Gloomspren

I think it can be paralleled with baby honor… Nightblood was imbued with the intent to “destroy evil” and like you said was very much limited to that by vasher who took part in creating him and didn’t think he COULD evolve much past that due to the initial flaw in the command given. But clearly, interacting with the Honorblades, with Szeth on his personal journey, and Kaladin (and everyone else) he IS growing. His last scene of CHOOSING to stop and not kill his friends was epic not only because of the moment but also because we haven’t seen Nightblood CHOOSE before… “Evidently someone other than Szeth had listened to the lessons Kaladin had been teaching.” Obviously his powers are evolving too if Nightblood himself is learning beyond the initial command that was put upon him… I cannot wait to see his character development now, because it seems like he is gaining more spren like qualities from being on Roshar with more “swords” like himself and with carriers exposing him to new experiences changing his understanding of what “destroy evil” MEANS… back to baby Honor being exposed to new experiences to increase its understanding of what Honor means.

I finished the book on Sunday, and wrote a journal entry reflecting upon the raw feelings finishing WaT brought up for me. Obviously I have thoughts about the plot, but I wanted this post to be a place where people could talk about how the book made them feel and reflect on themselves. Ik I’ve gone to a lot of therapy since I first started reading Brandon Sanderson! The journal entry: This book was obviously incredible. Obviously a feat of writing, imagination, communication, creativity - you name it, Sanderson achieved it in this masterpiece I've been waiting for for years, since I picked up Mistborn 14 years ago now, when I was 12. So obviously, I'm in my feels. This time, I was able to enjoy this series on another level, because of a lot of things. One of which is my own growth , the second of which is my wonderful boyfriend. I literally checked out of our life for 48 hours because this was so important to me, and he cooked for me, cleaned, delivered me tea, made sure I was hydrated, and generally went above and beyond to make sure this reading experience he knew would be emotional for me was as perfect as possible. In 2020, on the forums, after reading RoW, I posted about how Syladin should never happen. I posted also about how Syl does not have ADHD . In 2022, I met my caring love who also carried a massive burden - crippling depression. For years, I have tried my best to support him through a journey of battling self-hatred that I could never relate to, having ADHD + being too flighty to have any thought stay in my head for long, even if it is one that is extremely negative - actually especially so. I got my diagnosis in 2021. We had an explosive fight one day, with him descending into hating himself and me battering against it desperately, trying to get him out. And I told him I couldn't do it anymore, keep fighting this, that unless he could fight it, I had to leave for myself, but that I didn’t know if he would be ok if I wasn’t there. He got quiet, and took a break to go think. When he came back, he was upset in a different way, and said something that resonated. He said that even if I wasn't there, he wanted to keep fighting. He said it was his journey, not mine. And he would protect himself by himself. Choose himself over me every time. He went to group therapy this past summer, and in them found something I could never give him - understanding. He flourished there, and I felt helpless. Proud, but helpless. And realized, only he could fight his demons, and I must fight mine. Because I had mine too, and was hiding from them, finding it easier to identify his problems than the ones I actively repressed in myself. I started my Stormlight reread in October. I hadn't read it since we had started dating (2022), as I last did a reread when RoW came out (2020). This time, I couldn't help but see that my favorite character of all time-Kaladin- I had unintentionally started dating him. And I was Syl. I’ve always seen parts of myself in every character, but the similarities in core traits between us and these characters… wild. Well, now, if Syladin happens (and it seems it will after reading WaT but maybe I’m too biased now), they have my blessing. Because, storm it, it works. I've been saying it for years, if Kaladin isn't happy at the end of all this I will break. I fully, truly meant it. But I was able to fully enjoy this book because I know the ending for Kaladin. I sat for 48 hours and read this book, while my wonderful boyfriend cared for me, dried my tears, and hugged me through the tough moments. And gave me chocolate at the end after seeing my ugly cry at Testament tell Shallan to “enjoy it” (because I was having trouble with that very thing at that moment). Through the entire thing, despite my fears that Kaladin would end up broken, I genuinely knew Kaladin would be okay. Because I knew what the 5th ideal was, and it was what he said to me on the day of that fight. I knew Kaladin would be ok because he was going to protect himself. My boyfriend is reading Mistborn now, and this morning he commented on how timeless it was. He couldn't believe it came out in 2006. And I responded, it's because Brandon Sanderson writes about being human. And the human experience is timeless. I am a different person from the person who read RoW 4 years ago and hated on Syladin shippers, I am a different person than the girl who read Mistborn in middle school. The beautiful thing is everytime this story grows, I can reflect on my growth, and see in these characters my life, my experiences, my friends, my love. I think it is so, so beautiful, in a way I haven't seen before. In a different way than I've seen before. I am so happy for these rich, multifaceted characters. And I'm so happy for myself. End journal entry. If anyone else wants to talk about their feelings, please do, and don’t feel it needs to be this long at all! I’m no writer, just wanted to share my experiences and the impact these books have had on me, and was wondering if anyone else feels the weight of their reflecting on their lives whenever a new Brandon Sanderson book comes out

