Difference between revisions of "Cosmere"

{{spoilers|book=sa3}}{{update|book=sa3}}

The '''cosmere'''{{qawob ref|428|735952}} is a fictional universe where Brandon Sanderson's adult epic fantasies (including [[Elantris (book)|Elantris]], [[Mistborn (series)|Mistborn]], [[Warbreaker]], [[The Stormlight Archive]], and [[White Sand]]) are all set.{{qawob ref|680|144487}} It does not contain Earth. '''<<<< WRONG... Earth is the home planet in Elantris, whether or not it is in future books doesn't matter as he explicitly calls out "on earth'''." {{tweetwob ref|224096389682954244845}}

Brandon has said that you do not need any Cosmerecosmere knowledge to understand the books, and that they can be enjoyed separately, but it will be necessary eventually to have a certain understanding of Realmatic Theory.{{wob ref|name=goodreads-question-1092464778}}{{qawob ref|1044|69762}} Elements of the cosmere are slowly being added into the books, behind the scenes, until they come into the forefront with [[Dragonsteel]] and the final Mistborn trilogy.{{qawob ref|1076|76868}}

[[File:Shadesmar (TWoK).jpg|thumb|right|350px|A map of [[Shadesmar]]--a part of the Cognitive Realm{{qawob ref|1070|35814}}--from [[Roshar]]'s perspective. Expanses on this map represent other planets in the cosmere.]]

The structure and physics of the cosmere are the same as our own, but the main story of the cosmere occurs in a compact dwarf galaxy, meaning it has many fewer stars and systems than our galaxy.{{17swob ref|post|424261244}} Time flows the same in the cosmere (except under special magical effects, such as [[Allomancy|Allomantic]] [[cadmium]] and [[bendalloy]]).{{wob ref|name=yalive9970}}

There are ten primary planets in the cosmere, sometimes called Shardworlds, as the [[Shard|Shards of Adonalsium]] play major roles there.{{qawob ref|718|84777}} There are inhabited worlds with no Shards on them, and some planets may only have [[Splinter]]s of a Shard on them.{{qawob ref|718|84777}} Planets without Shards are generally referred to "minor Shardworlds". On all cosmere planets, magic is called [[Investiture]], a catch-all term for the various expressions of Adonalsium's magic.{{qawob ref|1086|35799}} All magic we've seen has been derived from the Shard's--or Adonalsium's--power.{{qawob ref|979|1604097}} Specific magic systems, like [[Allomancy]] or [[Surgebinding]], are termed "manifestations of Investiture."{{book ref|mb4|part=ars}} On minor worlds, people don't utilize Investiture directly, and magic is more something people interact with through nature.{{17swob ref|news|2011010}}

The physical universe of the cosmere only tells one part of the story. In fact, there are [[Realmatic Theory|three Realms]] of existence: the Physical Realm, the Cognitive Realm, and the Spiritual Realm that all coexist simultaneously, and everything has aspects in each of these Realms.{{tes ref|12}} Even planets themselves have souls.{{qawob ref|979|174056}} Investiture transcends all three of these Realms.{{qawob ref|1069|35610}} The Cognitive Realm, including regions such as [[Shadesmar]], allows for travel between cosmere planets.{{qawob ref|1097|221392}} Also, there is something beyond the Three Realms, where people "pass on," which Shards can potentially touch,{{wob ref|4444}} but Brandon does not wish to reveal anything about it.{{qawob ref|727|876156}}

There are also other forces outside of things derived from Adonalsium. One is a force that opposes Adonalsium, which still exists,{{qawob ref|979|854078}}, and some say there are "subtle forces" being manifest, separate from Adonalsium, perhaps referring to the [[God Beyond]].{{qawob ref|836|449929}}{{17swob ref|post|2744333436}}

