Lightspine

What seems more likely than any of these is that

There's also some events that we don't know much about. For example, the Shin invasions have been referenced a couple of times in Oathbringer (discussion here:) The time and nature of the Scouring of Aimia is also unknown. As far as I know these are the only two historically significant events which haven't been placed in the timeline.

Let’s look at this scientifically! Red stars have lower temperature than blue stars. The most common types of red stars are red dwarfs and red supergiants. A red dwarf is a very dim, small star. They are the most common type of star in our universe. A red supergiant is the form a middle to large sized star takes before it dies. It is massive and luminous, but habital planets around such stars are typically destroyed or become too hot to contain liquid water after the star transforms into a red giant. Red dwarfs have the longest lifespan of all stars, and red giants are dying stars, so a patch of red stars usually indicates older age. For more details, here’s an article: http://curious.astro.cornell.edu/about-us/98-the-universe/galaxies/observing-galaxies/552-what-do-a-galaxy-s-colors-mean-are-they-its-true-colors-intermediate Applying this to he Cosmere, it seems that this patch of stars is much older than any other. And by older, I don’t mean in thousands or years (the timespan over which the Cosmere’s stories have taken place). Rather, it is millions, perhaps billions, of years older than the rest of the dwarf galaxy. In addition, it’s no accident that none of the shardworlds are in this part of the galaxy (according to the au map): red dwarfs and red supergiants are both poor environments for habital planets. What’s the significance of this? Well, it seems unlikely to me that Yolen would be here because, as far as we know, it’s similar to Earth and should be orbiting a middle-sized star like our Sun. Although its possible that Yolen’s star has become a red giant, that would almost certainly kill all life on the planet. I really don’t have many ideas what this age might indicate. Perhaps Adonalsium had a couple “waves” of star creation and this is a remnant from an older Cosmere. Or maybe Adonalsium just let the Cosmere form on its own and it naturally formed like this. Or maybe its not actually any older and Adonalsium just made it look older. Crazy Theory: that entire portion of sky is in a sort of Time Bubble and is aging more quickly than the rest of the universe.

Well, it does depend on how you define a "magic system." I think a decent definition would be a set of rules by which some powers are accessed. If you use this broad definition, then Singers bonding ordinary Spren to attain their non-powered forms are a magic system too. (but it's not the Old Magic, Surgebinding, or Voidbinding, rather, it seems to be an older more fundamental system created by Adonalsium - just like the chasmfiends and skyeels who also bond with spren). Something about the Singer's spiritwebs and the properties of the gemheart allow for a spren to be trapped within the gemheart and a bond to be formed. In the case of a Regal, the spren influence their spiritwebs through the bond, making their personalities change, but this isn't special - all the forms are associated with a personality change. The Fused enter the Singers by hijacking this system: likely, there is a perpendicularity of sorts formed during an Everstorm or Highstorm that allows spren or cognitive shadows to enter the Physical realm in a bond with the Singer. In the case of the Fused, they destroy the Singer, removing their spiritweb rather than simply altering it. I don't see why this necessarily must be a new system. If you're looking at it as a set of rules for Investure to follow, the rule seems to be "Singers can form a bond with sentient or semi-sentient investure. The bonded investure is capable of changing the Singer's spiritweb." This rule doesn't have to be broken to allow for the Fused.

Personally, this theory doesn't seem to make much sense to me because the process through which Singers are taken over by Fused doesn't seem very different than the process that Singers use to assume a new form. Becoming a Fused is simply a more extreme version of this bonding. Spren and Cognitive Shadows are (by a WoB that i can't find) essentially the same, they're bits of sentient investure. Cognitive shadows like the Fused just have more investure/ a more complex spiritweb that, rather than bonding with the spiritweb of the Singer, ejects it. I don't see how this could be called it's own magic system. In addition, we saw Singers bonding spren before Oathbringer so @Calderis's WoB above should apply - the system Singers use to bond spren is not Voidbinding. Unless you have an argument for why being taken over by Fused is much different, I don't see your theory being the case.

You’re right! Sorry haha. Oops

Mistborn and the Stormligt Archive have the most clear examples of Shards. Shards are fractured pieces of the power of a being called Adonalsium, essentially a god, and each Shard represents an aspect of Adonalsium (Ruin, Preservation, Honor, etc). We know that there are 16 Shards in total. The ones we know are: Ruin and Preservation fron Mistborn. Honor, Odium, and Cultivation from the Stormlight Archive. Dominion and Devotion are not mentioned in the book, but they are the splintered (killed by Odium) Shards of Sel, the world of Elantris. (“Merciful Domi” refers to Dominion.) their power forms the Dor. Autonomy is a Shard referenced across many books by different names (Trell?). They seem to have a split conciousness. Ambition is another shard splintered by Odium.

