Renegade

Rengar grimaced, jumping through the wall of flames into the wrecked living room. A small boy, shivering in fear, sat against the corner of the room. Rengar grabbed the boy and looked out the window. They were on the second floor of a building in Kholinar’s slums, built half with stones, half with wood. Why in Chaos’s name am I doing this? Rengar thought. As if I weren’t insane enough already, now I find myself trying to save children from burning buildings? Since when did I care about these children? I do not even know them. a The boy on Rengar’s shoulder began to cry, his tears rolling down his arm. You’re really not helping me out right now, kid, Rengar thought, trying to brush away the child’s tears. Rengar glanced behind him, where the conflagration was growing, consuming the living room. It’s now or never. Rengar kicked the window, glass shattering against his large boots. He ducked through the window, landing on a small deck outside. Just below was another building, only one story high. Unfortunately, it was on fire as well. Well, Chaos, isn’t that just great? Rengar held onto the child and jumped off of the deck. The boy screamed as they fell, crashing through the burning roof of the shorter house and landing on a kitchen table. “Storms!” Rengar swore, rolling off the table with the boy. Pieces of burning wood fell from the hole above, slamming the kitchen table and setting it ablaze. The boy was still clutched tightly in Rengar’s arms, his eyes wide with fear. In the fire's light, he almost looked like a small Shin boy. Rengar winced in pain as he took a step, nearly dropping the child. Rengar limped over to a door, the fires growing around him, and stepped through. He was outside. I made it. By Chaos, I made it. The flames behind him slowly consumed the house, and it began to collapse, smoke rising into the evening sky. The boy in Rengar’s arms was weeping. Rengar patted his head softly. “It’s okay, child. Everything’s fine. We just…” s An arrow flew right past Rengar’s face. Chaos, this riot will be the death of me! Rengar dropped the boy, huddled in fear again, and gallantly limped towards his attacker. Unfortunately, the attacker had vanished, almost as if into thin air. What in Chaos’s name-? h Rengar whirled around to check on the small child. The boy was standing up cautiously pointing to something. Rengar, frowning, ran over to him. The boy continued to point. What is he pointing at? Rengar squinted in the fading sunlight. Out of a crumbled stone wall protruded the arrow that had nearly taken his life. Attached to its tip was a note: e Dearest friend, I apologize for the method that this note was delivered to you, but I couldn’t take any chances. A regular courier walking the streets of Kholinar these days is bound to be the victim of an assassin. I chose this guise instead. As requested, I have delivered the information on the faction’s movements that you wanted. Do realize, however, that while I am your loyal spy, I cannot perform miracles. I mean, infiltrating Clanal’s home? You are completely out of your mind. But, nevertheless, I have done as you wished. r Rengar paused from reading the letter, looking over at the boy that he had saved. So much destruction, he thought. But no, that is Chaos’s will. This destruction was meant to happen. I will survive. But as he began reading the letter again, he felt increasingly unsure. The force of Chaos is among us, my friends/enemies. Some alliances will prosper, while others will quickly wither and die...

