GreyPilgrim

To the topic in general: I have also sort of theorized this a couple of times, under the same general reasoning you used, Tempus. I think it is a very solid, well-evidenced theory. As a related, but decided less solid or well-evidnced idea, I have also thought for a while that, since there are three Shardworlds in the Greater Roshar system as well as three Shards, that each originally resided on one: Honor for Roshar, Odium for Braize, and Cultivation for Ashyn. I have a mini-theory that Ashyn was the Tranquiline Halls and Braize always Damnation. Odium was unable to drive all humans out of the Tranquiline Halls (Ashyn), resulting in the people still there now. That would also mean that Cultivation made humans in the Greater Roshar system, which sort of makes sense because she cultivates life. Most people disagree with this in general, however, believing Braize to once have been the Tranquiline Halls before Odium Odiumized it into Damnation, but hey, it's always fun to have a different theory! All the better for discussion (argument). All that said, basically, I espouse this theory. (I mean literally, I love it. I want to marry it. )

Cool idea that Master Ash is one of the Chandrian. I feel like I've seen it before, either on the Kingkiller Reread on tor.com or on the Kingkiller Wiki, but yes it is interesting to consider. Explanation of my comment about Ash being Shalash (very slight WoR spoilers; like, just the prologue):

The rest of the Annotations would certainly make sense. It could also be another behind-the-scenes thing, like the development of the whitespine illustration.

He has none scheduled in Virginia, unfortunately. However, there is one in Baltimore next Friday, if that's not too far for you. If you're ever curious as to when Brandon has signings, check the Events page on his site.

Responding to the comment that I have not been active: Sorry, I was pretty busy yesterday, and I'm pretty busy today as well. If I have time, I will respond to the comments about me and make some general observations. Jost: That is an interesting comment about my "doings" during the night. I'm curious as to how you obtained information. Since you don't seem to want to discuss this openly, could one of the spanreed holders kindly set up a conversation between us, come night?

It has been about a month and a half since the most recent Shardhunt unlockable (the Emperor's Soul prologue) was released. Brandon's site says there are still 15 codes left until the final item is unlocked. He has one event in about a week, and then none after that until July, so I'm kind of concerned about the Shardhunt. This is really mostly aimed at Peter, but does anyone know if the fact that not everything has been released yet is due to Brandon not having given out enough codes yet or if they are all out and there are people who simply haven't uploaded them (which really annoys me if so). I just need my Sanderson fix! And don't want to wait until the summer for more.

Not what I was thinking. It's possible what I'm thinking hasn't actually been confirmed, but I believe it is generally accepted.

Well, Denna's patron is actually Shalash. (Upvote if you know why.)

Very interesting. I am curious. Does this mean that the GBs decided not to use their group kill for the night? So much to ponder... Grellin couldn't believe his ears when he had been told. Someone had tried to kill a Shardbearer? Who would have the nerve? It must have been one of those Ghostbloods. Grellin began to run through a list of the Shardplate-only bearing members of the camp. Highprince Sadeas was one, but obviously it was not he who had been targeted. Was there a secret Shardbearer somewhere in the warcamps? As he walked, he observed that it seemed to have been a busy night, out in the streets. Trash had ben cast all over the place. Rotspren swarmed around hunks of old fruits. It was not rare to see a bit of blood against a wall or staining the ground. A small mob must have started up in Aladar's camp in reaction to the king's murder. Why hadn't he been woken to deal with it? Did Aladar not trust him? Grellin sighed deeply. It would be another long day.

Although I made a mistake in my reasoning: Storing Identity is actually one of the Spiritual Feruchemical powers. However, I don't think that necessarily changes whether or not one can store it all. That quote focuses entirely on storing Physical traits, so it doesn't necessarily say that one cannot store all of a trait (which is what I guess you were saying when you said the WoB was weak).

You don't need to do that. I hope you didn't get the sense that I don't like it as it is! It is absolutely fine. One is just more comfortable with that which one knows.

Makes sense now. Thank you. I've had Marvel on the brain recently.

Welcome! I agree with what Swimmingly said. Most people here are fans primarily of Brandon's cosmere novels, but once you're finished those (and by then you will be scrambling with anything with the name "Brandon Sanderson" on it), I highly suggest Brandon's YA works, The Rithmatist and Steelheart, as well as basically anything else written by the man.

This should answer any questions you have.

I'm sorry, but I fail to comprehend what you are trying to say. Is it a Tony Stark reference?

That's actually a great idea! Too bad we missed it this year. It's kind of like Ookla the Mokovial, except potentially even more confusing for those like me.

And I was mad that the corner of my book (in the thin part near the spine) was ripped when I received it...

And just now, while scrolling up to check if my post had been upvoted I scrolled right past it and got really confused for a second.

Much as I like mine, I'm probably going to get rid of it in 24 hours or so. Harmony knows I have the bad habit of focusing more on members' pictures than their actual names (I always think EMTrevor is Awesomeness Summoned if I don't look carefully enough). Additionally, I don't like not being able to identify one of my own posts while scrolling through a page. But I'll keep the Grey Pill Grim in my mind, and throw him one for a bit every now and then, to keep myself on my toes.

Or maybe it is just that those who love Steelheart particularly out of Brandon's works are somehow drawn to Frozen. Perhaps Elsa is an Epic. That would explain a lot, actually. I love the picture though. No one's problems are worst than Szeth's. Life just sucks for him. Actually, it kind of does for everyone in the Stormlight Archive.

I don't intend to keep this profile pic long enough to bother editing my signature. Yes, it's easy, but I'm lazy.

Why ever not, though? Yeah, it makes sense that you can't store all your weight or age or health. But Identity? I can't see why not. We really have no idea what is really meant by "storing identity". I mean, what is identity? The way one thinks about oneself, how one views oneself. Therefore, identity must be a Cognitive trait. You can't fully store all of your Physical traits; there would be nothing left of you, and that makes no sense. Yes, the physics (if that's even the right term) of the other Realms might not necessarily work the same way as that of the Physical Realm, but I don't see why one cannot store all of one's identity. One would be very strange after doing so, and it may be very hard to direct them to do anything, but I still don't see it as impossible. The way I see it, there is no way that one could tap another's metalmind without having their identity totally at zero. Even if you had a very, very tiny bit of identity, I bet it would conflict enough with the identity signature of the other Feruchemist's metalmind. Conversely, even if you had that puny bit of identity, it would be enough to stop anyone except for one with zero identity from accessing it.

Sure you do.

Interesting idea. I have a comment on the terminology used, however. This is pretty much how I see it as well. Shards cannot be souls; their soul (Spiritual aspect) is merely a part of them. They have a presence in all three Realms, just like everything else we have seen at this point. I would agree that the Shards' most powerful aspect is their Spiritual one as well; their Physical presence (atium and lerasium, the mists, and Shardpools [maybe] being the only ones we have confirmation on) is relatively weak, being very concentrated, and in order for the Shard to perform as we have seen them perform, it requires a sentient mind, or Cognitive aspect, to hold on to it, though the Shard's Cognitive aspect is pretty strong as well, inevitably changing that of the one holding it at any given time. But the most prominent manifestation of a Shard is its Investiture, which does correspond to its Spiritual aspect. I would not say that Shards are giant souls, exactly. But they most certainly have powerful souls.

And here I thought some poor soul was going to be downvoted to Zucchini. (I wouldn't have downvoted him, of course. But some might have). Regardless, your Words of Radiance read count puts me to shame. Congratulations!