Chapter Index
    Cover of Oathbringer
    Adventure FictionFantasyFantasyFiction

    Oathbringer

    by Sanderson, Brandon
    Oathbringer, the third book in Brandon Sanderson’s Stormlight Archive series, is an epic fantasy novel set on the planet Roshar. It follows Dalinar Kholin as he confronts his past, unravels ancient secrets, and strives to unite warring factions against existential threats. The story explores themes of leadership, memory, and redemption amid catastrophic conflicts and mystical revelations, advancing the series’ intricate world-building and character development.

    The chap­ter begins with an exchange of cor­re­spon­dence, reveal­ing that Jas­nah Kholin is alive, a fact that pro­found­ly impacts Shal­lan. This news shifts her emo­tion­al state, bring­ing a mix of relief and urgency. Despite her recent trau­ma and the chaos sur­round­ing her, she is con­sumed with ques­tions about Jasnah’s sur­vival and her mys­te­ri­ous absence. Shal­lan reflects on her own ordeal with the Unmade, not­ing her attempt to under­stand and ana­lyze her expe­ri­ences through her sketch­es. The chap­ter empha­sizes the impor­tance of Jasnah’s return, which sig­ni­fies a turn­ing point, alter­ing the course of her inves­ti­ga­tions and her under­stand­ing of the unfold­ing events.

    As Shal­lan seeks out Jas­nah in Urithiru, her feel­ings are conflicted—she is both eager and anx­ious to see her. The nar­ra­tive details her jour­ney through the tow­er, describ­ing the atmos­phere and her inter­nal strug­gles. She notices the change in her own emo­tion­al state, feel­ing a sense of lib­er­a­tion from fear and wrong­ness that had haunt­ed her. Her cau­tious approach under­scores her admi­ra­tion and inse­cu­ri­ty toward Jas­nah, high­light­ing the com­plex dynam­ics of their rela­tion­ship. The chap­ter also hints at the tower’s mys­te­ri­ous and oppres­sive aura, which dis­si­pates once the source of dark­ness is con­front­ed, sym­bol­iz­ing her grow­ing con­fi­dence.

    Upon find­ing Jas­nah, Shal­lan observes her in her element—confident, com­posed, and strik­ing­ly beau­ti­ful. The scene cap­tures Jasnah’s phys­i­cal and intel­lec­tu­al strength, empha­siz­ing her resilience after her appar­ent ordeal. Their inter­ac­tion reveals Jasnah’s sci­en­tif­ic curios­i­ty about the unusu­al phe­nom­e­na and her inter­est in the ancient tech­nol­o­gy behind the mag­i­cal arti­facts, such as fab­ri­als and Shard­blades. Jasnah’s expla­na­tions about spren and fab­r­i­al cre­ation deep­en the reader’s under­stand­ing of the lore, and her prag­mat­ic, yet some­what dra­mat­ic, man­ner of dis­course under­scores her character’s bril­liance and flair. This moment also under­scores the con­trast between Jasnah’s com­posed exte­ri­or and the dan­ger­ous sit­u­a­tions she endures.

    The chap­ter con­cludes with Jasnah’s instruc­tive atti­tude toward Shal­lan, urg­ing her to doc­u­ment her obser­va­tions and sketch­es accu­rate­ly. Their exchange reveals under­ly­ing tensions—Shallan’s ini­tial sense of sub­servience clash­es with her desire for inde­pen­dence. Jasnah’s apol­o­gy for past mis­takes and her recog­ni­tion of Shallan’s progress serve as a cat­a­lyst for the younger woman’s growth. The nar­ra­tive ends on a note of mutu­al respect, with Jasnah’s lead­er­ship and wis­dom inspir­ing Shal­lan. The chap­ter por­trays a piv­otal moment of rev­e­la­tion, intel­lec­tu­al curios­i­ty, and the strength­en­ing of their bond amid the larg­er mys­ter­ies of their world.

    FAQs

    • 1. What is the significance of Jasnah being alive in the context of Shallan’s emotional state and the story’s development?

      Answer:
      Jasnah’s survival is a pivotal revelation for Shallan, dramatically altering her emotional landscape and the story’s trajectory. Up until this point, Shallan believed Jasnah was dead, which had caused her grief, guilt, and a sense of loss. Learning that Jasnah is alive sparks a mixture of relief, hope, and a renewed sense of purpose. It also shifts the story’s focus, as Shallan now has the chance to reconnect with her mentor and understand how Jasnah survived. This revelation underscores the importance of hope and resilience, and it sets the stage for further revelations about Jasnah’s experiences and the broader conflict. In essence, Jasnah’s survival redefines the stakes for Shallan and provides a catalyst for her growth and the unfolding narrative.

