[Theory] It has been foreshadowed that Adolin will be a Radiant.

[sppipe]

WoB

 

 

 

Q:  Are there Radiant orders that would take someone like Adolin even after what he does at the end of Words of Radiant?
A:  I am not going to say whether or not Adolin will become a Knights Radiant, but yes, there are several orders that would be very happy with what he did.

Q:  Like the Skybreakers or Dustbringers?
A:  The Skybreakers would probably not want him because he broke a law, but there are other orders that would think he completely did the right thing and be very happy with him.
 
Trickonometry (who was waiting in line behind me):  Like the Dustbringers?
A:  (Didn't say anything but looked up at him, smiled and half nodded)

 

I am convinced that Adolin will become a KR and specifically a DustBringer, he has the temper and the attributes, not to mention the half-nod from the WoB

[MistLord he/him]

right here:

 

Woah, good catch. Though we need to check if any other shardblades form in a similar way... if not, awesome!!!

[Elena she/her]

Also this?

Awww,this is such cute boyspeak for 'I can't wait til my buddy adolin becomes a Radiant so we can go have adventures and be awesome together'.

Edited March 24, 2014 by _Elena

[Anonymous]

I originally thought that his killing Sadeas might have been a sign that he wouldn't end up a Radiant, thinking that it went against the First Ideal, specifically defending life. Kaladin's entire story arc centers around his struggles with this ideal, or at least one directly connected to it.

 

What made me think this was the nature of the kill. It wasn't on the battlefield, it was a surprise attack, just barely more honest (for lack of a better word at the moment) than having him assassinated.

 

Upon further thought, however, I realized that it could go either way. Different spren seem to have different levels of laxity in the upholding of the ideals, or at least varying ideals to uphold, with some leaving more room for interpretation than others. For instance, Pattern mentions to Shallan towards the end of the book that Lightweavers have only the First Ideal, meaning she would be less inclined to defend those she hates, to take an example from Kaladin's Ideals.

 

In any case, I agree that what Adolin does in the aftermath of having murdered Sadeas will likely determine his candidacy for the Knights Radiant.

[MistLord he/him]

I originally thought that his killing Sadeas might have been a sign that he wouldn't end up a Radiant, thinking that it went against the First Ideal, specifically defending life. Kaladin's entire story arc centers around his struggles with this ideal, or at least one directly connected to it.

 

What made me think this was the nature of the kill. It wasn't on the battlefield, it was a surprise attack, just barely more honest (for lack of a better word at the moment) than having him assassinated.

 

Upon further thought, however, I realized that it could go either way. Different spren seem to have different levels of laxity in the upholding of the ideals, or at least varying ideals to uphold, with some leaving more room for interpretation than others. For instance, Pattern mentions to Shallan towards the end of the book that Lightweavers have only the First Ideal, meaning she would be less inclined to defend those she hates, to take an example from Kaladin's Ideals.

 

In any case, I agree that what Adolin does in the aftermath of having murdered Sadeas will likely determine his candidacy for the Knights Radiant.

Many spren could see his killing as that of 'justice' or 'bravery', easily making Adolin applicable to the Skybreakers or Dustbringers 

[Aleksiel]

Many spren could see his killing as that of 'justice' or 'bravery', easily making Adolin applicable to the Skybreakers or Dustbringers 

 

Only WoB has it Skybreakers wouldn't approve of Adolin's actions. But yeah, some Orders would be ok; Eslecallers certainly considering Jasnah. Not that he has the personality for her Order, but still safe to assume they would approve of what he did. 

[RadiantRachel]

And....instead of sucking in Stormlight, what if Adolin's body synthesizes only that yummy blue wine??? Did Renarin see the future and study up on that one, or what?!?

[VaultDweller]

Upon finishing reading Words of Radiance, I actually thought of a slightly different path for Adolin regarding the Radiants.

 

My theory is that Kaladin might end up giving the honorblade to Adolin, making him a sort-of windrunner, which leads to trouble as Adolin makes mistakes since he doesn't embody all the ideals of Windrunners (or his murder of Sadeas coming to light obviously) leading to Adolin's path taking a turn. After reading this thread and your very interesting theories, I'm thinking it might lead to Adolin discovering his bond with a spren and his true order or him joining one of the other groups.

 

My bullet points as to why this might happen:

 

-Windrunners were known to fight in groups, thus Kaladin would ideally want more members. Bridge four might fill this gap tho. 

-Adolin and Kaladin already fought together both against the assassin and to a lesser extent in the dueling arena. 

