Should Jasnah be queen?

[ChetLee]

Why is Jasnah queen? I don't really mind that she had become queen of Alethkar, but I do hope she drops it rather sooner than later. She an Elsecaller and more importantly a SCIENTIST. She should be exploring the cosmere popping into other book doing research. Maybe she can write a cosmere history book similar to how Khriss is writing the Ars Arcana. Jasnah being queen of Alethkar seems to small for her.
What do you all think?

[soulcastJam he/him]

I don't know... Becoming the leader of the most powerful nation on a sphere in contest between three shards. I don't see how she could do anything bigger than accumulate power for this fight.

[Toaster Retribution he/him]

Because there wasn’t anyone else. Renarin would have been a bad king, Adolin didn’t want too, and neither did Dalinar (and to be fair, Dalinar does have a good reason, with him basically being the king of Urithiru). Amaram was sadly unavailible, Jasnah is ahead of Navani in the line for the throne, and Taln is too awesome for Alethkar. 

I personally hope that we will see Jasnah struggle in this position, since we almost always only get to see her being awesome. Struggle is far more interesting, and I do think that she might end up havibg more problems ruling a country than people anticipate. 

[Jace21 he/him]

I know she is officially queen, but from the way Dalinar asked Adolin, I see it more as a regency. Once Elhokars son (Gavinor?) reaches adulthood he will assume the throne.

[Yata he/him]

First of all Jasnah isn't a scientist but an historian.

Then sadly she can't use her elsecalling abilities to go into other planets...as Ivory is binded to Roshar and he can't leave the system.

Sure she could workshop like every other Worldhopper... But at this point this is true for everyone. Much more in a planet with a so rich CR's societies.

For the Rosharan magic nature... It would be really hard to see one Roshan magic user in another story

Edited October 8, 2018 by Yata

[Solarserpent]

I don't see Jasnah having much trouble being queen of a remnant of a kingdom since they are under Urithiru law most of time anyways. She is an insane work-a-holic so as long as she has stormlight to heal herself from sleep deprivation then she will be amazing in both ruling, fighting, and scholarly activities. She is actually too capable a character at this point so I feel we will see Sanderson throw some major curveball to her to up the drama.

[Vissy]

yes

[dvoraen]

I think Jasnah would see it for the good of Alethkar, considering the steps she's taken to protect her family from losing the monarchy and other matters.  Adolin refused it, and I honestly wouldn't be surprised if she basically went full Mr. Spock mode about her coronation being the logical choice when the matter was brought to her.

 

I don't think Jasnah is going to forsake her scholarly activities any more than Shallan would give up drawing.  As far as Jasnah studying the cosmere, I think that's more a Willshaper's thing than an Elsecaller's.  Elsecaller make it easier, but Willshapers *do* have Transportation (although we don't know if or how it acts differently for them).  Jasnah would certainly veer towards an arcanist, though, in studying Surgebinding powers, the Unmade, and especially what's happening with Renarin (this I fully expect to happen in book 4, which should have some interesting revelations).

 

Also, I'm wondering if Timbre's bond with Venli will cause some exemption to the rules.  If Timbre is bound to Venli's gemheart, does that override the tether to the Rosharan system?

Edited September 26, 2018 by dvoraen

[Angsos]

Right now Alethkhar is basically Urithiru and some of the shattered plains I think so Jasnah and others will have to reconquer the country first

[Naurock]

3 hours ago, Vissy said:

yes

Very eloquent argument. I'm sold.

[Vissy]

5 hours ago, Naurock said:

Very eloquent argument. I'm sold.

thank

[Isilel]

On 26.9.2018 at 6:54 PM, ChetLee said:

 Maybe she can write a cosmere history book similar to how Khriss is writing the Ars Arcana. Jasnah being queen of Alethkar seems to small for her.

Yes. I was very much surprised when it happened, because there is so much to do concerning the Sibling and relationship with spren, as well as a pressing need to figure out  how to counter-act the Everstorm, to find out how Desolations actually fit in with Odium's goals, what means he intends to use to free himself, now that Dalinar gambit has failed and how he can be defeated. All of this very much belongs into traditional Elsecaller purview.

It was clear that Jasnah couldn't have become a worldhopper before the whole series ends, as her book is projected to be either N°8 or N°10, but I really hope that she does become one afterwards. She can potentially visit shardless worlds, without perpendicularities of their own which neither Khriss, nor maybe even Hoid can.

 

On 26.9.2018 at 9:04 PM, Toaster Retribution said:

I personally hope that we will see Jasnah struggle in this position, since we almost always only get to see her being awesome.

Oh, I am sure that she will. Not only is situation extraordinarily difficult and Jasnah is going to be stretched thin between her duties as a queen and as a scholar, as well as so far the only Elsecaller Radiant, but certain traits of her personality are going to impede her too.

 

On 26.9.2018 at 10:35 PM, Yata said:

Then sadly she can't use her elsecalling abilities to go into other planets...as Ivory is binded to Roshar and he can't leave the system.

There is a trick that she needs to figure out or have Hoid share with her, but it is possible per WoB. In fact, I am fairly sure that at least one of Jasnah, Shallan or  Lift will become a worldhopper after all is said and done. The first 2  would have to figure out what to do for investiture supply... or just team up with Lift and have her infuse gems for them as needed.

[Calderis he/him]

1 hour ago, Isilel said:

The first 2  would have to figure out what to do for investiture supply... or just team up with Lift and have her infuse gems for them as needed.

Assuming she can. She can't breath in Stormlight, so I find it unlikely she can push it out like others can. 