      2. How does Jasnah explain the nature of fabrials, and what ethical considerations does Shallan raise about them?

      Answer:
      Jasnah explains that fabrials are created by capturing a spren inside a gemstone and then provoking specific responses through stimuli, such as heat or other effects. For example, she describes how flamespren can be used to manipulate heat by imprisoning them in a gemstone and then activating the stimuli to produce desired responses. Shallan reacts with horror to this explanation, questioning the morality of imprisoning spren, comparing it to locking a chull in a box to make it pull a wagon. She perceives it as a form of imprisonment and exploitation, raising ethical concerns about the treatment of sentient-like beings (spren). This highlights a core moral dilemma in the world of the story: the balance between technological advancement and respect for the natural spirits involved, prompting readers to consider the ethical implications of using such powerful and potentially harmful magic.

      3. In what ways does Shallan’s perception of Jasnah’s appearance and demeanor reflect her internal feelings and her view of Jasnah’s character?

      Answer:
      Shallan’s perception of Jasnah’s appearance and demeanor reveals her admiration, envy, and feelings of insecurity. She describes Jasnah as “perfect,” highlighting her beauty—tan skin, violet eyes, and elegant attire—attributes that seem almost unfair to Shallan. Her feelings of insecurity and overwhelm suggest she views Jasnah as both a role model and someone she aspires to emulate, yet also feels envious of her poise and resilience. The contrast between Jasnah’s composed, unscathed appearance after her ordeal and Shallan’s own insecurities underscores her admiration and the pressure she feels to measure up. This perception reflects the complex emotions underlying their relationship, blending respect with personal self-doubt and a desire for validation.

      4. How does the chapter explore the theme of perception versus reality through the discussion of Jasnah’s survival and the nature of her injuries?

      Answer:
      The chapter juxtaposes Jasnah’s seemingly flawless appearance with the reality of her recent trauma, illustrating how perception can differ from reality. Jasnah appears perfect—beautiful, composed, and unaffected—yet her injuries, which once seemed severe enough to be fatal, are now not visibly apparent. Shallan’s initial shock and envy stem from her perception of Jasnah’s invincibility, but the reality is that Jasnah endured significant hardship and danger. This contrast explores how appearances can mask inner struggles and how perception influences our understanding of others. It also emphasizes that resilience and strength are often internal qualities that aren’t immediately visible, encouraging a deeper appreciation of the complexities behind external appearances.

      5. How might the knowledge of fabrials and their creation influence the characters’ strategies in the ongoing conflict, and what ethical dilemmas could this knowledge pose?

      Answer:
      Understanding fabrials’ creation and function provides characters with powerful technological tools that could be used strategically in the ongoing conflict. Jasnah’s explanation reveals that they can manipulate spren and harness magical responses, potentially giving armies or individuals significant advantages. However, this knowledge also raises ethical dilemmas—such as whether it is right to imprison and manipulate sentient spirits for the sake of warfare or personal gain. The moral questions about exploiting spren challenge the characters to consider the consequences of their technological advancements. They must balance the benefits of such power against the potential harm, moral corruption, and loss of natural harmony. This knowledge could lead to debates about the ethical limits of magic use, shaping future decisions and alliances.

    Quotes

    • 1. “Jasnah’s return sparked something in her. Shallan had once been more analytical in her drawing, including notes and explanations with the sketches. Lately she’d only been doing pages and pages of twisted images.”

      This quote highlights the emotional and psychological impact of Jasnah’s presumed death and her subsequent return, serving as a catalyst for Shallan’s renewed focus on understanding her experiences and the significance of her drawings.

      2. “Storms… Jasnah was alive. That changed everything.”

      This powerful statement underscores the chapter’s central turning point—Jasnah’s survival radically alters the narrative and Shallan’s perspective, emphasizing how critical this revelation is to her understanding of her world.

      3. “You capture a spren, and imprison it inside a gemstone crafted for the purpose. Artifabrians have found that specific stimuli will provoke certain responses in the spren… Flamespren give off heat—and by pressing metal against a ruby with a flamespren trapped inside, you can increase or decrease that heat.”

      This passage introduces the concept of fabrials, explaining their basis in capturing and manipulating spren. It is crucial for understanding the technological and magical framework of the world, as well as the ethical implications discussed.

      4. “No worse than hitching a wagon to a chull.”

      Jasnah’s comparison reveals her pragmatic view of fabrials, framing them as a necessary, if morally complex, means of harnessing spren for technological purposes. It encapsulates her rational approach and the nuanced ethical debate surrounding these devices.

      5. “There are spren and there are spren, child.”

      This statement reflects the complexity of spren in the narrative—distinguishing between different kinds and their significance—highlighting that not all spren are equal and that their manipulation involves understanding their true nature.

    Quotes

    1. “Jasnah’s return sparked something in her. Shallan had once been more analytical in her drawing, including notes and explanations with the sketches. Lately she’d only been doing pages and pages of twisted images.”

    This quote highlights the emotional and psychological impact of Jasnah’s presumed death and her subsequent return, serving as a catalyst for Shallan’s renewed focus on understanding her experiences and the significance of her drawings.

    2. “Storms… Jasnah was alive. That changed everything.”

    This powerful statement underscores the chapter’s central turning point—Jasnah’s survival radically alters the narrative and Shallan’s perspective, emphasizing how critical this revelation is to her understanding of her world.

