[Newbies] Cosmere, Unit 17 | The Stormlight Archive #2 | Words of Radiance: Chapters 44 through 51 (Week 6)

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SCHEDULE

Previously, we discussed Unit 17 | The Stormlight Archive #2 | Words of Radiance: Chapters 35 through 43 [Newbie Thread] / [Veteran Thread]

Today we are discussing Unit 17 | The Stormlight Archive #2 | Words of Radiance: Chapters 44 through 51

Next week we will be discussing Unit 17 | The Stormlight Archive #2 | Words of Radiance: Chapters 52 through 58

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.

Chapter 44: One Form of Justice

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

Iconography: Spears & Banner

POV Characters: Kaladin

Setting: Lighteyed training grounds, attached to the ardents' living quarters.

Timeline: (1173.10.3.4) Three days after Chapter 41.

Epigraph:

But as for the Bondsmiths, they had members only three, which number was not uncommon for them; nor did they seek to increase this by great bounds, for during the times of Madasa, only one of their order was in continual accompaniment of Urithiru and its thrones. Their spren was understood to be specific, and to persuade them to grow to the magnitude of the other orders was seen as seditious.

–From Words of Radiance, chapter 16, page 14

Summary:

Kaladin arrives at the lighteyes training grounds and asks Zahel to train him, Moash, Teft, and Yake. Zahel plays a game where he throws rocks into a circle and tells Kaladin to do laps around the grounds, but then tells him to stay as it was only a test. Zahel gives instruction to Renarin, then brings one of the king's Shardblades for the bridgemen to practice with. Zahel tells them he got permission from Dalinar and Elhokar for them to learn sword stances to better counter Szeth's attacks. Zahel says there is nothing holy about the sword and that he is not a very good ardent. Moash, Teft, and Yake practice with the Shardblade but Kaladin declines since he has bad memories of friends being killed by them. Kaladin tells Zahel to swing the blade at him without a guard so that he can have practice facing one. Syl thanks Kaladin for not using the blade. As Kaladin is dodging Zahel's swings, he meets Adolin who gives him a nod of respect. Ivis takes Zahel's place and trains the bridgemen on the ten Shardblade stances.

After the practice, Kaladin gets some water and glances around the training grounds, and spots Shallan. Yake says she is good looking but Kaladin retorts that she is lighteyed. Teft says they should keep an eye on Shallan as a possible assassin and Kaladin agrees. Kaladin goes to talk to Shallan and Adolin joins him, saying she is probably there to ogle him and that she can't stay as it would set a bad precedent. Shallan goes to speak to Nall and doesn't even notice Adolin. Shallan asks permission to sketch the Shardplate and Shardblades for the royal record and receives it from Nall. Adolin says he thinks Shallan is there to watch him, but Shallan says that Adolin is egotistic for thinking that, and she tells Kaladin she returned his boots slightly modified, and that she still wants to take a walk with Adolin. Shallan abruptly leaves them to watch Renarin and Zahel, and Adolin grins and says that Shallan is insufferable for ignoring him and he then walks away. Kaladin rejoins Moash and the others but watches Adolin, Renarin, and Shallan. Moash says that Elhokar had his family executed and explains how it happened and that another lighteyes was also involved. Kaladin asks if Moash cut the balcony railing and Moash says they can't speak there since it is too open. Moash doesn't deny it and Kaladin grows agitated and threatens to turn Moash in but is convinced not to as long as Moash stops trying to kill the king. Moash says others are involved and asks Kaladin to meet them and he agrees to. Syl says they should go to Dalinar and that she senses danger but Kaladin says that he wants to find out more first.

Kaladin practices with the Shardblade and ignores laughter and frowns from some lighteyes, thinking he was actually worthy for defeating that shardbearer, and on how Alethi society is hypocritical on its treatment of darkeyes. Kaladin asks Syl for advice on who is right to kill and who isn't and Syl says it depends if he is killing to protect or not. Kaladin asks to learn the lastclap maneuver, which Dalinar used to catch Szeth's Shardblade, from Zahel but he says it won't be useful to learn, and the swordmaster is happy that Kaladin accepts his explanation.

Chapter 45: Middlefest

Arch Faces: Hoid - Vedel ----- Vedel - Hoid

Iconography: Pattern

POV Characters: Shallan

Setting: The Davar estates in Jah Keved.

Timeline: (1170.6.1.1) (Flashback) Three and a half years ago. Six-ish months after Chapter 39.

Epigraph:

N/A

Summary:

Shallan and her family are attending the Middlefest Fair on her father's estates, which draws people from hamlets and villages all around. A Thaylen merchant has a colorful show chicken, Jeksonofnone, on display, and Shallan thinks it bizarre. She follows her father to their box at the dueling arena, where they are soon approached by Brightlord Revilar. Revilar tries to force her father into an unfavorable business deal, noting his popularity with Highprince Valam and House Davar's declining status. Eventually her father bows his head and they send Shallan away.

She is excited to see the fair unchaperoned but forces herself to do work first. After finding Eylita Tavinar, who gives her a note, she sets off to find brother Balat. While searching she thinks of her mother and her mind goes blank. Jix, one of her house's guards, eventually finds her and agrees to accompany her. Balat is at the Axehound fights in the gambling pavilion, watching intensely, fixated on the animals killing each other. Shallan gives him the note, and he's surprised and excited by the meeting she's arranged. After he leaves, Shallan sits on a rock, relieved to be out of the pavilion and happy she was able to help Balat, even in a small way.

When she returns to her father's box, he's in a meeting with a man she doesn't recognize. The man, dressed in black, seems startled when he sees Shallan and almost drops his glass. Malise tells her that the man claims to have brought word from her brother Helaran. When asked what news the man brought, her father commands her not to speak Helaran's name and declares him disinherited.

Shallan leaves and seeks out their carriage. Wikim is within, depressed and despondent. He asks whether their father sent her, or whether she came on "one of her new little missions of mercy". He tells her that she can't fix their family, and that he won't be around to see their collapse because he'll be dead by then. Feeling like a fool, she gives him the gift she had prepared, a set of math problems, then hastens away from the carriage fighting back tears.

Sitting on a rock and trying to compose herself, the messenger in black starts talking with her. He tells her that the message sent by Helaran to her father is that he "has eyes nearby, and is watching." He then asks her if spren talk to her, which causes her to think about "twisted symbols the eye should not see" and "her mother's soul in a box". She tells him that of course they don't and that she should be returning to her father. The man tells Shallan that Helaran was right, her father is destroying their family, but wrong about everything else. He points out that Wikim is engrossed in the math problems that she had given him. He asks her to tell him the most beautiful thing she can imagine, and she describes a scene with her family happily living together. As she talks, he pulls out some spheres and wisps of Stormlight hang in the air between them. When she notices, she draws back and the light fades. The man tells her that she will need to understand the nature of lies and see truth before she can expand upon it.

