Rybal
(paraphrased)
How did you come up with the geography on Roshar?
Brandon Sanderson
(paraphrased)
The geography on Roshar was developed as a natural outgrowth of the highstorm, which was the first concept for Roshar, which was inspired by the storm of Jupiter, which was me wanting to tell a story about a world with a continual magical storm. And then I built the ecology and all of these things up from that. Roshar had to grow up--I had to find a mechanism by which stone was deposited by rain, because I felt that the constant weathering over that long of a time would leave no continents. So the crem was my kind of scientific-with-one-foot-in-magic hack on keeping the continent. So the continent does drift. They don't have plate tectonics. The continent actually moves as it gets weathered on the east and gets pushed that direction over millennia of time.
Rybal
Can the Heralds Surgebind without their [Honor]Blades, and if not are they under the same restrictions the Radiants are?
Brandon Sanderson
[...] I will say that the Heralds without their Blades are incapable of the powers you are familiar with. It doesn't mean there aren't other things they can do, but they are incapable of the powers you are familiar with throughout the book.
Questioner
Elhokar with the Herdazians--is that meant to be like Alfred the Great?
Brandon Sanderson
No, that is completely coincidental. I didn't even think of that.
Outis
Are there feathered birds on Roshar?
Brandon Sanderson
Yes, they are called chickens by everybody and you've seen some of them. [...] If you watch, in Words of Radiance, there are things people are calling a chicken, which are not what you know of as a chicken.
Questioner
Kaladin is a lot younger than his knowledge and training levels are... *inaudible*
Brandon Sanderson
It just depends, he's led-- you have to keep two things in mind, he's led a very hard life, which aged him experience-wise differently, and also Roshar years are longer than ours, so when they say in this book [that] he's 19, he's not actually 19, he's more like-- I can't remember the exact equation, but he's actually 23, or something like that. So do keep that in mind.
Questioner
What Order of Knights Radiant would you want to be in?
Brandon Sanderson
I would probably place myself in the Bondsmiths, would be my guess. But Bondsmiths are very hard to get into. There's a limited number of people who can be Bondsmiths, so yeah.
Questioner
Is Hoid the one that comes out of the lake that Rock is talking about? *photo pause* Or you can't tell me?
Brandon Sanderson
I am going to give you a RAFO card.
Shicaca
Is there anything to, I was looking at the map of Roshar, and it kind of looked like a spiral galaxy to me, like it was flipping in a certain direction--
Brandon Sanderson
Yes, that is intentional. You are onto something that no one has figured out yet.
Audience
Tell us, tell us!
Shicaca
I was thinking if it's connected to manipulating gravity... *inaudible*
Brandon Sanderson
You are onto something and it's not exactly what you think you are onto but you're getting close to something that they've all wanted to know for a while.
Questioner
Is the fundamental force of gravity [gravitational constant] the same [throughout the Cosmere]?
Brandon Sanderson
Oh, is the constant the same? Yes, the constant would be the same. The big difference is, what I am tweaking to the fundamental forces is, I imagine on Roshar that there are more fundamental forces. Which is totally breaking the laws of physics, right? But [in] magic there are more than four. I've broken them up into, at least, what their scientists have decided. So. But yes.
Questioner
Are you gonna make any of your primary characters into worldhoppers?
Brandon Sanderson
Some of them already are. [...] Yes, there are primary characters who are worldhoppers, you just haven't actually [seen them], I know what you're asking, we just haven't had books about them yet.
Questioner
The Knights each have two Surges, they spill over each. I am wondering, is the crossover [shared] Surge for each Knight [Order] the same? Like gravity for Windrunners and--
Brandon Sanderson
Windrunners are always the same thing.
Questioner
No no no, the way the [Gravitation] Surge is for Skybreakers and--
Brandon Sanderson
The way they act? Yes. To an extent, yes. Each of the combinations make a little bit of a tweak to how things act but when you see Skybreakers affect gravity it'll be more or less the same as the Windrunners.
Questioner
In book one [of The Stormlight Archive] Dalinar catches a chasmfiend claw, in book two he catches a Shardblade. Is he gonna keep catching things?
Brandon Sanderson
Yeah, he's pretty good at catching things. I don't know, RAFO?
Questioner
The line about "three of sixteen [ruled] and now the Broken One reigns" - did Odium follow three other Shards to Roshar or is he the third Shard?
Brandon Sanderson
Odium is the third Shard on Roshar.
Questioner
[The Stormlight Archive] Books 6-10, do you know the Order of the flashbacks?
Brandon Sanderson
I've not decided the order. I know whose they are but I haven't decide the order.
Questioner
Lift?
