Pathfinder

For what its worth, my intention was never to convince you to like or love Jasnah. The impression I got was that you just wanted to understand other people's perspective on her. So it sounds to me, that although you disagree, you understand a bit more regarding how fans see her. So personally I would see this thread as a success. Regarding Jasnah going forward for you. I hope you can find a way to even as you dislike the character, to still enjoy the narrative. As per Brandon, Jasnah is going to be (in his words) possibly THE main character of the back five, so it is looking like she will not be isolated to her own book. I hope that will not ruin your enjoyment of the series. At the end of the day, even if you cannot get past your dislike of Jasnah, and that makes the back five of the stormlight your most disliked part, then at least please appreciate the front five where from what it sounds like your big favorites are Dalinar and Kaladin.

Rlain is already bonded to a corrupted truthwatcher spren. For an entity that is all about representing bodily autonomy, and defending spren from abuse, they will then demand a mutual bond to be ended, so they would get Rlain instead?

Sending the visions were orders that had to be execute. Who the visions were sent to was left to the Stormfather to decide. It is mentioned specifically in the quote I posted in a prior post. I took it as the Stormfather relenting and admitting that Dalinar did realize what the oath was, and sufficiently swore it to be accepted. To me still doesn't mean the Stormfather couldn't have refused. He did at first, and even then he is still convinced Dalinar and humans will ultimately kill the spren again. Only over time as the bond deepened and the stormfather's empathy grows, that he begins to understand humans. If that was the case, then why not admit it after the fact? Not sure what this is regarding or meant to show. Could you elaborate? I took the visions as a warning and a "how to book" to pass on info. The visions literally say "hey something big is coming. Come together as a united force. If that doesn't work and things are against you, try to get him to agree to a contest of champions. It will buy you time". Like saying "hey you got a big test coming up, these study guides helped me. Here is a study trick that has worked before". I agree, especially considering the WoB posted earlier that confirmed a spren bond can be forcibly removed via hemalurgy assuming the knight did not break the oaths. Building on that, we find out that Ishar could do that due to being a bondsmith. I agree, I could not see that working on a bondsmith spren versus a spren like Syl. I agree. Good points. But the danger has not subsided. The imminent threat is not present, but the sibling is unable to protect itself via the tower's protection without a bondsmith. The sibling was playing dead all this time. Now the enemy knows for a fact that it is alive and kicking. If Navani and the Sibling ended their bond, it would be laying out the red carpet, inviting Team Odium to attack the tower again and attempt to corrupt/kill the sibling. Especially now that they have the technology that was developed that can kill spren for good. I agree. Well said.

Personally I saw the progression as: Can spren break the bond? -> Yes, but the question is if they can safely -> can they break it safely? Yes, if they both choose to, it can be done safely. Otherwise I don't see why he would mention both choosing. But it is clear we each view it how we view it. So I wish you luck, and hopefully the next book will make you feel better about the bond. Words of Radiance page 1070 "I was required to send those visions once the time arrived. The Almighty demanded it of me. I could no more disobey than I could refuse to blow the winds" "The visions were his then" Dalinar said "and you the vehicle for choosing who received them?" "Yes" "Why did you pick me?" Dalinar demanded "It does not matter. You were too slow. You failed. This Everstorm is here, and the spren of the enemy come to inhabit the ancient ones. It is over. You have lost." ......(few sentences not pertinent though I will post them if you wish) "He wished for me to find you, but your kind have brought only death to mine." So I take the quote to mean: 1. Tanavast forced the Stormfather to send the visions 2. The Stormfather got to pick who he sent the visions to 3. Stormfather picked Dalinar to stop the parshendi from summoning the storm. Dalinar failed 4. Stormfather only searched for people to send the visions to because of Tanavast 5. Stormfather is convinced humans will only kill his kind 6. Stormfather was required to send the visions, but not to bond. Otherwise he could not have refused Dalinar initially. Just like he could not refuse to send the visions anymore than he could refuse to "blow the winds" but as with the WoB we were discussing, I certainly respect if you interpret "find you" to mean "find a bondsmith to bond". To each their own