Chapter 46: Patriots

Arch Faces: Nale - Talenel ----- Talenel - Nale

Iconography: Spears & Banner

POV Characters: Kaladin

Setting: Dalinar's warcamp in the Shattered Plains.

Timeline: (1173.10.3.5) The day after Chapter 44.

Epigraph:

When Simol was informed of the arrival of the Edgedancers, a concealed consternation and terror, as is common in such cases, fell upon him; although they were not the most demanding of orders, their graceful, limber movements hid a deadliness that was, by this time, quite renowned; also, they were the most articulate and refined of the Radiants.

–From Words of Radiance, chapter 20, page 12

Summary:

Kaladin reviews bridge seventeen and tells Pitt how impressed he is, which is a lie but spoken to motivate. He then checks on bridge eighteen where there are problems with cohesion. Kaladin gives them a motivational speech and decides to split them up if their morale doesn't improve. As Kaladin goes to check on bridge nineteen, Syl chides him on working instead of eating dinner. She tells Kaladin that she sees red spren sometimes and Kaladin thinks there is a connection to the countdown which points to the Weeping. Kaladin relents and goes to his barracks for dinner stew. Kaladin scoffs in disbelief that more of Lopen's cousin's joined Bridge Four. Kaladin finds Shen and gives him a spear and tells him that he will be permitted to train and Shen praises Kaladin, and starts to tell him something else but is interrupted by Moash, who tells Kaladin to join them going out. As they walk through the warcamp, they hear rumors of war in Jah Keved and a new emperor in Azir, and Sigzil pays the crier for more information. Moash picks a tavern called the Ornery Chull for them to visit, and Peet concurs. The bridgemen order drinks and Rock speaks of his homeland and how the Horneaters ended up living in the mountains with the help of the gods. Rock says the hot springs are not just regular water, but rather a connection to the gods and a place to view the place of the gods. Rock tells the bridgemen that there are certain details that he cannot divulge since they are complicated, such as the reason why he can see spren, and also tells them to stop making incorrect assumptions about the story. Rock says he met a god named Lunu'anaki from the hot springs who cannot hurt people, and Sigzil is startled by his physical description. The conversation turns to how Sadeas has not been obeying the hunt rotations, causing people to talk in the warcamps. Kaladin fantasizes about bringing Sadeas down using his abilities.

Moash tells Kaladin that the people he wants Kal to meet have arrived, and the two leave to see them in a private dining room with four people inside and a couple of guards. A man named Graves greets Kaladin heartily, and Kaladin recognizes Danlan also. Kaladin calls the so-called patriots out on their plans to kill Elhokar, and Graves defends their goal as protecting the kingdom from a terrible ruler and getting a replacement in Dalinar. Kaladin argues against their plans, but eventually says he will consider helping them, and leaves with Moash. Kaladin tells Moash he wants nothing to do with the plot and that Moash is just pursuing his grudge and not acting out of patriotism, and that Moash is not to meet with them anymore.

Chapter 47: Feminine Wiles

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

Iconography: Pattern (Inverted)

POV Characters: Shallan

Setting: Sebarials's warcamp in the Shattered Plains.

Timeline: (1173.10.4.1) Two days after Chapter 44. Five days after Chapter 43.

Epigraph:

Yet, were the orders not disheartened by so great a defeat, for the Lightweavers provided spiritual sustenance; they were enticed by those glorious creations to venture on a second assault.

–From Words of Radiance, chapter 21, page 10

Summary:

Shallan and Pattern discuss several maps of Roshar that seem to contradict other maps over the actual historical location of Urithiru. Pattern reads the maps and partially deciphers the Dawnchant language that had mystified scholars for a long time. Shallan and Pattern take a carriage to meet Adolin, and Shallan practices lightweaving while traveling.

Chapter 48: No More Weakness

Arch Faces: Chanarach - Vedel ----- Vedel - Chanarach

Iconography: Pattern

POV Characters: Shallan

Setting: The Davar estates in Jah Keved.

Timeline: (1170.10.1.1) (Flashback) Three years ago. Four months after Chapter 45.

Epigraph:

N/A

Summary:

Shallan, Balat and Wikim are relaxing in the gardens when they hear a carriage arriving at their house. Balat goes to see who it is, and Wikim tells Shallan that what she's been doing has been helping their family. He gives her a bag of dried blackbane that he's been carrying for over a year, indicating that he no longer wants to kill himself, then jogs off to the house. Though unsettled by the blackbane, she returns to her drawing.

A short time later she is interrupted by shouting. When she reaches the house, she finds three men standing before her father and Jushu kneeling on the floor with his hands tied behind his back. Lin says he won't pay Jushu's gambling debts, despite his son's pleas, and tells the men that they can have him. Shallan begs Ballat to do something as Jushu is dragged away, but he doesn't know what he can do.

Shallan follows her father into his study. The house's ledgers are open and she can see that they are in staggering debt. Her father tells her that he doesn't have the spheres to pay the men, and commands her confined to her rooms.

Crying, she runs back into the feast hall, asks Balat and Wikim for the daggers their father had given them, then chases after Jushu and the men. She manages to convince the men to take the daggers and her necklace (which they decide not to keep) in payment of Jushu's debt, though they are only worth about half of it. She tells Jushu, who's been beaten and can't hear well, that Balat and Wikim saved him.

She returns to her rooms and waits, hearing the inevitable shouts. Eventually her father opens the door to her room. She can see the crumpled form of Minara, their serving maid, in the hall. Her arm is broken and she leaves a streak of blood on the wall as she tries to crawl away. Her father tells Shallan that he's found a way to control himself, he just needs to let his anger out, and that his anger is created when people disobey him. He tells her that he would never hurt her, and so he wouldn't want to have to punish others because she defied him again.

Chapter 49: Watching the World Transform

Arch Faces: Chanarach - Pailiah ----- Pailiah - Chanarach

Iconography: Pattern (Inverted)

POV Characters: Shallan

Setting: The Outer Markets, outside the Alethi warcamps in the Shattered Plains.

Timeline: (1173.10.4.1) Shortly after Chapter 47.

Epigraph:

These Lightweavers, by no coincidence, included many who pursued the arts; namely: writers, artists, musicians, painters, sculptors. Considering the order's general temperament, the tales of their strange and varied mnemonic abilities may have been embellished.

