Recent entries

Aurimus

What was the thematic decision behind the number 16? Why did you choose that?

Brandon Sanderson

I really like how divisible it was. It looked really cool when I was playing with things like an Allomantic table and whatnot. It was mostly an aesthetic choice. Like, it just felt right.

Aurimus

So was it originally the Shards or the metals you decided on?

Brandon Sanderson

So, I started with the metals. And then expanded out to that, yeah. So what you've gotta remember is, like, I write Elantris without knowledge of the cosmere. I knew I was gonna do something, but I didn't know what I was gonna do. And then I wrote Dragonsteel, and in Dragonsteel I had all sorts of theories and plans, but I never canonized any of that. And when I sat down to write Mistborn, I said, "All right. We're building the cosmere for real now." And before then I had just kind of been winging it. So when I did Aether of Night, which I put Shards in, I was like "Okay, there'll be some of these things, and what-not." Mistborn was, like, the first real cosmere book, if that makes any sense.

yurisses

Do kandra count as metalborn?

Brandon Sanderson

I would count them, yes.

yurisses

And would Wax count them as metalborn?

Brandon Sanderson

He would not. Probably.

yurisses

'Cause he calls VenDell metalborn, and I was wondering if he was testing VenDell in some way or not...

Brandon Sanderson

Yeah... I'll have to go look at what I wrote on that one, as well.

yurisses

Can you tell us a little bit about what Hoid was up to in Terris in The Well of Ascension?

Brandon Sanderson

He was hunting for the Well of Ascension.

yurisses

In the new continuity, he already knew where the Well was, because he used it to come back to--

Brandon Sanderson

Right, we changed the continuity, didn't we. Yeah. Oh boy. We came up with an explanation of this, because when we wrote the book-- Yeah, why don't you send me an email on that one. Now that I have the conversation with Peter, he brought that one up when I finally got around to Secret History. That was one of our big casualties. What did I come up with? I think he was just really, really-- I will have to-- because I canonzied it to Peter. We're gonna have to go to Peter and say "What's in the wiki now?" Yeah, that was one of the big casualties, and the fact that I couldn't get Kelsier to one of the places where I had left foreshadowing for him to speak in someone's head, and I can't remember what that one was, either.

yurisses

Oh, that one was Sazed, you said it was his imagination.

Brandon Sanderson

Yeah, I had to make that his imagination. Because I just couldn't get people where they needed to go. This is the problem with writing an outline, then writing a book, and then writing another book so many years later. Certain things, we just can't work into the continuity. Write us an email, we'll get you the official continuity for that one. Because Peter did nail me down when we were working on the book.

Peter Ahlstrom

After Hoid got the bead during the scene in Secret History, he went north to Terris to do research on possibly acquiring Feruchemy. While he’s there, all hell breaks loose, and he ends up embroiled in helping the Terris people.

yurisses

In Words of Radiance, the ardent Rushu calls Renarin's symmetry improper. Is that just meant to categorize his untrained hand, or is the symmetry different from normal?

Brandon Sanderson

No, it's his untrained hand.

yurisses

How many oaths/Ideals has Dalinar sworn by the end of OB?

Brandon Sanderson

The # you think.

Aurimus

As the Cognitive and Spiritual Realms aren't something that exists in real life, is it safe to say that everything within those Realms are comprised of Investiture?

Brandon Sanderson

Yes.

Questioner

When Odium said "we killed you" to Dalinar, was he referring to Adonalsium? Was he referring to Honor?

Brandon Sanderson

RAFO.

Questioner

What book are you most excited about working on?

Brandon Sanderson

I would say the Wax&Wayne book, the last one, I am really eager to do. I've got a lot of really good notes for it.

Shardbound

Was that little remark about queuing by Sigzil [in Oathbringer] a little dig at us Brits?

Brandon Sanderson

Uh, yes.

Questioner

So, at the end of [Oathbringer], a certain Shard says "we killed you." Is "you" Adonalsium there? Or is that a [RAFO]?

Brandon Sanderson

That's a big RAFO!

Questioner

In this world, assuming that [Roshar] is as old as it appears to be, wouldn't it be that the creatures that have gemhearts in them, as they die their body would rot away but leaving the gemstone? So wouldn't fossil beds exist with layers of gemstones in them from the passing of the ages?

Brandon Sanderson

Yeah, that's why-- yes.

Questioner

That's how they mine them?

Brandon Sanderson

They do mine them. What you've got to remember is, in my opinion these things are going to collect in certain ways in certain places.

Questioner

Densities and stuff.

Brandon Sanderson

Yeah. But yeah. Because there's no tectonic activity on Roshar, so.

Questioner

Just the buildup of crem over time slowly covers things.

Brandon Sanderson

Mmhmm.

Questioner

Do you think we'll get to see Shallan worldhop onto Nalthis?

