cosmere_play

Renarin's Special Interest - rated General, 1700 words - please check it out on ao3 and give me a kudos if you liked it! Note mild Rhythm of War spoilers! At the top of a large hill overlooking the Coalition armies, in her command tent, Jasnah spread her hand over the pages on her temporary desk, trying to keep her research from flying away. If she had the time or the inclination to take in the view outside the tent, she would see the open, rolling green landscape of Emul. Wit had assured her it was quite the panorama. She said she’d take him at his word. The wind was a menace, sneaking in through openings near the ground and at the entrances, with enough power to necessitate paperweights on almost every sheet of paper on her desk. She’d wasted enough time turning whatever she could find to stone so she could reference as many sources as possible. She copied passages furiously, trying to catch up on her study of battle formations before the next meeting. She didn't want to embarrass herself in front of the generals…again. A gust of wind threatened to flip the pages of the book she was reading. “If you’re going to just sit there anyway, could you hold down this page for me so I can read it without the wind interrupting me every ten seconds?” Renarin stood and pulled his chair forward, then held the page as she directed. "Did you know the listeners don't just have Rhythms for their emotions?” he asked. “They have songs too." Jasnah ignored him and kept working. As annoying as it was to have Renarin blathering on about whatever topic was fascinating him at the moment, it was also a comfort. He still trusted her enough to be near her. His presence was a precious gift, one she didn’t deserve, but she would accept it gladly--even if it did interrupt her focus at times. “They have songs that tell grand mythologies and lore, just like us, but they also have songs for more mundane things.” Renarin tapped a finger on the page. “They have a song for making paper. That’s interesting, right?” “Mmm hmm,” Jasnah hummed noncommittally, trying to stay focused. “It can’t decide if it would be masculine or feminine to sing a song of how to do something. It seems like an excellent method of memorization that doesn’t involve writing,” he went on. “Then again, creating a song like that would be an art, I suppose. There doesn’t seem to be a strong argument one way or another.” Her cousin had always been highly motivated to follow masculine practices, though sometimes he had trouble telling the difference on his own. His statement almost sounded like he was asking her opinion, though Jasnah knew that if that were his purpose, he would have asked her directly. Nevertheless, she decided to offer it. “It would be a masculine thing to do, I believe,” she said absently. “The composing would be feminine, but the performance, for the purpose of everyday tasks, would be masculine.” “Oh.” Renarin scratched his chin. Lately, his face seemed to have more stubble every day. “That’s good.” “Mmm hmm,” she murmured, focusing back on her work. She gestured to Renarin to lift his fingers and she flipped the pages of her reference book, skipping small-formation tactics. She would need to start with the bigger picture. She could work her way down to the minutiae later. She found the page she was looking for. “Here, please, Cousin,” she said, and he obliged her. Now, there seemed to be at least six distinct philosophies regarding larger battle tactics... “The relationship that the listeners have with the Stormfather is complex,” Renarin continued. “The Stormfather is a god to them, but they have a severed relationship. They still respect him though. Do you know what they call the Stormfather?” He didn’t wait for her to answer. “The Rider of the Storm. They know Highstorms are incredibly dangerous, and yet they still go out into them to change forms. Some listeners bring a large shield, but that just seems unwieldy, in those winds. I wonder how often they change forms.” “Yes, fascinating,” Jasnah intoned. “It seems brave.” “Mmm hmm.” There was a long pause. Finally, some silence. The entrance to the tent flapped angrily, and a cold breeze blew in. Jasnah sucked up some Stormlight for warmth rather than stand to get a cloak. She noticed Renarin do the same, and a warmth bloomed in her chest. Unfortunately, the happiness she felt at their Radiant kinship was marred by her guilt from attempting to kill him. What’s done is done, she thought. What matters is that I chose correctly. I hope. She still wasn’t sure what to make of his corrupted spren or his powers, but Navani was looking into it. Jasnah had enough on her plate. “Did you know that listeners hear the same beat of the Rhythms of Roshar, no matter where they are?” Renarin asked. “That’s why it seemed like they could communicate with each other