MAJOR SPOILERS for The Stromlight Archive through Rhythm of War
Summary
The first arc ofMistbornauthor Brandon Sanderson’sThe Stormlight Archiveseries will conclude in 2024’sWind and Truth, with several theories hopefully coming to fruition. Beginning withThe Way of Kingsin 2010,The Stormlight Archivehas become one of the most recognizable titles in modern epic fantasy, with Sanderson constantly praised for his complex world-building and detailed character work. The series is a major proponent of the American author’s largerfictional universe known as the Cosmere, meaning theories about the fifth volume could tie it to other stories likeMistborn.
Wind and Truthis set to be released in December 2024, just over four years after the previous volume,Rhythm of War. Since then, four novels have been released in the Cosmere:The Lost Metal,Tress of the Emerald Sea,Yumi and the Nightmare Painter, andThe Sunlit Man. As seen inRhythm of War, Cosmere easter eggs and references are becoming more frequent with each Brandon Sanderson book, soWind and Truthcould have more connectivity to these books. Theend ofRhythm of Waralready hinted at a massiveMistborncharacter crossoverand further explored Cosmere world-hopping.
Another vital thing to consider withWind and Truthis that while it’s set to complete the current arc ofThe Stormlight Archive,there will still be five more books in the saga. The next Cosmere book is going to be Secret Project 5, titledIsles of the Emberdark, which Sanderson announced through a backer campaign in 2024. Following that, there will bemoreMistbornbooksand sequels toElantris. The next books inThe Stormlight Archiveare years down the line and will be set ten years afterWind and Truthin the book’s world.
Kaladin & Szeth Are Going To Adventure To Shinovar Together
Szeth will be the primary flashback character in the novel
All of Brandon Sanderson’s titles correspond to a particular element of the novel, such asThe Way of Kings, which refers to the text Dalinar researches in the story. As forWind and Truth,the title seems to correspond to Kaladin, the Windrunner, and Szeth, Truthless of Shinovar. It’s been revealed that Szeth will be the primary flashback character in the novel, with him swearing his fifth ideal as a potential plot point, which would have him become a personification of truth or him finally taking the idea of truth into his own hands after following orders for so long.
With those ideas in mind, Kaladin is the other important part. Szeth and Kaladin will be traveling to Shinovar together, which could result in some exciting character conflict between them, especially as they’re two individuals who haven’t interacted much throughout the series. How their relationship develops is contingent on what they find in Shinovar, and oneRedditorexplores a fascinating theory that they’ll reach the nation to find it destroyed.
Every Brandon Sanderson Secret Project Book Explained
Acclaimed fantasy author Brandon Sanderson has shocked audiences with another new “Secret Project.” Here’s every Secret Project so far, explained.
6Shallan’s Mother Is A Herald
A Theory Suggests Chanarach Is Shallan’s Mother
There’s much more to Shallan’s history than just how it ties to her personal arc, as the organizational involvements and dealings of her family seem to tie to the grander conflicts on Roshar. Many have theorized thatShallan’s mother is the Herald Chanarach(viaReddit). The Heralds are immortal beings who serve the Almighty, and though Chanarach’s location is unknown, it’s notably mentioned that a character in the series has recently met her, and there are some critical elements that have tied Shallan’s mother to her.
Shallan describes her mother as “brave” inWords of Radiance, which is one of Chanarach’s Divine Attributes, along with Obedience. Shallan’s Radiant identity is described as being very similar to Chanarach’s appearance artwork on the back cover ofRhythm of War.Shallan’s mother also tries to murder her when she discovers Shallan is a surgebinder, which aligns with other Heralds believing surgebinders to be a sign of the Deosolations. There’s even more information to support this claim in theWind and Truthprologue, which can be read online.
5Kaladin Will Survive
Killing Kaladin After Everything He’s Been Through Seems Wasteful
Kaladin is one of the most beloved characters inThe Stormlight Archiveand the broader Cosmere universe, and everyone can agree he’s had it rough.His struggles with mental health are one of the many examples of what makes Brandon Sanderson’s fantasy so compelling, in that his characters experience modern internal issues, making them more relatable. Kaladin experiences depression throughout the four books, even coming to the brink of taking his own life twice inThe Way of KingsandRhythm of War.
The heroic sacrifice is a common trope and a fate that could be expected from Kaladin
With those elements in mind, it’s challenging to imagine Kaladin dying inWind and Truth. The heroic sacrifice is a common trope and a fate that could be expected from Kaladin, seeing as he bears the most similar traits to the archetypal hero. However,it seems antithetical to his arc to experience what he has and then to die. The better alternative is for Kaladin to live and slowly learn to love himself and recover from his trauma. His arc could still conclude, allowing him to live peacefully and be a minor character in the subsequentStormlight Archivenovels.
