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    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.
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    Oathbringer

    80. Oblivious

    by Sanderson, Brandon

    The chap­ter opens with a ref­er­ence to Ba-Ado-Mishram’s con­nec­tion to the parsh peo­ple, high­light­ing her role in pro­vid­ing Void­light and empow­er­ing cer­tain forces. The nar­ra­tive then shifts to Veil’s per­spec­tive, describ­ing her dis­qui­et and her efforts to aid her com­mu­ni­ty amid the chaos caused by the Ever­storm. She nav­i­gates a dam­aged envi­ron­ment, seek­ing Grund, a young orphan, and reflects on her motivations—primarily dri­ven by her desire to help those suf­fer­ing from star­va­tion and hard­ship rather than con­front the mon­strous threats of Void­bringers. Her cau­tious move­ments and covert dis­guis­es under­score her ongo­ing strug­gle to gath­er infor­ma­tion with­out attract­ing atten­tion.

    Veil’s inter­ac­tions with Grund reveal her con­cern for the boy, who unex­pect­ed­ly appears tense and guard­ed. Their exchange hints at under­ly­ing secrets and a tense rela­tion­ship, as Grund’s behav­ior sug­gests he is hid­ing some­thing. Veil’s attempt to gath­er intel­li­gence is inter­rupt­ed by her obser­va­tions of the mar­ket and her efforts to remain unno­ticed, reveal­ing her skills in dis­guise and stealth. Her inter­nal thoughts indi­cate a sense of unease, as she sens­es that some­thing is amiss beneath her out­ward calm. The chap­ter empha­sizes her inter­nal conflict—balancing her mis­sion with her empa­thy for those around her, espe­cial­ly Grund, who seems to be hid­ing deep­er trou­bles.

    The sto­ry takes a dark­er turn when Veil wit­ness­es a group of thugs attack­ing Grund, reveal­ing her pro­tec­tive instincts. Her anger ignites vis­i­bly as she con­fronts the assailants, but they scat­ter before she can catch them. She finds Grund injured, bleed­ing from a head wound, and des­per­ate­ly tries to help him. Her sense of help­less­ness inten­si­fies as Grund, in pain and dis­ori­ent­ed, reveals feel­ings of hatred and bit­ter­ness, pos­si­bly root­ed in trau­ma and loss. Veil’s attempts to soothe him are met with fur­ther emo­tion­al pain, expos­ing the harsh real­i­ties faced by the vul­ner­a­ble chil­dren in her world and her inter­nal strug­gle to pro­vide com­fort amid chaos.

    In the final moments, Veil’s con­cern shifts to a broad­er threat—Grund’s men­tion of oth­ers sug­gests a net­work or group that may be involved in the vio­lence and suf­fer­ing around her. Her urgency dri­ves her to seek out Muri, a moth­er fig­ure who might hold vital infor­ma­tion or aid. Dis­guised once more, Veil races through the mar­ket to ral­ly sup­port and uncov­er the extent of the dan­ger, set­ting the stage for poten­tial con­fronta­tions and rev­e­la­tions. The chap­ter con­cludes on a tense note, empha­siz­ing themes of sac­ri­fice, hid­den dan­ger, and the ongo­ing fight to pro­tect the inno­cent amidst a frac­tured world.

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    FAQs

    • 1. What is the significance of Ba-Ado-Mishram’s connection to the parsh people and Odium, and what is the plan regarding her in the chapter?

      Answer:
      Ba-Ado-Mishram’s connection to the parsh people, similar to Odium’s past influence, indicates her powerful role in facilitating voidlight and other forms of power. Her connection signifies a source of immense, potentially dangerous power that has been exploited or corrupted. The chapter reveals a plan to imprison her, highlighting her importance and the threat she poses if left unchecked. This plan underscores the ongoing conflict involving powerful entities and the efforts of the strike team to contain or neutralize such threats to prevent further chaos or misuse of her abilities.

      2. How does Veil’s behavior and internal conflict reflect her understanding of her environment and her role within it?

      Answer:
      Veil’s actions, such as her disguise as a market guard and her efforts to help Grund and others, demonstrate her desire to remain covert while actively working against threats like the Voidbringers. Her internal conflict is evident in her concern about missing something beneath Grund’s seemingly innocent exterior and her unease about exposing herself. Her quick changes of appearance reveal her awareness of the dangers around her and her need for caution. Her compassion for Grund and her frustration with the violence she witnesses highlight her complex role as a protector who is aware of the harsh realities of her world, balancing her covert operations with her moral desire to help.

