#sosei reads rhythm of war

[sosei]

Commentaries on the Epigraphs of Rhythm of War - Part 2

The second set of epigraphs are a letter from an individual I shall call “Discord” here in the non-spoiler section. The letter is almost certainly addressed to Hoid and contains some of this wider implications for the cosmere I mentioned in part 1.

I will not be avoiding spoilers for RoW, or any other cosmere works published as of December 2020.

"Dear Wanderer, I did receive your latest communication. Please forgive formality on my part, as we have not met in person. I feel new to this role, despite my years holding it. You will admit to my relative youth, I think."

We start off by virtually telling the reader who is writing from not just the information contained in these few sentences, but how they are phrased. The big giveaways are:

The writer’s relative youth in their role (as a divinity, which we know from the rest of the letter’s contents)

The “I think” at the end of the sentence, which is part of how the character in question expresses themselves.

It is clear that this letter is from Sazed, a major character in the Mistborn series who ascended to godhood after the events of the first trilogy. They also appeared in some Oathbringer’s epigraphs. This is after the first trilogy, but before the era 2 books in the Mistborn series. When I said this book was going in hard on the Mistborn stuff, I wasn’t kidding.

An interesting bit is that I am pretty certain Sazed has met Hoid, as he helped the surviving terrispeople move to the central dominance in The Well of Ascension. I know he was in disguise at the time, so either they or I am mistaken. Either way its not that big of a deal.

"I have been fascinated to discover how much you’ve accomplished on Scadrial without me noticing your presence. How is it that you hide from Shards so well?"

"I have reached out to the others as you requested, and have received a variety of responses."

"Much as you indicate, there is a division among the other Shards I would not have anticipated."

The other gods of the cosmere are very scattered, both physically and otherwise. We’ve guessed this, but its good to have confirmation.

"Endowment at least responded to my overtures, though I have not been able to locate Invention again following our initial contact."

Endowment is the Shard making their home on Nalthis, the world on which Warbreaker takes place. They seem alright so I understand their responding. Invention however, has not been mentioned before.

"Whimsy was not terribly useful, and Mercy worries me. I do think that Valor is reasonable, and suggest you approach her again. It has been too long, in her estimation, since your last conversation."

All three Shards mentioned here are new. Sazed’s opinion on Mercy is interesting and I look forward to seeing what that implies later. Valor is likely going to be an important figure later, so looking forward to seeing her!

"The deaths of both Devotion and Dominion trouble me greatly, as I had not realized this immense power we held was something that could be broken in such a way. On my world, the power always gathered and sought a new Vessel."

Dominion and Devotion, as well as their deaths, have been brought up before in previous Stormlight books. Their deaths are what caused the cataclysm leading into the events of Elantris.

"That said, the most worrying thing I discovered in this was the wound upon the Spiritual Realm where Ambition, Mercy, and Odium clashed—and Ambition was destroyed. The effects on the planet Threnody have been … disturbing."

There is one published short story on Threnody, and oh boy do I agree with Sazed’s assessment there.

"Other Shards I cannot identify, and are hidden to me. I fear that their influence encroaches upon my world, yet I am locked into a strange inability because of the opposed powers I hold."

This likely refers to the mysterious “Trell” that becomes important in the Era 2 books. Whom I (and other) strongly suspect is Autonomy, though revelations in this book has lead me to suspect Odium’s involvement as well. If less directly.

"I have begun searching for a pathway out of this conundrum by seeking the ideal person to act on my behalf. Someone who embodies both Preservation and Ruin. A … sword, you might say, who can both protect and kill."

If there was any doubt who is writing this, it has disappeared now. I’ve spoken before on how Sazed’s choosing of the name “Harmony” may have been a touch too aspirational, which paired with the Terris Prophecies naming them “Discord” has lead to me calling him that instead.

The implication of these words here, when paired with the events of era 2, leads me to believe they are attempting to mold Wax into someone who can act on other worlds for him. Either though making him their champion, their avatar or even a more suited vessel for the Shard’s conflicting intent.