Rengar the Insane peered through the doorway into the unruly den, surveying its occupants. 27 people? That was far too many for this sort of situation. Many will die in these riots. But I have no need to worry. The force of Chaos is on my side here. Chaos, as it has before, will see me through this mess. All I need to do is to give into Chaos and let it guide me. I will act upon it, and it will not act upon me. Thus, the universe is in imbalance and all is right. Rengar, not content with the traditional Vorin beliefs, had created his own religious cult, Chaosism. Other than him, the religion had no followers. And they’re fools all the same, Rengar thought. For when their life is in order, who will be there to save them? Not Chaos. Rengar donned his fedora and strode into the room, an air of insufferable conceit about him. Many of the people he walked past frowned at him, obviously upset with his pompous aura. They think me insane. Ha! An insane man has, in some respect, a basis of morals. I have none. Rengar smiled, almost wickedly, as he casually took a seat in atop a tall stool, sitting directly across from the man who called himself Magam. “Quite a bit of chaos going on out there,” Rengar started, glancing towards one of the windows, where glimpses of flickering, fiery flames could be seen. “It’s quite beautiful, actually.” Magam looked out the window as well, mostly so he would not have to respond to Rengar. “So,” Rengar continued, discretely trying to steal Magam’s drink, “I couldn’t help but notice that you have a rather, erm… blasphemous name. Is that correct?” Magam turned from the window, and Rengar quickly lurched his arm back from the drink, trying to act casual. Magam did not reply. Obviously, he’s so entranced by my immaculate magnificence that he cannot fathom a response. “Alright,” Rengar said, rolling his eyes. “I wasn’t going to put it to you this bluntly, but now I’m going to, since you seem incapable of responding to me. Alright, would you like to join the religion of Chaosism?” “Chaosism?” Magam questioned, raising an eyebrow. “Yes,” Rengar replied. “Chaosism. It’s quite a decent religion, if I do say so myself. I’m sure you’ve heard of it. I mean, it already has several million followers.” “I have not heard of this religion and, quite frankly, I don’t –” “It is truly a fascinating belief system. Unlike that crazy ‘Vorin’ religion of yours, Chaosism revolves completely around the concept of imbalance and disorder. If you feel as if your life is too stable or too orderly, you need not worry; Chaos will take care of that. If you feel –” “Honestly, please stop. Did you just assume that, since I had a perfectly symmetrical name, I would be easily swayed to your silly beliefs? You’re wrong. Just because I have a blasphemous name does not mean that–” “No! I am not so cruel as to discriminate in that regard. After all, I do not believe in Vorinism anyway. Never really have. The point is that, by converting to Chaosism, the odds of this conflict will be unbalanced. Chaos will see you through this fray, even if you end up as my enemy in the future. Convert to Chaosism, and you will survive these riots.” Magam picked up his drink and began to get off the stool. “You are crazy, Rengar,” he said, hopping down from the stool. “No matter what you think, you’re not going to survive this conflict.” “Well, consider my offer anyway,” Rengar called as Magam walked away, joining another table in the corner of the room. Rengar sighed. Another failed attempt. At least Chaos knows I tried to save them. He jumped down from the tall stool and walked towards the window where he had seen the flames. Rengar peered out the window. Columns of fiery red tendrils shot into the sky at the horizon. Bright flames danced in the midmorning sky, flashing against the sides of houses. And the screams. Loud, piercing wails filled the city. They were far off, but they were still there. The Riots of Kholinar had begun. “Yes!” Rengar yelled. “Chaos! Destruction! Insanity! This is what we need!” Everyone in the room fell silent. What is wrong with them? Are they not insane? How can they not see the glory… the awe… of Chaos? There is art in Chaos. There is no art in order! Order is nothing but doing the same thing, over and over… how is there art in that? Rengar glared at the patrons of the room, and sat down in his booth, mumbling incoherently. Rengar knew, somehow, that this was only the beginning of a very terrible day.

When you realize that you need a bigger basement for all of the dead bodies and spikes that you've collected. ...Wait, did I just say that?

I’ve been thinking about a few neat ideas for a Steelheart game (which I’ll probably post the rules to eventually), and I realized that some of these ideas can be integrated into other future elimination games, to add some elements of risk and tension, and to balance out the roles in the game. Secret Abilities/Researchers: Like the Inquisitor role, there are a few roles that have secret abilities. Everyone is aware that these roles exist, but they do not know anything about these roles' abilities. However, a Researcher can ask for information about one of these secret roles each night. The GM will give them some information about that role’s abilities. The Researcher can research the same role a second time to fully understand everything about the role. In the Steelheart game, the first time a Researcher researches a particular Epic, they learn of that Epic’s powers. The second time they research an Epic, they learn of the Epic’s weakness. If there are multiple Researchers, their research does not “stack.” So if one Researcher researched a particular role on the first night, and a different Researcher researched the same role the next night, they would get the same information. The second Researcher would not get the "secondary" information. Black Market: This is a fun addition. Each day, along with voting, each person may go to the Black Market to try to buy one (or possibly more than one) item. Along with the write-up, a list of items available for that day (probably 3-4) will be provided, along with a description of each item. These items have various abilities, and many will be unique. Nobody can use more than one item during a single day phase or night phase. (With the exception of a few "passive" items, such as the Mobiles in the Steelheart game, which give the user the ability to send PMs to other Mobile-holders.) Buying an Item: The person who bids the highest price for a particular item by the end of the day phase receives that item. (I’m not sure if bidding will be done via posting or PM.) If it is a tie, one of the highest bidders is randomly chosen to receive the item. Whoever receives the item must pay the number of bids they bought it for, in votes. Each bid counts as one vote against the buyer. For example, if BillyBob paid 3 bids for a Shardblade, and he received it, he would get 3 extra votes against him in the write-up. My favorite thing about this particular concept is that it allows "weaker" players (ones without special abilities) to potentially become about as powerful as the stronger players. However, you may only use one item/phase, which prevents any single person from becoming too overpowered. Any thoughts?

