Thor

IIRC, it's on 360, PS3 and PC. Story takes place ~200 years after the Lord Ruler's ascension, though no idea other than that (and Sanderson is writing it). That time frame leaves a lot of options for the story, anywhere from a House War to subterfuge to a full war with large armies. I don't think we have anything style-wise.

Enhanced hearing and touch would still be quite useful. And I still disagree with the Electrum not Atium argument...

The release module for WotC is always MOAR BOOKS!!!!!!!!111 I take heart in your innocence. Unfortunately (or perhaps fortunately), I have been tainted by a horrible thing called "optimization," or even worse "total/theoretical optimization," which sucks the soul out of one's body. Alternatively, it causes one to start mubling "Pazuzu, Pazuzu, Pazuzu" at random times. Along that line, I hope they get some of the people from the optimizing community to keep completely ridiculous combos/abilities out of the game. I like being able to optimize my character to a certain extent, but being able to get arbitrarily high stats, invulnerability, and/or an army of angels at level one is a little too far. If I wanted those, I would play Exalted or BESM (anime-esqe game). On multiclassing, I prefer SWSE (Star Wars Saga Edition) rules, where multiclassing is generally superior to going with a single class, over 3.X's multiclassing, penalties included (though they weren't too bad.) I suppose I'll take a look at it when it comes out, though I really enjoy playing with SWSE and 3.5.

Yes, a corporeal, humanoid body. As in, it has a stomach so it can burn Atium. Whether the body coalesces out of mist/smoke or exists permanently in the Physical Realm (or something else entirely) is another question.

No problem! For the Parshendi Carapace and Kandra: I would think that, given enough time, a skilled Kandra (ala TenSoon) could use a specific Parshendi's carapace and bones to impersonate a Parshendi. The carapace is mentioned as being attached to the body and has veins/arteries going to and from it, which means that it should be treated as another bone. Thus, the Kandra doesn't digest the carapace and bones and uses both in the impersonation to get the form of the Parshendi correct. IIRC, there was a Q&A where it was stated that to gain back the power from the Atium, Ruin would have had to metabolize it, just like anyone else, which seems to imply that Shards can take on a physical, humanoid, form. Based on this exchange, I have the following to add to the Cosmere section (I am expecting a RAFO, but one may get lucky): Can Shards manifest in a humanoid, physical body? If so, is this form similar to the being that is currently attached to the Shard prior to the being's ascension or is the form based off of the Shard's intent? (Ex: if Harmony manifested, would he look similar to Sazed, or something else?) Can a Shard be killed/splintered more easily while in this form?

Now that makes sense! I couldn't ever figure out why either TLR or Ruin would give Marsh a Feruchemical Atium spike (and it bugged me a LOT) but this idea, combined with what we know of Ruin, makes a lot of sense. Ruin is building up something (and simultaneously breaking it down through Hemalurgic spike soul splicing), specifically through Marsh and the other Inquisitors, to tear something else down, using superpowered Inquisitors to kill off the followers of the other Shards (which become even more powerful with each successive conquest, if Hemalurgy can indeed steal other Shardic magic), while increasing his own power. Creepy (and awesome.)

To your last sentence: he does use mass-boosted Steelpushing pretty often, but not to a Duralumin-level as that would take up waaaaaaay to much stored weight to use frequently. Sadly, Wax doesn't have a NI (nigh-infinite) amount of a Feruchemical attribute to throw around like Miles does...

While I respectfully disagree on some facets of your post, it is your perogative to have an opinion, though I do agree that Brandon tends to write with an idealistic tone, which I personally find a nice break from some of the more cynical novels I have read... I wouldn't be surprised if he had, to be honest. It is a rather logical train of thought to follow with "enhanced physical senses" and the relative proximity of a pair of emotional teenagers (effectively). I would imagine that a Tineye/Mistborn would want to turn off Tin while having sex, for most of the time. Any discomfort or pleasure that is felt would be amplified by Tin's effect which has interesting consequences. One consequence specifically relating to pleasure: if one was a Tineye then it would almost certainly influence one's, um, stamina. Whether this is good or bad depends on the Tineye, their partner and other...factors. There are other conclusions which can be reached by extending this and other lines of reasoning and it doesn't take too much thought to get there, so I won't delve farther, but they are there. So, a Tineye/Mistborn may not be getting it on as often as one might suspect... Edit: Grammar...And NOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!! TVTropes!!!!!! Why u make me waste my life?!?!?!?!

