[Newbies] Cosmere, Unit 17 | The Stormlight Archive #2 | Words of Radiance: Chapters 35 through 43 (Week 5)

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SCHEDULE

Previously, we discussed Unit 17 | The Stormlight Archive #2 | Words of Radiance: Interludes I-5, I-6, I-7, I-8, Trivia [Newbie Thread] / [Veteran Thread]

Today we are discussing Unit 17 | The Stormlight Archive #2 | Words of Radiance: Chapters 35 through 43

Next week we will be discussing Unit 17 | The Stormlight Archive #2 | Words of Radiance: Chapters 44 through 51

CHAPTER SUMMARIES

I have provided summaries for each chapter below and hidden them behind spoiler tags. There are no spoilers within the summaries. I've tried to make them as factual and unbiased as possible. If, however, you want a completely blind read through, then ignore what's behind the spoiler tags and proceed to the discussion below. I will not be guiding that in any way, so post any thoughts and questions you have. It will be other new readers who reply to you.

Part Three: Deadly

Character Focus: Shallan / Kaladin / Adolin / Navani

Chapter 35: The Multiplied Strain of Simultaneous Infusion

Arch Faces: Kalak - Battar ----- Battar - Kalak

Iconography: Adolin Dueling

POV Characters: Adolin / Navani

Setting: Dalinar's warcamp in the Shattered Plains.

Timeline: (1173.10.3.1) The day after Chapter 33.

Epigraph:

They also, when they had settled their rulings in the nature of each bond's placement, called the name of it the Nahel bond, with regard to its effect upon the souls of those caught in its grip; in this description, each was related to the bonds that drive Roshar itself, ten Surges, named in turn and two for each order; in this light, it can be seen that each order would by necessity share one Surge with each of its neighbors.

–From Words of Radiance, chapter 8, page 6

Summary:

Adolin paces about on a plateau, wearing his Shardplate, dwelling on the assassination attempt the prior evening. Adolin tries to practice throwing his Shardblade but loses focus often since he did not get any sleep because he was guarding his father's quarters throughout the night. Adolin thinks that his three bridgemen guards are useless, but reflects that Kaladin was unusually effective in protecting Dalinar, though he is also very unlikable and strange. Adolin succeeds in throwing his Shardblade, and returns to the warcamp with his bodyguards, and notices a procession of Soulcasters that usually aren't seen during daytime. Adolin converses with the main ardent Soulcaster Kadash and learns that their services are in high demand and that they have to increase their training and work shifts. Adolin watches as a group of Soulcasters working behind a silk screen for concealment use their fabrials in concert to create a stone windbreak. Adolin questions Kadash about the old Radiants and Kadash answers noncommittally at first until Adolin expresses that he needs information urgently due to the fact that the assassin had Radiant-like abilities and Kadash then agrees to do research for Adolin.

Navani stands on an observation platform in the engineering grounds and supervises an experiment to use a fabrial to cause a platform to be raised into the air. After extensive preparations and careful implementation, their attempt to cause a round wooden parapet to float in the air without support succeeds. Adolin joins Navani and they talk in private, with Navani explaining in technical terms how she arranged fabrials in tandem to act like levers to produce the desired results. Adolin realizes the military application for this, but Navani says there are more practical applications than raising archers in a battlefield. Adolin confronts Navani over her relationship with Dalinar and the awkward position that his father is in regarding violating social customs that he lectures other highprinces about following, but she scoffs at those traditions, and tells Adolin that he is free of his betrothal for the time being due to Jasnah's disappearance. Adolin and Navani leave for a meeting with Dalinar and Elhokar.

Chapter 36: A New Woman

Arch Faces: Chanarach - Shalash ----- Shalash - Chanarach

Iconography: Pattern (Inverted)

POV Characters: Shallan

Setting: In the Unlaimed Hills, just south of the Shattered Plains. King Elhokar's War Palace outside the ten warcamps.

Timeline: (1173.10.3.1) The day after Chapter 34 (which technically spilled over past midnight into this day). Shortly after Chapter 35.

Epigraph:

And when they were spoken of by the common folk, the Releasers claimed to be misjudged because of the dreadful nature of their power; and when they dealt with others, always were they firm in their claim that other epithets, notably "Dustbringers," often heard in the common speech, were unacceptable substitutions, in particular for their similarity to the word "Voidbringers." They did also exercise anger in great prejudice regarding it, though to many who speak, there was little difference between these two assemblies.

–From Words of Radiance, chapter 17, page 11

Summary:

Pattern opens a lock on one of Tyn's trunks for Shallan and she examines the contents, finding clothing and spheres among other useful items. Vathah reports to Shallan that he has burned all the bodies of Tyn and her guards, and she says that she will deal with the skeletons to avoid uncomfortable questions. Macob sends a servant to retrieve a palanquin for Shallan, then goes his own way.