So at this point I am confused. Did you not see the part I highlighted? Not being obtuse or sarcastic. Genuinely asking. You are perfectly entitled to interpret it differently, but the line I referred to is right there in the portion you quoted. I don't want to go back and forth posting the same portion. If you saw it and just disagree, then to each their own, but for myself at least, it definitely says both sides have to choose. The only thing Tanavast ordered the stormfather to do is send the visions. The stormfather was never asked to bond with anyone. But regardless, that still does not change for myself that both the SIbling and the Stormfather felt the exact same way about their bondies. edit: and going on your argument for the Sibling, the same can be said for the Stormfather. He has been around long enough to know what is in his best interest. If anything he has seniority on the Sibling. He has said on numerous occasions to Dalinar, Kaladin and refers to humans as whole, will kill the spren. That is why the Stormfather was so against Syl going to Kaladin. The stormfather feels all of humanity will kill spren. Just like the sibling. And just like the both of them, they bonded bondsmiths against their own will But at the end of the day it is clear your view on the subject. I thought you were asking to understand what others thought on the subject?

Right, if both the knight and spren agree to voluntarily break it. Even then it is dicey. But as per the WoB i showed, if just the spren breaks it, they are essentially committing suicide. So if the sibling chose to break the bond and navani did not, then the sibling would die. The Stormfather assumes dalinar will lose anyway, but that doesn't change that the reason the stormfather didnt want to bond was because he felt sure dalinar would kill him. The stormfather has even restated that numerous times after the fact. Only later and gradually has the stormfather begun to respect dalinar and recognize his growth. Personally i really dont see the difference between dalinar and navani in this situation.

Totally respect that you can interpret that WoB differently, but they were talking about stealing the bond via hemalurgy. That as long as the radiant hadn't broken the oath when the bond was stolen, it would still work. At least for a little bit. I was referring to this WoB: As to what happened between the Sibling and Navani. The same exact conversation (to me), took place with Dalinar and the Stormfather and yet they progress: Words of Radiance page 1071 "I am the sliver of the almighty himself. I am the stormfather. I will not let myself be bound in such a way as to kill me!" The stormfather was convinced that Dalinar would break the oaths and kill him. Just like the Sibling was convinced of the same regarding Navani. Dalinar and the Stormfather grew together, and Dalinar is also a bondsmith.

So totally respect it doesn't work for you, to each your own. But since you did ask: 1. Breaking the bond requires both sides to agree in order for the spren not to die. 2. Personally I believe, and I think the books support this that no one truly starts the bond "worthy". That is the point of the bond. Personal growth. Navani may not be ideal, but she (or at least as stated by her/the book) is willing to put the work into being a better person. Like Dalinar. Like Jasnah. Like Kaladin and Shallan and Lift and so on and so forth.

