PiedPiper

The kickstarter will launch in early July, and the books will be shipped out in late 2020 (hopefully). More information about the kickstarter in this virtual interview at Jordancon with Isaac Stewart, Art Director at Dragonsteel, and his wife Kara Stewart, Shipping Director (and CFO, I think) at Dragonsteel. They talk about tiers, pricing, shipping, etc. I hope this was the answer you were looking for! It sounds like the book won't arrive in time for your friend's birthday, unfortunately. Maybe you can get it for them by Christmas.

It makes me wonder if there are laws in certain countries about how long Soulcasters live -- at some point, it's kinder to kill them, isn't it? It'd be a really interesting reflection of Rosharan cultures, seeing the different laws in place (if any) about that.

I bet it's some combination of the two -- and also, if you do need water, you can soulcast away from other people, as opposed to something like stone where you need a wall in a certain place. Thanks, guys!

The crucial difference between blood and smoke, though, is that blood obeys gravity (not that some doesn't technically also obey the rules, but you know what I mean). Would the person then just be constantly dripping blood wherever they went, then? Sounds like it would be fun to go clothes shopping.

I think it could be that Odium is unconsciously influencing Moelach in sending many of the Death Rattles -- like he's accidentally projecting his thoughts.

Maybe not -- but we have no more proof that the two theories aren't true than proof that they are. Until we get more information on the workings of the Death Rattles and the Unmade, we have no idea how far off we are.

It's already known that the Death Rattles come from Moelach, one of Odium's unmade -- therefore, it's highly unlikely that any of the death rattles don't involve Odium. Our theories stem subsequently from this fact, already established by the Diagram, from which we get snippets in the WoR part 5 chapter epigraphs.

This is true, of course -- but who else's words would become Death Rattles? I can see how that would work, but at the same time, why would Rayse put Hoid's words in the Death Rattles? Maybe it's because he wants to emphasize the Cosmere's need for one divine leader, and he's doing this by illustrating the regret that followed the Shattering of Adonalsium. Current consensus as to which theory is more probable: no storming clue. It could be one we haven't even thought of. As for Odium actually being the Shard of Passion, I can see your argument, especially considering Odium's words in his first exchange with Dalinar in OB, but on the other hand, both the Coppermind and WoB identify the Shard as Odium (it is possible, though, that Brandon is keeping this one up his sleeve for now -- you never know). Regardless, I don't think it matters much when or if Rayse was consumed by Odium (though it was strongly implied that this happened in the First and Second Letters); he could have killed Tanavast before or after this event and still felt remorse about it, his feelings making their way into a Death Rattle.

Right -- I vaguely remember reading that (great job paying attention, me!). Thanks.

Does Pattern have a real name, one that he was given before he met Shallan? Syl knew what she was called when Kaladin asked her, so why is Pattern different? Does this have something to do with Syl being the Ancient Daughter, or is it a difference between Cryptics and Honorspren, or is there some other difference I'm missing?

On your theory: I think Hoid and Frost are as good a guess as any as to who could have viewed Adonalsium as a brother. The Coppermind says that Frost is even older than Hoid. The Second Letter also discusses this; I've attached a quote that I think is important: The fact that he used the phrase "our interference" signifies to me that he played a role in the Shattering of Adonalsium, and the part about bringing nothing but pain certainly would fit with the text in epigraph 12. I would have been convinced that your theory is more likely but for one problem: I have no idea how Hoid of Frost (or another, more ancient being; the Coppermind has specified that they think there are older ones, although they have not been canonized) would have gotten their text into one of the Death Rattles. It's entirely possible that we're missing some huge, important connection, though, so I'll suspend my disbelief until we know more about (as Brandon has put it) the "underpinnings of the Cosmere". On a different note, I am of complete agreement that it would be in character for Brandon to give Hoid or some other ancient creature PTSD from the shattering and all their mistakes. Also, as per WoB in one of his signing live streams, "Hoid needs a good kick in the shins." On my theory: I just looked it up on the Coppermind, and there is no definitive canonical knowledge of when Odium killed Honor -- all we know is that it was after Aharietiam. Also from the Coppermind -- it's not known exactly when Rayse decided to go on his murder spree and kill all his counterparts, nor whether this was before or after he was fully consumed by Odium (although it's said that he chose Odium to be his Shard in the first place because he believed that it matched him well). In addition, when Odium finally appears to Dalinar in one of his visions in Oathbringer, he does mention that he views his actions as necessary but regrettable, because he thinks that it would be best for the Cosmere if her alone ruled. (I've edited the quote to be in first person, because the way Odium actually says it. it's directed at Dalinar, in the second person.) How much can we trust that statement? No idea. It's Odium.

I think you're right in pointing out the we -- I forgot to take that part into account. That makes me wonder, regarding my theory, if it's completely untrue or if Odium worked with someone (maybe the Listeners' gods). I think you present a really interesting idea, and that one theory is just as likely as the other. In reference to the "body of a brother" part, though, it leaves one to wonder: who could have viewed him- or herself as Adonalsium's brother? If your theory is the correct one, the answer to that question could be a very important piece in Cosmere history.

What if, instead of Death Rattle 12 being from the perspective of a human, they're Odium's words in his remorse after killing Honor (who could be like a brother to him, since both are Shards), even though he thought he was doing the right thing? Moelach (one of the Unmade, a Splinter of Odium) is the source of the Rattles, so it's not impossible that Odium spoke through him. This would also explain why Rattle 12 is one from the past (if my theory is right) even though Moelach is associated with precognition and visions of the future; Odium would not be so limited.

I think maybe the ardent would become half of both -- although it could be that one is used more than the other, so that one is the dominant essence and the ardent becomes mostly or all of that one and less of the other -- or maybe there's a third essence that the Soulcaster can do and it overpowers the first two. That makes me wonder something else, though: if a Soulcaster's specialty is an Essence such as blood, which doesn't really hold form, how does it manifest when that person begins to transform into their Essence?

Okay, that's really interesting. Thanks so much!

Is Brandon saying, then, that while Nalthians have to give up all their Breath when they transfer it to someone else, people from other planets keep the original Investiture they were born with?

I've gotta say my favorite old theory was "ashmounts are of Preservation."

This is the absolute best thing I've ever seen -- laughed for a good 10 seconds. Seeing Dalinar and Adolin in the foil Shardplate made my day.

Do non-Nalthisians have Breath? I assume yes, because Azure's sword turns people gray, but does that mean anyone could Awaken? That would make it a rather unique application of Investiture -- although Hemalurgy would be similar -- considering most magic systems (e.g. Allomancy, Nahel bond) are only available to certain people.