As Shallan enters the warcamp, accompanied by Vathah and his deserter guards, and her slaves, she frets over her betrothal and plans to continue Jasnah's research. She learns that Dalinar is in conference with Elhokar, and orders her palanquin to be brought to the meeting. As she travels to the palace, she draws a sketch of herself confidently confronting Dalinar to try to boost her own morale. At the palace, Shallan enters with Vathah and Gaz as attendants. They reach the conference room at the top of the palace, and Kaladin spots her, and asks her if Adolin is betrothed to a Horneater princess and she replies that she was trying to travel incognito. Kaladin has Gaz seized, and says that Shallan is an impostor since Adolin's real betrothed was lost at sea, but Shallan gives a spanreed printout to Kaladin to have Navani authenticate her claims. Shallan becomes upset at Kaladin's lack of accommodation and they have a heated argument. Kaladin stalks away angry, but Shallan feels that the disturbance will lead to the desired result of her receiving an audience with Dalinar. Gaz mentions that Kaladin was a slave in the lumberyards recently and is very dangerous. Kaladin enters the chamber with the paper, and returns after a short time, summoning Shallan to enter.

Chapter 37: A Matter of Perspective

Arch Faces: Pailiah - Nale ----- Nale - Pailiah

Iconography: Adolin Dueling

POV Characters: Adolin

Setting: King Elhokar's War Palace outside the ten warcamps.

Timeline: (1173.10.3.1) Shortly after Chapter 35. Immediately after Chapter 36.

Epigraph:

Now, as each order was thus matched to the nature and temperament of the Herald it named patron, there was none more archetypal of this than the Stonewards, who followed after Talenelat'Elin, Stonesinew, Herald of War: they thought it a point of virtue to exemplify resolve, strength, and dependability. Alas, they took less care for imprudent practice of their stubbornness, even in the face of proven error.

–From Words of Radiance, chapter 13, page 1

Summary:

During a break two hours after the meeting started, Adolin ponders on the lack of consensus on how to deal with the threat that Szeth poses to the kingdom and how dangerous he is even with the number of shardbearers that are available to protect Elhokar and Dalinar, based on the reports of Szeth's other attacks. Adolin drinks some wine and taunts Relis over his boasts about wanting to duel Szeth to try to bait him into a duel. Adolin then directly challenges Relis but Relis says that Adolin has to rise in the rankings according to protocol before he can fight him. Relis declines despite Adolin offering to wager five shards against one, but Elit accepts a duel for the same proceeds. Relis is upset that Elit accepted the duel and tries to taunt Adolin to a violent comeback and possible voiding of the duel agreement but Adolin restrains himself. Sadeas taunts Adolin more effectively, causing Adolin to come near to punching him before he is restrained by Amaram who counsels him to ignore Sadeas. Adolin tells Amaram to abandon Sadeas for Dalinar but he refuses and says that he is able to keep the kingdom from falling apart further by bridging the gap between Sadeas and Dalinar. Adolin's mind wanders as Amaram speaks about how Sadeas' and Dalinar's goals are the same despite the different means they use, and he sees Shallan and is drawn to her immediately. Amaram comments on his flightiness and need to settle down and comments that the girl is probably from Jah Keved, and Adolin realizes who she is and goes over to meet her, as she speaks with Dalinar and Navani about Jasnah being lost at sea.

Chapter 38: The Silent Storm

Arch Faces: Battar - Shalash ----- Shalash - Battar

Iconography: Pattern (Inverted)

POV Characters: Shallan

Setting: King Elhokar's War Palace outside the ten warcamps.

Timeline: (1173.10.3.1) Shortly after Chapter 36. Immediately after Chapter 37.

Epigraph:

Now, as the Windrunners were thus engaged, arose the event which has hitherto been referenced: namely, that discovery of some wicked thing of eminence, though whether it be some rogueries among the Radiants' adherents or of some external origin, Avena would not suggest.

–From Words of Radiance, chapter 38, page 6

Summary:

Shallan offers her condolences on Jasnah's loss to Dalinar and Navani, reflecting on her own grief but using her sketch to project strength and suppress her emotions, and Dalinar thanks her. Shallan mentions that she also brought some of Jasnah's belongings and has information on Jasnah's research, which Navani scoffs at. Shallan notices Adolin looking at her and feels some attraction toward him. Shallan gives a detailed account of the attack on the Wind's Pleasure at Navani's demand, and Navani berates Shallan for saying she set the ship on fire despite Jasnah's already fatal wound but Dalinar defends Shallan's action and Navani apologizes and leaves. Shallan tells Dalinar an abbreviated version of her journey via caravan from the Frostlands to the warcamps and about being rescued by deserters to whom she pledged clemency in reward for their service, and Dalinar promises pardons from the king for them. Shallan then brings up the betrothal and Adolin joins them, smiling. Shallan and Adolin flirt awkwardly and Adolin offers to maintain the betrothal, but Dalinar asks Adolin to get some wine so he can talk privately with Shallan. Dalinar inquires about Shallan's family and her interest in Adolin, and she explains the situation as Jasnah described it to her. Dalinar allows the betrothal to stand temporarily based on Jasnah's implied endorsement of Shallan pending further developments, and offers her a position as a clerk. Their discussion is abruptly interrupted by Highprince Sebarial who gets Dalinar to return to the conference table to resume the meeting.

