The Sunlit Man
Chapters - Brandon Sanderson
Chapter 1
Nomad wakes from skipping not knowing where he is. He is questioned by people who speak a language he doesn't understand, and he doesn't have enough Investiture to have Auxiliary translate what they are saying. He notices that the plants around him are growing extremely quickly, and that is just before dawn. People in white coats are chaining people to stakes in the ground. When one of the white-coated people tries to place manacles on him, Nomad tries to fight back, but his muscles lock up. He remembers he is beset upon by a Torment, a mysterious condition caused by him having held a Dawnshard that makes him incapable of causing harm, even in self-defense or defense of others. A mysterious man - missing his chest, which is replaced by a glowing ember in the center of a burned-out hole - then attacks Nomad with a bat, and Nomad finds his Torment is preventing him from summoning any sort of weapon. He also notices the brightness of the soon-to-rising sun seems much too large for a normal planet. After Nomad stops one of the attacks with his bare hands, the ember man (and others around him) are surprised. The light from the horizon begins to blaze with intense heat, and all the plants around them begin wilting. Nomad is beaten to the ground by another ember man, where his is chained to a rock. The rising sun continues getting brighter, making the ground smoke and burn, and Nomad concludes the sunlight is Invested, making it extremely intense. Nomad and Auxiliary briefly consider trying to absorb the Investiture, but conclude the sunlight is far too intense to safely do that. After failing to manifest a weapon, he creates a small crowbar that lets him break the chain. He then hurls the chain at a hover bike that's flying away and is dragged away as the sunlight begins to burn him.
POV: Sigzil·On page: Auxiliary
Source: Coppermind
Chapter 2
The hover bike slams Nomad to the ground at a high speed. While low on Investiture, Aux engages Nomad's healing. Aux notices that the hover bike can easily outspeed the sun, and concludes that the planet has a slow rotation. The hover bikes, including the one Nomad is attached to, stop for seemingly no reason other than to regain their bearings. After a short conversation, the hover bikes start back up and fly again. After flying for what felt like an hour, Nomad sees a floating city, lifted around thirty or forty feet above the ground by the thrust of hundreds of engines beneath it. Nomad had seen them before on other planets, but none has look as ramshackle as this one. Nomad looks up at the sky for the second time and sees a collection of rings overlooking the planet that pointed toward the sun, tipped at a slight angle to perfectly reflect sunlight upon the planet. Nomad is hauled upward and is brought up onto the metal surface of the city. A small crowd gathers around him, as well as five people behind them with embers for hearts. He sees that there are many varieties of skin color in this one city. A newcomer with deep-red glowing eyes enters, and people make way for him. Nomad sees a glowing coming from his chest behind a coat, and assumes "Glowing Eyes" has an ember in his chest as well. He takes Nomad and asks him a question several times, getting angrier with each attempt. Nomad replies with a language the man doesn't understand, saying he can't speak their tounge. Glowing Eyes realizes that Nomad isn't going to answer and pulls off his glove, revealing an ordinary pale hand. He seizes Nomad by the face, and nothing happened. Aux recognizes a few words in the language, and is able to make out being called "One Who Escaped the Sun." A few officers grab Nomad and drag him off as the city begins to break apart.
POV: Sigzil·On page: Auxiliary, The Cinder King
Source: Coppermind
Chapter 3
The city reorganizes into a colosseum and the captured people, along with Nomad, are pitted against ember people. Nomad is forced into a set of bracers. A particular ember woman with green eyes and black hair streaked with silver and a machete goes after Nomad. He evades her with assistance of a large gap-toothed man. Nomad can only use Aux defensively, but Aux changes from a crowbar to a barbell in a way that traps the ember woman. Then Nomad is frozen by the bracers.