      3. What does the attack on Grund and Veil’s reaction to it reveal about the broader themes of vulnerability and resilience in the chapter?

      Answer:
      The attack on Grund and Veil’s response expose the fragility and danger present in their environment, emphasizing themes of vulnerability. Grund’s injury and his bitter words reflect the harshness of life on the streets, where violence and betrayal are commonplace. Veil’s immediate rage and her attempt to help despite her helplessness demonstrate resilience and determination. Her emotional struggle—feeling useless, yet committed—mirrors the broader theme that survival often requires perseverance amid chaos. It underscores the reality that even in a world filled with threats, individuals like Veil strive to protect others and maintain hope.

      4. How does the chapter explore the theme of deception and hidden identities through Veil’s actions?

      Answer:
      The chapter illustrates the theme of deception through Veil’s skillful use of Lightweaving to change her appearance and conceal her true identity. She disguises herself as a market guard to gather information and avoid detection by enemies, exemplifying her ability to manipulate her outward appearance to stay hidden. This act of deception is crucial for her covert operations and reflects the broader importance of hidden identities in her world, where trust is fragile and danger lurks behind facades. Her quick change of clothes and face demonstrates her adaptability and the constant need to conceal her true self in a hostile environment.

      5. What is the significance of the mention of “others” in the context of the chapter, and how does it propel the narrative forward?

      Answer:
      The mention of “others” by Grund and later by Shallan hints at a larger network or group involved in the conflict and secrets surrounding Ba-Ado-Mishram and the Voidbringers. It suggests that Grund’s fears and accusations point to a broader scope of danger beyond what is immediately visible. This revelation propels the narrative forward by introducing new layers of mystery and potential allies or threats. It indicates that the current conflict is part of a larger, more complex web, encouraging characters and readers to consider the possibility of unseen forces at play, which could significantly influence future events and strategies.

    Quotes

    • 1. “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.”

      This quote encapsulates the core plot development in the chapter, highlighting the significance of Ba-Ado-Mishram’s connection to the parsh people and her role in the story’s conflict. It underscores the strategic importance of capturing her to prevent further chaos.

      2. “Veil wanted to be out working instead. Monsters and Voidbringers were something she couldn’t comprehend, but starving children… she could do something about that.”

      This passage reveals Veil’s motivation and the moral compass driving her actions. It contrasts her understanding of external threats with her compassion for the vulnerable, emphasizing her desire to focus on tangible, human concerns amidst chaos.

      3. “Veil drew more attention than she’d have wanted. She’d exposed herself to them, given up her face.”

      This statement highlights the risks Veil takes with her disguise and underscores themes of identity and concealment. It reflects the dangerous balance she maintains between her covert operations and the need for self-protection.

      4. “She heard a grunt, and a whimper. That’s Grund. Veil cursed softly, scrambling around to look in through the window. A group of thugs was chewing on the flatbread she’d brought. Grund lay in the corner, whimpering and holding his stomach.”

      This moment marks a turning point in the chapter, illustrating the sudden violence and Veil’s helplessness. It underscores the peril faced by innocent bystanders and the chaos that erupts despite her intentions.

      5. “She sat with him as his breathing slowed, then cut off. Finally she knelt back, bloodied cloth in her hands. Veil could handle this. She’d seen death. It… it was life… on the street… and… Too much. Too much for one day.”

      This poignant reflection captures the emotional toll of the chapter’s events, emphasizing themes of loss, mortality, and the overwhelming nature of street life. It marks a somber conclusion to the chapter’s intense sequence.

    Quotes

    1. “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.”

    This quote encapsulates the core plot development in the chapter, highlighting the significance of Ba-Ado-Mishram’s connection to the parsh people and her role in the story’s conflict. It underscores the strategic importance of capturing her to prevent further chaos.

    2. “Veil wanted to be out working instead. Monsters and Voidbringers were something she couldn’t comprehend, but starving children… she could do something about that.”

    This passage reveals Veil’s motivation and the moral compass driving her actions. It contrasts her understanding of external threats with her compassion for the vulnerable, emphasizing her desire to focus on tangible, human concerns amidst chaos.