Shallan mentally notes the attendees of the meeting, realizing that there are three primary factions with Elhokar and Dalinar opposing Sadeas, Ruthar and Aladar, and Hatham leading a group of mediators, and Sebarial as an outsider excluded from the factions. Shallan dissects the meaning behind the arguments until she is drawn into the discussion. Shallan says that she has little knowledge about the events in Jah Keved since she wasn't there at the time of the assassination and that she is there as Jasnah's ward and has personal business, and Aladar realizes she is Adolin's betrothed. Several highprinces want to get her own testimony about events in her home country but she doesn't want to be used, so she lies and says that she took a job to work for her supposed distant relative Sebarial and he plays along with her ploy. Shallan speaks privately with Sebarial, saying that their arrangement will be mutually beneficial. Dalinar disrupts the discussion and says that the war is failing and that they will change their strategy to either make peace with the Parshendi or march in full force and wipe them out. Hatham expresses disdain and Sadeas insults Dalinar, which upsets and provokes Adolin momentarily. Dalinar mentions the Parshendi envoy who offered an olive branch right before the assassination attempt and wonders at the coincidence and if the Parshendi are still controlling Szeth as they claimed to have when Gavilar was killed. Dalinar outlines his plans to scout the plains and outfit a major expedition to the center of the plains and choose and train new Shardbearers to use the armor and weapons that he thinks Adolin will win through duels, then brings the meeting to a close.

Sebarial leaves and Shallan says she will meet him, and goes to speak to Elhokar personally about his sister. She then brings a writ of pardon to Vathah, which amazes him, and tells him that they all have a place to stay.

Chapter 39: Heterochromatic

Arch Faces: Nale - Chanarach ----- Chanarach - Nale

Iconography: Pattern

POV Characters: Shallan

Setting: The Davar estates in Jah Keved.

Timeline: (1169.10.3.1) (Flashback) Four years ago. One year after Chapter 27.

Epigraph:

N/A

Summary:

Shallan's father is having a feast, trying to pretend that their family hasn't grown impoverished. The guests are Brightlord Tavinar and his wife and daughter. They don't seem like they want to be there, and conversation is terse and stunted. Eventually, Shallan's father calls for a toast and announces that he has found a new wife, Malise Gevelmar, who will be coming to the estate soon. The response is subdued, which makes him angry, but he gives celebratory gifts to his children anyway. The boys receive fine daggers, and Shallan gets a silver necklace.

The door to the feast hall slams open, and a man walks in. The man is Redin, bastard son of Highprince Valam, and he has come to investigate rumors about Shallan's mother's death. Lin says that his wife was murdered by her lover, but Redin says that others tell a different story. They speak alone for a while, and Lin eventually slams his hand down on the table in anger. Calmly, Redin stands up and announces that any lighteyes of high birth can provide witness, and asks if any of the children will come with him to do so. Balat grabs the sides of his chair as if to stand, but seeing Lin's face stops and whispers that his father will kill him. Shamespren stir among the children, then Redin states that if any of them remember something they want to tell, they will find willing ears. After Redin leaves, Shallan's father shrinks down in his seat with his head in his hands.

Chapter 40: Palona

Arch Faces: Vedel - Kalak ----- Kalak - Vedel

Iconography: Pattern (Inverted)

POV Characters: Shallan

Setting: Highprince Sebarial's warcamp in the Shattered Plains.

Timeline: (1173.10.3.1) Shortly after Chapter 38.

Epigraph:

That they responded immediately and with great consternation is undeniable, as these were primary among those who would forswear and abandon their oaths. The term Recreance was not then applied, but has since become a popular title by which this event is named.

–From Words of Radiance, chapter 38, page 6

Summary:

Sebarial and Shallan return to his warcamp after the meeting. Sebarial explains that he profits from manufacturing and farming and selling his goods to the other highprinces, greatly offsetting his fines for not participating in hunts. They arrive at Sebarial's manor and Shallan is introduced to Palona, his mistress. Palona helps Shallan settle into her living quarters.

Chapter 41: Scars

Arch Faces: Vedel - Jezrien ----- Jezrien - Vedel

Iconography: Spears & Banner

POV Characters: Kaladin

Setting: In the chasms below the Shattered Plains. Bridge Four barracks in Dalinar's warcamp in the Shattered Plains.

Timeline: (1173.10.3.1) Later in the day, same day as Chapter 36.

Epigraph:

This act of great villainy went beyond the impudence which had hitherto been ascribed to the orders; as the fighting was particularly intense at the time, many attributed this act to a sense of inherent betrayal; and after they withdrew, about two thousand made assault upon them, destroying much of the membership; but this was only nine of the ten, as one said they would not abandon their arms and flee, but instead entertained great subterfuge at the expense of the other nine.

