Shardcast: The Brandon Sanderson Podcast
Warbreaker: Magic | SpanReads
Jul 11, 2024
Dive into the colorful magic of Warbreaker, featuring the intriguing concept of biochromatic breath and Awakening. Explore character dynamics with Vivenna and Vasher, while discussing the unique powers of the Returned. Discover how magic impacts identity and consciousness, revealing profound existential themes. The conversation also unpacks prophetic dreams and their significance within the narrative, hinting at exciting connections to the larger Cosmere universe.
20:24
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Quick takeaways
- The unique magic of Awakening in Warbreaker allows users to infuse life into objects using biochromatic breath, emphasizing creativity and connection to sympathetic magic.
- Character complexities in Warbreaker, particularly through Vasher's duality as Returned, are revealed through foreshadowing and subtle narrative details that enhance the story's tension.
Deep dives
The Magic System of Awakening
The world of Nalthus features a unique magic system called Awakening, which is centered around biochromatic breath, a magical essence that individuals can transfer between themselves. This breath allows users to imbue life into inanimate objects, enabling them to perform tasks like fetching keys. The podcast elaborates on various entities within this system, such as the Returned, who are revived individuals that survive by consuming breath, and Lifeless, which are corpses awakened to follow commands. This nuanced system encourages creativity; the more closely an object resembles its awakener, the easier it is to infuse with life, resembling sympathetic magic principles found in folklore and voodoo traditions.
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