    3. “Veil drew more attention than she’d have wanted. She’d exposed herself to them, given up her face.”

    This statement highlights the risks Veil takes with her disguise and underscores themes of identity and concealment. It reflects the dangerous balance she maintains between her covert operations and the need for self-protection.

    4. “She heard a grunt, and a whimper. That’s Grund. Veil cursed softly, scrambling around to look in through the window. A group of thugs was chewing on the flatbread she’d brought. Grund lay in the corner, whimpering and holding his stomach.”

    This moment marks a turning point in the chapter, illustrating the sudden violence and Veil’s helplessness. It underscores the peril faced by innocent bystanders and the chaos that erupts despite her intentions.

    5. “She sat with him as his breathing slowed, then cut off. Finally she knelt back, bloodied cloth in her hands. Veil could handle this. She’d seen death. It… it was life… on the street… and… Too much. Too much for one day.”

    This poignant reflection captures the emotional toll of the chapter’s events, emphasizing themes of loss, mortality, and the overwhelming nature of street life. It marks a somber conclusion to the chapter’s intense sequence.

    FAQs

    1. What is the significance of Ba-Ado-Mishram’s connection to the parsh people and Odium, and what is the plan regarding her in the chapter?

    Answer:
    Ba-Ado-Mishram’s connection to the parsh people, similar to Odium’s past influence, indicates her powerful role in facilitating voidlight and other forms of power. Her connection signifies a source of immense, potentially dangerous power that has been exploited or corrupted. The chapter reveals a plan to imprison her, highlighting her importance and the threat she poses if left unchecked. This plan underscores the ongoing conflict involving powerful entities and the efforts of the strike team to contain or neutralize such threats to prevent further chaos or misuse of her abilities.

    2. How does Veil’s behavior and internal conflict reflect her understanding of her environment and her role within it?

    Answer:
    Veil’s actions, such as her disguise as a market guard and her efforts to help Grund and others, demonstrate her desire to remain covert while actively working against threats like the Voidbringers. Her internal conflict is evident in her concern about missing something beneath Grund’s seemingly innocent exterior and her unease about exposing herself. Her quick changes of appearance reveal her awareness of the dangers around her and her need for caution. Her compassion for Grund and her frustration with the violence she witnesses highlight her complex role as a protector who is aware of the harsh realities of her world, balancing her covert operations with her moral desire to help.

    3. What does the attack on Grund and Veil’s reaction to it reveal about the broader themes of vulnerability and resilience in the chapter?

    Answer:
    The attack on Grund and Veil’s response expose the fragility and danger present in their environment, emphasizing themes of vulnerability. Grund’s injury and his bitter words reflect the harshness of life on the streets, where violence and betrayal are commonplace. Veil’s immediate rage and her attempt to help despite her helplessness demonstrate resilience and determination. Her emotional struggle—feeling useless, yet committed—mirrors the broader theme that survival often requires perseverance amid chaos. It underscores the reality that even in a world filled with threats, individuals like Veil strive to protect others and maintain hope.

    4. How does the chapter explore the theme of deception and hidden identities through Veil’s actions?

    Answer:
    The chapter illustrates the theme of deception through Veil’s skillful use of Lightweaving to change her appearance and conceal her true identity. She disguises herself as a market guard to gather information and avoid detection by enemies, exemplifying her ability to manipulate her outward appearance to stay hidden. This act of deception is crucial for her covert operations and reflects the broader importance of hidden identities in her world, where trust is fragile and danger lurks behind facades. Her quick change of clothes and face demonstrates her adaptability and the constant need to conceal her true self in a hostile environment.

    5. What is the significance of the mention of “others” in the context of the chapter, and how does it propel the narrative forward?

    Answer:
    The mention of “others” by Grund and later by Shallan hints at a larger network or group involved in the conflict and secrets surrounding Ba-Ado-Mishram and the Voidbringers. It suggests that Grund’s fears and accusations point to a broader scope of danger beyond what is immediately visible. This revelation propels the narrative forward by introducing new layers of mystery and potential allies or threats. It indicates that the current conflict is part of a larger, more complex web, encouraging characters and readers to consider the possibility of unseen forces at play, which could significantly influence future events and strategies.

    Note