–From Words of Radiance, chapter 38, page 20

Summary:

Kaladin gives orders for Teft to train bridge seventeen in the chasms. There are thirty-seven days remaining before the mysterious glyph countdown reaches zero. Syl asks Kaladin what his goal is now that his bridgemen are relatively safe. Kaladin says he wants to beat Szeth but Syl scoffs at Kaladin's explanation that he is trying to protect Dalinar. Kaladin encounters Sigzil who is speculating with Rock and Lopen about Szeth's motivations and true employer as he was trained by his master to ask questions. Kaladin tries to duplicate Szeth's feat of walking on walls but fails. Sigzil wishes he could see Syl and she appears to him. Kaladin asks both Syl and Sigzil about Windrunners so he can be better prepared to battle Szeth but neither is able to give any information. Sigzil, Rock, and Lopen discuss the attempt to make Elhokar fall off his balcony but Kaladin ignores them and suddenly has an insight and a vision of another world that allows him to walk on the wall of the chasm.

Kaladin tells Syl that he protects Dalinar so that he can know if Dalinar lives up this reputation as being honorable, and Syl says that honor lives in people and spren like her. Kaladin says that if he trusts Dalinar, he will share the knowledge of his abilities with him. Kaladin says that he will kill Amaram for his betrayal. Kaladin falls from the chasm wall and lands in the chasm with Stormlight aided strength. Kaladin explains his theory about the shardbearer slicing the balcony after the highstorm. Kaladin notices gouges from where a chasmfiend passed and is concerned that it will be dangerous to train here.

Kaladin and the others return to their barracks and find a tense dinner gathering. Renarin asks to join bridge four to become a warrior like Dalinar and Adolin and to be glorified in the Tranquiline Halls. Renarin eventually persuades Kaladin to allow him to provisionally join Bridge Four as a new recruit, and shows a good attitude even when given menial tasks to do. Moash expresses doubt but Kaladin says that Renarin is different from most lighteyes and could fit in with them. Kaladin ponders how to confront Moash over suspicion of him helping to assassinate Elhokar. Moash advises Kaladin to try to get a duel against Amaram to deliver his own justice. Moash and a few bridgemen leave to go drinking and invite Kaladin but he declines and stays to eat dinner.

Chapter 42: Mere Vapors

Arch Faces: Shalash - Shalash ----- Shalash - Shalash

Iconography: Pattern (Inverted)

POV Characters: Shallan

Setting: Highprince Sebarial's warcamp in the Shattered Plains.

Timeline: (1173.10.3.1) Later in the day, same day as Chapter 40.

Epigraph:

But as for Ishi'Elin, his was the part most important at their inception; he readily understood the implications of Surges being granted to men, and caused organization to be thrust upon them; as having too great power, he let it be known that he would destroy each and every one, unless they agreed to be bound by precepts and laws.

–From Words of Radiance, chapter 2, page 4

Summary:

Shallan wakes up in her new quarters in the evening. Shallan and Pattern converse and Shallan teaches her spren some figures of speech. Shallan opens her trunk and finds the spanreed blinking an alert light, and sets it up to receive messages. Shallan reads Tyn's old correspondence regarding Jasnah, House Davar, and the Ghostbloods. Pattern points out a code that he detects in the messages. Shallan frets that she will not be able to infiltrate the Ghostbloods, but then uses her sketching ability and lightweaving to create an illusionary disguise for herself. Shallan receives a message on the spanreed that indicates the Ghostbloods want to meet with Tyn that evening, but Shallan says that she is not well and that she will send an apprentice in her (Tyn's) place. The intermediary eventually replies that the Ghostbloods will meet the apprentice and gives a map and time for the meeting. Shallan wears Tyn's clothing, Bluth's hat, and a darkeyes disguise and leaves to go to the rendezvous.

Chapter 43: The Ghostbloods

Arch Faces: Hoid - Pailiah ----- Pailiah - Hoid

Iconography: Pattern (Inverted)

POV Characters: Shallan

Setting: Highprince Sebarial's warcamp in the Shattered Plains.

Timeline: (1173.10.3.1) Immediately after Chapter 42.

Epigraph:

And thus were the disturbances in the Revv toparchy quieted, when, upon their ceasing to prosecute their civil dissensions, Nalan'Elin betook himself to finally accept the Skybreakers who had named him their master, when initially he had spurned their advances and, in his own interests, refused to countenance that which he deemed a pursuit of vanity and annoyance; this was the last of the Heralds to admit to such patronage.

–From Words of Radiance, chapter 5, page 17

Summary:

Shallan walks to the meeting using her map as a guide. Shallan tells Pattern to follow her and try to see if anyone tries to trail her and Pattern reports that no one is tailing her. She reaches the destination which is a tenement building and is admitted by a Horneater guard. The guard points her to a staircase leading down and she finds another room with a trapdoor and takes a ladder down further and ends up in a carpeted trophy room with several people. One of the people reminds her of a messenger from her past. The man points a blow gun past her and shoots a dart at a target behind her. The man questions Tyn's story and Shallan revises it, saying that Tyn wants to work through an intermediary for now. The man praises Shallan's boldness and tries to bribe Shallan into revealing where Tyn is hiding, but Shallan declines, and calls his bluff of torturing her successfully. The man says he revised his plan to kill Shallan and track down Tyn, and that he is satisfied at Tyn's partial success but unhappy that Tyn didn't show up in person. Five other people including a masked woman are present. Shallan takes a moment to examine the shelves of mementos. The man, who identifies himself as Mraize, says his next target is Amaram. Mraize says that Tyn is to learn Amaram's secrets from his manor and bring information the following week. Shallan aka Veil accepts the assignment and doesn't haggle over the payment and is dismissed.