"But this does not get to the core of your letter. I have encouraged those who would speak to me to heed your warnings, but all seem content to ignore Odium for the time being. In their opinion, he is no threat as long as he remains confined in the Rosharan system."

"I do not share their attitude. If you can, as you suppose, maintain Odium’s prison for now, it would give us necessary time to plan. This is a threat beyond the capacity of one Shard to face."

The other Shards’ lack of interest in dealing with the situation is concerning. If understandable, given that Odium has killed several other Shards already.

"Unfortunately, as proven by my own situation, the combination of Shards is not always a path to greater power."

Again, hammering in on Preservation and Ruin’s conflicting intents, and the likely part of the reason Odium didn’t take his fallen enemies’ shards for himself. Though interestingly, in Preservation and Ruin’s case, they needed to work together to create. And as Harmony, Discord, whatever you want to call them, Sazed has access to that power of creation.

"We must assume that Odium has realized this, and is seeking a singular, terrible goal: the destruction—and somehow Splintering or otherwise making impotent—of all Shards other than him."

"To combine powers would change and distort who Odium is. So instead of absorbing others, he destroys them. Since we are all essentially infinite, he needs no more power. Destroying and Splintering the other Shards would leave Odium as the sole god, unchanged and uncorrupted by other influences."

Basically confirming what I said above about Odium.

"You say that the power itself must be treated as separate in our minds from the Vessel who controls it."

"I find this difficult to do on an intrinsic level, as although I am neither Ruin nor Preservation, they make up me."

While this is true to an extent, you can say the same of any dichotomy. But I suppose Sazed’s mortal life as a scholar of Scadrian religions, a lot of which involve pantheons of two opposite gods, influences his worldview here.

"Regardless, I will try to do as you suggest. However, you seem more afraid of the Vessel. I warn you that this is a flaw in your understanding."

Hoid knew Rayse before he took up Odium, and did not have a high opinion of the man before he merged with God’s Divine Wrath. I doubt becoming concentrated divine malice has improved his attitude.

"You have not felt what I have. You have not known what I have. You rejected that chance—and wisely, I think."

Nothing like attaining divinity to realize that you probably shouldn’t want to attain divinity.

"However, though you think not as a mortal, you are their kin. The power of Odium’s Shard is more dangerous than the mind behind it. Particularly since any Investiture seems to gain a will of its own when not controlled."

Hm, this is setup for what happens towards the end of the book isn’t it? As well as a mention of high concentrations of investiture attaining sentience. Like spren, or Nightblood.

"My instincts say that the power of Odium is not being controlled well. The Vessel will be adapted to the power’s will. And after this long, if Odium is still seeking to destroy, then it is because of the power."

Yeah, definitely setup. Later appearances of Odium in this book shows Rayse falling apart after his personal plans failing.

"Of course, I admit this is a small quibble. A difference of semantics more than anything."

Ever diplomatic, ey Saze?

"In truth, it would be a combination of a Vessel’s craftiness and the power’s Intent that we should fear most."

<sweats in Taravangian>

"Regardless, please make yourself known to me when you travel my lands. It is distressing that you think you need to move in the shadows."

I am like, 85% sure he hides bc Kell would find him and kick his ass if he didn’t. The remaining 15% is knowing what other Shards would do if they learned he was on their worlds.

[sosei]

Adolin's treatment of Maya, seemingly leading a "dead" spren on a path of recovery parallels Kaladin's thoughts on reforming the treatment of the mentally ill.

Both Deadeyes and the mentally ill in these cases are treated as lost causes by their respective soceities to the point where their treatment is either abysmal (mentally ill patients placed in the care of the ardentia are basically placed in solitary confinement with next to no light) or entirely nonexistent (deadeyed spren are all treated as lost causes outside of how Adolin treats Maya). 

Both cases, assuming the plot goes where I think it will, would need a fresh perspective from someone outside of the established system. Someone who doesn’t think that it recovery is impossible. Someone who actually wants to help.