I haven’t seen any discussion surrounding this but it seems important. The shin clearly are a different genetic pool than the rest of Roshar, because of their eyes (lack an epicanthic fold I believe). In addition, their culture clearly shows some aspects of a covenant to remain in Shinovar (not walking on stone) as was described in the Eila Stele). We already know that the Iriali migrated to Roshar separately. Could it be that the Shin were the original migrants from Ashyn, while the other Rosharians actually arrived separately? Many of you likely think this but i havent seen any conversations or WoBs about it.

Hey guys, I have a bit of an alternate theory about the Sibling. (maybe I should turn this into a full thread?) The Eila Stele mentions *three* gods (or types of gods) before the arrival of humans: spren, stone, and wind. I don't think they necessarily meant three shards, but rather three very large spren. We know that the Stormfather almost certainly existed in those times - especially because the Listeners accuse him of abandoning them for the humans. The Nightwatcher may or may not be this ancient, but the name of the "Old Magic" suggests to me that she is. Obviously, we can associate the Stormfather with wind, but the Nightwatcher is a bit iffy. However, I find it much more likely she would represent "spren" than "stone." That leaves the last "god" - stone, who I propose is the Sibling. There are other reasons why this would make sense to me. For one, the Sibling's slumber is part of the reason why Urithiru is not fully functional (there's a WoB), so it would make sense to me if the Sibling were somehow dwelling in the stone of Urithiru. This could also explain why the Shin consider Urithiru the only stones that aren't cursed - their tradition against stone seems to stem from the original pact that humans made not to spread out of Shinovar (another WoB), but if Urithiru were created by one of their "gods" to house humans, they would consider it less profane to walk there. In addition, we know (from the discussion above) that Bondsmiths must stay within a certain range of their spren (with exception of the Stormfather). The Nightwatcher lives in the Valley, which appears to be in the same mountain range as Urithiru. The Sibling, therefore, is likely also nearby, and being in the rock of Urithiru itself would probably be a good thing. (Edit because I forgot to add this) This theory might also explain what the Stormfather means by "hurt them" since Dalinar and company have been up to a lot of shenanigans in Urithiru. In this theory, of course, the Sibling is a mixture of Cultivation and Honor, created before the arrival of Odium. I also don't have anything to add about why the Sibling is slumbering.

Wait, no, isn't Urithiru up in the mountains in the middle of Roshar? Possibly very close to the Valley.

I’m pretty sure it said that the general escaped from the situation rather than succesfully wrestling the creature. But if he turns out to be a proto-radiant than props to you!