Just finished and feel the same way. Still in my feels hours later. Can’t go to sleep. Feels like I just got off a rollercoaster of feelings. One of my friends asked me “am I going to be mad, sad, or happy?” And I said all of the above and none of the above; it’s complicated and thought-provoking and overwhelming and satisfying. To reduce it down to plot points is doing it a major disservice and antithetical to one of the main points of the whole series. I am in awe of the journey I just went on.

Rereading RoW again 4 years later and came across this passage again and was confused… again! Looked it up to see I posted about it when I read it the first time! Thanks for all the replies!

Ok kaladin’s slave brands have scabbed and come OFF AFTER 4 BOOKS!! Totally thought about posting about this in kaladin’s character arc thread but I think this specifically is interesting because it means that he doesn’t consider being a dangerous slave as part of his identity anymore, which is pretty crazy. I’m not going to lie even though I LOVED his development through row and wouldn’t want it any other way... I’m going to miss the slave brands. They were ICONIC, and all the residents of urithiru who painted on shash would agree with me. Is anyone else mourning them? Part of this might be because I can’t really figure out what part(s) of his character arc in row could have triggered this change in how kaladin sees himself... did anyone notice anything that might have been critical to this change? Overall he came to terms with loss and his own mental health but... I feel as though his identity as an enslaved and branded person who has lived through horrors to get where he is were not directly challenged? Perhaps it was more a letting go of his past horrors and not brooding on them development? (Maybe this is also because I just bought a beanie with his slave brands and he doesn’t even have them anymore :P)

Loved Rlain POV so much, and once again branderson wrote a marginalized underrepresented character so well. Not gonna lie I wanted him to bond the sibling a. Because seeing a marginalized character with that much power... I want it and b. I didn’t really want another kohlin radiant AND bond smith but i was ultimately happy with navani and him being chosen by a truth watcher spren. Anyways, I’m curious if anyone else picked up on a quote that I simply cannot find in this ginormous volume where he essentially says that mateform doesn’t go right for him... My immediate thought was that we might have another lgbtq+ icon on our hands, since (as far as we know) mateform seems to be a heterosexual pairing for the purpose of producing children. Anyone else have thoughts on this (or the quote lol).

Sorry if this has been mentioned before, but i couldn’t find a thread on it. Chapter 106 kaladin breaks as a result of teft’s death and... then kills the pursuer horrifically. But a few things interest me here. Venli says: Like what Venli??? It doesn’t sound like void light?? But perhaps it is something about odium?? Or just a general corruption? But with all the light theory in this book it seems to not fit any categories. Kaladin also says he only has a vague memory of killing the pursuer and can’t think straight, and then proceeds to jump off the tower. So moash earlier had said that kaladin could either embrace odium’s emotion taking powers or could kill himself, and he did... both? Not sure if this whole thing is a consequence of him getting too far from the oaths (hence his reduced lashing ability), and if all radiants when they’re about to give up get a yellowish red cast to their glow but... I’m interested to hear other’s thoughts on this. what the heck does yellowish-red mean??

Hmm I didn’t interpret it this way, since it was directly related to a magical bond and her actual sapiency wavering, but i think a more direct adhd character that Brandon is trying is rushu, the ardent, and this is especially evident in a POV chapter in dawnshard, if you’ve read that. Honestly though, I feel like she was also done a little bit this way of oh look a distraction!! When that’s not really how it works and definitely does perpetuate harmful stereotypes. Guess we can’t expect Brandosando to be a psychologist

LOL this made me laugh. I think my feelings are a little more complex than for or against at this point, i tend to resist when authors try and “partner up” their characters, in that not everyone needs to be in a relationship. That said, I actually REALLY liked their dynamic and how Brandon wrote her feelings towards him, really refreshing to not see someone who was completed by their partner. A little concerned about the lack of trust but that’s to be expected with an ancient being, but does make me think this isn’t long term (is any relationship long term for wit??)

I think we are definitely going to get a delver origin story, just because explaining everything is a Brandon thing to do. I don’t think, and also hope that he wouldn’t, introduce something that mysterious and explain it with “yeah the delvers were always there”. He has something brewing in that mighty mind of his, and it is probably going to be a lesson on how hubris leads to disaster and we should all be more empathetic. I am in favor of the delvers being a result of AI getting out of control or reaching some god tier of consciousness that makes them abandon the universe for the nowhere. It makes sense that they would lose their sense of empathy as they become so OP they can’t understand individual lives anymore. I lean toward the AI route because of Spensa’s interaction with the delver and its mannerisms. It takes the emotions of the universe and reflects them, and this is a common way of AI learning. Very exciting stuff. Can’t wait to see where Brandon takes it!