POV: Sigzil·On page: Elegy Salvage, The Cinder King, Auxiliary
Source: Coppermind
Chapter 4
Nomad awakens chained to a large plate of metal, and the Cinder King is feasting on the souls of the weaker peasants. A stronger peasant is brought forward, then stabbed with a glowing spear which turns her into an ember warrior. Nomad and Aux discuss whether the Investiture from the spear could be captured, which might allow Nomad to form a Connection enabling language. Then the gap-toothed fellow is brought up to be embedded. Nomad breaks his own hand to get out of the manacles, and is able to throw Aux as a six-foot sword, by aiming away from the Cinder King. The Cinder King is awed by the blade, but as he brings Nomad to the Cinder spear, an explosion rocks the arena.
POV: Sigzil·On page: The Cinder King, Auxiliary
Source: Coppermind
Chapter 5
In addition to explosions, an attack freezes all the ember people. Aux is able to protect Nomad from the bracers, but the Torment prevents other weapons or tools that Nomad might use to escape the other manacle. Nomad mentions he might have practiced more if not for his perpetual need to be on the run. People conducting the attack retrieve the green-eyed, black- and silver-haired ember woman from near Nomad. They ignore Nomad until one of them is taken out by a rifle shot from Cinder King. He shields the surviving woman with Aux. He can use a rifle to a very limited degree, such as blowing away his other manacle. They retrieve the gap-toothed man and flee at the rear of a pack of hovercycles, but the ember people wake and give chase.
POV: Sigzil·On page: The Cinder King, Auxiliary, Rebeke Salvage, Elegy Salvage
Source: Coppermind
Chapter 6
Nomad notes that the ember people are targeting the ship's core, so he shields that. The weird atmospheric pressure brings to mind his former master . He thinks of how Aux has changed since the Night Brigade caught him that one time. He leaps to a pursuing vehicle and pulls out their energy source, crashing their vehicle and gaining the energy for himself. Leaping onto the second vehicle, Nomad makes the sharpshooter drop her gun and intimidates the pilot into bringing him close enough to jump onto his original ship before they flee. His gap-toothed comrade is amazed, but the hovercycle pilot misses his prowess until she glances back and notices one ship fleeing and the other nowhere to be seen.
POV: Sigzil·On page: Rebeke Salvage, Auxiliary, Elegy Salvage, Thomos·Mentioned: Hoid
Source: Coppermind
Chapter 7
Nomad shares observations about local meteorology with Aux. It dawns on him that his driver and the captured Charred share enough features to be related. When his driver makes contact with her base, Nomad finds he can understand, and learns her name is Rebeke . The Charred is Elegy , and the gap-toothed man is Thomos . Rebeke's radio contact is Zeal . From other language cues, Nomad and Aux surmise that this planet is a Threnodite settlement. They arrive at base, another flying settlement named Beacon . It is less put together than the Cinder King's city. Zeal, who is a little person, orders aid for Thomos and tries to hand off Nomad to a tall fellow named Adonalsium-Will-Remember-Our-Plight-Eventually . Nomad, pretending he does not understand them, follows Zeal and Rebeke down the street to their meeting with the Greater Good .
POV: Sigzil·On page: Auxiliary, Rebeke Salvage, Elegy Salvage, Zeal, Adonalsium-Will-Remember-Our-Plight-Eventually, Thomos
Source: Coppermind
Chapter 8
Nomad sees the Greater Good as Rebeke greets them and discusses the rescue of Elegy and loss of her brother . He acts disrespectful, unsettling the Beaconites. They consider Nomad and his identity, particularly in relation to his status as a potential Sunlit Man. To the group, Zeal presents a Scadrian authorization key recovered during the raid, although the Beaconites appear unaware of its origin. They seem to believe that it will allow them to access lands underneath the surface of the planet, where they will be able to live without fear of the sun. The Greater Good considers whether the possibility is worth exploring, with Contemplation in particular advocating for it. Nomad, however, is confident that the key would not offer a refuge; instead, it is for a small, exploratory Scadrian research vessel. As they continue to converse, he considers the strange weather patterns on Canticle , regrets his earlier rudeness, and walks through the door into the storm.