So I am basically going to be building on a lot of what has already been said, but here we go! I think everyone's main point as to why they love Jasnah as a character (including myself), is like the other characters in the Stormlight archive (Kaladin/Depression, Dalinar/Alcoholism, Renarin/Autism, Shallan/DID, etc), Jasnah shows representation. I will go into that further below: This is representation for Individuals that struggle with emotions, and have trouble interacting with others. It does not mean they lack empathy nor compassion. It means they struggle with knowing when to dole emotion out, how to, and to what appropriate level. What further complicates this, is there isn't exactly a rule brick to work with. Everyone has their own interpretations in how to act and when, and their own views of what is appropriate. For instance, my wife knows I deal with hard things with sarcasm, cynicism, and humor. My mother passed away from cancer on thanksgiving. It was barely a year later around Halloween when I saw a pumpkin with a candy skull painted on it (for those who do not know, it is a skull with bright colors around the eyes, cheeks, and surrounding area). I turned to my wife and said "hey maybe I should get that to put at my mother's grave, their faces match". Now I understand to some people that joke is horrific and incredibly inappropriate. But that was concerning my own mother's death, and that is just how I deal, so it is normal for me to cope as such. Now take someone who doesn't know how to handle their emotions. If they based my comments on how it is to react and handle such situations, then they would be incredibly offensive if they said such a thing to someone else who lost a loved one. So it would be very difficult for them to navigate such interactions. People would react negatively and lash out at that individual, ultimately hurting that person. So what do they do? Some end up agonizing over every interaction to the point of inaction. They stay silent and do not contribute at all, or avoid interactions entirely. Or alternatively, feeling like they will be attacked and hurt by the way they act no matter how hard they try, they lean into it. They accept, this is how they are, and if people are going to misrepresent them or hurt them, well then fine. They then put up a guard, push their emotions down, focus on one constant they feel they can depend on (in Jasnah's case logic), and distance themselves from people thinking it will protect them. But no person is an island upon themselves, and there will always be a sense of sorrow at being unable to connect like seemingly everyone else. That is why I do not think of the seemingly stern and emotionally distant character being shown to be very kind and compassionate as a twist and subversion. I see it as representation of real people just trying to deal and survive in an incredibly complicated world. Now I do not know your personal background, and I do not offer any commentary on such. Brandon is a theist, and his religion is a big part of his life. I respect that, and acknowledge as result a large portion of his readership holds to those same convictions. So I am not assuming this is why you present it in this manner, but I am saying I understand how it could be seen in this way. I understand that some religions view morals as directly from their god. And I respect that. I personally disagree with that, and in no way shape or form are attempting to change that view for those that hold that, but am only offering commentary on an alternative perspective. For an atheist, people can be moral without any association with any religion or deity. I will not go into the reasons as to why because as I said I am not attempting to convince you or anyone of anything. Nor do I feel explaining it would be with the intention of changing anyone's mind. My intention would only to be sharing understanding, but I know that can be seen in a different light, so I choose to just not go in that direction. My meandering point is this. For an atheist, it is not a twist and subversion for an atheist to be shown to be moral. Just like it would not be a twist to show a religious individual to be moral. Just like it would not be a twist to show an atheist to be immoral, or a religious individual to be to be immoral. There are numerous examples of both on both sides of the "aisle" across history. Again I feel it is just representation. I understand it is a crucial tenet for some religions to convert in an effort to save others from various levels or manifestations of harm. And I am in no way shape or form saying all individuals who are religious act this way. I also acknowledge there are problematic individuals who are atheist. But please imagine for a moment that you spent your life, living well and doing right by others. That through your own experience you have come to the conclusion that you are an atheist, and that is your own choice. And that despite this hard work, and personal choice, (no matter how well meant) you are regularly told by strangers on the street, or even your own family that your choice is wrong, and you will be irreparably harmed by it. It is very difficult to experience. It feels as if all your hard work, and self discovery is worthless. You feel that you have to constantly defend yourself about your personal truth. Worse, just defending yourself on your personal truth is seen as an attack simply by explaining why it doesn't work solely for you. It is draining. You almost wish there was a "mailing list" that you could sign to reject such solicitation overall and be done with it. Or wear a big sign over your head that says "I am an atheist. Yes I know all your arguments. I do not agree with them. I have my own. No I will not convert. Please respect that, and move along." But you can't because again it is a main tenet of various religions and you understand that for those individuals that hold those beliefs, they think you are actively harming yourself by doing so, and they are only trying to help. When all you want to say is "I didn't ask for your help, I don't want your help, and I don't even want to hear that you want to give me your brand of help". Further "No I am not being close minded, because you are now number one hundred sixty two this year alone that I have had to hear out, talk to, and deal with to be allowed to continue as I wish to be." So Jasnah represents what again I feel is not a twist, or subversion. She just represents an individual who holds to convictions that are counter to the mainstream standard in her world. She represents an individual who has to strive for perfection in all things, because if she falters for even a moment, then fingers are pointed and it is stated "See how she is? That's because she is an atheist. See how bad and wrong it is to be an atheist? Don't be an atheist!". That is a whole lot of pressure just for trying to be a genuine self. And I think we do see that in Jasnah. Storms she said it herself when speaking to Dalinar. "They will try to define you by something you are not. Don't let them. I can still be a scholar, a woman, a historian, a Radiant. People will still try to classify me by the thing that makes me an outsider. They want, ironically, the thing I don't do or believe to be the prime marker of my identity. I have always rejected that, and will continue to do so. You are not a heretic, Dalinar Kholin. You are a king, a Radiant, and a father. You are a man with complicated beliefs, who does not accept everything you are told. You decide how you are defined. Don't surrender that to them. They will gleefully take the chance to define you if you allow it." So can you see how people who have experienced what I explained above, could see that quote as powerful and representation? How they could identify with Jasnah as a very real person? Bliev and Greywatch already commented on this far better than I ever could, mainly being because I hold the privilege (as in the sociological term. not in the sense that I think men are better than women) of being a male in our current society. So although I believe I am knowledgeable and consider myself an ally, I would not be able to speak of such with the same level of experience, so I will just leave it to them. So for all the above, that is why I do not feel like it is a twist. I feel it is showing a real person.