| ''None''{{qawob ref|1088|376646}}

| [[The Silence Divine]]{{17swob ref|topic|39349847}}

| [[Odium]]{{qawob ref|1041|49847}}

| [[The Stormlight Archive]]{{17swob ref|post|623239847}}

| [[Sixth of the Dusk]]{{17ssots ref|topic|75442013}}

| [[Endowment]]{{qawob ref|428|595943}}

| [[Warbreaker]], [[Nightblood (book) |Nightblood]]{{qawob ref|428|1065984}}

| [[Honor]], [[Cultivation]]{{qawob ref|985|62786}}

| [[The Stormlight Archive]]{{qawob ref|428|1065984}}

| [[Preservation]], [[Ruin]];{{qawob ref|727|195599}} [[Harmony]]*

| [[Mistborn (series)|Mistborn]]{{qawob ref|428|1065984}}

| [[Elantris]] & sequels,{{qawob ref|428|1065984}} [[The Emperor's Soul]]{{qawob ref|749|387422}}

| [[Autonomy]]{{qawob ref|622|784021}}

| [[White Sand]]{{qawob ref|428|1065984}}

| [[Shadows for Silence in the Forests of Hell]]{{17swob ref|topic|75445603}}

| [[Dragonsteel]]{{qawob ref|428|1065984}}

<nowiki>*</nowiki>[[Harmony]] is the combination of two Shards, [[Ruin]] and [[Preservation]], that are intermingled since they are under the control of [[Sazed|one individual]].{{qawob ref|979|1744115}} Harmony is referred to as a Shard,{{qawob ref|642|106486}} though it is not one of the original sixteen Shards of Adonalsium.

Little is known of the extremely distant past of the cosmere: the time before the Shattering of [[Adonalsium]] and the [[Shard]]s. It is not clear who or what Adonalsium was/is. It is unclear whether it is a force, a person, a god, or the metaphysical god. It isn't clear if it was self-aware or not. Regardless, it is sometimes described as the power of creation,{{qawob ref|727|456072}} possibly a thing with incredible amounts of Investiture (since Investiture is a piece of Adonalsium,{{qawob ref|1086|35799}}), and a power which does not vanish.{{qawob ref|977|1961266}}{{qawob ref|1116|31649}}

Humans existed on worlds before this time,{{qawob ref|1115|56759}} though how many is unknown. At the very least, the first humans were on [[Yolen]].{{qawob ref|977|1985702}} [[Hoid]] in particular is from Yolen.{{qawob ref|622|1354039}}{{qawob ref|1086|115808}} All cosmere planets existed prior to the Shattering, and their names existed before the Shards got there (with the exception of [[Scadrial]], which was created by [[Ruin]] and [[Preservation]] in the image of Yolen).{{qawob ref|700|37262}}{{qawob ref|718|44773}} Magic ([[Investiture]]) also existed prior to the Shattering, though its form was different.{{qawob ref|977|511118}} The technology level of this society prior to the Shattering was less than present day Earth's.{{qawob ref|988|209882}}

There is a force that opposes Adonalsium{{qawob ref|979|854078}} which created a weapon,{{qawob ref|1103|15602}} but important specifics, such as if it is still around, or if it had played a role in Adonalsium's Shattering, are unknown. There was once a plot to destroy Adonalsium, which failed.{{qawob ref|1104|12648}}

Through unknown means, Adonalsium was broken, in an event called the Shattering. Hoid was present,{{qawob ref|747|116470}} and due to Hoid being from Yolen, it is thought that this event occurred on Yolen. This Shattering happened intentionally,{{qawob ref|1075|14438}} and occurred all at once.{{qawob ref|1109|21292}}

Adonalsium split into sixteen pieces, referred to as Shards of Adonalsium, each taking a particular facet, or intent, of the greater power of Adonalsium. Sixteen people took up those Shards, becoming the first [[Vessel]]s and effectively ascending into godhood. Hoid and [[the Recipient]] knew these sixteen people prior to their Ascension, as they were familiar with their original names.{{epigraph ref|sa1|23}}{{epigraph ref|sa2|69}}{{epigraph ref|sa2|70}} Some of these individuals and the Shard they took up are: [[Aona]] ([[Devotion]]), [[Skai]] ([[Dominion]]), [[Ati]] ([[Ruin]]), [[Leras]] ([[Preservation]]), [[Tanavast]] ([[Honor]]), and [[Rayse]] ([[Odium]])., Another[[Bavadin]] individual([[Autonomy]]), who took up a Shard was[[Edgli]] ([[BavadinEndowment]]), whoseand Shard's[[Uli intent has been revealed in interviews with Brandon to beDa]] ([[AutonomyAmbition]] ). There areis threeone more known Shards:Shard, [[Cultivation]], whose holderVessel is female but otherwise unknown, [[Endowment]], whose holder is [[Edgli]], and [[Ambition]] (splintered) with the original holder unknown.