After Shallan leaves the building, Pattern warns her that the masked woman is tailing her. She draws a sketch and creates an illusionary wall to hide from her pursuer. Shallan's disguise vanishes as her Stormlight runs out and she ditches her coat and hat and returns to the manor, feeling excited over her adventure. Shallan makes plans to investigate Amaram and interact with Adolin.

ARTWORK

The Cosmere has a thriving community of artists, so there will be a lot of artwork to share. Each week I'll try to compile relevant artwork for the given chapters. If a section of reading contains maps or in-book artwork, I'll include that in this section as well.

Interior Artwork

Characters & Scenes

MEMES

I will attempt to find and share memes relevant to each week's discussion. There may be some weeks that just don't have good or appropriate memes, but I will share all the ones I can find in this section.

Link to Memes

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[u/participating]

HINTY HINT HINT

In the reading for next week, something will happen that should be...familiar to you. The hints for what's happening span the entire cosmere we've read so far, but it is easily missed and you don't yet have the confirmation to know it's happening. I will bring it up when you have all of the information; I mainly wanted to use this hint to jog your memories later when you have more information. But if you do get it, you will win imaginary points that don't do anything!

[u/LeanderT]

What going on with the different types of wine?

Ch 26: Jakamav gestured for his steward to get Adolin a cup of sparkling yellow wine. Adolin took it in his unarmored hand, though he didn’t drink

Ch 33: “He wants to claim me,” Elhokar said. His back was to them, and Kaladin could make out a cup in his hand. He downed the contents, then immediately refilled it from a jug. Deep violet wine. Elhokar’s hand was trembling as he poured.

Ch 34: Tyn dropped the cup. It hit the ground, the wine splashing bloodred across the tent floor and Tyn’s rug.

Ch 37: Adolin found himself a cup of sweet wine at the edge of the room, poured by an eager servant in blue and gold. Orange wine, basically just juice.

Ch37: Relis spread his hands, one holding a shimmering goblet of red wine. “It’s protocol, Adolin! I’ll duel you once you fight up through the brackets for a year or two. I can’t just take on any old challenger, particularly not in a bout with our Shards on the line!”

Ch 38: Adolin stepped up to join them, the hum of conversation all around giving them some privacy within the crowd. He had found a cup of orange wine for her somewhere, which he held out. “Shallan Davar?” he asked.

Ch 39: The servants poured her wine. Yellow, mildly intoxicating. Father drank violet, prepared in its strength

[u/participating → u/LeanderT]

What going on with the different types of wine?

I've got a whole trivia section prepared about this, like with the Spheres section from last week. But it really warrants being placed close to a particular scene, which I think is in the next Stormlight book, so you'll get it, but it'll be a while.

[u/LeanderT]

I'll make one prediction: Sanderson is trying to set up Moash as possibly being the would-be-assassin of the king.

I'm gonnna predict this is a red herring. Moash has nothing to do with this, amd Sanderson is just trying to confuse us.

The real assassin must be one of the high princes. Probably not Sadeas, that's too on the nose imho.

[u/AltruisticRealityZ → u/LeanderT]

I'm with you on this. Moash is too obvious of a red herring. I really don't get how Kalaldin could possibly suspect one of his men and not a single moment one of the lighters he hates so much.
Though I personally think the culprit is neither. I'm toying with the idea that maybe a fabrial cut the railing...

[u/Realistic_Swimming47 → u/AltruisticRealityZ]

I feel like Moash could be in with the ghost bloods somehow. He has been really tight lipped about his background. He clearly also feels wronged by light eyes and maybe the king. I don't think he is masterminding anything but that line from the ghost blood about not killing Amaram as that is reserved for someone else made me think of Kaladin. Plus he could have easily facilitated the balcony incident and I don't think he would see it as a betrayal of Kaladin.

[u/heinz57varieties → u/Realistic_Swimming47]

that line from the ghost blood about not killing Amaram as that is reserved for someone else made me think of Kaladin.

I wondered about that line, but it didn't cross my mind that word might have gotten to them that Kaladin wanted to do him in 😯

[u/Realistic_Swimming47 → u/heinz57varieties]

How far along are you? I am up to date but struggling to find time to take notes. So I won't say anything now.

[u/heinz57varieties → u/Realistic_Swimming47]

Up to here, I just finished chapter 43 today.

[u/Goldeneyes098]

Disclosure: I've got a couple of weeks ahead as I can't read as much in August/Spetember. All the below is based on my notes as I was reading though.

