The recently revealed cover forThe Stormlight Archivebook 5,Wind and Truth, bolsters my feelings towards one of my favorite theories.Wind and Truth’srelease is imminent, withthe fifth installment of Brandon Sanderson’s epic fantasy saga set to complete the series' first arc, which began with 2010’sThe Way of Kings. ButThe Stormlight Archivewill pick up again eventually, following a ten-year in-universe time jump, beginning another five-novel adventure on Roshar. For now, book 5 will see the culmination of several character and narrative arcs.
Like many Sanderson readers, I’m fascinated by his world-building, magic systems, and all of that. However, the reason I find his stories so near and dear is primarily due to the characters, and I spend the majority of my reading time considering the meaning behind their arcs and where I’d like them to end up. One of themost popularWind and TruththeoriessurroundsDalinar Kholin reforming the Shard Honor, which was previously splintered by Odiumroughly 2,000 years before the events ofThe Stormlight Archive.
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I’m Convinced That Dalinar Will Become Honor Thanks To Wind & Truth’s Cover
Wind & Truth’s Cover Is A Reminder of How Dalinar Has Unified Roshar
While the mechanics of how exactly Dalinar would reform a splintered Shard could only be formed in Brandon Sanderson’s mind, I’ve considered this theory more so in terms of its thematic, narrative value. But first, let’s break downWind and Truth’scover and what I think it contributes. On it,Dalinar stands atop what seems to be Urithiru, surrounded by colored gemstones and holding a book, likelyThe Way of Kings(the in-universe book), in his arms as he faces down a raging storm in the distance.
Michael Whelan has contributed gorgeous paintings to each volume ofThe Stormlight Archive, and it’s important to note that they aren’t direct moments from the series. So, while there probably won’t be a scene where we see Dalinar in this exact position,I still believe there’s relevance to selecting Dalinar for this cover and choosing to surround him with these particular elements.Dalinar holdingThe Way of Kingsserves as a specific reminder of his arc and how far he’s come in the series since the beginning of The Stormlight Archive and since his flashbacks from Oathbringer.
His goal has always been to “Unite them,” and through the knowledge of this book, he’s reformed the Knights Radiant, rallied the High Princes of Alethkar, and united the kingdoms of Roshar in the Coalition of Monarchs. Holding this book and standing by these mysterious gemstonesmakes me feel likeWind and Truth’sclimax will see the culmination of his unification. I see no better way to encapsulate this than literally unifying the embodiment of oaths and order, principles he’s grown to live by throughout his arc.
All The Evidence That Supports Dalinar Becoming Honor In The Stormlight Archive
Unifying Honor Would Perfectly Conclude Dalinar’s Arc From Oathbringer
I’ll start by breaking down a few mechanical reasons why Dalinar could become Honor, but I’m mostly intrigued by its narrative meaning. First, Cultivation is the third Shard of Roshar, who has been relatively hidden throughout the series. We do know of a few of some of her actions, however: she’s tinkered with Taravangian, leading him to eventually become Odium, and she’s tinkered with Dalinar, leading him to contest Odium. Symmetrically, it would make sense if this included him becoming a Shard as well.
I can’t imagine a better way, then, for Dalinar’s arc to end than by his transitioning from destroyer to ultimate unifier.
Dalinar is an extraordinarily powerful Bondsmith, and he’s already done things he shouldn’t be capable of. Uniting a splintered Shard would be another of such acts, but it makes sense for his character arc. InOathbringer, we saw the menacing young Dalinar causing death and devastation wherever he went. Above all else,the character arcs in The Stormlight Archive are about taking responsibility for the past, learning to accept one’s self, moving on, and growing to be better. I can’t imagine a better way, then, for Dalinar’s arc to end than by his transitioning from destroyer to ultimate unifier.
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Why This Dalinar Theory Is Better Than Kaladin Becoming Honor
Dalinar Is Ready To Make This Sacrifice, While Kaladin Deserves To Live
An opposing theory to this is that Kaladin will be the one to take up Honor, maybe through Dalinar reforming it and handing it over to him. But I see this as unlikely for one major reason: Kaladin has spent so long learning to accept himself and live that I believe it would do a disservice to his emotional journey for his story to end in death. While becoming a Shard isn’t exactly death, he still wouldn’t be himself anymore. I believeKaladin’s story needs to end with him surviving the war and living on to recover.
Sure, I’m envisioning all of this as a very neat and orderly ending that satisfies their arcs. But I think it’s fair to say that these endings would provide the bittersweet feeling Sanderson has suggested. Dalinar would essentially be gone, as becoming Honor would be a sacrifice in its own right, and just because he forms Honor doesn’t necessarily mean the good guys win entirely. The best part ofThe Stormlight Archiveand the Cosmere is that there are so many factors in play that it’s impossible to see every angle.
The Stormlight Archive
The Stormlight Archive is an epic fantasy series by Brandon Sanderson, set on the storm-ravaged world of Roshar. The series follows multiple characters, each with their unique storylines, as they navigate political intrigue, ancient prophecies, and powerful magic. Central to the story are the Knights Radiant, legendary warriors with magical abilities who must return to save their world from impending destruction. The series explores themes of honor, leadership, and the burden of power.