It was not random who took up the Shards,{{qawob ref|1011|85490}} and there was some sort of design in the way Adonalsium was split.{{qawob ref|1042|59956}}

It turned out that, though the power of a Shard required a mind to control it, the specific intent of the Shard would slowly warp the mind of those that hold it.{{epigraph ref|sa1|18}}{{qawob ref|944|84130}} It is not known whether the holdersoriginal of the ShardsVessels knew this wouldwhen bethey thetook caseup initiallytheir Shards. Eventually, the people who took up the Shards would simply be referred to as their Shard's name, and referred to as Shards.

At some point, some Shards traveled to other worlds. The Shards were now the primary source of magic in the cosmere,{{qawob ref|979|1604097}} and so they Invested some planets with their power, and in some cases, created humans and other species.{{book ref|mb3|76}}

Endowment was the only Shard who traveled to [[Nalthis]].{{qawob ref|428|595943}}{{qawob ref|689|2510050}} At some point during the history of Nalthis, Endowment began intentionally splitting its power, creating what are called [[Splinter]]s. These Splinters were the [[divine Breath]], which made the [[Returned]].{{qawob ref|428|595943}}

Bavadin was the single Shard to travel to [[Taldain]].{{qawob ref|622|784021}}{{qawob ref|1076|186875}}

Ruin and Preservation, having intents that opposed each other so perfectly,{{qawob ref|691|95518}} found themselves drawn to each other, which caused conflict. If Ruin tried to destroy, Preservation would stop him, and vice versa. At some point they created the planet of [[Scadrial]].{{epigraph ref|mb3|53}}

Preservation attacked Ruin with his mental power--the distinct mind controlling the Shard's power, rather than the power itself. This would trap Ruin's mind, making him mostly impotent.{{epigraph ref|mb3|55}} However, it cost almost all of Preservation's mind. Preservation knew that the moment he did this attack, he would not be able to help life on Scadrial. Preservation saw the future, creating the [[Terris Prophecies]], to give hope to humanity, and to let humanity know that he had a plan in mind.{{annotation ref|mb3|chapter=81}} He also altered [[Allomancy]] so that there would be [[atium]] (and [[malatium]]) Mistings,{{qawob ref|428|825971}}{{17swob ref|post|890337307}} and set up his power--the mists--to Snap those Allomancers.{{epigraph ref|mb3|81}} And with that, Preservation gave up his mind, imprisoning Ruin in the newly created [[Well of Ascension]].

Odium wanted to become the strongest being in the cosmere.{{qawob ref|1011|75489}}{{qawob ref|675|126685}} He realized that if he ever took up another Shard, that Shard would change him, and Odium preferred his own intent.{{qawob ref|944|84130}} So, in his quest to become god of the cosmere, instead of absorbing all the other fifteen Shards, he decided to destroy the other Shards.{{qawob ref|1011|75489}} He developed a way to Splinter a Shard's power, and in the process, killing its holder.{{epigraph ref|sa1|22}}

Odium traveled to Sel for a short time to attack Devotion and Dominion, and Odium Splintered them.{{epigraph ref|sa1|22}} This left a lot of energy on Sel, and, with no release valve and entity to control the power, [[Shadesmar]] became incredibly hazardous on Sel.{{qawob ref|944|74129}} Selish magic itself changed,{{17s ref|topic|2622}} and perhaps the [[Dor]] was created--a force that can be drawn upon but with no controlling entity. Odium left Sel after this event, and did not Invest any of his power on the planet.{{qawob ref|944|74129}}

At some point--perhaps before Odium's actions on Sel, or after--Honor and Cultivation went to [[Roshar]] together.{{qawob ref|985|62786}} Later, Odium went to the [[GreaterRosharan Rosharsystem]] system.{{qawob ref|836|499934}} Before this, Odium did not settle on a specific planet, but on Roshar, he Invested his power, and his magics are felt there,{{17swob ref|post|1506599852}} and perhaps other worlds in the system. Devastating wars called the [[Desolation]]s were fought over Roshar, between Odium's [[Voidbringer]]s and Honor's [[Herald]]s and [[Knights Radiant]].{{book ref|sa1|42}} Cultivation's exact role in the Desolations is not clear, but Honor and Cultivation were a romantic item.{{qawob ref|985|62786}}

