Isaiah Zayth

If the lion was Honor, the dragon was Odium, and the vine was Cultivation, I get the impression that Cultivation worked behind the scenes while Honor directly opposed Odium. No idea if the artist intended that, but if he/she did then it's interesting to consider what that would imply about the character of the Shards.

I agree with your outcome but disagree on the specifics of what identity was lost. We see Jasnah turn rope to smoke when she frees the sailors on the Wind's Pleasure, indicating that with enough stormlight you can convince items to overcome their identity. If soulcasting and regrowth are similar, then the problem is not convincing or regrowing the dust back into books; I think that process would actually be fairly simple. The problem arises when you attempt to put ink back on the book's pages. Even if you travelled to Shadesmar and attempted to locate the beads that originally were ink, I don't think you would be able to find any due to how long these books have been without ink. So really, the question comes down to this: Did a ruined book at some point possess the whole identity of a book (ink and words included) or are those two substances (paper and ink) sperate enough to possess two different identities? Not sure if that makes any sense. What I'm trying to say is that I think soulcasting and regrowth depend heavily on how identity is determined. A book possesses so many variables: binding, paper, adhesive, ink, age, etc., while the makeup of ink throughout a book would be relatively consistent. Also, ink is nearly always used for writing and communication; if you could find a scrap of paper with ink on it, maybe you could regrow a specific page to remember the ink that was on it. And I think it would be possible to soulcast partial pages back into whole pages if you could somehow find a bead for the specific page (and maybe the ink that was on it) in Shadesmar. I might be getting too detailed with the concept of Identity here. It's also early and I have a test in 15 min. Does anyone else have thoughts?

I'm onboard with both these statements. I think Brandon could go into depth with a complex circuit-like investiture system, but I don't think it's essential to tell the story he wants to tell. While we Sharders may find it fascinating to learn the details of such a system, I Brandon think sticking to, "Hey, stormlight flows through strata like an electric current through a wire" is all we're going to get for now. But I'm still really curious about the potential details of this system. If we don't get more details in OB, hopefully, someone can get a WoB at some point.

I was half-joking about the circuits (can't pass up a good engineering joke), but your point actually has me intrigued. I wonder if placing the batteries deep underground would not only make it easy to keep them physically safe (insulated?), but also make it easy to funnel stormlight in their direction through the strata and/or tunnels. In regards to how the investiture circuit is designed, it seems logical that the ancillary circuits that distribute that vast majority of the power would be routed in series. This would include the power core(s) and transformers lying throughout Urithiru. The small circuits that branch off from the transformers are probably wired in parallel to ensure that if one fails the whole room/sector/assembly doesn't stop working. Obviously, this is assuming the pillar is a power source in the first place, but I think it's a safe bet at this point.

Well, if I’m reading these posts correctly, it seems we’ve discovered at least two more Unmade since the release of the chapters yesterday morning. We know about Re-Shephir, but it seems like people also found her two cousins Re-Shepnir and Re-Shepir. I think the question burning on all of our minds is when will we get to see Re-Shephir’s mother R.E-Shepherd, the truth author of Oathbringer. Just a silly little reminder to check your spelling, peeps. Let me also state that I’m on board with Unmade sharing surges. That makes a whole lot of sense, especially because the Unmade seem to be extremely warped versions of normal spren, who definitely share surges.

And this is why relays should always be wired in parallel, not series.

I think we've found who the story is really about. That one time you climbed the wall at summer camp was more significant than you first thought...

Great! Thanks for clearing that up.

I keep getting this feeling that the author could be Taravangian. While I know there are lines that attack this argument, I'm going to focus on supporting this claim and let the rest of you refute me. Just makes for a simpler post. We know that Taravangian has gone to the Nightwatcher and received a variable intelligence as both his boon and curse. Perhaps on one of his rare days of super-intelligence (even the same day we wrote the Diagram?) he figured out a way to see into Shadesmar. Perhaps he has been taken there by a Radiant who later died at the hands of Darkness. It even could be that asking a boon of the Nightwatcher connects you to Investiture in such a way that seeing into Shadesmar is a very, very rare possibility. Either way, the author indicates he did not die, instead: He has been given the burden of attempting to save the world. This man now finds it necessary to bleed to death thousands of sick people... having their blood on his hands could be considered a fate worse than death. This is a very Taravangian statement to make. He seems totally convinced (at least, during his days of intelligence) that he has made the correct decisions, even if he knows they are horrible, horrible decisions. All of these points could easily indicate the murders committed beneath Kharbranth. The tone here - and throughout the entire passage, really - points to someone who is acting despicably for the greater good. I don't think there is another character in the Stormlight Archive who is better described by the ideal "for the greater good" than the king of Kharbranth.

