MistLord

It just occurred to me though: why did Testament never appear next to Shallan when she entered Shadesmar, like Mayalaran did for Adolin? We must assume that Shallan is no longer bonded to Testament's Blade.

I was just wondering if there was a way to enable notifications without the Shard sending my an email as well? So I would still get notifications arriving in the bell whenever I log on to the site, but not receive any emails for it.

It seems very simple, so I'm sure it's staring me in the face but maybe I'm just having a Taravangian bad day..

As @Rhapsody points out, Brandon will always be effected by his Mormon, Christian faith. Mormonism is a kind of Christianity. There has always been subtext in his books, though to his credit Brandon has tried to make them stand out and away from real life religions, but the scene in Oathbringer where

has been the most overt comparison. The same scene has been repeated throughout the history Christian-influenced fiction – a Priest standing up to an evil entity with nothing but their faith, and the book that codifies it. 

There are inarguable influences. However, yes, I still think that they can stand apart from the rest religions, and be read in isolation, because they are influences not necessarily references. 

I don't think Shardblades can change their composition. It's been noted that Shardblades and Shardplate are made of the same material – probably some kind of Invested aluminium. 

If anything, Sanderson made Hearthstone to tribute the game, rather than the other way round.

Problem is, we've generally understood her ability to touch Wyndle as a consequence of her being partially in the Cognitive Realm – due to the Old Magic granted by the Nightwatcher.

Oathbringer spoilers

Additionally, even if she did make Abrasion super high (raising the friction coefficient or something), that would just mean a greater percentage of kinetic energy would be converted to heat. She'd probably burn her hands of if this were the case, and Brandon likes to keep watch to make sure things like that are consistent. 

1 hour ago, The One Who Connects said:

No.

Thanks for clarification. 

If Kaladin ever gets around to swearing the Fourth Ideal, then that's where he'll curbstomp Percy. As it is, Kaladin is very strong, but he'd have to struggle to beat Percy. 

True. If anything would pose a threat to a Shardblade, it would be Nightblood. Originally my thoughts were that it would be to do with the the Oaths being broken or subverted (a la Norgami), but we've seen that the Nahel bond being damaged doesn't damage the Spren, only the connection to Spren has to the Radiant. 

On 06/09/2017 at 4:33 AM, physicskid said:

Vigilantism is the crime of denial of due process and Alethkar doesn't have due process. Arguably you can consider Elhokar negligent for not creating a system for administering justice to the powerful but the situation is complicated. In any event you can't be ethically liable for subverting a justice system that doesn't exist. 

A good point, especially given that we have a WoB that the Skybreakers (and High Spren) wouldn't like Adolin's actions.

6 hours ago, Jhardin said:

So one of the things that you're pointing out here, whether or not Kaladin was sorry for hurting/killing Syl was actually addressed in WoR. Brandon went out of his way to point out how haunted he was by Syl's scream, and the loss of Syl actually drove him into major depression, coupled with the weeping and his injury. He spent time grieving and blaming himself for contradicting his oaths. I don't think that we can really feasibly say that Kaladin doesn't care about Syl.

Just to clarify before I drop it, I definitely understand Kaladin cares about Syl. I just wish he would care more, reflecting how Syl has grown to care for Kaladin more. 

51 minutes ago, Vissy said:

She basically just said that she thinks Pattern is weird and that she doesn't understand him. 

Yeah, I think it's definitely just some small talk about spren and whom they represent (maybe even a bit of Cryptic / Honorspren rivalry). I would like to see them become friends, or at least friendly, but I doubt Syl/Pattern will ever be a thing, even in fandom. 

I like the ring of Kalphrena.

8 hours ago, Totally_Not_A_Worldhopper said:

And these are based on death rattles from the series (the second one is very sad...):

  Hide contents

Fallen title, the tower, the crown, the spear chosen. Spear the crown, the tower, the title fallen.

  Hide contents

Bodies of brothers, I am weeping and bloody. And weeping am I, brother of bodies.

 

The death rattle ones are so good.

The last one is my favourite because in the reversal contextualises the narrator's grief to be something personal, not just than just witnessing death. And you've made it feel so natural the whole way through, despite the reversal. Absolutely well done. 

20 minutes ago, SLNC said:

He... does?

He literally goes berserk, when she is locked up by the other honorspren. Not because, he needs her, but because "Being imprisoned is terrible for me, it must be even worse for her."

Whilst I see your point, you have to admit the extreme circumstances lend themselves to being a bit unique. I was more referring to the everyday instances of Syl wanting to talk on something, questioning or remarking, and Kaladin giving a short answer, or even no answer at all. He just seems really curt. I realise I'm being pedantic, but Kaladin's shown that he can make good conversation around Shallan. 

There are a number of factors to consider, of course. People have pointed out his Seasonal Depression Disorder. The quote I just gave was when he was dealing with the fact his entire town (supposedly) died. But then again, this girl / Honorspren, died for him, and it'd be nice for him to have been affected by that in some way.

Also, him going beserk just has less of a shock factor for me, considering how physical of a character he is. It feels almost expected, and it'd definitely be surprising if he didn't and just left her. Though the impression is also artificially lessened by the fact we're only told about his outburts, not shown them.

EDIT: added citation for quote

I actually liked how small scale the avalanche was in Way of Kings. Every other Avalanche was of world-shattering importance and influence, and whilst the same could be said here, it was pretty much completely confined to the Tower, with a small detour to Sadeas' warcamp. 