-Through the book Kaladin started to view Adolin more and more as a good man, perhaps seeing in him certain aspects worthy of a Radiant as evidenced by his remark at one point how it wouldn't be so bad if Adolin did turn out to be one. Kaladin just doesn't know of the latest developments. 

-Kaladin has a history of making somewhat bad decisions when it comes to giving out shards. 

 

All this is really just my initial reaction upon reading the book, and of course might have a bunch of holes in it. But I really do like the idea of Adolin becoming a Radiant, and I don't see it happening without some sort of big issue that attracts the bond with the spren and I think my idea might still fit. 

Edited March 25, 2014 by VaultDweller

[Elena she/her]

I really like the Adolin-gets-the-Honorblade theory (was my first thought upon finishing WoR) but I really, really dislike all the 'OMG Adolin killed Sadeas so now he's heading down a dark path' posts popping up, since because IMO by killing Sadeas, Adolin did the whole world a favor. He might go crazy with guilt now, maybe, or have a falling out with his family, or whatever... but it doesn't change that I wholeheartedly agree with what he did, and now like him even more.

 

If Kal does give the Honorblade to Adolin, it will be the best decision he did in a while

 

EDIT: 69 posts! My inner thirteen-year-old is giggling now. I might not post for a while now Okay, who am I kidding, I don't have the will to stop posting.

Edited March 25, 2014 by Elena

[Witless]

Did Brandon say which incarnation of the skybreakers would disapprove. The modern ones or the old school ones?

[Aleksiel]

My theory is that Kaladin might end up giving the honorblade to Adolin

 

 

B-b-but, Adolin and his Blade have something special! 

 

Windrunners, as far as I understood it, worked in groups made of one KR and his squires. The Honorblade won't make Adolin a squire, so it doesn't qualify in that matter. 

 

 

Did Brandon say which incarnation of the skybreakers would disapprove. The modern ones or the old school ones?

 

Hm, he didn't, but I believe the question implied it was about the Radiants of the past.

[Elena she/her]

Did Brandon say which incarnation of the skybreakers would disapprove. The modern ones or the old school ones?

Don't think so - but IMO it was implied he meant the actual Order, rather than the secret society, since the question was about KR orders. 

 

 

B-b-but, Adolin and his Blade have something special! 

And it's beautiful. And the only thing keeping me from going total fangirl over the 'Kal gives Adolin the Honorblade and then they can go be awesome flying bros together'

 

EDIT: since I'm a very sad person, my own 'awesome flying bros' line made me think of Super Mario (& Luigi) the exact moment I reread the post.

Edited March 25, 2014 by Elena

[Aleksiel]

And it's beautiful. And the only thing keeping me from going total fangirl over the 'Kal gives Adolin the Honorblade and then they can go be awesome flying bros together'

 

B-b-but, he can't change Blades like he changes girls! I believe he can be faithful! I believe in him. In fact I see it as an Ideal, an Oath to his Blade. Thus, it will be awakened (undie?) and they can happily kill together all Desolation long. A beautiful love story. 

[Elena she/her]

B-b-but, he can't change Blades like he changes girls! I believe he can be faithful! I believe in him. In fact I see it as an Ideal, an Oath to his Blade. Thus, it will be awakened (undie?) and they can happily kill together all Desolation long. A beautiful love story. 

 

 

Maaaaaybe... but, we have Adolin&his beloved blade on one side; and the Flying Bros on the other... can you see why I'm so torn?

[Aleksiel]

Maaaaaybe... but, we have Adolin&his beloved blade on one side; and the Flying Bros on the other... can you see why I'm so torn?

 

Ah, Damnation! Both possibilities are so tempting... But if his Blade turns out to be... uh ok, not a highspren since highspren won't be happy with him killing Sadeas, but plot twist - honorspren! How do you like it now 

[Green Hoodie Mistborn he/him]

B-b-but, Adolin and his Blade have something special! 

 

Windrunners, as far as I understood it, worked in groups made of one KR and his squires. The Honorblade won't make Adolin a squire, so it doesn't qualify in that matter. 

 

 

 

Hm, he didn't, but I believe the question implied it was about the Radiants of the past.

 

I think by definition, if the Order of Skybreakers wouldn't approve, it would preclude him from attracting a highspren because the spren are attracted by actions which define their orders, just like all other spren are attracted to their spren ideal. 

 

Which stinks because I was totally on board with the Skybreaker Adolin based on the idea that "Justice" isn't the same as "lawfulness". I read Nin/Nalan's lawful approach as a corruption of the original "Justice" ideal embodied by the Skybreakers. 