[sosei]

Commentaries on the Epigraphs of Rhythm of War - Part 1

The first set of epigraphs are transcriptions from a lecture on fabrial mechanics by Navani, presented to the coalition of monarchs in Urithiru. While it does not contain any Big Sweeping implications for the Cosmere as a while, like some of the later ones do, it does present some interesting information.

I will not be avoiding spoilers for RoW, or any other cosmere works published as of December 2020.

"First, you must get a spren to approach. The type of gemstone is relevant; some spren are naturally more intrigued by certain gemstones. In addition, it is essential to calm the spren with something it knows and loves. A good fire for a flamespren, for example, is a must."

A good place to start to set a tone for the lecture, both in and out of universe. This is well known and established from the previous book. But as its been a few years since then, it doesn’t hurt to refresh the audience.

"Next, let the spren inspect your trap. The gemstone must not be fully infused, but also cannot be fully dun. Experiments have concluded that seventy percent of maximum Stormlight capacity works best. If you have done your work correctly, the spren will become fascinated by its soon-to-be prison. It will dance around the stone, peek at it, float around it."

"The final step in capturing spren is the most tricky, as you must remove the Stormlight from the gemstone. The specific techniques employed by each artifabrian guild are closely guarded secrets, entrusted only to their most senior members. The easiest method would be to use a larkin—a type of cremling that feasts on Stormlight. That would be wonderful and convenient if the creatures weren’t now almost entirely extinct. The wars in Aimia were in part over these seemingly innocent little creatures."

"To draw Stormlight out of a gemstone, I use the Arnist Method. Several large empty gemstones are brought close to the infused one while the spren is inspecting it. Stormlight is slowly absorbed from a small gemstone by a very large gemstone of the same type—and several together can draw the Light out quickly. The method’s limitation is, of course, the fact that you need not merely acquire one gemstone for your fabrial, but several larger ones to withdraw the Stormlight. Other methods must exist, as proven by the extremely large gemstone fabrials created by the Vriztl Guild out of Thaylenah. If Her Majesty would please repeat my request to the guild, this secret is of vital importance to the war effort."

"If the Stormlight in a gemstone is withdrawn quickly enough, a nearby spren can be sucked into the gemstone. This is caused by a similar effect to a pressure differential, created by the sudden withdrawal of Stormlight, though the science of the two phenomena are not identical. You will be left with a captured spren, to be manipulated as you see fit."

This set of epigraphs establishes how spren (and other things) can be trapped in gemstones, as well as how one can move Stormlight (and as we learn later, other invested lights) between containers. 

The theory behind the former former employ what is effectively a magical pressure differential in order to trap the spren, which I personally find quite interesting. The Thaylen method for the latter becomes important later on in the book in multiple ways.

Finally, the last sentence feels like it has an unintended bite to it. Which comes into play later, as humanity’s usage of capturing spren and using them for their own gain is brought into question.

"With a captured spren, you may begin designing a proper fabrial. It is a closely guarded secret of artifabrians that spren, when trapped, respond to different types of metals in different ways. A wire housing for the fabrial, called a “cage,” is essential to controlling the device."

Here is where the real interesting bit begins, as metals are a big part of the Scadrian magic systems. Beginning a trend in this book of tying into whats going on in Mistborn moreso than ever before.

"The two metals of primary significance are zinc and brass, which allow you to control expression strength. Zinc wires touching the gemstone will cause the spren inside to more strongly manifest, while brass will cause the spren to withdraw and its power to dim. Remember that a gemstone must be properly infused following the spren’s capture. Drilled holes in the gemstone are ideal for proper use of the cage wires, so long as you don’t crack the structure and risk releasing the spren."

The applications of these metals and their differences are perfectly in line with the allomantic properties of zinc and brass. Zinc being a “pulling” metal that riots emotions and brass being a “pushing” metal that soothes them. As such they “pull” and “push” on the properties of spren, a sizable category of which are drawn towards emotions.

