ZenBossanova

The Julia set is related to the Mandelbrot set, and is a classical example of a fractal. Most coastlines are very fractal, in the real world, but only in the general geometric sense, not in the sense of being built from a single function. For instance, one of the initial problems in fractal geometry, is the Length of the Coastline in Britain problem. It suggests to me, that Roshar was constructed very specifically by a vast intelligence. The gas giants and moons suggest that as well.

That is, if we know it is an element. It could be the metals of Ruin and Preservation, covalently bonded strong enough that it appears to be an element. I don't honestly believe that is what we have going on here, but it is a possibility.

Where did this come from? Is there more?

That is probably correct, and too easy to hope for, anyway.

I wonder if Harmonium is chemically separable into Preservation and Ruin parts. If it is, that would be a real game changer. The South Scadrians might not have seen that, because they are less advanced technologically.

Now my theories are being dashed! Let me know if you can find that WoB. I had supposed that each shard had a characteristic number.

That has me scratching my head. Atium etc, can give us a total of like 48 different alloys and metals, all together, so I really should have included that. We know some di-shardic planets have a certain number system, but which shard does that belong to? Or is that their sum or product or something? I wonder, if we had the numbers for each shard, if we could arrange the shards in a pattern. (Well, a more interesting pattern than 1,2,3....)

That presumes each shard has 16. That sounds like a reasonable assumption, that is probably wrong. It has been pointed out, I know there is a post about that. I should find it at some point. In that case we would have

I suspect that when we understand the reasons for why Rayse wants the shards shattered, we might even partially agree with him. It will be a compelling reason. I suspect that the reason behind shattering Adonalsium and various shards is the same reason. They probably didn't want to kill Adonalsium, but didn't feel like they had a realistic choice.

Dissolved Harmonium, would essentially be a kind of alloy, with water. Is that a useable alloy? Doubtful. Has Harmony left no way for full Mistborn to arise? You would have thought that if there was a way, the South Scadrians would have found it. And it has never been really explained how to make Feruchemists.

I think any Shard could be a villian, or a hero, depending on the intelligence directing them. I think it is a better question (and unfortunately a much harder question to answer) to ask if the personalities that hold the shards would be villians. I suspect, that they all really think what they are doing is for the best, but that just might involve mass destruction. Even Hoid isn't adverse to that, if it has to come to that. They have strong motivation for their goals. We just don't know what those goals really are, or why they have them. We are going to need for Dragonsteel to get a full explanation, unless we get really lucky. (The Liar of Partinel suggests some things, but that isn't canon, yet)

It occurs to me, where did Kelsier get that body. That was originally his, right? It could have been some random criminal, or perhaps, it was Elend's body, since Harmony fixed his and Vin's in the end of Hero of Ages. In a lot of ways, it makes more sense to start with a body, and staple yourself to it, instead of starting over from scratch.

If Lerasium is burned to get Allomantic power, then perhaps Hoid is collecting not just powers, but also God Metals from all shards. Brandon said Hoid had Allomancy. But I didn't notice him saying Hoid burned the metal. He just let us assume that. The "element" sounds like something external to him, and perhaps on/in his skin. I have supposed Hoid is getting little bits of each power, because if you have a lot of any investiture, it is hard to get them combined. It is easier to combine them if you have small amounts.

Touche!

That is really interesting! I organized the 16 shards (and some healthy guesses) into a grid like the Feruchemical Elements, and Autonomy was right between Dominion and Devotion. Dominion was an External/Pushing Autonomy was Internal/Pushing Devotion was Internal/Pulling edit: For some reason my brain read Autonomy and said Ambition. Unfortunately, Ambition is not in any of the same quadrants as D&D. But it is still an intriguing idea, that that is where Autonomy died. Maybe the shardpool was Ambitions? If it had been D&D's, wouldn't they have access to the Physical Realm? If they don't have access, it must be a different shard's pool, right?

The magic of Taldain is in the light. That, in and of itself, is already closer to FTL, than any other magic system.

I would have initially assumed he did it on Scadrial too, but Brandon mentions Kelsier leaving Scadrial as a spren. Of course, he may have returned to Scadrial to reincarnate. A good question would be, how well known is Hemalurgy besides Scadrial?

Ok, so he was a spren at that point, but since then he has gained a body. Is he still a spren? Did he learn off-world how to gain a body?

These WoB are suggestive.

Really? I have not seen that one. I would love to see that, if you can remember where it is. Secret History was nice, but without more Kelsier, it is a bit of a waste. I am beginning to strongly suspect you are right, we will see more Kelsier.

I wouldn't rule out Kelsier leaving Scadrial. It would be very difficult, of course, but he did manage I don't think the question is, can he get there. The better question is, what can you do to a shattered shard? How hard is it to unshatter it? I don't think we have any examples of shards being unshattered. Preservation and Ruin don't count, but they are close.

Just a quick note, I doubt there is only one way, per magic system, to do FTL. There are probably many ways, all with their own advantages, disadvantages and trade offs. Just like on the street, we have several different fuels, kinds of engines and transmissions, and even kinds of cars. Gas, diesel, electric, natural gas, etc. Even bikes. Many, many ways to hack the magic.

This WoB is very suggestive

When I saw the variety of names, I just assumed Brandon was being realistic about the kinds of linguistic drift that happens over millenia. For instance, Brandon's editor is named Moshe, which is just the Hebrew version of Moses. Same names, with a bit of linguistic drift.

I like the idea of Endowment skillfully tightening the noose before Odium is even aware of it. Pure speculation, of course, but that would be awesome.