Brandon Sanderson

RAFO. RAFO. Such a big RAFO. Enormous RAFOs!

Questioner

So I have a question about surges. So in this book they use this very Spiritual Adhesion. Do all of the surges have applications in each of the different realms?

Brandon Sanderson

To an extent yes, but some of them are more focused on it than others, on different levels.

Questioner

There's an ardent in Way of Kings who's like described as short and he's at a party and he uses the word "soil". Do we know who he is, is he Nazh?

Brandon Sanderson

That is specifically a worldhopper. I don't think I've revealed who he is. But I'm still gonna RAFO just in case that is somebody.

Blightsong

The singer forms of power: Do they utilize fabrial magic?

Brandon Sanderson

Um, no. Similar—they're based on the same kind of foundation—but no.

Questioner

I want to know if we're ever gonna get to see Hoid and Jasnah and the journey back at the ends of Words of Radiance, 'cause I was so hyped to read that and then they didn't interact at all.

Brandon Sanderson

I will promise you some interaction in book four but I won't promise you a flashback...

Questioner

Are we gonna see Hoid on any other planet with his new little friend?

Brandon Sanderson

Oh that's a RAFO.

Argent

The last Unmade, the one that's hypothesized to Dai-Gonarthis. It looks suspiciously to me like Cusicesh, because of the feeling of being drained, because it's a large spren-- Is there something to that or is the feeling just because Cusicesh is a large spren?

Brandon Sanderson

I'm gonna RAFO.

Zmann966

There is an expensive steel chain in the shops in Celebrant. Is there anything significant about that.

Brandon Sanderson

*Hands over a RAFO card* That is such a big RAFO. Super-big RAFO.

Matrim

Hoid gets his tooth knocked out while in Kholinar. He prompts somebody else to help him with that. Is that because he has issues hurting not only other people but himself?

Brandon Sanderson

Yep.

Matrim

And then he considers healing that at a later point in time. Which magic system does he consider using to heal that?

Brandon Sanderson

A magic system that predates-- predates any of the others.

Questioner

I actually wanted to get a tattoo of the Truthwatcher symbol. Are there any-- are there narrative reasons you would go against that?

Brandon Sanderson

Uhh, no.

Questioner

Are they-- would they be an order that's about using knowledge to help people?

Brandon Sanderson

Yes.

Questioner

Could I get an Ideal if possible?

Brandon Sanderson

Of them? I can't do 'em because I don't want to canonize them yet, I have to do that when I actually write the books.

Questioner

But it is broadly speaking knowledge and help?

Brandon Sanderson

Yes.

Questioner

So Honorblades: Can they actually be bound? ...Can you bind to an Honorblade or not?

Brandon Sanderson

Yeees you can, but it's not exactly the same thing.

Questioner

It's not exactly the same thing as a regular Shardblade?

Brandon Sanderson

Yeah... In some ways they're more powerful in some ways they're a prototype, if that makes sense.

Kurkistan

Can Regrowth do-- accomplish more for healing than Feruchemical gold can?

Brandon Sanderson

*Pause* I haven't decided yet.

Questioner

Is it common knowledge in the cosmere—and on Scadrial—that Ironeyes and the Survivor are brothers?

Brandon Sanderson

*Pause* Kind of yes. Yes. I would say yes that is common knowledge.

Questioner

The Tranquiline Halls: are they real?

Brandon Sanderson

They are—well they're a real place... They are actually the planet that's referenced [in Oathbringer]. But whether mythologically they're real or not that's more a debate for scholars.

Questioner

So my dog's name is Vin. I was wondering if there was any sort of story behind that name and how you thought of it.

Brandon Sanderson

Wine in French. Because building the whole region off of French-sounding names—Kelsier and Demoux and things like that. And I just really like... the sound of it. I know it's kind of like a guy's name, but I just really like the sound of it.

Questioner

What comes first chronologically in the Cosmere series: Mistborn or Stormlight Archive?

Brandon Sanderson

Mistborn, for trilogy one.

Questioner

Will we have to wait until the end of Stormlight Archive to learn about Hoid.

Brandon Sanderson

Uh yeeees.

Questioner

So like a dozen years.

Brandon Sanderson

Yes. You'll get little bits and pieces, but you won't get the whole thing until I do his trilogy, which is the next thing after Stormlight.

Questioner

Has stormwater tasted metallic always?

Brandon Sanderson

Yes.

Questioner

Even pre-Shattering?

Brandon Sanderson

Even pre-Shattering it would get a metallic taste, that's the crem. So. That is an indication of Investiture and things. But it was there-- it was in place first, before.

Questioner

Can I ask you real quick: Where Warbreaker falls in Stormlight Achive?

Brandon Sanderson

Warbreaker is before Stormlight Archive. Vasher, before Warbreaker, had been to Roshar.

Questioner

Okay, that's what I needed to know. Nightblood.