Sometime, in the distant future, some intelligent and lazy person in the Cosmere will invent the television. It has to happen. At some point. Maybe there's a fabrial for it (which is very likely; there's a fabrial for everything), or maybe it has to do with Southern Scadrial's magical machines of mayhem. At any rate, the question we should be asking is not if there will be televisions in the Cosmere, but what people will watch with them. So, without further ado, here's a trailer for a Rosharian Cooking Drama: (Cue Dramatic Voice) In a world, ravaged by storms, where death comes by the will of the wind... Five men will seek to gain glory with only their wits... and a spatula... The Horneater, born on the cliffs, his life dedicated to making food, and more importantly, eating it… The Shin, in a plant-filled kingdom, his only wish to convert his fellow chefs to veganism… The Alethi, punished for his past crime of making a new food with a perfectly symmetrical name, hoping to gain pardon for his insolence. The Herdazian, his arm lost in a tragic cooking accident, wishing to become the most popular of his cousins. And finally, the Parshman, his life sold to making fine food for others. Who will please the omnipotent god Odium? And who will die by the sword? Tune in next week for the first episode of… Scones Unhallowed! So, that's one Cosmere TV show. But what other shows could be developed?

“They call me Rengar,” the man said in a supremely macho voice, lounging back against the booth, “because nobody knows my real name. And if they did, they wish they could forget it.” The man looked up, and promptly adjusted his large hat. “I am the man known from Aimia to Alethkar. I am the man who wrestled a whitespine blindfolded. I am the man who climbed the Horneater Peaks… twice. I am the man who went to a Herdazian family reunion, just for the fun of it. I am…” The man paused, dramatically taking off his hat. “...Insanity!” Just for clarity, the character's name is Rengar, not Insanity. He's just insane. And very manly, when he feels like it. But most of the time, he's just insane.

Swimmingly is now the leader of magical fish.