On the subject of dual-wielding bound Shardblades: we have certainly seen a case where a live and dead Blade have interacted - this results in screams in the Radiant's mind. Have we ever seen a case where someone has held two dead Blades that are bonded directly to them? It would be interesting to see if a similar reaction would occur; after all, I don't think we have confirmation that the screams are 100% the result of the bonded, live spren. It could be that simply the presence of two spren (even when dead) in a person's mind will result in the same interference.

Does this mean that Shinovar may also contain strata-filled rock formations? This is assuming, of course, that the lack of strata is what makes the stone holy. That would be an interesting development... I'm sure what it would imply.

So much good stuff in this thread. I love the idea of Urithiru being a giant Fabrial wrought with gemstone-infused strata that charge up during a Highstorm. Could the Shin peoples' reverence for stone somehow support this theory? Perhaps the concept originated because of Urithiru and the strata and has been passed down for generations? If Urithiru is indeed a giant version of a gemstone, can all that stored stormlight be weaponized? Could the tower be used as a weapon to... oh, I don't know... trap a Shard within a planet? Another random thought: is it possible that strata located in a place where the realms are closer together could hold stormlight more efficiently than a gemstone?

I believe the words you are referring to are, "And one of them will destroy us". I'd like to point out a couple things: 1. I tend to think the "us" in this statement refers to the Sleepless, as I believe one of them wrote this summary. If that is the case, there are other ways to destroy the Sleepless then having one of the four (Kaladin, Shallan, Dalinar, Szeth) become Odium's champion. It doesn't preclude the idea, but I doubt it happens just to destroy the Sleepless. Please correct me if I'm wrong. 2. If the words are referring to the Rosharian peoples as a whole, then I'd like to point out It is possible to destroy through both action and inaction. One of the four could destroy Roshar simply by failing to destroy Odiums champion, or by failing to unite Roshar, or by regressing in their oaths, or by dying... etc.. In other words, I don't think the words on the back of WoK are referring to one of the four becoming Odium's champion. Yes, it's a possibility, but I don't think there is enough specificity to assume the passage refers to Odium. That being said, the inclusion of the number 9 in reference to Adolin is very interesting. Because we have a WoB stating Odium has no influence on Adolin currently, I'm leaning toward the information being a coincidence.

I really like all the ideas you put forth here. Shallan's hesitation to use Pattern as a blade may also support the idea that she becomes the first to figure out how to use plate. She is actively practicing her powers and has no desire to face the fact she murder both her parents; speaking another ideal and letting Pattern "seed" plate (if that is indeed how it works) would be a convenient way to avoid the issue for a little while longer. Obviously, this would allow her to participate in battle without being helpless. which would be very important since a large battle seems to be the crux of Oathbringer. Even if Shallan doesn't take part in that battle, she would still need the capability to defend herself as she is a Radiant.

Love Jasnah, hate the depiction of her on this cover (if that is indeed her). Love the depiction of her on the US cover. Also: just love Jasnah in general. Sorry if I confused anyone.

Wait... is that really who it is? I thought this was supposed to be Jasnah... that's why I didn't like it. If it's supposed to be someone willing working for Taravangian... I might have to reconsider.

Does anyone else think the cover makes the book seem too... YA? I mean, I don't hate it, but I wouldn't buy the kindle just to have this cover. The traditional covers seem more epic. I think its the colors that throw me for a loop. Red and black just scream "LOOK AT ME I'M IMPORTANT AND COOL" (which, admittedly, certainly accomplishes what a cover is supposed to do). But I would rather have a cover that says "Hi. Yes, that wall is broken. Yes, I'm fixing it while floating in mid air. What's that? A monster behind me? Nah, that's just a walking target. Excuse my while I finish saving the world." This cover makes me think, "Hi. I have a sword. It's used for stabbing. I like stabbing. You look like someone who needs to be stabbed."

Invisaspren - always around and always sad to never be seen, no matter what emotion or action anyone feels or takes. Very similar, but slightly different from Treefallspren, who may make noises when they fall, but only when they know no one is around to hear them. Except for the Invisapren, who always claim to be everywhere, which either makes them a bunch of liars or the most knowledgeable spren on Roshar.

