I found it very intriguing during the Ishar fight scene that Dalinar is in awe of the heralds fighting skill and asks the Stormfather about him. And the storm father replies that his skill was average amongst the heralds and the Taln was the most skilled. It made me think that odium would somehow find a way to offer to take away Talns pain to be his champion and end his eternal suffering.
Kelsier asks Saze to tell him about a lot of religions during this particular book. Saze also educates Vin on religions. I find it interesting that Trell came up. (As we all know) And on this most recent read I find myself looking deeper into every other religion Saze mentions and their beliefs looking for possible cosmere clues. Is Trell the only one standing out?
This discussion just makes me wonder if more shards will be splintered and split, into minor shards. And the original 16 turns to 32 people holding lesser shards. and some of the 32 eventually get shattered. And so on.
Let’s not forget emotional allomancy. If the thrill can penetrate plate, I’d assume rioting and soothing, especially compounded could sway the battle in Scadrials favor.
I believe the ones above are so interested in aviar because their investiture is not spiritually or cognitively bound to the source like a Spren on Roshar, etc.