across large distances. They were attuning the same Rhythms.” “Yes,” Jasnah said absently, and scribbled rhythm instead of reconnaissance. She sighed, crossing the word through top and bottom and moving on. No time to start a new page. “It connects them on a fundamental level. Imagine being apart from someone but knowing you were still attuning the exact same Rhythms. I think it would be great to learn them,” he droned on. “Besides, it’s nice to know exactly what someone is feeling without having to ask.” He started to list the different Rhythms he knew. “Determination, Pain, Longing, Amusement…” Jasnah gritted her teeth. When Renarin had been obsessed with wines, it had been easy to shut out the information. But this…this was actually fascinating, and potentially useful for the fight. Where was he getting this information? As if to provide her an opening, Renarin finished his list. “My favourite Rhythm is Peace.” Jasnah put down her pen and crossed her arms. “You’ve been practicing?” she asked with a hint of amusement. Renarin stammered. “Well, I mean…I’m not good at it,” he said. She pulled out a blank piece of paper and started to jot some quick notes on Renarin’s monologue. “Who is teaching you this?” she asked. “Rlain.” “Ah, of course. The listener spy.” That was a logical connection. Renarin had been a member of Bridge Four, and still spent a lot of time with them. With the men, or with Rlain? She tapped her page. She wanted to explore this further. “Do you trust the information you are getting from him, despite the fact that he was a spy for years?” Renarin looked down and pulled out his fidgeting box. “Yes.” “And what reasons do you have to trust him?” “He’s Bridge Four. He left the listeners and gave us crucial information we needed for the battle at Narak. He’s stayed with Bridge Four ever since, even though his people all died. He had no reason to stay with us, but he did because it was right. He’s shared critical information with me and Aunt Navani. He’s helping us grow crops at Urithiru.” He put away his box and looked up at Jasnah’s face. “He wants to help. He’s a good man.” Jasnah raised an eyebrow, but nodded. Interesting. “And he’s teaching you songs?” Renarin looked down at his hands. “Ah. Well, Rhythms. But yeah.” She reviewed her thoughts, reading below the lines, so to speak. He likes that he can tell what Rlain is feeling. He’s been memorizing the Rhythms, and every fact he can get about listeners. He thinks they’re brave when they change forms. He wonders how often they do it. He wants to learn Rlain's songs, as long as it’s masculine. Jasnah tilted her head, the hint of a smile threatening her cheek. “Renarin, what is your favourite fact about listeners?” His expression perked up and he sat up straighter. “Did you know that their babies have orange-pink carapace? It darkens to red as they get older.” Jasnah raised both eyebrows, and her smile made good on its threat. I never thought I would see this day! “Are you planning on raising little listener babies with Rlain, dear Cousin?” Renarin’s eyes went wide, and his face puckered as if he was trying to pull his lips into his closed mouth. “...What?” “Renarin, I have been acquainted with you long enough to know that the subjects of your special interests are always related to the people you care about. You wanted to please your brother, so you learned everything about horses, even though you didn’t ride. You love your mother, so you learned about Riran religious traditions, culture, and language. You learned about wine for the sake of your father’s love. And now, dear Cousin, I find you obsessed with listener culture and biology. I think it means you care for this Rlain.” Her speculation was rewarded with a series of facial expressions that indicated 1) he had not been aware of the themes of his obsessions, 2) he was unable to rebut her argument, and 3) he was now aware of certain feelings he had towards this listener. Finally, he met her eyes, his expression determined. He stood slowly. “I–Thank you,” he said, looking towards the door flap. “I need to go think for a while.” He left abruptly without asking the permission of his Queen, but Jasnah allowed him this one indiscretion. After all, the poor boy wouldn’t be able to be indiscreet again until after he returned to Urithiru. Storms alight, was that wordplay? she thought, affronted at herself. I have spent too much time around Shallan. She narrowed her eyes. Or is this Wit’s fault? Yes, easier and more convenient to blame him. Shaking her head with a smile, she reached down and picked up a stick that had blown in. She reached into the Cognitive Realm in her mind. “I am a stick,” it said. “You are a paperweight, and you will be happy about it,” she retorted. She opened her eyes in the Physical Realm, placed it on her book, and got back to work.