Guess what? It happened. Spoilers for middle to end of Well of Ascension and Hero of Ages (and some speculation that affects Alloy): To Dund (I hope I got to all of your points, though please feel free to remind me if I missed any): Speaking of separate rooms, I think the main reason why they sleep in separate rooms is propriety and even then they are almost never asleep at the same time, iirc. I think Vin even points this out to Elend as a reason to open her room for something else, but Elend refuses, for propriety's sake. I agree with Alliare on all points, especially the points about Elend and Vin's life. To go a little farther on Elend and Vin's backgrounds: remember that Vin has been trying (and succeeding, as far as I can tell) to not be thought of (and possibly not thinking) in a sexual way at all for 16 years. During that time she tried not to become a friend (or even acquaintance) with anyone, either, due to betrayals. Give her a break if she seems a little stiff when talking with Elend. Same goes for Elend as well, due to his amazing failure of a father. Also, the reason why the two of them seem like 13 year old teenagers is because they ARE, emotionally. Vin is 18 and Elend is 20 (during Well, iirc) but both of them have had experiences equatable to being physically and/or mentally abused (Vin's relationship, of any kind, experience is worse than Elend's, imo, though neither would be a good way to grow up). Neither of them have ever been in a romantic relationship, afawk, so of course they are awkward. Both are very naive about relationships (both real and how they imagine they should be), in their own ways, with Elend leaning toward the idealistic side (as fits his personality) and Vin leaning toward the pessimistic side, so their relationship comes off as being juvenile. Their awkwardness is pretty realistic from where I am standing. Plus, as I am sure you know: relationship/love =/n= (Does not necessarily equal) sex. Well of Ascension spoilers (fairly close to the end, iirc): P.S. I think that all of your gripes with Elend are called into question by characters in-universe, so just finish the book. Have faith (trust, whatever) in BS. He does a very good job with characterization, even to "stock standard cliche characters," as you call Elend. P.P.S. Read through your observations again after you finish the book. Read this spoiler after you do so:

Does anyone else feel that this means that a Shard can manifest as a physical body? That has interesting ramifications... Does the Shard manifest as its original body, a modified version, or a completely different being? Interesting...

My first post wasn't the greatest in this thread, so I will attempt to describe my disagreements a little better. I am not sure how you are getting the idea that the letter is being written just after Skai and Aona have been killed. The writing suggests, to me, at least, that Skai and Aona have been dead for quite a while and that the writer of the letter is being purposefully rude to the recipient by saying "you are so far from reality that I bet you didn't even notice that two Shards have been killed and Splintered." I feel like the bolded section is untrue: Hoid has interfered in almost every place he has traveled, whether it be a fairly small observed role (Elantris, MB 1/3) to a fairly large observed role (Warbreaker, WoK) or even a large, but unobserved, role (MB 2, where it is suspected that Hoid swiped a Lerasium bead). Additionally, during the following segments of the letter, I believe that the letter is being written as of the Way of Kings, or very near by in time and that Rayse is very much alive: Specifically, the lines on Rayse mention him in the present and future tenses "He holds the most frightening and terrible of all the Shards" "Rayse will not be similarly inhibited." Perpetuating a grudge against a dead person, especially if the writer has, as you put forward, killed Rayse, makes VERY little sense, especially when no mention is made by the writer of taking up Odium, which is another part of your supposition. And, if the writer of the letter has the power to kill Rayse and take over Odium, he doesn't really need to worry about ANYONE disagreeing with him, except maybe Sazed. Additionally, why would Hoid's "friends" in the Seventeenth Shard be chasing him during the events of WoK if they are chasing the writer during the time where the letter is written? (I know you addressed this before, but I seriously doubt that a trio of worldhoppers could stop a being who has even a chance to kill a Shard.) We don't even know how long the Seventeenth Shard has been in existence, as it may be a fairly recent development in the Cosmere's overall timeline. Occam's razor would suggest that since that the worldhoppers in the intermission of WoK are chasing Hoid without success and the writer says that members of the Seventeenth Shard are chasing him and he has left a false trail for them, then the simplest form of the events would be that Hoid is the writer of the letter, as his being the writer makes the simplest sense from the facts we have. Still, interesting idea.

