7 Brilliant Stormlight Archive Theories We Hope Book 5 Confirms

MAJOR SPOILERS for The Stromlight Archive through Rhythm of War

The first arc of Mistborn author Brandon Sanderson’s The Stormlight Archive series will conclude in 2024’s Wind and Truth, with several theories hopefully coming to fruition. Beginning with The Way of Kings in 2010, The Stormlight Archive has become one of the most recognizable titles in modern epic fantasy, with Sanderson constantly praised for his complex world-building and detailed character work. The series is a major proponent of the American author’s larger fictional universe known as the Cosmere, meaning theories about the fifth volume could tie it to other stories like Mistborn.

Wind and Truth is set to be released in December 2024, just over four years after the previous volume, Rhythm of War. Since then, four novels have been released in the Cosmere: The Lost Metal, Tress of the Emerald Sea, Yumi and the Nightmare Painter, and The Sunlit Man. As seen in Rhythm of War, Cosmere easter eggs and references are becoming more frequent with each Brandon Sanderson book, so Wind and Truth could have more connectivity to these books. The end of Rhythm of War already hinted at a massive Mistborn character crossover and further explored Cosmere world-hopping.

Another vital thing to consider with Wind and Truth is that while it’s set to complete the current arc of The Stormlight Archive, there will still be five more books in the saga. The next Cosmere book is going to be Secret Project 5, titled Isles of the Emberdark, which Sanderson announced through a backer campaign in 2024. Following that, there will be more Mistborn books and sequels to Elantris. The next books in The Stormlight Archive are years down the line and will be set ten years after Wind and Truth in the book’s world.

7 Wind And Truth Refers To Kaladin And Szeth

Kaladin & Szeth Are Going To Adventure To Shinovar Together

All of Brandon Sanderson’s titles correspond to a particular element of the novel, such as The Way of Kings, which refers to the text Dalinar researches in the story. As for Wind and Truth, the title seems to correspond to Kaladin, the Windrunner, and Szeth, Truthless of Shinovar. It’s been revealed that Szeth will be the primary flashback character in the novel, with him swearing his fifth ideal as a potential plot point, which would have him become a personification of truth or him finally taking the idea of truth into his own hands after following orders for so long.

With those ideas in mind, Kaladin is the other important part. Szeth and Kaladin will be traveling to Shinovar together, which could result in some exciting character conflict between them, especially as they’re two individuals who haven’t interacted much throughout the series. How their relationship develops is contingent on what they find in Shinovar, and one Redditor explores a fascinating theory that they’ll reach the nation to find it destroyed.

6 Shallan’s Mother Is A Herald

A Theory Suggests Chanarach Is Shallan’s Mother

There’s much more to Shallan’s history than just how it ties to her personal arc, as the organizational involvements and dealings of her family seem to tie to the grander conflicts on Roshar. Many have theorized that Shallan’s mother is the Herald Chanarach (via Reddit). The Heralds are immortal beings who serve the Almighty, and though Chanarach’s location is unknown, it’s notably mentioned that a character in the series has recently met her, and there are some critical elements that have tied Shallan’s mother to her.

Shallan describes her mother as “brave” in Words of Radiance, which is one of Chanarach’s Divine Attributes, along with Obedience. Shallan’s Radiant identity is described as being very similar to Chanarach’s appearance artwork on the back cover of Rhythm of War. Shallan’s mother also tries to murder her when she discovers Shallan is a surgebinder, which aligns with other Heralds believing surgebinders to be a sign of the Deosolations. There’s even more information to support this claim in the Wind and Truth prologue, which can be read online.

5 Kaladin Will Survive

Killing Kaladin After Everything He’s Been Through Seems Wasteful

Kaladin is one of the most beloved characters in The Stormlight Archive and the broader Cosmere universe, and everyone can agree he’s had it rough. His struggles with mental health are one of the many examples of what makes Brandon Sanderson’s fantasy so compelling, in that his characters experience modern internal issues, making them more relatable. Kaladin experiences depression throughout the four books, even coming to the brink of taking his own life twice in The Way of Kings and Rhythm of War.

With those elements in mind, it’s challenging to imagine Kaladin dying in Wind and Truth. The heroic sacrifice is a common trope and a fate that could be expected from Kaladin, seeing as he bears the most similar traits to the archetypal hero. However, it seems antithetical to his arc to experience what he has and then to die. The better alternative is for Kaladin to live and slowly learn to love himself and recover from his trauma. His arc could still conclude, allowing him to live peacefully and be a minor character in the subsequent Stormlight Archive novels.

