Oathbringer/Epigraphs

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Preface to Oathbringer

In Part One of Oathbringer the epigraphs are excerpts from the preface of the in-universe book of the same name, which is written by Dalinar Kholin.

Chapter	Text
1	"I’m certain some will feel threatened by this record. Some few may feel liberated. Most will simply feel that it should not exist."
2	"I needed to write it anyway."
4	"I know that many women who read this will see it only as further proof that I am the godless heretic everyone claims."
5	"I can point to the moment when I decided for certain this record had to be written. I hung between realms, seeing into Shadesmar—the realm of the spren—and beyond."
6	"I thought that I was surely dead. Certainly, some who saw further than I did thought I had fallen."
7	"I did not die. I experienced something worse."
8	"That moment notwithstanding, I can honestly say this book has been brewing in me since my youth."
9	"The sum of my experiences has pointed at this moment. This decision."
10	"Perhaps my heresy stretches back to those days in my childhood, where these ideas began."
12	"I ask not that you forgive me. Nor that you even understand."
13	"I ask only that you read or listen to these words."
14	"In this record, I hold nothing back. I will try not to shy away from difficult topics, or paint myself in a dishonestly heroic light."
15	"I will express only direct, even brutal, truth. You must know what I have done, and what those actions cost me."
16	"For in this comes the lesson."
17	"It is not a lesson I claim to be able to teach. Experience herself is the great teacher, and you must seek her directly."
18	"You cannot have a spice described to you, but must taste it for yourself."
20	"However, with a dangerous spice, you can be warned to taste lightly. I would that your lesson may not be as painful as my own."
21	"I am no storyteller, to entertain you with whimsical yarns."
22	"I am no philosopher, to intrigue you with piercing questions."
23	"I am no poet, to delight you with clever allusions."
24	"I have no doubt that you are smarter than I am. I can only relate what happened, what I have done, and then let you draw conclusions."
25	"I will confess my murders before you. Most painfully, I have killed someone who loved me dearly."
27	"I will confess my heresy. I do not back down from the things I have said, regardless of what the ardents demand."
28	"Finally, I will confess my humanity. I have been named a monster, and do not deny those claims. I am the monster that I fear we all can become."
29	"So sit back. Read, or listen, to someone who has passed between realms."
30	"Listen to the words of a fool."
31	"If they cannot make you less foolish, at least let them give you hope."
32	"For I, of all people, have changed."

Letters

In Part Two of Oathbringer the epigraphs are three letters. The first and second one is directed to somebody refered to as Cephandrius. The third one is addressed to "Friend." The second letter is theorized to be written by Bavadin(Autonomy) and the third letter is most likely written by Sazed(Harmony).

Chapter	Text
33	Dearest Cephandrius I received your communication, of course.
34	I noticed its arrival immediately, just as I noticed your many intrusions into my land.
35	You think yourself so clever, but my eyes are not those of some petty noble, to be clouded by a false nose and some dirt on the cheeks.
37	You mustn't worry yourself about Rayse. It is a pity about Aona and Skai, but they were foolish--violating our pact from the very beginning.
38	Your skills are admirable, but you are merely a man. You had your chance to be more, and refused it.
39	No good can come of two Shards settling in one location. It was agreed that we would not interfere with one another, and it disappoints me that so few of the Shards have kept to this original agreement.
40	As for Uli Da, it was obvious from the outset that she was going to be a problem. Good riddance.
41	Regardless, this is not your concern. You turned your back on divinity. If Rayse becomes an issue, he will be dealt with. And so will you.
42	Cephandrius, bearer of the First Gem, You must know better than to approach us by relying upon presumption of past relationship.
43	You have spoken to one who cannot respond. We, instead, will take your communication to us--though we know not how you located us upon this world.
44	We are indeed intrigued, for we thought it well hidden. Insignificant among our many realms.
45	As the waves of the sea must continue to surge, so must our will continue resolute. Alone.
46	Did you expect anything else from us? We need not suffer the interference of another. Rayse is contained, and we care not for his prison.
47	Indeed, we admire his initiative. Perhaps if you had approached the correct one of us with your plea, it would have found favorable audience.
48	But we stand in the sea, pleased with our domains. Leave us alone.
50	We also instruct that you should not return to Obrodai. We have claimed that world, and a new avatar of our being is beginning to manifest there. She is young yet, and--as a precaution--she has been instilled with an intense and overpowering dislike of you.
51	This is all we will say at this time. If you wish more, seek these waters in person and overcome the tests we have created. Only in this will you earn our respect.
53	Friend, Your letter is most intriguing, even revelatory.
54	I would have thought, before attaining my current station, that a deity could not be surprised. Obviously, that is not true. I can be surprised. I can perhaps even be naive, I think.
55	I am the least equipped, of all, to aid you in this endeavor. I am finding that the powers I hold are in such conflict that the most simple of actions can be difficult.
56	I am also made uncertain by your subterfuge. Why have you not made yourself known to me before this? How is it you can hide? Who are you truly, and how do you know so much about Adonalsium?
57	If you would speak to me further, I request open honesty. Return to my lands, approach my servants, and I will see what I can do for your quest.