"A bronze cage can create a warning fabrial, alerting one to objects or entities nearby. Heliodors are being used for this currently, and there is some good reasoning for this—but other gemstones should be viable."

Once again: this lines up with the metal’s allomantic usage. Allomantic bronze allows one to detect the usage of allomancy nearby. Supposedly a person burning allomantic bronze could also detect other investitures, but the specifics of this have yet to be discovered.

I can extrapolate that a copper cage can be used to hide oneself from detection from the bronze version of these fabrials.

"A pewter cage will cause the spren of your fabrial to express its attribute in force—a flamespren, for example, will create heat. We call these augmenters. They tend to use Stormlight more quickly than other fabrials."

Lines up with the allomantic usage of pewter quite well, as its a pushing metal that increases one’s physical capabilities when burned. Makes one’s body able to do More.

"A tin cage will cause the fabrial to diminish nearby attributes. A painrial, for example, can numb pain. Note that advanced designs of cages can use both steel and iron as well, changing the fabrial’s polarity depending on which metals are pushed to touch the gemstone."

This one, sadly, does not work as well, as tin sharpens the burner’s senses in allomancy. But as its the pulling metal to pewter’s pushing, it makes sense that it would have this effect in fabrials. Perhaps if you interpret the pairs allomantic effects as “strengthens/weakens the body’s capability to resist external stimuli” it makes more sense? But that’s kind of a stretch.

"An iron cage will create an attractor—a fabrial that draws specific elements to itself. A properly created smoke fabrial, for example, can gather the smoke of a fire and hold it close.

New discoveries lead us to believe it is possible to create a repeller fabrial, but we don’t yet know the metal to use to achieve this feat."

Allomantic iron pulls on nearby sources of metal, so it makes perfect sense that attractor fabrials work the same way. 

I remember sitting up straighter in my chair when I read the second bit, because any reader of Mistborn should be able to tell you which metal would be iron’s opposite. The answer is steel, which in allomancy pushes nearby sources of metal.

Sidenote: I’m surprised there is no comment that these metal pairs are always “natural metal and alloy”. Though I suspect that that might be in party due to Rosharans getting a lot of their metal via soulcasting as opposed to traditional metallurgy...

"One of my pleas is for artifabrians to stop shrouding fabrial techniques with so much mystery. Many decoy metals are used in cages, and wires are often plated to look like a different metal, with the express intent of confusing those who might try to learn the process through personal study. This might enrich the artifabrian, but it impoverishes us all."

The sharing of information is a Theme this book, and this is expressed fairly early.

"Advanced fabrials are created using several different techniques. Conjoined fabrials require a careful division of the gemstone—and the spren inside. If performed correctly, the two halves will continue to behave as a single gemstone. Note that rubies and flamespren are traditional for this purpose— as they have proven the easiest to divide, and the quickest in response times. Other types of spren do not split as evenly, as easily, or at all."

I suspect this has to do with how fire spreads, and thus how we view it.

"All gemstones leak Stormlight at a slow rate—but so long as the crystal structure remains mostly intact, the spren cannot escape. Managing this leakage is important, as many fabrials also lose Stormlight through operation. All of this is tied up in the intricacies of the art. As is understanding one last vital kind of spren: logicspren."

"Logicspren react curiously to imprisonment. Unlike other spren, they do not manifest some attribute—you cannot use them to make heat, or to warn of nearby danger, or conjoin gemstones. For years, artifabrians considered them useless—indeed, experimenting with them was uncommon, since logicspren are rare and difficult to capture. A breakthrough has come in discovering that logicspren will vary the light they radiate based on certain stimuli. For example, if you make the Light leak from the gemstone at a controlled rate, the spren will alternate dimming and brightening in a regular pattern. This has led to fabrial clocks. When the gemstone is tapped with certain metals, the light will also change states from bright to dim. This is leading to some very interesting and complex mechanisms."

