Bondsmith Personalities and Potential Candidates

[Karger he/him]

9 minutes ago, KandraAllomancer said:

That's perfectly fine reasoning, but it's based on an implicit assumption that the godspren want to provide an immediate advantage for humanity

One of the only things we actually know about the Bondsmiths is that "one of their order was in continual accompaniment of Urithiru and its thrones."  I have a hard time believing that world leaders would let themselves be advised by nobodies with no experience.  Since they did it stands to reasons that the Bondsmith candidates were chosen very carefully by their spren.  Possibly with advice from the shards themselves like you said but even a divine mandate is not enough you conintiously make rookie mistakes all the time.  "All the good ideas in the world won't save you if no one will listen to them."

14 minutes ago, KandraAllomancer said:

with a candidate whose qualifications will bloom and become useful only in Arc 2.

Then why not wait until arc two to bond?  If they are not useful now their really is no point.  The oaths also have to come in their own time.  You can't rush the process.

15 minutes ago, KandraAllomancer said:

As for the Sibling, I can definitely imagine them being angry at Navani and humankind in general (if Taravangian's revelation that half-shard spren are sapient and trapped against their will turns out to be true) and turn to Singers instead

We don't know much about the sibling in general.  However they strike me as a pretty impersonal kind of spren.  I am also somewhat doubtful that the sibiling minds the existence of sapiant spren fabrials considering the many thousands of millennia that oathgates have been in use.  If you want the sibling made why not just reference the recreance like the inkspren?

[KandraAllomancer he/him]

9 minutes ago, Karger said:

One of the only things we actually know about the Bondsmiths is that "one of their order was in continual accompaniment of Urithiru and its thrones."  I have a hard time believing that world leaders would let themselves be advised by nobodies with no experience.

Historical counterexample: Joan of Arc. Teenager. Illiterate

But seriously: with Cultivation taking active part in guiding humans and the KR being an established organization with long history, the matters looked differently. The most suitable replacement candidate was probably known in advance before any given Bondsmith died. And, in the end, the Radiants failed miserably. Honor is dead. In such circumstances it's possible (though by no means proven) that Cultivation and the godspren may want to take another route

15 minutes ago, Karger said:

Then why not wait until arc two to bond?  If they are not useful now their really is no point.  The oaths also have to come in their own time.  You can't rush the process.

Shaping a person to be the best version of themselves seems like the very definition of Cultivation

17 minutes ago, Karger said:

We don't know much about the sibling in general.  However they strike me as a pretty impersonal kind of spren.  I am also somewhat doubtful that the sibiling minds the existence of sapiant spren fabrials considering the many thousands of millennia that oathgates have been in use.  If you want the sibling made why not just reference the recreance like the inkspren?

We don't know how the ancient fabrials were created; given that the magic system is of Honor and Cultivation I highly doubt that the spren were forced. The Oathgate spren in OB certainly didn't seem angry at their fate. What Navani does seems to be different. The Recreance is obviously a valid point as well

[Karger he/him]

25 minutes ago, KandraAllomancer said:

Historical counterexample: Joan of Arc. Teenager. Illiterate

Who no one really listened to.  She made a strong impression on King Charles but his mother in law had already planed and financed the relief expedition to Orléans prior to her arrival at court        .  The king's advisors noted she had propaganda value which they exploited.  After she made a mistake, urging an early assault on Paris which failed, basically everyone ignored her.  Her actions during the war and in general were more of the Dustbringer type.  She was a source of courage and inspiration not of actual policy.

25 minutes ago, KandraAllomancer said:

And, in the end, the Radiants failed miserably

I personally would not call several millennia of success failure.

25 minutes ago, KandraAllomancer said:

Shaping a person to be the best version of themselves seems like the very definition of Cultivation

It is not

Quote

cul·ti·va·tion

/ˌkəltəˈvāSH(ə)n/

Learn to pronounce

 

noun

noun: cultivation; plural noun: cultivations

1. 1.

   the action of cultivating land, or the state of being cultivated.

