Difference between revisions of "Oathbringer/Epigraphs"
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(Added part 3 epigraphs) |
(Added part 4 & 5 epigraphs, also removed possibly unnecessary spoiler about the writer of Oathbringer. (Surely that can be re-added later, if necessary?)) |
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==Preface to ''Oathbringer''==
In Part One of ''[[Oathbringer]]'' the epigraphs are excerpts from the preface of the [[Oathbringer (in-world)|in-universe book of the same name]]
{| class=infobox
! class=title | Chapter
| Good night, dear Urithiru. Good night, sweet Sibling. Good night, Radiants.
|-
|}
== Hessi's Mythica ==
The epigraphs from Part 4 are excerpts from an in-universe book, Hessi's Mythica, that catalogues the Unmade, nine of Odium's lieutenants in his Rosharan war.
{| class=infobox
! class=title | Chapter
! class=title | Text
|-
!89{{anchor|Chapter 89}}
| My research into the Unmade has convinced me that these things were not simply "spirits of the void" or "nine shadows who moved in the night." They were each a specific kind of spren, endowed with vast powers.
|-
!90{{anchor|Chapter 90}}
| I have done my best to separate fact from fiction, but the two blend like mixing paint when the Voidbringers are involved. Each of the Unmade has a dozen names, and the powers ascribed to them range from the fanciful to the terrifying.
|-
!91{{anchor|Chapter 91}}
| I should point out that although many personalities and motives are ascribed to them, I'm convinced that the Unmade were still spren. As such, they were as much manifestations of concepts or divine forces as they were individuals.
|-
!92{{anchor|Chapter 92}}
| The most important point I wish to make is that the Unmade are still among us. I realize this will be contentious, as much of the lore surrounding them is intertwined with theology. However, it is clear to me that some of their effects are common in the world - and we simply treat them as we would the manifestations of other spren.
|-
!93{{anchor|Chapter 93}}
| Taxil mentions Yelig-nar, named Blightwind, in an oft-cited quote. Though Jasnah Kholin has famously called its accuracy into question, I believe it.
|-
!95{{anchor|Chapter 95}}
| Yelig-nar had great powers, perhaps the powers of all Surges compounded in one. He could transform any Voidbringer into an extremely dangerous enemy. Curiously, three legends I found mention ''swallowing'' a gemstone to engage this process.
|-
!96{{anchor|Chapter 96}}
| Yelig-nar is said to consume souls, but I can't find a specific explanation. I'm uncertain this lore is correct.
|-
!97{{anchor|Chapter 97}}
| Of the Unmade, Sja-anat was most feared by the Radiants. They spoke extensively of her ability to corrupt spren, though only "lesser" spren - whatever that means.
|-
!98{{anchor|Chapter 98}}
| Lore suggested leaving a city if the spren there start acting strangely. Curiously, Sja-anat was often regarded as an individual, when others - like Moelach or Ashertmarn - were seen as forces.
|-
!99{{anchor|Chapter 99}}
| Nergaoul was known for driving forces into a battle rage, lending them great ferocity. Curiously, he did this to both sides of a conflict, Voidbringer and human. This seems common of the less self-aware spren.
|-
!100{{anchor|Chapter 100}}
| I am convinced that Nergaoul is still active on Roshar. The accounts of the Alethi "Thrill" of battle align too well with ancient records - including visions of red mist and dying creatures.
|-
!101{{anchor|Chapter 101}}
| Moelach is very similar to Nergaoul, though instead of inspiring a battle rage, he supposedly granted visions of the future. In this, lore and theology align. Seeing the future originates with the Unmade, and is from the enemy.
|-
!102{{anchor|Chapter 102}}
| Moelach was said to grant visions of the future at different times - but most commonly at the transition point between realms. When a soul was nearing the Tranquiline Halls.
|-
!103{{anchor|Chapter 103}}
| Many cultures speak of the so-called Death Rattles that sometimes overtake people as they die. Tradition ascribes them to the Almighty, but I find too many to be seemingly prophetic. This will be my most contentious assertion I am sure, but I think these are the effects of Moelach persisting in our current times. Proof is easy to provide: the effect is regionalized, and tends to move across Roshar. This is the roving of the Unmade.
