Timewaster's Guide Archive

As far as I know, this is just one of those backstories that add depth to the character and EUOL hasn't told the story (if it has been fleshed out) yet.

Within point-based systems like GURPS and Vampire, the problem of having too many Mistborn is solved easily - just make them cost obscene amounts to run, and have the same be for Feruchemists (Ex.: you start with 200 points to buy attributes, just to be a mistborn with basic abilities could be 150 pts, while mistings are only 50, and feruchemists 100).

If someone could work out a rough ratio between non-allos, mistings, and mistborn, it would be extremely helpful in determining how much the cost would be.

If we were to go along with these general numbers an obligator would cost the base 50 points that a misting costs plus, say an additional 25 points to buy the additional mental discipline feats needed.

If you are talking about the entire population (skaa and nobles) those ratios seem about right, but If you are only including nobles I would put the ratios at 40-50% Mistings and 5-8% Mistborn.  Because of their "pure" bloodlines the chance of being either one is much, much higher and there are many more skaa than nobles.  Besides who would choose to play a character that is ordinary skaa or noble(neither misting, mistborn, feruchemist, or inquisitor)?

I would probably say that the ratio of inquisitors is about that of regular mistings, since you most likely have to be a misting to be an inquisitor (just the way I see it, not Canon from EUOL).  I came to this conclusion due to the prevalence of inquisitors in the noble society.


EDIT: 22 May 08, 11:36PM MDT
(It has come to my attention that I goofed.  Please substitute obligator for inquisitor in every case in the preceding post.)

According to Amazon:

Mistborn- 208,253 words
WoA- Doesn't say.
Elantris- 199,091 words
Alcatraz- Doesn't say.

See EUOL's blog for a very interesting hate mail he recieved.  http://brandonsanderson.com/blog/632/Reader-Mail

I love it when people totally blow things out of proportion.  That reader strikes me as some one who is probably between 13 and 16 maybe 17.

To opine on EUOL's comments.

1)  Well said.  Look no further than the book (and movie) "Neverending Story."  The whole premise is that the stories have no start and no end, just places and times where we join and leave the story.

2)  It is called set up.  The loose ends not only let the reader imagine what the characters do next, but they allow the author a springboard for any sequels should the book sell well enough.  (And Elantris has by all measures.)

3)  WE (the readers) would love to see a sequel.  That being said, it needs to be done in the time and matter so as to preclude those unbalanced readers (i.e. the sender of the hate mail) from saying it was rushed and it sucked and they aren't going to read EUOL's books anymore.

4)  Bingo!!!!!

5)  Can't wait for my book to come out.  (A side note to EUOL, you gotta make me and my wife, who hates all Fantasy/Sci-Fi books except yours, alpha readers.  Please!!!!  I even give you my kid's college fund if you do.  Granted there isn't anything in it yet, but it is yours none the less.)

6)  Nice shameless plug!!

So OOkla how do you become an Alpha reader.  I so want to be one too.  Of course if you tell me then everyone will know and then you will have to kill us all.

And not a bad one at that.  I tend to think that the 16th metal will remove any allomantic power tho, since the 15th metal gives it.