Stark

I may have been here longer @Toaster Retribution, but I am no where near as prolific. Congrats on the healthy post count, and interesting looking theories! Is the name a Cylon reference?

Hello and good morning! I never actually got around to introducing myself on the site, and figured I should maybe do that before my post count hit 300 (this will be number 274, cutting it close). If I remember correctly, I was introduced to the Cosmere in 2008-ish, when a good friend of mine handed me copies of Elantris and Mistborn and the Name of the Wind and asked if I'd ever heard of Brandon Sanderson or Patrick Rothfuss. I was an instant fan, and proceeded to hunt down hardcovers of everything they had written. And I was curious who this guy was that was going to finish the Wheel of Time, which I had been reading since I was twelve, which admittedly is not as long as some others had been reading it. I repaid this friend by introducing him to Jim Butcher, with slightly more difficulty, as he claimed to not be a huge fan of Urban Fantasy(jokes on him, he has gone to see Jim numerous times in Seattle, where as I have not yet managed to find myself at a Butcher event). I had the hardest time finding a hardcover of Elantris that was in good condition, and did not cost a small number of internal organs, as I was an underpaid student at the time. My library now boasts Hardcovers of all of Brandon's works, except maybe the Edgedancer single and Dreamer, which I am hunting for, most of which are signed, as well as the two 10 year books, and a handful of softcover lender copies. Some have electronic copies too. I may have a slight literature problem. I think I discovered this site in 2010, when WorldCon was in Montreal, not to far from where I was living. I got the full pass, signed up for every Sanderson and Rothfuss event I could. (Also met GRRM, but did not line up for Gaiman, had not read anything of his yet. I regret not having met him, but I stand by mt choice to leave space in line for those who had actually read his work). In those events, and especially at the external signing for Brandon, at a local Indigo bookstore, I quickly found that there were people who knew a ton more about his universe than I did. I needed to fix the gaps in my knowledge. (my claim to happiness was when I heard he was looking for a local place with enough space to do a reading and Q&A, I went and asked the manager of that store if they hosted events like that, and emailed Brandon when I got a positive response. I got all excited that I was going to help set up a reading with my favorite author, and was only slightly disappointed when I was told Brandon had people who would take care of that. I was sad, but I started the ball rolling, and that was a Big Deal to 23 year old me) That is when I found this site. I lurked as guest here for a year, before I finally saw something that I had to respond to. I think it was some theory that I had my own insight to, or some such, and I Really Needed To Give My Two Cents. So I created my account. Which brought on the agony of finding a unique user name. There is nothing I enjoy less than finding a user name. I don't like naming myself, I always feel very self conscious about it. I eventually settled on Stark. Not because of ASOIAF, as I figure most people would assume (Though I do currently enjoy the mix of Witcher [White wolf] and House Stark references in my banner and profile image, but those are less than a year old) I chose Stark as a direct reference to a character of the same name in Farscape, a show I was quite the fan of at the time. For those that don't know, it was a sci-fi show that had costume design by Jim Henson's company. Stark was a recurring secondary character after the first season, who was quite clearly broken and mad from torture, but who never broke or revealed his secret, and ended up being more important than anyone would have realized despite his brokenness. I found something about that identifiable. And this far into the Cosmere, the idea of the broken beggar who is more than he seems comes often enough that I find it appropriate still - though I do have a different user name I use almost everywhere else post Game of Thrones. I really did not want anyone thinking my usernames on various sites were late arriving HBO fandom. Anyhow, I created my profile in 2011, logged in and replied to my very first post. And promptly went back to lurking for so long that I forgot my log in info. Over the years, I've changed (recovered)my password a dozen times to be able to single post responses to various things that have come up. I started posting in earnest in 2015, when I changed jobs to an office position that allows me some degree of internet freedom to peruse and respond to theories, even post some of my own. I seem to be able to come up with the occasional insightful thought or witty remark that people here find entertaining, or at worst inoffensive. I decide to finally get around to my introduction post, six years later, because in the last week I had my first post get a little heart thinger, indicating a fair number of you thought it was funny. And then my second, and third yesterday, which I also apparently managed to win. I did not even know winning a day was a thing before yesterday, but yeah. Go me. Thanks everyone for liking my posts! So that is me, Stark, a 30 year old Montrealer. The top shelves of my bookcase at home proudly displays Sanderson, Rothfuss, Butcher, Jordan and Martin. My kindle includes Briggs, McClellan, Andrews, Carey, Corey, Wells, Mcguire, Bishop, Sanderson (again) and many others that my wallet (and more importantly, wall space) do not allow me to own physical copies of, though I would love to have Hardcovers of some of them. I read for fun, and when I have time for a leisure activity, gaming and reading are the top two contestants, reading winning more often than not, especially when I have a new book. My online name, here at least, is Stark, and I am a Cosmere addict. It is a continuing pleasure to be among this group, to be allowed to add my insights, and benefit from the insights of many who see links I have missed and have knowledge that I do not.