   "the cultivation of crops"

   h

   Similar:

   growing, raising, rearing, farming, culture, planting, sowing, agriculture, agronomy, horticulture

   husbandry, tillage

• 2.

  the process of trying to acquire or develop a quality or skill.

  "the cultivation of good staff–management relations"

  h

  Similar:

  improvement

  bettering, education, training, development

In all seriousness I think that Cultivation has better methods of helping people grow up that pushing them into a relationship that they are not ready for and could be kind of dangerous for the NW if it does not work out.

29 minutes ago, KandraAllomancer said:

What Navani does seems to be different.

It is not just Navani it is all of humanity.  Jasnah does not seem to mind either and considering her expertise I think she would be aware of a moral crime being committed.

[KandraAllomancer he/him]

31 minutes ago, Karger said:

She was a source of courage and inspiration not of actual policy.

Pious + guiding + uniting people sounds, at least in principle, very Bondsmith-like. I don't think we have any evidence that every Bondsmith was actually included in policy making. I think that "one of their order was in continual accompaniment of Urithiru and its thrones." simply refers to the Sibling Bondsmith and their involvement in maintaning Urithiru functionality

34 minutes ago, Karger said:

I personally would not call several millennia of success failure.

To be more precise: failed miserably soon after Honor died and Cultivaton turned away from the world

37 minutes ago, Karger said:

In all seriousness I think that Cultivation has better methods of helping people grow up that pushing them into a relationship that they are not ready for and could be kind of dangerous for the NW if it does not work out.

Why assume they're not ready? Determining if somebody is ready for the bond and will respond well to mentioned guidance is relatively easy when you have futuresight

40 minutes ago, Karger said:

It is not just Navani it is all of humanity.  Jasnah does not seem to mind either and considering her expertise I think she would be aware of a moral crime being committed.

Typical modern fabrials (painrial etc.) use non-sapient spren, so there's no moral problem as far as I can tell. Ancient fabrials are a mystery. Half-shards, on the other hand, are relatively new and (assuming the truth of Taravangian's words) offer a unique moral conundrum

[Karger he/him]

29 minutes ago, KandraAllomancer said:

. I don't think we have any evidence that every Bondsmith was actually included in policy making. I think that "one of their order was in continual accompaniment of Urithiru and its thrones." simply refers to the Sibling Bondsmith and their involvement in maintaning Urithiru functionality

Then why reference the thrones at all?  Just say in continual accompaniment of Urithiru and you get the same result.

29 minutes ago, KandraAllomancer said:

To be more precise: failed miserably soon after Honor died and Cultivaton turned away from the world

Neither of which were the fault of the radiants(as far as we know anyway).

29 minutes ago, KandraAllomancer said:

Why assume they're not ready? Determining if somebody is ready for the bond and will respond well to mentioned guidance is relatively easy when you have futuresight

That is my point.  They have to have the experience before they can be ready for the bond.  Kaladin could not really bond Syl until he went to war and decided to help the people there.  Until a Bondsmith has the qualities that make them a good choice you are not going to bond them.  The very real danger both to the prestige of the bondsmith as well as the actual life of the NW are considerable. 

29 minutes ago, KandraAllomancer said:

Typical modern fabrials (painrial etc.) use non-sapient spren, so there's no moral problem as far as I can tell. Ancient fabrials are a mystery. Half-shards, on the other hand, are relatively new and (assuming the truth of Taravangian's words) offer a unique moral conundrum

Assuming a literal truth.  You are still theorizing to add impact to another theory. 

29 minutes ago, KandraAllomancer said:

Pious + guiding + uniting people sounds, at least in principle, very Bondsmith-like

Having read her biography I agree that she was pious but she had a lot more courage, loyalty and stubbornness making her more of a Dustbringer or Stoneward.  Also divine attributes again(growls)!