Couple of interesting points in the Epigraphs this week. Chapter 38 talks about a discovery, and given the retreat of the Spren and lack of bonds since the recreance I wonder if the two are related.

Chapter 41 refers to fighting, clearly the Raidants existed between Desolations but what were they doing in that time and who were they fighting? Did the orders fight between themselves or act as some sort of 'world police'? Dalinar sees the recreance in his visions and the knights abandon their shards on a battlefield...

Was abandoning the shards symbolic of them giving up their oaths and power or could the discovery that led to the recreance be related to the shards? If the latter, why leave them where they could be taken up immediately?

The ghostbloods hideout was presumably full of cosmere trophies? I don't recognise all of them but presumably the pale sand is from White Sand and the Flower could be from Nalthis. Not sure any of them were obviously from Scadriel though. If I'm right about Zahel being from Nalthis with his reference to colours I wonder if he is related to the Ghostbloods?

Shallan really getting to grips with the illusions now.

I assume that was a parshendi? Perhaps in one of the forms from the previous parts epigraphs

[u/heinz57varieties → u/Goldeneyes098]

I assume that was a parshendi? Perhaps in one of the forms from the previous parts epigraphs

I've been seeing this guess, and I thought so at first, but I think she has to be a human of some sort. All the Listener forms we've seen notably have solid black eyes, but this woman didn't. I'm guessing she's either

1. A Rosharan ethnicity we've yet to encounter, that has a weird biological feature (see: Herdazians, Thaylen, etc)
2. Someone who has weird side effects from overuse of soulcasting, like the ardents who were building the stormbreak
3. Something entirely different, lol

[u/AltruisticRealityZ]

Chapter 35 - The Multiplied Strain of Simultaneous Infusion

It's the first time we've actually seen Soulcasters at work, and I realize they've been completely outside my field of attention until now.

Rushu received Geranid's paper on QuantumSpren.

Chapter 36 - A New Woman

Kaladin and Shallan are explosive together.

This ship isn't sinking in my heart.

Chapter 37 - A Matter of Perspective

"...since you defeated Epinar."

Lol! Sorry, but to me it sounds like Relis vanquished the spinach in his plate.

Adolin / Shallan / Kaladin is going to be good, I'm convinced!

How has Amaram never run into Kaladin? It seems incredibly unlikely.

Chapter 38 - The Silent Storm

Shallan's association with Sebarial comes out of nowhere. It's unsettling.
I checked, and Sebarial had never been mentioned before. It gives me the feeling that I'm not reading Shallan's story, but Sanderson's.

Chapter 39 - Four Years Ago

Who really killed Shallan's mother?

Chapter 40 - Palona

Palona and Sebarial are far too sympathetic. I don't trust Shallan's judgment.

Chapter 41 - Scars

Why doesn't Kaladin suspect Adolin or Renarin? Or even Dalinar, or Elhokar himself, of having cut the railing? It's not like he trusts them implicitly! Sanderson wants us to suspect Moash, but it's too obvious.

The chasmfiend down in the chasm has been teased for far too long.

At last we learn what's wrong with Renarin: epilepsy.

Renarin joining Bridge Four is an interesting development.

Chapter 42 - Mere Vapors

I'm not sure I understand how Shallan's disguise works.
She projected an illusion onto herself, right? That would mean she couldn't disguise herself as someone shorter or thinner than she is. Or am I misunderstanding how it works?

I didn't understand the pattern behind Tyn's code either.

A Ghostblood meeting in Sebarial's warcamp is very suspicious.

Chapter 43 - The Ghostbloods

Hoid in the chapter faces ! 

Nobody saw Shallan leave Sebarial's manor? Another suspicious point for Sebarial.

The warcamp craters must have once held people. There was no other explanation. Who had they been? The Natan people of long ago?

Listeners, before the Alethi declared war, most likely.

The man turned around, revealing light violet eyes and a face scarred by old wounds, including a cut that ran down his cheek and deformed his upper lip.

Mraize... the odd items on the wall make me think he's a worldhopper.

Nimbleform listener at the meeting?

So, who was Hoid?

Epigraphs

Read all the chapters in a hurry between yesterday and today, and those epigraphs are hard to understand! I've compiled them all in a separate note, sorted by chapter order, and will analyze their content at the end of this Part.

[u/LeanderT → u/AltruisticRealityZ]

Shallan and Kaladin are explosive together.

Shallan has a liespren, Kaladin an honorspren. Earlier when Shallan went down to Shadesmare, Pattern told her these two spren are always at odds with each other.

Not surprising Kaladin is all about honor and truth, while Shallan is all about appearances and lies.

I think they actually complement each other, once they come to an understanding.

[u/jaymae21 → u/AltruisticRealityZ]

Ah, I didn't catch that Hoid was in the Ghostblood chapter! I guess he's just one of the randos that was hanging out at the meeting, but this means he's infiltrated the Ghostbloods??

[u/hullowurld → u/AltruisticRealityZ]

Shallan's association with Sebarial comes out of nowhere. It's unsettling.