4 Shallan Becomes A Worldhopper

Shallan’s Story Has Had the Most Connectivity With Mistborn

Shallan’s storyline in Rhythm of War saw her travel through Shadesmar with Adolin, learning more about the Ghostbloods and inter-system travel in the Cosmere. A Reddit theory explores the possibility that Shallan could further this exploration following Wind and Truth, wanting to pursue Thaidakar (Kelsier) on Scadrial. The theory even goes as far as to say Shallan makes it, and it has been seen at some point in Mistborn Era 2, but in a different form. Still, there are some flaws in the theory that would have to be undone in the next book.

Shallan being a surgebinder means she has a level of Investiture, a term used to describe the energy force of the magic systems in the Cosmere. Because of her Investiture, it wouldn’t be possible in the current state to travel off Roshar. This is a secret Hoid possesses and not one that he’d likely disclose to Shallan without good reason. Anything is possible in book 5, and some characters will likely be integrated into the grander Cosmere conflict, like Sazed or Kelsier, if Mistborn serves as an example.

3 Odium’s Champion Will Be A Major Twist

Several Candidates Could Be Odium’s Champion, Including Baby Gavinor

The Rhythm of War ending sees Dalinar and Odium agree to a contest of champions, which will be held in Wind and Truth. Once Taravangian becomes Odium’s vessel in the epilogue, though, he realizes something the previous iteration missed. What this could be referring to has become a subject of theorization regarding who his champion could be. See the full quote below:

There was so much to do. He sorted through Odium’s previous plans and saw all their flaws. How had he let himself be maneuvered into this particular deal with Dalinar? How had he let himself rely so much upon a contest of champions? Didn’t he know? The way to win was to make sure that, no matter the outcome, you were satisfied. Odium should never have entered a deal he could not absolutely control.

There are obvious options for the champion, like Moash, who’s worked himself up to be one of the series’ most hateable characters. Other options, such as El, Nale, or Ishar, would be quite effective and possible but would carry far less emotional resonance. There are other options that are a bit more outlandish but propose higher interpersonal consequences, like Gavinor (Elhokar’s baby) or Jasnah. The Gavinor theory is quite popular, further exploring the theme of utilitarianism discussed throughout The Stormlight Archive by Dalinar and Taravangian.

2 Dalinar Kholin Will Become Honor

Dalinar Taking The Honor Shard Is A Common Theory

With the Mistborn books seeing Sazed taking the Preservation and Ruin Shards, it seems likely that a character in The Stormlight Archive will become the new vessel for Honor in book 5. This is a perfect way to keep familiar characters going in the grand scheme of the Cosmere, though still allowing them to take on brand-new arcs. Dalinar Kholin is the most obvious suspect, as his arc primarily culminated in Oathbringer. It’s hard to imagine him stepping into a background role in a second series, so the most likely options seem like death or ascendance.

The original Honor was killed by Odium, causing the Shard to be Splintered so it couldn’t be used. Of course, Dalinar’s whole purpose in The Stormlight Archive has been to unite, and he’s likely going to continue to stretch his capabilities as a Bondsmith going forward. Kaladin has been another candidate for the Honor Shard, as he’s considered to be the embodiment of honor, especially after his heroic save in Words of Radiance.

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1 Adolin Will Restore Maya (& Here’s How)

Rhythm Of War Indicated Adolin Could Be An Edgedancer

Adolin Kholin’s purpose in The Stormlight Archive has been in question for years. While an excellent swordsman and a powerful force in the era of Shardplate and Shardblade warfare, he’s been heavily outclassed since the return of the Knights Radiant, even himself admitting to feeling useless at times. Rhythm of War sees Adolin represent the best of humanity on his trial. His deadeye spren, Mayalaran, has been his Shardblade for years, and they seem to have a relationship that’s more special than the usual human and deadeye.

Maya is already partially revived and is healing. Fans have theorized about potential reasons for this. Adolin naturally embodies many of the ideals of the Edgerdancers and Radiants who resemble ideals more specifically tend to have extra perks. Adolin could become an Edgerdancer, who typically bond cultivationspren like Maya, fully restoring her at some point in Wind and Truth. Mistborn author Brandon Sanderson is very particular with his grand schemes, and Adolin’s delay in becoming a Radiant could serve an exciting plot twist purpose in book 5.