What would Hoid do if he had his own Shard? My personal theory is that he would create his own magic system based off of himself, called Scourgebinding. Instead of bonding with spren to gain powers, Scourgebinding involves bonding with articles of clothing. Thus, the Tights Radiant were born. (Hoid can be a very cruel person when he’s not trying to stop violent Shards.) Thievery: The Scourge of Skillful Kleptomania. Those with this scourge impulsively and expertly pickpocket anyone they meet. Bafflement: The Scourge of Utter Stupefaction. Those who use this scourge gain the ability to make all people nearby gawk at them in complete confusion. Annoyance: The Scourge of Obsessive Irritation. Those who have this scourge gain the ability to make all around them groan in pain, as they receive an eternal headache. Insanity: The Scourge of Incoherent Blather. Those with this scourge have the uncanny ability to cause others around them to back away in fear. Stalking: The Scourge of Alarming Pursuit. Those with this scourge become ultimate ninjas, capable of walking right behind people without being noticed, and instinctively knowing the location at which someone lives. Disguise: The Scourge of Surreptitious Sneakiness. Those who have earned this scourge have the ability to instantaneously grow any kind of mustache. Insufferable Conceit: The Scourge of Willful Snobbery. Those with this scourge have the ability to cause everyone they meet to instantly lose their respect for them. Insult: The Scourge of Offensive Heckling. Those with this scourge are granted the ability to break friendships, end relationships, and start battles in the most hilarious and ironic ways possible. Humor: The Scourge of Friendly Mocking. Those using this scourge can make all around them giggle stupidly, laugh obnoxiously, or chuckle incoherently. Wandering: The Scourge of Aimless Striding. Those with this scourge have the honorable ability to take the longest possible path to reach a destination, and to invariably get lost in the most straightforward places. First Ideal of the Tights Radiant: Novelty before Redundancy, Alias before truth, Goofiness before fashion. Windstunner: The Tights Radiant Order of Thievery and Bafflement. Windstunners were an order known for their underhanded methods of robbery. They would often act like total buffoons, attracting attention and causing complete confusion. Suddenly, they would strike down upon their foes, pickpocketing them and running away and laughing maniacally before their victims were able to come to their senses. The Windstunners also taught their own squires about the art of deceit. In truth, the Windstunners only recruited squires so that they could be pickpocketed. Windstunners are bonded to Beltspren. Second Ideal of the Windstunners: I will confound those who cannot confound themselves. Third Ideal of the Windstunners: I will confound even those I hate, so long as it is humorous. Sighbreaker: The Tights Radiant Order of Bafflement and Annoyance. The Sighbreakers were one of the most despicable orders of the Tights Radiant. They had numerous verbal spars with the Windstunners, because they believed that the Windstunners were using the Scourge of Thievery immoral. During these verbal battles, the Windstunners would often stealthily pickpocket the Sighbreakers. The Sighbreakers were named for the sighs of agony that come from anyone within audible range their Annoying drivel. Sighbreakers are bonded to Hatspren. Second Ideal of the Sighbreakers: I will put obnoxiousness before all else. Cussbringer: The Tights Radiant Order of Annoyance and Insanity. Cussbringers were a reckless order, often hanging at the edge of sanity (and cliffs). They were a particularly vicious order because of their combined use of the Scourge of Annoyance and Insanity. Whereas the Sighbreakers would eventually feel remorse for those they Annoyed, the Cussbringers were Insane; they would never shut up. The term “Cussbringers” was coined quickly, and the other orders, particularly those with the Scourge of Insult, would line up and systematically shout curses at unruly Cussbringers. Cussbringers are bonded with Sockspren. Hedgedancer: The Tights Radiant Order of Insanity and Stalking. The Hedgedancers were one of the most disconcerting orders, often found sneaking on top of hedges or atop roofs. As they had the Scourge of Stalking, they were impulsively compelled to follow and spy on those they felt were suspicious. Of the two orders with Scourge of Stalking, the Hedgedancers were by far the least sneaky and the clumsiest. They would try to attract as much attention to themselves as possible, but their Stalking ability also caused them to become impossible to see by those they were Stalking. Hedgedancers tended to find the highest places possible to Stalk their victims. Once they found their victim’s house, they would enter and their Insane Scourge would take over, forcing them to juggle fruits or stand on one foot or do other impractical things. The Hedgedancers are bonded to Glovespren. Second Ideal of the Hedgedancers: I will stalk those who think they have been forgotten. Truthstalker: The Tights Radiant Order of Stalking and Disguise. The Truthstalkers were the ultimate masters of ninja-ness. They could impersonate anyone and Stalk anyone they wished. The other orders used them as spies, informants, and pranksters. The Truthstalkers themselves wished to find out the truth behind human behavior. But after centuries of fruitless searching and Stalking, they realized that there are no truths behind human behavior; humans are completely irrational. Truthstalkers are bonded to Jacketspren. Fightweaver: The Tights Radiant Order of Disguise and Insufferable Conceit. The Fightweavers were a sly, conniving order who would spark fights and wars. With the Scourge of Disguise, they would imitate a random person nearby, and with the Scourge of Insufferable Conceit, they would provoke anger and jealousy into anyone who heard their words. Then, the Fightweaver would use Disguise to return to their normal self, and the mob would attack the person whom the Fightweaver was imitating. Due to their underhanded techniques, they were not well-liked by the other orders. The Fightweavers did not have any Ideals other than the First Ideal. Instead, their power grew as they started conflicts. Fightweavers are bonded with Scarfspren. Blame-Someone-Elsecaller: The Tights Radiant Order of Insufferable Conceit and Insult. The Blame-Someone-Elsecallers were known for accusing others for their crimes. They were the most provocative order of the Tights Radiant, shouting out Insults while simultaneously praising their own magnificence. The Blame-Someone-Elsecallers were often not successful in their attempts to blame others, so they hired Truthstalkers and Fightweavers to Disguise themselves as distractions. The Blame-Someone-Elsecallers are bonded to Vestspren. Witshaper: The Tights Radiant Order of Insult and Humor. The Witshapers were called the most holy of the orders, and they often had visions with the great and mighty Hoid. Through him, they learned the wittiest Insults and puns to torture their victims with. Speaking with a Witshaper was a great honor, as much as it was horrible and agonizing. The Witshapers instigated wars, baffled linguists, and tortured passers-by with their sleight of tongue. To keep up their reputation, they brought tall, foldable stools wherever they traveled. Once they reached a place they felt was important, they set down their stool and sat atop it, shouting down Insults at whomever was unfortunate enough to pass by. Witshapers are bonded to Cloakspren. Phonyward: The Tights Radiant Order of Humor and Wandering. The Phonywards were Wandering travelers who spread warmth and joy throughout the world. They used their Humor and made witty jokes to anyone they saw. They were constantly Wandering, and were a rather superfluous order since nobody could ever locate them unless they were not looking for them in the first place. The reason that the created such witty puns and Wandered constantly was that they were actually a very insecure order, and would search all their life for a place to fit in. They used their jokes and puns to cover up their insecurities, which is why they were known as the Phonywards. They are bonded to the reclusive Sandalspren. Bondbreaker The Tights Radiant Order of Wandering and Thievery. The Bondbreakers were an order of only three, because Hoid would never be so cruel to let more of them run rampant in the world. Actually, yes he would. But, in any event, there were only three Bondbreakers at any one time. It was up to the Bondbreakers to instigate rivalries and wars between the orders of the Tights Radiant. They Wandered about, finding other Tights Radiant members, and used Thievery to stealthily steal from them. The victims blamed the other orders, and wars broke out between orders. But the Bondbreakers’ work was never finished. Bondbreakers are bonded with Trouserspren. Second Ideal of the Bondbreakers: I will divide instead of unite. I will break men apart. …And meanwhile, Hoid will be sitting back in his Shardic castle, laughing at the foolish things the petty mortals attempt to do with this magic system.