Brandon Sanderson
Lift is one.
Questioner
[...] Taln?
Brandon Sanderson
Yes, Taln is one of them. The person who calls himself Taln.
Questioner
What theologies and philosophies did you draw on to create Vorinism?
Brandon Sanderson
Vorinism is a hodge podge of a lot of different things. Part of is the Jewish Kabbalah--
Questioner
The mysticism of Jewish--
Brandon Sanderson
Yeah, the Jewish mysticism. Part of it is Jewish mysticism, part of is [Islam], but there are a lot of things that are just drawing from philosophies rather than theologies. I'm trying to remember what specifically we were doing... But the main concept was the idea of a church that had been subsumed by a monarchy to the point that the [the church] would be very servile. And that concept led me to a lot of the Vorinism discussions.
Questioner
With the different headings [epigraphs] of each chapter of the Stormlight Archive books, obviously they don't all make sense as you go along, but five years from now, if I read the five books and I am reading at the start of The Way of Kings, all the words, all the last words of people [the death rattles], is it going to be this huge foreshadowing moment--
Brandon Sanderson
It will make a lot more sense.
Questioner
Who would win an argument - Shallan or Lightsong?
Brandon Sanderson
*laughs* Lightsong. More practice. Maybe eventually Shallan could hold her own, but at this point he would.
Questioner
When you were saying you took all the best parts out of Dragonsteel - so you took characters, and you took Bridge Four, - but you said we'll probably see Dragonsteel at some point, what... If you said you've already taken what you think are the best parts of it...
Brandon Sanderson
I will probably be moving stuff that was in the second and third book to a [new] first book and writing that one instead.
Questioner
How much Stormlight is equal to a Breath?
Brandon Sanderson
I haven't looked. It's one of those things that I need to go to Peter and be like "Alright, they are asking us to canonize this."
Questioner
Would Allomancy affect Shardplate or Shardblades?
Brandon Sanderson
It cannot affected Shardblades. Well, "cannot" is a strong word. Things with innate investiture are much more difficult to affect with any of the magics at all. Which is why it's very hard, for instance-- Szeth is not able to bind people, or Lash people wearing Shardplate to the ceiling. In the same Allomancy would not be able to Push on it without some help. Duralumin and a really strong [Steel]Push could probably do it.
Questioner
I was just wondering if it's actually metal.
Brandon Sanderson
Oh yes. It is metal-ish... it is metal enough for Allomancy to work on it.
Questioner
If an Elantrian bonded to a Seon were to travel to Roshar, would that act as a Nahel bond?
Brandon Sanderson
It would act very, very similarly, yes. But it would be like... it wouldn't necessarily do the exact same things. Like if you've got two radios tuned to a frequency, they won't necessarily pick up another radio frequency, or things like this. I don't know, that's a bad metaphor, I'd have to think of a better one. But it would be treated exactly the same way but it might not grant the same powers.
Questioner
Is Shardplate crem?
Brandon Sanderson
No, it is not, good question.
Questioner
You said the <Adolin's> grows *inaduble*
Brandon Sanderson
Good question, it is not crem.
IronCaf
In what ways is becoming an Allomantic savant similar to, say, bodybuilding or exercising?
Brandon Sanderson
There are some parallels there, you could draw that parallel, definitely.
IronCaf
What other magic systems - because it seems unique from what we have seen - what other magic systems have that same, kind of, "If you use it a lot it gets better?"
Brandon Sanderson
So, imagine this way-- You're making a metaphor-- It is a little bit more like wedging open cracks in the soul by letting the flow come through, and the investiture comes in.
IronCaf
So it seems that in Allomancy, it seems to maybe enhance those cracks--
Brandon Sanderson
It can open the cracks more.
IronCaf
Are there other magic systems like that?
Brandon Sanderson
Yes.
IronCaf
Will we see those anytime soon?
Brandon Sanderson
Maybe. Anytime soon? Let me RAFO that for you.
Questioner
Is it very difficult to travel, to worldhop from Sel because most of the world in its Cognitive Realm version is ocean?
Brandon Sanderson
No, that is not the reason. Good question.
Questioner
What alloy did Hoid [use in Shallan's flashback]--
Brandon Sanderson
Let's just say that he was trying to make certain people act the way he wanted them to.
Questioner
Are there any locations on Roshar with red stone?
Brandon Sanderson
Yes.
Questioner
Where did the red stone in Feverstone [Keep] come from?
Brandon Sanderson
Roshar. It comes from Roshar.
Questioner
[Was] Vasher the one who brought Nightblood to Roshar? *sensing an incoming RAFO* Come on, please!
Brandon Sanderson
*laughs mercilessly* That's a RAFO.