Edited June 4, 2020 by Karger

[KandraAllomancer he/him]

@Karger We don't really know all the details about Urithiru's power structure so we can't find definite answers at this moments. Hopefully we'll get some useful information soon, maybe even in RoW

Just to clarify my position, here's what I believe about Bondsmiths and Urithiru:

The thrones, as in positions of authority, probably belonged to the Heralds. The phrase "Urithiru and its thrones" might simply signify the closer link to divinity they shared with the Bondsmiths. Before Aharietiam, Heralds were the ones guiding humanity, they had millenia of experience. The KR helped them according to their own order: as military leaders/protectors (Windrunners), ambassadors to the spren (Elsecallers) etc. I believe that Bondsmiths' purpose was to provide unity and hope to people in the times that required great sacrifice, not necessarily make good policies (hence the real life equivalents would be Joan of Arc, Gandhi etc.). Their Oaths clearly show us what decisions would lead to killing the gospren - intentionally dividing people and failing to acknowledge and learn from their mistakes. Dalinar fails at many decisions and goals: he fails to unite the highprinces, prevent the Everstorm and keep the coalition whole. But he still keeps going, which is exactly what allows him to progress with his Oaths. At the end of OB he can write

Quote

Listen to the words of a fool. If they cannot make you less foolish, at least let them give you hope. For I, of all people, have changed.

and that's what I believe could be the Bondsmiths' credo

There are two caveats about Dalinar though:

A. He's not just a Bondsmith now - as a leader of the human coalition he's doing the job that historically belonged to Jezrien (some parallel with the Stormfather who besides being a godspren has also a special affinity for Windrunners and honorspren)

B. Dalinar, in my opinion, has all the qualities of a good Bondsmith, but he's far from being a safe choice. He's still very connected to Odium and his Bondsmith-like attitude stemmed from magical amnesia. His bond with the Stormfather is not what's logical - it's what best for the narrative of the Stormlight books

[Karger he/him]

1 hour ago, KandraAllomancer said:

(hence the real life equivalents would be Joan of Arc,

You really should stop using her as an example.  I don't think she implies what you think she does.

1 hour ago, KandraAllomancer said:

Gandhi etc.).

Gandhi is much better and he did actually have several policies.

1 hour ago, KandraAllomancer said:

A. He's not just a Bondsmith now - as a leader of the human coalition he's doing the job that historically belonged to Jezrien (some parallel with the Stormfather who besides being a godspren has also a special affinity for Windrunners and honorspren)

Except Ishar founded the orders and according to the prelude was largely responsible for establishing Heraldic policy.

1 hour ago, KandraAllomancer said:

Dalinar, in my opinion, has all the qualities of a good Bondsmith, but he's far from being a safe choice. He's still very connected to Odium and his Bondsmith-like attitude stemmed from magical amnesia. His bond with the Stormfather is not what's logical - it's what best for the narrative of the Stormlight books

Who would you consider a safer choice?

[KandraAllomancer he/him]

4 hours ago, Karger said:

You really should stop using her as an example.  I don't think she implies what you think she does.

I treat her as a person who could unite and inspire people based on some grand idea. I don't deny that she does have many features of other Orders (especially Stonewards) and I don't claim much knowledge on historical authenticity here, but that's how she came to be remembered

4 hours ago, Karger said:

Gandhi is much better and he did actually have several policies.

He did have some great ones, but than again there were things like this message to the British people in 1940 (based on Wikipedia):

Quote

I would like you to lay down the arms you have as being useless for saving you or humanity. You will invite Herr Hitler and Signor Mussolini to take what they want of the countries you call your possessions... If these gentlemen choose to occupy your homes, you will vacate them. If they do not give you free passage out, you will allow yourselves, man, woman, and child, to be slaughtered, but you will refuse to owe allegiance to them.

He was excellent at inspiring people and uniting them around a common cause, but actually running a country with that attitude? Big no. When it came to military issues, Gandhi was quickly sidelined, as far as I can understand

4 hours ago, Karger said:

Except Ishar founded the orders and according to the prelude was largely responsible for establishing Heraldic policy.