Just wanted to point out that (as of now) Brandon's title is Knights Radiant, and Peter's title is Steel Inquisitor... I'm starting to get worried.

This will probably be a long theory, and it might not make sense at the beginning, but just bear with me. Okay, here is my theory: Surgebinding is of both Honor and Cultivation, but some orders are primarily related to Honor and some are primarily related to Cultivation. Okay, so what do we know about Bondsmiths and Truthwatchers? For one thing, we know Dalinar is a Bondsmith. Renarin is a Truthwatcher. (Ym is as well, but we're not talking about him.) Alright, so refer to the Ten Essences Chart and you'll find out that Ishar's (and therefore Dalinar's) divine attributes are Pious and Guiding. This makes sense, as Dalinar is strict about obeying the Alethi Codes of War and following the Knights Radiant (Pious) and makes decisions and tries to set an example for the other Highprinces (Guiding). Paliah's (and therefore Renarin's) divine attributes are Learned and Giving. Again, this makes sense, as Renarin is always eager to learn (Learned) and helps others out (Giving). Looking at the Essences Chart, you will also notice that Ishar's soulcasting properties are meat and flesh, while Paliah's are wood, plants, and moss. It seems as if Bondsmiths and Truthwatchers are kind of opposite orders, especially since they are the two orders directly across from each other in the middle of the Knights Radiant Orders Table: Yeah, Bondsmiths and Truthwatchers are basically opposites. So what? Ah, excellent question. And that's where we get deep into this matter. What happens to Dalinar that happens to nobody else? During the Highstorms, he has visions of the past. Visions of Honor, if I may add. And what happens to Renarin that happens to nobody else? During the Highstorms, he has visions... of the future. And which shard does Honor say is good at foretelling of the future? If that weren't enough proof, let's look at Truthwatcher's and Bondsmith's Surges. Truthwatchers have the Surges of Progression and Illumination. Progression has to deal with healing and growing, and, coincidentally, the word "Cultivation" has to deal with growing plants. Illumination has to deal with sight and seeing, two things that Cultivation is apparently good at. On the other hand, Bondsmiths have the Surges of Adhesion and Tension. Adhesion has the ability to bond things together, which is Honor's Intent. We don't exactly know what Tension does, but if this theory is true, it will likely have something to deal with bonds. If we split the KR chart into two halves (top and bottom), you get five orders of Honor-based Surgebinders and five orders of Cultivation-based Surgebinders. Another one of the Honor-based Surges, Gravitation, deals with altering an object's Spiritual bond towards the ground. The fourth (and last) of the "Honor-Surges" would be Cohesion, which, again, we know little about. Since we don't know Cultivation's Intent, it is difficult to prove whether the other two Cultivation-Surges (Abrasion and Transformation) are related to Cultivation. There's also Division and Transportation, the two Surges split between Honor and Cultivation. My personal theory with the Surge of Division is that it is similar to how Ruin and Preservation worked together to create life on Scadrial. Instead of Ruin and Preservation, though, Honor and Cultivation worked together to do something normally against their (or at least Honor's) Intent. Also, as stated above, the soulcasting materials corresponding with Paliah and Truthwatchers are wood, plants, and moss, which are all related to the meaning of the word Cultivation. Honor likely created the creatures of Roshar; Cultivation created the plants. If you need any more proof, look at the KR Orders Table above, and look at the border. The top half of the border (Honor's) is red, and has only male Heralds. The bottom half (Cultivation's) is blue, and has only female Heralds. Coincidence? I don't think so... So if this is true, what does it mean? I think that it means that some of the Radiantspren (and perhaps regular spren) are more of Honor, and some are more of Cultivation. This explains why Wyndle thinks of the Nightwatcher as his mother, and why Syl identifies herself with Honor and the Stormfather. I also wonder what this means for the other 20 magic systems of Roshar. Could Voidbinding be a combination of Cultivation and Odium? In that case, what magic system is caused by Honor and Odium? So, does this theory seem sound? And what does this mean for our knowledge of the Cosmere?