Allright kids. You're now Bridge zero. Make some spears. Lets go off to the chasms to whip you into shape. The first thing to remember is that it is okay to care. Also, you're all my squires now.

I also want to see Shallan interact with some listeners in her various guises. How will they interpret her? A human who has forms? Veil is her subterfugeform, Radiant is her warform, Shallan is her artform? That could be a fascinating discussion, and I think the listeners, who change forms when they need, will be best suited to spotting the different Shallans who exist.

The part that nearly broke me was in Kaladin's chapter: They just found freedom after millenia of being mentally neutered. And they are stuck out in the rain, with no real skills. No fires to cook with, not for lack of trying. Eating soggy grains that have not been boiled because they have nothing else. And all the skills they do have are low maintenance slave duties. This is freedom. My biggest fear, if Kaladin does manage to bring them to the safety of Urithiru as an independent society to be protected, that they will fall back into third class menial labor for the Alethi... I really hope Kaladin can work with them to find a solution that allows them to have meaningful lives to go with their freedom rather than this rather depressing tableau we are shown. Playing cards in the rain, because the masters found it fun, hoping to remember the rules. Right in the feels.

I'd love to see Shai and Shallan discuss their work. Shai: "I spend years researching myself in deep introspection to find ways to change myself fundamentally to achieve my goals, and even then, it only lasts 24 hours." Shallan: "I think of the qualities I want to emulate, draw myself blended with the person who embodies those traits, inhale a bit of light, and exhale my new form. 20 minutes tops, and it lasts as long as I have light." Shai: "..." Shallan: "But I can't use any skills I haven't learned yet. But I'm a fast learner, and if all else fails, Pattern is pretty good at picking up my slack." Shai: "I hate you."

At Navani and Dalinar's wedding, by the Stormfather The implication, to me, is that all spren capable of forming bonds, or of achieving sapience, are true spren, while everyother spren (life-, rot-, shame-, pain-, rain-, fire-, glory-, etc) are subspren.

Also, noting that the Patternblade is not as long as Shallan is tall, does this make Pattern the smallest shardblade? Isn't Shallan on the shorter side, and most blades (albeit, dead ones) are about 2m long?

Inevitable revelation discussion, abbreviated and nowhere near as well written as Sanderson will write: Shallan: "You've been acting weird about this investigation, Adolin, and you won't let go of this theory that there are two killers. What's up, be honest with me." Adolin: "I don't know if I can tell you, I don't want you to think poorly of me." Shallan: "Just be honest with me, whatever it is, we can get though together. No judgement, just be honest with me." Adolin: "I don't know how to say this, its been driving me nuts. Shallan, I... I killed Sadeas, but none of the others!" S: " Oh, that's it. Huh. Not what I expected. We'll work through it." A: "Wait.. That's it? That's your reaction?" S: "Well yeah, we already covered that everyone hated the guy and he literally tried to have you killed. That's cool, if inconvenient." A: "But I murdered a highprince! And now someone is copying me to get away with some malevolent agenda!" S: "Good use of the word malevolent. It will be easier to catch the other killer, now that we know its two isolated crimes. Besides, killing a highprince is nothing. I murdered both of my parents, though to be fair they tried to kill me first, so self-defense." A: "Wait, what?!" S: "I said no judgement!"

