If someone breaks a sword and makes an Investiture into both sides of the sword and then re-melds it, will it become one Investiture, will it be destroyed--
Depends on the process that you use for re-melding it.
But it is possible to have any of the outcomes?
It is possible to go both directions.
Someone tries to Awaken a carrot, and eats it. What happens to the Investiture?
The Investiture will be released into the Spiritual Realm like most Investiture that is destroyed.
The man that gives Nightblood to Szeth at the end of Words of Radiance, I don't understand who he is.
...Oh Nale, oh you mean Nale. Nale's one of the Heralds.
But I thought that those guys left? At the be-- In the prequel, at the beginning of The Way of Kings.
They abandoned their swords and went about the world, but did not return to the place where they were supposed to go, which was off-world.
So they just die?
They did not die.
So they're all still out there? Somewhere in the cosmere?
It can be assumed that they are all still out there unless some of them died since then. It was 4,000 years ago.
But the one guy that stayed, went crazy because--
The one guy they abandoned was left in their version of hell, and the rest of them were supposed to return and didn't.
Every day?
Every time they die they're supposed to go back. Or every time the war is over. You are asking good questions, they're questions that will make more sense as the book progresses.
Is it fair to say that when one of those power sources become vacant a person, or something with--
Something can-- naturally will pick it up, yes.
So the other thing I don't understand is in Hero of Ages when Harmony dies. How they became--
Harmony didn't die, you mean--
The man.
Yes, you're talking about the person who was holding the power of Preservation.
Yeah, how did those people become that in the first place?
That is a book I'm going to write eventually called Dragonsteel, that deals with how that came about.
In The Way of Kings, when Hoid is talking to Kaladin and he says his name is Hoid, he said that he took the name from someone else.
He did.
So why is he Hoid in everything else?
Hoid is not his original name.
So...
Does he still go by his original name ever?
I don't know if you've ever seen his original name.
I've read your Master's thesis [Dragonsteel Prime].
Oh, he doesn't go by the name that is in there very often but there are people who know him by that name.
What is his original name?
Well he's assuming that the name he is using in there is actually his original name. He's using the name Cephandrius. Which you're assuming is his original.
Closer to the truth than Hoid is.
It is closer to the truth...
Cephandrius is closer to his original name than Hoid, it's an earlier alias.
Well Hoid was one of his very first aliases.
So I stand corrected.
But, Cephandrius is more him.
Does he still go by his nickname he got.
To some people, Topaz.
Cephandrius Maxtori.
Are you willing to comment on what it is that provides Frost's longevity, is it something innate to his race or some--
It's racial.
So I’m a big Terry Pratchett fan, and my dad, he got a Ankh-Morpork city map. Do you have any large maps--
Large scale maps?
You know we have-- I actually have that same Ankh-Morpork map and I'm like "We gotta do something like this" but it's-- that’s down the road because that is so detailed.
The thing that I would like to do would be a cosmere star chart, that’s large scale, but we have to get a little further, introduce you to a few more planets before we can do that.
Nightblood, is that going to be using Stormlight?
Yes, Nightblood can feed off of any Investiture, including the one inside of people's souls. Which is what kills them.
So that scene in Warbreaker when Hoid is doing the storytelling with sand, was he doing--
There is indeed some sand in there.
Is it sand mastery though?
There may indeed be, not everything he's doing is sand mastery, but there may indeed be some things involved in that.
And we changed Hoid's appearance, in the White Sand.
I couldn't even find him.
He's just, as I remember it--it's been a long time--I think he's just one of the cases Ais mentions talking about.
Oh yeah, he's in the letter, no that’s someone else.
No he's just one of the people Ais' been chasing. There's just this one case that is mysterious to him. Like remember a lot of the early Hoid things were really obscure mentions.
What is the Shard on White Sand? Because we've both read White Sand.
The Shard-- So what the Shard is doing is, the Shard is the Sand God. But I didn't bring it out much, there's only one Shard on the planet. And the Shard actually kind of resides in the atmosphere and stuff like that but we decided to bring the Shard out a little bit more in the comic book so when you read that you'll be able to find a little more.
