[OB] Parshmen, Parshendi, and Bo-Ado-Mishram

[Brgst13]

So we think that Parshmen were formed when Bo-Ado-Mishram was imprisoned.  But how exactly did that happen?

In order to answer this, we should examine the differences between Parshmen and Parshendi.  Parshmen look similar to dullform (slaveform) Parshendi.  It is mentioned that one of the Five is in dullform in order to remember who they were when they threw off their gods and had not yet learned how to bond spree and take on forms again.  The other big difference, beside the ability to bond spren, is the ability to hear the Rhythms.  Gavilar noted this as being unique, implying that Parshmen did not do this.

The inability of Parshmen to bond spren or hear the Rhythms suggests that their Connection to Roshar was replaced with a Connection to Bo-Ado-Mishram.  When Bo was imprisoned, this Connection was broken and the Parshmen left  unconnected to each other and the world, making enslaving them easy.  The Everstorm seems to have functioned to restore this Connection.

This suggests that Bo had at least some of the same abilities as a Bondsmith, in terms of manipulating Connection.

[Leuthie]

My words for a similar idea:

BAM was granted the ability by Odium to attach itself to Parshendi Spirit Webs, replacing their normal ability to bond with Odium's corrupted version, using Voidlight instead of Stormlight, etc.  Sucking BAM into a gem tore this piece away, removing the ability to bond with spren at all.  Since spren provide Parsh with their Will, parshman were left as Willless slaves.

[digitalbusker he/him]

2 hours ago, Brgst13 said:

Parshmen look similar to dullform (slaveform) Parshendi.

Slaveform is not the same as Dullform, although clearly Dullform looks enough like Slaveform that a Listener in Dullform can pass.

Parshmen don't look like Parshendi in Slaveform, they are Parshendi in Slaveform.

[.S.A.M.K.M]

I am hoping that some how BAM could be used against the fused. Either to permanently cripple them in a manner similar to the parshmen, or simply use the connection to affect them all at once. The fused are apparently already heavily damaged, and unable to be healed. So if pushed just enough, they could be permanently taken off the playing field.