Oh that would be great! Truthwatcher_Vez and I have been working on a project in ao3. Would you like to co-author a project with me, maybe some of the interior art from the Way of Kings that isn't from Shallan's Sketchbook? Navani's Notebook and Other Artwork might be a good place to start. The maps might be tough, at least they would be for me. Feel free to email me to coordinate more - cosmere.play at gmail dot com.

Thanks!

Thanks@Oltux72! I've updated the ao3 description to add yours. It's much appreciated! If you're interested, there's lots more official art that needs descriptions... Truthwatcher_Vez and I are currently working on Shallan's Sketchbook, but of course there are other images besides hers.

Oooh, interesting! The Blackthorn does love stabbing a table with a knife! I think you did a good job with characterization. And Odium's appearance was very spooky. I would imagine that if he were to be introduced this early in canon then we would get a similar amount of information - just enough to make us scared and curious, but not enough to give away vital information yet. When I saw a darkeyes with a sword my first thought was "this is a Shardblade!" Especially since his sword matched Dalinar's, but it seems like he had a regular broadsword and not Oathbringer. Either way it made me curious about what was going on, and I would definitely read more to find out!

Beautiful!

Aw that was sweet. I liked the heart of it. And the added mechanic of the disappearing was a cool choice! That was enjoyable too

I wrote a fanfic about Shallan starting to come to terms with her privilege as a lighteyes. She is Transformed through three keteks that Ishnah wrote for her as part of a research project. Here is the ao3 link to the fic, and below are the three keteks.

Thanks!

Can I use this to update the description on ao3?

Can I use this to update the description on ao3?

Thanks folks! It may not surprise you to learn that sometimes I can't see very well, lolol

Here are some image descriptions of the new Secret Project covers for people who are unable to enjoy them visually! Please note some corrections in the comments! Sanderson Secret Project cover mockup Image shows four books side by side, each with the title at the top and Brandon Sanderson’s name at the bottom. Art was done by Steve Argyle, Howard Lyon, and Geoff Shupe. Brandon noted that these are mockups and not the final covers. Title: Secret Project #1 The overall colour of this cover is green. A large, irregularly shaped rock juts up defiantly above the waves that crash around it. A large, bright moon dominates the sky, taking up half the image. There is a humanoid shape silhouetted against the moon, possibly two shapes. One is the shape of a slender person, likely a woman, with long hair whipping in the wind above her. Her outline shows off a bust and a thin waist with wider hips. Her silhouette is only visible from the hips up as she leans forward on top of the rock. One hand is reaching out in front of her, palm up, the other arm out to the side and palm down as if to steady herself. A second silhouette is difficult to read - it could be a very small head and shoulders behind her, although the head would be rather square and the shoulders rather round. It could be a trick of the rock’s silhouette, or some other thing. Something is being blown in the breeze, bubbles or dust. The bits are of various sizes, and they are dark in silhouette. Title: Secret Project #2 The overall colour of this cover is purple. A person stands confidently on a sphere, possibly a globe. Bright light, like a transporter beam, is shining behind them, casting the figure and the sphere into silhouette so that only the shape of the form is visible. The person is wearing a pointed, wide-brimmed hat, and the tip of the point has been crushed into a frazzled curl. In one hand, the person holds a tool with a handhold, a barrel, and an extra piece below the barrel. The tool is being pointed upward. Its shape is reminiscent of a nerf gun or sci fi gun. In the other hand, the person holds a rectangular object, likely a large book. Behind the bright beam of light, the background is of a cluster of human-sized circles or spheres. Title: Secret Project #3 The overall colour of this cover is black with pink and turquoise accents. The design is mostly abstract, with the background as paisley-like curls and curves. A tall, slim person wearing a long coat is falling, one hand reaching out protectively as if they may hit the ground. Their focus, however, is behind and upwards. They twist their body and reach out their other arm to shoot a burst of pink light from their hand. The light ends at a beautifully arched ball of lines, like a pile of lily petals, that seems to be absorbing the hit. The person’s straight, shoulder-length hair is swept aesthetically in the wind as the person falls. Title: Secret Project #4 The overall colour of this cover is orange with yellow accents. Two clusters of buildings with lights underneath hover in the sky far away. The sky in the background radiates a series of circles originating in a yellow sun, the brightness of which casts the foreground in silhouette. In the foreground, a person stands in front of a cityscape. The person, likely a man, wears a form-fitting jacket and pants, showing off square shoulders and slim hips. The person holds a shining orange shape in his hand, vaguely round, about the size of a grapefruit. He holds it protectively against his collarbone and looks discreetly off to the side. His other hand, at his side, is held in a tight fist.