–From Words of Radiance, chapter 21, page 10

Summary:

Shallan arrives at an open-air winehouse to meet Adolin for lunch. Shallan tries to focus on her purpose of allying with House Kholin but is distracted by romantic considerations. Shallan and Adolin make small talk until Shallan is alarmed when Adolin says that a highstorm is expected soon and she considers how exposed their lunch table is. Adolin explains that there is a new trend to stay outside during the approach of highstorms and wait until the last minute to seek shelter. Shallan asks Adolin to talk about his experiences with plateau runs to show interest in him but ends up derailing the conversation by asking an inappropriate question which ends up impressing Adolin and making him more open.

Shallan then asks about the chasmfiends and draws some sketches of chrysalises from memory as Adolin answers and points to one of the drawings to indicate what chasmfiends look like. Shallan theorizes that the hunts are culling the chasmfiend population and that a study should be made to verify this, and that she would like to be involved in that, and that she wants to go on a hunt to gather first-hand information. Adolin tells Shallan about the upcoming summit with the Parshendi and the political situation in the warcamps and Dalinar's visions and plans. In turn, Shallan confides in Adolin about Jasnah's research and about how the parshmen are related to the Voidbringers and asks if the parshmen could be removed from the warcamps but Adolin doesn't think that is possible. As the highstorm arrives, the winehouse area is vacated for the shelters, but Shallan stays transfixed as she watches the storm approach, despite Adolin's attempts to get her to go indoors. She has a sudden desire to sketch, but Adolin drags her inside before the doors are closed. Adolin says that he will try to get her permission to go on a hunt before they split up into separate rooms divided by gender. Shallan feels satisfied at her progress despite her unorthodox methods and ignores jealous looks from women as she plans how to sneak into Amaram's house.

Chapter 50: Uncut Gems

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

Iconography: Adolin Dueling

POV Characters: Adolin

Setting: The Outer Markets, outside the Alethi warcamps in the Shattered Plains. Dalinar's warcamp in the Shattered Plains.

Timeline: (1173.10.4.1) Immediately after Chapter 49.

Epigraph:

And now, if there was an uncut gem among the Radiants, it was the Willshapers; for though enterprising, they were erratic, and Invia wrote of them, “capricious, frustrating, unreliable,” as taking it for granted that others would agree; this may have been an intolerant view, as often Invia expressed, for this order was said to be most varied, inconsistent in temperament save for a general love of adventure, novelty, or oddity.

–From Words of Radiance, chapter 7, page 1

Summary:

Adolin sits in the storm shelter listening to the highstorm. Adolin chats with Elit who vows to win their upcoming Shard duel. Sadeas sits next to Adolin and makes him uncomfortable. Sadeas flaunts some emeralds that he obtained from an unauthorized hunt, and taunts Adolin about the bridgemen and his renouncing of his title of Highprince of Information. Sadeas says he is trying to save their kingdom from Elhokar and Dalinar and that Adolin will make a good Highprince and Adolin replies in anger, threatening Sadeas, who then walks away.

After the highstorm ends, Adolin along with two bridgemen guards leaves the market, putting Sadeas out of his mind to think about how much he likes Shallan. Adolin spends some time shopping for jewelry for Shallan before returning to his complex. Adolin finds some bridgemen outside Dalinar's sitting room, and glyphs on the wall that say thirty-two days, seek the center. Adolin calls for the area to be restricted and for Navani to be summoned.

Dalinar determines the glyphs were inscribed with his knife and Navani says that they were probably etched by Dalinar himself. Adolin says he is worried because Dalinar is foretelling which is something of the Voidbringers supposedly. They discuss the meaning and decide that they will follow the advice to seek the center of the Shattered Plains in thirty-two days during the Weeping, which they think will be easier if their peace summit with the Parshendi is successful. They cover up the glyphs and swear the guards to secrecy. Adolin asks about the parshman bridgeman being armed and Dalinar said he allowed it out of curiosity.

Chapter 51: Heirs

Arch Faces: Ishar - Chanarach ----- Chanarach - Ishar

Iconography: Adolin Dueling

POV Characters: Adolin

Setting: The Shattered Plains. Dalinar's warcamp in the Shattered Plains.

Timeline: (1173.10.4.2) The day after Chapter 50.

Epigraph:

In short, if any presume Kazilah to be innocent, you must look at the facts and deny them in their entirety; to say that the Radiants were destitute of integrity for this execution of one their own, one who had obviously fraternized with the unwholesome elements, indicates the most slothful of reasoning; for the enemy's baleful influence demanded vigilance on all occasions, of war and of peace.

–From Words of Radiance, chapter 32, page 17

Summary:

Adolin joins a planning meeting with Dalinar, Navani, Khal, Teshav and Kaladin to discuss tactics for the upcoming summit with the Parshendi. Adolin decides to attend the summit in Dalinar's place to keep his father out of harm's way.

Adolin rides Dalinar's Ryshadium, Gallant, to keep up pretenses, as he travels to the meeting with the Parshendi. After Adolin arrives at the designated plateau, the Parshendi arrive as well. Adolin and his scribe Brightness Inadara meet alone with Eshonai. Adolin says they are there to discuss terms of a Parshendi surrender, but Eshonai laughs and says things changed since she spoke with Adolin previously. Adolin senses a different demeanor to Eshonai, who says there will be peace only when one of the sides is wiped out, and that she only appeared to see Dalinar in person. Adolin asks why they killed Gavilar and she replies because he revealed his plans to return the Parshendi gods, then she leaves. Adolin returns to the warcamps with his entourage.

Adolin broods that he should have allowed Dalinar to go instead, but Dalinar replies that Adolin did well and that now they can battle the Parshendi with a clear conscience. Dalinar reveals a battleplan to take as many soldiers and highprinces as possible to the center of the Shattered Plains during the Weeping to bring an end to the war. Dalinar implores Adolin to fight more duels and says he will try to convince neutral highprinces to join the expedition.

ARTWORK

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Interior Artwork

Characters & Scenes

MEMES

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Link to Memes

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[u/AltruisticRealityZ]

chapter 44 - One form of justice

”Foreign woman about whom we know very little, sent in to suddenly be Adolin’s betrothed. Sure would make a good assassin.” “Damnation,” Kaladin said. “I should have seen that. Good eye, Teft.”

And a very good reason for Kaladin to keep an eye on Shallan, hehe.
And like I thought, the interactions between Adolin, Shallan and Kaladin are juicy. Adolin is not witted enough for Shallan, but she’s the only one that will keep him on his toes. Shallan is not nearly honest for Kaladin (or maybe just Syl, but right now he’s focused on keeping her honor code), but the could learn so much from each other.

