LerasiumMistborn

Ten years of time skip between the series is a spoiler of who lives and who dies itself. I probably wouldn't be so disappointed with Dalinar's little role in book 4 if I knew he will have a big role waiting for him in the future. But he has no future within this series. Not much is left for Dalinar and, while all other character has roles all ten books, Dalinar has a role only in a half of the series...and even in this first half he spends books on the background. He skips book 2, he skips book 4. Sanderson could slightly cut down Kaladin and Shallan. He will write them until book 10 most likely. And only 2 books is left for Dalinar. And Sanderson decided to cut down Dalinar, who won't show up ever again after book 5... To be honest, Jasnah and Renarin has the whole second half dedicated to them. Overall, they have an on-going arc through all 10 books, little one in 1-5 and big one in 1-5. Dalinar has only first half and only 2 more books left for him. While Jasnah and Renarin will have a ton of screen time in the future, Dalinar will disappear soon, and for me personally, it would be better if Sanderson focused more on Dalinar in the last two books, because there're only books where I could be able to read him. But no. Considering Dalinar skips book 2, 4 and probably 5, he has narrative only in 2-3 books. Out of 10. Which makes him the least important character in the series.

For me Dalinar's...narrative in Words is an equivalent of no narrative. Five chapters. 30K words. I can't read such a huge book, with 100+ chapters, just for five chapters of Dalinar. That's what I mean by "skips entire books". And well, he isn't in the second half, so he skips books 6-10 completely. Dalinar has a small role in book 4. Sanderson said it. Book 5 is a bit bigger, but not very big too. Even if Dalinar had a big role in book 5, which he hadn't, I decided not to read this book anyway, because this is the book where Dalinar dies. So, book 4 was my last chance to read about this character, and his role in book 4 is a background role. Like in Words or even less. Hence, 5 chapters and 20-30K words. No way Dalinar doesn't die in book 5. I wanted to believe otherwise, but I guess I'm too old to believe in fairytales.

Maybe it doesn't. But the thing is I wanted to read about Dalinar. Through his povs. To hear his thoughts, to "sense" his feelings. Same for this. I understand this, but when I love the character, I enjoy reading them even if they basically do nothing. I would be excited to read about my favorite character eating a sandwich, while being bored reading about "not my favorite character" saving the universe. I agree, Kaladin didn't do much in Oathbringer, and yet he got 80K words. Dalinar has 30K in Words and I felt like huge chunks of his story was dropped. I understand that Kaladin is the main character of the whole series. Of all ten books. I realize it. That's why I said this series in not for me. I understand everything and that's why I won't continue to read this series. For me it ended with Oathbringer. Not here. I wrote "on the other site". Reddit, if you're interested. Here, I just don't join the discussion anymore, because I lost all my interest and expectations. I think this is exactly what you will get. He's the main character of the whole series after all.

I honestly don't care if someone hates me or disagrees with me. I'll however admit, it's gut-wrenching to read complains about not enough Kaladin. He has the higher word count out of all characters Sanderson ever wrote. His amount of screen time...it's not big, it's enormous. And Sanderson will continue to write Kaladin in any given book. He will get more and more. And that's still not enough for some people...Seeing how someone complains that Kaladin skips one part of the book, while Dalinar skips entire books, is hard. Dalinar has five individual chapters in words of radiance. Five. He disappears for 800 pages and then shows up again only to have one small chapter. Book 4 (and 5 most likely) will be the same. Kaladin's narrative is twice what Dalinar is allowed to have in any given books. But others (on the other fan site) made it clear: I have no right to complain about it as long as I'm not allowed to criticize any aspect of Sanderson's books (well, as long as The Main Main Character Kaladin has "enough" page time). Shut up and take what he gives you. Ok, I understand I'm not welcomed here, but I still think I'm allowed to voice my thoughts loudly. No. Kaladin nor Shallan never had and will never have such a small role. Kaladin's part in Oathbringer was huge. He has about 75K words according to statistical analysis and a role in 4 parts of the book (however in part 2 where he has no viewpoints he's heavily featured through third person perspective). Just compare it with Dalinar in Words of radiance. He had about 30K words and five chapters. Upcoming books will be the same. Shallan also has a huge role in Way of Kings with 60K words, twice as big as Dalinar in Words. No, those two never leave front stage. Only those two characters have a privilege of having narrative. I just though...maybe I was wrong. Maybe Dalinar will gain some importance after Oathbringer, but nope, he's the same background character. He has a small role in first five books. He's obviously not in the second half of the series. It's not disappointing for me, it's heart-breaking.

Don't worry, Sanderson said Kaladin has a big role in book 4. As always. However to make more room for his beloved Kaladin and others (as if Kaladin didn't have the biggest "amount of screen time" before...) , he decided to throw Dalinar away from the story. You should be happy. Though those who love Dalinar should live with their favorite character not being featured not only in a part, but in three or four parts. But there's no place for someone like me in this community, I understand.

