Exploring (Some of) the Most Obscure Cosmere Theories 

Hey guys! Just wanted to say: sorry about the bad audio mixing on this one, and thanks to everyone who's pointing it out. I'm not sure how I didn't notice it, but I'll be sure to make myself easier to hear next time around. 🙂

"The Cosmere Fandom is one of the most pedantic in existence" and PROUD OF IT!

Kal’s 5th oath: I AM TRIAGE

I would be willing to bet that Kaladin has to accept that he needs to be protected. Maybe even from himself.

I think that maben is less a world hopper, and more of a cameo for brandons assistants. He has said multiple times that his works are a group effort and has said almost same thing at every acknowledgements. And so, the line about victory overshadowing common folk is a way to say thanks to his team. Although it would be much more exciting if she was a world hopper

I think the fifth ideal of the Windrunners being something along the lines of "I decide who is worthy of protection" fits a lot better in the sense that it has similar connotations to "I am the law," it's the same kind of statement, and from a narrative standpoint it means that Kaladin's arc can conclude with him realizing that Moash is beyond redemption. It also seems like a natural escalation from the idea that he can't protect everyone

Kaladins father said in the First book: there are people who rescue and people who kill. Kaladins response was: And people who kill to rescue. I think the 5th ideal will go in this direction

Also lending credence to the Jaddeth is an avatar of Autonomy theory: Brandon has said that the Elantris sequels need to happen before Mistborn Era 3.

Dude, putting "subscribe or Hoid will personally show up at your home and insult you" at the end of your video has the opposite effect you want it to have!😂There are few things I would love more than for that to actually happen!

I think Jaddeth/Autonomy is almost confirmed. I have never thought about the other two theories, but they could be possible.

I like the theory that Shallan’s mother is a herald. After the 5th prologue I consider it as close to confirmed as anything not yet canon can be

What we've learned from this video: All cosmere characters are either Hoid, Shallan, or Autonomy

If the Skybreakers 5th Ideal is "I am the Law" Then Kaladin´s should be along the lines of "I am the Shield of those in need" or something like that? Usually Oaths are shorter than what people have theorized them out to be. But wouldn´t it be kind of poetic if insted it was something different? What IF... WHAT IF! Windrunners are all about protecting people and the responsability of it and the emotional sideeffects of failling to save people. But when people see a Windrunner comming to them? What do they FEEL when they KNOW they will be saved but those who have sworn to protect? *HOPE* Kaladin´s 5th Ideal will be _"I am HOPE"_ The same words Kelsier spoke infront of the Lord Ruler before his death Probably Kaladin´s last words aswell?

I really like the idea of each order of knights radiant "becoming" something. An early idea I had for the windrunners' fifth ideal was something like "I am that which cannot be killed, for it lives in the hearts of men... I am honor." I don't think that it will be anything close to this anymore, but it sounds cool to me :)

"Will Shallan ever tell a joke thats actually funny?" 10s in and already earned the like

Just wanted to say you're one of my favorite up-and-coming RU-vid channels. Can't wait to be able to say I was a fan before you blew up because it's going to happen.

1. I agree that Maben isn't a kandra. A kandra would be of the average height, because she'd have local bones. She might be a Forger, because her eyes aren't mentioned as strange, which means she's got epicanthic (sp?) fold. Only non-Roshar place I remember seeing them is that part of Sel where Shai is from. 2. I reeeally doubt Brandon would give Kaladin an arc of becoming an utilitarian... or anyone, for that matter. 3. Makes a lot of sense.

In regard of the fifth ideal of the windrunners I couldn't help but think in the phrase: "I am who decide who lives". I think is such an strong statement and also so horrifying if said by someone like Taravangian, but at the same time more worthy of an epic scene if said by Kaladin (in a more positive light). I am aware that they probably aren't the words, but anyways I wanted to share.

I'd be interested in what you think about the Chana Davar theory. I laughed at first but... ugh, it's so convincing, especially after the prologue to Stormlight 5...

This was great! You should definitely do more of these

This was so interesting I would be very glad if you made more videos like this one.