Yeah subvisualhaze already pointed that out. But thank you for bringing that to my attention. Later today when i have a chance i will update the posts and indicate the edit.

So it is pretty accepted i am a fan of jasnah, so i just have three things to say. 1. Totally understand if she doesnt do it for you. Everyones got their favorites and ones they dislike. Not typing this to change your mind. You asked why people like her, so just providing that perspective. 2. Having said that, i hope you can learn to if not like her, then at least appreciate her as Brandon has been quoted in saying that jasnah is not only a main character in the back half of stormlight, but possibly THE main character of the back half. So it looks like we will be getting a whole lot more of the queen by then. 3. Instead of typing out a whole bunch of reasons, i will just link to the thread i wrote that took every quote associated with jasnah across way of kings, words of radiance and Oathbringer to show a more complete (in my opinion) image of her. I included the quotes with page references so if anyone didnt like her, there would be easy and open discourse with the facts readily present for both sides. I hope you will give it a gander. Link below

Totally understand where you are coming from, and please do not take what I am about to say as indicating you have to change your opinion. Just offering another perspective/angle to view it. Navani did not understand that her actions regarding spren were negative. She even made a point to check with the radiant spren and although some disapproved, there was no indication that it was harmful to the spren. Further when confronted with the sibling stating it was harmful, Navani did not resist or dig in her heels in resistance. She explained her misunderstanding and asked for more information. She sought greater understanding and accommodation. The circumstances prevented true discourse on the matter for much of the novel. So taking the example you gave, it would be like Navani built a robot for robo battling. As far as she knows, it does not feel any pain or anything negative. It just gets repaired after each battle. Like nothing happened. Then you (only saying you as that is how you framed the example), tell her that the robot is in pain and to stop fighting immediately. Navani, the scientist, wanting to understand asks how that can be. Not in defiance but wanting to learn something new. All evidence she has had up until this point has told her it was fine. Now someone is saying it is not. All she is asking is for an explanation. In a perfect world, the sibling would have had a chance and the inclination to explain how it was damaging the spren and better options to maintain their bodily autonomy. But unfortunately even in Brandon’s book it is not a perfect world. The sibling did not want to hear her out nor explain. Urithiru was laid siege too preventing Navani from forming a genuine dialogue and trying to learn from the experience. So they were faced with a common cause and had to make it work. Now once again, please don’t think I am trying to say you are wrong to feel as you do. Totally understand if you wish the story had been presented in a different manner so as to not be received in that way. Just saying Navani did try, but circumstances prevented a clearer overture.