I was tickled by the idea that Brandon Sanderson noted that in Alethi, Kholin is pronounced "Kho-LEEN" with a fricative like a Hebrew chet, and who doesn't love to get nerdy and needlessly nit picky about pronounciation?? So here is a tongue-in-cheek entreaty to pronounce Kholin 'correctly'. Obviously, the relevant WoBs are linked! The lyrics are below, and the mp3 is attached at the bottom of the message, as usual it's me singing accompanied by me on the ukulele. To the tune of "Jolene" by Dolly Parton Kholene - rewritten by cosmere_play Kholin, Kholin, Kholin, Kholin No one says it right, this is a theme Kholin, Kholin, Kholin, Kholin Kate and Michael do not say Kholin I saw K-H-O-L-I-N And read it “colon” till the end But the only colon’s in that Shardplate scene I’d only read the book before I didn’t know I needed lore Some Words of Brandon to pronounce Kholin When he created names anew He borrowed ideas from Hebrew Then changed a bit to make it Alethi To his main characters he gives This voiceless velar fricative The K-H in Kholin makes us breathy Kholin, Kholin, Kholin, Kholin I’m begging you to say it as Kholin Kholin, Kholin, Kholin, Kholin Even Brandon doesn’t say Kholin Come with me and lay the bridge Enunciate a fake language Correct Alethi yes that is my scheme You've got the chance, don't hesitate To feel your dorsum resonate And be pedantic to a large extreme Kholin, Kholin, Kholin, Kholin Brandon says he cannot say Kholin Kholin, Kholin, Kholin, Kholin I’m begging of you to please say Kholin I’m begging you Kholin Kholene_cosmereplay_-_parody_of_Jolene_Dolly_Parton.mp3

Oooh this is ominous and fantastical! I love how you capture the danger of Roshar's landscape and climate in this.

Ah this is awesome!! I love it! You did a great job with the meter, and it's fun to see the elements from the original song that you transformed into Cosmere meanings.