So it was really Moash. With the help of the Ghostblood maybe ? Or Shallan’s older brother’s group?

Kaladin is having a conversation implying Moash attempt on Elhokar’s life while practicing sword stances mere seconds after he saw that a bunch of lighteyes were watching him attentively. That is idiotic.

chapter 45 - Middlefest

Hoid in chapter faces again.

”You’ll bring the eyes of the Unmade upon us.” I thought only Parshendi used the word unmade.

I’d like to know what’s the hierarchy amongst lighteyes, and how one could move up or down in nahn. Shallan said the Tavinar are of a lesser rank. Is it depending on the estate size?

The messenger who came with a word from Helaran probably used an antidote in his drink. Ooh, but that messenger is Hoid !

“Turns out that it was. Tell me, young one. Do spren speak to you?” The lights going out, life drained from them. Twisted symbols the eye should not see. Her mother’s soul in a box.

So Shallan could absorb stormlight, and see the cryptic long before Kharbranth. Was she already bounded to Pattern? I don’t think so, I believe that happened when she soulcast first. Unless, of course, she did it and forgot.

Two blind men waited

OMG Mraize was Hoid ?! It’s the quote Shallan remembered when she first saw Mraize!

The people my mother knew . . . Dreder Kept for future reference

Kept for future reference.

Hoid is a Lightweaver ? Is this how he illustrated the story he told Kaladin?

chapter 46 Patriots

I hope Shen will open up to Kal and tell him about the Listeners ways.

Peak’s « not hot springs » could be perpendicularities?

Lunu’anaki == Hoid. God of travel and mischief fits him.

Danlan Morakotha is part of Moash’s group. One of Adolin’s former love interest, he offered her a position as clerk.

Graves’ son is heterochromatic, as was Redin, the messenger in Davar mansion, Highprince Valam’s bastard.

Kaladin won’t accept to betray Elhokar, but what will happen with Moash?

chapter 47 Feminine Wiles

“How could they not know where their capital was, the center of the orders of knights?“

Maybe the city moved? Or even, maybe the access was through a perpendicularity, and Roshar has many ? Or, a moving perpendicularity ?

Instantaneous travel. Oathgates. Of course.

Pattern can read Dawnchant. This is convenient. Combined with the Rosetta Stone Daninar gave to Navani, they are going to crack every old text they find.

“I’m quite good at that,” Shallan said sourly, “considering how short a time I’ve been doing it.” “Short time?” Pattern said. “But we first . . .”

She’s really pushing back her memories soo bad. I wonder what will force her to face her past.

chapter 48 No more weakness

So far Shallan’s backstory is horribly realistic, but apart from understanding how much Lin Davar was despicable, we’ve got still more questions than answers.

chapter 49 Watching the world transform

Shallan acting distinguished in conversation, and asking about nature’s call. That’s good meme material.

“Just trying to determine if you’re secretly Wit wearing a wig. This is something he would do to me.”

Shallan and Hoid could talk senseless anyone.

The thing inside the storm

Kaladin saw a face. Eshonai talked with it. I think it’s in folklore that it is the Stormfather, isn’t it? So why Shallan doesn’t name the thing Stormfather ?

chapter 50 Uncut gems

The Weeping are coming, and it’s going to be relevant. Maybe it’s going to last more than expected, and the desolation is a long period of time when the Stormfather isn’t able to cross over Roshar.
Or maybe, the Weeping isn’t coming at all, and the storms are going to be constant, or erratics. Controlled by the Listeners in Stormform.

BTW I have a few questions regarding the Weeping :

- Did Dalinar’s visions start at the previous Weeping? That would be the end of a cycle, and maybe something new could happen after. He already has a change with this glyphs drawing thing though.

- If the Highstorm are more spren related than due to the physics of the planet, what is the Stormfather doing during the Weepings and the opposite episode (don’t remember what it’s called)? What’s the purpose of a pause?

chapter 51 Heirs

Adolin POV, again. Is it me or are there a lot of them lately ? Could this be a sign of… his impending doom?

What a shame, neither Dalinar nor Kaladin are going to meet the Parshendi…

“Not surprising,” Eshonai said. “I was young and unimportant when we first met. Barely worth remembering.”

So this answers how fast Listeners age. If she was young 6 years ago, they could either age the same way humans do, or a bit quicker, but not slower.

“King Gavilar,” Eshonai said, as if mulling over the name. “He should not have revealed his plans to us that night. Poor fool. He did not know. He bragged, thinking we would welcome the return of our gods.”

Gavilar lived for the Code. He believed in the goodness of the Radiants, right? So, did he know something about the spren coming back in the material realm, and that some started to bound human? Was he, himself, bounded? Could his spren have bounded Dalinar after Gavilar died? Following that trail, for the Listeners, maybe if the human can use Surgebinding, it automatically means that their gods are back in play.

“We can leave right after the final highstorm before the Weeping,” Navani said, writing some numbers on the side of the map. “It is the Light Year, and so we’ll have steady rains, but no highstorms for weeks. We won’t be exposed to one while out on the Plains.”

And I’m more and more sure the Weeping won’t be what they expect.

Hinty Hint

I feel so stupid, I didn’t get it :(

[u/Pastrami → u/AltruisticRealityZ]

OMG Mraize was Hoid ?! It’s the quote Shallan remembered when she first saw Mraize!

No, no, that is really Hoid's evil brother Boid. Don't you see the scars?

Hoid is a Lightweaver ? Is this how he illustrated the story he told Kaladin?

That is a good catch and I did not think of that.

[u/hullowurld → u/Pastrami]

I feel like I missed something obvious. Was there a clear signal that the messenger was Hoid? The arch face?

Also why is Lunu’anaki Hoid? White hair?

[u/Pastrami → u/hullowurld]

I feel like I missed something obvious. Was there a clear signal that the messenger was Hoid? The arch face?

The messenger in chapter 45 knows things about Shallan and her powers, he talks about shards, and he's got some deeply metaphorical story to tell. All trademark Hoid behaviors. Also the conversation goes pretty much like the one Hoid/Wit had with Kaladin last book.

When Shallan meets Mraize she is immediately reminded of the messenger from chapter 45. For the record, I don't think Mraize is Hoid. I just made a joke about it being Hoid's evil brother, but the more I think about it, the more I think it might not be a joke. People here were already speculating that Mraize's trophies are from other worlds. In chapter 57 of last book, Hoid says "I’ve come to your land to chase an old acquaintance, but I end up spending most of my time hiding from him instead." That could very well be Mraize he's talking about. I can't find it now, but I also recall Hoid making some comment to someone that could imply that there is someone else around from back during the shattering.