Many things. So many thing in this series don't work for me and feel wrong. It's easier to say that the whole series is one big disappointment. I liked how it started, but further it goes the more I understand those books are not for me. The biggest flaw is the structure of those books. The structure that doesn't allow anyone, who isn't Kaladin and Shallan, to have a narrative. Some characters get their own books with flashbacks, but this is the only place where they are allowed to have a narrative. While Kaladin and Shallan aka two main characters of the series always have high word count, many chapters and ton of "screen time" in any given book. They don't allow other characters to shine. I don't find the idea of focusing such big books on two characters exclusively. I understand, Kaladin is Sanderson's favorite character, but I've never seen any other author who puts his personal preferences above all else, focuses all his attention on his favorites and dismisses everyone else. As a result, those people who aren't invested in Kaladin and Shallan have nothing left for themselves. Unfortunately, I'm this person. Things I like are either on the background or thrown from the story completely. And many other things. How Sanderson treats Dalinar is one of the biggest complains.

Another book with Dalinar fading into the background. Though this is exactly what happens, so I don't want/expect anything from this book/series anymore.

But Dalinar insists that warmth he senses has nothing to do with Honor.

Also I wrote about it on reddit recently so...I'd just copy my thought from the other discussion. During previous discussion someone asked : "who exactly is telling Dalinar to unite them?", and got an answer : "Tanavast, obviously." Are we sure about that? Dalinar has visions, which are actually Honor's memories. Records of past events. I understand how Honor "communicates" with Dalinar via these visions, as they're records, and Tanavast himself is dead and gone. BUT Dalinar is hearing a voice in his head, not only in visions, but in present time too. Who is talking to him and ordering to "unite them"? Did Tanavast left a Cognitive Shadow somehow? I'm not sure if he did. Stormfather is an obvious choice, BUT it's confirmed in OB that it's not him : "Unite them Stormfather, is that you? Why do you keep saying this to me? I said nothing" Ok, this is the first clue. Here is another one. Several times in the book Dalinar feels "warmth and light", which is also confirmed to NOT be from Honor: "Old friend", Dalinar said softly, “Honor might be dead, but I have felt… something else. Something beyond. A warmth and a light. It is not that God has died, it is that the Almighty was never God." So "a warmth and a light coming from a place beyond". During OB's ending climax Dalinar summons Honor's Perpendicularity. We all thought, he just holds some Honor's power via his bond with the Stormfather, and that's why he's able to do so. However, there are some hints that something else happens there: During this scene Dalinar has exactly the same experience. He feels this weird warmth (mind, not from Honor) again and then hears the voice telling him to "unite them" (presumable three Realms): "Something stirred inside of Dalinar. A warmth that he had known once before. A warm, calming light. Unite them "I will take responsibility for what I have done," Dalinar whispered." I don't want to say anything specific, but such hints are always important in Brandon's books. I believe, something else is going on with Dalinar, not just him being Connected to Honor's remnants via Stormfather. Ah and one more thing. This is Odium talking with Dalinar in part 2. He claims that he killed Honor alone : “You have been placed in a difficult position, my son,” Odium said. “You are the first to bond the Stormfather in his current state. Did you know that? You are deeply connected to the remnants of a god.” Whom you killed. Yes. I'll kill the other one too, eventually." Later, in the end of the books Odium shouts : "WE killed you (presumable Honor...or not?). Worth for speculations, I suppose:)

I posted my questions in another thread. Here they are, maybe someboty will be interested Oathbringer spoilers

Truth is, Sanderson in not an author who "gets rid" of his characters.Especially when it comes to his favorites like Dalinar.He kills characters very rarely and not until the very end of the story. It's interrsting to me how people who like Kaladin want him to become an over-powerew walking cliche.I like him too, but I like him the way he is now.When I started WoK, I didn't like it at first.I thought it's another story of "farm boy getting powers and becomes Chosen One".Thanks God, Kaladin turns out a lot better character.And I want see his development according to this course.Making him the one and only hero in this story, putting aside other characters, would completely ruin Kaladin and Stormlight Archive for me. Fortunately, Sanderson is better than this, and chances for something like thais to happen are incredible low.

Yes, Starmfather talked to Lopen. I think, he talks to all the Windrunners, cause they bond with honorsprens.

Interesting.I don't remember that Kelsier heard a voice telling him "to survive".It's from Secret History?

Brandon said that he wants Stormlight Archive to be about Stormlight Archive or something like that.So you should not be aware of Cosmere to understand Stormlight and all these things like letters, mentions of other Shards, Adonalsium and so are just easter eggs for more hardcore fans.He said it will not have a significant effect on the main plot. In that case, I think he can confirm his own words(if it is still true, of course) and kill all theories about "uniting all Shards of Adonolsium into One".