Questioner
Is Eshonai going to be a Radiant? You mentioned in the beginning that there's going to be ten books, ten Radiants - and Eshonai's book is one of them...
Brandon Sanderson
So. In the past, parshmen were - Parshendi were not allowed to become Knights Radiant. However, what I said, might imply that that could change.
Questioner
And I also have a question about the nature of spren being dead. Specifically about whether or not they can be resurrected. Because ideas can never really die...
Brandon Sanderson
Ideas can never really die--
Questioner
... Cognitive creatures--
Brandon Sanderson
They are Cognitive creatures. This is theoretically possible but very difficult without the people who originally betrayed their oaths.
Questioner
(paraphrased)
Do you have an adviser for the science?
Brandon Sanderson
(paraphrased)
I usually run things by my editor who's very big into science, but mostly we go find an expert and have him read. The thing about it is, I have to hand wave a lot of things. Like the laws of thermodynamics, I can't, you know.. There are quantum physics in here. I'm trying to handwave as little as possible but we are breaking fundamental laws of physics, but even in terms of things like the laws of conservation. Energy is being conserved, but there's a supernatural source.
Questioner
(paraphrased)
Does Nightblood act as an Honorblade?
Brandon Sanderson
(paraphrased)
RAFO.
Questioner
(paraphrased)
Would you consider yourself a Worldsinger?
Brandon Sanderson
(paraphrased)
Potentially, yes.
Questioner
(paraphrased)
In Shallan, in the beginning and middle of the book it's 10 heartbeats, and in the end of the book it's none...?
Brandon Sanderson
(paraphrased)
The 10 heartbeats is required to revive a dead Shardblade.
Questioner
(paraphrased)
But he wasn't dead the whole time.
Brandon Sanderson
(paraphrased)
He wasn't. But perception-- all magic systems in the Cosmere are based on perception-what you think you can do. For instance, Kaladin can't get healed because he sees himself as having a wounded forehead with the scars and that can't vanish because his perception is in the way.
Questioner
(paraphrased)
Do we have another worldhopper potentially, with the epilogue?
Brandon Sanderson
(paraphrased)
There is some interesting things happening there. Good question!
Questioner
(paraphrased)
How many orders have we seen so far? I know there're the four identified at the end.
Brandon Sanderson
(paraphrased)
You've seen Jasnah's, so that's the fifth one. You've seen Lift which gets you to six. You've seen Ym.
Questioner
(paraphrased)
*inaudible*
Brandon Sanderson
(paraphrased)
You can usually- in some cases- use the magic of one world to power the magic of another world.
Questioner
(paraphrased)
Szeth in the prologue of book one says he can't heal from a Shardblade wound, but Kaladin can. What is the distinction there?
Brandon Sanderson
(paraphrased)
You should be looking to see if you can find other distinctions between what Szeth says and what happens to Kaladin, because there's three or four big inconsistencies.
Questioner
(paraphrased)
What's with the black stone that the king gives Szeth?
Brandon Sanderson
(paraphrased)
It holds a secret that will be revealed in future books. I'd tell ya but they're recording me right here, so I can't tell you otherwise it gets out on the internet!
Questioner
(paraphrased)
How do safepouches work?
Brandon Sanderson
(paraphrased)
Imagine an envelope that you can button closed.
Questioner
Dalinar, the Blackthorn, are we going to figure out why he's called that?
Brandon Sanderson
You will eventually see flashbacks from Dalinar in a later book, which will add some information to that.
Questioner
(paraphrased)
Is there any significance to Adolin's mother's chain being missing?
Brandon Sanderson
(paraphrased)
Only to him.
Questioner
(paraphrased)
If after speaking the Third Ideal, Kaladin were to betray his oaths, would Syl turn into a Shardblade?
Brandon Sanderson
(paraphrased)
Yes.
Questioner
(paraphrased)
Given that Investiture is Investiture, would there be potential Investiture of like, kandra to Parshendi using Hemalurgic spikes?
Brandon Sanderson
(paraphrased)
Hemalurgic spikes can be used on any planet.
Questioner
(paraphrased)
Would it be potential for Parshendi to develop a form using the spikes?
Brandon Sanderson
(paraphrased)
Wow, that would be a really weird hack of the magic system that would be theoretically possible. But that's a really weird one. I had never even considered that one. Parshendi adopting other Investiture could happen, the spikes is not one I've considered.
Questioner
(paraphrased)
Are the Unmade actually spren as Taravangian thinks they are?
Brandon Sanderson
(paraphrased)
As far as anyone knows. I'm not going to answer other than that.
Questioner
(paraphrased)
Are there factions in the Spiritual Realm? Like there are different stories about the Tranquiline Halls and the Iridescent Tones.