Oh hey, an explanation on how the fabrial clocks work! Neat.

"My final point of the evening is a discussion of Fused weapons. The Fused use a variety of fabrial devices to fight Radiants. It is obvious from how quickly they’ve fabricated and employed these countermeasures that they have used these in the past."

"The simplest Fused weapon against us isn’t truly a fabrial, but instead a metal that is extremely light and can withstand the blows of a Shardblade. This metal resists being Soulcast as well; it interferes with a great number of Radiant powers. Fortunately, the Fused seem unable to create it in great quantities—for they equip only themselves, and not their average soldiers, with these wonders."

This metal is aluminium, a metal we’ve known for a while messes with every magic system in the cosmere. It is also called ralkalest both by the Fused and on Sel, which has interesting implications for the languages in the cosmere. Especially with how the herald Shalash’s name lines up with certain Aons.

"The Fused have a second metal I find fascinating—a metal that conducts Stormlight. The implications for this in the creation of fabrials are astounding. The Fused use this metal in conjunction with a rudimentary fabrial—a simple gemstone, but without a spren trapped inside. How they pull Stormlight out of a Radiant and into this sphere remains baffling. My scholars think they must be employing an Investiture differential. If a gemstone is full of Stormlight—or, I assume, Voidlight—and that Light is removed quickly, it creates a pressure differential (or a kind of vacuum) in the gemstone. This remains merely a theory."

I originally suspected that this was one of the enhancement metals, perhaps duralumin, given its placement after aluminium in this lecture. But was eventually proven wrong. Which is good, since what the metal ended up being was way more appropriate.

The pressure differential theory is interesting, but ultimately incorrect. But it goes to show that these people are making an assumption based on how their tech works. A sound one based on their knowledge, but ultimately an incorrect one.

"The world becomes an increasingly dangerous place, and so I come to the crux of my argument. We cannot afford to keep secrets from one another any longer. The Thaylen artifabrians have private techniques relating to how they remove Stormlight from gems and create fabrials around extremely large stones. I beg the coalition and the good people of Thaylenah to acknowledge our collective need. I have taken the first step by opening my research to all scholars. I pray you will see the wisdom in doing the same."

Another mention of the Thaylen secrets, to hammer in that they have them before they become relevant. Once again bringing up the theme of sharing knowledge.

[sosei]

I’m glad Sanderson decided to embrace the idea of Shallan being bi. Veil being much more openly so than Shallan’s main personality is is not only a nice touch, but makes sense given who she is.

[sosei]

Oh boy... Kaladin’s depression is getting worse.

Tho I think its being augmented by survivor’s guilt and ptsd, even moreso than before

[sosei]

Late reveal in Rhythm of War spoiler

Mraize’s master is a Southern Scadrian, introduced before we learned of their existance.

Her master is someone who goes by the name Thaidekar, whom Wit refers to as “The Lord of Scars”. Someone who can only appear on Roshar using an “avatar”.

Someone who Wit wants to, and I quote, “Deal with their own stupid planet, you idiot. Don’t make me come over there and slap you around again.”

Someone from another planet, whom a Southern Scadrian would call “master”, powerful enough that they can manifest an Avatar on Roshar, with the title “Lord of Scars”. Someone whom Hoid would threaten to slap around.

There is only one person who matches this description.

There’s always another secret.

[sosei]

The payoff for Taravangian’s blessing and curse was MASTERFUL

[sosei]

Rhythm of War spoilers

Its about Wit’s story, and how it was “ruined”.

During one of Kaladin’s low moments Wit shows up to speak to him along with his bonded spren, Design, to give him a reprieve from his torment.

Kaladin asks to hear a story, as during previous Darkest Hours of his, Wit told him a story that helped him immensely. Wit obliges with enthusiasm. 

The story Wit tells Kaladin is a simple, but effective one motivational story. The extremely cut down version is that the story is about a dog who wants to do something impossible, which they fail to achieve. But in their attempts to do the impossible they learn to do incredible things, ending with them saving their owners and being rewarded with much affection. Only to feel disappointed that they failed to do what they set out to do.