Odium eventually killed Honor, using the same method as he did with Devotion and Dominion.{{book ref|sa1|75}} However, Honor was crafty, and even though Honor perished, Odium was then trapped on the Greater Rosharan System.{{epigraph ref|sa2|69}} At some point, Odium ended up being on Braize, which he is currently located, prior to the [[True Desolation]].{{qawob ref|1041|49847}} Cultivation, on the other hand, survived Odium, and is still alive.{{qawob ref|985|52785}} Odium has not killed another Shard after this point.{{epigraph ref|sa2|70}}

Before Odium's confinement on Greater Roshar, at some unknown time, he also killed another Shard in addition to Devotion, Dominion, and Honor.{{qawob ref|1091|31357}} It is also known that he mortally wounded the Shard of Ambition shortly after The Shattering, and Ambition was later Splintered (presumably by Odium). There is also a [[Survival Shard|Shard who just wants to survive]], presumably against Odium's onslaught.{{17swob ref|topic|26522788}}

Hoid was deeply concerned about Odium's involvement on Sel, and thought that his war would lead to devastate the whole cosmere.{{epigraph ref|sa1|28}} He sent a letter{{epigraph ref|sa1|23}}{{qawob ref|944|84130}} to a [[The Recipient|person]] (possibly a dragon{{epigraph ref|sa1|19}}) to call off his "friends of the [[Seventeenth Shard]]" and join Hoid.{{epigraph ref|sa1|26}} The recipient of Hoid's original letter did not see things as Hoid, and said that the reason these events have occurred is because of their involvement.{{epigraph ref|sa2|66}} As such, he advocated nonintervention,{{epigraph ref|sa2|74}} where Hoid meddled a great deal, on all main worlds.

The Seventeenth Shard are a group of [[worldhoppers]] moving between planets using various magics, and are perhaps led by the Recipient.{{epigraph ref|sa1|26}} Their members are from many worlds,{{qawob ref|987|319905}} including [[Scadrial]], [[Taldain]], and [[Sel]]. They searched for Hoid on Roshar shortly before the [[Everstorm]] was summoned.{{book ref|sa1|i|1}} They may also be nonintervenionists, due to their possible relationship with the Recipient.{{epigraph ref|sa1|26}}

There is also [[Khriss]], a worldhopper who is the most knowledgeable person in the cosmere, by far.{{qawob ref|1069|165623}} She writes all the [[Ars Arcanum]]s,{{qa ref|988|10}}{{17s ref|topic|23181}} and as such, is a member of the Seventeenth Shard.{{qawob ref|632|46873}} She has an employee, [[Nazrilof|Nazh]], who, among other things, draws and annotates maps, and collects other things for Khriss.{{17swob ref|post|167585}}{{17s ref|topic|231815341}} Their motivations--and exact relationship with the Seventeenth Shard--are not clear.

However, there is an end goal of the Seventeenth Shard.{{qawob ref|1075|24439}} In the immediate future, they fear Hoid's purpose will not align with theirs, and so they hunt him down.{{qawob ref|1052|777910}}

There is not a universal language for all cosmere worlds that these worldhoppers speak.{{qawob ref|977|711136}}

On Scadrial, the [[Well of Ascension]], that power that came from Preservation, could be utilized by humanity. For much of Classical Scadrian history, a person called the [[Hero of Ages]] by the [[Terris Prophecies]] would take up the power and become a protector of mankind. They would live the rest of their lives blessing people with the power of Preservation, renewing Ruin's prison, and watch over the world.{{qawob ref|727|436070}} The power did not vanish, instead returning every 1024 years.{{qawob ref|691|35511}}

Ruin was keenly interested in the Well of Ascension. If he could get a person to hold the power there, but instead of utilize the power, release it, then the prison on Ruin's mind would vanish, and he would then be free to finally destroy the world.{{epigraph ref|mb3|46}} To do this, Ruin manipulated the Terris Prophecies over a long period of time. He made it so the Hero of Ages would include the "sacred piercings," actually [[Hemalurgy|Hemalurgic]] piercings, so he could influence the Hero.{{qawob ref|727|305767}} More importantly, Ruin changed the Prophecies extensively so that the Well and the Hero's purpose was obscured.{{qawob ref|727|436070}} Now the Hero was supposed to take the Well's power and release it.

