Sarkimo

What if the person hates ponies and rainbows?

I like the 3rd idea above as well. Maybe have some things which water can affect and dust cannot, and vice versa? Or maybe just make it strengths and weaknesses. Dustshifters (or whatever you call them) are better at working with the physical universe (heat, light, sound) than wetworkers, which is better with the non-physical (time, maybe? Happiness? Drawing a blank here). Maybe add in a shifting powerscale? Dustshifters are stronger when the planet is submerged, while wetworkers are strongest when its dry. Because the thing(s) that fuels their power is resting. Edit: Added in a word I forgot.

I'm thinking that his Oathstone will either turn out to be able to bind him to the holder's will, which would feed into his despair. I'm imagining a scene where Szeth would be ordered to do something he couldn't bring himself to do, or maybe just one murder too many, and he goes to either leave, or kill the person who holds his Oathstone. This would either leave him with despair as his only motivation, as he abandoned his religion in ignoring the order. Or, it could renew his faith in his religion, if the Oathstone is a religious item, which could lead to redemption (albeit through death. I don't see Szeth living happily ever after).

It means he believes he stops existing when he dies. And I'm with him on the 'eternal torment over oblivion' thing. Eternal torment may turn out to not be so eternal, but oblivion sounds sort of permanent. But it does seem to say that the Oathstone isn't a magical object, but a cultural or religious one.