So, total thoughts: I am unbelievably happy that not all listeners have gone dark side. And that a non-red spren seems to be helping them. I'm hoping that Kaladin helps these ones, and links back to the end of WoK when he told Dalinar that Bridge four would not fight them. I want to see what happens here. And that spren are helping them, that is huge. And it seems like truespren, sapient in its own right if it is communicating and standing guard, so who is it bonding to? I think Shallan's next truth will have to do with accepting that she is all of her persona's, that they are all her, not separate personalities to be discarded when not needed. She is each of them. But until she can accept that truth, they are a good crutch. Similarly fascinating, the truths she used as her ideals cannot be forgotten or hidden from, without breaking her Oaths to Pattern and killing him. It breaks my heart that he is willing to leave her and let a different spren take his place because he thinks she hates him. I need them to resolve this. Adolin and Shallan is fun, especially the frantic realization that her hand is exposed. I also like that she was better able to replicate the stances once she understood the necessity of balance to include in her drawings. And how much did Adolin pick up on about her transformation? I hope he will be the first to notice her changes, and help her towards the next truth. Want more Kaladin, I want him to interact with freed listeners. Finally, for now, Shallanspren, Sylblade... So... Uncle Stormfather? Wyndlefork? Glysblade? Ivory-balest?

Not really. We knew Kaladin was nowhere near his squires.. And we know they can't "capture" stormlight on their own... But I do want to know what game they were playing and how to play it!

Adolin, Highprince of Fashion, accused of spending time reading through fashion folios and arguing with Shallan about garments... Loved every second of that.

I don't know if it is because this information requires approval, making it slightly forbidden, or because I only saw the thread after the transcripts had been taken down, but I am itching with curiosity to see what questions were asked and which were answered. Can't wait to see the approved transcript.

Thanks @Pagerunner for the link! Emphasis mine. So still not 100% confirmed. But most likely the case. So I am at 82% certain now. but there is still some wiggle room for doubt.

Taking it a step further - Do we know for certain that the Nightwatcher actually is a spren? To my best recollection, most characters are unsure of her and theorize that she is a spren. But, we have yet to have any scenes with her direct involvement, and all information we have is second hand - and tightly guarded, as the Old magic is supposedly heretical. So the prevailing theory is that she is a spren, a splinter of Cultivation the way the Stormfather is a splinter of Honor, but as far as I know, we have no direct confirmation. It could be as simple as Rosharans saying that any force on the world that they do not fully comprehend must be spren related. And we know that some of their theories are off, like rotspren causing rot, reather than being attracted to rot in unsanitary conditions. So... Unless there is a WOB stating the Nightwatcher is a spren, I remain hesitant to label her as anything other than odd. Because we have seen no other spren capable of doing anything remotely like the boons and curses she doles out. Argument could be that it is similar to Stormfather creating storms, but... There just is not enough data to say she is, yet. That said, yes, I am 80% certain people are right, she is a spren, and is one of the potential bondsmith trio. But if you are looking for certainty, we just don't have it yet.

I almost feel bad, but I have to. Spoilered for length. I modified the text a little bit...

I think you might be right. Right up to the point where Zahel is Zahel and grumps at everyone. Still not the best for someone who is likely trying to be incognito while hunting for Nightblood and dodging all the other Worldhoppers and secret societies lurking everywhere in those camps.

Another thing that could happen is forced transformation. As the Everstorm is forcing void forms on the listeners it encounters (though Rlain resisted, so I do think there needs to be an aspect of consent, or at least willingness for the transformation to happen), it is possible that Zahel who is returned and can change his form/appearance, may be at risk from the storm. How would people react if the cranky old shardblade training radiant suddenly turned into a 7-foot tall, muscly god figure that warped colours around him? Or turned him into something else. A lynch mob would likely form up right quick. So I buy Zahel hiding during the storm until it passes, each time it passes. And that is not even worst case scenario - what if he gets forcefully bound to an odiumspren as an interaction between the storm and his transformative nature?