Shallan's jokes _are_ funny!

"I am the Law" part seems super compelling. As you deepen your connection with investiture you become like the shards. More an Idea than a person.

I think Kaladin's Ffth will go something like this: The Devil whisppered in his ear "You cannot withstand the storm." The warrior replied, "I am the storm."

everyone knows the 5th ideal is "ill see what I can do". but going from format, it is more likely "I am protection", or" i will protect myself", or" i am worthy of being protected"

Good stuff! Thank you for taking the time!

I discovered a bit about hoid's true intentions two to three days ago. Cultivation hates him, and he has a hatred against Rayse and Bavadin.

Very well made video! Love it! Love the soundtrack, love the way you portray yourself! Congrats!

Adding it to watch later till I finish the books I love the channel

You shoud totally do a part 2 of this!

With the new elantras books being talked about by Brandon this last theory is probably spot on!

...Late to the party but i think Maben makes more sense as a Ghostblood spy. In the sunlit man we see that scadrians like the aproach of passive observation and information gathering, she fits the build and I think her "sneakinness" sounds a lot like emotional alomancy. Manipulating peoples emotions to make it so no one feels like paying attention to her

Loved this!

Hello. I know this is old but i think i figured out the 5th ideal. Kaladin has learned to protect the ones who cannot do it by themselves, the ones he hate and through his duel he learned there are some people he cannot protect. So what its left? I think its himself. The fifth ideal its "I accept I can/deserve be protected" and then the bridge four (or some members) sacrifice for him. And it makes perfect sense since you cannot say this words without accepting first there are people who cannot be saved/protected/will die. What you think?

Do people not think Shallan is funny? I've always loved her. Am I the problem?

Agree with the last theory especially when the next 5 years is stormlight 5, then mistborn era 3, followed by elantris 2 and 3 as pallete cleansers before he dives into the back 5 SLA

I don't know anything about this series. I've watched a couple of your videos related to it. I've watched one video by someone explaining the core of the magic system (something about this world, wrapped around a reality of conceptions, wrapped around a core of ideal versions of things). As you can see, I don't understand that very well either. But gosh is it fun to casually hear "Maybe she's a condra." without having ANY idea what that means. (Did I even spell it right?) It's surprisingly fun to listen to a somewhat incomprehensible deep dive into something I know almost nothing about. :D

With the new book being worked on, i've been scouring the internet for decent channels and yours def popped up, Keep it up! I would like to suggest maybe taking some inspiration for your video edits from two different channels. One is called Narc, his videos are about completely different things, but I think it can showcase what smaller channels can also do.

Personally, I really lean towards the theory that the fifth ideal is something along the lines of not protecting those who don't want protection. 2 and 3 were about when _to_ protect, and now 4 was kind of when _not_ to protect. I feel like 5 will be along the same lines. Sort of granting agency and freedom to those who don't want a windrunner looking over their shoulder all the time, but want to be their own person/spread their wings of fly. Idk, that's my take. Looking forward to whatever it ends up being!

Great theories!

Oh I have some wild out-there theories. Like, Nightblood is heading the Night Brigade. Also they have the Dawnshard of Destruction. Also there is a Dawnshard of Destruction.

I like the theory that the 5th ideal is actually the same for each order, and there is a symmetry to the ideals, like in how the first ideal is broad and means different things to different people the final ideal will be hard to say for different reasons..

Great video! Thanks for making. The music was a bit loud though...

5th ideal: I will kill those who I love to protect those in need. (Moash) possibly Lirin at the same time

My personal theory Kal is gonna attain the Honor Shard and it’s gonna be the worst form of torture for him. As he still won’t be able to save everyone

I am the defender of the just -- more active and down-to-earth. And I like that trick with holding on your expression as the audio track moves to "so yeah." It's all in the little things..

I’m glad I’m just wrapping of my reread of Elantris or id have no Idea what you were talking about and

Lopen: Sure, gancho. I'll give a few people up - cousins even - if it'll save the world.

