What's a Seawolf?

I've never really been into chess, but I would love to try this. Only concern I can think of is that it would be difficult (at first, and especially for non Mistborn readers) to keep track of the different abilities. Have you playtested it?

Could be something as simple as her mother's dying (or close to dying) words were something about 'how all things change' and 'you have to be able to adapt etc.' To which, after her mothers death, Lift responded with anger and tried to keep herself from changing. Maybe Lift thought the Nightwatcher would be able to do something to help her mother or bring her back. We don't know much of the lore that surrounds the Nightwatcher, I can see how some cultures would ascribe abilities to the NW beyond what she can actually do. And as Lift approached, she realized/was told that it was too late for her mother, leading again to a 'things change' type of realization/discussion. Those seem a little simple though. Since Lift is supposed to be a major back 5 book character, I'm assuming it's more complicated. Though then again, Lift was very young when she visited. Very out there theory: Lift's reasons for visiting were very simple, but the Nightwatcher/Cultivation engineered the entire situation which caused Lift to visit (mother dying etc.) because Cultivation/Nightwatcher foresaw the need for someone with Lift's new found abilities, and knew Lift would be the right person to give them too. (I mean come on, how much of a curse is her actual curse? Granted there is still A LOT we don't know.) This could result in a very interesting future Lift arc where she starts hating and even planning to attack Cultivation/Nightwatcher in addition to whoever the big bad is.

I so badly want this to happen. I would like anything that brings main characters from different series together, but combinations like this are what I envision Cosmere Avengers to be. (Though I imagine you could team Wayne and Lopen up with almost anyone and get hilarious results.)

I've always thought of it this way as well. Spook had Savant consequences because of the nature of his Allomancy. On the opposite side, Copper Savants (as I believe has been stated in the books?) become Savants without ever realizing it, because there is no natural negative to having an increased Coppercloud. Brandon could always write in some consequences native to Steel Savants we may not have thought of, but I never read anything that implied drawbacks solely because of Savantism.

Kelsier, with ease. Though number 2 would be a very, very tough choice.

I am officially sold on this idea. Always thought, if Wayne survives and does go the Worldhopping route (which let's face it is something he would ABSOLUTELY do,) that he'd get turned into a kandra somehow. I like this way better. Well I guess that may finally answer why Harmony didn't know the governor had died in SoS. Was working on a theory that Shards could basically steal the souls of those who died and what it meant for Roshar, but this explanation is a lot simpler. (Apologies for the formatting of this post, I have no idea how my responses appeared within the quoted sections. Tried to separate them but no luck.)

Random thought: Could Wayne's be his ability to mimic speech patterns? I know a popular Lift theory her 'bonus' is understanding languages, but why can't Wayne have something similar? I think it even fits with the whole time dilation/healing (changing) your body thing he has going on.

I would be interested, but a chapter a week feels too slow

This post was originally from 1stBondsmith's Geniuses Wanted prediction thread, but it fits well here. Like I mention, Scadrians are far more likely, but just to through another theory out there... 'The Ones Above in Sixth of the Dusk (just read it, one of my favorite Cosmere works) are NOT from Scadrial as commonly thought. The Ones Above are from Silverlight. Khriss in her essay mentions the world Sixth of the Dusk takes place on is very difficult to get to. This would obviously frustrate a (in theory) group of people who very much want to research the Cosmereverse, among other things. However, as time progresses and FTL travel becomes a thing in the Cosmere, now the denizens of Silverlight have a way to get to the planet without having to pass through the shardpool of almost instant auto-death if you're not a Trapper. And what do the Ones Above seem most interested in? Researching the Investiture laden creatures (Aviars) and going directly to the place with the shardpool. (Important note I did not mention the first time: Who is more likely to have a semi 'no-trade' policy like the Ones Above? Scadrians, or a group who's policy (I believe) is said to be nonintervention.) Now, a lot of that could apply to the Scadrians as well, and they are still far and away the most likely suspects for the Ones Above, but I like the idea of Silverlight finally gaining access to a place they've been trying to get to for a while. Now, Silverlight's end goal with the planet could be anything, but that's for another theory.' And since SotD takes place near the end of the Cosmere, there could potentially be a really big bad out there threatening the previously safe denizens of Silverlight. Something that could protect their minds and foresee their deaths (and a magic that would work for everyone) would be extraordinarily useful in surviving that fight.