In those final days, the shadow of Preservation's mind that remained communicated with Elend, and then passed.{{book ref|mb3|55}} This had the potential to be a catastrophic event: when a Shard lacks a mind controlling it, and the power has no "release," it is incredibly dangerous, as happened on Sel when [[Odium]] destroyed [[Devotion]] and [[Dominion]].{{qawob ref|944|74129}} Fortunately, Kelsier, who had not passed on beyond the [[Realmatic Theory|Three Realms]], held onto Preservation's power for just a little longer, until Vin could take it up.{{qawob ref|727|506077}}

Sazed, on the ground at the battle, saw the corpses of Ati and Vin, with the power of their Shards leaking from their bodies, and Sazed took up both Shards together. The power did not vanish as the Well of Ascension's power did; these were the Shards themselves, which, under the control of one mind, could both preserve and destroy, or create. Using the knowledge from his metalminds, he began to remake the world, and undid the damage the Lord Ruler did to Scadrial.{{book ref|mb3|82}} This event will later be known as '''the Catacendre''', meaning "the end of the ash".{{17swob ref|post|2882261273}} He then created a [[Elendel Basin|paradise]] for them to live in.{{map ref|Elendel Basin}}{{qa ref|637|3}} The conflict on Scadrial had vanished, for now.

Now under the control of one mind, Ruin and Preservation's power began to intermingle, and Sazed became known as [[Harmony]].{{qawob ref|979|1744115}} It is considered a single Shard, much like a king of two countries is still just one king.{{qawob ref|642|106486}}

Odium became aware of Harmony, is scared of him,{{qawob ref|1094|401025}} and is making plans regarding him.{{17swob ref|topic|56167319}}

Some ideas that came into the worldbuilding of the cosmere came from Plato's theory of forms, which contributed to the idea of [[Realmatic Theory]], and the idea of the Physical, Cognitive, and Spiritual Realms. In this, the distinction of what is perceived as "ideal" and what is the true ideal is important: true ideals have much to do with the Spiritual Realm, while people's perception of ideals deals with the Cognitive Realm. Another influences is Spinoza, with the idea that God is in everything.{{qawob ref|979|114051}} Brandon also incorporated the idea of a "unifying theory of everything" from physics to the magic in the cosmere. All magics have underlying rules, and are derived from a single unified theory of magic.{{qawob ref|622|1429007}}

There is a distinct beginning, middle, and end to the cosmere sequence, and a clear sequence Brandon wants to tell.{{qawob ref|1052|527744}} There's about 36 main cosmere books, and Brandon has three "core" cosmere series: [[Dragonsteel]], [[Mistborn (series)|Mistborn]], and [[the Stormlight Archive]],{{qawob ref|1077|172643}}{{qawob ref|112|306472}} which are well-planned out.{{qawob ref|622|1204036}} Dragonsteel is the start of the cosmere sequence that will tell [[Hoid]]'s backstory{{qawob ref|689|510012}} and, presumably, the Shattering of [[Adonalsium]]. Mistborn will have four big trilogies, its last one being science fiction, deals heavily with the cosmere{{qawob ref|977|2061110}} and has travel between the different planets of the cosmere.{{qawob ref|1076|89762}} Stormlight Archive is set in the middle of the cosmere sequence.{{qawob ref|988|49869}} Generally, the cosmere will not come into the forefront until Dragonsteel or the final Mistborn trilogy,{{qawob ref|1076|76868}} and the final Mistborn trilogy is one of the last cosmere series, if not the last. Brandon has said it will all fit together, and thinks we'll be impressed.{{qawob ref|675|56496}}

| Brandon on the cosmere{{qawob ref|675|56496}}

At the start of Brandon's career, he wrote cosmere novels in chronological order, but there are books that are skipped, like Dragonsteel and White Sand,{{qawob ref|988|49869}} some of his earlier, unpublished novels. (Those unpublished novels would need to be rewritten from scratch, much like Brandon rewrote The Way of Kings.{{qawob ref|810|2410222}}) He wanted these cosmere novels to not require knowledge of previous books in the hidden epic of the cosmere. Generally, clues to the cosmere are currently easter eggs, and will not be in the forefront. However, more hints to the greater universe are inevitable, and eventually the worlds will cross over and interact,{{qawob ref|979|1369019}} perhaps in the last Mistborn trilogy.