I heard Skullcrusher Mountain by Jonathan Coulton the other day and thought, wow, that would really work for Raboniel, and here we are The song is attached. Here are the lyrics, written by myself and Priscellie. I hope you enjoy! Urithiru Tower 2023.mp3 Urithiru Tower So this is your secret lair in Urithiru Tower I hope that you've enjoyed our stay so far I see you’ve met my daughter Essu Her behaviour is quite disturbing But I assure you she’s harmless enough She’s insane, calls for her mommy, And she has a way of learning human songs And humming them to me I’m so into you But I’m way too smart for you Even my Regals think I’m crazy I’m not surprised that you agree If you could find some way to be A little bit less afraid of me You’d see that Odium’s dominion Isn’t total, ‘cause I’m not gonna kill you yet I called this secret weapons plan pure research to please you But I get the feeling that you don’t like it What’s with all the scheming? You like secrets, you like research, Maybe you don’t like carnage so much Maybe I killed too many humans Isn’t it enough to know that I’m willing to share My Towerlight with you? I’m so into you But I’m way too tall for you Even my Regals think I’m crazy I’m not surprised that you agree If you could find some way to be A little bit less afraid of me You’d see that Odium’s dominion Isn’t total, ‘cause I’m not gonna kill you yet Picture the two of us alone inside a room where we can sing While out across Roshar our music causes Worldwide genocide And whether singers win, or humans I don’t care Let’s just end it But it wouldn’t mean quite as much to me to have to watch you die You know it isn’t easy occupying Urithiru Tower So maybe you could cut me just a little slack Would it kill you to stay in this room? I’ve been lovely, I’ve been gracious And this Tower is full of Fused Odium is losing patience Baby you should stay and be my Voice of Lights And sing the Rhythm of War with me I’m so into you But I’m way too old for you Even my Regals think I’m crazy I’m not surprised that you agree If you could find some way to be A little bit less afraid of me You’d see that - oh, a Voidlight dagger How delightful, dear, that You’re gonna kill me dead Really completely dead I can feel it, I’m dead

There are now 8 works in the Rhythms of Desire Collection! All these fics feature singers, listeners, and/or Fused in situations that range from romantic to explicit. Please be kind to yourself and everyone around you - beware the ratings and the tags! The Rhythm of the Lost - Rated Teen, 1100 words Dul and Mazish gain sapience and take Mateform together. The Rhythm of Tension - Rated Mature, 3000 words Several months into their relationship, Renarin and Rlain visit the Listeners together. Renarin is looking forward to getting to know Rlain's childhood friends a little better. Five Rhythms - Rated Mature, 6500 words A series of five interrelated vignettes, exploring Renarin and Rlain's relationship through Rlain's forms - Scholarform, Mateform - and through rhythms - Anticipation, Mourning, Victory. Felled By You, Held By You - Rated Mature, 6000 words (new!) During their research, the tension and curiosity between Navani and Raboniel grows until neither of them can (or want to) deny it. If We Have Each Other - Rated Mature, 15,000 words A couple weeks into Mateform, Rlain and Renarin struggle with the conflict between Rlain's desire for touch and Renarin's aversion to it. Research - Rated Mature, 2000 words Raboniel and Navani discover the Rhythm of War, which leads to an entirely different avenue of research. Sexy Sociology - Rated Mature, 9200 words Set in a future Roshar AU, Rlain is an exchange student in Kharbranth, where Renarin is a classmate in Dr. Sja Anat's Sociology class. Pegged for Destruction - Rated Explicit, 2200 words Lezian the Pursuer is on the hunt for his latest target. Leshwi has taken an interest in the same target and will not allow Lezian to complete his horrible goal.

It's beautifully made! I especially like the curve across the "head" of the glyph.

I've only gone done and written a novella that fits between chapter 22 and 23 of FTE. The focus is Rlain/Renarin but Kaladin, Shallan, and Adolin all have POV chapters. If We Have Each Other 15,000 words Rated Mature (the final chapter is the spicy one) Summary: the support of friends and family makes romantic relationships better.

Ok great! Truthwatcher_Vez and I have been working on Shallan's Notebook, here's a link: https://archiveofourown.org/works/34114960/chapters/84873808 We only have three done so far I think, once Nano is over we'll be adding more I'm sure.

Haha yes a lot of it is! It's definitely not for everyone!

Your abstract, amorphous, colourful pieces are absolutely gorgeous! I like the balance and sense of unity in them. The hand holding the sword was impressive! You did a great job with that. I think Diversion was my favourite. <3

My expertise only lies in the experience of writing image descriptions. I've been working on a project with Truthwatcher_Vez to write image descriptions for Shallan's sketchbook on ao3. I also did image descriptions for some of rspixart's art.

I've only ever written Stormlight fics! I got into writing fanfic just this year. You can find my fics here: https://archiveofourown.org/users/cosmere_play/works Oh and beware the tags! They range from fluff to very dark.