The best quote I could find is this (WoR, chapter 2):

Quote

But as for Ishi’Elin, his was the part most important at their inception; he readily understood the implications of Surges being granted to men, and caused organization to be thrust upon them; as having too great power, he let it be known that he would destroy each and every one, unless they agreed to be bound by precepts and laws.

He was a charismatic leader with the Big Idea. He convinced other Heralds to form the Oathpact. Then he realized the necessity of organizing the KR. That's what he provided - the initial idea, charismatic leadership and enough followers to back this up with force. As for actually creating the laws, organizing stuff etc. I would assume that was more Jezrien and Nale.

I admit though that it's just my interpretation of Ishar, and it might not end up being true

4 hours ago, Karger said:

Who would you consider a safer choice?

The best candidate of the ones mentioned in this thread seems to be Queen Fen, but I'm not sure if she's broken enough to be Radiant in the first place

Edited June 5, 2020 by KandraAllomancer

[Karger he/him]

20 minutes ago, KandraAllomancer said:

He was excellent at inspiring people and uniting them around a common cause, but actually running a country with that attitude? Big no. When it came to military issues, Gandhi was quickly sidelined, as far as I can understand

That was actually a fairly common attitude among a large number of world leaders.  Gandhi did not want India to participate in the war.  Also he was a pacifist so he would have no input on military affairs beyond them not happening.  He managed to organize and maintain the entire Indian nation to force the expulsion of England.

20 minutes ago, KandraAllomancer said:

He was a charismatic leader with the Big Idea. He convinced other Heralds to form the Oathpact. Then he realized the necessity of organizing the KR. That's what he provided - the initial idea, charismatic leadership and enough followers to back this up with force. As for actually creating the laws, organizing stuff etc. I would assume that was more Jezrien and Nale.

He certainly delegated.  All leaders do.  I actually don't understand how that is different from Dalinar.  Dalinar's big idea is the radiant coalition.  He expects to be listened to especially on military matters but the actual codification of laws for the tower are being done by the Azish at the moment.  Dalinar's ideas only mattered when he became capable of explaining them to other people and they became willing to listen.  It is possible that the spren might experiment a bit or that you occasionally get unconventional candidates for one reason or another but the vast majority of leaders of the bondsmith type will, in my view, be older experienced and concerned with ethics of a specific type in some capasity.

20 minutes ago, KandraAllomancer said:

The best candidate of the ones mentioned in this thread seems to be Queen Fen, but I'm not sure if she's broken enough to be Radiant in the first place

I don't think we have enough background on her.  Also what makes her safe? 

Edited June 5, 2020 by Karger

[KandraAllomancer he/him]

1 hour ago, Karger said:

That was actually a fairly common attitude among a large number of world leaders.  Gandhi did not want India to participate in the war.  Also he was a pacifist so he would have no input on military affairs beyond them not happening.  He managed to organize and maintain the entire Indian nation to force the expulsion of England.

Not wanting to participate in the war is one thing and hardcore pacifism is another

1 hour ago, Karger said:

He certainly delegated.  All leaders do.  I actually don't understand how that is different from Dalinar.  Dalinar's big idea is the radiant coalition.  He expects to be listened to especially on military matters but the actual codification of laws for the tower are being done by the Azish at the moment.  Dalinar's ideas only mattered when he became capable of explaining them to other people and they became willing to listen.  It is possible that the spren might experiment a bit or that you occasionally get unconventional candidates for one reason or another but the vast majority of leaders of the bondsmith type will, in my view, be older experienced and concerned with ethics of a specific type in some capasity.

Dalinar is still the de facto military leader and the face of the coalition, which, before the Last Desolation, would be Jezrien's role, I believe

1 hour ago, Karger said:

I don't think we have enough background on her.  Also what makes her safe? 

