Ninth of the Night

Not particularly, Sja-Anat has an unexplained soft spot for Shallan, ever since speaking to her in Kholinar and saving her group from the invasion. But Shallan seems to understand her on a subconscious level as well. Regardless they haven't interacted all that much. It's a reasonable theory, others have speculated similarly. I'm not fully on board, but considering Shallan's strange kinship with Sja-Anat I wouldn't be surprised if it somehow happens. There, uh, might be some flaws in your understanding. Numerology in the cosmere has been discussed extensively, though I can't find the correct topic I've seen before... so I'll do my best to explain a bit. Hopefully one of the more resourceful users can provide the relevant links/WoBs. 16 is only significant due to how many Shards were split from Adonalsium, but it could have been any number. It wasn't thematically tied to the cosmere before the Shattering. And most of the Shards have an associated number, Preservation is 16 for example, which is why the number is so prevalent on Scadrial. Honor is 10, Odium is 9, and we can only speculate on the rest. There was no "lucky number" ascribed to Adonalsium. There were 4 Dawnshards (weapons) that were used to shatter Ado into 16 pieces. That's what the mural was depicting.

Just wanted to chime in real quick for you, Sunlit Man is intended to be read before Stormlight 5. There are some spoilers of course, but it's handled in such a brilliant way as to make you even more intrigued. It doesn't give anything major away, just enough to leave you with more questions and interest in certain characters. Anyways, on topic, I do like the idea of two people taking up one Shard together. Not sure if it could be possible, we shall see. Does seem like it would be a safer, more sanity-preserving way of controlling such vast power. A burden is always easier to shoulder when it's shared with someone who understands, and can help lessen the weight.

Lezian could have also been referring to Voice of Lights, which was given to Navani. I could see it being either one. Obviously He Who Quiets would fit, since it has a broad definition that could match anyone with a lack of empathy and penchant for killing. Which is why I'm leaning toward Voice of Lights. It's a more unique title, and implies greater influence. Plus there's the very slight detail of El being lit solely by a Voidlight sphere held in his hand when we first see him. Certainly not legitimate proof of anything, but with his interest in the Anti-Light (and his general bearing) it seems logical to assume he's more of a scholar than a killer. Regardless, El's original title definitely has to be one of these two only. Although that doesn't dismiss the idea that "El" could be a nickname, that could still be true, even likely. Clearly it's short for Elend Venture. He has returned! (Don't think in depth about this theory since it will instantly fall apart).

This is why Pattern is my favorite spren. His dry humor always gets me while he doesn't even recognize it as humor. Renarin/Rlain chapter was exceptional. This quote needs to be plastered on every billboard in the world. Also if Shallan's next decision isn't to immediately go inform Dalinar about the Ghostbloods I'm gonna be mad.

I was thinking along similar lines while reading that scene, but it makes sense considering she has no idea what the full capabilities of Anti-Light are. I was just thinking it's gonna be funny when she learns her Armor could tank that hit. Though she likely won't regret it anyway since the wound was informational for her. Or maybe we were misled and Armor would actually suffer some noticable damage? We know it and Shardweapons are "more resistant" but it could still hurt them. Enough to where a Radiant still wouldn't want to risk it. Hmm. Yeah my immediate assumption was Elsecallers. Makes the most sense.

That's a really cool way of looking at it! Now I imagine Odium as one of those people who just loves to torture their Sims in any way possible. Or maybe that's Ruin? Though he would instead probably prefer to invade someone else's well established game and destroy it all.

He was talking about Wayne. We misunderstood him. He's using that example from Lost Metal to contrast with what he thinks is going on with Adolin.

It perplexes me why some people think this. Hoid is not all knowing, he has to learn information just like anyone else. Nobody knew the mists were Preservation. The death of a Shard was not well documented at the time, nor is it normal for a Vessel to infuse themself into an aspect of nature such as mists. Which were pre-existing on Scadrial.

From the recent chapter:

Ohh okay, I misunderstood your initial post and thought you meant a character who was hinted to die but didn't. My reading comprehension was taking a break I guess. In that case I agree with you. False breadcrumbs sounds right to me for Adolin, especially considering it isn't just him getting death hints. Basically every main character gives off an impression of impending doom... Which, of course, makes thematic sense.

He meant the character in Lost Metal you were talking about. I'm curious too, as I don't remember any such heavy hints.