This might be cus I've read quite a bit of LNs with depressed messiah/hero complex MCs, but the 5th ideal might be something along the lins of "I'll love myself." It could be "I'll forgive myself" or "I'll protect myself" or something too. The idea being, protecting others is great, but self care and love etc is as if not more important. This is a common theme among thr depressed hero complex stories I've read.

Kaladin's 3rd oath was "protect those whom I hate as long as it is right". But what is right? Windrunners are about morality and protection, so the 5th ideal might be about defining what's right to do.

Very cool theories and I love your explanations! I didn't watch the third one because I haven't read Elantris yet. But what do you think of Kaladin's mother? I can't quite come up with a full theory but doesn't she seem out of place as well? She's uncharacteristically open-minded, is the mother of 2 radiants, very emotionally mature and balanced, and content with her life even when it was objectively hard. I don't know. She may just be a great regular person but there's something different about her.

Regarding the fifth ideal, we know that Brandon *heavily* foreshadows Kals oaths throughout the books. His constant hatred of light eyes lead to his 3rd. His slave brands and constant reminders of those he's failed foreshadowed his 4th. And there is nothing else in his story that has been foreshadowed as much as his argument with his father about killing to protect. I have theorized that his 5th will be that he cannot kill to protect. If it was the opposite (sacrifice some to save others) is just how he's been living anyway. Killing Parshendi to save bridge 4. Fighting and trying to kill Szeth and Moash to save his friends/employers. Killing fused (and the singers they will kill to inhabit) to save radiants. For him to progress, he needs to change his ways so that he doesn't kill people.

I will empower all I can to PROTECT THEMSELVES. That would be a nice 5th Windrunner oath.

I'm dying for Elantris and Warbreaker sequels

My husband says “Only if we forget to use our powers.” I personally think they still do, but if most edgedancers are like my husband, they probably don’t.

Why do people hate on Warbreaker and Elantris? (and I'm going to get attacked for this hot take) I liked both of those books so much more than any of the Mistborn books. I daresay Mistborn is my least liked Cosmere property which kind of bums me out because he writes SO much more in that world than anywhere else.

Omg. I didn't even put together the fact that Autonomy having an Avatar on Sel explains how she got all of the purified investiture for the shardpool in TLM.

We already had the "Will he progress past the 3rd ideal? No he probably won't." thing in RoW so I don't think it will be repeated for KoW.

Jams from Shinovar could also point to Maben being a world hopper. With Shinovar being the only place "normal" plants could grow, they could easily have been from another planet.

Great video! Here is what some random stranger on the internet thinks about the 3 theories: 1. I completely forgot this character existed, and while I would like it to be true... I don't know, it strikes me as a bit too obscure to work as a reveal later on because no-one remembers her / cares that much. Totally plausible though. 2. Honestly I have no idea about this one. Maybe correct, maybe not, I'd prefer to RAFO myself for the emotional kick to it 3. I was watching that live and I kinda did a big "ohhhhhhh of course it's true, how did I not see that before" moment - yeah whoever thought of this is way more observant than me. Awesome job! P.S. Now all I can think about is where else has Autonomy managed to permeate her influence? Is Austre (the one goddess who Idrians worship and hate colours or something on Nalthis) an avatar? What about someone on Threnody? How about on Roshar, with one of those weird deities they have lying around like the Moons or the Purelakers' gods? Screw it, while I'm at it, why not in Silverlight? The White Sand sequel is sure going to be interesting if it ever gets written...

I think it will be more likely the 5th ideal is "I will sacrifice myself to protect those who don't deserve it." Which is the only way Moash is getting saved.

So far a lot of the ideals have had slight twists and departures from the previous and some of them require significant character growth to swear/accept. Some of them could even be considered replacements of the previous ones (ie: the Skybreakers moving from following an ideal/law/person, to going on a crusade to finally becoming their own ideal/law) and all of them are more one specific look at/aspect of morals, self-improvement and philosophy than a comprehensive look at them. I think it would be plausible for the fifth Windrunner ideal to be something along the lines of sacrifice sometimes being necessary which also go along with the Skybreaker ideal being a statement that can be really dangerous in the wrong hands but that could also be very helpful if used by people who should by then have proven that they're extremely unlikely to misuse it.