Just remembering Dalinar giving up his Shardblade gives me chills. 

Whilst I'm happily a self-proclaimed shipper of all things adorable, and have even shipped Kaladin and Syl in the past, I don't think that it will happen. Not because it can't mind you. Simply because neither of them seem to have any interest in each other beyond beings friends. (Even as friends, I feel like Kaladin could warm up to Syl a bit more. She tries so hard and does so much for you, man! Let up a little!)

I can definitely imagine a Romeo and Juliet style romance of spren and humans. But I really like Kaladin and Syl as friends, and at least at this point in the story, there's no reason for them to even consider the inter-species complications -- which will always be relevant, because love each other or not, people will be practical about their choices, and will make sacrifices. 

In other words, I just broship Syladin too hard to want them to become romantic.

6 minutes ago, Ookla, the Incalculable said:

Third, and most importantly is identity. Shardplate blocks surges for all but the Radiant who it was made for. This shows that it is identity locked to the Radiant themselves as their surges, and only their surges, can be used to effect or bypass their plate. If the plate were made of spren, it would have an identity other than that of the Radiant, and would resist the effects like it does from all other sources. 

Interesting, I'd never actually considered that being the reason Surgebinders can't use their Surges with (pre-recreance) Shardplate. Is this a widely accepted theory? It's clever, and makes a lot of sense. 

On the issue of the pained spren, lesser spren don't form nahel bonds (at least, we don't think so) they just are influenced by the Radiant spren. I don't think there would be any kind of pain, as there is no betrayal, no shattering bonds. 

I've actually also been against the theory, but Oathbringer has convinced me lesser spren do make up Shardplate. There's just been so much teasing about the importance of lesser spren, from Dalinar's Gloryspren to the Windspren on the Honorspren ship (that one in particular, though I admit it can be attributed to other things).

13 hours ago, Ookla the Leyspren said:

*story of Kaladin becoming the new Highprince*

That's... Actually so brilliant. Not only does Kaladin become the leader of his own Princedom, not only does he go from slave to Highprince Knight Radiant (zero to hero, huh), but we know Alethi to be a very competitive group. Even if Rock did give the killing blow, it's fair to say Kaladin beat Amaram, the previous Highprince, in a trial of combat. 

And absolutely, who better to discipline Sadeas' troops than the man who made Squires out of Bridgemen. What a complete turn about, I love thinking of the implications.

I feel like this is one of those things, where if this doesn't happen, I'll be really disappointed. damnation. 

I believe most manifestations of investiture (read: magic systems) are unintentional, a result of them unintentionally investing a planet (I think there's a WoB somewhere. Though Shards have been seen adjusting those 'ManiVests' (as I call them) to their own specific needs.

Mistborn trilogy and Alloy of Law spoilers

Way of Kings and Words of Radiance Spoilers

I feel an unbiased preference for the Windrunners simply because we've seen so much of their Ideals. The urge to protect is admirable, and I'd like to think universal. Because of the Leadership aspect, I don't think that's me though.

I have strong empathy for Edgedancers, in that they seek to be recognise those without representation (even if its more reactive, and less proactive than 'protect those who cannot protect themselves' for my liking). Even then though, it may be because I actually know what their Ideals are. 

On 29/08/2016 at 11:31 AM, Brightness Enna said:

But wouldn't it just be so much simpler to ask for volunteers like at blood drives? Stupid medical bills... I have some history with those

Some might argue it's better to tax everyone a little bit for access to free health services as well, instead of relying upon personal insurance. Sometimes the reigning philosophy can just be a bit crueler than we hope for. I definitely think this is plausible. 

You make a good point at how different the Singers and Ryshadium are from the rest of the Rosharan ecosystem. I just came from another thread on the origins of the Ryshadium, and I found this quote from Arcanum unbounded to be useful.

Quote

... and there is even a race of equines that – through the spren bond – have adapted to life on the planet and obtained a high enough level of self-awareness to nearly be named a sapient species. 

 – Arcanum Unbounded, The Rosharan System 

By the usage of the word "adapted", we can infer that Ryshadium are not native to Roshar. 

I'm tempted to say that the Singers may not even be native, merely the first migrants, but they are not that removed from the Rosharan ecosystem (many Forms incorporate carapace, they have gemhearts like Greatshells, etc.).

Also your point on Dysian Aimians developing consciousness in a different way, with clear ties to the Rosharan ecosystem, has made me appreciate them, and Brandon's worldbuilding by extension, so much more. 

5 hours ago, StormingTexan said:

In the context of that entire scene she is "calming her nerves" even before plate is mentioned so I think all of this is because of her hang up on her shardblade and talking about it with Adolin. This is pretty early on. I do not see any proof at all she has plate from this. 

I think it may be argued that she was calming down before he joked about Plate, and that it made her anxiety return. Before this she calms herself enough to respond to Adolin fully, but then her response regarding Plate might also be considered a full response.

Ambiguous enough for it to fly under our radar on a first reading, and also ambiguous enough that we aren't sure if she's lying. 

Quote

... and there is even a race of equines that – through the spren bond – have adapted to life on the planet and obtained a high enough level of self-awareness to nearly be named a sapient species. 

 – Arcanum Unbounded, The Rosharan System 

Aside from providing the quote for clarity, the quote also implies that the Ryshadium are not native. 

It reminds me of how the Knights Radiant gain their powers, and I find the analogy apt given that humanity is not native to Roshar. The Radiants themselves show that one does not need to be native to form a spren bond.