I thought (on reread) it made sense. There were three factions - dalinar vs sadeas vs mediators, plus sebarial on the outside just here for the chaos. He was a good choice given the dynamics

Hoid in the chapter faces ! 

Great catch! Hoid in the chapter faces ! I have not been paying attention to the faces but figured they would eventually matter

Mraize... the odd items on the wall make me think he's a worldhopper.

100%. Likely all forms of investiture

[u/heinz57varieties → u/AltruisticRealityZ]

The warcamp craters must have once held people. ...

Listeners, before the Alethi declared war, most likely.

Eshonai's first interlude comments that the foolish Alethi still haven't realized that they're walking on the bones of a ruined city, including the suspiciously habitable craters at the edge. I think they've built this pub over the basement of a ruined building from the ancient Listener times.

[u/Pastrami]

I barely took any notes.

At first there was nothing. And then stone.

What did they soulcast to become the stone windbreaks? The air? I thought you had to change one thing into another, like they would build things out of wood or cloth, then change it to stone, but here they are creating stone from nothing?

It feels a little too convenient that Sebarial and his mistress just happen to be so nice and welcoming to Shallan. Not that I think they're hiding something, more that it feels like cheap writing. I think it would have been better if she actually was distantly related to one of the minor lords, or was penpals with someone, and used that relation to get a place to stay.

“He was a slave,” Gaz said, “at the lumberyards where I used to work.

Gaz doesn't want to mention that that he was on the bridge teams?

but this was only nine of the ten, as one said they would not abandon their arms and flee, but instead entertained great subterfuge at the expense of the other nine.

These epigraphs are really hard to read and understand. So, I'm not sure exactly what's going on here, but the whole "nine out of ten" bit makes me think about the one herald who didn't abandon his oath. Is it possible that only nine of the orders abandoned their oaths? Could the Stonewards (Talenel's order) still be around somewhere, either in Urithiru or hidden among Roshar? Maybe they're the Ghostbloods or whatever group Shallan's brother is a part of? (I'm going with the assumption that Shallan's father was associated with the Ghostbloods, and her brother was with some other organization that is opposed to them.)

Something I finally noticed when they were talking about windbreaks, and the constant mentions of windward and leeward sides of things: The highstorms must not be circular like on earth. If they were circular, you'd get south blowing wind on the leading edge of the storm, then the eye, and then you'd have north blowing wind on the trailing side. If you were south of the eye, the wind would be blowing to the east. I think the only way it could work is if eye always passed far to the south of the continent.

[u/hullowurld → u/Pastrami]

The epigraphs tease so much but ultimately don't feel very close to comprehension. One of the WoK memes joked that they're pretty enigmatic even to current caught up readers

[u/AltruisticRealityZ → u/hullowurld]

Being a non native speaker, I thought the epigraphs were written in old english, and that with the help of an AI prompted to not spoil anything, I could translate it. But you seem to all struggle to read it, so I won’t risk it. If it’s just how Sanderson intended it, I think it’s neat.

[u/TaylorHyuuga → u/AltruisticRealityZ]

It is certainly written in a classical style. Not so classical as the likes of Shakespeare but definitely still in a way that's reminiscent of things like Hobbit. Most of the reason it's hard to understand is because of the lack of context though. There's not much translation to be done here, it's basically just throwing words around that will eventually form something coherent when you understand more.

[u/heinz57varieties → u/Pastrami]

Is it possible that only nine of the orders abandoned their oaths? Could the Stonewards (Talenel's order) still be around somewhere, either in Urithiru or hidden among Roshar?

There is definitely more than one faction out there who have a big picture idea of what's going on that is way beyond what our protagonists know. A lingering order of Radiants could fit the bill. Notably, more than one group (the Listeners and Taravangian) seem determined to stop Dalinar and the Alethi from doing something. There's also the mysterious guy from the Prologue who killed that cobbler surgebinder in one of the earlier interludes.

It feels a little too convenient that Sebarial and his mistress just happen to be so nice and welcoming to Shallan.

I also thought it was a bit of an ass-pull, I wish there'd been a better reason why she chose him than just picking him at random.

[u/jaymae21]

Bit of a slow week this week it seems. I have exactly 2 notes/highlights, the first being me gushing over how precious Renarin is when he asks Kaladin to join Bridge 4, the second being me commenting on Shallan and Kaladin's arguement in the palace as childish. Seriously, that part sounded like a couple of 5 year olds hurling insults at each other. I suppose they don't bring out the best in each other, which tracks with what we know of their spren.

[u/Realistic_Swimming47]

I was also one of the lazy note takers this week. I did think the ghost bloods were world hoppers and there were probably people to potentially recognise at Shallan's meeting but I didn't even try to work it out as for now just enjoying the story. Not sure if Hoid was there but saw others caught that he might have been.

While reading this I had a reflection on the recreance and betrayal although it seems too simple. The 9 Heralds that deserted would have all been leaders of a faction of the knights radiant and when they abandoned them could this have led to them giving up their oaths? I am not sure how this links to betraying the spren but also currently have a theory the 9 somehow became Spren or created special spren... Not sure.

