Includes MASSIVE SPOILERS for ALL COSMERE BOOKS through Wind and Truth!!!
Dalinar Kholin’s final decision inThe Stormlight Archiveis arguably the most drastic change to the Cosmere landscape readers have seen so far, and its effects will ripple across multiple stories. Brandon Sanderson has been building hisCosmere fantasy universesince his first novel,Elantris, was published in 2005.The Stormlight Archivebooks have acted as one of the primary theaters for his overarching narrative about conflicts between the gods, and the major Dalinar plot twist is worth examining for its effects on Roshar and other worlds like Scadrial.
Dalinar Kholin and Taravangian (Odium) faced off in their long-awaited contest of champions inWind and Truth’sending, and, as many readers had anticipated, Dalinar took up the power of Honor. However, with the knowledge that facing Odium in a conflict between Shards would be destructive to Roshar,Dalinar went with an unexpected decision, sacrificing his own life and giving up Honor, allowing Taravangian to pick it up. Now carrying twoShards of Adonalsium, Taravangian is one of the most terrifying beings in the Cosmere, but there’s still more to it.
Dalinar Has Forced The Other Shards' Attention On Odium
The Shards Can’t Ignore Retribution
Wind and Truth’sstory teases the idea of the “Sunmaker’s Gambit” throughout. The idea is that, by combining the Shards of Odium and Honor to become Retribution,Taravangian has become so powerful that the other Shards of the Cosmere can no longer afford to ignore him.The Stormlight Archivebookspreviously saw Hoid trying to work with Harmony, the Shard of Scadrial, to recruit other Shards in a pact against Odium to little avail. Now, with two Shards, Retribution is one of the most Invested beings in the Cosmere and is a threat to everyone.
Every Unknown Death Rattle In The Stormlight Archive (& What It Could Mean For Arc 2)
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Dalinar’s plan has literally plunged Roshar into darkness, but he knows that the humans he’s led this far will live to fight another day. Dalinar sacrificed himself to buy them time, asnow that the other Shards have focused their attention on Retribution, the evil god was forced to flee Roshar. His armies still remain on the planet, but without his direct influence, anything can happen. The most important aspect of what Dalinar has done is use Taravangian’s hubris against him, forcing him to become too powerful that the other Shards can no longer wait around idly.
Taravangian Is Unstable Now That He Holds Two Shards
Taravangian Is Balancing Two Opposing Powers
Holding two Shards hypothetically means more power through more Investiture, but it’s not that simple. By combining Honor and Odium to create Retribution, Taravangian is a Vessel carrying two forces of power that counter one another.Odium is more powerful right now, as it has been for millennia, butWind and Truth’sending hinted that Honor would grow and mature, hopefully pushing back against Odium from within. Even without Honor, Taravangian couldn’t fully commit to his Intent, sparing the people of Kharbranth by transporting the city to the Spiritual Realm.
Holding two Shards hypothetically means more power through more Investiture, but it’s not that simple.
Those who have readMistbornera 2 will know that managing two Shards can be challenging, as the Intents have minds of their own. Ati, the original vessel of Ruin, was known as being a kind and noble person, but Ruin eventually took hold of him. Sazed, who now holds Ruin and Preservation, is struggling not to let Ruin become too dominant within him, though this will likely happen soon.Odium and Honor will continue to push and pull Taravangian in different directions, making him a threat to himself and a volatile X-factor for the Cosmere.
What Dalinar’s Decision Means For Stormlight Arc 2
Roshar Will Be In A Desire State When Readers Return
Brandon Sanderson’s plan forThe Stormlight Archive’ssecond arc is to resume the story after roughly ten years. This means that humanity will spend about a decade in the wake of Dalinar’s decision before readers can catch up with heroes like Adolin, Renarin, and the others who are still on Roshar fighting for their lives.Urithiru and Azir will be the only two locations left on the planet that haven’t been covered in darkness during the Night of Sorrows, and now that Honor is gone, there won’t be any Stormlight on the planet either.
Wind And Truth Sets Up The Hero Of Stormlight Archive Arc 2 & Now Readers Have To Catch Up On One Brandon Sanderson Book
Brandon Sanderson’s latest Stormlight Archive book sets up one of its primary protagonists for the next five volumes, especially for book 6.
The absence of Stormlight means that the Knights Radiant can’t access their powers and that humans can’t travel between the Physical and Cognitive Realms. Kaladin andthe Heralds’creation of a new Oathpact prevented the spren of Roshar from being killed, as their existence implies a portion of Honor remaining in the system. The last change for Roshar is that there’s a new version of Dalinar, the Blackthorn, whom Retribution plucked out of the Spiritual Realm to use as his general against the Cosmere.
Brandon Sanderson has revealed that the nextStormlight Archivebook likely won’t be out until late 2031.
When events pick up, readers are likely to find their heroes on Roshar in dire straights, with Retribution’s forces now led by anevil version of Dalinar. Kaladin and the Heralds probably won’t return for some time, Adolin is going to be training his Oathless and helping prepare Azir for the future, and those remaining at Urithiru will likely be trying to find a way to re-open the Oathgates.One thing is for certain: war will come again if it hasn’t started already, and the survivors need to find a way to rebuild as quickly as they can.
What Dalinar’s Decision Means For Mistborn Era 3
Harmony Has Two Shards To Deal With
Now that Retribution has become the second hybrid Shard in the Cosmere, Harmony will have to devote some of his attention to Roshar.The Stormlight Archive’stimelinereveal at the end ofWind and Truthshows thatMistbornera 3 andThe Stormlight Archivearc 2 will happen around the same time, meaning there should be some updates on the Retribution system in Sanderson’s upcoming trilogy.Harmony is still dealing with the threat of Autonomy, so he’ll have even more to worry about now, potentially pushing him to become Discord.
Mistborn: Ghostbloods 3
December 2030
The Ghostbloods are an organization from Scadrial run by Kelsier, and their efforts have been shown throughoutThe Stormlight ArchiveandMistbornera 2. Due to Shallan stopping Mraize and Iyatil, Kelsier’s main leaders on Roshar are dead. Not to mention, without Stormlight, their primary purpose of moving Investiture off-world is void. Kelsier will be more prominent inMistbornera 3, so upcoming reveals about his character and his actions could directly affectThe Stormlight Archive 2, possibly pertaining to Shallan.
