[OB] Wit and the Seven Times He Got Involved in Religion

[Ammanas]

So in chapter 68 of Oathbringer Wit, when speaking to Shallan, mentions that the seven previous times he got involved in religion ended in disaster.

The first question is if he he was just making a joke or was he serious?  If he was serious what are the seven attempts?

I would hazard a guess and say one of the attempts was in The Emperor's Soul and the theft of the moon scepter. Perhaps the other time was whatever he was doing in Hero of Ages in the courtyard the Vin feels like she should avoid him? He led a band of refugees in Well of Ascension perhaps that was the third time? I need the experts to set me straight!

Also I didn't know if my question is a Oathbringer spoiler or not and the policy regarding such question in the Cosmere Q and A section. If I violated the rules please accept my apologies and make whatever edits you feel is necessary.

[RShara she/her]

I suspect at least one of those times would have been in his origin story Liar of Partinell.  I seem to remember some things reminiscent of religions in the bits I read.

 

Emperor's Soul spoilers

Spoiler

Wit was the Royal Fool in TES.  There's a deleted scene between him and Shai in AU, I believe.

 

Secret History spoilers

Spoiler

Vin avoided him because Kelsier managed to communicate his distrust of Hoid or "Drifter" to her.

 

[Yezrien]

Maybe one of them was in Classical Scadrial, with the Worldbringers. He probably did something that ended up inadvertently helping Ruin.

[The One Who Connects he/him]

12 minutes ago, Ammanas said:

the policy regarding such question in the Cosmere Q and A section.

You could edit in an [OB] into the title to be safe, but I think you'll be alright.

12 minutes ago, Ammanas said:

If he was serious what are the seven attempts?

Off the top of my head... all I can think of is the theory regarding the Worldbringers and Worldsingers.

Quote

Questioner
Worldbringers and Worldsingers, similar mission?

Brandon Sanderson
The similarity of the names is intentional.

Questioner
Similar origin?

Brandon Sanderson
Yes.

Questioner
Did Hoid start them?

Brandon Sanderson
That's a RAFO. That's a RAFO, but definitely they have a similar origin.

The Worldsingers were "storytellers and knowledge-givers on Roshar during the Era of Solitude." Hoid is a Master Worldsinger.
The Worldbringers were "Feruchemists who created Copperminds to become philosophers and scholars of religion."

Bringers explicitly mention religion, while Singers were supposedly "charged by the Heralds to spread knowledge," so they might have had religious significance.
Bringers got wiped out by TLR, so that'd be disaster. Not sure what happened with the Singers.

[RShara she/her]

Yeah I forgot about those.  Worldbringers and Worldsingers, very likely!

[Mistspren she/her]

Didn’t Hoid mention something about there still being gods out there that worshipped him? This always brings the Returned to mind for me, or the Elantrians.

Also, the Unkalaki people are probably another time Hoid got mixed up in doctrine, but they seem to be doing fine. Minus the deal with Moelach hanging out there and the perpendicularity being Raysed. (that’s a verb now)

Edited April 3, 2018 by Mistspren

[Toaster Retribution he/him]

The gods that wordhip Hoid could be Returned as well. A lot of them are pretty stupid, so it wouldn't surprise me if he accidentally made some of them worship him.

[Zelly]

I mentioned in a different thread that Hoid could have one of Autonomy's avatars worshiping him (by accident or on purpose?). It's because of this that she has to instill new avatars of with a strong dislike and distrust of him.

Maybe one of the crazier Heralds?  Ishar seems pretty out of touch with reality, I could see Hoid convincing him he was a god.