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Brandon Sanderson / Re: Alloy of Law (Chapter 4)
« on: July 28, 2011, 04:10:48 PM »
I guess it's obvious enough but "Lord Mistborn" = Spook?
News:
Max is a Shadowblade, a supernatural--and supernaturally competent--warrior bound to protect her witch Giselle. As a Shadowblade, Max doesn't age. She is better, faster, stronger than any ordinary human being. And she hates it. Giselle betrayed her trust to make Max what she is, and though she is magically compelled to protect Giselle and follow orders, Max works against her witch in every way she can. Continue reading Bitter Night
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Brandon Sanderson / Re: Alloy of Law Excerpt (Updated with Ch3)
« on: July 26, 2011, 03:50:25 AM »
Couple of random thoughts...
I have wondered just how much "public" influence Harmony has on the world. From one or two things, it felt like it could have happened a number of times... but after re-reading the end of Mistborn, I realised it could be possible that he's had no public/official communication with the world since the events right at the end of The Hero of Ages - these "Words of Founding" could be from that time. That would certainly make more sense.
Also, am I the only one to wonder about this woman on the train Wax met who gave him the Pathian pin? Wax thinks she was one of the "faceless immortals" (ie kandra), but I had this feeling (based on nothing more than a hunch) that she could have been Vin. However, if so I would expect this to be more of a little "easter egg" or the like to Mistborn fans and nothing more - not expecting her to show up for real even if it was her. I think it is possible, particularly since the irony of it makes me think Brandon would do something like this, since Brandon has said in the past that Harmony will/should eventually figure out how to bring souls back, and so it would be possible for this to occur. To be clear - this is pure speculation on my part, I don't think it would have any bearing on the rest of the book, and this is no way a criticism of the end of the Mistborn trilogy (which I think is pretty much perfect and I wouldn't change a thing).
I have wondered just how much "public" influence Harmony has on the world. From one or two things, it felt like it could have happened a number of times... but after re-reading the end of Mistborn, I realised it could be possible that he's had no public/official communication with the world since the events right at the end of The Hero of Ages - these "Words of Founding" could be from that time. That would certainly make more sense.
Also, am I the only one to wonder about this woman on the train Wax met who gave him the Pathian pin? Wax thinks she was one of the "faceless immortals" (ie kandra), but I had this feeling (based on nothing more than a hunch) that she could have been Vin. However, if so I would expect this to be more of a little "easter egg" or the like to Mistborn fans and nothing more - not expecting her to show up for real even if it was her. I think it is possible, particularly since the irony of it makes me think Brandon would do something like this, since Brandon has said in the past that Harmony will/should eventually figure out how to bring souls back, and so it would be possible for this to occur. To be clear - this is pure speculation on my part, I don't think it would have any bearing on the rest of the book, and this is no way a criticism of the end of the Mistborn trilogy (which I think is pretty much perfect and I wouldn't change a thing).
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Brandon Sanderson / Re: Dalinar as a possible radiant? *Spoilers*
« on: July 16, 2011, 06:13:15 PM »QuoteCertainly Dalinar is special in some way - after all, he's been reliably getting visions/messages from the Almighty for some time now. Of course, he may not be unique in this - others may be getting them now, or got them in the past.
There is other getting them as well- or at least one other:
Chapter 66-
“That chanting, that singing, those rasping voices.”
Kaktach 1173, 16 seconds pre-death. A middle-aged potter. Reported seeing strange dreams during highstorms during the last two years.
Hmm. No indication what type of dreams though - for example, Kaladin has that interesting dream of being the storm in chapter 46, and that occurred during a highstorm. So "strange dreams during highstorms" doesn't necessarily mean similar stuff to what Dalinar is getting.
Actually though, that gives me a good thought: if the "ghost of The Almighty" (as it were) is sending out messages to lots of people saying "unite them" etc then that actually would be rather risky - since they could easily end up working at cross-purposes (even good men can do this if they don't know why others are doing what they're doing). For example, maybe Taravangian got some similar dreams in the past, leading to his current actions...? (though I wouldn't be surprised if he's stopped getting them since)
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Brandon Sanderson / Re: Dalinar as a possible radiant? *Spoilers*
« on: July 16, 2011, 04:57:32 AM »
Sometimes there are "reveals" which are a surprise to the character, but not to the reader. Or putting it another way - that the significant part isn't the confirmation or information itself but either the events leading up to the reveal or how the character deals with the revelation (or both). I think Dalinar becoming a Radiant (or something more) would be much more a surprise to him than readers.