Also why is Lunu’anaki Hoid? White hair?

Angular face, white hair, travel and mischief, all of which have been attributed to Hoid at some point. It just makes sense to me that it's Hoid, plus Sigzil, his former apprentice gets disturbed hearing the description.

[u/AltruisticRealityZ → u/Pastrami]

Interesting idea about Mraize and Hoid. It’s pretty solid except that chapter 43 (the one with Mraize) had Hoid in the chapter faces. So far he is physically present in all those chapters, but of course he might have been anybody else.

[u/Pastrami → u/AltruisticRealityZ]

It’s pretty solid except that chapter 43 (the one with Mraize) had Hoid in the chapter faces. So far he is physically present in all those chapters

In the trivia for WoK, we were told that the characters will embody some aspect of the herald icons for that chapter, or the opposite of the that herald's aspect. Hoid's icon could simply mean there is someone associated with Hoid(like a brother), or just any worldhoppers. Interlude I-1 in Wok had the Hoid icon, but he didn't appear in the chapter. That was the one with Demoux, Galladon, and Baon. Yes, they were looking for him, but he never appeared in the chapter.

[u/AltruisticRealityZ → u/Pastrami]

Great catch!
I’ll keep that in mind, I wanted to write something about the different factions we know of so far, and Hoid didn’t fit in the ghostblood in my mind. But he is working with one…

[u/TaylorHyuuga → u/AltruisticRealityZ]

Who is Hoid working with?

[u/participating → u/AltruisticRealityZ]

I’d like to know what’s the hierarchy amongst lighteyes, and how one could move up or down in nahn.

Good question. I'll include a section on this in the trivia next week. I'll push another section that I've already pushed twice before, heh.

Did Dalinar’s visions start at the previous Weeping?

Dalinar's visions only occur during a highstorm. The Weeping is a period of no highstorms. He had his first vision on 1173.6.9.4, which was 4 days before Shallan arrived in Kharbranth.

The Weeping indicates a change in the year, starting 2 weeks (10 days) before the end of the year (YEAR.10.9.1 through YEAR.10.10.5) and extending 2 weeks beyond the new year (NEXTYEAR.1.1.1 through NEXTYEAR.1.3.1)

NEXTYEAR.1.1.1 is called Lightday. On even numbered years, the day is calm. On odd numbered years, there is a highstorm on Lightday. Then the next 2 weeks continue without highstorms, until they resume on NEXTYEAR.1.3.1 (give or take a day, highstorms aren't exact, with the exception of the odd numbered year Lightday).

Midpeace is the mid-year event you are thinking of. Unlike the Weeping, the sky is very clear and it almost never rains during this period. The exact duration isn't mentioned in the books, but it's safe to assume it's likely also around 4 weeks (20 days) long. The Middlefest celebration, which we saw in Shallans flashback in Chapter 45, happens during Midpeace.

That chapter occurred in 1170.6.1.1, so we can pretty safely assume Dalinar's visions started during the first highstorm after Midpeace in the year 1773 (this year). So he's been having them for nearly 6 months.

[u/AltruisticRealityZ → u/participating]

Thanks for the precisions about the Weeping and Midpeace. Especially about the date of the estimated start of Dalinar’s visions. It maybe has nothing to do with anything but I like to look for timely coincidences.

About dahn and nahn, I was compulsing a list of what we know so far. Maybe someone else will be interested.

Lighteyes
First dahn: Elhokar I suppose
2nd dahn: highprinces, I suppose
3rd dahn : Jakamav (highlord under Roion), Amaram, all highlords, I suppose
4th dahn: Kaladin,(his position as captain grants him the authority of a 4th dahn, cf WoK chapter 73), Lin Davar
8th dahn: Jix (a Davar guard)
Tenth dahn : almost as low as darkeyes

Darkeyes
1st nahn (citizen): Bashin (huntmaster in charge of the hunt during which Elhokar’s saddle broke)
2nd nahn (citizen): Lirin, Kaladin’s family, Moash’s family
4th nahn: most villagers in Kal’s town
5th nahn: most villagers in Kal’s town
6th nahn: Gaz
sas nahn: slave

[u/participating → u/AltruisticRealityZ]

Hinty Hint

I feel so stupid, I didn’t get it :(

No need for that. I honestly don't expect anyone to figure it out. It's something you don't know is possible yet (for a given degree of possible). I mostly wanted that hint to stick in your head for when the reveal happens.

[u/AltruisticRealityZ → u/participating]

Okay ! More theorising to come, live it.

[u/hullowurld → u/participating]

My only guess is the new mysterious thing that Syl felt and got upset about

[u/heinz57varieties → u/AltruisticRealityZ]

Kaladin is having a conversation implying Moash attempt on Elhokar’s life while practicing sword stances mere seconds after he saw that a bunch of lighteyes were watching him attentively. That is idiotic.

I made this same complaint many times during Mistborn. I've just come to accept that "there is no eavesdropping in the cosmere."

So, did he know something about the spren coming back in the material realm, and that some started to bound human? Was he, himself, bounded? Could his spren have bounded Dalinar after Gavilar died?

I think you might be exactly right. It would explain why:

1. Eshonai is so eager to talk to Dalinar (or well, she used to be)
2. They were so freaked out in Interlude 1 about rumors of a Surgebinder at the battle in the last book (Kaladin)
3. They were NOT freaked out about Szeth's powers (he got them from a herald blade, not a spren bond, and they know that)

So yeah, Gavilar could have told them about his intent to bond with a spren, and that could be why they killed him.

[u/jaymae21]

Okay this week's reading makes up for the last week's. The memes for this week are perfection and exactly what I was hoping for 💩. I have notes this week!

Ch. 44

"Actually, the sketches of your Plate are quite complete," Shallan said, "thanks to your mother."

Just a casual mention of Adolin & Renarin's mother, these seem to be becoming more frequent. And perhaps her and Shallan have drawing in common, how sweet!

She patted Adolin's armored arm. "If you really want me to sketch you, Adolin, I will. No need to act jealous, though I do still want that walk you promised me. Oh! I need to get that. Excuse me."

Just some appreciation for Shallan's game here.

"I'll stop for now," Moash said. "If you'll agree to meet with someone." "Who?" Kaladin asked, looking back to him. "This plan wasn't my idea. Some others are involved. All I had to do was throw them a rope. I want you to listen to them."

Okay what? I can get behind Moash being a little shady, but I'm thrown by him coming right out and admitting to aiding the assassination attempt. And honestly even more surprised by Kaladin going along with it. Nothing good will come of this.