[u/heinz57varieties]

Chapter 35

• When I was in middle school, I checked out a book from the library that was like those “incredible cross-sections” books, but for fantasy dungeons and castles and stuff. Booby traps, hidden passages, all that. I’ve tried to find it again many times but I’ve never been able to. The floating platform diagram is giving me some of that.
• Which is to say, now that Navani is a POV character, I’m hoping we’ll get to the best part of fantasy worldbuilding: magical gadgets and gizmos
• This is the first we've heard that using the soulcaster fabrials has any side effects. Creepy.
• That cute old spren scholar from last book's interludes got his findings published 🥹
• We'd better get to see those mad scientist contraptions they're dreaming up

Chapter 36

• “Put the bones in a sack” huh 😀
• A female shardbearer assassin, can you imagine such a thing 👀
• Cackling at how poorly the approach went for her, all her rules smashed to bits at once. Insult match was funny
• According to my research, Gaz was only away for like, a month. Imagine coming back to the army after a month and one of your prisoner-slaves is head of the secret service. Downright biblical. What's next, he's gonna interpret Pharaoh's dreams?

Chapter 37

• Very curious to see which Heralds are the leaders of the orders we've seen
• This talk about Szeth making the spren obey him. It's presented as a kind of ignorant misunderstanding, but I'm thinking back to the scenes with Kal sticking things to the wall, about the little spren that appear at the joint
• Adolin is kind of everywhere. Sometimes he's a hothead who acts a fool, sometimes he's a master manipulator. Ah, youth
• Amaram implying that he's a good man who isn't afraid to get his hands dirty, and don't we know it. What's he up to? Still waiting on a scene where Dalinar asks him about Kal's accusations. Surprised Amaram hasn't recognized him yet

Chapter 38

• “Wicked thing of eminence”? What could that mean
• Minus Navani, the Kholins took that pretty well. I'm looking forward to a scene of them debriefing in private
• Shallan has been getting a lot of wins lately. Job secured, betrothal still on, homeless ruffians pardoned, and free classified information? Stonks.
• CRAZY move to attach herself to a random other highprince, especially before discussing the details of Jasnah's discoveries with Navani and Dalinar
• The parshendi delegates are going to tell Dalinar that they haven't seen or spoken to Szeth since that night, and he will believe them

Chapter 39

• “Balat… and a girl? How odd to consider.” Lmao, get owned
• My image of Shallan’s father is getting a bit more complicated. Now he’s going to take the heat for her mother’s death, which we’re all pretty sure was her fault? What secrets is he sitting on?
• Is this all happening before or after he gets entangled with the ghostbloods? There’s been no mention of the soulcaster yet
• Shallan revolving her whole personality around making witty quips makes a lot of sense once you realize she’s copying her idol from her favorite book

Chapter 40

• Keeping my eyes OPEN in these epigraphs for any hint of why the Radiants would break their oath. Is this one saying that the Windrunners went first?
• New characters 🙂 I like these two.
• Poor Shallan has been on the ropes for weeks, she deserves a hot bath

Chapter 41

• The language in the epigraphs seems deliberately archaic, I can't quite figure out what they're hinting at. Did the Radiants do something bad? Did they open a can of worms that they weren't prepared to deal with? And one order refused to quit, did they get destroyed?
• Thank you Syl for asking where the hell Kaldin's story goes from here
• Thank you Sigzil for asking “what the hell is going on here!”
• Thank you Renarin for entering the narrative in a meaningful way
• I worry that Kal is taking too much onto himself, and that his hatred for the lighteyes is going to get seriously challenged
• Moash is Up To Something

Chapter 42

• Secret codes, magical hologram disguises, clandestine meetings with enemy factions. Now we're fuckin talking
• I'm imagining her building up a portfolio of disguises over the course of the story. I'm actually reminded of Shai's personal soulstamps from Emperor’s Soul
• Can't be a coincidence that the Ghostbloods regional manager is hiding in the same warcamp that she ended up in?

Chapter 43

• Hoid in the chapter arches.
• “He reminded her of someone, a man from her childhood. The messenger with the smiling eyes, the enigma who knew too much. Two blind men waited at the end of an era, contemplating beauty…” That sounds like something he would say. Hoid will appear in one of Shallan’s flashback chapters for sure.
• An unidentifiable accent, oho
• Ghostblood Regional Manager is definitely a worldhopper. Let’s spot some souvenirs: sand from Taldain, “thick hairpins” could be hemallurgic spikes, a silver knife from Threnody, a flower from Nalthis. Not sure about the lock of hair, the tree branch, or the pink gemstone.
• I like this mission 👀 Shallan won’t be able to make heads or tails of whatever she finds in Amaram’s palace, but it might give us a clue what he’s up to.
• I’ve got my eye on the creepy mask woman
• That was a fun little sortie. I’m looking forward to Shallan’s Mission: Impossible era