So I’ve recently decided I am going to invest in a beanie for my aesthetic and because I can spend money on it now- and remembered a lovely beanie on Brandon’s site that had kaladins slave brands on the forehead which is so creative and I loved it. However this seems to be missing from his site now! Does anyone know if it’s ever going to come back?

Jasnah is a strong female character who is incredibly accomplished and knows exactly what she is talking about but probably of her heresy has had to work twice as hard to get her opinion heard. I think that her seemingly callous nature is a facade she needed to create to get to the place she is now. Along with the striking moment with Renarin, there was also the moment with Ivory where she lets a little of that facade crack and shows that she is not as callous as everyone thinks she is and that really shows who she is as well. But as for her actions with Kaladin and Shallan, in both those situations she knew best. I don't think it's arrogance, I think it is a defense mechanism that has been working for her and she also has a reputation to keep up.

1. Dalinar stole the show for me in OB. His arc was so moving and different from anything I had ever seen before, and the Nightwatcher asking if he was Son of Honor or Son of Odium showed just how contrasting his life has been. But he is just so storming good now I can't get over it! What a journey. 2. Kaladin has always been up there for me, and I loved how he failed to say an ideal this time because it fit his character extremely well and I just loved his interactions with the Parshmen and ugh he was just the pure sad strong boi I have always loved. 3. Honestly Taravangian was also great. He is despicable but also a villain that makes sense. 4. Rock! Sacrificing his oath to not fight to save Kaladin's life was a really big deal and was great to see from him.

I think shipping Syl and Kaladin is a complete reach and is kind of a disservice to the radiant-spren relationship that BS has cultivated between them. This is not a romantic relationship at all and feels far more like a father and child or just plain platonic. Even when she was "human sized" in Shadesmar there was no indication that there was any sort of attraction between them. Shipping them seems wrong. There is still ample opportunity for BS to introduce new Radiants and characters that will be more suited for Kaladin than Shallan or Laral, and bringing back Tarah is a real possibility since he included a glimpse of their time together.

I'm reeling I didn't even think about her using Veil for something like that I'm so into this, but ideally I would want it to be like actual Shallan and Kaladin together but that should happen eventually

I have been a fan of Brandon's for a really long time, since middle school when I read Elantris. I read mistborn and warbreaker as well and then completely forgot about him. A week ago I discovered the stormlight archives, sped-read the two volumes, freaked out for a little bit then decided I needed to discuss everything. Then I discovered cosmere and made connections to things I had read years ago and I freaked out more and needed to discuss even more and now I'm here. I hope it'll be a good time!

I also think I was mixing being honorable up with being "good", thank you for pointing that out. It is more doing what one thinks is morally correct and sticking to that. Following that, I still do not think Szeth is doing what he thinks is ethical- he seemed to hate that he had to kill and felt extreme guilt over killing so many people but does it due to his code of obeying whoever has his Oathstone. I think his Truthless code is the opposite of what he thinks is ethically correct, making him not the most honorable but the least.

I definitely think Adolin's decision (because it was a conscious decision no matter how "tired" he was) has put him down in the honor rankings. While I am all for vigilante justice and Sadeas dying bc he is a major creep, I don't think this fits with the gist of what honor seems to be in this book, which is protecting even those they hate and uniting people and yada yada. So my ranking would be Dalinar at the top because he has Honor's spren/weird piece of him and has been exemplified as a character even Kaladin looks up to and wants to emulate, then Kaladin because he protected Elhokar, then Adolin. Why not talk about Shallan too while we're at it? Is she honorable for killing her father? He had just murdered his wife and crippled his son, so I would say yeah. And for killing her mother? Yeah she tried to kill her first. But I think she becomes less honorable purely because a huge part of her powers and character is lying. Honorspren hate Cryptics, her spren. So idk if she should be lower or higher than Adolin, but closer to the bottom. Kaladin hating all lighteyes is definitely prejudiced because he projects it onto all lighteyes. I think the main reason why people say you can't be racist to white people is because most of the time poc are just pointing out flaws with white privelege and the system and are called racist against white people. If someone vehemently hated white people and thought every one of them was a horrible human being simply for being white that is racism. Just like Kaladin thinking every lighteyed person is horrible because of their light eyes. BUT I don't think this is crazy awful because this plot point was being rectified even at the end of WoR, Shallan is changing his mind about it, and he saved Elhokar, and I think he isn't completely out of this spiral but I do think that maybe his journey to visit Roshone in Book 3 will maybe clear some things up (or make them worse, who knows with Brandon!)