Chapter 214

Tanavast, the Almighty Shard, emerges from millennia of meditation to confront Odium/Rayse on a mountaintop. Odium demands a direct confrontation, threatening to slaughter all of Roshar's people to escape his isolation. Tanavast negotiates a binding agreement: no direct god-to-god combat, no further power expansion to their agents, and a future contest of champions to decide Roshar's fate. Tanavast agrees to help Rayse deal with Ba-Ado-Mishram, who has been siphoning his power.

Tanavast has spent millennia in exploration and meditation. Upon returning to Urithiru, he manifests before Melishi, the sole remaining Bondsmith, confirming that the current conflict is not a true Desolation but a minor threat. Tanavast rejects Melishi's suggestion that war could unite the Radiants, stating that war only produces temporary alignment through terror. He then travels to a mountaintop where Rayse/Odium confronts him. Rayse demands either a fight or his release, threatening to slaughter Roshar's entire population in desperation. Tanavast is paralyzed by his care for the people—he remembers the destruction he caused on Ashyn and Natanatan and refuses to risk another catastrophe through direct conflict. Seeing no other path, Tanavast proposes a champion-based contest to decide Roshar's fate. Rayse initially refuses but is weakened by Ba-Ado-Mishram's ongoing theft of his power while they speak. Recognizing Rayse's vulnerability, Tanavast offers a deal: if his people stop Ba-Ado-Mishram, Rayse will agree to the terms. Rayse reluctantly consents to a binding agreement that prohibits direct confrontation between them, forbids further power expansion to their agents, and allows for a future champion contest. Tanavast then reveals he will teach the Bondsmith a method—known to Kor—to capture and contain a powerful spren, implying this will help neutralize Ba-Ado-Mishram.