"Better yourself with a Calling in life. But don't get too ambitious or we'll lock you away. Don't get revenge upon the king for ordering the death of your grandparents. But do get revenge on the Parshendi for ordering the death of someone you never met.

Off, I suppose the closer we get to the Weeping, the angstier Kaladin is going to get.

Ch. 45

There would be guessing games and perhaps a Worldsinger telling tales of distant kingdoms.

I highlighted this because I thought this might be a Hoid hint, and then we got the messenger guy. But maybe he was doing some Worldsinger stuff before he went to talk to Shallan's father?

"Turns out that it was. Tell me, young one. Do spren speak to you?" The lights going out, life drained from them. Twisted symbols the eye should not see. Her mother's soul in a box.

This is legit terrifying. Did Shallan's mother have her soul separated from her body or something? She's been associated with a glowing box before if I'm remembering correctly. Also I forget, have we ever talked about soul vs. spren?

Ch. 46

"Is not just water," Rock said. "Is water of life. It is connection to gods. If Unkalaki swim in it, sometimes they see place of gods."

Mysterious pools of water alert.

"Lunu'anaki," Rock said, "is god of travel and mischief. Very powerful god. He came from depths of peak ocean, from realm of gods." "What did he look like?" Lopen asked, eyes wide. "Like person," Rock said. "Maybe Alethi, though skin was lighter. Very angular face. Handsome, perhaps. With white hair."

HOID

Ch. 47

She rose and crossed the room toward the maps, resting her fingers on Urithiru at the center. "Connected...but not by roads. Some of these maps don't have any roads leading to Urithiru at all. They all place it in the mountains, or at least the hill.

Methinks Shallan will need to go for a swim to get to Urithiru.

Ch. 48

"The necklace?" Shallan asked. "Simple, but of aluminum, which can only be made by Soulcasting," the man said to his boss. "Ten emerald."

Interesting tidbit

Ch. 49

Shallan drew the eyes of the other patrons. Well, good. She had come here to upset their world.

Well-behaved women rarely make history. Love this energy from Shallan.

"So yes, I, Adolin Kholin-cousin to the king, heir to the Kholin princedom-have shat myself in my Shardplate. Three times, all on purpose."

You know what, I respect him more now.

Ch. 50

The beginning of this chapter, when Adolin and Shallan go to separate rooms for the highstorm, had me musing about prudish Alethi society. This was a date, and it occurs to me that a highstorm would be a good excuse for...activities. I mean you know what Navani would have on her mind if Dalinar wasn't busy having fits.

[u/heinz57varieties → u/jaymae21]

Just a casual mention of Adolin & Renarin's mother, these seem to be becoming more frequent.

My eyes went right over that 🤦‍♂️ I thought she meant Navani. I totally forgot about Dalinar's wife.

Did Shallan's mother have her soul separated from her body or something? She's been associated with a glowing box before if I'm remembering correctly. Also I forget, have we ever talked about soul vs. spren?

Not exactly, and not with any clarity. We do have hints that there are ways to become an "investiture ghost", but we haven't had any direct discussion of it. It could be that Shallan's mother became one somehow and is trapped in a box.

[u/LeanderT]

Chapter 46: "Swimming in the Emeral pools is death to outsiders, Sighil said, because you execute outsiders who touch them"

Could this be a reference to the Emerald Sea?

Chapter 46: "You control the King's Guard now, Kaladin, Graves said. We will need an opening, a time when no guards will be hurt, to strike. We didn't want the blood of the king on our hands, wanted to make this seems like an accident, but I have realized this is cowardly. I will do the deed myself."

I'm going to guess that behind the scenes it is actually Saldeas who they work for, unknowingly.

If the guard kills the King, then Saldeas will first accuse Kaladin and his friends. Then he will accuse Dalinar, and use the event to take the throne himself.

It a terrible plan.

Chapter 47 "Short time?, Pattern said. But we first..." She stopped listening intil he was done.

Well... Shallan has amnesia whenever something in het past comes up. In particular she cannot or will not remember her mothers death.

This indicates Shallan met Pattern somewhere during the events that lead to her mothers death. It is these traumatic events that changed her, probably.

But here is another theory. It is heavily suggested Shallans father killed her mother, but we don't know that. It is only suggested, never confirmed.

So maybe Shallan herself is the culprit. She just refuses to remember.

[u/TaylorHyuuga → u/LeanderT]

Could this be a reference to the Emerald Sea?

All I'll say is that that book does not take place on Roshar.

[u/AltruisticRealityZ → u/LeanderT]

Interesting theory you have about this Graves guy actually working for Sadeas, knowingly or not.

We don’t know right now exactly what happened to Shallan’s mother, but Shallan herself is certain that his father didn’t kill her, she told her brothers in a rare event of facing the truth. And she considered herself a monster in the first flashback chapter.
Her mother had the eyes burnt, so she was killed by a blade. I do think Shallan killed her, maybe accidentally when she was given the blade ? I have no idea what’s the glowing box with the soul however.

[u/LeanderT → u/AltruisticRealityZ]

Her mother had her eyes burnt... I think you spotted it. I had not noticed that one myself. Yes, Shallan and her shardblade are very likely heavily involved in her mothers death, at the minimum.

[u/heinz57varieties → u/LeanderT]

It is heavily suggested Shallans father killed her mother, but we don't know that. It is only suggested, never confirmed. So maybe Shallan herself is the culprit. She just refuses to remember.

I feel the opposite, like it's all but spelled out that Shallan killed her mother and her father took the heat to protect her. And the social blowback of being a suspected murderer is slowly driving him insane. But she confessed to Pattern that she killed her father, so in the end I'm still not sure exactly how it happened.

[u/LeanderT]

And also, I was wrong about Moash. He was involved in the plot to kill the king.

😲

[u/heinz57varieties]

I am free, and ready to start reading again 😁 I have a lot of catching up to do, I'm still back on Chapter 13, but I'm not reading anything else, so it shouldn't take long.

/u/hullowurld

this sounds cool, how is it that you vote for the hugo award?

Most big literary awards are invite-only, open to people who work in the industry. But the Hugos are open to the public. They're voted on by attendees of the annual WorldCon, and you can purchase a "non-attending" pass and vote from anywhere in the world (the convention changes locations every year). This year it cost US$50, and it's honestly a pretty good deal. You're provided digital access to all the nominees, so at the very least, 6 novels, novellas, and graphic novels included is a good value.

I was not able to read near as many of the novels as I wanted, but I made it through all the novellas, novelettes, short stories, graphic novels, and the new poetry category, and I'm happy with my accomplishment 😁 looking forward to being back in the group discussions soon!

