NikkolasKing

Everything was as Wit expected until Taravangian asked him who he, Wit, would choose as champion.

Like I said, I think Kramer was just responding to what was written: I noticed your touch on the contract, a dramatic voice said in his head I hate you. I shall have my vengeance, Odium said. Even if it takes an eternity, Cephandrius, I will destroy you. It matters not. Whomever I pick, they will destroy Dalinar’s champion! Then I will use him, and my minions on this planet, to finally do whatever I wish! I can just see him shaking his fist and going "I'll get you next time, Gadget!" That is how Taravangian perceives and presents Rayse. And that fooled Wit.

I've always been dubious about Todium. I just felt it was such an abrupt turn after Rayse has been the greatest scourge in the Cosmere for basically forever. I also just felt it was incredibly frustrating that we had this rivalry between him and Wit built up, and then we finally get an actual exchange between Odium and Wit, only to have it not be Rayse. But finishing the ROW audiobook again, there is something I had not remembered. Michael Kramer's "Taravangian being Rayse voice" is absolutely ridiculous. That's not a criticism of him, it matches the equally ridiculous dialogue. I realize this is Taravangian pretending to be Rayse but it's supposed to be a good enough Rayse impression to fool Wit. So a Rayse who sounds like and talks like an exceptionally bad 80s cartoon villain is supposed to be "authentic." As opposed to the oh so wise Taravangian.