While it is an interesting idea, the events during Elantris do NOT chronicle the coming of Odium and the death and Shattering of Skai and Aona. This has been confirmed in a rather round about fashion: Seons were confirmed to be Splinters of a Shard (specifically Aona) and it was then asked if Seons were created during the events that created the Chasm. Brandon answered that Seons existed for quite some time before the Chasm was created. Ergo, Odium came and killed Aona and Skai long before the events of Elantris. I am much too lazy to look up the actual quotes (atm), though I am sure someone can do so...

While that could be true, if Vasher wrote it, he may have specifically been vague to distort his identity, as very few people have ever held the Eighth Heightening or even witnessed it. As so few have been at the Eighth Heightening (maybe just the Five Scholars and the Hallandren God Kings), it is quite possible that all of their names have been recorded. By being purposefully vague, Vasher may be trying to conceal his identity. Thinking about it, when the stone/steel section is taken into account, it may actually make more sense for Vasher to have written it: Vasher despises Nightblood (or rather, what Nightblood can/has done, and what things he has been forced to do because of it) and would purposefully obscure information that would lead to the creation of another Awakened steel object. Additionally, the knowledge that stone can be Awakened creeps a little too close to the actual identity of Kalad's Phantoms, which he has no desire to unleash upon the world again.

Welcome to the forum! Hoid is most likely referring to the planet Yolen when he speaks of the "distant place." Yolen is, afawk, Hoid's birthplace and definitely the planet where the seven book series Dragonsteel, along with Liar of Partinel and its sequel (which chronicle Hoid's early life, afawk...), will take place.

Ooooo. Where is that quote from, Deus Ex Biotica? That answers the question for why Marsh had the largest number of spikes in him very nicely...

I'm certain it has been thought of by others long before I posted a small hypothesis on it in a different thread that goes (very shallowly) into some ramifications that stem from Hoid and Adonalsium's relationship. No matter what, it is an interesting idea to consider, though I don't think that "supershard" is the correct terminology to use when describing Adonalsium, as that would suggest that Adonalsium Shattered off of another something, which leads us down a path that invokes the problems that arise with humankind's inability to truly comprehend anything that possesses no beginning or end/infinity(ies) or Mormon theology... (Unless we find out that Adonalsium is, in fact, a Shattered piece of another, larger something. Dun Dun Dun!!!! Then we HAVE to approach those problems. MWHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!) Whatever Adonalsium is, calling it by its name is probably the best idea, to not introduce even MORE vocabulary to the Cosmere. Brandon gives us enough as it is...

Now there is a prize worth having! Then again, all the prizes here are worth having...

You are correct, though not quite for those reasons. The angle of declination is not exactly the reason why you cannot keep a stable horizontal orbit when there is gravity involved, though it is slightly related. The reason why you cannot hold an orbit above that plane is because the y-component of the T vector adds with (instead of cancelling) the force of gravity vector, which means that the object HAS to be accelerating downwards. This is also the reason why a stable horizontal orbit is impossible. Only gravity is acting in the vertical direction, causing a downward acceleration. The situation is much different with an object below the Allomancer's CoM, as the y-component of the T vector can be used to cancel out gravity, making the only net force acting on the object a horizontal one, which is the definition of centripetal acceleration/force, which is the basis for orbits. If the Lurcher is moving in a horizontal path then the orbits are changed (they require a time and possibly a velocity component to work properly) though the above the head or at the CoM orbits are still impossible. I don't feel like doing the math for those though. The over the head and under the feet is hard enough...

Cuaiir is correct. A Lurcher cannot keep an orbit at or above his/her center of mass (on a plane parallel to the planet's surface). If the object is above the CoM, the Pull causes the orbit to decay faster and drop towards the ground but if it passes the plane that bisects the CoM it can be Pulled into a stable orbit. And, in case you are wondering, a Coinshot cannot create any stable orbit, all of them decay and spiral outward from the Coinshot. Hmmm, I think that specific one is possible. (And other slanted orbits may also work.) It may take me a little longer to get the proper calculations done as the Pull's force equations will be time-dependent... Time to get crackin'!