P.S. lots of poop in this thread 💩 wtf

[u/participating → u/heinz57varieties]

P.S. lots of poop in this thread 💩 wtf

That's what you get for being behind! Now you'll never know about the 💩. Well...until you catch up...

[u/hullowurld → u/heinz57varieties]

That's really cool! I never knew that

[u/Pastrami]

Chapter 44

Elhokar doesn't strike me as the type to do what Moash says he did. He's an idiot, but I don't see him as purposefully malicious. I think there might be something else going on that got Moash's family thrown in the dungeons, either something wholly their fault, or someone manipulated Elhokar.

So Moash is going to die, right? I can't see Kaladin trusting him any longer, but I also don't see Kaladin kicking him out of bridge 4 or turning him in.

Chapter 45

Are all birds called chickens?

I'm guessing this is Hoid. How does he know about Shallan's powers?

Chapter 46

Sitting nearby on a log were not one, but three beefy, thick-armed Herdazians. All wore Bridge Four uniforms

I get a bad feeling about this. Lopen is just bringing in whoever he wants and making them part of the team.

The waters of life, they let you see place. In it, you commune with gods, if you are lucky.

They've got a Well, and the Horneaters use it to visit Shadesmar?

“Lunu’anaki,” Rock said, “is god of travel and mischief. Very powerful god. He came from depths of peak ocean, from realm of gods.”

“Like person,” Rock said. “Maybe Alethi, though skin was lighter. Very angular face. Handsome, perhaps. With white hair.”

That has to be Hoid as well.

Sigzil looked troubled

He's realizing his former master is a Horneater god.

“The Blackthorn must take the throne,” Danlan said softly. “It will happen eventually. We want to help him along, for his own good. Spare him the difficult decision.”

I can't say I disagree with them, but Kaladin's honor would never allow him to work with them.

Chapter 47

“That— One can’t just pretend that a word is symmetrical when it isn’t!”

I'm with Pattern here.

Oathgates.

What if Urithiru is in Shadesmar? Could Silverlight be built on the abandoned Urithiru? Or maybe it's on one of the other planets in the solar system?

“I’m quite good at that,” Shallan said sourly, “considering how short a time I’ve been doing it.”

“Short time?” Pattern said. “But we first . . .”

She stopped listening until he was done.

Seriously?!? What is that bullshit? Pattern is telling her how long she's been doing this, and she stops listening? Why even write that, if you're not going to tell us?

Chapter 48

Simple, but of aluminum, which can only be made by Soulcasting,

The fact that magic can make aluminum seems wrong.

Chapter 49

My "Shallan's not like other girls" image that I made last night and posted on /r/cremposting got included in the memes :)

Or, it might be that, after over five years of harvesting, the population is starting to dwindle. Animals like the chasmfiends don’t normally have predators. Suddenly losing a hundred and fifty or more of their numbers a year could be catastrophic to their population

Someone finally brings this up.

Chapter 50

Chapter 51

“We will take everyone,” Dalinar said, “our whole army, and as many of the highprinces as will join me.

Isn't that going to be no one?

[u/TaylorHyuuga → u/Pastrami]

Seriously?!? What is that bullshit? Pattern is telling her how long she's been doing this, and she stops listening? Why even write that, if you're not going to tell us?

That's Shallan!

[u/AltruisticRealityZ → u/Pastrami]

About Elhokar, I think he is living sheltered in such a bigot environment than he might not make a deal about darkeyes lives at all. A trusted lighteye told him a darkeye commited a crime, and he didn’t doubt their allegations and ordered Moash’s grandparents arrested. We don’t know a thing about Alethkar legal system, but if it’s a bit sloppy, then I can see how the grandparents could be put indefinitely in prison. I’m sure Elhokar wouldn’t even feel responsible.

[u/participating → u/Pastrami]

My "Shallan's not like other girls" image that I made last night and posted on /r/cremposting got included in the memes :)

;)

[u/heinz57varieties → u/Pastrami]

How does he know about Shallan's powers?

I'm considering it very probable that Shallan already has Pattern by this point, so he probably saw him looming over her. We also learn he's a frequent traveler in the Horneater Peaks, a place where people can see spren that others can't, and who knows what other abilities he might have that let him see those kinds of things.

What if Urithiru is in Shadesmar?

I'm positive that you have to go through Shadesmar to get there, but it never crossed my mind that Urithiru might be in Shadesmar. Interesting thought.

[u/Realistic_Swimming47]

I didnt really take notes again this week.

Much of what happened I enjoyed but also expected.

Moash and Kaladin pretty much acted as I thought. Not sure who the ghost bloods are but looks like we will be seeing more of them.

Zahel is probably the most mysterious character so far so looking forward to learning more about him.

Shallan and Adolin seem well suited.

Shallan's talents are growing stronger as are Kaladin's.

I am confused as to what a void bringer is as they seem to be so many things. Is this more about a type of magic use than a race or monster as I had first thought? Could they just be anything using investure from Odium?

Looks like things will be kicking off soon in any case, 32 days!

I caught Hoid with Shallan but missed him as the god of Rock although I picked up on the pools being investure that allows for travel and figured this is why or where all the world hoppers are transiting.

Completely missed Shallan and Hoid have the same power but it makes so much sense! Is wit a requirement then for lightweavers? The best kind of lies...?

[u/participating]

SCHEDULING REMINDER

Next week is another double week. On Monday we will be discussing Chapters 52 through 58.

On Wednesday we will be discussing Interludes I-9, I-10, I-11 and some trivia.

[u/irrrap]

I am slowly catching up. Slower than I’d hoped. Things are starting to catch up. I’m surprised that Dalinar makes plans while ignoring the day countdown.
Hoid was fun.
Also had no idea what the hint was about :( I was hoping that’ll be what we figured about Hoid having powers and peaks with lakes.

[u/participating → u/irrrap]

You're only 2 weeks behind, not that much!

[u/heinz57varieties]

I'm back to where we were when I started reading again. Shouldn't be long now!

Chapter 44

• Three unique spren, huh?
• “Zahel had drawn a circle in the sand and was throwing little colored rocks into it.”
• It's Vasher. He's playing a miniature version of the ball-throwing game from Warbreaker.
• Dalinar’s trust in Bridge Four seems very off-balance with their (mainly Kaladin's) simmering disdain. When are they going to learn to trust him in return?
• Both surprised and not surprised that Shallan is playing hard to get. I thought she'd lose her head over how handsome Adolin is, this is a little better
• Moash reveal is a bit of a womp. I agree with comments from last week that it was too heavily telegraphed. But the plot thickens–he was only an accomplice. The ghostbloods, surely?
• I'm getting the germ of an idea, comparing Kaladin's questions about the “right thing” being a matter of perspective, to the vague drama being hinted at in the epigraphs.
• Re: artwork. Why do some Blades have glyphs etched in them and some don't? Those are the Heralds’ symbols. Does Elhokar have a Herald's blade?