So totally respect that it is a stretch to you, and to each your own, but I mentioned this earlier. I will copy paste what I wrote below: "Yeah right now the whole theory is pretty loose and just going on tidbits here and there but would be really cool if I am right. True they did not originate on Roshar, but the later generations that split off from the first were "technically" born on Roshar, which could be why Mraize was called "Thaylen" by Peter, and why he calls Iyatil "babsk"" edit: also, seems like regardless what Mraize may or may not be, he is not a natural born Thaylen. He lacks the eyebrows.

No problem. I believe that was Iyatil. The individual had a mask on their face. That and it could more be concern about Taln than Amaram. Words of Radiance page 1061 A small figure there made a puffing sound, a blowgun held to lips beneath a half mask that covered the upper face The Herald's other hand shot out, quick as an eyeblink, and snatched the dart from the air mere inches form Amaram's face. The Ghostbloods. They weren't trying to kill the Herald. They were trying to kill Amaram. He cried out, reaching his hand to the side, summoning his Blade. Too slow. The figure looked from him to the Herald, then scuttled away with a soft curse.

He is afraid of Amaram? I don't recall that scene. I do know Mraize said Amaram's death was "claimed" by someone else already. Is that the scene you are referring to?

Thank you! Ack, than you for the correction. I mixed them up in my head when I was typing it. Yeah right now the whole theory is pretty loose and just going on tidbits here and there but would be really cool if I am right. True they did not originate on Roshar, but the later generations that split off from the first were "technically" born on Roshar, which could be why Mraize was called "Thaylen" by Peter, and why he calls Iyatil "babsk" I have included some more quotes I thought were noteworthy, though they are mostly pretty open to interpretation (could just be exactly what it says and mean nothing more), but figured couldn't hurt to jot them down Words of Radiance page 629 (Shallan specifically makes herself older, yet Mraize still refers to her as "child". Could be because he is an aimian who is hundreds of years old. Or admittedly could be an old human worldhopper in general that extended his life some other way, or it could just be the way Mraize talks.) "Well?" Mraize asked, glancing at her "Come sit down, child. You did this yourself?" "I did" Shallan said, shoving down her emotions. Had Mraize just called her "child"? She'd intentionally made this version of her look older, with a more angular face. What did she need to do? Start adding grey hairs to her head? Words of Radiance page 758 (Iyatil is secretive of what Mraize is a student of. I think Iyatil is his teacher in how to pass as a human or interact, like how the official story with Rysn is she is teaching the Sleepless. Though she could be referring to the Ghostbloods) "My master?" Iyatil asked "Mraize" The woman laughed. "You mistake. He is not my master. He is my student." "In what?" Shallan asked Iyatil stared at her with a level gaze and gave no reply. Words of Radiance page 769 (Iyatil mentions it is hard to interest Mraize with all he has seen. It could be because he is an aimian that has been around a very long time, or could mean he is just a long lived worldhopper in general) "Your clever drawings fascinate Mraize, another near-impossible task, considering all that he has seen." Words of Radiance page 1055 (another description of Mraize. Could be another indication of the disjointed visage hinting at the cremlings that make up his body not lining up perfectly. We know most sleepless have trouble truly imitating people, and that even the one most bred for blending in needed to use the tattoos to hide his nature. Or it could just be that Mraize is a vicious man that has many scars) "He turned toward her, twisted and scarred, yet somehow refined in his gentleman's clothing" Words of Radiance page 1056 (I think this may be a hint that Mraize was among the soldiers in cremling form, and was literally carried to Urithiru. Or it could be he infiltrated some highprince's army. Personally I think the imagery of multiple Mraize cremlings being carted around is a fun thought. "Of course Mraize would have found his way here - he'd likely been among the armies, somewhere. Getting to Urithiru had been one of the Ghostbloods' primary goals. Despite her determination not to help them, she'd transported them - along with the army - right where they wanted to go." Oathbringer page 229 (another description of Mraize. Deformed lip. Could be another indication of the cremlings not lining up perfectly. Or could just be a mangled lip from a past wound causing a scar) "Mraize. His face was crisscrossed by scars, one of which deformed his upper lip. Instead of his usual fashionable clothing, today he wore a Sadeas uniform, with a breastplate and a simple skullcap help. He looked exactly like the other soldiers they'd passed, save for that face."