Hoid, a character who appears in each cosmere novel, is one such easter egg. It is not random where he is; Brandon has said that if Hoid appears in a place, that place is about to be very dangerous.{{qawob ref|1044|64778}} Hoid is doing things behind the scenes, and at some point, we might have Hoid short stories explaining what is doing and why.{{qawob ref|680|294502}}{{qawob ref|622|1354039}} There are also other people who cross between worlds that eventually Brandon thinks will be much clearer later, once we see those characters more.{{qawob ref|1078|510546}} But for now, they are easter eggs.

Brandon does not feel that the cosmere is restrictive to his writing.{{qawob ref|675|56496}} Though cosmere novels are intensive, as they require more planning and specific rules{{qawob ref|997|67655}} (Brandon has continuity editors, like [[Peter Ahlstrom|Peter]] and Karen Ahlstrom, on his internal wiki to keep it straight{{qawob ref|1057|59758}}), he feels that if he needs to take a break, he can just write a non-cosmere novel. Those "breather" novels are used to keep Brandon creatively engaged, and are almost always non-cosmere.{{qawob ref|944|59015}} If there is a concept he really wants to write but doesn't fit in the limitations of the cosmere, he moves it into a non-cosmere book.{{qa ref|979|10}}

[[The Rithmatist]] used to be a cosmere novel, and its magics take many elements from cosmere magics,{{qawob ref|1019|19827}} but Brandon decided that Earth is not in the cosmere, nor any alternate Earths.{{qawob ref|1052|707879}}

Eventually, there will be an official timeline for cosmere events.{{qawob ref|979|1254093}} There will probably be a cosmere encyclopedia at some point, but not for a long time.{{qawob ref|979|654091}} It is more likely there will be Stormlight and Mistborn worldbooks first.{{qawob ref|704|164912}} There will eventually be a [[Shadesmar]] map and star map for the cosmere that is released.{{qawob ref|1097|231392}}

Brandon does generally plan out which cosmere hints to give to fans, but sometimes he gives hints on the fly. Usually, fans are able to pry much more than he initially intended to tell.{{qawob ref|704|154910}}

! rowspan=2 | 2018

*[[The Lost Metal]], the fourth and final Era 2 Mistborn novel.{{bwssots ref|state-of-the-sanderson-december-2014}}

*[[The Silence Divine]], a novella{{bwssots ref|state-of-the-sanderson-december-2014}} that will take place on [[Ashyn]],{{17swob ref|post|622809847}} a planet onin the [[GreaterRosharan Rosharsystem]].

*[[Elantris sequel]] and [[Elantris finale]], the sequels to [[Elantris (book)|Elantris]]. These will be written in between the break of Stormlight 5 and Stormlight 6, and needs to be written before the next Mistborn trilogy can be written.{{bwssots ref|state-of-the-sanderson-december-2014}}

*Era 3 Mistborn trilogy, the trilogy with Allomancy in a modern, 1980s technology level. This will be written in between the break of Stormlight 5 and Stormlight 6.{{bwssots ref|state-of-the-sanderson-december-2014}}

*[[Dragonsteel]], the origin story of [[Hoid]]. This will not be written until after the Stormlight Archive is finished.{{bwssots ref|state-of-the-sanderson-december-2014}}

*Era 4 Mistborn trilogy, the science fiction trilogy. [[Hoid]] is a main character of this.{{qawob ref|689|510012}} This will be one of the last known cosmere sequence, chronologically, and has much to do with the worlds coming together.{{qawob ref|1076|76868}}

The exact order of cosmere stories is difficult, as Brandon has typically not canonized it, as he wants to remain flexible for the behind-the-scenes stories with worldhoppers and other unpublished works. An uncanonical timeline of the cosmere has the distance between the Shattering and the breaking of the [[Oathpact]] is about 6000 years.{{qawob ref|1091|11355}} Do not take that for exact fact, but it probably means that these time scales are in thousands of years, not millions of years.