POV: Sigzil·On page: Rebeke Salvage, Contemplation, Confidence, Compassion, Zeal, Jeffrey Jeffrey, Adonalsium-Will-Remember-Our-Plight-Eventually·Mentioned: Elegy Salvage, The Cinder King, Auxiliary
Source: Coppermind
Chapter 9
As Nomad walks into the storm, he compares it those of Roshar . He walks through the streets of Beacon, feeling uncomfortable due to painful memories brought by the storm, until he reaches the hovercycle they had come on. He retrieves a rifle, which he had hidden beneath it, and Aux, who had been holding it in place. While there, Nomad considers who he is and who he once had been - unsatisfied with either - as well the culture of Beacon. As he steps away, Nomad notices Wit standing further along the city's rim.
POV: Sigzil·On page: Auxiliary, Hoid·Mentioned: Rebeke Salvage, The Cinder King, Kaladin
Source: Coppermind
Chapter 10
As Nomad approaches, he notices that Wit is an illusion, allowed to appear by Aux's reinforcement of Nomad's Connection to him. The two discuss various topics, including Wit initially giving Nomad his Dawnshard, the chase by the Night Brigade, Wit's lack of regard for Nomad, Wit's childhood, the value of the Torment, and the merits of questions and answers. Throughout this, Nomad disparages Wit. Before he fades away, Wit sincerely expresses regret for his actions, surprising Nomad. With Aux, Nomad resolves to help the Beaconites find the door that corresponds to the Scadrian key in order to get a power source that would allow him to Skip offworld. He returns to the building he had left and proposes that they help each other.
POV: Sigzil·On page: Hoid, Auxiliary
Source: Coppermind
Chapter 11
When Nomad walks back in, able to speak perfectly in the language of Canticle, the Beaconites proclaim him a Sunlit Man, something they remain convinced of throughout the ensuing conversation. They continue to consider the prospect of this Refuge underground. Nomad, at Aux's urging, does mention that it is unlikely that it will be what they expect. However, the Beaconites believe that it is their only hope, and decide to present this idea to the people. Nomad and Aux discuss the outcome of the conversation with Wit, particularly in relation to Nomad's aging. The Greater Good also considers Rebeke's punishment for disobeying, with Nomad interjecting in her defense. He compares its leadership to that of the Cinder King, referencing his long life as the grounds for his understanding of tyranny. Finally, as part of Rebeke's punishment, the Greater Good asks her to fulfill Nomad's requests for accommodations.
POV: Sigzil·On page: Auxiliary, Rebeke Salvage·Mentioned: The Cinder King, Elegy Salvage, Hoid
Source: Coppermind
Chapter 12
Rebeke and Nomad use Rebeke's quadcycle to search for the entrance to the Refuge. Nomad is amazed at the technology used to construct the connected cities, but denies his curiosity to an extent. He surveys the landscape of Canticle, noting that the formations show no evidence of erosion. Rebeke explains that each day, all of the features melt and are reconstructed apart from some very general patterns, leading to Nomad musing about the unlikelihood of the Refuge being a cavern. The two also discuss the history of the Cinder King's rule on Canticle, including the way he slowly developed tyrannical rhetoric and behavior and why the Beaconites are unable to escape to another corridor. Nomad finds the patterns of technological development strange, given the complex nature of the cities compared to the inability to fly over mountains. As Aux wonders why the Cinder King's rule was so bad, Nomad considers this and asks about it. Rebeke tells him about the lottery of people to produce sunhearts and reveals that the quadcycle's power source was her mother, whose soul was turned to stone two weeks prior.
