Mojoran

Wasn't this the book where Lopen found Nightblood on the ground and traded it away for 3 donkeys and Odium quit his role as the bad guy to follow his dream being a interior decorator ? I wonder how you guys will react when you find out that Adonalsium shattered because he ate his frozen yogurt too fast.

And the shards are the shards of his umm... throne

I should point out that we don't really know which of those things are boons, and which are curses. Dalinar's memory loss could be a boon - he could've gone there and asked to have the memories of his wife removed because they were too painful. So let's not assume too many things.

I take your point, however I feel like even if it was the boon he asked for Dalinar's memory loss is now seen as a curse by him as his tone is regretful when he thinks about it.

Ninjad, this was my initial thought but then I wondered if it could go one step further. Both the compassion and the intelligence were his gift. Together they could be used to save his kingdom the curse could then be that he can only have one of them at a time.

I really like this idea, Initially I though he was saying that having compassion was like a curse but not being able to use his compassion and intelligence together could definitely be it.  Although he shows extreme intelligence I don't know that he shows extreme compassion.

One of the most fascinating parts of the Stormlight Archive to me so far is the Old Magic and how it affects people.  We got more clarification in WoR when Wyndle in the Lift interlude refers to the Old Magic/Nightwatcher as his mother.  

I thought that it would be good to put together a list of the people who have been affected by the Old Magic and what we know they received and what happened to them because of it.

Dalinar  - Received: ??? , Punishment: Forgot Wife

Lift - Received: Get stormlight from food and can touch spren , Punishment: ???

Taravangian - Received: Intelligence , Punishment: Intelligence OR Compassion

Av’s brother (Interlude 1-7 WoK) - Received: ???, Punishment: Numb Hands

Av’s father - Received: “a heap of good cloth” , Punishment: Saw world upside down

It is also mentioned by Dalinar that “you’d be surprised how many devout lighteyes turn to the Old Magic at one point in their lives or another.  The ones who can make it to the Valley, at least” (Chap 61, WoK)

There must be some trick to getting there as Av’s entire family except him has gone but not everyone can do it.

Also the punishments seem very random and seem to be things that while not pleasant do not affect the askers life significantly.

What are other peoples thoughts on the Old Magic and the Nightwatcher?

(if I missed anyone shown going to the old magic just post in the thread and I’ll update it)

Yah there were many "HELL YAH" and "OH NO" moments in the book for me but Nightblood's appearance was my first "HOLY S**T!!!" moment