Does it take effect in the Darkside?
Yes, it does.
When will we find out about the other effect of burning lerasium?
Ummm, you-- I think it-- Ehhh, maybe eventually. I don't know. Not as relevant as it once was.
I am also wondering, does atium actually still regenerate?
Atium does not regenerate.
It stopped when--
It stopped when Ati stopped existing. Yep.
Will we ever see more beads of lerasium?
That's a RAFO. Definitely a RAFO. It's-- It would require some... *sighs*
So as I was researching all the stuff for trivia, I must say I was-- I became intrigued with the idea of duralumin and bendalloy or cadmium and whether or not it might have something to do with your FTL?
It's a good theory. That's a really good theory.
Would you like to expand on that?
No, that's it. That's a good theory.
How... Where would be the... How are you expecting to sell "Screenshot"?
Snapshot?
Yes, Snapshot. That one.
I am expecting to do a limited edition and ebook simultaneous. Steve Diamond, who does... *unintelligible* bookstore guy. He's local, you guys know Steve Diamond. He wants to start up a company doing that, and I told him he could have Snapshot if he did. And so it will probably be like that. He'll do it-- a nice little really-- I just don't expect that our company is ever going to do leatherbounds of any of the short fiction with-- except the possibility for Emperor's Soul. So yeah, that's the plan right then. If that happens it's next Spring's novella release.
Okay. Just can't go six months without publishing a new book.
Eh. Next year's gonna be something, because right now it's only Snapshot and Stormlight 3. I haven't--
"Only." *group laughs*
So I've got a question about the Selians in Secret History.
Okay.
It seems... It seems pretty clear that they're Selians. Or people from...
Yes.
...the planet Sel. Is that the right term? Selian? I don't know...
Um... *sigh* I get this one mixed up. Peter knows. I know I've called them Selish before, but I think we went with Selian because it sounded too much like "selfish". But we did canonize it, and it probably is in the essays, I think. But Peter knows the canon term.
Okay. What era are they from? Are they from like the... are they from the... the original...
They are old! [very drawn out "old"]
Were they part of the society that built Elantris?
So, someone asked me this coming through the line, and I RAFO'd them. But they are old.
They are old.
They are old, old people. Here's the thing. You give me the opportunity to wiggle around, because I could say, "No," if anyone has joined them since then.
It's true.
Does that make sense?
Yeah.
Not canonizing anything right now, but that question is so wiggle-aroundable. And I took the opportunity not to wiggle around it and just tell you they are old.
They are old. Got it.
The organization is old. And some of the people that you meet there are very old.
Were the epigraphs meant to be in order? If so, reading them all straight through it seems Sazed keeps going off on tangents, seems more stream of consciousness than we're used to seeing from Sazed...
They are in order, but there are large gaps of text left out. So you're not getting the whole thing, just the 'good parts' versions. That's why it feels jumpy.
In one of the bumps, Sazed mentions a discussion between Vin and Ruin in which Vin asks Ruin why she was chosen to release him from the Well. Did this discussion occur in the in-between afterlife where Vin, Elend, Kelsier, etc., were, or did it occur off-screen while Vin and Ruin were busy stopping each other from affecting the world?
I was fairly sure she asked it while she was a prisoner of Yomen, but I could be wrong.
Yes, as has been pointed out, that's in the text—unless I cut it during editing for pacing issues. If I did, the conversation still happened, but it just didn't get shown on
When the Kandra get their spikes back, do they remember who they were, or have they been "rebooted"?
They remember, though some things are vague or foggy in their minds. Depends on the individual.
Did Vin's mother actually have a spike, or was she so crazy that one wasn't necessary for Ruin to influence her?
She was crazy enough on her own.
In an annotation from book one, it is mentioned that The Lord Ruler needed all three magic systems in order to do what he did. I always assumed that it meant his Hemalurgy enhanced his Allomancy. Did Marsh get a double power, or is the Feruchemy-Allomancy combo enough? (a sidebar to this question is whether or not stacking abilities is possible through Hemalurgy)
He used Hemalurgy to pull off his most dramatic effects. Marsh didn't need them, but it makes things much easier.
