WhatFace

So, this is an idea I had after reading some people’s thoughts of Hoid’s narration. Namely, how he seems to mention a lot more modern inventions than he does in other books - for example, talking about vending-machines at the end of Chapter 54, or name-dropping laptops. This is interesting, because modern technology doesn’t appear in most Cosmere books. Era 2’s Scadrial is the most advanced civilization we’ve seen so far. And that, combined with the fact that Hoid frequently comments on tropes and storytelling and all that, and sometimes fudges details for comedy (see: the Dougs), leads me to one realization: At least in Secret Projects 1 and 3, Sanderson is writing Hoid very similarly to how he writes Alcatraz. Think about it! A powerful white dude snarkily commenting on storytelling while retelling his adventures from decades ago? That’s basically Alcatraz Smedry from “Alcatraz vs. the Evil Librarians”! I don’t think this tone will really maintained for “Dragonsteel”, mainly because… Hoid is the protagonist of that story, so he’s not going to be robbed of his faculties or ability to move. He has much more personal investment, so he’ll be a lot less quippy.

That does make me wonder though: Was Riina/the Sorceress the one being on Lumar who Xisis mentioned fearing? Because we already know it’s not Cephandrius/Hoid. But why would a dragon as powerful as Xisis be afraid of any old member of the Ire? Unless she’s really leveled-up in the hundreds of years since “Mistborn: Secret History”…

In Chapter 15, Hoid says that the Sorceress/Riina took away five sense, including “my sense of self. The last one stung the most, since it appears my sense of self is tied directly to my wit. I mean, it’s in the name.” That suggests (to me at least) that Hoid is telling this story to, if not Rosharans themselves, people allied with the Radiants or something. Also, in Chapter 43, Hoid says, “I know that sailors fear storms on your planet.” Now, that description does apply to most planets that have boats, but it feels apt for Roshar.

At the beginning of Chapter 48, Hoid narrates, “But if ever there were proof that Fate herself had placed long odds against the Crow’s Song, it would be the fact that there were not one, but two separate rainlines heading straight for the ship.” Was he just being poetic, or did he just name-drop a Shard? I think it’s probably just the former, but I wanted to know what other people thought. Other observations: - We’ve known about the Iriali for ten months now, and still no updates on what’s going on with them. - That planet where the only sapient life is a buncha pancake-like beings who express themselves through flatulence… Is that Vax? - Who gave Fort his board? - Tales of “Death himself” with “nails in his eyes” have indeed migrated to other planets. Are the Ghostbloods trying to pull a… If you’ve ever read the Foundation story “The Mayors”? That move. - Laptops and maybe A.I. exist now?!? And the Ire have access to them?!?