weebojello

My hypothesis has been that radiant plate doesn't have the same limitations / issue with surgebinding skills as normal plate. I think Adolin makes sense, and between his father, Adolin's believe in doing what is right, and finally understanding Kaladin, it'd make perfect sense for the two to end up becoming great allies and friends. I can always hope!

So I'll bite on the honorblade theory. If the honorblade does confer surgebinding, then we assume Szeth has an honorblade. As his surgebinding is identical to Kaladin's, I posit that Jezrien went back to get his blade. This would lead to the drunk asking if Szeth has seen his blade on the night of the assassination? Would the drunk then be Jezrien? The only issue I have with that is when would Szeth have been given the blade to be so good with the surgebinding as he's very practiced in it.

IIRC, As Hoid is originally from Yolen, magic's he used on Yolen (Lightweaving) should work on all planets that contain shards. Didn't he use a small form of Lightweaving in Warbreaker in telling his story? In addition, I thought he used it to help him make disguises in other worlds, too.

It could be the Tanavast's focus isn't on the Heralds because by that time he "knew" that 9 of the 10 betrayed the oathpact. Or rather, are currently choosing to not uphold it. So, the key may be this. The Heralds "hold out" for torture as long as they can while dead. When the last one renounces, they "rebirth" on Roshar and the desolation comes. It's even possible that originally the *only* method to stop a desolation was the Heralds. The Radiants seem to be a relatively "new" addition in that the most recent desolations contained Radiants. The Radiants themselves may be enough to stave off a desolation as champions of Honor itself. Also if Tanavast is correct, in that Odium realized that by *not* having frequent desolations and "laying low" for, well, 4.5 millenia, the existing Heralds would be lost to time, and the Radiants would likely implode. He doesn't really need champions or follow the structured format of the contest between Honor and himself. Rayse has killed Tanavast. Now that he's recovered, he can do a desolation relatively unopposed. Well, imo anyway.

I think it'll be interesting to see (though more books) exactly the nature of the shards with regards to movement. With the exception of Odium, each shard seems to have found a relatively stable place and put down roots.

Shardlet, I think that's a great theory. I've thought along the same lines. If it is confirmed that cultivation / nightwatcher are analogous, of course. That said, there was a question regarding Cultivation. I recollect Brandon stating that Cultivation (#17) is more compatible with Odium than one might think. I would have to think that an engaged Cultivation could probably help with the ... re-integration of a shardholder for Honor. Also given that according to Tanavast himself, Cultivation was able to see in the future much better than he, which leaves even more questions. Is Cultivation ultimately playing possum for now? Only 9 more books to find out!

Wow, that's pretty interesting. I wouldn't have recognized that at all. I've generally enjoyed Sanderson's use of religion throughout the cosmere. It makes the worlds feel more "alive" for me. I think it's an honest realization that cultures *have* beliefs. I can respect that, even if I may or not believe in what an authors belief system is. The use of both Sazed and Jasnah show a deft hand and a curious mind.

Thanks! I couldn't quite remember. Something was nigging in my brain about it. Personal thought is that Dalinar survives quite well, passing away in volume 4, ascending to a sliver / shard reformation with help from Cultivation. Heck, maybe even a romance! She's only a couple of millenia older at this point, no? Volume 5 is about his assimilation to the power with everything set and staged for the final five books.

Kaladin due to an Ideal stated / gained during the fight with Szeth. Taravangian's beef with Dhalinar is what I'm confused by. Is Taravangian pre-cog? Or was Taravangian aware for what Gavilar was doing, and surmises that Dhalinar will continue the same - the supposition being that the Ghavilar was un-intentionally starting a desolation? Theoretically, Taravangian, via Szeth, has the black spere, correct?

I think that's an interesting take...and I don't thinks it's unreasonable to speculate that Cultivation, with agreement from Honor may function somewhat similarly to Endowment. So, if there are similarities, we are just talking degrees of difference, no? Kaladin is at the 2nd of certain number of ideals. I believe, 5 right? Endowment had 10 levels for breaths. Each level / ideal brought about increased power. Regarding making the ideals interesting, I think that is one of the things I'm most looking forward to. My question ultimately is now that there is a herald (I assume Taln is alive, just passed out / weary), nominally able to talk to Dalinar / Kaladin, does that "jump start" Kaladin's development, or does Kaladin still "learn" all this stuff essentially blindly? Oh well. Rambling again...

I think that makes sense. I've generally considered the spren bond as the spren acting as a conduit to the other two realms. The ideals in this context are strengthening the bond. The spren becomes more intelligent as it becomes more ingrained in the physical realm, and on Roshar at least, the Rosharian gains access to more efficient use of the sprens power from the other two realms. I'm assuming that the spren is some combination of the shards powers. Hence, Syl would be more Honor, and Wyndle more Cultivation, if not both specific to one shard. My wonder is the capabilities of Szeth as compared to Kaladin. Szeth clearly has the same abilities - if not more practiced - but what is his limit as compared to Kaladin? Is Szeth using some inherent voidish capabilies that we are as of yet unaware? Wow, that's enough ramble for now.

Thanks! This is a really great community so far!

Long time lurker, first time poster. I became aware of Sanderson's works because my colleagues at my job. And like a fiend, I have become trapped in the cosmere. I need help! That said, I've enjoyed everything he's done so far, and can't wait to see how it all turns out.