Why does Nightblood cause that reaction?

[Jondesu he/him]

Okay, so I’ve circled back to Warbreaker in my course through the Cosmere, and it struck me that I never really processed why Nightblood causes the reaction he does from people who hold him. The revulsion and nausea from those who are good I can understand. But why do those deemed “evil” (or is it those with this reaction who are then deemed evil by Nightblood?) kill themselves? We find people impaling themselves on the sword, sheath and all. I could understand them wanting to use him and getting consumed. I don’t understand them wanting to kill themselves…

[Eternal Khol he/him]

3 hours ago, Jondesu said:

I don’t understand them wanting to kill themselves…

Its explained in the Annotation for chapter 35.

 

Basically, if the person holding Nightblood is deemed evil, their desire to kill to with him is enhanced, and if they deem themselves to be evil too, they will end up killing themselves.

heres the important snippet:     

Spoiler

     "One nice thing about having a sword that “cannot tempt the hearts of those who are pure” is that when someone like Vivenna touches it, she gets sick. I didn’t want Nightblood to come off as a “one ring” knockoff. He doesn’t turn people’s hearts or corrupt them. However, in order to be able to do his job and fulfill his Command, he needed the ability to determine who is good and who is evil.
     This, of course, isn’t an easy thing to determine. In fact, I don’t think it’s a black or white issue for most people. When Nightblood was created, the Breaths infused in him did their best to interpret their Command. What they decided was evil was someone who would try to take the sword and use it for evil purposes, selling it, manipulating and extorting others, that sort of thing. Someone who wouldn’t want the sword for those reasons was determined to be good. If they touch the weapon, they feel sick. If others touch the weapon, their desire to kill and destroy with it is enhanced greatly.

     Nightblood himself, unfortunately, doesn’t quite understand what good and evil are. (This is mentioned later in the text.) However, he knows that his master can determine who is good and who is evil—using the sword’s power to make people sick, or through other means. So, he pretty much just lets whoever is holding him decide what is evil. And if the one holding the sword determines—deep within their heart—that they are evil themselves, then they will end up killing themselves with the sword."

 

[Quantus he/him]

7 hours ago, Eternal Khol said:

Its explained in the Annotation for chapter 35.

 

Basically, if the person holding Nightblood is deemed evil, their desire to kill to with him is enhanced, and if they deem themselves to be evil too, they will end up killing themselves.

heres the important snippet:     

  Hide contents

     "One nice thing about having a sword that “cannot tempt the hearts of those who are pure” is that when someone like Vivenna touches it, she gets sick. I didn’t want Nightblood to come off as a “one ring” knockoff. He doesn’t turn people’s hearts or corrupt them. However, in order to be able to do his job and fulfill his Command, he needed the ability to determine who is good and who is evil.
     This, of course, isn’t an easy thing to determine. In fact, I don’t think it’s a black or white issue for most people. When Nightblood was created, the Breaths infused in him did their best to interpret their Command. What they decided was evil was someone who would try to take the sword and use it for evil purposes, selling it, manipulating and extorting others, that sort of thing. Someone who wouldn’t want the sword for those reasons was determined to be good. If they touch the weapon, they feel sick. If others touch the weapon, their desire to kill and destroy with it is enhanced greatly.

     Nightblood himself, unfortunately, doesn’t quite understand what good and evil are. (This is mentioned later in the text.) However, he knows that his master can determine who is good and who is evil—using the sword’s power to make people sick, or through other means. So, he pretty much just lets whoever is holding him decide what is evil. And if the one holding the sword determines—deep within their heart—that they are evil themselves, then they will end up killing themselves with the sword."

 

On point that used to trip me up is whether that Annotation is saying he uses his Wielder's Definition of Evil, or if he's using his Creator's definition and just letting his Wielder do the measuring.  I think it's saying the latter, that his Creator has a nebulous (probably unconscious) idea of what Evil was but no clearly stated or reasoned definition, but since Nightblood doesnt get the distinction fundamentally he lets the Wielders reaction/interpretation of that Imperative. 

[Jondesu he/him]

Thanks, that finally makes sense!

[Guest]

I wonder if the process goes like this: someone picks up Nightblood and gets their desire and ability to kill greatly enhanced. If they murder someone next to them (which they usually do), they then have a very understandable reaction of "Wow, I'm a monster" that is enhanced because Nightblood deaths are more horrifying than typical deaths. That person views themselves as evil just long enough to suicide via Nightblood. So, basically anyone with any desire to kill to actually kill people and suicide via Nightblood which causes Nightblood to think most people are evil which colors his/her/their/its (no clue here) perception of people as mostly evil which causes most people to kill and suicide using Nightblood...

[apepi]

I do wonder if people who view themselves as good but is actually evil would work. Or someone who themselves don't think in the confines of evil.

Like if you gave it to a lifeless, would the 'evil' be based of of the lifeless's commands then?

[Zoey she/her]

It is actively stated to be closely related to Rioting, and to the effects of Ashertmarn and Naergoul.