If you're a Lightweaver or Elsecaller, there's always "Soulcast the Stick," the incredibly tedious yet mysteriously addicting game.

I think many of them enjoy pulling pranks on unsuspecting Alethi by pretending to be offended Horneaters (and then demanding articles of clothing as forgiveness).

Sell. (EDIT: He'll probably find a way to take all ten orders, using either Hemallurgy, Honorblades, or pure Hoid-ness.) I can definitely see this happening: Lopen: “How are you doing, gancho? How’s the family? You guys should come down here after the next highstorm. If there’s one thing I have to tell you, gancho, it’s that my cousin makes a mean cremling stew. Have I mentioned him before, gancho? His name’s Rizel. And I should know, since we Herdazians never forget a family member. It’s like we’re all positively glowing with hospitality. Or at least the Lopen is. Mind if I stick you to a wall, gancho?” Odium: “…” The Shard that Lopen is speaking to will commit Shardicide.

Store weight for a hundred years, then Compound it, becoming so heavy and dense that you turn into a black hole (I wonder if this is how to achieve FTL travel).

Give away your Shardblade to your worst enemy, only to get a few bridgemen in return. Hmm...

I was wondering what would happen if you used Nightblood as a Hemallurgic spike... You would end up with Ruin shouting "Kill him!" whenever you see anyone, while Nightblood simultaneously yells "He's evil! I think you should kill him!" Or perhaps Ruin and Nightblood would get into an endless argument in your head. Now that is the definition of insanity. It's terrifying to even think about.

Hmm... I'm not entirely sure. I'm not exactly sane, you see. The doctors tell me that the voices in my head are somehow related to the metal spike imbedded in my back. Frankly, I don't think they're entirely sane, either.

Ah, yes... The infamous Cosmere Puns thread. I'll probably join that eventually. After I deal with the last pun-related incident that occurred...

Well, I guess it's finally time to get dragged into this mess... I wanted to introduce myself with a hundred chasmfiends singing an ode to my magnificence, but, unfortunately, that ended up being a little too hard... Then, I decided to go with a few Cosmere puns, but I tried them on a few friends, and they very nearly died... I even attempted writing an essay on how Realmatic Theory can be applied in day-to-day life, but that proved to be far too tedious... So, I've decided to introduce myself the old-fashioned way. I am Renegade, the Sliver of Insanity himself. I've read nearly all of Brandon Sanderson's books, and have developed my own set of speculations and other things to contribute to the community. Be advised to watch out for my puns, as they can be incredibly painful to read. But until then, happy speculating! -Renegade