Now the story is obviously meant to reflect Kaladin’s attitude towards his mental state, but that is not the part I want to talk about specifically right now.

The part I find interesting is that Design spoils the ending just as Wit begins to set the scene, much to his dismay.

I think that Kaladin knowing that the dog’s goal was impossible is very important for this scene. It allows Kaladin to see the dog’s efforts for what they are: truly incredible. As opposed to wondering how the dog’s goal will be reached. Knowing the ending in advance in this case sets Kaladin up for the realization that it is meant to reflect Kaladin’s own attitude toward his failures much better than if he went in without being spoiled.

[sosei]

Kaladin wishing he was coping with his issues as well as Shallan remains a constant I see.

Shallan’s patchwork of split personalities to deal with situations she can’t handle isn’t nearly as stable as it seems from the outside, and I’m glad that her husband and her spren are both aware of it, and notify Kaladin of that fact.

Honestly its really refreshing to not only see these characters dealing with their various forms of mental illness, but doing so with the support of their loved ones. Its fairly common in media to see these things as private, kept to the characters themselves. But the people around both Kaladin and Shallan are mostly aware of what they are going through and making an effort to try and help.

[sosei]

Legitimately crying over Kaladin rn

[sosei]

I see that Wit’s new friend is perfectly matched in temperament. To the point that, just like Wit, they know how to fuck with those around them. 

Unfortunately for Wit, that includes him.

[sosei]

Hey I love Wit

[sosei]

Juicy, juicy implications

Spoilers for Mistborn Era 2 below the cut. Because yes, Sanderson is putting foreshadowing for Mistborn into his Stormlight books and I am HERE FOR IT.

Other Shards I cannot identify, and are hidden to me. I fear that their influence encroaches upon my world, yet I am locked into a strange inability because of the opposed powers I hold. 

I have begun searching for a pathway out of this conundrum by seeking the ideal person to act on my behalf. Someone who embodies both Preservation and Ruin. A … sword, you might say, who can both protect and kill.

First of all, this entire message is clearly written by Sazed, post-Mistborn Era 1. I am not writing out the whole message but between the references to “the opposed powers [they] hold”, to Preservation and Ruin, and various other speech patterns littered throughout the entire message it is very clear. On top of which the audiobook narrator uses his Sazed voice for it. This message is written by Sazed, post Hero of Ages, full stop.

We already know that the Stormlight Archive takes place before Mistborn Era 2. So this message in the context of Mistborn Era 2, and how Sazed treats Wax in those books, makes it clear to me that they aren’t simply molding Wax into someone who can be their Ruin. But to be an ideal vessel for their Shard’s intent.

[sosei]

The epigraphs of RoW so far have just been a one-two punch of intertextual fanservice.

The first set has Navani talk about how various metals are used in fabrials, and every single metal JUST SO HAPPENS to not only be the ones used in the Scadrian metallic arts, but the examples used are PAIRED UP in the same way they are.

The second set are straight up letters from DISCORD.

[sosei]

Part 1 done!

I can see a LOT of ways the Everything can, and likely will go wrong this book.

But my big takeaway from this first part is that everyone was surprisingly transparent with their friends and allies about their situations?

I’m so used to characters keeping their issues or secrets bottled up for the sake of drama. But both Kaladin and Shallan’s situations seem to be well known by their loved ones (for example: Shallan publically changes her hair color so that the people around her know which personality is the dominant one right now), and they are doing their best to support one another. And Zahel, whose role as the mysterious crossover character has gone from subtext that you’d MAYBE pick up on to flat out text. He has a full on conversation about Cognitive Shadows and how they tie in with him, the Fused and the Heralds with Kaladin.

Its... refreshing to say the least.

[sosei]

The people close to Shallan not only being aware, but accommodating for her split personalities was not something I was expecting, but it IS something I appreciate greatly!