Stormlight Archive

Fandom
Name:	the Stormlight Archive
Abbreviation(s):	SA
Creator:	Brandon Sanderson
Date(s):	2010-present
Medium:	novels
Country of Origin:	United States
External Links:	on Wikipedia, on Brandon Sanderson's website
Click here for related articles on Fanlore.

The Stormlight Archive is an epic fantasy series by Brandon Sanderson, and has been described as his “magnum opus”. It is part of the Cosmere universe.

The series is slated to have 10 books total, with two major arcs of five books each. Book four, Rhythm of War, came out in November 2020.

Canon

The Stormlight Archive is set on Roshar, a planet whose geography is highly characterized by intense highstorms that come at irregular intervals. The main plot is about Odium, and his attempts to escape the Rosharan system.

As an epic fantasy, the story follows multiple major characters from across the planet, as well as international conflicts.

Characters

• Kaladin Stormblessed
• Shallan Davar
• Adolin Kholin
• Dalinar Kholin
• Jasnah Kholin
• Szeth-son-son-Vallano
• many others

Fandom

The Stormlight Archive fandom is one of the most active parts of the Cosmere fandom.

Representation

Mental Health

The Stormlight Archive deals with themes of depression, PTSD, and trauma. Many fans appreciate the representations of mental illness in the books, and a common sentiment among fans is that the series has helped them when they were struggling with their mental health.

Queer Characters

Many fans have praised the representation in Stormlight, which is especially noteworthy because Brandon Sanderson is a mainstream fantasy author. Fans also appreciate that Sanderson listen to their feedback in this area - for example, when a fan asked whether Shallan Davar was bisexual, he wrote:

This wasn't directly on my mind while writing, but looking back, I think it was in my subconscious. I'm flattered to hear it.

on bisexual Shallan

The representation is not without criticism. Some fans have criticized the fact that Sanderson chose to make the non-human race of the Parshendi entirely asexual.

Race in Fandom

The race of many of the main characters, the Alethi, have been described both in-text and by Sanderson as being non-white. However, some characters are still described as having pale skin, which has led to some fans whitewashing characters in art, as well as wide pushback against this practice.

Lore and Fantheories

Due to the complexity of the magic system and worldbuilding of the Stormlight Archive, many fans enjoy creating theories about different characters, future events, etc. This can tie into theories about the Cosmere as a whole, though it does not always.

• It's theorized that Shallan's mother is the Herald Chanarach.
• Prior to the release of Rhythm of War, fans theorized that the fourth ideal of the Windrunners would be about forgiving yourself for being unable to protect somebody.
• At the end of Rhythm of War, Dalinar agrees to a contest of champions with Odium, where Dalinar is his own champion. It is theorized that Odium's champion will be somebody that Dalinar loves.

Shipping

The Stormlight Archive does not focus on romance, and large swaths of the fandom do not either (particularly those on the 17th Shard, though this is a generalization). However, there is a large ensemble cast, so there are some prominent ships.

Kaladin is one of the most commonly shipped characters.

• Shallan Davar/Adolin Kholin (canon)
• Adolin Kholin/Kaladin
• Shallan Davar/Adolin Kholin/Kaladin
• Kaladin/Renarin Kholin
• Renarin Kholin/Rlain
• Kaladin/Moash (aka Kalmoash)

Fanworks

Fanart

• Missing Kaladin by cccrystalclear
• Jasnah Kholin! by little-cat-666
• Oathbringer - Dalinar’s age progression by botanicaxu
• My take on Jasnah Kholin by Vitriol314
• The Chasms by /u/SalIsengardHerman

Fanfiction

• Covenant by liesmyth
• Come Morning Light by ADreamingSongbird
• Fracture, Break, Reweave, Repeat by Pachimew

Cosplay

• Kholin officer cosplay by /u/montezuma300
• Shallan cosplay by /u/honeyandheather
• Renarin Kholin cosplay by writer-musings

Music

The Kaladin album by The Black Piper is and original book soundtrack inspired by the Stormlight Archive, in particular The Way of Kings.

Poetry

Some fans write keteks, a form of in-universe poetry that has five parts, each of which are a complete thought, and reads the same forwards and backwards. Many can be found on /r/KETEK on Reddit.

• A Symmetry in Character by /u/Cosmeregirl
• Perseverance by /u/binary__dragon
• a post-Rhythm of War Kaladin ketek by childoftanavast
• a post-Words of Radiance Elhokar ketek by squirenonny

Archives & Fannish Links

• Stormlight Archive - Brandon Sanderson on AO3
• Stormlight Archive on FanFiction.Net
• /r/Stormlight_Archive on Reddit
• #stormlight archive on Tumblr
• The Stormlight Archive on TV Tropes