GreyPilgrim

True, but think of it like this: the nature of Feruchemy is that in the end, there is balance. Once you have tapped a metalmind empty, it is you are left with what you started with, no more, no less, and now anyone can fill that metalmind. Once you have used my idea to become a Feruchemist, and the metalmind is filled and tapped, you are left with the same thing, able to be used by anyone to become a Feruchemist. Just wondering, if one were to fill an atium-lerasium alloy with whatever trait and then burn it, what would happen? Would it Compound like any normal metalmind, or would you maybe get a super-mega-Compound?

Well, we know that Feruchemy was the only one used before the Ascension of TLR. It is passed on genetically, like Allomancy, and like Allomancy dilutes over time when bred in impure lines, and it can be possessed in the same ways as Allomancy (meaning possessing all powers or only one power). Thus, it is easier to draw parallels to Allomamcy's operation than to Hemalurgy's. The first possibility is that Feruchemy cannot be obtained. Some of the first Scadrians had it, and passed it on. This is unlikely, I believe, based on other Investitures' operations. The second possibility is based upon Allomancy parallels. I like the idea of a 50/50 atium/lerasium alloy being a universal metalmind. Maybe it can also work like lerasium does in Allomancy. The main act of Allomancy is the burning of a metal. When one burns lerasium, one's Spiritual DNA is rewritten (and, presumably, their normal DNA) to give them Allomancy. This is technically, as I see it, the act of burning lerasium: rewriting DNA, thereby creating an Allomancer, not just "making a Mistborn". When one attempts to burn lerasium, they become a Mistborn. Anyone can do it. The main acts of Feruchemy are filling and tapping a metalmind. Only a Feruchemist can do so. But if the atium-lerasium alloy is universal able to be filled with any trait, maybe attempting to fill it as a metalmind makes one a Feruchemist (meaning rewriting DNA, as lerasium does, to make one a Feruchemist). This means anyone can fill this alloy with a Feruchemical trait. The moment one tries to fill this metalmind, one becomes a full Feruchemist. Let's assume that it doesn't matter what trait the person is attempting to fill the metal with. Merely the attempt makes them a Feruchemist. From there, the person can proceed to fill the metalmind with whatever trait they want, for they are now a full Feruchemist. This seems fairly likely to me. It makes sense, as far as I can tell. The parallels between Allomancy and Feruchemy allow for it to be logically posited. Now on to alloys. Lerasium alloys make one a Misting of the metal lerasium is alloyed with. I will say attempting to fill an alloy of the lerasium-atium alloy makes one a Ferring of the metal alloyed. (Wow, three metals in one. If the other metal were also an atium alloy i have no idea how that would work. Let's ignore that for now.) Makes perfect sense. Thoughts? Criticisms? (Wow. That is my longest, most involved post yet.) Edit: syntax, clarity, diction

That's half the fun of Stormlight! We presume to know what we're talking about with only a tenth of the material we will eventually have for the story!

I believe he was quoting George R.R. Martin.

Based on the back cover stating showing that Szeth is one of four who will be extremely significant, I don't think he will die so soon. Also, I would think of "making a mistake" as allowing Kaladin to kill him, thus essentially killing himself, which as a Truthless he of course cannot do. We're running into a very fascinating set of characters and situations. Thus far, we don't really have any identifiable sides for the major conflict. We have no idea exactly who the forces of the enemy are or how and by whom they are going to be resisted. It reminds me to an extent of WoT wherein there were several different factions working against one another for the same goal. We will see the same thing in SA. I like this sort of idea, as it rings true to the real world. We never have any true good guy bad guy situations in global politics. Why would any fantasy world?

Absolutely! We've cracked the code!

You might want to throw being a pewter savant and being koloss-blooded in there for good measure. Maximum physical capacity!

Like I said, that one is going to be published eventually. I would rather have a totally fresh experience when it does come out.

To publish it is the plan. Dragonsteel is but the first book of seven, and is the most integral to the cosmere, IIRC. Just kidding about trying to get it from the library, though. I don't plan on reading any unpublished works. Even if Brandon gives them out willingly, he is not satisfied with them and plans to rewrite most of them. My respect for him as an artist will not allow me to read them. I would much rather read them when they are published and he is satisfied with them. Beyond that, they are not canon anyways, so any number of elements could change between now and publication. The only unpublished works I may change my mind on are Aether of Night, which I don't believe he plans to publish ever, and maybe WoK Prime, if he ever decides to give it out, as it would be interesting to compare it to the published version.

Hello everyone! Being new here, I was looking for some fun threads to contribute to. I expected to find something along the lines of favorite magic system, but unless I can't read, no one has done it before. I want this to be more specific than "magic system". As Brandon has said before, it is not always clear how to define such. For example, any of the Metallic Arts could be defined as one magic system or 18, not including God Metal alloys. Magic system also (arguably) rules out Shardweilding. One could argue that the ability to talk to Seons is a magical ability, as it cannot be done without magic. Most of all, I think it will be more interesting to see what everyone's favorite specific facet of magic in Brandon's works is, and reveal a bit or personality. Some pointers. I would prefer that you not say simply "Allomancy" for example, as it is a collection of a lot of different powers that are most often possessed only individually. Instead, put down "Burning aluminum", and everyone should do this because it is the best Allomantic power and you know it. Same applies to the other Metallic Arts, Surgebinding as well. (But AonDor would be fine.) Since this is a power, not a system, Compounding Allomancy and Feruchemy or some Twinborn combination would be allowed. As would Shardbearing. Please state the ability and tell your reason. So what it has really become in spirit is "If you could have any magical ability from Brandon's word, what would it be?" Most of you will probably ignore my guidelines, but that's ok. To start us off, I would go with Shardbearing. It would just be so cool to be able to summon my sword into my hands, and Shardbearers are nearly invincible against other humans. Also, your sword is just undoubtedly awesome. Edit: Of course I find the power thread NOW, after making my own... I didn't think to look in Cosmere Theories...