Generally, cosmere novels have been written chronologically, so Elantris is before era 1 Mistborn books, which is before Warbreaker. However, Brandon will go back and add other works into this scheme, like Dragonsteel.{{qawob ref|988|49869}}

* [[Warbreaker]]{{qawob ref|692|1010107}}

* [[Shadows for Silence in the Forests of Hell]]{{wob ref|6445|JordanCon 2014|date=2014-4-11}}{{wob ref|10273|Miscellaneous 2016|date=2016-7-15}}

* [[Mistborn Era 2]]{{qawob ref|988|49869}}{{qa ref|1097|18}}

* [[Arcanum Unbounded]] essays{{17swob ref|post|514084|Arcanum Unbounded Tour Chicago Signing|date=2016-12-061491}}

* [[Sixth of the Dusk]], which is in the age of Era 4 Mistborn books, the science fiction trilogy{{qawob ref|1115|496664}}

[[Dragonsteel]] will be the beginning, before the [[#Before the Shattering|Shattering]]. Mistborn Era 4, the scifisci-fi trilogy is at the end.{{qawob ref|112|306472}} [[Nightblood (book)|Nightblood]], the Warbreaker sequel, will be set closer to Warbreaker than Stormlight Archive.{{qawob ref|1108|25657}}

Prior to The Way of Kings, all Cosmere books were published in Chronological order, but some important stories had been skipped.{{qawob ref|692|10|How is the Way of Kings related to the rest of the cosmere?|date=2010-10-1510107}} From other interviews, we know that [[Dragonsteel]] comes at the beginning of the series.{{qawob ref|988|4|What time period do they all fit in?|date=2012-12-69869}} Elantris will have a sequel which takes place ten years after the first book.{{qawob ref|763|5|Will we be seeing any more worlds for the Cosmere?|date=2010-9-2110193}} [[White Sand]] is one of the earliest,{{qawob ref|988|4|What time period do they all fit in?|date=2012-12-69869}} but seems to come after Elantris, since it and Dragonsteel are considered the first two.{{qawob ref|1091|1|How1355}} longand fromcomes thebefore Shattering to the Prelude in Way of Kings?|date=2014-11-29}}Elantris.{{qawob ref|944|15|Received my first rejection letter|date=201310502}} From the time of the [[Shattering]] to the Prelude of The Stormlight Archive might be around 6,000 years.{{qawob ref|1091|1|How long from the Shattering to the Prelude in Way of Kings?|date=2014-11-291355}} Another of the skipped novels is set on [[Ashyn]].{{qawob ref|692|11|The Silence Divine|date=2010-10-1510107}} The Warbreaker sequel, [[Nightblood (book)|Nightblood]] takes place closer to Warbreaker and definitely before The Way of Kings.{{qawob ref|1108|2|If you write Nightblood, will it come before or after Stormlight?|date=2014-3-145657}} There will also be a fifteen-year gap between Stormlight books five and six (the two story arcs).{{qawob ref|1109|9|How much time elapses between the beginning of the main part of the story and the end of the series?|date=2015-1-61300}}{{qawob ref|1097|7|There's also going to be about a fifteen year gap in-world|date=2014-12-61380}}

The capitalization of the word "cosmere" is inconsistent at best from official sources. Generally, in the novels, like Stormlight Archive books, cosmere is uncapitalized,{{book ref|sa1|54}}{{epigraph ref|sa2|75}} but exclusively in [[The Alloy of Law]], its [[Ars Arcanum]] refers to it with a capital C.{{book ref|mb4|part=ars}} Adding to the confusion, these ArtēsArs Arcanum are written by the same person,{{qawob ref|988|109875}} and [[Words of Radiance]]'s Ars Arcanum uses lowercase.{{book ref|sa2|part=ars}}

From interviews where Brandon types responses, Brandon sometimes capitalizes cosmere,{{qawob ref|944|59015}} and sometimes leaves it uncapitalized.{{qawob ref|977|171084}} [[Peter Ahlstrom]], Brandon's assistant, has said that generally, cosmere is uncapitalized in books, but capitalized outside of them.{{tweet ref|607208955069100032}}