 

Having that thought busted right (*grumble grumble* stinkin' word of Brandon...) then I agree that Dustbrings are probably the next best order for Adolin, as he is indeed Brave and Obedient to a fault. 

 

I LOVE the idea of him somehow reviving his blade, and agree that it could be a possibility based on the shared surge with Edgedancers. 

 

Maybe he and Kaladin will both somehow be the champions who fight Odium's champion (like in the arena... perhaps that is foreshadowing as well?)

Edited March 26, 2014 by Green Hoodie Mistborn

[deadlyDomino]

I'm not convinced on the edgedancer theory, the usage of vines as a descriptive word for mist one time is pretty flimsy evidence. I just see it as a synonym for tendrils or coils, because it's mist.

[Wit]

Maaaaaybe... but, we have Adolin&his beloved blade on one side; and the Flying Bros on the other... can you see why I'm so torn?

I remember one of the WoB's where it was stated that you can dual wield a shardblade, just not summon them at the same time. Well, what if a Honorblade is different enough that Adolin can use both at the same time, Honorblade and his own shardblade, thereby going Flying Bros with Kaladin and still continuing the reviving process of his blade's spren.

You don't bond with a honorblade so he still remains bonded to only his own blade, then word gets out about him killing Sadeas and he is exiled and forced to give up the honorblade. He then goes off on his own, has some great character development and returns as a KR with his blade's spren fully revived.

[trevorwilliam]

I'm not convinced on the edgedancer theory, the usage of vines as a descriptive word for mist one time is pretty flimsy evidence. I just see it as a synonym for tendrils or coils, because it's mist.

 

 

I know a lot of people think he'll belong to the Dustbringers, but I'm curious if this has been brought up:

Some believe that Adolin's blade belonged to an Edgedancer as his mist coalesces in the form of vines before manifesting. Edgedancers claim the ability to make vegetation grow at rapid rates, so it makes sense its mist would form this way.

Edgedancers are referenced as being the most agile and one of the most deadliest class of warriors among the knights radiant. Adolin is probably one of the most skilled duelists in WoR, sans stormlight.

WE KNOW RENARIN IS A TRUTHWATCHER. He possesses some form of clairvoyance. Why then, is Renarin so intent on Adolin talking to his sword before his duels? It seems a bit too coincidental for this to not be related as moments later when Adolin is fighting his multiple opponent duel, Renarin jumps in but is incapacitated by (what we later learn) the screaming of the dead shardblade. If Adolin is destined to the Dustbringer order, I think Brandon would have liked to foreshadow this more?

I think it very possible that Adolin 'reawaken' the spren in his blade.

Edited March 27, 2014 by trevorwilliam

[Aleksiel]

WE KNOW RENARIN IS A TRUTHWATCHER. He possesses some form of clairvoyance. Why then, is Renarin so intent on Adolin talking to his sword before his duels? It seems a bit too coincidental for this to not be related as moments later when Adolin is fighting his multiple opponent duel, Renarin jumps in but is incapacitated by (what we later learn) the screaming of the dead shardblade. If Adolin is destined to the Dustbringer order, I think Brandon would have liked to foreshadow this more?

I think it very possible that Adolin 'reawaken' the spren in his blade.

 

I suppose because Adolin always talks to his Blade before each duel; it's his ritual. If Renarin's clairvoyance was that good, he would have been able to foresee the arena fight and Adolin wouldn't have been caught by surprise.

 

That being said, having in his pocket their mother's necklace (chain?) was part of Adolin's ritual and it went missing right before the (un)fortunate arena duel. Was that just a psychological attack against Adolin or does it have more significance? I still wonder.

Edited March 27, 2014 by Aleksiel

[Awesomeness Summoned he/him]

That being said, having in his pocket their mother's necklace (chain?) was part of Adolin's ritual and it went missing right before the (un)fortunate arena duel. Was that just a psychological attack against Adolin or does it have more significance? I still wonder.

I just figured that was a plot device to foreshadow that the fight might not go as planned and to build some tension for the reader. "Oh no, he doesn't have his lucky necklace? Something is gonna go wrong!"

[trevorwilliam]

I suppose because Adolin always talks to his Blade before each duel; it's his ritual. If Renarin's clairvoyance was that good, he would have been able to foresee the arena fight and Adolin wouldn't have been caught by surprise.