My understanding was that the plan had been dropped. I don't feel Highprince of War would be an in-world book, and it seemed like that would have been the title of Book 2 if the focus hadn't been changed to Shallan. Further, Stones Unhallowed, the working title for Book 3, also does not sound like a book to me. On a side note, Stones Unhallowed is my favorite supposed title for a SA book yet. I really hope Brandon sticks with it!

Looks interesting! I shall take a look. Thanks, Spes! (Great, another long story to add to the ever growing "to-read" pile...)

Darn... I'll just have to join the droves waiting for the book at BYU.

Hello all! I know I'm new here, though I've been lurking for a while and haven't come across this. Over on the WoK reread, a commenter (Zizoz, likely the very same from here on 17th Shard) noted the "old reptile" bit and postulated that the recipient might be a dragon. Another commenter said they would ask their husband to ask Brandon about this at GenCon. That same (Ciella) posted earlier: That is pretty interesting. Has there been discussion of this before? I couldn't find any. Further, does anyone know anything about the dragons in Dragonsteel? Why would Hoid be writing to one of them?

Mine, as probably a lot of you know, is a name for Gandalf, who is definitely one of my favorite characters of all time. I am very new to online communities. When deciding on my first username I thought my favorite character would be a good idea. Gandalf was the first to come to mind. When I posted on tor.com I became Mithrandir42 (42 being the answer to the question of life, the universe, and everything). When making my name here I wanted something a bit different. Gandalf felt too clichéd to me. Thus I chose Grey Pilgrim, the translation of Mithrandir.

Maybe that last little bit in the link is the 17th shard! We have our explanation for the organization! When Adonalsium shattered, there was a little extra piece. This was taken up by another human who was terribly embarrassed by his/her wimpy powers compared to the real Shards', so created an organization to chase them around the cosmere!

I agree with nightwatcher. I don't really feel the Shards can be identified that way. Presumably Adonalsium was equal in all three. It broke into 16 pieces, all of which are equal in power. Why would there be any internal imbalance within each Shard? If Adonalsium broke evenly, it broke evenly. The only differences between the Shards are their intents. Yes, also their manifestations on their Shardworlds, but I believe those are resultant of something that occurred after the Shattering. Edited for spelling and grammar

Umm... No on Blushweaver. She would get really annoying. I would totally go for Marasi. Studious, shy, witty (of course witty is a given for a Sanderson female)... She would be the best.

For me, it was totally the WoA ending, but in particular the fact that I should have seen it coming. Literally the first words in the book were the key to the entire plot, with nothing written in metal able to be trusted. With that, Elend burning pewter. I was so confused!

I agree, Refero. I also feel like Adolin is more likely to go than Renarin because of his more reckless nature. I'm convinced that Renarin is going to be very important later on. This stems from his importance to Dalinar, and Renarin's blood weakness seems to me to be more than just a disease. I don't think Renarin will be an important viewpoint character (as far as I know, Brandon has never indicated that he will be), but I feel he will be crucial to the plot.

Too bad it kind of melted in a fiery volcano of doom.

Gandalf does indeed get better! He is not limited by mortal flesh! Thus spikes would have no bearing upon him!

I'm really conflicted on whether Kaladin will die or not. We began the series focusing on him, but it seems likely that he will sideline as we get the same type of focus on other characters. That makes it easier to kill him off. At the same time, his natural leadership tendencies and his Radiant powers indicate he will only grow in significance in the world, and, concurrently, the plot, thud becoming harder to kill off. It all depends on how equally important the ten flashback characters prove to be. Further, Kaladin is, IMHO, a better character, more well-rounded, than say Dalinar. Kaladin's issues are much more personal and thus more emotionally charged. I would be really sad to lose him. (I understand that of course he us a better developed character because of the focus on him, but I don't have the same feelings towards Dalinar or Shallan I have to disagree. Szeth's internal conflict, the desire to die, seems to foreshadow his death. I could totally see him being killed at some point. Dalinar is so honorable and idealistic that he is bound to sacrifice himself for some greater cause. Based on the whole Tranquiline Halls concept, I suspect dead characters will still be doing things. They may even get POVs.

Sanderson: Ruin's I AM FREE at the end of WoA, also Sazed's scene in the epilogue of that book. The Final Ascension, too. Kaladin before his punishment for the side carry catastrophe. Wheel of Time: Dumai's Wells, love the imagery. Egwene's and Perrin's final scenes in AMoL (I cried so much!). Lord of the Rings: Gollum falling into Mount Doom. Hands down.

People should have their documents inscribed into metal!