Before that little tidbit in the OP came out, the theory I most subscribed to as the reasoning behind the Recreance was that the KR discovered the Heralds weren't the only ones being sent to Braize. Be it because of the bond with spren or some other reason, KR also go to Braize when they die, and this discovery caused most of the KR to say 'you know what, screw it, it's not worth dying for that.' If we assume the OP quote is true, and not something corrupted perhaps by Ishar's insanity/betrayal, than that kind of throws my theory out the window. I really like your idea that Nale convinced the KR to abandon their bonds to justify his own past actions and poor decisions, but I feel like it would have had to be one hell of a lie to convince the KR to abandon en masse. I think there was definitely some lying by Ishar and Nale feeding the reason why the KR broke their bonds, but I also think there was a significant, factual reason as well.

I really want to go, but I don't think I'll be able to make it. To everyone who does, enjoy!

The Ones Above in Sixth of the Dusk (just read it, one of my favorite Cosmere works) are NOT from Scadrial as commonly thought. The Ones Above are from Silverlight. Khriss in her essay mentions the world Sixth of the Dusk takes place on is very difficult to get to. This would obviously frustrate a (in theory) group of people who very much want to research the Cosmereverse, among other things. However, as time progresses and FTL travel becomes a thing in the Cosmere, now the denizens of Silverlight have a way to get to the planet without having to pass through the shardpool of almost instant auto-death if you're not a Trapper. And what do the Ones Above seem most interested in? Researching the Investiture laden creatures (Aviars) and going directly to the place with the shardpool. Now, a lot of that could apply to the Scadrians as well, and they are still far and away the most likely suspects for the Ones Above, but I like the idea of Silverlight finally gaining access to a place they've been trying to get to for a while. Now, Silverlight's end goal with the planet could be anything, but that's for another theory.

In regards to whether or not Darkness has an honorbalde... This passage is from the end of Edegdancer (I don't know how to quote text.) This is just after he stabs through Lift's shirt. "He put his hand to the side, summoning his Blade again as Lift frantically scrambled to free herself. The knife had sunk in deeply, and he kept one hand on it. Storms, he was strong! Lift bit his arm, to no effect. She struggled to pull off the overshirt, Slicking herself but not it. "His Shardblade appeared, and he raised it..." To me, it sounds like it was not an immediate appearance which is how I think Honorblades function. Maybe too short for ten heartbeats, but certainly longer than instant. Probably reading too much into it, but I read that and took it as a hint that it was just a regular Shardblade that Nale uses.

In regards to all the stories in the AU, is there a known chronology as to the in universe order they take place in?

Random thought: What if the Oathpact was orginally intended as a way to have the rest of Roshar avoid Braize? As in, the 10 heralds sacrifice themselves so everyone else avoids the torment of Braize (very honorable,) and also get to come back whenever they are most needed to save the world. Then, after the Oathpact is abandoned, the 'you must go to Braize' aspect of dying falls to the KR. Once this becomes known, boom, the Recreance. Just a thought to tie what you said to one of the more popular theories about Braize and the Recreance.

You know, the more I think about it, the more I feel like Warbreaker would be the perfect start up movie. Mistborn and SA have the potential to be much bigger and of course have more sequel potential, but also carry the most risk. If you screw one of those up, you effectively kill that franchises movie series and a huge chunk of the cosmere. If Warbreaker is screwed up, there would still be other chances. The GA is not going to have a clue Warbreaker was supposed to be connected to Mistborn, the SA etc. So it's not like the brand would be tainted. And Warbreaker has an INCREDIBLY visual magic system, one that's easily seen, explained AND understood. Not to mention, because the producers etc. wouldn't be going for a mega-blockbuster like I assume Mistborn/SA would be (relatively speaking anyway,) the budget and associated risk with Warbreaker would be far less. The company/producers/directors can get their feet wet in translating one of Brandon's books for the big screen and seeing what works and what does not etc. Thoughts? I know most of us would rather see one of the big two franchises first, and I know companies don't exactly have the patience for this sort of thing, but all told I feel like Warbreaker is the best opening movie option.

Vivenna dies in Warbreaker 2, and most likely because of Nightblood. This is the event that causes Vasher to leave Nalthis, and also the event that causes him to dispose of Nightblood.