"Subscribe or Hoid will personally show up at your home and insult you." I guess I'm not subscribing then.

fifth ideal, "I am the danger."

Also, Maben gave him JAM! the food of betrayal in the stormlight archives. not really any ground to stand on, but if it happens twice, it's going to be hilarious.

For the Windrunner Fifth Ideal I don’t think it’ll be about sacrificing people for the greater good so much as killing for the greater good. Sacrifice implies that the person dying is innocent, whereas this wording would mean coming to terms with killing as a means of protecting the innocent from evil people. I agree that Kaladin being OK with sacrificing innocents would probably not be where Brandon wants to take his arc, but I could certainly see his arc becoming him deciding who lives and who dies in the same way that the Skybreaker Fifth Ideal is deciding what is just and unjust. In the end it’s a very fine distinction, but an important one.

"I am Shallan Davar" we all know it... 5th ideal righ there

Great video. I'd just point out that your audio mixing could be fine-tuned a bit. Like at 3:56 where the piano is pretty distracting (both because that part is very percussive and because it's very loud) :)

Funny when you were talking about Maben maybe but probably not being a Kandra, while M'rall is right therein the same scene with a LOT of texual evidence he's likely a Kandra

I have this sick... sick feeling. I'm starting to actually believe Kaladin will become Odiums champion. I think there is the possibility that he actually breaks and gets opium to take his pain. What is the what thing Kal struggles with? Death, specifically death of those he cares about. I know what you're thinking, the 4th ideal, he can accept it. What if there was someone he absolutely wouldn't be able to accept. Now, what did book 4 establish? Spren can officially be killed. If Syl were to get killed, that could be the moment that fully breaks Kal. The one person that he literally can't go on with out.

For the 5th what about "I will protect myself so I can protect others" or "I will protect myself" considering he is so self sacrificing and even was going to end himself? The only person he doesn't seem to be willing to protect is himself. As someone whos always hated existing at ALL I chose to stay no matter what so that I can be there for those around me who need me. Maybe I'm projecting a little -_-

I really don't think the Windrunner's 5th ideal is to sacrifice others. I think the opposite would be true like "I will not harm in order to protect" which goes along with all of that he's been through so far, and I think the real conflit is finding a way in which he may be able to protect instead of killing others. I just feel like sacrificing others seems like the opposite of what he's been learning to do as a Windrunner.

I can imagine Kaladin getting to the point of saying: I decide who lives. 😅 I hope not, but I could see it happening

The 5hth ideal is "I will protect with my life"

You explored the idea of Maben being a kandra, but what about one of the sleepless?

Kal’s 5th Ideal: I am become Death, the Destroyer of Worlds

I wonder if Maben is actually the same worldhopper as Lemex's nurse Also I don't know about other edgedancers, but there is no way Lift poops

My favorite is that Calamity from The Reckoners is the shard of Indolence. I know Brando says that no book with Earth in it is part of the Cosmere; but he's changed his mind on things before.

I like the idea of the 5th ideal being "I will not kill to protect" "That's will make Kaladin life awful" first, its already is Second, Kaladin is already the best warrior in Roshar (Szeth with Nightblood is cheating, he has basically a nuclear bomb) he was on par with the best of the Fused while still in his 3th ideal. Also, you can break the shit out of someone without killing them, the Windrunner surges are majority non lethal, you cant turn someone into glass with them or explode atmosphere, its perfect for non-lethal combat. I can be satisfied with other tho (Except "I am protection" or "I am hinir" I really dislike those)

maben could also be a windrunner or another truthless explaining her status as servant and ability to get to and from shinovar to get jams for terevangian... if there was a known perpendicularity or one is revealed to be in shinovar then the jams from shinovar would definitely be "chekhov's gun" for her being a world hopper. re reading that passage the mention of jams from shinovar seems like the kind of bread crumb Brandon could callback to in a later story to have her be a worldhopper or something more than just a servant.