Certainly Dalinar is special in some way - after all, he's been reliably getting visions/messages from the Almighty for some time now. Of course, he may not be unique in this - others may be getting them now, or got them in the past. Alternatively, maybe the 'storms' chose him in a similar way to how the 'mists' chose Vin (incidentally, it's interesting to note how similar the 'drawing on the mists' scenes are like breathing in Stormlight).
Also, think of it this way: Dalinar is told that "The Knights Radiant must stand again". If Dalinar makes this happen, that would almost make him their leader by default. This would obviously be easier if he is a Knight himself.
One final note for now - we are told in one of Teft's viewpoints (page 928) that "Stormlight did not grant skill. It could not make a man into something he was not. It enhanced, it strengthened, it invigorated. It perfected". This certainly applies to Kaladin's ability with a spear. I think we should also apply this to Shallan's ability with drawing and also her visual memory. Perhaps Dalinar started down this road as a youth with his fighting ability and mastery of Shardplate, but eventually hit a wall (unknowingly) and it's only recent events that are allowing him to break that wall. It would be somewhat ironic that after giving up his Shardplate he learns to truly master it like the Radiants of old.
Certainly Dalinar is special in some way - after all, he's been reliably getting visions/messages from the Almighty for some time now. Of course, he may not be unique in this - others may be getting them now, or got them in the past. Alternatively, maybe the 'storms' chose him in a similar way to how the 'mists' chose Vin (incidentally, it's interesting to note how similar the 'drawing on the mists' scenes are like breathing in Stormlight).
Also, think of it this way: Dalinar is told that "The Knights Radiant must stand again". If Dalinar makes this happen, that would almost make him their leader by default. This would obviously be easier if he is a Knight himself.
One final note for now - we are told in one of Teft's viewpoints (page 928) that "Stormlight did not grant skill. It could not make a man into something he was not. It enhanced, it strengthened, it invigorated. It perfected". This certainly applies to Kaladin's ability with a spear. I think we should also apply this to Shallan's ability with drawing and also her visual memory. Perhaps Dalinar started down this road as a youth with his fighting ability and mastery of Shardplate, but eventually hit a wall (unknowingly) and it's only recent events that are allowing him to break that wall. It would be somewhat ironic that after giving up his Shardplate he learns to truly master it like the Radiants of old.
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Brandon Sanderson / Re: Allow of Law Excerpt 1
« on: June 15, 2011, 06:08:23 PM »
Mmm-mm. Interesting. Gripping. Fascinating.
Good read.
Good read.
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Brandon Sanderson / Re: <WoK spoiler>Mysterious Death mentioned in Brandon's Stormblessed.com interview
« on: February 09, 2011, 01:44:40 AM »Shardblades are exceptionally light.
Ahh! Excellent correction. Thanks.
Certainly opens up more possibilities...
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Brandon Sanderson / Re: <WoK spoiler>Mysterious Death mentioned in Brandon's Stormblessed.com interview
« on: February 08, 2011, 02:04:05 AM »
On Shallan killing her father... I certainly have plenty of questions.
Shallan hates conflict / people shouting etc. There's no indication that this is recent. So if her father was beating up one of her brothers in a rage, she would likely flee if possible or probably sit in a corner hugging her knees or something. Was she sufficiently provoked that she overcame that? Possible, but seems a bit convenient - though possibly after taking action once, she became even more fearful of conflict.
Without a good weapon, how could Shallan kill her father? She should be far weaker than him. She has no weapons training or training in combat either. Her father should have both. So for Shallan to have been able to kill her father in a violent rage does seem unlikely.
Did she actually kill him or just feel responsible? Her brothers don't seem to treat her like a killer in the bits we see.
There's also no positive evidence that I remember that her brothers know she has a Shardblade. If she jumped in to save one of her brothers and killed her father and got the Shardeblade there, then they should know. As for not selling the blade maybe they're so ludicrously expensive that they basically can't be sold without huge risks - maybe selling it would be a last ditch option.