4Shallan Becomes A Worldhopper
Shallan’s storyline inRhythm of Warsaw her travel through Shadesmar with Adolin, learning more about the Ghostbloods and inter-system travel in the Cosmere. AReddittheory explores the possibility that Shallan could further this exploration followingWind and Truth,wanting to pursue Thaidakar (Kelsier) on Scadrial. The theory even goes as far as to say Shallan makes it, and it has been seen at some point inMistbornEra 2, but in a different form. Still, there are some flaws in the theory that would have to be undone in the next book.
Shallan being a surgebinder means she has a level of Investiture, a term used to describe the energy force of the magic systems in the Cosmere. Because of her Investiture, it wouldn’t be possible in the current state to travel off Roshar. This is a secret Hoid possesses and not one that he’d likely disclose to Shallan without good reason. Anything is possible in book 5, andsome characters will likely be integrated into the grander Cosmere conflict, like Sazed or Kelsier, ifMistbornserves as an example.
3Odium’s Champion Will Be A Major Twist
Several Candidates Could Be Odium’s Champion, Including Baby Gavinor
TheRhythm of Warending sees Dalinar and Odium agree to a contest of champions, which will be held inWind and Truth.Once Taravangian becomes Odium’s vessel in the epilogue, though, he realizes somethingthe previous iteration missed. What this could be referring to has become a subject of theorization regarding who his champion could be. See the full quote below:
There was so much to do. He sorted through Odium’s previous plans and saw all their flaws. How had he let himself be maneuvered into this particular deal with Dalinar? How had he let himself rely so much upon a contest of champions? Didn’t he know? The way to win was to make sure that, no matter the outcome, you were satisfied. Odium should never have entered a deal he could not absolutely control.
There are obvious options for the champion, like Moash, who’s worked himself up to be one of the series' most hateable characters. Other options, such as El, Nale, or Ishar, would be quite effective and possible but would carry far less emotional resonance. There are other options that are a bit more outlandish but propose higher interpersonal consequences, like Gavinor (Elhokar’s baby) or Jasnah.The Gavinor theory is quite popular, further exploring the theme of utilitarianismdiscussed throughoutThe Stormlight Archiveby Dalinar and Taravangian.
2Dalinar Kholin Will Become Honor
Dalinar Taking The Honor Shard Is A Common Theory
With theMistbornbooks seeing Sazed taking the Preservation and Ruin Shards,it seems likely that a character inThe Stormlight Archivewill become the new vessel for Honor in book 5. This is a perfect way to keep familiar characters going in the grand scheme of the Cosmere, though still allowing them to take on brand-new arcs. Dalinar Kholin is the most obvious suspect, as his arc primarily culminated inOathbringer. It’s hard to imagine him stepping into a background role in a second series, so the most likely options seem like death or ascendance.
The original Honor was killed by Odium, causing the Shard to be Splintered so it couldn’t be used. Of course,Dalinar’s whole purpose inThe Stormlight Archivehas been to unite, and he’s likely going to continue to stretch his capabilities as a Bondsmith going forward. Kaladin has been another candidate for the Honor Shard, as he’s considered to be the embodiment of honor, especially after his heroic save inWords of Radiance.
What Is Brandon Sanderson’s Secret Project 5? Mistborn Author’s Record-Breaking Book Kickstarter Explained
Brandon Sanderson has announced “Secret Project 5.” Here’s everything you need to know about the Mistborn author’s exciting new fantasy book.
1Adolin Will Restore Maya (& Here’s How)
Rhythm Of War Indicated Adolin Could Be An Edgedancer
Adolin Kholin’s purpose inThe Stormlight Archivehas been in question for years. While an excellent swordsman and a powerful force in the era of Shardplate and Shardblade warfare, he’s been heavily outclassed since the return of the Knights Radiant, even himself admitting to feeling useless at times.Rhythm of Warsees Adolin represent the best of humanity on his trial. His deadeye spren, Mayalaran, has been his Shardblade for years, andthey seem to have a relationship that’s more special than the usual human and deadeye.
Radiants who resemble ideals more specifically tend to have extra perks
Maya is already partially revived and is healing. Fans have theorized about potential reasons for this.Adolin naturally embodies many of the ideals of the Edgerdancersand Radiants who resemble ideals more specifically tend to have extra perks. Adolin could become an Edgerdancer, who typically bond cultivationspren like Maya, fully restoring her at some point inWind and Truth.Mistbornauthor Brandon Sanderson is very particular with his grand schemes, and Adolin’s delay in becoming a Radiant could serve an exciting plot twist purpose in book 5.
