#zellion

I do this list every Christmas (previous: 2023, 2024). I use a randomizer to choose characters and adhere to it faithfully--except to remove characters who appeared in previous years and to avoid any repeats within a single list. So let's see what presents Cosmere characters would choose were they assigned to give a gift to a random other character!

1. Evi gives Veil...socks

Evi: I wasn't 100% sure what to give my son's wife's alter.. Evi: But then I thought--homemade gifts are always appreciated! Evi: So I made you socks! Evi: They're Kholin blue, since you're family. Evi: And they're nice and warm, since I hear you spend a lot of time out and about during the night. Evi: D-Do you like them? Veil: [trying not to cry] T-They're all right...

2. Veil gives Zellion...a flask

Zellion: ... Veil: I hear you're always running. Veil: With a flask, you'll always know that a hit of the good stuff is but a turn of the cap away. Zellion: [unscrewing the flask, sniffing] Zellion: Is this Horneater White?! Veil: You're welcome.

3. Zellion gives Lightsong...a leaf

Zellion: Look, I know it's not much, but I can't exactly stop at a Target, you know? Zellion: I saw that leaf as I was fleeing for my life, the Night Brigade right on my heels. Zellion: So there you go. Leaf. Lightsong: Quite a pleasing red, really. Zellion: ...Am I secretly good at everything?

4. Lightsong gives Dusk...a silk pillowcase

Dusk: ... Dusk: But why Lightsong: Well, you sleep outside a lot, right? Lightsong: At least with this super soft & silky pillowcase, you'll feel a modicum of comfort! Dusk: ...I guess I could use it to line one of my birds' nests? Lightsong: ... Lightsong: Or you could do that, I guess.

5. Dusk gives Dilaf...a bottle of cologne

Dusk: I sought guidance from Vatthi. Dusk: She said that when buying a gift for a man about whom you knew nothing, you should go with whiskey, cologne, or a necktie. Dusk: Neckties would get you killed on Patji. Dusk: So would inebriation. Dusk: So for that matter would smelling weird. Dusk: ...But there is a small chance it might confuse predators and give you a chance to survive for seconds longer. Dusk: In conclusion, don't visit. Dilaf: What part of this interaction makes you think I'd WANT to?!

6. Dilaf gives Tindwyl...a lecture

Dilaf [30 minutes later]: AND that is why the only TRUE gift that any MORTAL should expect is SWEARING YOUR FEALTY to SHU-DERETH. Tindwyl: [taking notes] Charisma is highly effective on crowds, but its effect is dampened in a one-on-one interaction. I would give you a C-. Dilaf: YOU CAN'T GRADE A CHRISTMAS GIFT Tindwyl: I think you'll find that I can.

7. Tindwyl gives Starling...Tress of the Emerald Sea

Tindwyl: It is a biography of a captain whom you might find inspirational. Star: [staring at the book] Star: I can't help feel like we're breaking some sort of fundamental rule of the universe here.

8. Starling gives Ranette...a bench

Starling: I like to solve people's problems! Ranette: Pretty sure I don't have any problems. Starling: Other than grief, right? Ranette: ... Starling: S-So anyway, I got a dedicatory park bench put up in your name in honor of your deceased friend! Ranette: ...This is Secret Santa. Wasn't that a bit...expensive? Starling: Well, you know... Some stereotypes about dragons are true!

9. Ranette gives Moash...a gun

Ranette: Don't know you. Ranette: But I think a gun is always a good gift. Moash: [eyes shining] So...I can kill people from pretty far away with this, right? Ranette: No red flags.

10. Moash gives Jasnah...lead-fueled death (attempted)

Moash: IT'S BETTER TO GIVE THAN TO RECEIVE, BITCH Jasnah: [easily deflecting bullets using her spren armor] Jasnah: Who gave Moash a gun?

11. Jasnah gives Iyatil...her phone number

Iyatil: Uh... Jasnah: Give that to Thaidakar. Tell him we need to talk. Iyatil: ...Why am I both relieved and disappointed? Iyatil: Wait, in what world is this a present?? Jasnah: I can't say I respect you.

12. Iyatil gives Evi...a vial of poison

Sigzil: Hahaha, you're so sexy please don't explode

In the Sunlit Man we see Zellion summon Shardplate. I (and many others) assumed this meant he must have reached the fourth ideal in at least one radiant order.

But he hadn't reached the fourth ideal by the end of Wind and Truth. And we also learn that you don't need an oath to summon Shardplate. You just need a bond to a group of plate spren. And there were spren in that caravan. "Even some windspren and other smaller ones."

Zellion was never a Skybreaker.

i would go very in depth about this book, similar how i did to yumi, but im too afraid i’d manage to ruin the work of art it truly is. now, i may be biased on that claim, but sigzil has always been a favorite of mine.

since reading wind and truth, i’ve been very invested (pun intended) in the sadder and more angsty parts of the cosmere, which this book definitely provided. all the references to bridge four and the first arc of stormlight archive all deserve one massive standing ovation.

i don’t think i’m exaggerating when i say i want this book to be buried with me. auxiliary and nomad/zellion’s relationship was so dear to me, especially knowing how they came to be and the pasts they came from.

my friends probably hate me, because you bet i keep a running commentary with pictures of highlighted text sent to my friends to explain my obsession. between funny moments and dialogue that pulled out tears, i think this book should be shared.