She's not (as far as we know) manipulated be every living Shard left on Roshar

[Karger he/him]

1 minute ago, KandraAllomancer said:

Dalinar is still the de facto military leader and the face of the coalition, which, before the Last Desolation, would be Jezrien's role, I believe

When he was around.  The 10 silver kingdoms functioned at all times not just during the desolations.

2 minutes ago, KandraAllomancer said:

She's not (as far as we know) manipulated be every living Shard left on Roshar

Bondsmith candidates are super important.  You can't hide your potential picks very well from people with future seeing capabilities and of course every shard would try and weigh the outcome.  Rosharan shards don't seem to get the prime directive.

[KandraAllomancer he/him]

7 minutes ago, Karger said:

When he was around.  The 10 silver kingdoms functioned at all times not just during the desolations.

The kingdoms had their own royalty, I think (why would Jezrien be a Herald of Kings if there were no kings?) and given the scale of destruction after a Desolation, Urithiru was probably like a relief organization in such times. Or maybe that's just how I imagine it

11 minutes ago, Karger said:

Bondsmith candidates are super important.  You can't hide your potential picks very well from people with future seeing capabilities and of course every shard would try and weigh the outcome.  Rosharan shards don't seem to get the prime directive.

The Stormfather is in a lost position here, I agree. But Cultivation can probably hide her candidate from Odium. No idea about the Sibling, he's a complete wildcard here

[Karger he/him]

17 minutes ago, KandraAllomancer said:

The kingdoms had their own royalty, I think (why would Jezrien be a Herald of Kings if there were no kings?) and given the scale of destruction after a Desolation, Urithiru was probably like a relief organization in such times. Or maybe that's just how I imagine it

Sure but all 10 kingdoms were supposed to work together for the common good.  At least the legends put it that way.  The different governments were supposed to aid each other with expertise, security, and joint diplomatic efforts.

19 minutes ago, KandraAllomancer said:

The Stormfather is in a lost position here, I agree. But Cultivation can probably hide her candidate from Odium. No idea about the Sibling, he's a complete wildcard here

How can she do that?  Just one shards interest in you is noticeable.  Remember how Cultivation could tell Odium was interested in Dalinar?

[KandraAllomancer he/him]

18 minutes ago, Karger said:

How can she do that?  Just one shards interest in you is noticeable.  Remember how Cultivation could tell Odium was interested in Dalinar?

To be fair, Odium was interested in Dalinar first, long before he met Cultivation. Cultivation is a Shard with a full power, Odium is bound on a separate planet and somehow injured (hence the Broken One). That results in a slight advantage for Slammer. Small things can likely be hidden from Odium e.g. Shallan being Lightweaver not an Elsecaller. And Cultivation had a lot of time to move lots of things in motion - Taravangian is a very probable candidate here, also Sja-anat maybe? There'll be more that we don't see for now, most likely

[Karger he/him]

37 minutes ago, KandraAllomancer said:

To be fair, Odium was interested in Dalinar first, long before he met Cultivation. Cultivation is a Shard with a full power, Odium is bound on a separate planet and somehow injured (hence the Broken One). That results in a slight advantage for Slammer. Small things can likely be hidden from Odium e.g. Shallan being Lightweaver not an Elsecaller. And Cultivation had a lot of time to move lots of things in motion - Taravangian is a very probable candidate here, also Sja-anat maybe? There'll be more that we don't see for now, most likely

Cultivation can't do much most of the time either.  She is in hiding.

[KandraAllomancer he/him]

26 minutes ago, Karger said:

Cultivation can't do much most of the time either.  She is in hiding.

Quote

Gavin-son-son-Odegard

How does Cultivation figure in this conflict between Odium?

Brandon Sanderson

So, what people assume is that Cultivation is hiding. I would disagree with that. People in-world would assume that.

Oathbringer London signing (Nov. 28, 2017)

 

[joesleepsalot he/him]

I definitely agree that the sibling is an absolute wildcard.... we literally know almost nothing except vague hints and random tidbits from Kaladin and Shallan who note stuff like similar rock veins in the wind blade tunnels at Kholinar vs Urithiru etc. 