I remember it differently. Dalinar left a gauntlet on the tower. There was a concern that the listeners could regrow the whole plate from that one gauntlet if they had enough Stormlight. He was not worried, as it would take him less stormlight to regrow his missing pieces, including the gauntlet than it would take the listeners to regrow the rest of the plate... If successful the abandoned gauntlet would disintegrate to dust. So it is more a race of who has more stormlight to spare and enough dedication to keep infusing the pieces. If, say, Dalinar had lost the guantlet at the end of a normal weeping, when no one really has Stormlight left, and the listeners had enough spare, or got refueled by a highstorm first, they would have the advantage, and could regrow/steal the plate and put it into contest. But, that was not the case, and Dalinar had enough stormlight, and enough of the plate to make it no contest. But they still had to be very careful to keep feeding the plate until the missing gauntlet was fully regrown...

Squires. I know some people are hoping for Elhokar to become a Windrunner squire in a buddy drama with Kaladin. Props to @Elena for first mentioning the buddy drama idea! But I don't think it will happen. I don't think it will happen any more than Adolin becoming a squire for the Truthwatchers, Lightweavers or Windrunners. I don't think that will happen for the simple reason that both Elhokar and Adolin are still bound to dead blades. And, if the theory turns to be true, dead plates. I think that the spren find this so repellant, as evidenced by Syl's comments, thatthey won't be able to attract spren of their own, or become squires and enjoy proximity benefits. Additional support for dead bonds blocking live ones - Dalinar had given up Oathbringer already, and had barely bonded the blade thought to be Taln's when he bonded the Stormfather - and was told to give it up, that he would bear no blades. Renarin was already bonding Glys when given a blade, so it did not prevent him bonding Glys, that was already there, but it did interfere. Elhokar has seen spren in the mirrors, but not been approached for a bond, and he practically lives in his armor, and has never unbound his blade. So I really don't see Adolin or Elhokar joining the ranks of the squires.

Contrary away! You are very right to point out that Szeth did tons of non-consensual Lashings during his interludes. I fully expect that Elhokar's plan is to be lashed along for the ride. But I do think that the squires of each order need more distinction to them than just being able to use passive benefits of Stormlight inhalation. Otherwise, what is the point of differentiating them from Order to Order. Why would Dalinar's men specifically refer to them as the Windrunners rather than the Squires? They have to have surges, though either less powerful, or less efficient. Also, the mental juggling required for one Knight to keep an entire squad airborne without splatting a few along the way seems far more prohibitive than the squires being able to do it themselves... And I really want Rlain to have surges....

So this just blew my mind: The stormfather made some the spren. The honorspren, splinters of Honor are Made. And nine were Unmade?

While it is possible, I don't think so. Given how much Brandon has discussed the importance of properly writing a character who suffers from depression, having it be part of their character rather than the defining attribute of said character, I don't personally see him undermining that stance by having an Unmade be responsible for said depression. If it turns out that there is some mystical monster to slay, or magical cure for Kaladin's depression, to me that would cheapen the effect of having a character who fights through that struggle every day. I think that would undo a lot of the good that has come from this character, having his depression be magically induced. It changes the narrative, making his depression more of a focus, making Kaladin like many other characters in fiction who have depression. Their whole story becomes a focus on the fight against depression. That is so counter to everything Brandon has said so far on the subject and Kaladin's arc. Today's chapters have done much to lessen the impression for many, including myself, that Elhokar will be the champion. Same for Renarin, though I did not buy into that. So while we are still trying to figure out who, I think it is more likely to have Sadeas resurrected as Odium's sock puppet than to have Kaladin's depression be linked to one of the Unmade, causing him to be the champion of Hatred. Doesn't fit for me.

See, for me the line "Though they had started manifesting powers" speaks of surgebinding to me. Especially seeing as When Lopen was regrowing his arm, he was also trying to stick his family members to things. So I do think that the squires will have limited access to the surges, not just the healing. Otherwise, they cannot follow their knight in flight. And Elhokar seems to think that he can para-drop into Kholinar with Kaladin and his commandos... So I am pretty sure the squires can surgebind when close enough to Kaladin. And I get that we have very limited info on the squires, they have been backdrop in the few scenes where they have appeared, only two or three of them named, of which Rlain is one. We have no information to go on. BUt until proven otherwise, there could be enough of a bond between Rlain and Kaladin, the first person to treat him as more than a slave in the warcamps, for Rlain to be a squire. Proof one way or the other will come in the next few weeks. Till then, we speculate!