A modern world update for a future Mistborn trilogy probably wouldn't involve as much metal, unless Mistings were rare, which apparently will not be the case. I'm thinking more like plastics, ceramics, fiberglass, and silicon. I mean for cars and guns and all that.
Yes and no. For the rich, this would be an option. But much like using metal weapons in the Mistborn world, it isn't always an option for everyone. You will see both.
Lemme guess, the "Mistborn" following Vin was actually Ruin, since Elend never actually saw him, and he disappeared every time Vin got close?
Yes.
Why did Ruin give off Allomantic Pulses? Because Preservation did and they're two sides of the same coin? Allomancy is of Preservation, so I figured that's why he did...
Manifestation of the awesome power he held, mixed with Vin's increased ability to sense these things. Allomantic pulses are like a ripple of sound in the fabric of creation itself—the power of creation being used, creating a drum beat to those attuned to it. Ruin created a similar beat when his consciousness was near.
I'm sad Ten Soon never got to talk to Vin again, since it was apparent they both missed each other.
Remember that TenSoon, with spikes, can communicate more easily with those on the other side....
Who were Ruin and Preservation? I mean, when they died, they had bodies, like Vin. And you went as far as to describe their hair color (Red and Black, respectively). Preservation even had a prominent nose. Why describe their dead bodies, if they weren't at one time mortals themselves? They created humans, but were at one time human themselves?
RAFO. (Sorry.)
Was there ever anything to Reen's obsidian?
Reen's obsidian was a memento from his father, the parent he didn't share with Vin. I carried a small piece of obsidian like this for many years. It has no story function other than being important to Vin as a keepsake.
Spook gets repaired, does Cett get his legs?
To give humankind the best shot at survival, Sazed repaired all genetic defects and physical ailments in the people who were in the storage caches. So yes, Cett can walk. He was so shocked by this that he spent the entire epilogue walking around in the cavern, marveling.
Does Wit go to-- uh... what's that one place in The Way of Kings... The one place they go to, aft... The end of the book. Uh, I can't remember it now. *someone suggests something* The city they go to at the very end.
Of Way of Kings?
Not Way of Kings, uh...
Words of Radiance.
Words of Radiance, yes. Does Wit go there?
Radiance. Urithiru?
Urithiru! Does Wit go to Urithiru?
By the time that a certain somebody at the end shows up there. Wit is no longer with her, and nobody knows where he went.
Oh, he disappeared again! *others comment*
He tends to do that. What's that? So Wit has been lost. He will show up at some point in the book... But yes, he will at least have the Epilogue.
What's your stance on fanfiction?
I approve of fanfiction. *brief interruption* I think that there are many pros in the field who started in fanfiction, so it can be a springboard to professional writing. Most painters don't start by-- with their own style. They start by imitating a style. I also take the oppos-- the other stance of, if you just do it because it's fun, there's nothing wrong with that either. I'm unlikely to read the fanfiction set in my worlds, but it is also perfectly okay to do.
Couldn't think of any [questions], but I would just like to say that I would like to punch Kelsier in the face now, so... *group laughs*
He usually deserves getting punched in the face. *group laughs* If you were to meet Kelsier on the street, you can guess he has something that he's done that makes him deserve to be punched that day. *group laughs*
*reading a question from a friend* He asks you, "How a dead Splinter [Sliver] can interact with the physical world," and the follow up, "What could they do?"
A dead Splinter... So something like a dead...
Someone who's held the power and let go of it, so someone like... someone like...
Someone like the Lord Ruler.
Yeah, Lord Ruler or Vin or <someone like that>.
Okay, so... How could they interact with the world?
Yeah, the physical world.
So they would have some of the same problems that Kelsier had. But would have slightly more advantages than him. So for instance, speaking to the mad is something they could probably do.
Because Kelsier can't do that.
What's that?
Because Kelsier can't?
He can't?
He can?
Yeah, in Secret History he's able to speak to them. He has a lot of trouble getting through, but he can. So yeah. So I-- read Secret History and... *stutters* <a bunch> of the same answers. But they would be slightly more Invested than Kelsier was... No, but then he... yeah... They'd be about roughly the same.
