Fantasy Fanfellas Ep 1: Mistborn Prologue - Chapter 5

Summary

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Fantasy Fanfellas Ep 1: Mistborn Prologue - Chapter 5

Podcast: Fantasy Fangirls Presents: Fantasy Fanfellas
Hosts: Hayden (Sanderson superfan) & Stephen Walker (Mistborn newbie)
Release Date: November 5, 2025
Book Spoilers: Mistborn by Brandon Sanderson (Prologue–Chapter 5 only)

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Episode Overview

This episode marks the launch of the Fantasy Fanfellas podcast (under the Fantasy Fangirls media network), with Hayden and first-time reader Stephen deep-diving into Brandon Sanderson’s Mistborn—from the iconic prologue through Chapter 5. The duo introduces their read-along format: chapter-by-chapter summaries, key worldbuilding highlights, magic system explanations, lively banter, winner/loser “awards,” wild predictions, and discussions on the book’s themes and moral ambiguity. