Gloom

Sorry, got those mixed up. So the LR was a Sliver. The Heralds are not Slivers, but they were people, and they did volunteer for their position, maybe even competed for the honor. If I recall correctly, a Splinter is something of a Shard that becomes sentient, and a Sliver is a piece of a Shard inside a sentient creature. In other words, a Splinter was never a living thinking being prior to becoming a Splinter, and a SLiver was a living thinking being prior to becoming a Sliver. The point I was trying to make is that the Heralds aren't Slivers, and that they couldn't be Splinters. I believe we have WoB somewhere that says since the Heralds never held a Shard they can't be considered Slivers.

Thank you for agreeing with me.

I'm not sure how useful the Kaladin comparisons are. I think the assumption that all the Orders will exhibit the same signs upon attaining a new ideal is faulty. I think that making comparisons in behavior between Orders should be done with care and that we should be wary of those assumptions. Look at how different Shallans cryptic is from Kaladins Honorspren. Was Shallans truth the equivalent of her second ideal? We don't know. Wyndle appears to be as different from Syl as he appears to be from a cryptic.

Okay, first thing, Honor and Cultivation came to Roshar and were an item. We have WoB on this. Odium came later. Roshar is a planet that was invested by Adonalsium, or at least a planet in which power was left behind. This could be the origin of the Dawnshards. At the very least it may be a planet which has unaspected investiture that, should Odium prevail, could make him more powerful than the other Shards. I don't think Cultivation can touch something that is heavily invested with honors power without being changed by that power. So if the Honorblades have been removed from where they were left, that would have been done by men. The Heralds aren't quite Splinters, but they are heavily invested. The Lord Ruler was a Splinter, and he wasn't a spren.

I can pretty confidently say that Taravangian wouldn't have all the leaders of all nations assassinated. It would make his survival quite noticeable. I also doubt he would send Szeth into Shinovar.

We actually do have a nearly verified Nahel bond holder in possession of a Shardblade. Her name is Shallan. In regards to Darkness, we suspect he is a Herald, we strongly suspect he is a Herald, but it isn't cannon. If he isn't a Herald, then he could be like Shallan. If he is a Herald, then what do we have to base his level of power off of? We've seen three verified Heralds in TWoKs. We Saw Kalak and Jezrien in the Prequel, and we've seen Taln in the Epilog. Of these, the only one who exhibited an unusual ability was Taln by speaking native Alethi without an accent. I don't think we can base the reactions of spren to Shards based on Syl alone. I don't think we have seen another spren that was even close to being like her. So far as spren go, she is unique and may see things differently from other spren. I believe that the Heralds predate Roshar as well. as I stated here

I'm not really in favor of it, I don't think it will be an option in the first place. I just think the symmetry of it would be amusing. And yes, if Kaladin did turn the Blade over to Dalinar in the unlikely event that it became an option, I believe that he would give it to Renarin. It could also be that Moash gets lucky and kills Szeth when he is distracted by something and claims the blade for himself.

Up vote for making me laugh I don't believe Danlan is a spy. If I were to try to place a spy in House Kholin through a romantic relationship I would target Renarin. Adolin changes prospective partners to quickly, and he hasn't shown an interest in revisiting old flames. Dalinar hasn't, until recently, shown any interest in women that we know of since the death of his wife. My last reason that I don't think Danlan is a spy is because she is too high profile. I would want my spies to have access to information, but I would find it less than ideal to have them in the public spotlight. If Danlan was discovered, and proof was presented to show who she was spying for, it could lead to war or public embarrassment due to who she was targeting specifically. An inconspicuous house servant though would just be executed. As to Szeth, If at some point the fight between Szeth and Kaladin is interrupted by an attack by Voidbringers...Yes, I could definitely see that having an effect on Szeth and his world view. Enough of an effect to cause him to retreat and try to incorporate this new development into who he is and how this impacts him.

Has Brandon actually given us the names that any of the suspected Heralds are using? I mean the old lady by the hospital, Baxils mistress, the builder in the alley, the nameless bridgeman who spoke perfect unaccented Alethi, the dunkard in the hall, the men speaking with Elhokar, Darkness. It seems that most of the people we suspect to be Heralds outside of one of Dalinars officers are nameless.

I think the theory has merit, but it also has a couple of flaws. The most obvious one is one you didn't pick up on. If Szeth is replacing a Herald, and considering his power set, we can assume the Herald he'd be replacing is Jezrien. If this is so, why do the stone shamans need to recover the Blade? When a Herald dies, the Blade goes with him. I believe that either Ishar (Pious/Guiding) or Chach (Brave/Obedient) is a very well respected and revered stone shaman. I'm leaning more towards Ishar on this. Someone like this, especially if corrupted could go along way towards explaining what little we know of the Shin and there behavior.

I like it. It fits with the pattern of the curse that may have been placed upon the Heralds. I'm assuming that some of the Heralds were more strongly effected by the curse than others. It also fits the pattern of the curse being something neurological. I think the Darkness fits the bill. He doesn't have to be wielding an Honorblade. He could have won a Shardblade. He is an immortal warrior. If Kaladin could do it, I don't see why someone with thousands of years worth of combat experience couldn't overcome a Shardbearer, or win a Shard in some way. For all we know Darkness may be both Nalan and Thaidakar. He may work for the church, or some other organization.

If the Dawnshards were weapons, then who wielded them? If not the Heralds, Honors chosen champions, then who? Who would be more trusted? Voidish of mortal creatures — I believe that Odium has a mixed bag. Thunderclasts and Midnight Essence appear to be voidish, but I also believe that Odium is capable of corrupting spren bonds to creatures native to Roshar. If this is true, then Odium, or his Anti-Heralds, can corrupt the spren that bond with Chasm Fiends and Parshendi, as well as anything else that has a Gemheart or bonds with spren. So axehounds are probably safe, as would be chulls, but anything bigger or that has formed a relationship with spren is fair game. They are still mortal creatures. Humans are not native to Roshar, so the spren bonds they make may be exempt, or the Oathpact may prohibit tampering with humans in such a way.

I would assume that this would result in an impact. The pommel and hilt of the weapon must be firmly in the physical, in order to be held. I would assume that the blade is also in the physical, though it's atoms may be wrapped in the spiritual. It does cut through stone, and stone is physical. It will also cut through flesh, just not living flesh. I would surmise that the edge of the blade becomes incorporeal when it comes in contact with a living soul. If any other part of the blade comes in contact with you, it is no different than getting hit with a similar non-magical weapon.

Well, if Kelsier held the power of Preservation doesn't that make him a Splinter? Or maybe a Sliver? Either of these would attribute some power to him. Unless we were made aware of how much power he had access to, I don't see how we would know if he was able to gain access to more power. I also don't think that their is loose investiture on Scadrial. Drop Kelsier on Sel or Roshar, and he might have a chance at taking up additional power, especially Roshar where some of the loose investiture was left behind by Adonalsium and may be unaspected power.

I think I need more time to consider this theory. It has merit, but I'm not sure I'm sold. I would also point out that someone created the fabrial that the Stoneward carried in Starfall. I could more easily credit the Plate to an Order than the Blades, because the Blades defy the common requirements of fabrial. They are self sustaining.

I thought his weakness was jam...oh wait, that's Jasnah, nevermind

Animals definitely feel fear. This is the primary reason that certain types of dogs are chosen as attack dogs and others are found to be unsuitable. The current favorite in police/attack dog is the Malinois. This is because this particular breed of German Shepard will follow commands without hesitation. It is smaller than many other types of K-9, but it doesn't hesitate or assess a threat before attacking like most dogs will. A Doberman Pincher will often literally come to a complete stop and assess a human before deciding weather they will attack or not. House cats are so skittish that fraidy cat is used to describe people who balk at doing something they fear. Wild animals avoid people out of fear and only attack humans when they have been acclimatized to humans, are desperate, or are protecting their young.

Oh, I don't think that all spren are Spiritual. I believe that those spren that live in the Cognitive are mostly of the Cognitive — as a result, they are mostly incapable of action without a bond to the Physical. Other spren (like Syl) are mostly of the Spiritual — but lack the ability to communicate with the Physical effectively without the aid of the Physical connection to the Cognitive. Spren were, and I believe we have WoB on this, originally created by Adonalsium. Adonalsium likely had a great deal of influence over the realms. I don't believe that Adonalsium was the only force or had full control of the Cosmere, because Brandon has said that other forces exist, but I think that the interference of Adonalsium qualifies as intervention. He was capable of breaking the rules as he saw fit. As a side note, I believe the power left behind by Adonalsium was one of the reasons that Roshar became a high priority for Odium. At the Shattering of Adonalsium all the Shards were fairly evenly matched in strength. If Odium could pick up stray investiture left behind by Adonalsium, it might give him an edge against Harmony.

My thoughts on the Oath Pact and the events that led to the Heralds abandonment of the Pact are here. link to source

There are several theories surrounding Szeths Shardblade. None of these have been substantiated. The evidence can be construed to point in several directions. I personally see no evidence that Odium has invested in Shards at all.

Welcome to the Forums We have WoB that anyone can pick up a Shard, but that those who have existing investiture can do so more easily. To date, we don't know of anyone who has reconstituted a splintered Shard, but we do know that it is possible I personally believe that Odium can Corrupt the spren bonds of any native life form on Roshar. Humans not being native to Roshar are exempted from this. That isn't to say that humans can't be corrupted, but that they can't be corrupted through their spren bonds. I believe that the Parshedi have soulcaster fabrials. They were familiar with the Shattered Plains and were aware of the Chasm Fiends and the gemhearts that could be used to soulcast food. I believe that the reason the Parshendi chose the Shattered Plains as a place to mke their stand against the kingdom of Alethkar is because it circumvented the need to forage for food for the duration of the war. We recently received WoB that the Highstorms are like the mists from Scadrial. I'm certain the Heralds still meddle, but I'm not convinced they are meddling for the same team anymore. I'm not sure this is possible. If I understand correctly, the only way that Cultivation could use Honors power would be to take up his Shard. I'm not sure if the Parshendi know of Odium, or consider the ten anti-Heralds to be their dark gods. I would be willing to delve further into this in the WoR forum as it would require referencing the Eshonai interlude. Source of Quotes: http://www.theoryland.com/intvsresults.php?kwt=%27shards%27

I believe the Spiritual is connected to the Physical, but isn't dependent on the Physical to exist. That the Spiritual is another state of existence. It is the power of transition. Yes, it is connected to everything in the Physical, I believe that the Cognitive is also connected to everything in the Physical. The difference is that the Cognitive is reliant on the Physical, while the Spiritual can exist independently of the Physical. Our theories differ in how we regard the interactions between these realms. I don't believe that the Spiritual interacts with the Cognitive unless the Physical is present, or a Shard forces the interaction. I don't believe that the Cognitive is capable of interacting with the Spiritual unless a force (Physical, or Shard) is present to bridge the gap between them. I believe the Spiritual could bridge the gap should it desire to do so, but I don't think the Spiritual has a need for the Cognitive outside the presence of the Physical. I believe that the Cognitive realm is supplementary to the Physical. I believe it is dependent upon the Physical. Not just the Physical, but the cognizant beings within the Physical. My theory does not have a problem with any physical objects or beings existing or moving through the Cognitive. If something physical is present, then the Spiritual is bridged into the Cognitive. My theory would have a problem with a Cognitive being accessing the Spiritual, or a Spiritual being having need of the Cognitive for it's own purposes. Purposes that do not include the Physical. Physical — Can access both Spiritual and Cognitive. Cognitive — Can access the Physical — A physical being or Shard can bridge the gap between the Cognitive and Spiritual. Spiritual — Can access the Physical — Could bridge the gap without assistance but only requires the Cognitive for interaction with cognizant beings. All three forces exist in the Physical. I believe the Physical is reliant upon both the Spiritual and the Cognitive.

I think a good comic book company could do the series justice. I think TWoKs graphic novel would be rather thick, but similar things have been done with other books.

I won't say that the quotes above support my theory, but I don't think they debunk the theory either. Syl is getting her ability to think better in the physical realm through Kaladin and the bond. I'm just theorizing that she isn't getting her abilities directly from the physical. The more she is in the physical, the more access she has through Kaladin to the Cognitive. That is what the Cognitive is, the realm of thought. I'm also not trying to say that their isn't thought in the spiritual. I'm trying to say that it is so foreign, so far beyond the physical that humans have no real means to interpret that data. Those beings that reside in the Spiritual may be able to communicate easily amongst themselves, but our ability to communicate with beings of the spiritual realm requires a connection to the physical and through that connection, a connection to the Cognitive. Basically, I believe the Cognitive requires the Physical. It is a representation of thought in the Physical. The Spiritual is independent of the Physical. It would continue to exist regardless of what state the Physical is in. If all intelligent life ceased to exist, I believe the Cognitive realm would be reduced to the size of a pin point. It would still exist, but it would be vastly reduced in capacity. I believe the Spiritual would be effected by the annihilation of intelligent life to a much lesser degree. It may in fact expand as a result of the influx of spiritual energy.

I saw it, and I'm still not convinced. I think that getting an answer to this question would be useful for future theorizing. http://www.17thshard.com/forum/topic/4368-shardblades-with-stormlight-major-spoilers-for-mistborn-some-spoilers-for-way-of-kings/page-2#entry69542'>Source