Does Odium actually present a real threat to Harmony, because he-- *interrupted*
So Harmony is vastly more powerful than Odium.
Yeah.
Elend was vastly more powerful than Vin. Who would win in a fight?
Vin.
Okay, there's your answer.
You know how in, uh... the God King was engaged to Siri?
Mhm.
And she went to his room few times?
Mhm.
Will there be something like that in the second book? Or will you be avoiding that?
There will be a romance in the next book between different characters. Slightly different. The outline right now it's-- the romance is a married couple who, for political purposes act like they hate each other.
Okay.
*laughs* That's awesome.
But yes.
But what I mean is there will be any-- like-- there won't be anything, like, prostrating or whatever...
Probably not... Um, I mean...
Because if you avoid it I'll love to read the book. *laughs* I had a hard time recommending Warbreaker to others because of that. I mean, it's not a big criticism or anything, it's just more uncomfortable.
I understand that completely. It was a book about a wedding night. And I felt there were certain things that were appropriate for that book that may not have been appropriate for others.
So the orb thing in a Secret History, that he breaks?
Yes, mhm.
How does that work? Like is it-- is Connection a Shard and it has the essence of Connection in it? Or...?
*sighs* It is more complicated than that.
Okay.
<In> email then. *questioners laugh*
That's a RAFO, without being a RAFO.
In Memory of Light, how Lan didn't die.
Mhm.
And you were surprised that fewer people were discussing how you could interpret Rand's actions as bending the Pattern to make it that he did not die.
Mhm.
And I'm trying to-- You mentioned that there were certain real world homages that you were trying to make because of this...
Mhm.
I couldn't remember what those were.
Well, Lazarus.
Well, okay. But like something like with K-- like King Arthur or something like that.
There's-- yes, there are... *interrupted*
But I don't remember what that was.
There are... the Fisher King.
Fisher King?
Yeah, Google the Fisher King if you want to read about that. There's a lot of him... I mean, there's also Hindu and Muslim symbolism that I cribbed from, so to speak. The thing about Lan is I... if you press me, I would probably say he didn't die. But the parallelism of Rand in book 3 trying to raise from the dead and not being able to, and Rand in the last book with him there--
This man *inaudible*.
Yes. Um, you can make the argument that, and you know, we'll never know if he did or didn't. I think it is... I made it intentionally ambiguous. Brandon the reader, you press me, I'll say, "Eh, he probably didn't." But there is parallelism there, and it is intentional.
Does Paalm have any cameos in the first books?
In the first books, does Paalm have any cameos? RAFO.
We asked about Bloody Tan. He burned... What is it that he <stole>?
Bandalloy.
Bendalloy.
So... "Does he burn bendalloy?" is your question?
Mhm.
Um... So... Which version of Bloody Tan?
Oh!
The non-Paalm version.
Yeah.
Alloy of Law version.
Okay, so the... Right... Okay, see, I have to kind of ask. He is not burning bendalloy any place you see, I don't believe. Why do you ask if he burns bendalloy?
He mentions that he stole or was involved in steeling a shipment of bendalloy.
Yeah. He steals this because it's worth money. I did-- *interrupted*
Oh, and he's-- wait, which one is-- Is that what makes you fast?
Yes, that's the one that-- *interrupted*
And that he moves Lessie so fast.
Yes, but then a time bubble would have to be used in that, and-- Oh, you mean for... No, yeah, then a time bubble would be involved and the whole bullet thing wouldn't work. He's not using the time bubble there.
Okay, that makes sense.
'Cause if he put up a time bubble he would be moving super fast. But Wax would have known that a time bubble was-- had been thrown up. So good question, but no. I don't believe... Yeah, he wasn't an Allomancer. He stole that because it's money. I can say that with 100% surety. I just have to look through and make sure, "Okay, I'm not-- I didn't do anything in the notes."
Has Hoid ever submitted a painting to the Court of Gods?
Hoid has... potentially submitted a painting. *group laughs* That's something he would do. But I have to say that as, "Brandon says that's something he would do. And 'sure.'" But that's not out of the notes or anything.
