Velvet Thunder

What niggles me is that the spren found a way to "copy" what Honor had done to create radiants. But by doing this, they give the radiant power and in return gain sentience in the physical realm. That suggests to me that Honor also gained something from the Oathpact. Maybe he didn't gain anything at all and its just an odd byproduct for spren as they just wanted to help, but it seems like they wanted to copy him because they also wanted some of what he gained?

So it was a huge city, or at least a large part of it was and I think it was inhabited by the parshendi. I'm going to assume the center of the plains was the center of the city. Due to it being a plain and there previously being no natural formations (at least that we know of) to build against - that the monument/temple/castle/governing seat was at the center and the city built around it. Due to the symmetrical nature of the fissures I would think the "great magic unleashed" would have emanated from this place. So, based on these rather flaky facts, it could have been some interesting things. Things you would expect to happen in the heart of the citadel of this great city. Perhaps some holy/unholy champion duel, the destruction of an oathgate, the whoever bonded the stormfather previously calling down an awesome lightning style bolt like thor... whatever it was, it was targeted at the center, but absolutely ruined everything else with it. So my thought process would be something very powerful needed to be destroyed, and it was located in the citadel. It required a huge amount of power to destroy/it released a large amount of power upon its destruction (being or object), and it probably pissed the parshendi off a great deal.

Imagine if you can't reform the splintered shards, yet someone put all the remaining ones back together. What a fantastically flawed and interesting new Adonalsium that would be... acting in very specific and unforeseeable ways.

Now I know it's not perfect in terms of race/culture/etc. but I genuinely think Liam Neeson for Dalinar. The way he portrayed Qui-Gon Jinn in Starwars, mixed with short/smart hair now speckled with grey, add in a neatly trimmed beard with a bit of increased physical conditioning to make him look menacing. Everything from his general composure to his voice and rhythm. To me that smacks of Dalinar, but I guess we all imagine all the characters in our own way, which is indeed the beauty of it! edit: Oh and me of course.. for whoever. Just let me be a part of this. Please. Pretty please. With a cherry on top. Ok, I'll stop now. Please, Ok thanks bye.

It's actually some exceptionally sturdy rope combined with a deviously complex special knot.

Ever notice how everyone refers to them with their family name, e.g. Highprince Sadeas, Highprince Aladar, Highprince Vamah. Even in small talk, Dalinar - "Oh hey Sadeas old buddy old pal, want to go and shoot some hoops with Ruthar". However, any of the Kohlin's are referred to by their first name. Even by soldiers - Highprince Dalinar. Is this because all members of the Kohlin line are so infamous/center of talk that they need to be identified to avoid confusion? For something I don't like - Even though it's explained to be so, I would have liked to have seen more destruction from the high storms. I would have a liked a scene after a particularly bad high storm where they emerge from the barracks to find perhaps 2-3% of the war camp simply destroyed. I think this would have highlighted the dangerous nature better and created more of an uncertain dread. To me, they became more of a nuisance than anything else, just get inside something sturdy and wait. A kind of, pause period. I want them to be more of a "oh rust, here it comes" and a constant reminder for the Alethi forces to improve and build sturdier and smarter designed structures etc.

Hoid?

Or perhaps, as others suggested, although they did not have the same effect as the heralds, they did... encourage(?) new desolations faster. The Truthwatchers saw that without the Heralds, they were doomed on the next one (the final desolation) with their current forces and state of the world. They needed a united, stronger world to survive. By discarding their spren, they 'bought time' in which they hoped future humanity (and maybe some parshendi..) would unite to become strong enough, where the knights radiant would also be reborn and they may survive the final desolation. Links well with the current - "oh sh*t, were totally not united" and certain orders belief that the KR would return. Based off nothing more than my whimsical drifting thoughts while at work!

Or with the way his personality is, he will become a new shard - divine wrath itself, punishing all whom believe themselves evil..

