Shadow Guardian

Actually, the only reason I'm hesitant on having book focus on Shallan is because I'm am curious about her character, but not yet as invested in some of the other, upcoming POV characters (like Taravangian), so I'm perhaps a little worried about hitting a lull in later books. But counter to that, Brandon has time to make me more interested in those characters by the time their books come around, so I probably shouldn't worry about it.

I've never really liked the idea of the spren becoming shards, however a theory was around (found it) of the KR, in combination with their bonded spren being able to form their own blades and plate, unique to themselves, once they reach a certain level. I realize the mechanics of simply "creating" or "growing" shards via means of a nahel-bond is a little more shaky on it's own than the spren becoming/turning into the shards, but I feel it to be more likely from a literary standpoint to have Syl and others remain their own characters instead of being reduced to turning into shards. At any rate, getting back to my original point, because I do think that each sharblade was originally something unique to its original holder (and possibly creator), I do think that a shardspear is a very real possibility. Also a self-made shardblade(spear) is the only type I ever see Kaladin using, because of that ever-present distrust of and the idea that there's something inherently wrong about all of the currently existing blades around. As far as the summoning of plate goes, while it feels really awkward, logistically it still may be possible, though there's never been any notable evidence that plate is, or can be stored in another realm. The blades have the characteristic mist and condensation when they're summoned, but the aforementioned helmets that the knights were suddenly wearing/not wearing in Dalinar's vision have no mention of that same condensation. Logically, I like Moogle's thought that they can just make their helms entirely transparent, though at the same time, making something transparent doesn't change its being there, but then again, shardplate is rather different from regular plate.

D I think is answered Here. Shardplate is heavily invested, which is why it resists influence. Of course, the plate being invested with the power of Cultivation instead of Honor would (presumably) have the same effect. Though it does make you consider the Radiants, because as far as we know, the Windrunners still wore plate without interference that we know of, and the ones in Dalinar's vision appeared to be using their abilities just fine with plate on.

I think the most obvious alternative would be for Kaladin to publicly give him the shards. Some people would still question, but by no means do I think it would result in anything more than rumors, let alone open rebellion. Again, Amaram might be questioned, and his reputation may not be the absolutely flawless thing that he wants, but I think it would have the far more honorable route to take. Again, the difference between actual honor to oneself, and perceived honor by others.

I think what ultimately condemns Amaram in the eyes of so many, including my own, is that he could have just asked, as Kaladin told him. In the end though, he cared too much about his own reputation, and had to prevent people from talking, which is what separates him from the likes of say, Dalinar, who care more about actual honor, and staying true to themselves, rather than the appearance thereof.

At the risk of just re-iterating what several have already said, I think it's likely to flow between both of their viewpoints during the battle, especially depending on how long, drawn out, and epic the inevitable fight becomes. If it's only 1 viewpoint, then my money is on it being Kaladin, but otherwise, I would expect it to switch between as many of our viewpoint characters that are participating in the fight. (I suspect it won't be 'just' Kaladin vs Szeth, but it would likely end with just them as they would use their windrunner abilities to move out of reach of any other participants.)

Before this most recent set of chapters, I expected Kaladin to force a confrontation with Amaram as soon as he saw him, and then figured that the truth would come out after being forced to stop. Now though, given that the missing chapters seem to all be Shallan, and any mention of a confrontation is conspicuously absent from Adolin's chapter, I suspect Kaladin held himself back. Nonetheless, I think at some point or another, a confrontation will get forced between them, and the truth of Amaram's actions will be brought to light. I do like the idea of Kaladin dueling Amaram for the shards and then giving them away again, but doubt things will go that route.

Along the lines of what MathEpic said, I think there has to be some intent to hurt/harm, and as Shadow Dancer pointed out, there may have to be the cognitive aspect to it, or at least behind the object or method of harm. Because when you think about it, any object, gun, bullet, glass, bomb, etc. has no inherent intent or fear for that matter (leaving any realmatic theory possibilities out of it, since we're not in the cosmere), but they've all still been bound by the intent (and fear or lack thereof) of the person using the object and intending to cause harm. I think it could be seen as "Steelheart is immune to any and all harm" and the only way to penetrate that invincibility is as someone who has no fear. Depending on interpretation, if he was subject to unintentional harm, even from himself, it might be the case that he could be subject to any act of nature (ie. rockslide or something) hurting him, accidentally hurting himself, and things like crossfire, which were ruled out in the last battle (debatable on the last one, because harm was intended, albeit, not directed at SH). The difference between being immune to all harm (except by someone who has no fear of him) or immune to all 'intended' harm (again, except by someone with no fear), if that makes any sense. Nonetheless, I think you do raise a good point, because the only difference (at least that I can see/think of at the moment) is the intent, but even that being said, is the ending the first time he's ever hurt (and consequently killed) himself in the process of attempting to hurt someone else?

I'm Shadow. Started reading Brandon's stuff a couple years ago when my friend introduced me to Mistborn, and I've since read the rest of his (published) cosmere works, and read Steelheart a couple days ago, which, of course, left me wanting more. So I ended up here again, to read people's discussion/theories/etc., and finally decided to make myself an account so I can pitch in my thoughts and/or opinions from time to time, even if I do just spend most of my time lurking. (A certain degree of boredom at the moment may or may not have also contributed my making an account, and actually posting an intro post, which I don't generally do.) -Favorite Sanderson Book: The Way of Kings