The Way of Kings: Chapter 72 – Veristitalian Summary & Analysis

This page contains spoilers for The Way of Kings.

Summary

Shallan confronts Jasnah about Soulcasting her blood to remove the poison from the earlier assassination attempt. Jasnah explains that blood, as one of the ten Essences, is simpler to create than complex organics like jam; she had to Soulcast Shallan’s blood multiple times to purge the fast-acting toxin. When Shallan asks about Soulcasting fabrials, Jasnah confirms they are real, but most practitioners rely on the devices rather than innate ability.

Shallan then reveals her drawings of the symbol-headed creatures she sees, asking if they are connected. Jasnah identifies them as a type of spren and hints that Shallan’s abilities are linked to the Knights Radiant, whose powers were tied to spren. She promises to explain fully once Shallan has a better foundation.

Jasnah pivots to the Voidbringers, showing Shallan her research notes. When Shallan admits to reading them, Jasnah is frustrated but brushes it aside. She explains her Veristitalian philosophy: instead of ascribing supernatural causes to natural events, she seeks natural explanations for supernatural myths. Through chilling historical fragments—“beings of ash and fire,” “eyes like pits of blackness”—Jasnah reveals that the Voidbringers were not destroyed. While legends say they were chased off Roshar, the truth is darker: humanity enslaved them. Shallan looks out at the parshmen porters and realizes with horror that they are the Voidbringers.

Key Events

Shallan questions Jasnah about Soulcasting her blood to remove the poison.
Jasnah clarifies that blood is an Essence and thus easier to Soulcast than complex substances.
The existence and nature of Soulcasting fabrials are confirmed.
Shallan shows Jasnah her drawings of symbol-headed spren, prompting Jasnah to link them to the Knights Radiant and hint at Shallan’s abilities.
Jasnah introduces her Veristitalian method: finding natural, real-world origins for supernatural legends.
Jasnah presents ancient descriptions of Voidbringers—creatures of fire, ash, and black pits for eyes.
The chapter ends with the revelation that the parshmen are the Voidbringers, enslaved rather than annihilated.

Character Development

Shallan demonstrates her growing assertiveness and curiosity. She directly asks Jasnah about the Soulcasting, admits to snooping through her notes, and presses for answers. Her horror at the Voidbringer revelation underscores her empathy and foreshadows the moral complexity she will face. Her sketchbook serves as a window into the Cognitive Realm, marking her as something more than a mere scholar’s ward.

Jasnah emerges as a rigorous, rational scholar willing to embrace terrifying truths. She defines her Veristitalian worldview, distinguishing science from religion. Her willingness to share her findings with Shallan—even the dangerous secret of the parshmen—shows a growing trust. Jasnah’s methodical approach reinforces her role as a mentor who values evidence over dogma.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs

Veristitalianism: Jasnah’s philosophy is the central theme: seeking natural, scientific explanations behind myths. This approach bridges the gap between history and legend, asserting that even the most supernatural stories have real-world anchors.
Truth and Enslavement: The chapter’s climax recontextualizes the entire history of Roshar. The Voidbringers are not mythical monsters but an enslaved race hiding in plain sight, forcing a reckoning with systemic oppression.
Spren and Radiants: The symbol-headed spren connect Shallan’s artistic gift to the lost orders of the Knights Radiant, tying her personal growth to the series’ larger mythology.
Essences and Soulcasting: The mention of Essences introduces the underlying magical physics, emphasizing that even profound powers have rational classifications.

Why This Chapter Matters

This chapter is a turning point in The Way of Kings. Jasnah’s revelation that the parshmen are the Voidbringers radically redefines the stakes of the series. What seemed a basic worldbuilding detail—the ubiquitous, docile parshmen—is revealed as a buried atrocity, casting the entire society in a sinister light. The scene also cements Jasnah’s role as a truth-seeker who challenges orthodoxy, and it deepens the mystery of the Knights Radiant by linking Shallan’s spren sightings to her hidden powers. It is a masterful blend of philosophical exposition and plot-shattering twist.

Study Questions and Answers

What is Jasnah’s Veristitalian philosophy, and why does it matter to her research on the Voidbringers?
Jasnah defines her approach as seeking natural, real-world explanations for supernatural legends. While religion often ascribes natural events to the divine, she inverts the process, using historical records and folk tales as clues to uncover forgotten truths. This matters because it gives her the framework to treat Voidbringer myths not as pure fantasy but as distorted memories of a real enemy—leading directly to her discovery about the parshmen.
How does the chapter change our understanding of the parshmen?
Before this chapter, parshmen are portrayed simply as a docile, ubiquitous labor force. Jasnah’s evidence reveals they are the descendants—or perhaps the same species—as the Voidbringers, ancient enemies who were not destroyed but enslaved. This reframes every interaction with parshmen throughout the book and introduces a massive ethical and historical crisis at the heart of Rosharan society.
What connection does Jasnah draw between Shallan’s drawings and the Knights Radiant?
When Shallan shows Jasnah her sketches of symbol-headed creatures, Jasnah immediately identifies them as spren. She then states that each Radiant’s abilities were tied to such spren, implying that Shallan’s ability to see and draw them marks her as a budding Knight Radiant. This moment connects Shallan’s personal mystery to the larger fate of the lost orders and hints at her future role.

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