Includes SPOILERS for The Stormlight Archive through Wind and Truth, Mistborn eras 1 & 2, and other standalone Cosmere novels.The Stormlight Archivebook 5,Wind and Truth, features several references to other characters from the Cosmere. TheCosmere book universeis one of the most exciting worlds in contemporary fantasy, butit can be an enormous challenge to navigate the increasing number of connections between Brandon Sanderson’s projects. Especially for those who only readThe Stormlight Archive, the numerous character mentions inWind and Truthmay have left feelings of confusion. The author is deliberate with his references, but they can still be somewhat vague.
Not only doesWind and Truthmention characters who originated in other stories, but the book series also includes multiple Worldhoppers, most notably Wit. There are some characters in the series who have traveled to Roshar from other worlds, though they are mentioned for the first time inThe Stormlight Archivebooks. For example, Axindweth is a Feruchemist, presumably from Scadrial, but her first appearance was inRhythm of Warrather than theMistbornseries. Similarly, Iyatil was first mentioned inWords of Radiance. Characters first introduced inThe Stormlight Archivewon’t be included.
15Hoid
The Cosmere’s Most Well-Known Worldhopper
Hoid is the most apparent Worldhopper who appears throughout practically every Cosmere story, though hegoes by Wit inThe Stormlight Archive. He’s originally from the planet Yolen, which will be the main location of Brandon Sanderson’s plannedDragonsteelseries. Hoid arrived on Roshar along with the would-be Heralds much earlier onThe Stormlight Archive’stimeline, coming through a portal from the doomed planet, Ashyn. As Wit, Hoid maintained his position as an ally to Dalinar and the humans of Roshar, helping with advice and perspective, though never directly intervening in any conflict.
14Thaidakar
From Mistborn Era 1
One of the biggest reveals inThe Stormlight Archivebook 4 was thatThaidakar, the leader of the Ghostbloods, was actually Kelsier from theMistborntrilogy. After dying inThe Final Empire, Kelsier is reborn in thenovellaMistborn: SecretHistory, and he’s become an immortal being manipulating events throughout the Cosmere. His main goal on Roshar was to transport Stormlight back to Scadrial as a form of Investiture, though his primary agents, Mraize and Iyatil, were killed by Shallan inWind and Truth. Kelsier will likely be seen next in the upcomingMistborn: Ghostbloodstrilogy.
13Sazed
Very early on inWind and Truth, Wit namedrops one of the main characters from the originalMistborntrilogy: Sazed.Sazed has since become Harmony, the combination of the Shards Ruin and Preservation, making him the god looming over Scadrial. However, the reference inThe Stormlight Archiveregards his mortal life, with Wit praising him as a “man who lost every belief he thought he had, then started over new.” This refers to Sazed’s arc inThe Hero of Ages, following the death of Tindwyl and his rise to becoming the titular hero.
12Vin
Vin isn’t mentioned by name inWind and Truth, but her storyline is referenced by Wit, and she’s such an iconic character that it’s worth noting.Wit refers to Vin as the only mortal he’s ever seen giving up the power of a Shard, referring to her opportunity to take up the power of Preservation at the end ofThe Well of Ascension.By not taking the power, she released Ruin into the world. Importantly, Wit says this to Dalinar, foreshadowing his choice to give up Honor’s power inWind and Truth’sending. Read Wit’s full quote below:
“It wasn’t a full Ascension, but a mortal did give up the power once. It proved to be the wrong choice, but it was the most selfless thing I believe I’ve ever witnessed.”
11Ruin
Ruin is one of the Shards on Scadrial, who ends up being the major antagonist of the originalMistborntrilogy. Ruin’s power is currently held by Sazed, kept in balance with Preservation’s power. However,Tanavast’s chapters in Day 9 ofWind and Truthreference the original vessel, Ati, describing him as “perhaps kindliest among us, who had boldly taken up Ruin.“He also describes Ati as one of the “strong ones,” referring to how Tanavast viewed Ati as a mortal. It’s fascinating how each of the vessels described in this chapter has a personality counter-intuitive to that of their Shard.
10Preservation
Preservation is another Shard of Scadrial, held by Kelsier and Vin for brief periods of time before Sazed took on its power. Preservation is mentioned inWind and Truthin the same paragraph as Ruin, with Tanavast describing its original vessel, Leras. Hestates that Leras “always had such a strong nature,“listing him among the vessels who, in their mortal lives on Yolen, were considered the “heroes” by Tanavast. In the same ilk as Ati with Ruin, Leras' described nature is notably the opposite of his Shard’s.
9 Biggest Reveals From Stormlight Archive Book 5: Wind And Truth
The Stormlight Archive book 5, Wind and Truth, has provided some major reveals about the events on Roshar and the larger Cosmere universe.
9Demoux
Demoux is another character readers may remember from the originalMistborntrilogy who became a devout follower of Kelsier and later a general in Elend’s army. He survived the Final Ascension andwent on to join the Seventeenth Shard, a mysterious organization that exists throughout the Cosmere. He appears inWind and TruthInterlude 11, alongside Galladon and Baon, other Cosmere characters, in their mission to search for Hoid.
8Ulaam
From Mistborn Era 2 & Tress Of The Emerald Sea
Ulaam appears at the end ofWind and Truthwhen Wit is zapped by Retribution, appearing back on Scadrial. Ulaam is a Kandra who first appears in theMistbornnovelThe Lost Metalbut thenappears more prominently inTress of the Emerald Sea, one ofBrandon Sanderson’s Secret Projects. Ulaam’s holds a cell culture for Wit, which would keep him alive if his body was ever destroyed, allowing Wit to reform it from the cell.
7Dlavil
From Mistborn Era 2
When Shallan discusses Iyatil’s fate with Thaidakar, he expresses that he’ll have to inform Iyatil’s brother, setting up a future conflict
Dlavil is a character introduced inThe Lost Metalas a member of the Ghostbloods. Like his sister, Iyatil, he comes from the Cognitive Realm city known as Silverlight, but he is of Southern Scadrian descent, a region explored inMistbornera 2. He only appears briefly, but he’s shown to be ruthless, which makes it all the more threatening when he’s mentioned inWind and Truth. When Shallan discusses Iyatil’s fate with Thaidakar, he expresses that he’ll have to inform Iyatil’s brother, setting up a future conflict between Dlavil and Shallan.
6Galladon
From Elantris
Galladon is one of the characters from the bookElantris, the first novel Brandon Sanderson published. As an Elantrian,Galladon is from the planet Sel, and he’s since joined the Seventeenth Shard. It’s mentioned inWind and Truththat Galladon has silver skin. This is because of a process called the Shaod, which occurs on Sel and transforms people into Elantrians. Importantly, he and his companions decide to leave Roshar after failing to find Hoid in Interlude 11.