I figured you did, just wanted to get a few thoughts in. From what you're saying, seems like the answer to the OP is that mechanically, surges operate the same, but some require significantly more intent than others. Sorry for the short, rough reply. Splitting my brain between 17thShard and Statistics HW right now.

Light IS radiation. Visible light is a portion of the electromagnetic radiation spectrum with wavelengths ranging from about 390nm (violet) to 700nm (red). I'm not trying to be a stickler, I just thought is seemed important to point out Lightweavers actually are manipulating electromagnetic radiation without knowing such a thing exists. They simply know it as light. This seems to indicate your perception of the materials you are working with defines your capabilities, not an intimate knowledge of physics. Another example of this would be the ability to use stormlight to heal a human body without knowledge of cells, atoms, or even basic anatomy. Of course, diagnosing disease or triaging wounded patients would take previous medical knowledge, but it seems since healing with stromlight pushes you towards your spiritual aspect, knowledge of what is happening in the body isn't necessary - it just happens automatically until all stormlight is used up.

I would think this is the case since Eshonia is instructed to show the the black stone to her leaders, and Venli is heavily involved with the leadership of the Parshendi in WoR.

As a first time father of a four-month old son, this whole scene really hit hard. As much as I love the current Dalinar, old Dalinar was so cold. I mean, I think it's obvious he is remember the boy with honor, but it's still painful to watch. After only two flashbacks, it's very obvious why Sadeas referred to Dalinar's personality in tWoK as "soft". Dang it, Brandon! Why did you have to give my favorite character such a dark background!?!

Oh yeah... totally forgot about that. Good point. Regardless, Dalinar's interaction with the Old Magic changed him for the better, even if that change came at the cost of forgetting his (first) wife.

I just had this overwhelming feeling while reading Chapter 11 that Sadeas and Dalinar somehow switched personalities at some point before the events in tWoK, and that this switch was somehow linked to Dalinar approaching the Old Magic. Almost everything old Sadeas says and does reminds me of current Dalinar, while old Dalinar seems so similar to "new" Sadeas from tWoK and WoR. Is there any way some portion of their personalities were switched without their knowledge? “Calm, Dalinar,” Sadeas said from beside him in the mist. Sadeas wore his own golden Plate. “Patience.” - Oathbringer, CH 11, B. Sanderson, Tor.com “But think of the benefit, Dalinar,” Sadeas said. “Your wedding could bring us alliances, Shards. Perhaps you could win us a princedom—one we wouldn’t have to storming drive to the brink of collapse before they join us!” - Oathbringer, CH 11, B. Sanderson, Tor.comhi Sadeas would have never said something like that in tWoK or WoR. But those sound exactly like things current Dalinar would say to Adolin, Kaladin, or Elhokar. Is that result of Dalinar's grey-beard wisdom... or is it something more? It sounds so crazy... but I still can't get the thought out of my head. So please rip it to shreds so I can forget it!

This makes a lot of sense. You're a long way from from being nuts... judging from this post, at least. I may need more evidence before making a final decision. Your ideas actually bring up an interesting question... The idea that Honor focuses on the past seems logical. Support of this concept emanates from the Stormfather and his interest in ensuring oaths are honored. The Stormfather is a uniquely powerful spren which seems to retain (somehow) a small sliver of Honor. Obviously, we know oaths are at very core of being Radiant and were a direct result of Honor's involvement in the nahel bond. Oaths deepen the bond between spren and Radiant, increases a Radiant's ability to hold more stormlight, and constantly direct the important decisions in a Radiant's life (among other things). All of these things improve on features or character traits that already exist within the Radiant. All of this seems to point towards a past focus for Honor-dependent Radiants. Does this mean that Cultivation-dependant Radiants - Truthwatchers, for example - focus less on honoring their past decisions and instead focus on growing through future opportunities? Lift - an Edgedancer - rarely seems to focus on her past mistakes. She is always in motion, pushing on to the next best thing. Shallan - a Lightweaver - wants to shut out her past and is only now coming to grips with decisions she made years ago. Contrast this with Dalinar (Bondsmith) and Kaladin (Windrunner) who - more or less - cannot accomplish anything without reviewing their shortcomings and figuring out where they went wrong. Shallan constantly views Dalinar and Kaladin as brooding and intense, while Lift and Shallan herself would be described as anything but. I think there is something here. It seems very possible that some Radiant's possess more Honor and some possess more Cultivation. I do not know if this will become important over the course of the story, but it seems more obvious the more I think about it.