#the sunlit man spoilers

[jochi-the-veristithaylen-baker]

Kelsier: *solves everything by killing noblemen*

Everyone on Scadrial: If only Kelsier was here, he'd have a great way to solve this problem.

Every nobleman on Roshar when they meet an assassin: I bet Kelsier planned this, it feels like something he'd do.

[azure-sorceress]

I remember being a little shocked at how Nomad was acting for most of The Sunlit Man, the way he just didn't care about others around him and how he spoke so bitterly and with no respect for anyone. Now, I know that it made sense considering what he had been through, but after realizing he was Sigzil, that really bothered me. What had happened to that curious, excited Windrunner that we know from the Stormlight Archive?

But now I just finished rereading The Way of Kings and you know what? Sigzil acted almost exactly like that when he was a slave. Before Kaladin saved him and the rest of Bridge Four, Sigzil was bitter and rude and just didn't care about anything or anyone.

It's great writing from Sanderson, of course. But my heart breaks even more for Sigzil. The fact that he had to go back to that mentality that he had when he was a slave so long after... It's just tragic.

[bloodyfesteringcraphole]

Finished The Sunlit Man and like yeah I fully believe I’d also still be inspired by Kaladin Stormblessed hundreds of years into the future

[l3st1b0urn3s-707]

All of these Bridge Four references are actually going to make me cry. Nomad (whose real identity I already know because I got spoiled before even starting to read the book) was thinking about Rock's stew, and made an internal joke about being airsick. Not to mention he's constantly thinking about Kaladin. And that's so cute but at the same time so sad.

[kainekron]

[wyndlerunner]

AUXILIARY????

[warrioreowynofrohan]

Having started The Sunlit Man, I’m feeling like all four of the secret projects are in their own ways about regaining hope in your own ability to do good, to make a positive difference, after you’d given up on either yourself or on the possibility of the world being better. Painter, the protagonist of Frugal Wizard, and the protagonist of The Sunlit Man all fit this. Initially I thought Tress was the outlier as this doesn’t apply to either Tress or Charlie so much, but then I realized that it does fit the crew of Crow’s pirate ship, who don’t want to be robbers and killers but can’t find a way out of what their lives have become.

[knight-of-skyloft]

Who's unfuckable now

[fantasyarcanum]

“Zellion. My friend. You’re worth saving.”

R.I.P Aux 🫡

[theclockistickingwrite]

I finished the book. Sanderson is cradling me gently in his hands. That’s what this book felt like. Wow. He said in the postscript he wrote it for us, and damn he sure did

[madxmellon]

SSP4 Spoilers under the cut!

I had the amazing opportunity of working with the 17th Shard to create my version of the Admiral from the Sunlit man. I will always be grateful for how kind and welcoming the cosmere community is, and have loved getting to share my joy for these books through my art with all y'all.

[return-of-the-trinidude]

With regards to the author of the in-universe "Knights of Wind and Truth," I think it's Sigzil. The answer has been hinted since The Sunlit Man. There is only one person we know of thus far that is both a Windrunner and Skybreaker. A Knight of Wind and Truth. And given the last chapter, he is one of the few people left who can write that match the criteria set out in the text.

[why-is-it-always-autumn]

Wind and Truth Theory: Szeth's unnammed Highspren is Auxiliary

Some evidence:

They have never appeared on page in the Stormlight Archive (Nightblood takes on the usual spren/shardblade role) but we know they exist because Szeth is a full Skybreaker and not a squire

Szeth's highspren chose to bond with the weird outsider whose goals don't align with the rest of the Skybreakers

Szeth (and his spren by extension) is allied with the Windrunners

Auxiliary is a highspren who bonded with the former leader of the Windrunners

Szeth gets into some weird situations

Szeth's spren is so conspicuously absent it feels like it has to be on purpose at this point

No proof that he isn't

[scienter]

My Reaction to Wind and Truth Chapters 21 & 22:

Chapter 21:

Sigzil did his best to pretend he was Kaladin.

Oh, no. I read every Sigzil scene with a sense of foreboding after The Sunlit Man.

Bridge Four was the only place I ever felt like a person rather than an accident, he thought. But without Kaladin, Rock, Teft, Moash… was it really Bridge Four anymore?

I wonder if the comradery of Bridge Four prevented Sigzil from realizing sooner that he was a better fit for the Skybreakers than the Windrunners?

“The Nightwatcher came from the Night, as the Stormfather came from the Wind. Though, when I was young, the Wind was different. So very different.” “Some six thousand years ago, when the Stones wanted a legacy in the form of a child of Honor and Cultivation. Back when Bondsmiths bonded not to spren, but to the ancient forces, left by gods.”

So the Bondsmith's bonds went like this:

Wind -> Stormfather

Stone -> Sibling

Night -> Nightwatcher

And then the Night left and the Wind specifically asked for Kaladin's help. 🤔

Something about those timelines itched at Jasnah. Something that made her want to gather the other Veristitalians and set them to work, searching for primary sources. 

You and me both, Jasnah.

This is me right now:

“If you were to Connect to it in the right way, you would ascend to Honor’s position. Then all the ambient power of the world would be part of you. You’d need to find a way to persuade the power to accept you.”

Hmm, this makes me think that Ascending will not be as easy or simple as Dalinar thinks. Remember how Kelsier found it difficult to connect with Preservation because he spent so much of his life killing/destroying? I wonder if Dalinar’s previous connection to Odium will make it difficult for him to connect with Honor too. And if Dalinar’s attempt is successful, will his Ascension be temporary like Kelsier’s or permanent like Sazed’s?