I’m not sure it’s cliche to have a second or even third Kholin Bondsmith. In real life, we see stuff like that all the time.... the Kennedy’s, the NFL QB brothers, etc. 

If I had to guess, I’d say the candidate list for the Nightwatcher cannot include Taravangian for the simple reason that he already went to see her and received a boon. Perhaps her bonding is only done at the behest of someone who 1) shows up to request a boon, 2) Is someone she’d consider bonding and 3) says the words. In my mind, likely candidates for this would be anyone who’s never been to the Nightwatcher: Rlain, Navani, Rock, Adolin (despite the Maya thing.... in fact, that might enable the full restoration of Maya), etc. It also could be that the Nightwatcher looks for established squires to a radiant. If so, then that’d be a whole new list besides Rock..... we just don’t know at this point. 

For the sibling, what do we even know in the first place? Sure, the Stormfather’s “sibling”... but also the Nightwatcher’s sibling? Is the storm father the Nightwatcher’s brother? Who is exactly is siblings to whom in this situation? Forgive me if there’s a WOB, I haven’t found it yet... but as far as I know we know exactly Jack and Squat about who this dude is. I like the idea that he’s the Soren for the continent, that makes the most sense I think—- if that’s the case, then I’m inclined to think that the bondsmith for the Sibling would either be a singer (Rlain) or an as-yet-unidentified Shin—unless for some reason Szeth dual hats somehow. Personally I think the Sibling is slumbering in either Shinovar, the Purelake, or the Origin... but most strongly in Shinovar, as (if he’s the earthy type) Shinovar most replicated land and plants as we know them on earth and has minimal high storm activity. Aside from a Shin or a Singer, I think it would most likely be Navani... she’s been married to two bond smith candidates, one of which actually became one. She’s at the epicenter of that realm and has the interest in fabrials. 

[Karger he/him]

22 hours ago, joesleepsalot said:

Taravangian for the simple reason that he already went to see her and received a boon

Taravangain has changed considerably since then.

22 hours ago, joesleepsalot said:

but also the Nightwatcher’s sibling?

The Stormfather says third sibling in reference to the Nightwatcher and himself.

On 6/5/2020 at 8:21 PM, KandraAllomancer said:

Gavin-son-son-Odegard

How does Cultivation figure in this conflict between Odium?

Brandon Sanderson

So, what people assume is that Cultivation is hiding. I would disagree with that. People in-world would assume that.

Exactly she has to be careful.  Extending herself is dangerous.

Edited June 7, 2020 by Karger

[+Oltux72 he/him]

On 06/06/2020 at 5:09 AM, joesleepsalot said:

If I had to guess, I’d say the candidate list for the Nightwatcher cannot include Taravangian for the simple reason that he already went to see her and received a boon.

That hasn't stopped Wyndle. The problem is that the Nightwatcher would learn that he has a deal with Odium, as you have to mean the oaths. Taravangian would have to be a double agent. That is possible. In fact, Cultivation may aim for that.

On 06/06/2020 at 5:09 AM, joesleepsalot said:

Perhaps her bonding is only done at the behest of someone who 1) shows up to request a boon, 2) Is someone she’d consider bonding and 3) says the words. In my mind, likely candidates for this would be anyone who’s never been to the Nightwatcher: Rlain, Navani, Rock, Adolin (despite the Maya thing.... in fact, that might enable the full restoration of Maya), etc. It also could be that the Nightwatcher looks for established squires to a radiant. If so, then that’d be a whole new list besides Rock..... we just don’t know at this point.

Wouldn't the Nightwatcher look for somebody attuned to Cultivation? Navani fits that. Rlain really does not. Taravangian in a way, would. Survival, even at a terrible cost, can be seen as an attribute of Cultivation. She does prune if need be.

[Karger he/him]

13 hours ago, Oltux72 said:

That hasn't stopped Wyndle. The problem is that the Nightwatcher would learn that he has a deal with Odium, as you have to mean the oaths. Taravangian would have to be a double agent. That is possible. In fact, Cultivation may aim for that.

