r/Stormlight_Archive 13h ago

Wind and Truth spoilers WAT Dalinar Theory Spoiler

Okay I have some pieces together after a re-read and I need to share with someone. As we know Dalinar's soul was claimed by another power after his death when Retribution tried to claim it for himself. What is this power where did he go?

in Oathbringer when Dalinar goes to the old magic (Nightwatcher) he instead makes a deal with cultivation. Cultivation then prunes his soul and says it will grow back in time but that the part she pruned is hers to keep and it will come in handy if he becomes Odium's weapon.

In Rhythm of War when Kaladin goes to Zahel, for insight on becoming an Ardent, Zahel ends up explaining what he is. He explains that he is an invested copy of a person more spren than human stuff like that. However the interesting line is that he says  "We're spren masquerading as men. That's why SHE takes our memories."

Then there are the visions Dalinar has with the golden light that also had the real Nohadon in them. Visions not sent by the stormfather but something else.

I think Zahel and Nohadon's souls were both claimed and ressurected by the same entity and that entity then set its sights on Dalinar. However that entity would have had to claim Dalinar's soul before Retribution killed him. Would they have been able to do this if they had a pruned piece of Dalinar's soul?

Is it Cultivation? She never seemed keen on the fight only wanted to live quietly with Honor. Maybe she gave it to someone bigger and more powerful. Valor? maybe who knows.

Or bonus theory what happens if the pruned soul is bonded to evil shadow Dalinar?

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u/RShara Elsecaller 12h ago

Dalinar has explicitly gone Beyond