|-
!104{{anchor|Chapter 104}}
| Ashertmarn, the Heart of the Revel, is the final of the three great Mindless Unmade. His gift to men is not prohecy or battle focus, but a lust for indulgence. Indeed, the great debauchery recorded from the court of Bayala in 480 - which led to dynastic collapse - might be attributable to the influence of Ashertmarn.
|-
!106{{anchor|Chapter 106}}
| I find Bo-Ado-Mishram to be the most interesting of the Unmade. She is said to have been keen of mind, a highprincess among the enemy forces, their ''commander'' during some of the Desolations. I do not know how this relates to the ancient god of the enemy, named Odium.
|-
!107{{anchor|Chapter 107}}
| There is very little information about Ba-Ado-Mishram in more modern times. I can only assume she, unlike many of them, returned to Damnation or was destroyed during Aharietiam.
|-
!108{{anchor|Chapter 108}}
| Chemoarish, the Dustmother, has some of the most varied lore surrounding her. The wealth of it makes sorting lies from truths extremely difficult. I do believe she is ''not'' the Nightwatcher, contrary to what some stories claim.
|-
!109{{anchor|Chapter 109}}
| Re-Shephir, the Midnight Mother, is another Unmade who appears to have been destroyed at Aharietiam.
|-
!110{{anchor|Chapter 110}}
| The Midnight Mother created monsters of shadow and oil, dark imitations of creatures she saw or consumed. Their description matches no spren I can find in modern literature.
|-
!111{{anchor|Chapter 111}}
| It will not take a careful reader to ascertain I have listed only eight of the Unmade here. Lore is confident there were nine, an unholy number, asymmetrical and often associated with the enemy.
|-
!112{{anchor|Chapter 112}}
| I am certain there are nine Unmade. There are many legends and names that I could have misinterpreted, conflating two Unmade into one. In the next section, I will discuss my theories on this.
|-
!113{{anchor|Chapter 113}}
| If I'm correct and my research true, then the question remains. Who is the ninth Unmade? Is it truly Dai-Gonarthis? If so, could their actions have actually caused the complete destruction of Aimia?
|-
|}
== Eila Stele, Way of Kings ==
After the general content of the Eila Stele is revealed in the chapter of that name in the previous part, we see some excerpts from it in Part 5, and also some postscripts from the Way of Kings.
{| class=infobox
! class=title | Chapter
! class=title | Book
! class=title | Text
|-
!115{{anchor|Chapter 115}}
| Eila Stele
| They came from another world, using powers that we have been forbidden to touch. Dangerous powers, of spren and Surges. They destroyed their lands and have come to us begging.
|-
!116{{anchor|Chapter 115}}
| Eila Stele
| We took them in, as commanded by the gods. What else could we do? They were a people forlorn, without a home. Our pity destroyed us. For their betrayal extended even to our gods: to spren, stone, and wind.
|-
!117{{anchor|Chapter 117}}
| Eila Stele
| Beware the otherworlders. The traitors. Those with tongues of sweetness, but with minds that lust for blood. Do not take them in. Do not give them succor. Well were they named Voidbringers, for they brought the void. The empty pit that sucks in emotion. A new god. Their god.
|-
!118{{anchor|Chapter 118}}
| Eila Stele
| These Voidbringers know no songs. They cannot hear Roshar, and where they go, they bring silence. They look soft, with no shell, but they are hard. They have but one heart, and it cannot ever live.
|-
!119{{anchor|Chapter 119}}
| Way of Kings (postscript)
| As I began my journey, I was challenged to defend why I insisted on traveling alone. They called it irresponsible. An avoidance of duty and obligation.
Those who said this made an enormous mistake of assumption.
|-
!120{{anchor|Chapter 120}}
| Way of Kings (postscript)
| If the journey itself is indeed the most important piece, rather than the destination itself, then I traveled not to avoid duty - but to seek it.
|-
!121{{anchor|Chapter 121}}
| Way of Kings (postscript)
| It becomes the responsibility of every man, upon realizing he lacks the truth, to seek it out.
|-
!122{{anchor|Chapter 122}}
| Way of Kings (postscript)
| Yes, I began my journey alone, and I ended it alone.
But that does not mean that I walked alone.
|-
|}
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