POV: Sigzil·On page: Rebeke Salvage, Auxiliary·Mentioned: The Cinder King, Hoid, Elegy Salvage
Source: Coppermind
Chapter 13
In light of this realization, Nomad is able to re-contextualize what the Cinder King was doing when he first arrived. He also realizes that there must be some other source Investing the sunhearts, as there is no way for a single soul to naturally have over a thousand BEUs of Investiture. Rebeke tells him about how they leave the sunhearts and find them next rotation using prospector ships . Nomad, with Rebeke helping to test, observes that the natives of Canticle are unable to draw heat from him as they can do from each other. This is at odds with the effectiveness of the bracers, something Nomad attributes to their comparative brutality. As they fly, Aux notices a Union scout ship. Although Rebeke wants to go right for it, Nomad advises that they pretend they're doing routine checks to try to gather more information about the scout. He notices that Rebeke seems to be excited at the suggestion of killing the scout, which is strange given the general timidity of the people. Once they are close, Nomad commands that they give chase.
POV: Sigzil·On page: Auxiliary, Rebeke Salvage, Zeal·Mentioned: The Cinder King, Elegy Salvage
Source: Coppermind
Chapter 14
The pair chase the scout, who notices them immediately, into a large lava tube near the ground. Nomad enjoys the flying, with Aux noting that his excitement is out of character. Over the radio, Contemplation advises caution, wanting Rebeke to be safe. Ignoring this, the two separate, and Nomad gets closer to try to make the scout nervous enough to make a mistake. However, the scout gets ahead of him in an open area due to eruptions of lava from Canticle's surface. Before the scout can get away, Rebeke shoots the man off his cycle with her rifle. This is the first time she has killed a person, and she is left dazed. Nomad comforts her with a memory of his own first time. When he talks to Aux in Alethi about his observations, Rebeke asks why he speaks gibberish, which Nomad passes off as a prayer to ancient god. Together, they go to check to make sure the scout is dead.
POV: Sigzil·On page: Rebeke Salvage, Auxiliary·Mentioned: The Cinder King
Source: Coppermind
Chapter 15
Nomad searches the corpse and finds a drawing done by a child, which he slips back into the corpse's pocket without mentioning it to Rebeke. Rebeke says that they'll salvage the cycle so they won't have to harvest more metal from the iron fields for the Chorus to use. Nomad notices a blinking light on the cycle's dash for an incoming radio signal, which implies Union knows the scout is down. As they walk towards their cycles, Rebeke says that she doesn't want to be a killer like him, and he simply tells her to remember that. They radio Contemplation, who tells them that Beacon has found the general location of the Refuge and advises that the pair stay and see if anyone comes to check on the scout. Rebeke checks for a sunheart in the cycle, although there isn't one. This is problematic because the Beaconites have been low on power for some time; as it is, they do not have enough to last the rotation that would be required to produce another. As the pair eat, Rebeke observes that Nomad is not from underground, but rather some other planet. They discuss the migration of people from Threnody to Canticle, and Nomad muses about the rise of a ruler like the Cinder King. As they sit, the finally spot a ship checking on the scout, which Rebeke recognizes as the Cinder King's own.
POV: Sigzil·On page: Rebeke Salvage, Auxiliary·Mentioned: The Cinder King, Elegy Salvage, Hoid
Source: Coppermind
Chapter 16
The Cinder King steps out onto the deck of his ship as an invitation, which Nomad accepts alone. After he docks, the Cinder King presents a number of pictorial cards with which to communicate, but Nomad tells him they're no longer needed. The Cinder King states that he'd like to hire Nomad, specifically referencing the practice on Roshar, Nomad's homeworld. As the two drink together, the Cinder King talks about the first offworlder - a Thaylen man from Roshar - he killed. Using the man's translation device, he read a Silverlight guidebook that the man had. The Cinder King believes that he's important and meant to unite and rule his people, the same way that kings and emperors do on Roshar. He hopes that Nomad would appreciate that, but he is mistaken. Nomad notes that the Cinder King is dangerous only because he has power, even if he's not particularly clever or brilliant, and is relieved that he won't feel guilty about killing him. When the Cinder King asks what he wants, Nomad states that he simply wants to be safe, something the Cinder King can't offer. When officials walk in dragging Rebeke and bringing reports of Beacon, the Cinder King begins to put together what happened with the key. He aims his gun at Rebeke and fires, which Nomad deflects using Aux in the form of a metal ball.