I wonder if Slammer can pull it off a second time...

[+Bzhydack he/him]

I think Taravangian is the best candidate to bond Nightwacher and become second Bondsmith.

1. He is fullfililng the main goal of Bondsmiths, and unite people. He is practicly dark reflection of Dalinar - he unite Jah Keved under his rule, by murder. He even once, in one interlude of WoR have in mind excact same goal as Dalinar. "Unite them"

2. He allready is Connected to the Nightwacher - he asks about Ability to Save Humanity. Being Bondsmith can be this Ability.

3. Nightwacher is Splinter of Cultivation, Shard with the best Futuresight. He clearly have this ability (Diagram).

4. He is able to negotiate with Odium.

For Sibling, I have no idea. Maybe Navani, she is clarly broken and have ability to connect people, but I hope she will not become Radiant, Stay genius Artifbrian and this will be how she will help win War. And Sibling have to be find first.

[Kuram]

I have a feeling the herdazian general is going to be a bondsmith.  Brandon has said he's going to be an important character.

[ScavellTane]

The main attribute that is associated to Bondsmith is Piety. So they've got to be following a gods mandate to qualify I think.

[Skylicus23]

I have nothing of substance to add here but this thread is awesome and I can’t believe I didn’t get into this forum years ago.

[Dracnor he/him]

On 16/07/2020 at 7:59 PM, Bzhydack said:

I think Taravangian is the best candidate to bond Nightwacher and become second Bondsmith.

1. He is fullfililng the main goal of Bondsmiths, and unite people. He is practicly dark reflection of Dalinar - he unite Jah Keved under his rule, by murder. He even once, in one interlude of WoR have in mind excact same goal as Dalinar. "Unite them"

2. He allready is Connected to the Nightwacher - he asks about Ability to Save Humanity. Being Bondsmith can be this Ability.

3. Nightwacher is Splinter of Cultivation, Shard with the best Futuresight. He clearly have this ability (Diagram).

4. He is able to negotiate with Odium.

For Sibling, I have no idea. Maybe Navani, she is clarly broken and have ability to connect people, but I hope she will not become Radiant, Stay genius Artifbrian and this will be how she will help win War. And Sibling have to be find first.

I'm not so sure (I'll call Taravangian T for obvious laziness reasons) :

1) He's not uniting. He weakens to reign. I'd compare him to Gavilar : Gavilar "united" by military conquest, T "united" by political slaugther (and manipulation) - but none of those two lead to a true unity. Give time to the political class of Jah Keved to rebuild itself, and then he'll have to build a true unity (like Dalinar had and still has to do with the Alethi warlords/highprinces). Moreover, and the wider scale...  he's not uniting men, he's abandonning the vast majority of them (by being a spy for the ennemy) so that a few can survive. Doesn't strike me as a Bondsmith thing.

2) We have a WoB that Cultivation is the one that made him this way. Furthermore, I'm not sure that being granted a wish by the Nightwatcher Connects yourself to her - or did I miss something ?

3) Odium said that he did this without Fortune, so we can assume that the "standard" way to foretell is Fortune. T seems to have done it with pure intelect (as I understand it, the world is deterministic, and T on his overgeniuses day used all of the info he had to compute the future states of the world).

4) Not sure about this one. Odium came to see T, but did it on a day where T was stupid and stated that he would not come when T is smarter. I'm not sure that was a negociation, even with the words of the diagram. But I'll grant you that he's in contact with Odium, and that could be usefull.

 

100% on you regarding the end of your message. Keeping non-radiant characters is important, especially in the Kholin family. I had seen a theory of Rlain becoming the third Bondsmith and creating a third faction (the Parsh and sprens that are not with Odium but resent humanity for all they did), and that stroke me as a very good potential plot (and character) development.

Edited July 20, 2020 by Dracnor
Found the WoB