    3. “You capture a spren, and imprison it inside a gemstone crafted for the purpose. Artifabrians have found that specific stimuli will provoke certain responses in the spren… Flamespren give off heat—and by pressing metal against a ruby with a flamespren trapped inside, you can increase or decrease that heat.”

    This passage introduces the concept of fabrials, explaining their basis in capturing and manipulating spren. It is crucial for understanding the technological and magical framework of the world, as well as the ethical implications discussed.

    4. “No worse than hitching a wagon to a chull.”

    Jasnah’s comparison reveals her pragmatic view of fabrials, framing them as a necessary, if morally complex, means of harnessing spren for technological purposes. It encapsulates her rational approach and the nuanced ethical debate surrounding these devices.

    5. “There are spren and there are spren, child.”

    This statement reflects the complexity of spren in the narrative—distinguishing between different kinds and their significance—highlighting that not all spren are equal and that their manipulation involves understanding their true nature.

    FAQs

    1. What is the significance of Jasnah being alive in the context of Shallan’s emotional state and the story’s development?

    Answer:
    Jasnah’s survival is a pivotal revelation for Shallan, dramatically altering her emotional landscape and the story’s trajectory. Up until this point, Shallan believed Jasnah was dead, which had caused her grief, guilt, and a sense of loss. Learning that Jasnah is alive sparks a mixture of relief, hope, and a renewed sense of purpose. It also shifts the story’s focus, as Shallan now has the chance to reconnect with her mentor and understand how Jasnah survived. This revelation underscores the importance of hope and resilience, and it sets the stage for further revelations about Jasnah’s experiences and the broader conflict. In essence, Jasnah’s survival redefines the stakes for Shallan and provides a catalyst for her growth and the unfolding narrative.

    2. How does Jasnah explain the nature of fabrials, and what ethical considerations does Shallan raise about them?

    Answer:
    Jasnah explains that fabrials are created by capturing a spren inside a gemstone and then provoking specific responses through stimuli, such as heat or other effects. For example, she describes how flamespren can be used to manipulate heat by imprisoning them in a gemstone and then activating the stimuli to produce desired responses. Shallan reacts with horror to this explanation, questioning the morality of imprisoning spren, comparing it to locking a chull in a box to make it pull a wagon. She perceives it as a form of imprisonment and exploitation, raising ethical concerns about the treatment of sentient-like beings (spren). This highlights a core moral dilemma in the world of the story: the balance between technological advancement and respect for the natural spirits involved, prompting readers to consider the ethical implications of using such powerful and potentially harmful magic.

    3. In what ways does Shallan’s perception of Jasnah’s appearance and demeanor reflect her internal feelings and her view of Jasnah’s character?

    Answer:
    Shallan’s perception of Jasnah’s appearance and demeanor reveals her admiration, envy, and feelings of insecurity. She describes Jasnah as “perfect,” highlighting her beauty—tan skin, violet eyes, and elegant attire—attributes that seem almost unfair to Shallan. Her feelings of insecurity and overwhelm suggest she views Jasnah as both a role model and someone she aspires to emulate, yet also feels envious of her poise and resilience. The contrast between Jasnah’s composed, unscathed appearance after her ordeal and Shallan’s own insecurities underscores her admiration and the pressure she feels to measure up. This perception reflects the complex emotions underlying their relationship, blending respect with personal self-doubt and a desire for validation.

    4. How does the chapter explore the theme of perception versus reality through the discussion of Jasnah’s survival and the nature of her injuries?

    Answer:
    The chapter juxtaposes Jasnah’s seemingly flawless appearance with the reality of her recent trauma, illustrating how perception can differ from reality. Jasnah appears perfect—beautiful, composed, and unaffected—yet her injuries, which once seemed severe enough to be fatal, are now not visibly apparent. Shallan’s initial shock and envy stem from her perception of Jasnah’s invincibility, but the reality is that Jasnah endured significant hardship and danger. This contrast explores how appearances can mask inner struggles and how perception influences our understanding of others. It also emphasizes that resilience and strength are often internal qualities that aren’t immediately visible, encouraging a deeper appreciation of the complexities behind external appearances.

    5. How might the knowledge of fabrials and their creation influence the characters’ strategies in the ongoing conflict, and what ethical dilemmas could this knowledge pose?

    Answer:
    Understanding fabrials’ creation and function provides characters with powerful technological tools that could be used strategically in the ongoing conflict. Jasnah’s explanation reveals that they can manipulate spren and harness magical responses, potentially giving armies or individuals significant advantages. However, this knowledge also raises ethical dilemmas—such as whether it is right to imprison and manipulate sentient spirits for the sake of warfare or personal gain. The moral questions about exploiting spren challenge the characters to consider the consequences of their technological advancements. They must balance the benefits of such power against the potential harm, moral corruption, and loss of natural harmony. This knowledge could lead to debates about the ethical limits of magic use, shaping future decisions and alliances.

    Note