With Bondsmiths leading, it sure would be useful to get a glimpse at possible outcomes from decisions. Seems to me they would work perfectly together, making the best possible decisions and leading in the direction that has the best chance of success. Good spot!

As seen above he has confirmed they didn't have blades. Which makes me wonder what Bondsmith Herald was like, and what his honorblade was like.. All the other orders make sense to me to an extent, linking with the herald, apart from the Bondsmith Herald. What was he and how does he link with this small order. An order of kings (i'm sure they were generally treated as kings, with always one seated upon the throne etc etc) whom all bonded 'god-spren' but where did that leave the herald as leader? The rest clicks, but this order/herald interaction puzzles me... I look forward to book 3 which will hopefully answer many of my queries! Not long now!

This WoB seems like it may relate to the discovery, and if it is this scene, may support the theory. (Bold text)

Looks like a great deal of smoke. It's doubtful but I would love it to have something to do with the Dustbringers/Releasers. I need to know more about them, and there is something we haven't learned about them that makes them even more unique than other orders supposedly.

They could have gone to shadesmar, stumbled across some aluminum and bribed it to tell them its secrets - "I am aluminum, I'm pretty useful, just ask Stick over there."

Or perhaps... a special topaz? The stone that became utterly worthless because he wore it as a name. Maybe it has more meaning and was a gemstone of power.. Oh my, I do love speculating!

Compelling. Love it.

Good catch. Perhaps not dedicated, but all would be trained for war. Not unlike modern military structures, where you have engineers, medics, communications etc as well as infantry. All are trained to fight, then they specialise in their areas as well and the infantry take their battle prowess one step further.

So I think what you want to know is: Brandon is confirming that yes, the blades were part of the oathpact (more the oaths you took to your order/spren to become a radiant rather than the oathpact between Honor and the heralds), which might lead you to believe that if you broke your oaths you would lose them. However, what happened is the spren (blade) 'died', however a dead blade can still be summoned. Perhaps it can no longer do something we haven't seen yet, but we don't know. So; 1) Yes they broke their oaths 2) Yes the blades were part of the oaths 3) The spren (blades) are now 'dead' but can still be summoned. Hope that clears it up!

Does that mean that someone/thing could absorb you with the investiture if it absorbed it while you were there..?

Or stealing a spren....? Shhhh its impossible no one try it. And I'm not up to anything. Go away...

My complete guess would be as they seem to be leaders/kings, or strategic masterminds etc. - too many chefs spoil the stew. Also, they probably didn't want the general populous, or themselves to believe that they were better or higher than others by having many within this highly appointed order. I have no proof of this, just my theory/gut feeling.

Hah! Also, if there are only ever 3 Bondsmiths, and from WoB we know that he considers the heralds to be part of their order, as order head, would that mean that you would have; Stormfather Bondsmith Nightwatcher Bondsmith Herald Bondsmith Perhaps that makes 3? Or maybe there's another kick chull god spren we are yet to meet that the 3rd Bondsmith will bond with..

Honorable is always open for interpretation. Would you say that Szeth is very obedient and loyal... perhaps to an extreme? I would.. Which happens to coincide with a certain order, despite the order with whom he appears to currently be interacting with..

Very good point. So we know stormlight aligns your spirit with your mind, where it will heal you to the extent you see yourself as (or something like that) which is why Kaladins scars don't heal, because he see's himself as that man (I think). Perhaps that's how it is with aging, it depends on how you view yourself - as old and you will age, as young and you will remain young. Or it could be something like breath, as we know they are all investiture so share fundamentals. Perhaps the more stormlight you can use (through being further through the bonding process) is similar to gaining heightening and you eventually stop aging.

Ignore the part that they may have been in league. Thats pretty much written in the books with Yelig-nar killing loads of dudes. Still - My point stands! I think this is about them, and they need redemption/destruction. Some say they may be one in the same... (me)..