Eric (Chaos), an expert on the late-era Cosmere, joins to forecast a futuristic landscape filled with tech and intrigue. The discussion meanders through space-age factions and the importance of awakened metalminds, shedding light on their powers. They explore the enigmatic Night Brigade and their complex motives on Threnody, along with the significant political maneuvering between worlds like Scadrial and Roshar. Tune in for a riveting look at how these elements interconnect and shape the future of the Cosmere!
The exploration of Nalthus highlights its potential role in shaping conflicts through advanced technology like awakened metal minds.
The podcast discusses Cell's strategic neutrality and unique magic systems, which could influence interplanetary conflicts without direct involvement.
The Night Brigade's deadly efficiency raises questions about their alignments and roles in the ongoing power struggles within the Cosmere.
Deep dives
The Space Age of the Cosmere
The discussion revolves around the evolution of the Cosmere as it enters a space age, characterized by potential conflicts among planets and factions. The group speculates on the upcoming conflicts, particularly a war between factions from Roshar and Scadrial, hinting at a 'Cold War' scenario influenced by the Ember Dark previews. The implications of these power struggles reflect a broader narrative within the Cosmere, where magic systems and technological advancements intertwine with the characters' histories and allegiances. Predictions are drawn regarding potential skirmishes and proxy wars where unofficial factions might engage covertly rather than through direct governmental action.
Influence of Nalthus and Awakening Technology
Nalthus emerges as a significant player in the Cosmere's political landscape through its unique ability to produce awakened metal minds, which are said to hold advanced technology. The discussion highlights concerns that this technology's proliferation may lead to conflicts as other worlds may attempt to manipulate or exploit Nalthus’ resources. The factional dynamics reveal how even neutral planets may become crucial in conflicts due to their strategic importance in trade and technology. As factions vie for dominance, Nalthus's technological capabilities could shift the balance of power among the Cosmere's planets.
Cell's Power and Strategic Position
The conversation delves into the complexities of the planet Cell, noting its defensive characteristics which make it hard to access and potentially a sanctuary during interplanetary wars. Cell’s unique magic systems provide an advantage for its inhabitants, making it a critical asset should conflict arise in the wider Cosmere. Strategic neutrality is highlighted as a powerful stance, with the potential for Cell to influence conflicts without direct involvement. The group speculates that the unique magic of Cell may be leveraged by other factions to gain resources and knowledge, thus shaping the future war landscape.
The Role of the Night Brigade
The Night Brigade is discussed as a mercenary group known for their deadly efficiency, raising questions about their role and allegiances within the greater conflicts of the Cosmere. Their ability to command armies of shades introduces a dark element to warfare, showcasing their unique position in mercenary dynamics. The potential for the Night Brigade to align with powerful cosmic forces or to operate independently poses significant implications for the ongoing power struggles. Speculation arises about whether their influence will grow and what corners of the Cosmere they might operate in, especially considering their past interactions with notable forces.
Dathre and Aether Technologies
The conversation also touches on Dathre's technology, particularly its advanced aether systems that allow for functional space travel, albeit with a divergence from typical magical practices. The speculation that the aethers have their roots in ancient magics raises questions about their stability and potential conflicts with other magic systems. There's an undercurrent of concern as the advent of aether technology could disrupt the balance of power within the Cosmere, especially if misused by factions seeking dominance. As new technologies emerge, the potential reactions of traditional magic users and how they may respond becomes a crucial point for future storytelling.
== CONTAINS SPOILERS FOR EMBERDARK READINGS ==
Today, we're looking forward. Faaarr forward, into the future of the cosmere. The first of a two-part conversation diving in on the late-era Cosmere works, looking at technology, who's who in these late game stages, and how all these complicated Shards, planets, and factions are interacting with each other. Stay tuned for Part 2, which will cover some of the heaviest hitters in this era: Roshar and Scadrial.
This episode we have Eric (Chaos), Evgeni (Argent), Grace (thegatorgirl), and Ala (Rasarr)!
Thumbnail art by Diego Lopez: https://x.com/diegolopezart/status/1724170988777001273
0:00:00 Intro
0:08:13 Space Age Factions
0:12:04 Nalthis and Awakened Metalminds
0:39:31 Sel
0:59:44 Threnody and the Night Brigade
1:17:39 Dhatri
1:26:13 WTCC
1:45:24 Conclusion and Sign Off
---
If you like our content, support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/17thshard
For discussion, theories, games, and news, come to https://www.17thshard.com
Come talk with us and the community on the 17th Shard Discord: https://discord.gg/17thshard
Want to learn more about the cosmere and more? The Coppermind Wiki is where it's at: https://coppermind.net
Read all Words of Brandon on Arcanum: https://wob.coppermind.net
Subscribe to Shardcast: http://feeds.soundcloud.com/users/soundcloud:users:102123174/sounds.rss
Send your Who's That Cosmere Characters to wtcc@17thshard.com
Remember Everything You Learn from Podcasts
Save insights instantly, chat with episodes, and build lasting knowledge - all powered by AI.