Brandon Sanderson
(paraphrased)
Yes... there are actual factions but they're not what you're thinking of.
Questioner
(paraphrased)
Are there lifeforms that are native to the Spiritual Realm like the spren are native to the Cognitive Realm?
Brandon Sanderson
(paraphrased)
Yes, but they're not what you're thinking.
Questioner
(paraphrased)
How did Hoid and whoever he's sending the letters to deliver the letters?
Brandon Sanderson
(paraphrased)
RAFO.
Questioner
(paraphrased)
Was there any specific reason why you chose to not have men not be able to read in [Roshar]?
Brandon Sanderson
(paraphrased)
Yes, it relates back to the origin of where the safehand comes from and things like this.
Questioner
(paraphrased)
Are spren visible on Roshar because Cultivation is present?
Brandon Sanderson
(paraphrased)
Cultivation has a lot to do with the spren but the spren-- would-- it's hard to separate them, but some spren did exist before Cultivation arrived.
Questioner
(paraphrased)
*inaudible*
Brandon Sanderson
(paraphrased)
Eshonai indeed gets a flashback sequence. Now, Parshendi were not allowed to be surgebinders in previous eras. I'll just mention that.
Questioner
(paraphrased)
Are there any other characters from Elantris or other things?
Brandon Sanderson
(paraphrased)
There are indeed others around. I don't know how obvious they are in this book, but there are a couple.
Chris_from_Warrenton
(paraphrased)
Would it be possible to Soulforge Nightblood and change the command that was given to him when he was Invested?
Brandon Sanderson
(paraphrased)
That is possible. That would actually not be a very difficult Soulforge. The problem is, he's Invested. So reInvesting him, which is what Soulforgery is, is really hard. So you'd have to figure out how you could use Forgery on something that is already Invested. But Forgery can get through some of those hoops a lot easier than some other magic systems can.
Chris_from_Warrenton
(paraphrased)
Do you have to be a willing subject to be Soulforged?
Brandon Sanderson
(paraphrased)
You do not. Working with the soul is really hard though. You have to be a supreme expert in what you're doing, because soul is Investiture.
Questioner
(paraphrased)
In order to use magic from one world on another world, do they need a bit of [the first world's] Shard with you?
Brandon Sanderson
(paraphrased)
It helps a lot. But there are other ways to do it. What's going on in the Cosmere is people have 3 sets of DNA. They have Physical DNA, Spiritual DNA, and Cognitive DNA. Their Spiritual DNA is what encodes the magic system into them, their Investiture. So if you can find a way to rewrite your Spiritual DNA, you can do all kinds of funky things. That's what Hemalurgy does. It rips off a piece of someone else's soul, staples it to yours. So if you went with a Hemalurgic spike to the right place, ripped off a piece of someone's soul and stapled it to yourself, you could create short circuits that will let you do all kinds of goofy stuff.
Questioner
(paraphrased)
Will the next book explain how that sword [Nightblood] got there, and why that guy [Zahel/Vasher] isn't with that sword?
Brandon Sanderson
(paraphrased)
The next book will give you some hints.
Questioner
(paraphrased)
Is Edgli the name of Endowment?
Brandon Sanderson
(paraphrased)
RAFO.
Questioner
(paraphrased)
In the middle of Words of Radiance, there's a scene where Kaladin's hanging out in the barracks, and Rock kicks out an ardent sketching them. Is that the guy drawing all the pictures?
Brandon Sanderson
(paraphrased)
That is Nazh. You've found him. You have discovered Nazh!
Questioner
(paraphrased)
What kind of spren do Dustbringers have?
Brandon Sanderson
(paraphrased)
RAFO. But you asked a very wise question.
Questioner
(paraphrased)
Have we seen a Knight of all of the Orders yet?
Brandon Sanderson
(paraphrased)
You have not seen a Knight of all of the orders yet I don't believe.
Questioner
(paraphrased)
Even one that doesn't have a spren yet?
Brandon Sanderson
(paraphrased)
I think you have met everybody.
Questioner
(paraphrased)
Can Nightwatcher RAFO people?
Brandon Sanderson
(paraphrased)
*laughs* Nightwatcher can do whatever she wants!
Shale
(paraphrased)
Can Kaladin wear Shardplate at the end of Words of Radiance?
Brandon Sanderson
(paraphrased)
it would affect him like it affects Szeth, so not a good idea.
Shale
(paraphrased)
Is there a point in trying to figure out who has the Blade everyone is wondering about?
Brandon Sanderson
(paraphrased)
Not really, no. At this point there just aren't enough clues to do more than guess.