[goody153]

Jasnah is the best available choice out of the Kholins currently. She will most likely do better than Elhokar.

Dalinar would've been the most ideal choice but like Toaster said his hands is full with the Radiant thing .

Adolim might make an OK ruler and Renarin is not leader but a follower. 

[+Invocation]

Yeah, Jasnah is best right now. Having said that, I hope she teaches Gavinor some and when he comes of age becomes a good king.

[Justi]

No. 

1) Considering Jasnah only because “Dalinar/Adolin didnt want to rule, Gavinor too young” insults both Jasnah and The Crown. In the history If there is more than one heir to the throne, it always made the crown weak. If Jasnah is going to be Queen there shouldnt be questions about her. Imagine Jasnah made a desicion Dalinar didnt like. What is going to happen? Dalinar will force her like Elhokar? What is the point of Jasnah being a Queen If she is only placeholder? You cannot really rule this way. 

2) I like Jasnah because she often speaks her mind, no matter what others think. She is determined and stubborn. If she made her mind there is no going back. I like those things. I like her personality but as a Queen it wouldnt work. Her best qualitys will be her downfall as ruler. If she is going to be succesfull as Queen, she needs to change a lot. I dont want to see Jasnah becoming enterily different person.

She is smart. She may create some kind of constitutional monarchy which may have work. But it would take so much from her and general story of books. I just prefer Dalinar and Adolin doing their jobs. 

Edited October 7, 2018 by Justi

[ChetLee]

On 9/26/2018 at 3:35 PM, Yata said:

First of all Jasnah isn't a scientist but an historian.

Thanks for the clarification. I will hold my hand over open flame to pay for my ignorance.

[+Oltux72 he/him]

On 10/7/2018 at 2:01 AM, goody153 said:

Dalinar would've been the most ideal choice but like Toaster said his hands is full with the Radiant thing .

You cannot claim that the Knights Radiant fight for all Roshar while their leader is king of Alethkar. Even Adolin is problematic.

[goody153]

23 hours ago, Oltux72 said:

You cannot claim that the Knights Radiant fight for all Roshar while their leader is king of Alethkar. Even Adolin is problematic.

Exactly . Aside from being unfeasible in the eyes of the public. It is double role I mean you can't lead a country while leading the fight against the god of hate. 

Edited October 15, 2018 by goody153

[+Oltux72 he/him]

On 10/7/2018 at 3:27 PM, Justi said:

1) Considering Jasnah only because “Dalinar/Adolin didnt want to rule, Gavinor too young” insults both Jasnah and The Crown. In the history If there is more than one heir to the throne, it always made the crown weak.

If you go by the legalist route, Gavinor must be king. There could be questions about who is supposed to  be regent, but it is clear who is to be king.

If you go by ability, then indeed you will have to ask which of the candidates ever led an army in the field. Jasnah is the cleverest pretender. But it is not obvious that that should decide the question.

[Vissy]

What makes all of you think that Jasnah would necessarily continue the traditions of a monarchy? She might very well push Alethkar towards a more advanced form of society, up to and including some form of democracy. 

[Fanghur Rahl he/him]

On 2018-09-26 at 0:54 PM, ChetLee said:

Why is Jasnah queen? I don't really mind that she had become queen of Alethkar, but I do hope she drops it rather sooner than later. She an Elsecaller and more importantly a SCIENTIST. She should be exploring the cosmere popping into other book doing research. Maybe she can write a cosmere history book similar to how Khriss is writing the Ars Arcana. Jasnah being queen of Alethkar seems to small for her.
What do you all think?

Honestly, I think the fact that she is so brilliant, practical, and logical are some of the best reasons why she should be queen; Adonalsium only knows we could all use way more of those qualities in most of our leaders (yes, you all know who I’m talking about). And the fact that she’s so powerful is another thing in her favour, as I think even Szeth would have had a hard time assassinating her.

[+Oltux72 he/him]

50 minutes ago, Vissy said:

What makes all of you think that Jasnah would necessarily continue the traditions of a monarchy? She might very well push Alethkar towards a more advanced form of society, up to and including some form of democracy. 

The idea that democracy is advanced is unlikely to be shared among the Alethi. In particular her attitude towards Thaylen customs indicate that Jasnah does not think so. In addition the throne belongs to her family. She will not diminish it without pressing need.

[NoiseSpren he/him]

1 hour ago, Vissy said:

What makes all of you think that Jasnah would necessarily continue the traditions of a monarchy? She might very well push Alethkar towards a more advanced form of society, up to and including some form of democracy. 

And make Aletkar absolutely unable to do anything? She is the smartest person all around. You do NOT need bunch of "I know better than you!" people when trying Not to destroy a kingdom...

 

Democracy is not smart. It is just modern and popular. Better than tyrany, but much, much worse than absolutistic monarchy with caring and strong monarch...

Edit: She is not young Elend.

Edited October 16, 2018 by NoiseSpren

[Helwar he/him]

On 10/7/2018 at 1:00 AM, Calderis said:

Assuming she can. She can't breath in Stormlight, so I find it unlikely she can push it out like others can. 

What? I thought she just had not tried to breath in Stormlight.

 

Regarding Jasnah, I think she would be incredibly annoyed at having that extra task on her when she has mysteries to unravel. One of two things would happen, she might be extremely good at it regardless, or relegate it to the back of her mind while all rust hits the fan and sooner or later decide that she cannot keep being so many things at the same time (radiant, scholar, queen), and choosing what she wants to do and do it properly.

The second feels more interesting to read