Kaladin as a Bondsmith just doesn't make any sense. He's a Windrunner and we saw his progression as a Windrunner since book one.He has two more ideals to swear and we have only two books in this story arc.Trying something else is madness. Same for Dalinar. "Unite them"-thing is his story arc since WoK.Even the very first chapter where he appears called "Unity". Is it cool to take very personal story from the character and give it to another one, who has nothing to do with it?No, this is worst scenario ever.And in that case, why Dalinar's character even exists in the books?Brandon could gave Stormfather to Kaladin in the beginning of the story and didn't bother himself to write Dalinar.Why writing huge book about Dalinar's relationships with Stormfather, if in the end it does not play any role? It's a nonsense. So no, this won't happen.Dalinar has his own story arc and his own spren, kaladin has his own story and spren.They both should progress in their own Order. And I have to admit, in WoK Dalinar thought same things about parshendies.Does his task to "unite them" includes parshendies or not. As for bonding multiple sprens.Venli has both voidspren and Timbre.

I think, someone could ask Brandon, if "Unite them" cosmere wide or it's roshar wide. This will help to narrow down theories.

Dalinar had two non-Stormfather visions.One at the end of WoR, in which he fees light and warmth for the first time.And second with Nohadon in Oathbringer.I'm curious if they are related?(or they come from different sources) + Will we ever find out how Navani and Dalinar met each other? WoK says that they were friends even before Navani met Gavilar. I was sure it will be covered in flashbacks but...no.In the future books maybe?It would be nice to see actual scene.

Originally Navani was a flashback character for book 4.

I think, people who support Adonalsium theory suppose that Dalinar could play role after Stormlight Archive.For example, he ends up being a Vessel of Honor Shard and by doing so become important for the greater Cosmere.Or something like that...

Thank you:) I'll try to find it out.

Not every time, number 5 is in Thaylen City.Not sure about number 6, it's either in Thaylen or in Urithiru.I should check it.

+ In "Shadows of Self" Wax feels warmth when Harmony talks with him.I'm 100% sure there is no connection, just fun coincidence:) "I made a mistake with you, I now see. I still make many. Does that ruin your faith, Waxillium? Does it worry you that your God is fallible? “You never claimed to be infallible, so far as I remember.” No. I did not. Wax felt a warmth, a fire, as if the inside of the carriage were heating to incredible temperatures." ... Wax swallowed. “Yes, Lord.” I will send you help. The voice vanished. The temperature returned to normal. Wax leaned back, sweating, feeling drained. As for Dalinar.He also had two non-Stormfather visions.One at the end of WoR, in which he sees light for the first time.And second with Nohadon in Oathbringer.I'm curious if they are related?If I has a chance to ask Brandon a question I would definitely ask about this.

I listed all the scenes where Dalinar feels this strange "warm light" which comes from unknown source.Just list of scenes, no theories, cause I have no idea what it means:)But maybe others have any thoughts.All I can say, it's certainly not from Honor, Cultivation, or Odium. 1)"Warm light bathed him. A deep, enveloping, piercing warmth.A warmth that soaked down deep through his skin, into his very self. He stared at that light, and was not blinded. The source was distant, but he knew it. Knew it well. He smiled. Then he awoke." Words of Radiance, chapter 89 2)"What was the meaning of the last vision I received?” Dalinar said. “The one this morning, that came with no highstorm.” NO VISION WAS SENT THIS MORNING. “ "Yes it was. I saw light and warmth.” A SIMPLE DREAM. NOT OF ME, NOR OF GODS. Curious. Dalinar could have sworn it felt the same way as the visions, if not stronger.” Words of Radiance, chapter 89 3)“Old friend,” Dalinar said softly, “Honor might be dead, but I have felt… something else. Something beyond. A warmth and a light. It is not that God has died, it is that the Almighty was never God. He did his best to guide us, but he was an impostor. Or perhaps only an agent. A being not unlike a spren—he had the power of a god, but not the pedigree.” Oathbringer, chapter 5 4)“I have felt warmth,” Dalinar said, “coming from a place beyond. A light I can almost see. If there is a God, it was not the Almighty, the one who called himself Honor. He was a creature. Powerful, but still merely a creature.” Oathbringer, chapter 28 5)"Something stirred inside of Dalinar. A warmth that he had known once before. A warm, calming light. Unite them. "I will take responsibility for what I have done," Dalinar whispered." Oathbringer, chapter 119 6)"He dipped his pen again. “Would you close the balcony doors again, gemheart?” he asked her. “The sunlight is distracting me from the other light.” “Other light?” As Navani shut the balcony doors, he closed his eyes and felt the warmth of a distant, unseen light." Oathbringer, chapter 122.