or is it part of an escape plan? If it is part of an escape plan, how is it supposed to work exactly? Is he trying to cause enough damage that Honor's power will release him? How much does Odium's Intent limit his actions and ability to negotiate?

Finally, why is Odium tied to his word? Is that just part of being a shard (something involving intention, maybe)? Or is Odium just lying about this and will break his word freely? (Taravangian seems to have reason to believe Odium will keep his word).

3) Did Honor and Cultivation plan their trap?

Was their trap carefully planned out and premeditated, or is it something they improvised once Odium showed up? Did they know Odium was coming? Did they deliberately lure him to the Rosharan system?

4) What is actually imprisoning Odium?

We have some sense that Odium is trapped in the Rosharan system, and Odium implied that it is Honor's power trapping him. Oddly, Odium does not seek to take advantage of Dalinar's naivete to get him to release him. Contrast this with (Mistborn spoilers)

Spoiler

Ruin, who tricks Vin into setting him free.

Is Odium truly trapped, or is it just that the cost of leaving would be too great for him to risk?

[Landis963]

It appears as though Odium is fully trapped.  Mistborn spoilers: 

Spoiler

In essence, Odium never had a Well of Ascension to contend with, but his departure would require the destruction of Roshar, much like Ruin's departure would require the destruction of Scadrial.  

 

[echaozh]

5 hours ago, Landis963 said:

It appears as though Odium is fully trapped.  Mistborn spoilers: 

  Reveal hidden contents

In essence, Odium never had a Well of Ascension to contend with, but his departure would require the destruction of Roshar, much like Ruin's departure would require the destruction of Scadrial.  

 

No, as the channeler of Honor's power, Dalinar can release Odium off Roshar. He made it sure by asking Dalinar multiple times.

[Diomedes]

8 hours ago, Authweight said:

 

What is Odium trying to achieve with the Desolations? Is it just Odium fulfilling his Intent? Or is it part of an escape plan? If it is part of an escape plan, how is it supposed to work exactly? Is he trying to cause enough damage that Honor's power will release him? How much does Odium's Intent limit his actions and ability to negotiate?

 

I got a theory about Odiums written here on the more immediate secret plans of Odium, you might be interested.   

So my answer to your questions would be that he wants to escape his prison, rule Roshar with his chosen people the Humans and purge the intent of all other shards, for now. After that he surely will go on conquering other planets and shattering other shards. 

Edited December 1, 2017 by Diomedes

[Landis963]

6 hours ago, echaozh said:

No, as the channeler of Honor's power, Dalinar can release Odium off Roshar. He made it sure by asking Dalinar multiple times.

And Odium made sure to mention that such a cavalier release would result in Roshar going boom.  (Although Odium, now I think of it, is not the most reliable source, especially since his perpendicularity isn't even on Roshar to begin with)

[+Authweight]

13 hours ago, Landis963 said:

It appears as though Odium is fully trapped.  Mistborn spoilers: 

  Hide contents

In essence, Odium never had a Well of Ascension to contend with, but his departure would require the destruction of Roshar, much like Ruin's departure would require the destruction of Scadrial.  

 

I think this makes a lot of sense. Honor and Cultivation forced Odium to Invest in the system, and the only way for him to leave with his full strength would be to destroy it all.

Assuming this is true: How did they force Odium to Invest?