On a side note, could Shallan even wield a Shardblade? I seem to remember them being quite heavy - works well with Shardplate because of that. Can't find reference to weight right now though. Szeth's one is unusually small and he also had Stormlight to boost him. That being said, Shallan seemed to think she could use it, which is why she tried to summon it at one point - that she shouldn't bother trying to use the Soulcaster since she doesn't know how to use it but does start summoning the Shardblade instead, even though she promised herself that she wouldn't use it. So maybe she has used it before.
Enough hints to speculate, but far from enough to reach any firm conclusions.
Shallan hates conflict / people shouting etc. There's no indication that this is recent. So if her father was beating up one of her brothers in a rage, she would likely flee if possible or probably sit in a corner hugging her knees or something. Was she sufficiently provoked that she overcame that? Possible, but seems a bit convenient - though possibly after taking action once, she became even more fearful of conflict.
Without a good weapon, how could Shallan kill her father? She should be far weaker than him. She has no weapons training or training in combat either. Her father should have both. So for Shallan to have been able to kill her father in a violent rage does seem unlikely.
Did she actually kill him or just feel responsible? Her brothers don't seem to treat her like a killer in the bits we see.
There's also no positive evidence that I remember that her brothers know she has a Shardblade. If she jumped in to save one of her brothers and killed her father and got the Shardeblade there, then they should know. As for not selling the blade maybe they're so ludicrously expensive that they basically can't be sold without huge risks - maybe selling it would be a last ditch option.
On a side note, could Shallan even wield a Shardblade? I seem to remember them being quite heavy - works well with Shardplate because of that. Can't find reference to weight right now though. Szeth's one is unusually small and he also had Stormlight to boost him. That being said, Shallan seemed to think she could use it, which is why she tried to summon it at one point - that she shouldn't bother trying to use the Soulcaster since she doesn't know how to use it but does start summoning the Shardblade instead, even though she promised herself that she wouldn't use it. So maybe she has used it before.
Enough hints to speculate, but far from enough to reach any firm conclusions.
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Brandon Sanderson / Re: <WoK spoiler>Mysterious Death mentioned in Brandon's Stormblessed.com interview
« on: February 08, 2011, 01:26:12 AM »
Going back to the original post, I'd say there's one "mysterious" death I can see. Well, more like suspicious. Luesh - Shallan's father's steward who "died in his sleep".
If Gaz is/was dead then that would be "mysterious", though not especially so.
There's also one death that I file under "possibly suspicious" - Kabsal. He died a bit too off-camera, as it were, for a "major" character. Maybe he would have survived (probably had some back-up antidote and had probably taken some antidote beforehand anyway) and Jasnah took the opportunity to kill him that made it look like he died of poison. Option 2 - maybe Tarvangian had him killed (there is a set of dying words from "one of our own ardents" if I remember correctly).
If Gaz is/was dead then that would be "mysterious", though not especially so.
There's also one death that I file under "possibly suspicious" - Kabsal. He died a bit too off-camera, as it were, for a "major" character. Maybe he would have survived (probably had some back-up antidote and had probably taken some antidote beforehand anyway) and Jasnah took the opportunity to kill him that made it look like he died of poison. Option 2 - maybe Tarvangian had him killed (there is a set of dying words from "one of our own ardents" if I remember correctly).
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Brandon Sanderson / Re: What are the words?
« on: February 05, 2011, 08:08:26 PM »My guess is that this relates to the Cognitive realm, and that aspect of the powers. When you say something, you also think it; you think it *very* clearly. Kind of like Awakening. You have to say something to Awaken, you have to say it correctly, but you also have to think it very clearly. The Words may be some similar concept; a focus for something that has much deeper meanings and connections to Shadesmar.
I like the idea of a contract, of Kaladin binding himself to a mission he has always dedicated his life to. It sounds like the kind of thing Honor would like.
Glad you like my idea. Will be interesting to see how things turn out.
Yep, it will also be interesting to see how this relates to the Cognitive realm too. I suspect we'll be going much deeper into magic systems / the Cosmere in this series than in previous books, given that we have a lot of researchers world-wide who have been doing advanced research for a very long time.
I also saw some similarities with Awakening too. Brandon has said there's some universal underpinnings in the Cosmere and that similar aspects of magic will work in similar ways across all worlds (or something like that). Kaladin "breathing" in Stormlight felt a bit like taking Breaths and had some similar effects on him, and you have to expel that Stormlight to drive your magical abilities. So while Stormlight is not the same as Breaths, there seems to be some similar underpinnings.
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Brandon Sanderson / Re: What are the words?
