EvilNuff

Ryan, great post, thank you! I do not see any evidence for your conclusion here, however. I think it is safe to assume that there is a conflict between the Shadowblazes and wild chalklings but I saw nothing to indicate that they fed on the Shadowblazes?

My statements were definitely based on that assumption, but given the comments of the Forgotten/Nalizar about why they did not choose Joel what other conclusion can be reached? At worst there is a choosing without binding which is sufficient for my statement.

Oh I think that the Forgotten can perceive the Shadowblaze inside the Rithmatist and that is what differentiates them for Forgotten.

Joel see's "something" inside of Nalizar's eyes, presumably another Forgotten. I think we all believe that the Forgotten have taken over or possessed their host humans of Nalizar and Harding. Therefore it could be said that they were vessels for the Forgotten. My theory is that the Shadowblaze "chain" to a human vessel and that is what makes a rithmatist. The Shadowblazes probably bind symbiotically where as the Forgotten are more parasitic. This also explains why a new Rithmatist cannot be made until an old one dies, the old one's Shadowblaze is then freed.