theofficetroll

Aimia is a weird place. The name is a perfect palindrome, which is avoided in Vorinism because palindromes are considered holy (which is why the Heralds and others have near-palindromic names but never exact). It's name is also only one of two which appear unchanged since the time of the Silver Kingdoms (Iri being the other, which is also a palindrome). It also breaks the symmetry of the map of Roshar. The spiral form of the map doesn't flow with Aimia and there is no equivalent on the other side. The people are... strange. Their shadows are reversed (which is something we saw with Jasnah before she entered Shadesmar). They are able to make physiological changes externally and internally (physiological changes, not illusions. Might be related to Breath, as it's another similarity between Roshar and Nalthis). They are not human. They are not Parshendi. There are two races of them, and at least one member of Shia Aimians is essentially immortal due to his interaction with magic (another similarity to Returned?). Not sure where any of this leads, but it's a weird place and I'm looking forward to learning more about Aimia and the few remaining Aimians. Sorry if this has been discussed in another thread, didn't see anything with a quick search and scan :-)

A theory I put forth while I was reading Way of Kings. Braize was originally the home of Honor and the home base of the Heralds, also called the Tranquiline Halls. Odium killed Honor and started Splintering him. He also started Splintering the Heralds. The fact that the Heralds' torture is described as having pieces of them torn away repeatedly seems to fit this. Once the Heralds break free the Desolation is started to kill the Heralds and/ or have them return once the Desolation was completed at which time he resumes Splintering them. This is why Braize is known as Damnation now. It is where the now damned Heralds will return for the rest of their unnatural lives until enough Investiture is Splintered from their souls to meet Odium's needs. I'm also of the opinion that the Heralds were not all from Greater Roshar originally. One per Shardworld seems appropriate as there are 10 of those. One side effect of this theory is that Odium probably doesn't want the Desolations to happen at all, but it is the only way to get the Heralds to return to be further Splintered.

I believe that Stormlight is Roshar's expression of Investiture, like Breath on Nalthis or the sands on Taldain or the Dor on Sel. Investiture is part of the "spark of life" as Brandon has phrased it. Without it, no life can exist. There may be more to it on Roshar due to the way Cultivation handles Stormlight, but I'm not sure we can read more into it at this point.

I think there's a problem with one of the ones from EnaMai: Threnody is the world of Shadows for Silence in the Forests of Hell, not The Silence Divine. The Silence Divine will take place on Ashyn, which is in Greater Roshar. The follow up question is about Shadows for Silence, so it seems like it was just misrecorded somewhere :-) Sorry if this was brought up elsewhere in Comments.

This story made me think of the Bunny with the Bazooka from Alcatraz vs. the Scrivener's Bones, honestly :-)

Yeah, after being splintered for centuries at a time on Braize then living for 4000 years, I wouldn't expect them to be particularly... stable. I'm also curious how Nightblood ended up in the hands of the person introducing himself as Nin. Vasher/ Zahel presumably brought Nightblood to Roshar at some point since Warbreaker then they became separated. I'm not sure how much Nightblood can change. He has a very high level of investure, but nothing related to Breath seems to have a high level of growth or variability. Even the Awakened tend to be archetypal instead of full persons. The similarities between Nalthis and Roshar are striking and Nightblood should have had a relatively smooth transition from one to the other and probably functions better on Roshar. Nightblood consumes Breaths, which I believe are the Spiritual aspect on Nalthis. Stormlight seems to have a similar function on Roshar, but isn't in big chunks and is much more easily replenished.

The scene where Nin revives Szeth and gives him Nightblood are nagging at me. It doesn't feel right. Nin brought Szeth back from death. He used a fabrial or some other device which he quickly hid behind his back, not inborn abilities. Choosing Szeth for a destructive sword with questionable moral direction when he's bent on vengeance against the Shin people seems like a move to cause more chaos and destruction. Why would the Herald of Justice help someone seeking vengeance? I think it's an awesome to have the combination but I get the feeling that this person means for Bad things to come, not good things. A friend said she thinks that this is Odium, but as we know Odium is on Braize, I don't think he's ready to come back to Roshar quite yet. He could be a member of one of the societies trying to cause chaos across Roshar or an agent of Odium or something. Did anyone else get bad vibes from this scene? Sorry if this has been brought up elsewhere, didn't see it at a quick skim.

YES! I think White Sand would be a great graphic novel. It's extremely visually evocative :-D

I skipped through bits of the write a thon, but don't have a spare 4+ hours. What was said about White Sand? I've been looking forward to a formal announcement since I talked to Brandon last Fall, I want to know if that cat is out of the bag!