« on: February 03, 2011, 04:27:33 PM »
I have this idea that Honor's power (which should still be in effect) is somewhat contract based, if that makes some kind of sense.
For example, we have the "Oathpact" - maybe in return for power/immortality they had to go through hell. Maybe that's why the ones who didn't go back to hell left their super swords? Maybe so long as one was in hell, parts of the contract would still be valid?
Kaladin's "Words" (note the official-like capital letter) aren't quite so powerful, but they still indicate some kind of commitment - and in exchange Kaladin's power becomes more refined. I doubt there's anything inherently magical about the words - more about setting up an exchange, or something along those lines. However, I think Syl would have had to have been there.
Anyway. Just an idea. It may even be partially correct. I certainly would expect there to be much more to it.... which we'll find out in later books. This is going to be a long series, so we're not going to find out everything in the first book.
For example, we have the "Oathpact" - maybe in return for power/immortality they had to go through hell. Maybe that's why the ones who didn't go back to hell left their super swords? Maybe so long as one was in hell, parts of the contract would still be valid?
Kaladin's "Words" (note the official-like capital letter) aren't quite so powerful, but they still indicate some kind of commitment - and in exchange Kaladin's power becomes more refined. I doubt there's anything inherently magical about the words - more about setting up an exchange, or something along those lines. However, I think Syl would have had to have been there.
Anyway. Just an idea. It may even be partially correct. I certainly would expect there to be much more to it.... which we'll find out in later books. This is going to be a long series, so we're not going to find out everything in the first book.
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Brandon Sanderson / Re: WOK: Observations from a second read-through (*Spoilers*)
« on: January 22, 2011, 03:07:28 PM »- The number 10 is obviously a major theme of the series. However, the appendix hints at 10 further magic systems beyond the first 10 that we are starting to learn about. So 20 in total. Also, looking at the 20 traits associated with the 10 numbers (each herald has 2 traits, which are similar in theme) gives us 20 again. Little to go on for now, though.
10 book series too
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Brandon Sanderson / Re: Dalinar's visions
« on: October 08, 2010, 09:31:45 PM »
The visions repeat, so that's especially good evidence that it's not "time travel" of some kind.
Godly recording with interactive playback works for me.
Godly recording with interactive playback works for me.
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Brandon Sanderson / Re: The Thrill (Spoilers)
« on: September 29, 2010, 06:22:06 PM »
Taking a step back a bit, I think we need to ask the question "Where's Odium's influence?"
He would be almost certainly playing a "long game" as it were. We should be looking at aspects of society that are getting "worse", particularly over long periods of time. While some might be natural cycles he could also be pushing them in particular directions that are suitable for his plans.
I think "The Thrill" could be a natural cultural thing... but to me, it feels just a bit off. If it was ingrained culturally, then you would expect it to be fairly consistent. But if it was unnatural you would expect it to be more changeable. So while I think "The Thrill" could be "natural" or have natural origins, it could have been made worse / more pervasive with Odium's influence.
He would be almost certainly playing a "long game" as it were. We should be looking at aspects of society that are getting "worse", particularly over long periods of time. While some might be natural cycles he could also be pushing them in particular directions that are suitable for his plans.
I think "The Thrill" could be a natural cultural thing... but to me, it feels just a bit off. If it was ingrained culturally, then you would expect it to be fairly consistent. But if it was unnatural you would expect it to be more changeable. So while I think "The Thrill" could be "natural" or have natural origins, it could have been made worse / more pervasive with Odium's influence.
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Brandon Sanderson / Re: Elhokar *Spoilers*
« on: September 20, 2010, 07:14:11 PM »On the topic of Elhokar, might Shalan try currying his favor by showing him how he can visit the Shadesmar? Might she try to get him to marry her so she can save her house and family? Might Adolin then be pissed because he finally started REALLY liking a girl, and then she goes flirty with the King?
Elhokar's already married - wife is running kingdom from the capital.
PS If "paranoia spren" exist, surely Elhokar has them...
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Brandon Sanderson / Re: WoK: Spren and Hoid (spoilers)
« on: September 19, 2010, 05:02:22 PM »For what it's worth, though, the idea of spirits in various things is hardly original to the Codex Alera.
For a real-world, modern example, see the Shinto faith of Japan with its associate kami.
One of my favourites of this is that a tool used for 108 years can become possessed.