Rhythm of War (9781429952040)
“Rhythm of War” is the fourth installment in Brandon Sanderson’s epic fantasy series, The Stormlight Archive. Set on the planet Roshar, the novel continues the conflict between Dalinar Kholin’s coalition of Knights Radiant and the forces of Odium, a malevolent god seeking dominion. The story delves deeper into the psychological and emotional struggles of key characters, including Kaladin, Shallan, and Navani, as they grapple with war, trauma, and the mysteries of ancient magics. Themes of resilience, identity, and the cost of power are explored amidst intricate world-building and high-stakes battles. The book expands the Cosmere universe, revealing new layers of lore and setting the stage for future confrontations.
I-12. Vulnerable
bySanderson, Brandon
Taravangian grapples with his declining intelligence, recognizing that his once-variable mental acuity has settled into a frustrating mediocrity. Despite his diminished capacity, he feels an urgent need to act, as the world cannot wait for his fleeting moments of brilliance. His attempts to recruit Szeth and communicate with Dalinar have failed, leaving him paralyzed by indecision and fear for Kharbranth’s safety. Time slips away as he battles exhaustion and pain, forcing him to confront his mortality and the limitations of his aging body.
Struggling to devise a plan without the godlike intelligence he once possessed, Taravangian pores over his notebook, searching for hidden insights. He reflects on the nature of intelligence, realizing it is more about speed and memorization than raw capacity. His unique perspective—having experienced both extreme brilliance and stupidity—gives him an edge, as he understands his own limitations better than others. Determined to craft a plan as bold as the Diagram, he focuses on leveraging his remaining strengths, including his knowledge of Nightblood and Odium’s vulnerabilities.
As Taravangian scribbles notes by the dim light of a ruby sphere, he uncovers a chilling revelation: his reflection in the mirror is replaced by the shadowy figure of Sja-anat, one of the Unmade. Terrified but composed, he engages with the entity, which questions his altered state. Sja-anat speculates that the Nightwatcher’s blessings might have been a centuries-long ruse by Cultivation to manipulate key individuals, including Taravangian. This encounter forces him to confront the deeper implications of his past choices and the unseen forces shaping his destiny.
The chapter culminates in Taravangian’s realization that his struggles are part of a larger cosmic game. Sja-anat’s probing questions hint at Cultivation’s hidden influence, leaving Taravangian to wonder whether his actions are truly his own or part of a divine scheme. Despite his fear and physical frailty, he resolves to press forward, determined to outmaneuver Odium and protect his people. The encounter with the Unmade underscores the precariousness of his position, as he balances mortal vulnerability against the weight of godly machinations.
FAQs
1. How does Taravangian’s perception of intelligence differ from common assumptions, and what advantages does this give him?
Answer:
Taravangian challenges the common assumption that stupidity equates to diminished humanity or decision-making capacity. He views intelligence as primarily about processing speed and memorization rather than raw capability. His unique perspective comes from experiencing both extreme intelligence and stupidity through Cultivation’s boon/curse. This gives him the advantage of accurate self-assessment—he neither overestimates nor underestimates his abilities like most people do. As stated in the chapter, “Others, stupid or smart, tended to overestimate their abilities. Not Taravangian.” This self-awareness allows him to work within his limitations and leverage his experiences strategically.2. What strategic dilemma does Taravangian face regarding Dalinar Kholin, and what internal conflict does this reveal?
Answer:
Taravangian struggles with whether to approach Dalinar directly or continue writing letters. The dilemma reveals his conflicting priorities: saving the world versus protecting Kharbranth. His hesitation stems partly from needing “the right words” to influence Dalinar, but also from a deeper reluctance to surrender control to the Blackthorn. The chapter shows his internal debate: “Was Taravangian actually waiting on the right words, or was there another reason he delayed? A willing disregard for the truth.” This conflict between his humanitarian goals and personal pride/power demonstrates his complex morality and diminishing capacity for decisive action.3. Analyze the significance of Taravangian’s encounter with Sja-anat and what it reveals about Cultivation’s long-term plans.
