One Stormlight Archive Character's Fate In Wind & Truth Sets Up Brandon Sanderson's Biggest Challenge Yet

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Includes MASSIVE SPOILERS for The Stormlight Archive through Wind and Truth.

One character's fate in The Stormlight Archive was left unresolved by Wind and Truth, setting up the possibility for Brandon Sanderson's most challenging redemption arc yet. In contemporary fantasy, few things are more exciting than seeing a character's morality shift throughout the narrative, and Sanderson is an expert at crafting those tangible arcs of redemption or moral descent. While some of the best arcs in The Stormlight Archive have shown characters improving over time, learning to be better people, other characters fell further into evil. However, no one is truly lost in Sanderson's world.

Wind and Truth's ending sees Dalinar Kholin giving the heroes of Roshar another chance, with the Oathpact reforming and Retribution being forced to flee Roshar with the other Shards of the Cosmere putting a target on his back. Many of the story arcs that began in The Way of Kings have been concluded, but Sanderson also left plenty of material for sequence 2. The Stormlight Archive will pick up after an in-world time jump for another five-volume series, with Sanderson anticipating the next book being released at the end of 2031.

Moash Surprisingly Survived Wind And Truth

Moash Was Expected To Die During The Fifth Book

Any fan of The Stormlight Archive knows how broadly hated Moash is among the community, and the end of his arc felt like something that was almost guaranteed to come in Wind and Truth. With the book capping off many notable arcs, killing off a supporting villain seemed to make sense. He even faced off with members of Bridge Four on the Shattered Plains, leaving multiple opportunities for an epic final battle between him and Sigzil or the united team of the remaining Bridge Four members.

Regardless, Moash survived to the end, past Dalinar and Odium's contest of champions, meaning he'll be in the character pool for book 6. That leaves some interesting options. Kaladin wasn't near Moash in Wind and Truth, but now that he's the King of the Heralds, he could return for a duel with Moash in sequence 2. Another possibility is that Brandon Sanderson could attempt the unthinkable with a redemption arc focused around Moash, not unlike what he did with Eshonai or Szeth in The Stormlight Archive sequence 1.

Can Moash Be Redeemed?

Moash Would Have To Commit Some Incredible Acts

Brandon Sanderson had some interesting thoughts on the possibility of Moash finding redemption back in 2018 (via WoB). He wrote, "Let's just say if Dalinar got redeemed, Moash has gotta go further than Dalinar. At the same time, he is certainly not looking for that." While there were moments where turning back seemed possible for Moash, Sanderson's statement about him not looking for that remained true throughout the final two volumes. He continued to succumb deeper into darkness, even after his pain came back to him.

The comment about Moash having to go further than Dalinar is important. What Sanderson is saying is that Moash has committed even worse atrocities than Dalinar, so he would have to do something even more spectacular to find his way back. The author also doesn't rule out the possibility of Moash being redeemed, simply stating that it would be immensely difficult and that he would have to change his attitude to want it. The possibility of this happening and what it would mean for the story is still worth discussing, given how hated Moash is.

A Moash Redemption Arc Would Be Brandon Sanderson's Greatest Accomplishment Yet

This Would Be An Incredibly Challenging Literary Feat

An important part of a redemption arc that needs to be considered is that not every reader has to agree that the character was redeemed. Almost everyone likes Dalinar, but there are plenty of readers who probably still don't like Eshonai after Wind and Truth. For other franchise examples, consider Theon Greyjoy in Game of Thrones or Abby in The Last of Us. Someone as hated Moash will never be completely accepted by readers, but that doesn't mean his character can't attempt to turn things around and do right by Kaladin at the last moment.

If Sanderson actually managed to make Moash a beloved character, it would be a miracle. However, even just having Moash spend another five volumes building toward an ending where his redemption is debatable would be a gutsy and impressive literary feat for Sanderson. There are plenty of fans who want to see Moash get what's coming to him, which would make it even more fascinating to challenge expectations. Redemption is easy when it's a character whom readers already like, but it raises more interesting questions about The Stormlight Archive's themes if the reader is tested with a character they hate.

Sources: WoB