Odium's Influence

Lore & Background

The source details that Odium granted former Voidbringers immortality after imprisoning them in a place called Damnation. These beings can resurrect themselves as Parshmen and transform into Fused, guided by Voidspren to reclaim Alethkar. In Part One, Kaladin learns from Syl that the Everstorm altered Parshmen physiques and intelligence, allowing them to rebond with these Voidspren. The Unmade serve as key agents of this influence; specifically, Re-Shephir, the Midnight Mother, inhabits an abandoned library in Urithiru, spreading influence until repelled by Shallan's Lightweaving. Odium's strategy involves a challenge he himself cannot deny, which Dalinar aims to utilize.

In Their Own Story

Six years ago during a peace treaty celebration in Kholinar, Gavilar showed Eshonai the dark Gemheart and instructed her to send a message to the council about reviving deserted gods. In the evening before the resulting assassination, Eshonai fled in tears after her performance. Later, as Dalinar explored the ruins of Kholinar during the Everstorm, he glimpsed Odium summoning the nine corrupted shadowed sprens known as the Unmade. Upon arriving at Revolar, Kaladin fled upon learning about the Highstorm but was subsequently attacked by two empowered Parshmen known as the Fused, who were part of a declaration of war against humanity.

Reader's Guide

To counter Odium's influence, Dalinar utilizes his Bondsmith ability to revisit visions with Stormfather's aid. Taravangian introduced Dalinar to Malata, a Dustbringer and new Knight Radiant member, during a visit to Urithiru. Shallan investigates the Unmade Re-Shephir by tracking a shadowy spren through ruins, discovering its vulnerability to Lightweaving which caused it to retreat. The text also mentions that Stormfather can send visions to anyone he chooses, a tool Dalinar uses for persuasion. Furthermore, Venli and her followers operate under Odium's Voidspren command, with Ulim leading them to recover Eshonai's Shardplate.

Did You Know?

• Odium killed the Almighty, who was named Honor.
• There are exactly nine corrupted shadowed sprens known as the Unmade summoned by Odium.
• The Everstorm altered Parshmen physiques and intelligence, allowing them to rebond with Voidspren.
• Re-Shephir is an Unmade known as the Midnight Mother found in an abandoned library in Urithiru.
• Odium granted former Voidbringers immortality while they were imprisoned in Damnation.