I need to read Elantris

Hey I love this video but also want to ask... where'd you get that shirt? I kinda want one 👉👈 edit: I think whether or not an edgedancer needs to wipe their butt would depend on when exactly their stool's Identity changes from "part of [edgedancer]" to "I am a poop."

We also know the 5th ideal for the Lightweavers. It's just another hidden, personal secret.

I don't think intentional sacrifice would be the 5th ideal. It seems the theme of windrunners and the stormfather are heavily entwined. There are a few passages when the stormfather tries explaining to Dalinar that he can't stop the everstorms and the destruction they bring. That even manipulating them goes against what he is. Considering windrunners are bonded to wind spren it seems likely that the 5th ideal would be pushing them closer to a level of indifference if not acceptance at the destruction they must cause. Something more generic than sacrifice. Something like "I will destruct whatever obstructs me". Terrible for a normal person with bad morals. But if you are already on this path of saving people and have proven yourself in that path, then whatever is obstructing you will inherently be immoral or it wouldn't be an obstruction. Could even be more sinister. "I will not try to save everyone"

skipping this and putting it in 'watch later' as I haven't read Lost Metal yet (waiting for paperback), leaving a comment for tha algorithm though.

Wait, why do we know there are kandra on Roshar? Also, that theory about Autonomy makes a lot of sense.

I personally think Rlain is the kandra on Roshar. In WoR he goes back to Narak and when he meets B4 again he is on Warform, and in RoW it is reveald that the listeners use trapped spren to change to warform. How did he change to warform if most listeners where already in Stormform?. Maybe someone else thought about this but idk Pls forgive any spelling mistake

Interesting theories to be sure. But I have to ask you, do you believe it he Shallan/Chanarac/Mishram theory? This seems to be the most interesting yet divisive theory in the entire fandom. I personally do hby?

Nice video. Some constructive criticism: the music is quite loud and shrill compared to your voice, maybe make it a bit quieter.

Mabon most likely Part of the ghostbloods. They seem to have a hand in lots of stuff and other worlds

"picture of flower" - maben is kelsier`s wife

Maybe Maben is only a hallucination

If you consider that smart Taravangian would have figured out Maben is a worldhopper, and that somewhere, deep inside not-smart Taravangian's mind is unconscious recognition of that, the irony in his statements is even more interesting.

That can't be the fifth ideal for the windrunners. It goes too much along the path of "the end justifies the means" which is what the Radiants are against, it is the opposite of "journey before destiny". The whole idea around the Radiants is that they won't do something bad even if it is for the greater good. That idea of "the end justifies the means " is, in fact, what represents Taravangian...

Windrunner67 is david from 17th shard, so you can expect his theories to be pretty great.

What about the theory of the technicality. It say that when they organize the duel of champions, Dalinar says "if we win..." but not specify nothing about a tie. Sorry for the bad English, it's not my first language

bro I read the French vers of stormlight but I don't think the trad changes much the dialogues and like I laughed to every single shallan joke, the are like "smart" that are always really well found

I think I’ve figured out Stormlight 5’s ending. This is using only one assumption: Cultivation can splinter shards. So there are two lines in TLM, one of which are implies that the Horneaters are stuck in the Cognitive, and that Roshar is partially blocked off. So she splinters Odium in some way, or imprisons him, giving enough of herself she can’t maintain a Perpendicularity. So Dalinar survives and is working to maintain Honor’s Perpendicularity. There are a lot of ways for this to change, and I think that it is also possible that Moash is one of the chosen of Cultivation like Dalinar or Lift. He’ll betray Odium in the battle of the champions and purposely lose (this isn’t needed for the theory as a whole)

the most mind blowing thing in this entier videio is the edgdancer question, I'm adding it to my mentel list or radiant powers Edgdancers: super slipy, big brain memory, illegal doctors, can poop and not use toilet paper!, have talking plants, really cool, lift likes chicken, really kinda boaring, -OtHeR sTuFF-

RIP the beard 🥲🥲