Brandon Sanderson

Nightblood was patterned off of things that Vasher and the others saw on Roshar.

Questioner

The meteorite metal that they talk about that blocks Shards, is that aluminum?

Brandon Sanderson

Uh, so-- yes.

Questioner

The capital 'u' in Unity at the end of Oathbringer, is that important?

Brandon Sanderson

RAFO.

Questioner

So, with the story that Shallan told with the girl in the red scarf? Is that relevant at all? Or is it just unimportant? 

Brandon Sanderson

Yes. That's very relevant. 

Questioner

Is Kaladin shipped with anyone? *laughter*

Brandon Sanderson

...I think basically Kaladin's shipped with everybody. 

Blightsong

What did Ivory mean by the Skybreakers living in death? 

Brandon Sanderson

Ivory likes contradictions, they fascinate him. And he is saying that they live in death in that they kill a lot. It's a philosophical sort of thing. He's making an Ivory observation, it's not something you're supposed to take as a pronouncement of nature or reality. 

Questioner

Who's your favorite literary critic? 

Brandon Sanderson

Oh boy. 

Questioner

Not even favorite, but who do you constantly find yourself turning back to--

Brandon Sanderson

I don't know, I read a ton of it. I don't know if I can break down a name for you on a dime like that.

Questioner

So, what we see at the end, with the Unmade, and it seems like Jezrien, getting trapped in gems. Is that basically possible, because, they have been, particularly in the case of the Heralds, infused with so much Investiture that they're basically being trapped in the gems instead of Stormlight?

Brandon Sanderson

They're not human anymore, yeah. 

Questioner

So, Jasnah has the same shape appear around her as when she first appears out of Shadesmar at the end of that-- At the end of the second book, when she appears out of Shadesmar, she has the same shape appear around her as she does in the last battle, but we never see her do anything (this is about Transportation) And we saw people flying away beforehand. Can you-- Does Transportation allow you to push other people. Similar to Lashings, but kinda differently. I'm just wondering if you can use it on other people, basically? 

Brandon Sanderson

You can, but it's not what you’re thinking. 

Questioner

So, in the last battle, Jasnah has some pretty interesting armor. Does she already have her Shardplate? 

Brandon Sanderson

RAFO! 

Questioner

Did Adonalsium have more than one Vessel?

Brandon Sanderson

RAFO. 

Argent

Syl's status as the Ancient Daughter. Does that make her Nahel bond with Kaladin different from other Windrunner's Nahel bonds? 

Brandon Sanderson

No. 

Questioner

How are Shallan's Lightweavings related to the screams that Szeth hears?

Brandon Sanderson

In that they are slightly attached to the Spiritual Realm. 

Questioner

So, there are ten orders of the Knights Radiant, ten spren, ten Surges. And there are a lot of parallels with the Fused. Do they-- Are there ten Voidspren, that match up to ten--

Brandon Sanderson

RAFO, but there wouldn't be ten. 

Crowd

There'd be nine.

Argent

Let's talk about Renarin, and Voidbinding. So, with that page we talked about, Renarin Voidbinds. I asked about visions, you pointed to Voidbinding chart, he Voidbinds. Is that using Stormlight to power abilities different from the Surgebindings we've seen?  

Brandon Sanderson

Yes. 

Argent

Is that what voidbinding is? 

Brandon Sanderson

No, but close. You're on the right track. We are gonna get into that, I'm not gonna tell you what the chart means, and things like that. But yeah, something really weird is happening there. 

Zmann966

Did Vasher seek the Nightwatcher? 

Brandon Sanderson

RAFO. 

Questioner

If you were to choose a magic system between personalized magic, where each person has their own custom ability, versus one which is an overall thing with branches, which one would you think better? 

Brandon Sanderson

Uh, depends on the story you're trying to tell. They can both be really advantageous. They have their advantages and disadvantages. 

Questioner

But you personally, which one do you like better.

Brandon Sanderson

The branching. 

Questioner

In the Frostlands, is there snow or frost on the ground only because it's cold? 

Brandon Sanderson

Yeah, there's nothing magical or special there. 

Questioner

So, if you could take, whether capture or talk into a Radiant spren from Roshar that was no longer bonded to a Radiant, from Roshar to Nalthis, could you bond that spren to an awakened object? Could you take a spren from Roshar and either force it to or talk it into bonding an awakened object on Nalthis? 

Brandon Sanderson

Oh boy. That'd be really hard. 

Questioner

So, you've told us that Vasher had knowledge about Shardblades before he created Nightblood...

...Can you tell us if Nightblood was created before the Recreance? 

Brandon Sanderson

I'd have to go look at the notes... I don't think-- No, he was not. No. Definitely no.

Questioner

So, Nale has the pale patch on his skin. Might be a scar, might be something else. The question I have is, if it's something else, which I'm assuming it is, do all of the Heralds have something like that? 

Brandon Sanderson

No. Good question.