 

That being said, having in his pocket their mother's necklace (chain?) was part of Adolin's ritual and it went missing right before the (un)fortunate arena duel. Was that just a psychological attack against Adolin or does it have more significance? I still wonder.

 

Hey... His mother's locket. This didn't occur to me until just now, but in conjunction with Renarin telling him to talk to his blade, wouldn't the second Edgedancer oath apply to this?

 

“ I will remember those who have been forgotten.”

 

Who has been explicitly forgotten in WoR? Dalinar has major trouble remembering his wife. It seems like her memory lives on through his son's recalling of her.

 

I also like how his murder of Sadeas would put him in complete struggle with the ED's KR values. It also puts him opposite Szeth, who will be upholding the law. The more that Adolin lets go of his fury and is caring/loving, the more radiant he will become. The idea of "Adolin will be a Dustbringer because he's Obedient and Brave," is realllllllly boring. How hard would it be for him to uphold being obedient/brave when that's all he's ever done? Dalinar struggled between unity and division, Kaladin struggled with actually being honorable. Adolin doesn't show one shred of cowardice in all of WoR. I don't think it's Sanderson's style to give a character an easy path. Learning to show compassion when he'd rather smash their face is something way more developing for him as a character. I guess you could argue he was disobeying his Father by killing Sadeas. But picturing those future monologues... sort of stale to me.

Edited March 27, 2014 by trevorwilliam

[Aleksiel]

I just figured that was a plot device to foreshadow that the fight might not go as planned and to build some tension for the reader. "Oh no, he doesn't have his lucky necklace? Something is gonna go wrong!"

 

Yeah, but how boring is that? I was thinking more of a Vin's earring case here, though not in the same way obviously; just something small yet more important than it looks.

 

 

How hard would it be for him to uphold being obedient/brave when that's all he's ever done? Dalinar struggled between unity and division, Kaladin struggled with actually being honorable. Adolin doesn't show one shred of cowardice in all of WoR. I don't think it's Sanderson's style to give a character an easy path. Learning to show compassion when he'd rather smash their face is something way more developing for him as a character.

 

I like your idea! And let's not forget Adolin is refined enough to be an Edgedancer considering how he doesn't go anywhere (even to prison) without cologne. 

[trevorwilliam]

I think the locket is going to tie into his second vow of the Edgedancers in remembering the forgotten. Brandon has made such a point to letting us know that Dalinar has forgotten a lot about her, and that her sons still actively try to keep her memory alive.

 

It's a little foreshadowing (I could be grasping at straws), to the ED values when Renarin asks him if he "Remembered his mother's locket." Remember his Mother. Remember those who have been forgotten?

 

Perhaps later we'll see that through his memory of his Mother (and probably his murder of Sadeas, although I doubt he'll be forgotten), he'll be able to care more - making him more radiant.

 

The thought of him being Brave! and Obedient! seems so trope that I'd almost be surprised if Brandon went with this. Besides... Some Lift/Adolin dialogue has the makings to be awesome. Imagine the "I belong to the same order as THIS urchin?" conversations! Hah. I hope this happens. Adolin learning from a little girl how to use his powers would be hilarious. People think that just because we've seen one Edgedancer there can't be another. Let's not forget that Lift's "uniqueness" is probably going to come from introducing her Old Magic? (food->stormlight) skill to the other main characters. We all know how Brandon loves his magic systems to come in 3's. Also, Edgedancers are supposed to be amazing/graceful warriors. I dont see Lift learning how to utilize her skills along swordplay. She's a thief, not a warrior. So Adolin becoming ED would not necessarily be a redundant thing. 

Edited March 27, 2014 by trevorwilliam

[Awesomeness Summoned he/him]

I think the locket is going to tie into his second vow of the Edgedancers in remembering the forgotten. Brandon has made such a point to letting us know that Dalinar has forgotten a lot about her, and that her sons still actively try to keep her memory alive.

 

It's a little foreshadowing (I could be grasping at straws), to the ED values when Renarin asks him if he "Remembered his mother's locket." Remember his Mother. Remember those who have been forgotten?

I'm not sure that's exactly what that ideal is trying to portray. It's not so much "remembering" people who have actually been forgotten, but rather taking care of the people who have been overlooked or seen as not important, the forgotten and needy of society. Nalan says the Edgedancers were always thinking of the small details as opposed to the big picture.

 

Brandon could theoretically use the lost memory of shshshshsh as related to that ideal but I personally don't think it really fits the intent.

 

Adolin's fighting skills and refinement do fit what we know about what an edgedancer should be like though.