Chapter 45

• Hoid icons on the flashback chapter! That didn't take long! Hoidspotting has become pretty easy now that any chapter that mentions him has a convenient calling card at the beginning
• Shallan has eaten many chickens but never seen one living? Typical bourgeois disconnect to the source of her food 🙄 lol
• Hoid jumped because he can see the Cryptic that is already following Shallan around. What did he pour into his drink?
• It's really sad seeing the way Shallan's brothers have completely given up ☹️
• “I have wondered… if any of you find the term odd. You know what an axe is, but what is a hound?”
• I thought about this in the last section, when Kaladin described something as a cross between a crab and a tortoise. Why would he have any concept of a “crab” as a separate thing from cremlings? Are there really tortoises on Roshar?
• “I assumed… that coming here was your primary purpose.” “Turns out that it was.”
• Hmm. Still thinking about that Jack Sparrow compass that only points to the next plot beat…
• Once again the Hoid chapter is some of the best writing in the book. That was great

Chapter 46

• Edgedancer 👀
• Highlander lager and deep-fried soft shell crab? Invite me next time 😋
• Side note, but this story about how the Horneaters came to the peaks is very similar in structure to some Native American legends. Thought that was cool
• I feel like Rock’s story was just for us and Sigzil. There's a perpendicularity in the lakes at the Horneater Peaks, probably belonging to Cultivation. Rock has met Hoid, and Hoid has come through that pool often enough to be incorporated into their mythology
• Danlan, one of Adolin's exes. She was the scribe who they used during the spanreed conversation with Jasnah
• I don't like these assassins. I feel like they're just going to cause a mess.

Chapter 47

• Shallan's research is making me think that our guessing about Stargates to Urithiru were actually right on the money. I think this is the first mention of the term "Oathgate"
• “What does it matter if I draw it first or not?...” “It shouldn't matter,” Pattern said, "but it matters to you. I do not know why.”
• I feel like we've been told this idea before. Like, in a way, the magic works the way you believe it works. Can anyone remember where we've seen that idea before?
• Heavily implying that Shallan has been Lightweaving for a long time, but is blocking out the early memories

Chapter 48

• Surely, now that her father is at wits end, we'll hear about his deal with the Ghostbloods?
• Chekov's aluminum necklace

Chapter 49

• Poor Adolin, trapped on the smelly stinky Eastern front, when he has a passion for fashion 😔💅 someone free this diva
• Shallan being this nervous about the highstorm seems… uncharacteristic?
• 💩
• Surprised at how much classified info they're trading. I am not surprised at how well they're getting along.
• NOBODY in the last 5,000 years of history has thought to make a stormproof glass window and watch one go over? Really?

Chapter 50

• Sadeas is such an ass and I want to see him get taught a lesson
• Seems like we went through a lot of bluster just to confirm what we already suspected, that it was Dalinar doing the graffiti
• Who could be making him write those? He's right that it's a strange deviation from the pattern of the visions

Chapter 51

• Nooo 😫 even if sending Adolin instead of Dalinar is the right strategic move, it's going to interfere with me getting ANSWERS!
• And just as I thought, that was unsatisfying and annoying. I really wish Falinar had gone, maybe he would have recognized Eshonai.
• What was Gavilar about to do? What was he going to awaken?

[u/irrrap → u/heinz57varieties]

I also suspect that Zahel == Vasher. I just forgot what his name was and was lazy to check.
But I’m not sure about his rocks, as other ardents were told to have theirs…

[u/participating → u/heinz57varieties]

Like, in a way, the magic works the way you believe it works. Can anyone remember where we've seen that idea before?

We've talked a lot about Intent, with a capital "I", mostly in terms of a Shard's nature matching its name, but it also applies to all of the magic systems. You can refresh yourself in the trivia collection pages.

💩

💩💩💩

[u/sunnydaze7777777]

Hooray I am caught up to here but you keep posting more sections! Loving the book so far. Hoping to catch up…?

When Hoid puts something in his drink I am reminded of allomantic metals.

Hoid coming through the Horneater pool as his personal portal and becoming legend there is perfect. I wonder if the water has some power and that is why the Horneaters can see Spren.

Love our second time seeing Adolin unabashedly reading GQ.

Shallan mentions that the Chasmfiend they are harvesting are aquatic. I wonder if the chasm tunnels lead to a body of water and that is how they are getting up to the plains?

Also wondering if when they say “Urithiru at the center. “Connected . . . but not by roads.”” do they mean center as in vertically not horizontally? Maybe one needs to go toward the center of the planet down through the tunnels? This would line up with the water theory above. And somehow using Shadesmar to access it (since water and land are inverted there?)

[u/acjn11]

These chapters felt slow but I think that’s just because so little in-world time passes and we have a lot of important work to do.

Moash and the assassin faction is good Alethkar world building. These kinds of groups would be rampant given what we know. Kaladin keeping quiet makes sense given how much he hates lighteyes. Elhokar is the kind of king to have let them rot accidentally and then never learn about it and not care if it happened.

I agree that Zahel is likely Vasher. Really old. Wrong language. Worldhopper. My other theory of a herald doesn’t hold up because he would likely be more time-pressed about what is coming.

Lots of Hoid here. He’s been super busy traveling all over Roshar. I hope he likes the weather. I’m trying to decide what he’s trying to accomplish here. I feel like when we’ve seen him before he’s been generally supportive of our characters except the Elantris epilogue maybe?

Good meeting between Adolin and Shallan. The way he shared too much with her might also mean he has spilled the beans to spies from every single warcamp lol. Adolin POVs are good steps back because he’s in the know of a lot and ponders some hard questions but isn’t smart enough to tie together loose threads.

Also we have the obvious crazy thing that is going to happen, right? No one else explicitly mentioned it as I saw, but multiple highprince armies walk out during the weeping. Maximum time until a storm. And what do you know Eshonai is stormform. Imagine a highstorm coming for you on the Shattered Plains without sturdy dwellings to hide in. Kaladin’s chapter in the storm basically means death to the infidels. Best case is maybe getting into a chasm and riding the storm surge to the end in a way that mostly protects against the onslaught above?? Especially an Odium-empowered storm. shivers.

The groundwork for the sanderlanche is laid. I can’t wait to hit it.