Just a little addition. Her unusually good memory is only with images. She commented how she has difficulty even with written words.

Thanks. I found some other ones, some of which are loose. Im going to first finish searching across all the books before i post more quotes so they will be in one place Honestly if you don't think he is the rogue one, then no sweat off my back. As i said, it just came off logically to me based on how it was presented but i don't have anything (or at least not yet) that screams he has to be the rogue one. Frankly my focus is more on seeing if there are any more signs or hints in his description to support that he is a sleepless. He could be any sleepless for all i care at this point in time. So personally i think he is the rogue, but sure he could be any of them for all we know. Sure. Not sure when i ever said or hinted that he went worldhopping without his "full self". Not sure where we were disagreeing or what this point was meant to prove? Just trying to understand.

Honestly it just seems to line up to me. First it gets mentioned in dawnshard, and then in rhythm of war. Basically little tid bits of info that go bit by bit into more detail. First we know of the sleepless. Then we are told a way to spot them/how they try to hide their nature. Then we are told of there are specifically individuals that operate outside the group and that one we already met (arclo) is not among the worse. Then we get explicit word that one is working with the ghostbloods. So it made me think of who we know among the ghostbloods, and then i remembered mraize had scars that always looked odd...... so for me it links up. To see if more support it i have begun doing searches on mraize in the book. I have just started but i find the description of his scars (on face and hands) when we first met him interesting (also for a thaylen, mraize doesn't have the eyebrows. So he may have grown up there enough to culturally have the title and call his trainer a babsk, but ethnically even if he is human (which i don't think he is), he is not thaylen.: Words of radiance page 491 The man turned around, revealing light violet eyes and a face scarred by old wounds, including a cut that ran down his cheek and deformed his upper lip. Though he looked refined—holding a goblet of wine in his left hand and dressed in the finest of suits—his face and hands told another story. Of battles, of killing, and of strife. Then there is that his accent shallan cannot place. If he was human, grew up in thalenah, so he could be termed thaylen, and then worldhopped, he would have to be gone a very long time to lose the accent. Which certainly can be the case since we have a words of brandon that brandon wont answer how old mraize is, but that words of brandon could work in my favor just as much Words of radiance page 491 The quiet way he spoke made Shallan shiver. She could not place his accent. It is mentioned that most aimians dont breed to have "working" eyes so at times their vision can seem off. This quote is a stretch but could be interesting in such a context Words of radiance page 491 He looked up at Shallan, blowgun loaded. Those violet eyes seemed like glass, his scarred face expressionless. The room seemed to hold its breath. Just found this one that i find very interesting. Shallan thinks his fingers were broken. But what if they are cremling fingers not perfectly set since mraize is not as young and as proficient? Words of radiance page 494 Mraize set down his empty cup of wine, and she saw that his right hand was scarred, the fingers crooked, as if they had been broken and badly reset. I will continue to look for descriptions of Mraize, but so far this quick glance for me seems promising. Edit: found another interesting description Words of radiance page 628 He had such a refined way of speaking. It didn’t seem to match his scarred face, misaligned lip, and weathered hands. He talked like a man who had spent his days sipping wine and listening to fine music, but he looked like someone who had repeatedly had his bones broken—and likely returned the favor many times over. You are certainly entitled to think so. Personally i think he would be the rogue sleepless. And i think the ghostbloods know he is a sleepless. Could you explain this part? Im honestly confused.

Totally respect to each their own Mraize wasn't sent to recruit Shallan. Shallan showed up in Tyn's place. Up until that point Tyn hadn't dealt with them in person. Finally as mentioned in my post above, it is remarked on numerous occasions that it is odd that Mraize disguises himself, yet is still very clearly Mraize. He doesn't change his affectations, nor how he carries himself. If fully blending in were a concern, then human or not, they shouldn't have chosen Mraize at all. Dawnshard spoilers For myself too many bits of information lined up one after the other in dawnshard and rhythm of war to be a coincidence, but I certainly respect that you disagree.

