Includes SPOILERS for The Stormlight Archive through Wind and Truth, Mistborn eras 1 & 2, and other standalone Cosmere novels.
Brandon Sanderson’s timeline forThe Stormlight Archivecan be a lot to wrap one’s head around, especially when factoring in other books in the Cosmere. TheCosmere fantasy universeconsists of multiple series and standalone novels, beginning with Sanderson’s first published book,Elantris. Navigating the author’s complex, inter-weaving narrative can be an immense challenge, especially since the broader universe’s chronology is left rather vague.
The Stormlight Archivebooksoffer information about when events are taking place, but it helps to see everything laid out in a timeline format. Especially afterWind and Truth’sending, time on Roshar is more important than ever. Theconflict between Dalinar and Odium results in Roshar being placed in a time bubble, where events sync up with theMistbornworld in an interesting way. Shallan and Hoid’s final chapters use information from theMistbornbooks
The Stormlight Archive’s Events Span Roughly Two Years
The Contest Of Champions Ends A Two-Year Stretch
The novels ofThe Stormlight Archiveoccur between the in-world years 1173 and 1175, with a two-year gap between Kaladin joining Bridge Four and the contest of champions between Dalinar and Odium. While the five books may seem like they’d span a more extended period of time, it’s important to note that both the first two books only take a few months, andWind and Truthonly spans the final ten days of those two years. The biggest time jump of one year happens betweenOathbringerandRhythm of War.
9 Biggest Reveals From Stormlight Archive Book 5: Wind And Truth
The Stormlight Archive book 5, Wind and Truth, has provided some major reveals about the events on Roshar and the larger Cosmere universe.
The Way of Kings' climax, the Battle of the Tower, happens roughly three-quarters of the way through 1173, and then Urithiru is discovered before the year’s end. The mission in Kholinar and the subsequent Battle of Thaylen Field both happened in early 1174, and the evacuation of Hearthstone occurred roughly one year later. After that, only a couple of months pass before the end ofWind and Truth. This information was compiled by readers based on Sanderson’s blog posts, words, and information from the books and can be seen in more detail on17th Shard.
The Stormlight Archive’s Historical Events Explained
Humans Arrived On Roshar Thousands Of Years Before The Way Of Kings
There are several events in Roshar’s history that are vital to understanding the world as it’s shown inThe Stormlight Archive. The first humans to arrive on Roshar came from the destroyed planet Ashyn. This included the Heralds, who arrived in Shinovar and became Honor’s champions on the planet. Shortly after, the cycle of Desolations began, and the arms race between Honor and Odium resulted in the creation of the Unmade and the Radiants, building up tothe eventual Day of Recreance, roughly 2000 years before the events ofThe Stormlight Archive, where the Radiants abandoned their oaths.
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Dalinar Visits the Nightwater
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Much closer to the events ofThe Way of Kingsare the flashbacks focused on the main characters' lives. Gavilar and Dalinar conquered Alethkar roughly 30 years before the events ofThe Stormlight Archive, andGavilar’s assassination at Szeth’s hands happened five years beforeThe Way of Kingsbegan. Kaladin and Shallan’s backstories also happen in the decades leading up toThe Way of Kings.
Wind And Truth’s Time Bubble Explained
Retribution’s Formation Creates A Time Bubble Around Roshar
InWind and Truth’sending, the events of Dalinar and Odium’s confrontation result in Roshar being placed in a bubble, altering the pace of time in relation to other planets in the Cosmere. Thaidakar calls ita “planet-wide slowness bubble” and explains that the combination of two Shards into one has “done something to the Spiritual Realm"near Roshar. This puts Shallan, who’s trapped in Shadesmar, in essentially a reverse-Interstellarsituation.
The Stormlight Archivearc 2 is meant to begin after a ten-year time jump, so the series may pick up as the bubble ends
As Thaidakar says,if Shallan were to travel off-world, she could spend decades of her life while only a brief period of time would pass on Roshar, causing her to age much further than Adolin and any others she cares about. Thaidakar explains that it will take roughly 70-80 years for the dilation to end, which will only seem like a decade in Roshar’s time. Importantly,The Stormlight Archivearc 2 is meant to begin after a ten-year time jump, so the series may pick up as the bubble ends while several decades have progressed everywhere else in the Cosmere.
When The Stormlight Archive Happens In The Cosmere’s Timeline
The Cosmere’s Rough Chronological Order
A loose chronological order can be applied to the Cosmere novels, novellas, and short stories, which can be found below.The Stormlight Archivearc 1 importantly happens afterWhite Sand,Elantris,Mistbornera 1, andWarbreaker, as characters from these series appear in the five books.Wind and Truth’sending sets up the events ofThe Sunlit Man, which happens much later in the space age of the Cosmere. TheWind and Truthtime bubble also indicates when the events ofMistbornera 2 occur.
When The Stormlight Archive Happens Compared To Mistborn Eras 1 & 2
The Stormlight Archive Arc 1 Happens Between The Two Mistborn Eras
Wind and Truthmentions that Sazed is the vessel of the Shards on Scadrial, andRhythm of Warrevealed that Thaidakar was Kelsier, meaningThe Stormlight Archiveundoubtedly happens afterMistbornera 1. Then,there are 300 years betweenMistborneras 1 and 2. It’s assumed that the majority ofThe Stormlight Archivehappens toward the end of this period, as after Wit/Hoid is removed from Roshar, he gets transported to Scadrial, where he applies for a job as Waxillium Ladrian’s carriage driver, setting up his role inMistbornera 2.
Every Radiant Order In The Stormlight Archive & What They Do, Explained
Brandon Sanderson has developed a complex magic system in The Stormlight Archive. Here’s our breakdown of the Knights Radiant orders and their powers.
Another important detail, however, is that Iyatil is killed inWind and Truth’sending when Kelsier mentions her as still alive inThe Lost Metal. This could mean thatShallan’s final scene inWind and Truthhappens afterMistbornera 2, while Hoid’s final scene inWind and Truthhappens beforeMistbornera 2. This would meanThe Stormlight Archivearc 2 andMistbornera 3 would happen at about the same time if ten years on Roshar is about 70-80 years on Scadrial.
The Stormlight Archive
The Stormlight Archive is an epic fantasy series by Brandon Sanderson, set on the storm-ravaged world of Roshar. The series follows multiple characters, each with their unique storylines, as they navigate political intrigue, ancient prophecies, and powerful magic. Central to the story are the Knights Radiant, legendary warriors with magical abilities who must return to save their world from impending destruction. The series explores themes of honor, leadership, and the burden of power.