Wonko the Sane said (via main page thread) "For the record, I think just Kaladin or even Kaladin and Dalinar would make a much better film. Shallan is the one who throws a wrench in the works, as her story does not weave into the other two whatsoever." Couple those two things together and I can begin to see how WoK would make a great first choice.. Firstly (and this is going to infuriate many fans, I understand) cut Shallan entirely or almost entirely from Movie 1. She can play her part in book 2. Have Movie 1 be ENTIRELY about Kaladin's journey. There will be some Dalinar, but from a supporting perspective. JUST that, with of course Cosmere building tidbits thrown in (for example, Wit, so when audiences see him in Mistborn or Warbreaker they do a double take)... and I believe you have a feasible movie representation of WoK. (Minus Shallan, of course.) And yes, I know cutting all or most of Shallan may cause some problems down the line, but a movie version of the SA is just not going to have room for a ton of main characters and all their development.

This is the oddest combination of fantastic goosebump inspiring news and worrying, creeping dread inspiring news. As others have mentioned, it just comes down to how good a job they do. First and foremost, congrats to Brandon and team. A well deserved accomplishment. Looking forward to the 'soon to be a major motion picture' stamp on the cosmere books. Second, please please please start with Mistborn. Part of that desire is the fanboy in me so badly wanting to see Kel and crew on screen, but also because it lends itself so nicely to a movie trilogy. Third, I haven't seen much discussion regarding starting with Warbreaker, but I feel like that novel would be a great first movie as well. Standalone novel, unique characters, and very unique magic system. Breath and Awakening may cost a little more in the CGI department, but I doubt anyone's even at the stage where that's a major concern yet.

I actually really would like that. I do feel Szeth has probably done too much to ever fully be one of the good guys. Why not both? Have Szeth and Lift do a little team up where Lift (mostly unintentionally) goes about the process of redeeming him, and where the reader is led to think Szeth is going to become one of the good guys. But then boom, Szeth does something horrid and ends up falling completely down the rabbit hole. Not to say such a thing hasn't been many times before in literature, but I feel the narrative is certainly heading towards the 'Szeth Redemption' route, and a twist to that would not be amiss.

Quick questions regarding hardcovers for the SA. Is there a hardcover for WoR that contains the updated text? (My local bookstore only has the original.) Also, in case I buy off amazon, does every hardcover for WoK and WoR contain the inner cover illustrations, or was that something akin to a special edition? And while I'm asking questions, were there any significant changes to WoK between hardcover and paperback? Thanks!

I would love this! Granted Lift is one of the my favorite characters even with her short screen time, but the interactions and relationship that could develop between two polar opposite characters would be great. And provide some levity to contrast what I'm sure will be pretty heavy events to come.

The 5th Stormlight book will involve Kaladin (or another main character, but probably Kaladin) dying. In the beginning of book 6 or end of book 5, he will awaken on Braize, and it will be revealed that the secret that broke the KR in the past is that KR's also go to Braize after death, similar to the Heralds. (I'm assuming it has something to do with the Nahel Bond/Oathpact.)

At least some of the main characters in Mistborn Era 2 will be in Era 3, and roughly the same ages as they are in Era 2. This will be done by Marasi learning how to create a massive time bubble, effectively transporting herself and others to the future. The Era 2 characters may not be mains in Era 3, but their presence will be felt. The impetus for this could be many things, but I think most probable are to help Harmony ward off some future threat that cannot be dealt with at the present, to complete an investigation that cannot be completed in the presence, or to guarantee the future generation has critical knowledge that is gleamed in Era 2 book 4. Also, Wayne becomes and Kandra and starts worldhopping with MeLaan. (I don't actually believe this, Wayne probably is most likely to die in Era 2 book 4, but I would love to see him and MeLaan worldhopping around.)

I really like this as well, and answers the one concern I had with the OP. That's something I can see, a huge internal argument within the KR about if it's worth dying to save Cultivation, with some pulling a new Recreance and staying out of it. Taking this a little further, maybe that's what the series split is all about? First 5 books are the initial struggle, then book 5 culminates with the overwhleming majority of the main characters saying, 'you know what, we're good, Cultivation you're on your own.' The internal struggles of our main characters as this is happening and each's decision would be fascinating to read. Cultivation dies, Odium is freed and leaves Roshar. Then the second books are years later where the surviving characters and the new generation realize, 'wow we really screwed up by letting Odium go and not resisting.' Either because Odium comes back stronger or something else.