Hey guys, this may be a completely dumb post, but I'm mystified about the purpose of one of the Interludes in Oathbringer, taking place somewhere around the Alethi-Herdaz border (presumably). In case some of you have forgotten, here's a summary: Now, why would this be included in the book? Interludes so far have included: Very important characters who don't have regular PoVs: Szeth, Eshonai, Venli, Lift, Taravangian, and Malata (okay she had one...). Very interesting, recurring characters introducing us to brand new aspects of the world: Axies (we only had one PoV but he appeared in one of Rysn's interludes and also was mentioned in Edgedancer) and Rysn (unless you want to include her as "very important"). Non-recurring characters who introduce some important breakthrough or other new aspect: the ardents (discovering Spren quantum stuff, Dawnchant breakthrough, and Pai being executed), Kaza, Ym, and that purelake fisherman (what was his name again?) (Okay i probably missed a few but you could likely categorize it into one of the above) For every interview I've seen up to this one in Herdaz, I was able to see why it was included and appreciate the extra worldbuilding or other random little facts sprinkled in. This one, however, is just bizarre: we don't gain any real revelations, meet new cultures/belief systems, or name any important new characters (Sheler was the only one named, and he's, like, 100% totally dead). However, it is my firm belief that *something* in here must have been significant, so here's several theories: - The one I find most likely: This Herdazian general will be important. He'll end up popping up in the next book, negotiating some treaty with Dalinar for Herdaz, and this Interlude was just a way to see an interesting side of him and the way he deals with things (with justice) before we see him interact with characters that we know. - Plausible: Sheler's execution turns into some scandal: a group of Alethi want to exact revenge on Herdaz and it becomes an important plot point. This could fit in nicely with the above theory and provide a reason for negotiations. Theories that this was giving us a hidden detail: - Sheler mentions that the Fused have been attacking the forces in Northern Alethkar and lots of refugees in Herdaz. This seems a little odd since most of the forces in Alethkar were moved to Kholinar, and active fighting in other areas was fairly low. Also, Sheler is under the command of Amaram, and their branch of the Alethi army was actually somewhat mobilized for some reason (unlike anything we've seen in the rest of Alethkar...). Could something be up with this? Maybe Amaram was planning to take Herdaz? Or perhaps Mourn's Vault (what's in the vault? We don't know... O_O), and the Fused are trying to get it? (CRACKPOT THEORY THAT ACTUALLY MAKES SENSE: it's a gemstone vault that contains another flawless gem, just like the King's Drop in the vault in Thaylen city, so the Fused are after it and Amaram ordered his forces to hold the vault.) - Even more hidden than that: The greatshell is somehow significant. We know about several species, and there's an aquatic one off the coast of Marabethia (presumably in the Reshi sea) that prisoners are fed to. This could be similar maybe? The location of this Interlude is almost definitely on the cost in Northern Alethkar, close to Herdaz, so it's definitely not the same beast as the ones in Marabethia. Or maybe it's hinting at some migration? Perhaps the Everstorm caused climate shifts that are letting them spread, maybe leading to ecological collapse in some areas and habitat destruction for other species?

Very interesting! You're right that my theorizing so far has been based on stuff we've seen, which is why I missed dragonsteel, but (unless it's a Medallion like @Calderis just pointed out) this seems a bit too much, mostly because I don't think Sanderson would dump an entirely new magic system into the Stormlight Archive, which is already filled with plenty of magic systems (we've only seen like 4 radiant order's powers in depth, 3 of the 9 varieties of Fused, a couple of ancient fabrials, a bit of the Old Magic, and Awakening, so Sanderson has got his hands full trying to get his readers to follow all of the magic especially since he has a lot left to show us.). That's why I'm still leaning towards Type IV: I think it would confuse readers less, since it's the same system that Nightblood and Azure's sword and it would mean Sanderson wouldn't have to dump another whole new mechanic into the series. Wait, I just saw your second comment, and I realize that we've also gotten "cameos" from Aethers, Aviars, and White Sand so I guess this wouldn't be too bad to include totally new stuff. It would depend on whether or not the chain takes a large role (non 17th sharders probably missed the references to Aethers, Aviars, and sand and it didnt confuse anybody)

Well, Adolin was in that shop.. so he probably would have noticed

Well, if some in-world documents are to believed, Dawnshards are also capable of "destroying worlds" and I think something of this nature would be under much, much, tighter guard. Like, the type of guard they have around Akinah. And certainly it wouldn't be for sale! (Okay, you could argue that the spren don't even know what it is, other than that it is super valuable. I kind of doubt this though, but it's still possible.)

I thought so too, but the Ghostbloods evidently got their hands on some white sand somehow. Perhaps it's opened up a bit since it seems that Autonomy is Trell, and is now attacking Scadrial? We know Mistborn Era 2 is immediately after the first arc of Stormlight Archive so it's possible for the timing to line up.

No, different shop, same market. Although it is a sign of how much exchange has occurred between Nalthis and Shadesmar, along with that lighthouse keeper who asks Kaladin about Heightening.

OH!! I forgot about that possibility, mostly because it hasn't yet appeared in a canon work. That's certainly possible, but I'd be very interested on how it got to Roshar. It seems more likely to come from Nalthis than from Yolin. (In fact, I don't even think Khriss has visited Yolin?) What could Dragonsteel be? Perhaps some godmetal of Adonalsium itself!?

