Chapter 28: Full of Awe

Spoiler Warning

This guide contains full spoilers for Rhythm of War through Chapter 28. Proceed only if you’ve read this far.

Chapter Summary

On the second day of their Shadesmar voyage, Radiant holds control while Shallan retreats, exhausted from pretending cheerfulness. Radiant organizes the camp, then studies Ialai’s book. She discovers the Ghostbloods are searching for the Unmade Ba-Ado-Mishram, whose ancient capture stole the singers’ minds and likely holds the key to transporting Stormlight offworld. Shallan and Radiant agree to end Veil’s punishment so she can investigate the suspected spy, but Veil instead draws a deliberately awful sketch to force Shallan to emerge. Relieved, Shallan reclaims control, confesses her old plan to rob Jasnah to a laughing Adolin, and spends hours happily sketching spren. A mistspren, Dreaming-though-Awake, mentions that Heralds Nalan and Kelek witnessed Ba-Ado-Mishram’s binding, linking the Ghostbloods’ plans to the Sons of Honor. Shallan ends the day determined to untangle the connections—later.

Key Events

  • Radiant assigns tasks to the expedition members and reads Ialai’s journal.
  • The journal reveals the Ghostbloods’ obsession with Ba-Ado-Mishram and implies Mraize wants the gem that imprisoned her to move Stormlight beyond Roshar.
  • Shallan and Radiant vote to end Veil’s punishment for breaking their internal compact.
  • Veil takes over but ignores the spy, instead making an intentionally terrible picture to irritate Shallan into resurfacing.
  • Shallan retakes control, feels immense relief, and spends five hours drawing Radiant spren.
  • Adolin brings her food; Shallan admits her family’s original plan to steal Jasnah’s Soulcaster, and Adolin laughs.
  • Dreaming-though-Awake floats over, says little about Ba-Ado-Mishram, but confirms the Heralds Nalan and Kelek were present at her imprisonment.

Character Development

  • Shallan’s internal trio work together to confront Veil’s betrayal and the lurking “Formless” fear, showing a fragile step toward integration.
  • Veil voluntarily performs a humiliating task and apologizes, proving her ultimate loyalty to Shallan’s well-being over her own urges.
  • Adolin reacts to Shallan’s secret with laughter instead of shock, deepening Shallan’s trust and helping her feel “deeply and fully” herself.
  • Shallan begins to connect the Ghostbloods, the Heralds, and the Sons of Honor, nudging her detective arc forward.

Themes and Motifs

  • Dissociation and integration: The personas barter control, and the dark “Formless” personality symbolizes Shallan’s repressed trauma.
  • Art as restoration: Drawing frees Shallan from her anxiety and allows her to be present; Veil uses bad art as a tool to help.
  • Alien spren: Dreaming-though-Awake’s vague, probing questions remind the characters (and reader) that spren think and speak differently.
  • Trust and vulnerability: Confessing the Jasnah plot turns a painful secret into a shared joke, reinforcing Shallan’s healing.

Why This Chapter Matters

This quiet interlude deepens Shallan’s internal mythology and drops significant lore. The Ba-Ado-Mishram revelation ties the Ghostbloods’ offworld ambitions directly to ancient Singer history and the origin of the parshmen. The mention of Heralds Nalan and Kelek bridges the Ghostblood mission to the Sons of Honor, adding pressure to Shallan’s assignment. Emotionally, the chapter gives Shallan—and the reader—a rare space to breathe, allowing character growth before the diplomatic tensions ahead. It also rewards careful readers with clues about how the Unmade, Stormlight, and Shadesmar travel will intersect.

Study Questions and Answers

1. Why does Veil intentionally make a bad drawing, and what does that choice reveal about her role?

Veil knows Shallan hates watching her draw poorly, so the cringeworthy sketch forces Shallan out of hiding. It shows that even when Veil rebels, her deepest drive is to protect Shallan—she’s willing to embarrass herself to help Shallan reengage.

2. What does Ialai’s book reveal about Ba-Ado-Mishram, and why is it important?

The book suggests the Ghostbloods seek the gem containing Ba-Ado-Mishram, the Unmade who once granted the singers forms of power. Her capture stole the singers’ minds, turning them into parshmen. This history links the Ghostbloods’ Stormlight-transport scheme to ancient Rosharan cataclysm and hints at a larger plan.

3. How does confessing the Jasnah robbery plan affect Shallan’s relationship with Adolin?

Instead of judgment, Adolin laughs—making the confession feel absurd and freeing. His reaction helps Shallan stop hiding, strengthens their intimacy, and lets her feel authentically whole for the first time in months, combatting the fragmentation that plagues her.

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