Aldragoran

Alright so after a discussion in the chatroom relating to whether or not trees can think (or goblets for that matter) I continued my reread of WoK and came across an interesting tidbit regarding realmatics. In the interlude with Geranid there was an interesting passage relating to realmatics. "I wonder if they eat in the cognitive realm. Is a food there what it sees itself as being? I'll have to read and see if anyone has ever eaten while visiting Shadesmar." So clearly if the food can "see itself" as being anything, then it has some level of independent cognition. Now is a goblet going to stand up and start debating morality with Shallan and Jasnah? Probably not... but I believe this passage does a lot to support the main premise of realmatics.

So this may have already been brought up previously, but has anyone suggested the possibility that Hoid was the "holder" of Adonalsium? This idea would hinge on a couple assumptions though. One I think is a pretty safe assumption, that Adonalsium behaves like the Shards (given that they are pieces of the original) and that, as Windrunner suggests, it requires a person to reach its full potential. The other assumption, which I am unsure of, is that the holder could survive the shattering of his/her.... vessel? Source of power? Whatever the term would be for the power they were holding at the time.

I'm beginning to think that there is very little 'coincidence' where Brandon's writing is involved. After you first introduced me to realmatics I started paying attention, and I am definitely of the opinion that Kwaan was investigating this. Of course there is no real way to be sure, barring Brandon stepping in and giving a definite answer

I like the idea that as the two beings grow closer their minds become more closely linked. Szeth seems to be at that point as well, or at least we never witness him conversing with an unseen being. It also seems that as the bond grows stronger, the persons ability to channel stormlight (channel? Perhaps the wrong verb) becomes likewise strengthened. Either that, or merely the experience in employing that force gives them more ability with it. It's very interesting to think about though.

Sorry for the delayed reply Windrunner. It's been a busy few days I do like the theory, it seems to make sense to me. I haven't heard the term "Nahel Bond" before but now that you mention it I can see some evidence of that throughout the different books. Now this could be a stretch, but it seems that the more someone acts in accordance with the primary traits of the shards of their world, the more they can benefit from their power maybe? This seems especially true of the Shards that have been shattered. I will have to possibly at to this at a later time once I've read through a couple of the other books to look for evidence, but as I am rereading WoK right now that is the freshest in my mind. Going back to Dalinar's vision, "Act with honor and honor will aid you" (may not be exact wording). Again, this seems to support why Syl always reacts so negatively to Kal even bending the truth. She is most pleased whenever he is acting honorably. Also, Szeth never seems to lie and he is the only other surgebinder we know of. (I think?) Also, is a Nahel bond what is created between Shard and Shardholder? Going by your theory of Syl gaining some physical aspect vicariously through Kal, could the same be said for Sazed and Ruin+Preservation? A sort of symbiotic bond in which both gain something?

I don't think his visions are a record. Record implies that it is set in stone and Dalinar would be able to do nothing but witness. Not only did he alter what actually occurred through his own intervention and participation in the battle, but Honor's voice directly replied to his voiced question. "Trust Sadeas". Granted, depending on the definition of the time continuum in these visions I suppose an argument could be made that these people in his visions were always possessed by Dalinar's consciousness at those moments in time and that Honor was actually conversing with Dalinar while creating this "record". I think that may be a little bit of a stretch though.

Okay so as I've mentioned in previous posts, I am relatively new here. I am currently reading WoK for the second time and have come across some interesting things. Apologies ahead of time if I am rehashing material already discussed on a separate thread, I was unable to find anything specific to what I am thinking. So I understand that each shard has its own nature and traits attached to it which can alter the person who obtains the shard. ("Hoid'" reference to Ati being changed by Ruin) The thing I am curious about is whether shards have more than just the ability to influence the holder of the shard. I got intrigued about the possibility while reading certain sections of Kaladin and Syl's interactions. I'm unsure if Spren being splinters of one of Roshar's shards is still a theory, or if it's been confirmed by Brandon, but assuming they are splinters, is Kaladin interacting with one of the shards (Honor?) intelligence directly? This could be completely out there and unfounded, but I was trying to figure out what Syl is, and the reason behind some of her traits. In another thread someone mentioned something about how the Radiants may have lost their power when they acted dishonorably, specifically being dishonest. Syl always seems most fascinated and concerned with people being honest. I could be grasping at straws here, but this seems to be connected. Thoughts? Sort of along these same lines, Dalinar's first vision that we witness ends with "the voice" saying "Trust Sadeas. Be strong. Act with honor, and honor will aid you." So I guess this is another representation of this Shard having an intelligence of its own? I guess I am also assuming that Honor is not currently being held by anyone? I can't remember if I read something about that on a forum or in the book. Anyone have a link to something on that?

Thanks for the welcome Joe! I have already made my way through several of the theory boards and can say that my mind has been sufficiently blown for the day. Now I feel like I need to reread all Sanderson books after I finish this reread of Way of Kings. I'm looking forward to getting to know the community more

Hello fellow readers, I have been a fan of the Sanderson cosmere for long before I even understood (well.... "understood") the existence of the cosmere. Obviously I am also a huge Jordan fan as well, which made Harriet's decision to have Sanderson finish the series even more exciting for me. I recently reread the first two books in Rothfuss' King Killer Chronicles. This second read through I read a lot more carefully and developed several theories about the book that are not explicitly stated. This sparked more interest to really dive in to Sanderson's stuff, as I had previously been introduced to the idea of the Cosmere. I am very interested in learning more about everything cosmere, shard, and hoid related. I am fascinated by the depth and intricacies that have been created in this Universe. That being said, one question I do have to get going (that I am sure has been answered in several threads) is where I can go to read about the origin of Adonalsium? (Spelling?) I have read a few forums talking about it, and have a general understanding of what it is but would love to see where these theories and ideas were originated. Anyway, I am looking forward to interaction with this community! Thanks ahead of time for any answers/help you can give.