Sharp of Wit and Blade

Here is my basic understanding of the magic systems in the Cosmere: Each Shard on the world has a magic system associated with them. In the case of Scadrial, there are two Shards, Preservation and Ruin (This is before the events of Final Empire, just to streamline the explanation). Thus, there are two "full-Shardic magics" on this world. In a world with three Shards, like Roshar, there would be three. Also, the two Shard's magics would have a neutral point between them, creating a third system. In evidence, Preservation's magic (Allomancy), is what Sazed calls "gram-positive", that is, the energy used to fuel the magic is greater than is intrinsically present. The opposite is true of hemalurgy. Then, there is a balance area where the two powers meet and form a "gram-neutral" magic (feruchemy). It is important to note this however: the gram positive and negative magics did not exist at all (not even the systems) before the Ascension. Thus, a man could never become a Mistborn or a Hemalurgic abomination before Rashek essentially precipitated those two's establishment. On to a more complex world now: Roshar. Roshar has 3 Shards, Honor, Cultivation, and Odium. There are the three magics unique to each Shard, as is known, but I suggest that there are not 3 magic systems here, but actually 7. There would be 3 magics "between" each of the Shards, if you imagine them as points of a triangle. Then in the center, would be a neutral "mix" of their Shards' power. Thus, it could follow the pattern that the most basic form of magic on Roshar is this blend of all 3 Shards. Personally, I think that the way Spren interact with gems is this form. Thus, the Fabrials are the practical application of this magic. It also fits due to the other two magics that we know of. On Scadrial, all three of the magic systems were focused on metals. On Roshar, they could all be focused on gemstones or Spren. This would explain how both Surgebinding and Voidbinding both use Spren. After all, Sanderson usually makes his magic systems follow definite patterns.

Those are both excellent points. However, it can be assumed that Adonalsium has some God-like characteristics. First, as proof, in WoK, during I believe Part 3, where Hoid's letter is in the epigraphs, he says something along the lines of "He [Rayse/Odium] bears the weight of God's divine hatred without any of the virtues that tempered it". This shows that, according to Hoid at least, Adonalsium was a God-like being. Besides, this thread is my personal interpretation of the origins of the Cosmere. It makes sense (at least for the patterns that Sanderson likes to follow) for there to be 2 Gods in his universe, either diametrically opposed, which doesn't seem to fit here, or one subordinate to the other in some way. I hadn't taken into consideration the fact that the Holder's intent actually can affect how their Shards' powers work. However, I think that that doesn't completely invalidate my speculation, as there is definitely something very wrong with Odium. He seems to be imbalanced in terms of power. Perhaps the Parshendi, the people most closely associated with him, are not actually his creations? Because of that, he doesn't have that gradual weakening of power like we saw happen to Leras (Preservation). This is all just conjecture for me though.

I am disappointed about the name for a different reason. The first two books in the series so far have in turn been named after an important book within. Although, thinking about it, Dalinar's book was already used (The Way of Kings), so perhaps something else meaningful to him was needed. And, additionally, it might give a bit of a hint as to his struggle in the upcoming book. He has to be the Oathbringer. He has to unite the other Highprinces. In TWoK, the struggle for many of the characters was acting honorably. Words of Radiance is also phonetically identical to Words of Radiants, which implied that the Knights Radiant will be re-formed and that new Ideals would be spoken.

From what I understand of the Cosmere, there are (or were) two Gods involved in it. One of them resided INSIDE the Cosmere (Adonalsium), whom I will call the Eminent God (EG). Eminent becaue It(?) would be present throughout the Cosmere, but not outside of it. That would be the God Beyond, or the Transcendent God (TG). Transcendent becasue It transcends the limitations of time. Now, it seems as if the TG was the one who created the Cosmere, all of its physical laws, time, and perhaps the EG. The EG is the one that created what is INSIDE the universe, and is bound by the laws that the TG created. This means that the EG is not actually a four- or fifth- dimensional being, but rather is bound by the same perception of time as all other sentient life is. This is an important distinction that must exist, because as we all know, the EG is dead. This is rather fascinating in its own right, to consider how to kill a god. But I digress. The EG was killed or died somehow and was shattered into the components of its power. The components seem to come in pairs that are diametrically opposite each other (Preservation and Ruin come to mind). However, we can infer based off of what has been stated in numerous books and Sanderson's own numerology patterns, that there were 16 main shards of power, and a seventeenth of lesser power. This could suggest that perhaps one or more of the main shards is missing a piece of its power. Following that assumption, it could be that perhaps Odium is the Shard that is missing part of itself. I remember reading a theory that stated that since Odium is hatred, and Rayse its holder, then Rayse would also hate himself. Perhaps this missing piece of his, if the seventeenth shard has part of his power in it, it could be preventing that reflexive hatred of self. It might be far-fetched, but it could be the case.

*This is my first forum topic, so if I am unfamiliar with the tools, bear with me please. In all of the fantasy I've read in my life (and believe me, the list is long), no series has hit so close to home with its characters and their respective struggles as this one has. Well, with exception to the Lord of the Rings, but I'm sure we can all agree that that series is always the exception in regards to fantasy, seeing as it literally defined the genre as a whole. Anyways, one thing that has always drawn me to fantasy is the fact that many times it is an expression of what mankind as a whole desires and (should) respects: honor, family, strength, humility, etc. Now, that is certainly a blanket statement with exceptions (A Song of Ice and Fire a notable one), but much of Sanderson's works fit into this mold. In TWoK, upon Kaladin's being made Bridgeleader, he immediately sets off to get his men to respect not him, but themselves. He cares for them, though nobody else does, and that inspires respect for him. In this context, "authority" can be interchanged with "respect". Hence, Sanderson is saying the same thing about our society as well. Those in powerful positions aren't always the ones with authority. Additionally, In the context of the plot, Sanderson is setting the stage for Kaladin to rise above his miserable circumstances, as "He who can be trusted with little can be trusted with much." Kaladin has shown that he can be trusted with command with his ability in Amaram's army. In TWoK, Kaladin really is not the one at fault when his men die, as he did everything in his power to protect them. That also is why he is so depressed, as he feels that he cannot rise to meet the challenge. I find it quite ironic that even though Kaladin says numerous times that "Honor is dead", he exemplifies honor throughout TWoK and the last parts of WoR. Tying in with the idea of Kaladin's ability to command is another interesting parallel. Vorinism preaches that only the best in their fields will participate in the war to reclaim heaven. It also preaches about self-improvement and the like. I believe there to be a strong parallel to this in Kaladin. Before the events of the Battle of the Tower, Kaladin was basically on Roshar. The battle was when he "died", the old Kaladin died and the new one took his place. "Behold! For the old has gone, the new has come." Additionally, his life after the Tower was, comparatively, heaven. He was free and in command of a thousand men, a much higher expression of his ability. Just some thoughts I found interesting.