As for the first term, Kurkistan has pointed out that you do feel a slight push/pull by using Steel or Iron Allomancy, it is (usually) completely negated by air resistance and the friction between the ground and the Allomancer's shoes/feet. However, in space, one could use an ion drive-like propulsion system using Coinshots to throw bits of metal "behind" the ship...the only problem is that ion drives take FOREVER to speed up, as they do not impart much momentum to the ship. However, once you get it up to speed, it can stay at that speed for a long time, as does everything in space. (The Voyager spacecraft use ion-drives. It's taken a LONG time, but they are cruising pretty darn fast, atm. However, they did make good use of gravity assisted propulsion, which is easily done in solar systems with very large planets (or use the star...even if it is dangerous). Of course, 60000 km/hr seems pretty fast, but it isn't even close to being fast enough for intersystem travel.

I have a physics final on Friday, though it isn't on mechanics (not baseline, anyway) so I feel like taking a "refresher" by doing this. Alright. Conditions. *takes deep breath* So we have some Allomancer standing on a platform and he/she is trying to get a moving spherical object (we will treat it as a point, its easier this way. Oh, and we ignore friction. ) to move in orbit around him/her. His/her center of mass (which is what I will be using to determine the force exerted by his/her pull) is some number of meters above the platform. (Irrelevant to the physics, it is just some variable number that will be accounted for in the math.) The total height above the plane of orbit (assuming the orbit traces out a circle in the plane perpendicular to the surface of the Earth. And we are assuming that the Earth, or at least this section, is flat. ) that the Allomancer's center of mass is at will be shown by 'h'. The angle of declination/inclination from the Allomancer's CoM to the object is 'theta', the radius from the object of mass, 'm', to a vertical line from the ACoM along the plane of orbit is 'r'. The force of the Allomancer's pull is the vector "T", as it is similar to a tension force, and the components of this vector are 'Tx' and 'Ty' for the horizontal and vertical components, respectively. The vector 'T' travels in the direction of the line that connects the mass, 'm', to the ACoM. The force due to gravity is the vector 'Fg' and its magnitude is in the negative y direction. 'v' is the tangential speed of the object, as it is moving in a circle, we do not need to use a vector. When vectors are not bolded, treat the value as the magnitude of the vector. Having defined all variables, we will proceed to the math: The radius 'r' can be solved to be r=h/tan(theta) using trig identities. The total force on the system: sum(Force)=Fg + T, rewritten in component form: sum(Force)x=Tx, sum(Force)y=Fg + Ty The components of the vector T can be solved to be: Tx=T*cos(theta) and Ty=T*sin(theta) The force due to gravity is defined: Fg=m*g, where 'g' is the acceleration due to gravity, -9.8 m/s^2. We will leave 'g' as a symbol for clarity. Because the object is not moving vertically, the forces of Ty and Fg must be equal, with opposite signs, so that the sum(Force)y=0. Thus T*sin(theta)=m*g and solving for T we get: T=m*g/sin(theta) As the only net force acting on the object, Tx can be said to fit the centripetal acceleration definition. Therefore Tx=m*v^2/r Substituting for Tx yields: T*cos(theta)=m*v^2/r If we wish to find the horizontal speed of the object, v, we must solve the equation for v. After substituting some variables and solving, we get the lovely result of: v=sqrt(g*h*[cos(theta)/sin(theta)]^2), take the positive root and use a positive value for 'g.' Can also be rewritten as: v=cot(theta)*sqrt(g*h) Hurrah! Now all you need to do is plug in a mass 'm', (for the object you wish to sling in a circle), a height 'h', (the height that the Allomancer's center of mass is above the orbiting plane) and an angle 'theta' (the angle of declination from the Allomancer's CoM to the object) and you can figure out how fast the object is traveling, 'v', and the force the Allomancer's pull is exerting on the object, T. And all of that weak stuff, like friction...ignore it!!! Your math/physics fix for the day has been given. It is also interesting to note that holding an object in an orbit plane perpendicular to your body (or parallel to the surface) at the same height as your center of mass is impossible (with only a pulling force) when gravity is present. As soon as the object drops any fraction of distance from that height, you can put it into a stable orbit at that height, using the formulas above. (And of course, ignoring friction. ) Edit: Oh, if you want to find out exactly how far away from your body the object is, just use the following equation: distance to body=sqrt(h^2+h^2/tan[(theta)]^2) or =sqrt(h^2+r^2)

I think you mean Zincminds? That would be pretty nice for a guard, though that combination might work better as a spy. Any combination of a physical form of Allomancy would be quite potent with in combination with Zincminds. Thugs can calculate the angles of attack, weight shifts, etc. Lurchers and Coinshots would be able to shoot verrrrrryyyyy precisely and you have already covered Tineyes. Even emotional Allomancy would benefit: by looking at a person and analyzing their responses and posture it would be quite nice to boost your brain's computing speed to look for clues regarding the emotions of the subject. Edit: SVA

Along this line, Blunt could be Vasher and his appearance has changed due to the events that occur in "Nightblood" (the tenative name of the Warbreaker sequel, iirc.) He may also be changing his appearance on purpose as a disguise, as he is one of the few Returned that is shown to have very good control of his appearance. So the last person needs to be from Yolen, Taldain, The Silence Divine planet or one of the unknown Shardworlds...guess we will have to wait for the last one.