POV: Sigzil·On page: Rebeke Salvage, The Cinder King, Auxiliary·Mentioned: Hoid
Source: Coppermind
Chapter 17
After deflecting the bullet, Nomad grabs Rebeke and runs towards the pilot's station. Unable to hurt the Charred attacking him due to his Torment, he runs, breaking the windshield and going to the hovercycle with Rebeke. The pair try to escape, with Nomad convincing Rebeke to leave behind the other hovercycle that she wanted for materials. Behind them, they see the Cinder King holding the fake key. As they fly away, they radio Contemplation at Beacon, and they realize that the coordinates the Beaconites have are incorrect. At Nomad's urging, Contemplation says she'll discuss retreat with the Greater Good. Once they arrive near Beacon, Nomad and Rebeke see them doing just that. While he ponders the nature of Canticle's flora, they lock the quadcycle in place and see several dozen Union ships flying to attack them.
POV: Sigzil·On page: Auxiliary, Rebeke Salvage, The Cinder King, Zeal
Source: Coppermind
Chapter 18
The Cinder King's ships engage the fleeing Beaconite ships, and Nomad notes with resigned irritation that all of the Greater Good are on the same ship, which is targeted and captured. Aux urges Nomad to mount a rescue, leaping across and struggling again with the windows. He takes a severe beating, falling below ten percent Skip capacity, but Contemplation shoots an attacker with a gun Nomad had been able to kick away. The fight breaks up due to Beacon being diverted into a different corridor.
POV: Sigzil·On page: Rebeke Salvage, Auxiliary·Mentioned: The Cinder King
Source: Coppermind
Chapter 19
Nomad lays on the floor healing while the leaders meet and discuss their options, or lack thereof. Ten percent of Beacon was lost in the fight. Confidence takes a doomful stance, and just as Nomad gets up to argue with her, the group affirms, "we go on." Nomad does add that he will kill the Cinder King for making an oath and then breaking it. Nomad asks why the corridor is untenable and learns that there are mountains which are not navigable due to the fact that hover ships can only go fifty feet up before the air is too thin for propulsion and people lose consciousness. This is an effect of the planet's Invested core, which allows for humanoid life despite Canticle having a small diameter and thin atmosphere. Nomad talks to them about propellants, but only one engineer can follow what he's saying, and only partially so. Somehow, the Beaconites have operated without having any theoretical foundation. Confidence challenges him on what his intentions are besides killing the Cinder King and getting to the door. She points out that he's said the door will not help Beacon, but Zeal says it is better than giving in to the tyrant. Nomad requests access to the fabrication facilities and to the charred captive, Elegy, for his research.
POV: Sigzil·On page: Auxiliary, Confidence·Mentioned: The Cinder King, Elegy Salvage, Hoid, Rebeke Salvage
Source: Coppermind
Chapter 20
Nomad is given Elegy's old room, in which they chain her to a wall, to use as a workshop. Contemplation appears and accedes to Nomad running tests on Elegy, stating that she is already dead and can no longer be hurt. The two touch hands, and no heat is drawn, even when Nomad tries to use the Command , "your Breath become mine," to draw it out. After she leaves, Nomad, with Aux's questioning and commentary, begins working on the problem of the lack of air and thrust for the ships. Nomad thinks to use water for a steam engine, allowing the expulsion of mass in the same manner as space travel. When Aux brings up the way the pair had flown in the past, Nomad recalls how he let the Dawnshard he took from Wit feed on Auxiliary, leaving him in his current state. As he considers the power that seems to pass through the sunhearts, he sketches up a plan while combating the dread that arises from his memories of the scholarly version of himself from the past.
POV: Sigzil·On page: Elegy Salvage, Auxiliary·Mentioned: Hoid, Rebeke Salvage, The Cinder King
Source: Coppermind