So the paintings that Lightsong reacted to...
Mhm.
Who painted those? Anyone in particular, or...?
They are important in the scheme of that book, yes.
Oh, anyone mentioned in that book? Anyone we know.
Oh, one of the paintings is important. Not all of them, but one of them.
Why do you have salt?
Because this is my tour box, and I like to salt my food. And sometimes I will be on tour and have to grab food real fast after a signing or before, and so I have salt to salt my food.
In the Graphic Audio books... Obviously they had to change things, and when Vasher wake-- or puts the rest of the Breath into the rope he uses a different Command. He says, "My breath to give for life to live." Is that that canon, or is that just...
So here's the thing... You have to be ver--...
I mean, I know he's got to...
Yeah...
...You know, he has to be careful with his Commands so he doesn't give away his Divine Breath.
Yes.
I'm just wondered if that's the...
I think that's canon.
Canon. 'Cause it's not in the regular book.
But it's not in the regular book. I'm gonna have to go back and look, but I think that's canon.
Okay, cool.
Pretty sure. So yeah, you have to be really careful when you've got a Divine Breath, what you're doing. *interruption* I'm gonna have to go to Isaac and Peter to make sure that that's the canon thing. That they got that from us. But for now you can pretend that it is.
What's the earliest that we'll be seeing more of Scribbler (I'd heard a bunch about it at TWG, and so I found the sample chapters on your site and now I'm REALLY wanting more of it, so I'd like to know when I should start looking again...)?
Sigh. I really want to do something with Scribbler, but I can't justify it right now. I'm doing the fourth Alcatraz because I can't put it off any longer because of contracts, and Kings because Tor really wants a solo Brandon book next year. But I can't justify working too much on a project that hasn't been sold and which—if published—would end up pulling me into another side trilogy. I have to leave the WoT with the space it needs and deserves. Until it is completed, I have to shelve side projects. That, unfortunately, includes Scribbler. For now.
There are some things in the works with it, and I'm very excited about the possibilities. But there's nothing tangible I can give you now. It's coming. Maybe sooner than I've made it sound, but best to be careful as nothing is set yet.
If you could pick any actress to play Blushweaver in a movie based on Warbreaker, who would you pick? Monica Bulluci and Salma Hayek are top picks on your forum!
Monica Bellucci is a fantastic choice. Either her, or Angelina Jolie.
How would a tongueless God King give up his Breaths?
It involves the God King having a child. (Yes, it's possible.) I talk a little more about this in the annotations, but don't want to give too much away here.
Backup plan is to have a Returned heal him, like actually ended up happening.
Can you give any history on Denth? I don't know what he did as one of the Five Scholars. What was his roll during the Manywar?
Boy, you know, I'd rather leave the history of the Five and the Manywar for the sequel. Denth was there, and at first he tried to stop it, work as a peacemaker, and eventually took Vasher's side. Until the death of his sister.
How could Vasher become Drab, since he would have to give up his Big Breath to do so?
The Divine Breath can be hid. Essentially, you have to view yourself NOT as a god at all, using a very specific bit of mental gymnastics. As a Returned, your body changes based on how you see yourself. (This, by the way, is an indication that Lightsong was more pleased with himself than he ever let on.)
You don't lose your Divine Breath, but it does go into hiding, making you look like a normal person. But you're still Returned, and are consuming a Breath at one a week. If you give away your other Breaths, you retain this hidden one, but your body will still consume its own spirit if left to do so. So you still need a Breath a week to survive, and will die the week you don't get one.
I left this as an intentional place to explore the magic in the sequel, which I had planned to be writing (and posting on my website) by the time Warbreaker was out in stores. The WoT has diverted me, and so I feel bad, since this ends up being a confusing question that a number of readers have had. The hints toward how this is working are very difficult to find. (The biggest one is probably in the opening, where Vasher thinks about how he could reach the Fifth Heightening instantly, if he wanted to.)
Are/were all the Five Scholars Returned?
Yes.
I've got a few Warbreaker questions: Is Clod a Lifeless Arsteel?
Yes. Good eye.
