traceria

Okay, I'm just laughing at all the riffing now.

Eh, we watch a lot of hockey (and other sports at other times of the year) and are faced with dudes growing beards or their hair long or possibly cutting it if the mojo isn't right (losing multiple games), so when I got to that scene, it's all I could think about. It was worth the effort if only to get it out of my head.

Scene 1: Shot of an attractive, young Alethi man scarfing down a chicken breakfast burrito while a darkeyes server looks on in confusion. Scene 2: Shot of the same man kneeling and having an animated conversation with a really fancy and intimidating sword. Scene 3: Shot of the man placing, taking out, and replacing a necklace in his pocket multiple times, looking nervous. Scene 4: Two young Alethi men (one from the prior scenes) and a stately but attractive middle-aged woman in what is obviously the staging area of a dueling facility. Sitting on a table, strategically placed for advertising purposes, is a glass of [insert appropriate color depending on target audience] wine. Playing in the background is an engaging bass line... First young man (not wearing Shardplate): You ate chicken? Second young man (in Shardplate): [Puts on helm.] For breakfast. First young man: And you talked to the sword? Second young man: Had an entire conversation. First young man: Mother's chain in your pocket? Second young man: Checked three times. Stately yet attractive middle-aged woman: You still hold to those foolish superstitions? [both young men look at her sharply.] [Vocal accompaniment begins: "Very superstitious, writing's on the wall..."] Voiceover: It's only weird if it doesn't work. [Dialogue from Words of Radiance by Brandon Sanderson, Song lyrics from Stevie Wonder's "Superstition" and Voiceover dialogue from that series of Bud Light commercials.]

Fun topic! As to type, I really like the idea of Creationspren. What odd little things they are! (Maybe the idea of them fascinates me because I had a dollhouse as a kid.) As to a specific spren, I have a really hard time deciding between Syl and Pattern. It feels like trying to chose a favorite between two very different yet delightful children. I have this feeling as we meet more spren bound to KRs, I'm going to feel like it's a choice between more than just two kids! XD I feel like I need to get to know Wyndle a little more before making a judgment call on him. I do feel very sorry for him, though. Lift may be awesome, but she's kind of exasperating to work with!

I think it was in 2007 that I first read Brandon Sanderson. I'd seen a review by Orson Scott Card on his website and decided to pick up Elantris. After that came the reading of the Mistborn trilogy, and not long after that I heard about him being chosen to finish WoT, which my brother had gotten me hooked on separately. After the first couple casual reads, now there isn't a published work I wouldn't ready by Mr. Sanderson as soon as made available! :]

Shaggai, I was actually thinking perhaps it was fractal related myself. I was browsing through WoB last week and he said it was something mathematical (phrased it differently, though). I was wondering if it could originally have been a tessellation, but that would mean that there would have to have been changes to the landmass over time from high storms. But I think I like your fractal idea better!

MrFloobie - Glad you mentioned Gaiman! I don't know that the OP would like him, but I keep telling my husband he needs to read at least Anansi Boys and American Gods if nothing else. If anyone loves mythology, those books are so great. Asha'man Logain - I also like the Dresden books better. I don't often reread books, but I've read through that series three times, I think.

Just adding my vote of support to the following authors/books: Blood Song by Anthony Ryan The Black Company books by Glenn Cook The Name of the Wind, etc. by Patrick Rothfuss The Dresden Files (and Codex Alera) by Jim Butcher The Prydain Chronicles by Lloyd Alexander (By not repeating anything else, it simply means I haven't had the pleasure of reading that particular book/author yet, not that I dislike them.) I'd also add that if you're looking for something at a younger reading level, Diana Wynne Jones also deserves a mention. For Alexander (in the list above), his Prydain Chronicles books are top notch (among other things), and I will basically devour anything Diana Wynne Jones you put in front of me, but my favorites are The Dark Lord of Derkholm and its sequel The Year of the Griffin, The Dalemark Quartet, and the Chrestomanci books. To me, C.S. Lewis and Tolkien go without saying. Both are just classic (and good).

Thanks, WeiryWriter, for providing the WoB on this!

I only ask this because I really don't know: How do we know Honor was splintered after the Oathpact was broken? The wiki says there's a citation needed (http://coppermind.net/wiki/Honor). (Sorry, for some reason this computer/browser won't let me hotlink text.)

Stuck behind "spoiler" just in case: Not saying I necessarily believe this, more that I'm looking for others' thoughts and opinions on the possibility.

I don't have a copy of the book here to look up the exchange between Nalan and Szeth, but my impression was that having been reborn, whatever guilt Szeth carried from his previous life and actions, it was no longer of consequence once being brought back. He gets to start over as far as a tally sheet of good/evil deeds is concerned. What Era mentioned above about a clean slate I think is of vital importance. Szeth might screw things up again, but he gets to start afresh at least.

I'm new, so don't know what parts of the forums you don't have to say "SPOILERS!" or not, so... SPOILERS for WoR below: I would mention, as someone else alluded to, that just because death is associated with the Nighwatcher, it doesn't necessarily mean she's evil or that death is either. Death is a very natural and integral part of life and continual progress. Think about gardening and the part that compost plays. How do you get compost? Through death and decay. (Edit to add the spoiler note.)

Hi, my name's Tracey, and I just finished Words of Radiance. I'd wandered around the wiki before, but hadn't ever stumbled upon this site (for lack of searching) until today. Then I had one of those, "Why didn't you go looking before?!" conversations with myself. I simply had to sign up since the other people I know reading the book are oh so far from finishing and I feel compelled to get my hands on some theories now...right now. XD I first read Elantris back in 2007 and then basically went on to read every other book by Brandon Sanderson that was out or came out thereafter. Oddly enough, I'd already been 'reading' Wheel of Time via audiobook when the announcement was made that he'd be finishing the series, and the excitement was just overwhelming. (Thanks to my brother for getting me started on that series with enough time to read the new ones as they hit shelves.) The last interesting tidbit I have for this intro is that the aforementioned friends still reading WoR and I attended the book signing in the Philly area last week. It was enlightening to say the least! I'd known about the Cosmere but just hadn't really thought terribly much about it. Now I'm afraid I have to go back and reread Elantris and Warbreaker and am highly tempted to start rereading Words of Radiance immediately thereafter. I don't do the whole reread thing too often, so this temptation is surprising. I look forward to meeting and chatting with you all around the forums!