I reject the possibility of Adolin dying. Missing out on him being a father would be a low blow and I can't believe Brando would be that mean. All of the "death flags" are just red herrings... Although I will not bet on the consumption of my hat for this one. MAYBE he could find a way to control her, threatening life that she cares about, but that would be a very unfulfilling "twist". And if Lift was working with them, what could she possibly hope to gain? She simply doesn't have the type of personality that would seek to join such a group. And she's not unintelligent to be manipulated without extreme measures. I'm not certain that would supply her with Lifelight

Maybe as a spy for Cultivation. Not the Ghostbloods. Being maliciously hunted by him, and subsequently being imprisoned in a cage. Then delivered to Raboniel. I won't deny the possibility of them having another spy, as they seem to be everywhere. But I spent several posts in the last topic trying to convince people that the Ghostbloods aren't an infallible group. And these latest chapters just proved it. Lift is not a Ghostblood. I will eat my hat if she is.

I'm confident that Brandon won't stoop to such a cliche. We need to see Adolin as a father. It's too wonderful of a future to pass up.

It does seem like Sja-Anat has a soft spot for Shallan. As evidenced by this chapter, when she didn't immediately reveal Shallan as an imposter. Yes!! That's gotta be it, because no one can convince me those weren't Skybreakers on Scadrial! Still I think it makes more sense for Mraize and Iyatil to be Truthwatchers. I don't think highspren would be open to change quite yet (but soon enough). Wait... Might that mean Auxiliary was enlightened?!

Because she's not a Ghostblood for a plethora of reasons. And we already know who the spy is.

We haven't seen any other Radiant spren willing to let Sja-anat touch them. So we're left to presume for now that she's only convinced mistspren so far. But who knows. Shallan seems to think they could be of a different order so maybe...

I mean it's not unlikely. Sja-anat could have just been referring to humanity as a whole, or Shallan's future kids. Even if she isn't pregnant right now, I'm sure it'll happen either by the end of this book or during the timeskip.

Sja-anat is the spy, or her children are at least. That isn't a mystery. I figured he meant Vin as well, but thought he was referring to her Ascension at the end of HoA. I was confused why he would think that was the "wrong choice." Makes more sense if he was talking about the Well.

This all just sounds to me like she has ADHD. We often struggle with focus. I doubt she's a kandra.

Typical stonewalker, always viewing the Shin as childlike

Oof. Never mind then Shallan might be doomed. No knowledge of Allomancy is a severe disadvantage (but then I'm left to wonder why Wit didn't inform her...). Still, she's a crafty girl, she could find a way out of it. Not that I think she'll defeat the Ghostbloods. Obviously. As they're still active on Roshar in Lost Metal. Not that I disagree with your points or anything, just want to note that Aux and Sigzil are a very unique case. Armor as well. Sigzil doesn't have active oaths in Sunlit Man, from what I can tell. Yet he can still summon Aux for reasons we can only guess. Presumably a post-dawnshard effect? It burned most of Aux away while welding the remnants to Sigzil's soul... Well that's my guess anyway.

Which seems impossible as living armor is always present. All it takes is a quick mental command to manifest its full defenses. Edit: also, I don't think platespren require Stormlight to operate? Radiants don't need it to summon their blades. I'm fully expecting the Ghostbloods to be prepared for Shallan, I just don't think it'll be a slam dunk as some people seem to expect. Even with aluminum, they don't have much (or any) experience in facing a fourth ideal Radiant. It'll still be a struggle, Mraize didn't want to have to face Shallan. She's still probably in over her head, no doubt, but the Ghostbloods aren't infallible. Especially this sect of them. It's a similar issue I see often in regards to Hoid. Some people seem to think he's basically omniscient, which of course he isn't. He can still be tricked, or killed, and he doesn't know everything. The Ghostbloods likewise are not an unstoppable force. They are quite formidable though.

Cool so the Ghostbloods will more than likely have some aluminum defenses, but it's not like Shallan is unaware of the metal. They have it on Roshar. I guess this is another gap in my knowledge, can aluminum be used to block a Radiant's powers? Is that what powered the fabrial to interfere with Kaladin in the evacuation of Hearthstone, or would they simply be able to Leech their stormlight with a charged grenade? I feel like I should know this stuff already but my memory feels like Taravangian sometimes.

Keep in mind, this is a matter of perception. Sja-anat would disagree with that interpretation, as she doesn't like the term "corrupted" either. Her spren are enlightened, free to choose for themselves. Free to change. Not sure how you got to the fourth bondsmith idea, that seems like a leap in logic.