Honestly, I read WoK as Jasnah being homosexual or bisexual and having a passing (or not so passing) attraction to Shallan. I don't think she's a man hater, but she may have been abused or rebuffed because of her sexuality and have a hard time relating to men. I don't think we've seen anything of what the social and religious stances on sexuality are on Roshar, so it's hard to know if there would be negative implications for it in Vorin society. When I read the part about the wedding, I read her reaction as either being sad that Shallan was so interested in marriage, which is an institution that Jasnah herself doesn't seem to be interested in (possibly due to sexuality) or that she was sad that Shallan wasn't returning Jasnah's attentions if she is attracted to her.

At some point I'll be posting my recording as well. Been rather a busy week :-) There was a mic, but he chose not to use it due to the size of the room. Wasn't really necessary, I don't think.

In my conversation with Brandon 08/08/13 while we were discussing The Nightwatcher and Shards in Rosharan he said "Honor is dead."

Brandon has said the worlds "already had their names and that the all the planets existed before the shardholders got there." I'd assume system names are similar. http://www.17thshard.com/forum/topic/570-brandon-signing-in-norway/?p=10151

Discord?

I suppose I could introduce myself now that I've posted a few things and met a couple of you in person, neh? I've been a fan of Brandon since 2008 when I found the Writing Excuses Podcast through Howard Taylor of Schlock Mercenary infamy. From there I started devouring his works and discovered how deep the rabbit hole could go. I read relatively slowly and am a busy single father of two so it takes me a while to devour any new works which get released, but I get there in the end. I love the Alcatraz books just as much as the huge arcing Cosmere works, though in different ways. I'm currently working my way through White Sand. It's a bit of a slog since it's not as polished as his later works, but I'm really enjoying it :-)

A definite possibility. I might poke at him some more about it this weekend if I get a chance. That's a really good! If I get a chance, I'll mention that to him this weekend (and possibly as an excuse to ask if there IS a Shard named Betrayal. Thinking about it, Betrayal might be the Shard of Ashen (The Silence Divine), as Investiture is based on your body betraying yourself... Just a thought.

I don't think Betrayal is necessarily one of the Shards. Brandon seemed really surprised by the question and was searching for a word to fit the idea. He wasn't entirely happy with the word Betrayal and was searching for a better term to fit the concept which was essentially "that part of you which is fighting against you" or self-betrayal or "own worst enemy." It didn't seem like he was looking for an existing Shard which would fit the world :-)

Has this been confirmed? "Is Sazed the only person to hold more than one Shard since Adonalsium shattered?" On a related note: "Is Harmony stable? Does Harmony need to take measures to remain stable?"

Elend definitely. Probably Shallan, though she has major daddy issues among other things.

I started listening to Writing Excuses after hearing about it from Howard Taylor of Schlock Mercenary fame. Brandon mentioned a couple of his works and they sounded interesting so I picked up Mistborn. The rest is history.

I'm curious what else he said. I kind of wish I'd asked why Hoid would take Endowment, but it feels like it would fit fairly well. I also wanted to ask him about White Sand, but since I haven't finished reading it yet I'm not sure what questions I could ask which won't be answered later in the book :-P

I asked about The Silence Divine and he replied referring to it as Ashen (sic?). He may have misheard me or I may have misspoke. I had never heard of it before then. I wish I'd recorded it, there was a lot we covered in a short conversation :-)

I didn't have a recording device, but I asked three questions while he was signing books for me and my daughter and friend. A few were answers I hadn't heard before and he gave me info I didn't ask for which I hadn't heard elsewhere. Enjoy! If Hoid were tempted by a Shard, which one would it be? Endowment Are Nightwatcher and The Old Magic related? The Nightwatcher is related to The Old Magic and is related to a Shard. Which Shard? RAFO There are 2 Shards on Roshar Odium's presence is felt on Roshar, but he is on Brayse, the 3rd planet in the system. Is that Shard on The Silence Divine? Oh, you mean Ashen. Ashen is mostly barren with small fertile patches There are 2 Shards on Roshar, however Honor is dead. If a Shard ruled Talents (Alcatraz), what would the Shard be? Betrayal, or inner self-contradiction, people contradicting themselves in some way.

I'm about halfway through White Sand and I'm excited by the idea of a rewrite on it (and sequels). It's an interesting world and magic system, but the pacing is really rough. I'm a big fan of the Alcatraz books and am eager to see the fifth book wrap it all up :-) But, the biggest draw is probably anything having to do with Hoid and Adonalsium.

I will be there, as will a friend who is a fan of the cosmere. I work until 4:30, so I'm unable to attend the reading she should be there and we will do our best to make recordings :-) Any specific questions anyone wants for me to pose? I plan to be there in an Oculator costume, though as I will have my 5 year old with me most of the weekend who knows what will happen ;-) - Mark (SpoCon Badge TheOfficeTroll)