Okay, I found a WoB that the mysterious "long thin silvery chain" that Kaladin sees in a weapons shop in Celebrant is important: (it was worth a thousand broams of Stormlight) So, I want to figure out what the storms this could be. First of all, this thing has to be invested or made of some extremely rare material - there's no other way to justify the cost. I can't think, however, of any rare materials that qualify. A chain of aluminum would definitely have some useful properties, and be very expensive, but on Roshar aluminum is made by soulcasting and therefore it's not particularly rare. (Ex: Shallan's necklace, which she sold for 10 emerald broams I believe, valuable but not nearly as much as this chain.) Thus, I think it's probably been invested. There is really only one example of invested metal that seem to fit this object, and would feasibly appear on Roshar. Let me run down a few unlikely possibilities first though: Metalmind: Highly doubtful, although an unkeyed metalmind may justify the price, I don't see why they would be shaped like chains. In addition, it's highly unlikely such an object made it onto Roshar. Some sort of fabrial: Even the ancient fabrials that didn't require trapped spren required gemstones, a quality not mentioned about this object. Hemalurgically charged: It's a chain. This makes no sense, how does somebody get stabbed by a chain? Odium's godmetal: It seems to be golden, not silver, given the general color of his investure and the color of that knife that Moash used. Honor/Cultivation Godmetal: shardblades are made of this stuff, when spren convert their investure into a solid state. However, shardblades brought into Shadesmar aren't in their metallic state: they appear as deadeyes, like Maya. Therefore, for this thing to be godmetal, it has to be an Honorblade. We do know that one of the Honorblades is missing, that of Talanel. We also don't know if they are capable of changing shape, but it's not completely ruled out. However, it seems unlikely that whoever stole Talenel's blade would let it slip into the hands of a shop-owner. Therefore, I don't think this possiblity is a very strong. The only other possibility is that this thing is (CRACKPOT THEORY ALERT) a Dawnshard (hey, they're supposed to bind stuff, right? And this is a chain, which, you know, binds stuff). But I don't think a world-destroying object would be up for sale in a random store... Okay now that I ruled those out, I hope you guys understand why I think this thing is a Type IV biochromatic entity. Firstly, a chain is a wonderful object to turn into a Type IV. It would be able to grab stuff, tie people together, all sorts of neat tricks. Imagine Wonder Woman's whip. Secondly, it's feasible for such an object to be in Roshar because people from Nalthis are clearly visiting. Thirdly, the description of the chain as silvery matches the style of the sword carried by Vivenna (Azure). Because of this connection, my bet is that this thing was carried over by Vivenna or Vasher, and that if Vivenna had seen it she would have flipped out and demanded it to be returned. Perhaps she needed to trade it in for stormlight while traveling in Shadesmar. I can't think of any reasons why this thing couldn't be a Type IV. So far, we've only seen them as swords but there's no real reason they couldn't be anything else. Any thoughts from you guys?

Thankfully, this doesnt seem to be the case. The Listeners have gemhearts all of a specific type, and I don’t think its one of the gems used in currency. In fact, i have no idea what type of gem it is except that Venli mentions it is pearly white (i may have misremembered somebody else please confirm). don’t chulls also have gemhearts? Additionally, the ability of these animals to grow gems seems to indicate that the minerals used to produce them are far from scarce. Perhaps they grow in giant caves or something.

It does seem so, huh? But what about what he was saying to Eshonai the night of his murder? He was fairly machivellian there. Not to say i disagree with your other evidence though, I think he was having doubts but was still committed.

have you read oathbringer? If so: (SPOILER)

That could totally be what's happening. What made me think it could be something else was that those Cryptics still appeared as symbolheaded people (like they do in Shadesmar) rather than their physical realm manifestation but that doesn't make what you suggest impossible. I was mostly trying to fit together this stuff with the stormlight that the spren sucked in.

Hmm, I disagreed with this because their appearance was completely identical to Syl's (in terms of their shapes and such) but its a point you could argue.

Good point! This isn't a first, but it only now seemed odd after Syl's comments. Why I think those examples aren't completely representative though is that none of the Bridgemen seem to notice any of the Honorspren. Following the examples you gave, each Honorspren should be visible to one of the Bridgemen (other than Rock), right? Perhaps they just didn't notice. I would say that the Cryptics and Ivory have already started the process of bonding while these Honorspren haven't, but if you dispute that I can see your point of view. Perhaps the Honorspren were drawn there somehow, as the squires "called them" the same way Kaladin called Syl, and somehow were able to pass between realms in the same way that windspren were summoned by Kaladin in the Cognitive Realm? But we don't know the mechanism for that either. And what could be the mechanism for glimpsing? None of the spren in Shadesmar later in the book demonstrated this ability, and if Syl were able to do it it would have been useful at some points on their journey (such as when they reached the Thaylen City Oathgate). Because of this, I think the stormlight is involved somehow.