Wind and Truth's ending, time on Roshar is more important than ever. The conflict between Dalinar and Odium results in Roshar being placed in a time bubble, where events sync up with the Mistborn world in an interesting way. Shallan and Hoid's final chapters use information from the Mistborn books

The Stormlight Archive's Events Span Roughly Two Years

The Contest Of Champions Ends A Two-Year Stretch

The novels of The Stormlight Archive occur between the in-world years 1173 and 1175, with a two-year gap between Kaladin ing Bridge Four and the contest of champions between Dalinar and Odium. While the five books may seem like they'd span a more extended period of time, it's important to note that both the first two books only take a few months, and Wind and Truth only spans the final ten days of those two years. The biggest time jump of one year happens between Oathbringer and Rhythm of War.

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The Way of Kings' climax, the Battle of the Tower, happens roughly three-quarters of the way through 1173, and then Urithiru is discovered before the year's end. The mission in Kholinar and the subsequent Battle of Thaylen Field both happened in early 1174, and the evacuation of Hearthstone occurred roughly one year later. After that, only a couple of months before the end of Wind and Truth. This information was compiled by readers based on Sanderson's blog posts, words, and information from the books and can be seen in more detail on 17th Shard.

The Stormlight Archive's Historical Events Explained

Humans Arrived On Roshar Thousands Of Years Before The Way Of Kings

There are several events in Roshar's history that are vital to understanding the world as it's shown in The Stormlight Archive. The first humans to arrive on Roshar came from the destroyed planet Ashyn. This included the Heralds, who arrived in Shinovar and became Honor's champions on the planet. Shortly after, the cycle of Desolations began, and the arms race between Honor and Odium resulted in the creation of the Unmade and the Radiants, building up to the eventual Day of Recreance, roughly 2000 years before the events of The Stormlight Archive, where the Radiants abandoned their oaths.

Much closer to the events of The Way of Kings are the flashbacks focused on the main characters' lives. Gavilar and Dalinar conquered Alethkar roughly 30 years before the events of The Stormlight Archive, and Gavilar's assassination at Szeth's hands happened five years before The Way of Kings began. Kaladin and Shallan's backstories also happen in the decades leading up to The Way of Kings.

Wind And Truth's Time Bubble Explained

Retribution's Formation Creates A Time Bubble Around Roshar

In Wind and Truth's ending, the events of Dalinar and Odium's confrontation result in Roshar being placed in a bubble, altering the pace of time in relation to other planets in the Cosmere. Thaidakar calls it a "planet-wide slowness bubble" and explains that the combination of two Shards into one has "done something to the Spiritual Realm" near Roshar. This puts Shallan, who's trapped in Shadesmar, in essentially a reverse-Interstellar situation.

As Thaidakar says, if Shallan were to travel off-world, she could spend decades of her life while only a brief period of time would on Roshar, causing her to age much further than Adolin and any others she cares about. Thaidakar explains that it will take roughly 70-80 years for the dilation to end, which will only seem like a decade in Roshar's time. Importantly, The Stormlight Archive arc 2 is meant to begin after a ten-year time jump, so the series may pick up as the bubble ends while several decades have progressed everywhere else in the Cosmere.

When The Stormlight Archive Happens In The Cosmere's Timeline

The Cosmere's Rough Chronological Order

A loose chronological order can be applied to the Cosmere novels, novellas, and short stories, which can be found below. The Stormlight Archive arc 1 importantly happens after White Sand, Elantris, Mistborn era 1, and Warbreaker, as characters from these series appear in the five books. Wind and Truth's ending sets up the events of The Sunlit Man, which happens much later in the space age of the Cosmere. The Wind and Truth time bubble also indicates when the events of Mistborn era 2 occur.

• White Sand
• Elantris
• The Emperor's Soul
• Mistborn Era 1
• Warbreaker and Nightblood
• Shadows for Silence in the Forests of Hell
• The Stormlight Archive Arc 1
• Mistborn Era 2
• The Stormlight Archive Arc 2 ()
• Mistborn Era 3 ()
• Sixth of the Dusk
• The Sunlit Man
• Yumi and the Nightmare Painter

When The Stormlight Archive Happens Compared To Mistborn Eras 1 & 2

The Stormlight Archive Arc 1 Happens Between The Two Mistborn Eras

Wind and Truth mentions that Sazed is the vessel of the Shards on Scadrial, and Rhythm of War revealed that Thaidakar was Kelsier, meaning The Stormlight Archive undoubtedly happens after Mistborn era 1. Then, there are 300 years between Mistborn eras 1 and 2. It's assumed that the majority of The Stormlight Archive happens toward the end of this period, as after Wit/Hoid is removed from Roshar, he gets transported to Scadrial, where he applies for a job as Waxillium Ladrian's carriage driver, setting up his role in Mistborn era 2.

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Another important detail, however, is that Iyatil is killed in Wind and Truth's ending when Kelsier mentions her as still alive in The Lost Metal. This could mean that Shallan's final scene in Wind and Truth happens after Mistborn era 2, while Hoid's final scene in Wind and Truth happens before Mistborn era 2. This would mean The Stormlight Archive arc 2 and Mistborn era 3 would happen at about the same time if ten years on Roshar is about 70-80 years on Scadrial.

The Stormlight Archive

Created by

Brandon Sanderson

Character(s)

Kaladin Stormblessed, Shallan Davar, Dalinar Kholin, Adolin Kholin, Jasnah Kholin, Szeth-son-son-Vallano, Navani Kholin

The Stormlight Archive is an epic fantasy series by Brandon Sanderson, set on the storm-ravaged world of Roshar. The series follows multiple characters, each with their unique storylines, as they navigate political intrigue, ancient prophecies, and powerful magic. Central to the story are the Knights Radiant, legendary warriors with magical abilities who must return to save their world from impending destruction. The series explores themes of honor, leadership, and the burden of power.

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