Although i certainly respect that the WoP is valid and could be seen that way, if ET gave birth to a alien kid while in new york, we could still call the new alien a New Yorker. The rogue aimian is a "relatively" recent issue. It could have split up in thaylenah and still count as thaylen. I think the real nail in the coffin would be if he was confirmed human.

Honestly rhythm of war convinced me all the more of my theory regarding requiring a bondsmith to he involved to fully revive them. Its hinted in the book that ba ado mishram being bound might also have something to do with what happened to the spren when the oaths were broken. A bondsmith did that regarding connection. So i think it would take a bondsmith to fix it. As to adolin i think rhythm of war cemented him as a stoneward. I think adolin got them to that point and the bondsmiths will "take them over the finish line" and then adolin will bond a peak spren. Storms just the scene with the tukari alone: "Three men came at him, and Adolin stood firm. No. He would not be pushed around. Never underestimate the strength of a soldier trained to stand fast." ""Never underestimate the simple intimidating force of a man who won’t back down." "Adolin didn’t retreat a single step as he met the bodyguard, sidestepping his lunge. Never underestimate the worth of being willing to hold. Your. GROUND." Edit: oh yeah and stonewards are known for championing hopeless causes. Didn't everyone keep telling adolin convincing the honorspren was a hopeless cause? To just turn back? That the trial was pointless? That it would only end up one way?

Ok, so here is the supporting observations that led me to come to this conclusion 1. Wit revealed that there is a siah aimian among the ghostbloods Dawnshard spoilers I think that's everything off the top of my head.

So literally just finished rhythm of war and while reading it I had a thought that I had to get down. Don't know if anyone thought of this already but i believe Mraize is the rogue aimian. That is why he has scars on his face. To hide the seams between his cremlings. I'll add my other observations that led me to believe this tomorrow but just wanted to put it down while i had the chance

Some WoB pertinent to the spren bond subject: (both sides must agree to break the bond in order for it to be broken safely. Even then it is dicey) Overlord Jebus Can a spren willingly break their bond anytime between the First and Fifth Oath, with their Radiant? Brandon Sanderson Yes, this is possible-- Overlord Jebus Essentially committing suicide isn't it though-- Brandon Sanderson I just ascribe to that question-- A spren could at any point break it. Can they break it safely? That's a different question. Overlord Jebus Can they break it safely? *laughs* Brandon Sanderson There are methods in place where it can be stopped. So yes it can be done. But once you've started into this, once you've chosen on both sides, it's a dangerous process. But yes it can be done, and it can be done safely. Emerald City Comic Con 2018 (March 1, 2018) (walking away from the first oath is enough to break the bond to kill the spren) Questioner Kaladin kind of went back on his Oaths in the second book, right? Brandon Sanderson Yes. He started down that path. Questioner How could Shallan or Lightweavers go back on the Truths they make? And did Shallan do any of that in Oathbringer? Brandon Sanderson No, the Cryptics-- remember, how the spren is viewing this is very important. The Cryptics have an interesting relationship with truth. Harder to break your Oaths in that direction with a Cryptic. Harder to move forward, also, if you're not facing some of these things and interacting with them in the right way. But, while I can conceive a world that it could happen, it'd be really hard to for a Lightweaver to do some of the stuff. Particularly the ones close to Honor, you're gonna end up with more trouble along those lines, let's say. Questioner So then, what happened with the Lightweavers during the Recreance? Did they break their Oaths? Brandon Sanderson They did break their Oaths. I mean, breaking your Oaths as in "walking away from the first Oath" will still do it, regardless of what Order you are. You can actively say, "I am breaking my Oaths and walking away." Anyone has that option. But you also are holding the life of a spren in your hand. The Great American Read: Other Worlds with Brandon Sanderson (Oct. 25, 2018)