As I mentioned in my post, I believe that Liar/the sequel will show his ascension, as he is obviously not a deity in those sample chapters, replacing the previous holder. Of course, this is almost completely speculation. The order of events would be something like thus: Sample chapters from Liar :some time gap: The previous holder dies/leaves/something and "Hoid" ascends :another time gap: (or not, could happen close to simultaneously with the Shattering) Adonalsium Shatters Edit: Ninjaed by dj, that is what I am speculating. There is VERY little basis for this other than that passage in WoK, which is where I got the idea from some time ago.

I have had this thought also, though I never came up with the courage to post it. I completely agree that Adonalsium had a consciousness attached to it before it was Shattered as all of the Shards seem to mirror Adonalsium, albeit at a reduced power and with limited scope (their Intent, to use Chaos's terminology.) A lot of the ideas I have had on this deal with the nature of the Shards. If Shards can be Shattered without destroying the consciousness attached to them, this would be VERY likely. As the consciousness of a Shard can be killed (Leras, Vin and Ati) without Shattering the Shard, it seems possible that one could Shatter a Shard without killing the person attached to it... Unfortunately, with all Shards that have been Shattered, the consciousness has also been killed (Aoni, Skai, and Tanavast are all dead and their Shard Shattered) thought this could just be Odium not stopping at the Shattering and finishing the job. Additionally, what would happen to the mind who is attached to the Shard? We know from HoA that the body of a person who ascends to Shardhood is destroyed/consumed by the power of the Shard. Would Shattering a Shard return the mind to it's original body or a modified one? Would the mind lose most of the knowledge it gained during its time as a Shard? Would the body, original or modified, become immortal or mortal? In my opinion Hoid is the former consciousness of Adonalsium and he is NOT the first being to hold it. I'd hazard a guess that Liar and its sequel culminate in his ascension (which may be accidental on his part and on purpose by the former holder of Adonalsium) and then the Shattering of Adonalsium, which restores him to a physical body, though he may have gained immortality as a side effect of once being a deity. Support!: When speaking with Kaladin in WoK, he says he used to be named after a rock. When Kaladin asks if it was a pretty rock, Hoid says it was "beautiful...and one that became completely worthless for my wearing it..." which I feel shows that Hoid feels that his ascension to Adonalsium is, at least, partially to blame for its destruction, as he doesn't feel that he was worthy to become a deity. (This also fits with the "shattering" motif for Adonalsium and it's Shards. Whether they are physical rocks/crystals is up for debate, though the fact that Shards have to physically travel to different plantes (Odium's trip to Sel and back to Roshar) and the inside back cover of WoK seems to point toward this: there are what appear to be meteors in the corners of the cover, which, I believe, denote Odium's return to Roshar from Sel.) Brandon has said that Hoid is not a Shard. However, as Adonalsium, Hoid would technically not be a Shard, as he was whole, so Brandon has not outright denied this, afaik. If true, this puts Hoid's goals in a new light. As the former deity of the Cosmere, Hoid feels responsible for the people in the Cosmere, and feels that he let them down by allowing/causing Adonalsium to Shatter. If he is indeed the author of the letter this suggests that Rayse/Bavadin may be the cause of the Shattering and that they may have done it on purpose to gain something (probably power) as he holds a grudge towards them. His purpose in travelling the Cosmere may be to reunite the Shards into Adonalsium by some manner or another, or he could be going around making sure that the Shards are being used wisely by the people who now hold them, as he still doesn't feel worthy of holding them (whom he appears to have known at some point before the Shattering.) He may have wanted to reunite all of the Shards at one point in the past but may have changed his mind and has decided to act as an "invisible" guardian, to make up for his, as he feels, past wrongs. Welcome to the forums! Speculation, especially in this sub-forum, is our specialty!