Oh Snap
Yeah, we're talking about Kelsier and the Pits again
Note: I will be referring to plot points from Mistborn Secret History, along with spoilers through The Bands of Mourning in the Weekly Word of Brandon. You’ve been warned, so don’t get sassy with me in the comments.
We spend a lot of time talking about Kelsier, but not nearly enough discussing Marsh.
I firmly believe we’ll be learning a lot more about Marsh in Ghostbloods. Maybe not right away, but Brandon has strongly hinted that we’ll learn a lot more about the 300-year gap between Era 1 and Wax & Wayne.
Marsh has been through it. I argue that he’s been through more trauma that Kelsier has. After all, Kelsier didn’t Snap until he reached the Pits (allegedly). Marsh Snapped much younger — and we don’t know what happened or why.
There’s tension between the brothers. Part of that could be attributed to Marsh loving Mare. It seems like it goes beyond that. What’s in their past that’s caused animosity? Is it purely Kelsier’s selfishness? Remember: He didn’t really care about the skaa until after Mare’s death. Kelsier was a thief, not a revolutionary.
Marsh, however, was. He was a sleeper agent who sacrificed everything for the cause. Marsh deserves a happy ending. Or, at least an ending happier than what he has. Considering his atium is running low, there might not be many chances for that.
Your Weekly Word of Brandon: Why didn’t Kelsier Snap before the Pits?
I’m going to be on my MiND (Mare is Not Dead) nonsense again. I won’t be talking about more recent things Brandon has mentioned about the Pits in-depth, but know that he’s said we can’t fully trust the story Kelsier is telling about the Pits.
This WoB dates all the way back to The Hero of Ages annotations. I love looking at the annotations for the older books. I think of it like this: If Brandon took the time to point things out and write them down for us, then we should pay attention.
He muses here about why Kelsier didn’t Snap before he reached the Pits. And Brandon doesn’t have an answer, even in spoilers.
“He did live a hard life and it is odd that he wouldn’t have Snapped until that moment when he saw his wife beaten to death,” Brandon wrote. “They say that the more powerful a person is, the more trauma it takes to get them to Snap and the more dangerous that Snapping is.”
We know how much off a planner Brandon is, which is why this all seems odd to me. He’s had a lot of time to think about that reason.
Y’all know that I think we’ll get the answer to this in Ghostbloods. It’s extremely relevant now that we know Kelsier is alive and walking around as…whatever he technically is. We’re going to learn a lot about Kelsier’s past. It wouldn’t make sense if we didn’t.
So, because I have to, I have to bring up MiND. If Mare was never beaten to death in front of him, then he would’ve Snapped another way. Perhaps earlier. After all, Vin Snapped long before Kelsier found her, and she had no idea she was a mistborn.
I always find it suspicious that Secret History mentions Kelsier killing so many nobles in one night that he lost track. That happens prior to the Pits. How does a thief without combat training go into a mansion and kill guards and nearly massacre an entire family? It makes sense if he was able to do that because he was a mistborn. And, if that was the case, it could have been his allomancy that the Lord Ruler sensed, not Mare’s.
Prove Me Right Prove Me Wrong: Who would win, Stick v. Nightblood?
Nightblood, but it’s a close call
Nightblood. Nightblood would consider stick evil for refusing to be fire.
Stick, obviously. Stick is pure good and KNightblood only fights evil
Stick is not fire so Nightblood. But Nightblood is more agreeable
Stick
“I am a stick.” “But you could be Nightblood.”
I’m a stick
Stick
They would have quite the scintillating conversation and marry
Stick will win, since no force in Cosmere can unstick him
…Nightblood. He’s a sword.
Nightblood is ALWAYS changing and growing. Stick don’t gaf and can never change
Stick for sure. The force of will exhibited to remain a stick would far outmatch a “sword.”
Stick. The sheer willpower to be a stick will keep them whole!
When you cut a stick you get two sticks. Nightblood can’t keep up with this!
Nightblood because it killed a shard. Stick because it would still not be fire.
Nightblood
Stick is pure stick, and carry no evil in its soul (it has no soul). Nightblood only destroys evil.
If Nightblood cuts stick, then there’s two sticks. Nightblood 1 - Stick 2 = Stick is clear winner
Stick unlocks his true potential by becoming fire. Nightblood melts
Stick. Has Nightblood ever convinced anyone to do anything? Stick endures.
Definitely stick, I know he’s just a stick, but he could be fire. And also he’s not evil so yeah rip N-b
Stick is actually the original source of Intent in the Cosmere and is a universal constant
If you think about it…Nightblood is a Stick
Stick. Nightblood wouldn’t see stick as evil and so wouldn’t put all their effort in
The unyielding might of a stick who has stronger Identity than Shallan > a sentient piece of metal
I am a stick. I am a stick. I am a stick. I am a stick. I am a stick. I am a stick. I am a stick. I am a…
Stick because he will always be stick
Stick
I’m going to take the underdog of Nightblood as I feel that the sword is sassier than the stick
Oooh Stick bc 100% stubborn
Nightblood, stick is evil for not willing to grow and is stuck in their ways
Nightblood can’t kill Stick. They aren’t evil. They are a Stick.