Answer:
The shocking appearance of the Unmade Sja-anat (visible in his mirror’s reflection) serves multiple purposes. First, it confirms that powerful supernatural forces are observing Taravangian. More importantly, Sja-anat’s dialogue suggests Cultivation has been manipulating events for centuries through the Nightwatcher’s bargains: “I begin to wonder if it was all a cover… A way for her to secretly bring in people she wanted to touch.” This implies Taravangian, Dalinar, and Lift (the “child”) are all part of Cultivation’s intricate plan to counter Odium—a revelation that recontextualizes Taravangian’s entire journey as potentially orchestrated by a god playing a “far more subtle game than Odium realized.”4. How does Taravangian plan to use Nightblood against Odium, and what challenges does this approach present?
Answer:
Taravangian’s notes reveal Nightblood consumes Investiture (like Stormlight) and can drain a person’s soul when no Investiture is available. His strategy involves positioning Szeth (Nightblood’s bearer) near Odium’s manifestation, counting on Szeth’s instability to attack the god. However, the chapter highlights critical challenges: the Diagram didn’t anticipate Nightblood, requiring improvisation; timing Szeth’s arrival precisely is problematic; and Odium’s expanded intelligence makes deception difficult. Taravangian acknowledges Odium can “be tricked” because he “feels the same way a man does,” suggesting emotional manipulation might complement the physical threat of Nightblood.5. What does this chapter reveal about Taravangian’s physical and mental decline, and how does this affect his decision-making?
Answer:
The chapter portrays Taravangian’s severe deterioration—his intelligence fluctuates downward, he experiences debilitating pain, and he loses entire days to unintended naps. This decline forces him to act despite diminished capacity: “He needed to act anyway. He could not afford to wait upon intelligence.” His physical weakness paradoxically aids him during Sja-anat’s appearance by preventing panic-driven flight. However, his mental decline creates frustration as he remembers his past brilliance but struggles to access it. This desperate state explains his willingness to consider radical solutions like using Nightblood, reflecting his transition from calculated strategist to increasingly impulsive actor.
Quotes
1. “Taravangian had given up on being smart. It seemed that the longer he lived, the less his intelligence varied each day. And when it did vary, it seemed to move steadily downward. Toward stupidity. Toward sentimentality.”
This opening line sets the chapter’s central tension—Taravangian’s struggle with his diminishing intelligence and the urgency of his mission. It highlights his self-awareness and the tragic irony of his curse: his capacity to save the world is slipping away just when he needs it most.
2. “Part of being smart, in his experience, was about speed more than capacity. That and the ability to memorize.”
This insight reveals Taravangian’s nuanced understanding of intelligence, contrasting with common assumptions. It underscores his unique perspective as someone who has experienced both brilliance and incapacity, shaping his strategic approach despite his current limitations.
3. “He had to. He needed to use every advantage he had. He had to create a plan as daring as the Diagram—and do so without the gifts Cultivation had given him. The plan of a man, not a god.”
This pivotal moment captures Taravangian’s resolve to act despite his limitations. The phrase “plan of a man, not a god” reflects the chapter’s theme of human vulnerability contrasted with divine power, foreshadowing his confrontation with cosmic forces.
4. “Odium has greatly expanded intelligence… But he feels the same way a man does. He can be tricked. And he seems to have a central… self, a core person.”
This observation about Odium’s nature represents a critical strategic insight. Taravangian’s recognition of the god’s emotional vulnerability—despite his power—becomes the foundation for his eventual plan to outwit a deity.
5. “The Old Magic… the Nightwatcher… I begin to wonder if it was all a cover, these many centuries. A way for her to secretly bring in people she wanted to touch. She has been playing a far more subtle game than Odium realized.”
Sja-anat’s revelation reframes Taravangian’s entire backstory, suggesting his “curse” may have been part of Cultivation’s long-term scheme. This quote expands the cosmic stakes, revealing deeper layers of divine manipulation behind human struggles.