Timewaster's Guide Archive

Anyone else have the suspicion that Syl will be key to Kaladin getting a Dawnblade? I'm basing this on some information without much flesh, but here's the evidence I see:

1. In the prologue, it's mentioned that the Herald's blade was more "pure" than a Shardblade.
2. Kaladin has an aversion to Shardblades
3. Syl also has an aversion to Shardblades
4. Syl states at one point that even though she abhors killing, she remembers helping it happen before

So, I think Kaladin and Syl dislike Shardblades for the same reason: they aren't "pure." The line about Syl helping kill tells me that she has something to do with acquiring a "pure" sword. Maybe she leads him to one, or maybe she becomes a sword. Who knows.

At the very least, this could help explain why Szeth doesn't have a honorspren following him around. He carries a Shardblade, and his honorspren finds it so dishonorable that he/she won't be around him.

The shardblades do indeed seem tainted after some fashion.  Syl and Kaladin are both revolted by them.  Most honorable characters are not particularly fond of them to varying degrees, Szeth, Shalan, Gavilar.

As for Kaladin obtaining some equipment to accompany his powers, it's certainly possible.  There is a passing reference to "honor blades" which I believe was right next to a dawnshard reference from one of the historical text citations.  I believe that sounds like a good candidate I think.