Records

In Part three of Oathbringer, the epigraphs are records retrieved from the eponymous Stormlight Archive in Urithiru. In at least some of these epigraphs, the gemstone used to make the record seems to correspond with the order of the Knight who made it. (eg. Sapphires for Windrunners, Zircons for Elsecallers) The drawer and gemstone designations have been included, as this indicates when a series of epigraphs all relate to the same topic.

Chapter	Gem location	Text
58	Drawer 29-5, topaz	As a Stoneward, I spent my entire life looking to sacrifice myself. I secretly worry that is the cowardly way. The easy way out.
59	Drawer 12-15, ruby	If this is to be permanent, then I wish to leave record of my husband and children. Wzmal, as good a man as any woman could dream of loving. Kmakra and Molinar, the true gemstones of my life.
60	Drawer 8-21, second emerald	I worry about my fellow Truthwatchers.
61	Drawer 2-3, smokestone	We can record any secret we wish, and leave it here? How do we know that they'll be discovered? Well, I don't care. Record that then.
62	Drawer 2-22, smokestone	I wish to submit my formal protest at the idea of abandoning the tower. This is an extreme step, taken brashly.
63	Drawer 16-16, amethyst	I returned to the tower to find squabbling children, instead of proud knights, That's why I hate this place. I'm going to go chart the hidden undersea caverns of Aimia; find my maps in Akinah.
64	Drawer 27-19, topaz	The disagreements between the Skybreakers and the Windrunners have grown to tragic levels. I plead with any who hear this to recognize you are not so different as you think.
65	Drawer 8-1, amethyst	Now that we abandon the tower, can I finally admit that I hate this place? Too many rules.
67	Drawer 24-18, smokestone	This generation has had only one Bondsmith, and some blame the divisions among us upon this fact. The true problem is far deeper. I believe that Honor himself is changing.
68	Drawer 1-1, first zircon	My research into the cognitive reflections of the spren at the tower has been deeply illustrative. Some thought that the Sibling had withdrown from men by intent- but I find counter to that theory.
69	Drawer 1-1, second zircon	The wilting of plants and the general cooling of the air is disagreeable, yes, but some of the tower's functions remain in place. The increased pressure, for example, persists.
70	Drawer 1-1, third zircon	Something is happening to the Sibling. I agree this is true, but the division among the Knights Radiant is not to blame. Our perceived worthiness is a separate issue.
72	Drawer 4-17, second topaz	The Edgedancers are too busy relocating the tower's servants and farmers to send a representative to record their thoughts in these gemstones. I'll do it for them, then. They are the ones who will be most displaced by this decision. The Radiants will not be taken in by nations, but what of all these people now without homes?
73	Drawer 3-11, garnet	I am worried about the tower's protections failing. If we are not safe from the Unmade here, then where?
74	Drawer 10-1, sapphire	Today, I leaped from the tower for the last time. I felt the wind dance around me as I fell all the way along the eastern side, past the tower, and to the foothills below. I'm going to miss that.
77	Drawer 30-20, first emerald	Something must be done about the remnants of Odium's forces. The parsh, as they are now called, continue their war with zeal, even without their masters from Damnation.
78	Drawer 30-20, second emerald	A coalition has been formed among scholar Radiants. Our goal is to deny the enemy their supply of Voidlight; this will prevent their continuing transformations, and give us an edge in combat.
79	Drawer 30-20, third emerald	Our revelation is fueled by the theory that the Unmade can perhaps be captured like ordinary spren. It would require a special prison. And Melishi.
80	Drawer 30-20, fourth emerald	Ba-Ado-Mishram has somehow Connected with the parsh people, as Odium once did. She provides Voidlight and facilitates forms of power. Our strike team is going to imprison her.
81	Drawer 30-20, fifth emerald	We are uncertain the effects this will have on the parsh. At the very least, it should deny them forms of power. Melishi is confident, but Naze-daughter-Kuzodo warns of unintended side effects.
82	Drawer 30-20, final emerald	Surely this will bring - at long last - the end to war that the Heralds promised us.
83	Drawer 20-10, zircon	As the duly appointed keepers of the perfect gems, we of the Elsecallers have taken the burden of protecting the ruby nicknamed Honor's Drop. Let it be recorded.
84	Drawer 19-2, third topaz	The enemy makes another push toward Feverstone Keep. I wish we knew what it was that had them so interested in that area. Could they be intent on capturing Rall Elorim?
85	Drawer 30-20, a particularly small emerald	Don't tell anyone. I can't say it. I must whisper. I foresaw this.
86	Drawer 10-12, sapphire	My spren claims that recording this will be good for me, so here I go. Everyone says I will swear the Fourth Ideal soon, and in so doing, earn my armor. I simply don't think that I can. Am I not supposed to want to help people?
87	Drawer 29-29, ruby	Good night, dear Urithiru. Good night, sweet Sibling. Good night, Radiants.

Notes

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