Perhaps he will stop the war entirely if we give him accommodations.” She didn’t look at Wit. “What if we let him leave?” “What is right,” she said, “is not so easy as swearing an oath, Uncle. It’s about what brings the greatest good to the most people—and sometimes that requires making difficult decisions.”

I know people have speculated that Adolin will be Odium’s champion*, but could Jasnah switch sides believing that getting Odium off-world is the best way to help the people of Roshar? God, I hope not.

*The Adolin will be Odium's champion is a solid theory given his anger at Dalinar. But is Adolin's anger enough motivation to switch sides?

Chapter 22:

“I’d have thought,” Szeth said as Syl zipped past in the other direction, “that she would find this place dull. Wouldn’t it be less fun to inspect plants that do not respond?” “Syl loves novelty,” Kaladin said.

You love the novelty of it too, Kaladin. You’re just as amazed by these brave plants as she is.

Can Kaladin retire to Shinovar when this is all over?

“I trust Dalinar because I must,” Szeth continued. “So I am not allowed to resent you. Nevertheless, do not assume I will endure you trying to ‘save’ me, Kaladin Stormblessed. Not all beneath your judging gaze are in need of your protection. Keep your attention on finding the Herald.”

Okay. So basically we're getting the Cosmere version of this:

“One of the Unmade is here,” Szeth said. “Awakened years before you became a Radiant, before the first oaths were sworn. My people have embraced it for some reason, and welcomed in its darkness and its manipulations.” “How can you be sure it’s an Unmade?” Kaladin said. “It took Dalinar ages to recognize the Thrill as an Unmade.” “Because,” Szeth said, “before my exile, I met it.” He paused for an instant. “It began during my youth. With… a rock.”

Ohhhh. So Szeth’s status as “truthless” was related to one of the Unmade? And is the Unmade the reason the Wind asked for Kaladin’s help?  

I heard you discussing Honor’s power, the Stormfather thundered. Why, Dalinar? Must you think so highly of yourself? You’re ruining everything!

Why would Dalinar Ascending ruin everything?

“Is it possible for me to take up Honor?” Dalinar demanded. No. “Wit says otherwise.” Wit is a liar.

Okay, so why does the Stormfather think Dalinar can’t take up Honor? Does he think he’s not connected enough with the Shard’s Intent?

This is not for you to seek or decide. The power cannot go to one who wants it, Dalinar. “You said it was impossible earlier,” Dalinar said. Impossible the way you want it to happen. “And Cultivation, who brought this plan to me in the first place?” Traitor. She should know the implausibility of what she suggests. “So which is it, Stormfather?” Dalinar demanded. “Is it impossible, or merely implausible? Is it wrong, or is it the only way to unite people, as I’ve been trying all along?” It… This is not my plan.

So is the Stormfather discouraging Dalinar from trying to take up the Shard of Honor because it’s impossible/implausible to take up a shard you want or because it’s not part of his plan?

“Your plan?” Dalinar pushed. “I thought this was Honor’s plan. You said he charged you to find people for the visions—so they could prepare for the coming dangers. You’re filling a role, just like me.” You have no idea what you’re talking about.

We know that Tanavast's cognitive shadow merged with the Stormfather after his death. Is Tanavast or his cognitive shadow the one who doesn’t want Dalinar to take up the Shard of Honor?

Because right now, the Stormfather's push back feels like this:

Maybe. But… they are not reliable anymore, are they? Time has broken them… I’ve broken them. He looked back at Dalinar. I cannot say if the power would accept someone like you as a host, after what happened with Tanavast. “And what happened with Tanavast?” Dalinar said. It’s… worse than I told you, Dalinar.

What the fuck happened!? Did Tanavast break his Oaths? Why wouldn’t the Shard accept Dalinar as a vessel after what happened with Tanavast? 🤔

“So you lied.” Yes. Does that surprise you? Anger you?

Of course, the Stormfather lied. He's been evasive throughout the series.

These two chapters are a lot to think about. 😵‍💫

[azure-sorceress]

Spoilers for chapters 12 of Wind and Truth:

I'm sorry, Brandon, you can't have a whole conversation between Kaladin and Sigzil where Sigzil is expressing his fears about leadership after what you did in The Sunlit Man. This is just purposely hurting us.

[gcldendaemon]

im rereading the stormlight archive in preparation for wind and truth, just finished all other cosmere books this year, and i came upon the first mention of Tien. Kaladin has just seen some new recruits for Bridge Four:

the way of kings, chapter 9

it is so strikingly, and heartbreakingly so, similar to the moment in the sunlit man when nomad thinks he sees kaladin.

the sunlit man, chapter 9

and of course its funnier in the sunlit man because it’s our beloved Wit and Hoid but it made me realise the similarities between nomad and kal in those moments.

kaladin has been a slave for months trying to escape but eventually accepting his lot, and while he has begun to become used to syl, she has just told him shes leaving, if only briefly. seeing "Tien" brings him back to Hearthstone, if even for a split second.

nomad or sigzil has been on the run for years and is slowly loosing hope for escape and auxiliary is but a monotonous voice in his head. seeing "Kaladin" brings him back to the glory days of Bridge Four, if even for a split second.

im just- ah the parallels-