ChickenBonanza

The mention and dismissal of a WaT theory, ahead.

I think it’d just be bad writing, really. (One could say it would fit right in with the bugs present in WaT already, ha, ha, that’s kinda mean.)

Taravangian’s capacity to feel, access to Nightblood, and that final surge of bravery killed Rayse, and allowed Taravangian to Ascend to Godhood, becoming Odium.

That’s all well and cool. In the days after finishing Rhythm of War, I was conflicted by such a turn of events, mourning the loss of yet another of one of the Shatterers of Adolnasium. Such an ancient being, all his knowledge, lost forever.

Yet, all I thought on the subject more, the more I liked that outcome. Taravangian would surely make a better opponent than Rayse, and perhaps proved that at the end of RoW by deceiving Hoid (the bastard).

His goal was worthy, too. He was going to save them all, and I am the type of idealist who believes he could, and perhaps hopes he, in the end, wins.

But, why does Valor have to be involved? Cultivation was the one who set everything up, and the bolstering of an emotion is an ability we see is not something limited to Shards pertaining to emotion. (And who knows if Valor actually does pertain to an emotion. Arguably, Odium is the only true Shard of emotion. Devotion probably is, as well, but what even is love and compassion, as Devotion may be? The caring for of others? Feeling for others? God’s own desire to serve his children? More so, Valor could be anything. Maybe Valor pertains to courage and bravery, but how can one be certain?)

Indeed, the bravery given to Taravangian is given particular emphasis, but Odium appreciates such a powerful emotion well, just as he does others, including hatred. Of the emotions ‘beneath’ Odium, it is not those subtle ones which find themselves less to Odium’s favor. It is unlike contentment and love.

So, from this, it may be possible for Valor to be involved, but certainly not necessarily.

In WaT, Valor is noted to have well-hidden themselves. Could such a thing really occur if they interfere so on Roshar? Certainly not hidden in the corpse of the fourth moon.

Beyond possibility in-world, the Watsonian explanation, or whatever a nerd would say, I think it would be a lame thing to do. Doylist, or something.

Roshar is far from the final sequence in the Cosmere. There is still so much to get through. The addition of more Shards, now? Save that for later. Save that for the second half of Stormlight, wherein the attention of more Shards is actually warranted. To have it as a footnote, ‘oh yeah Valor was also always there all along guys’?

Eh, it’s lame, and unnecessary, and outta nowhere.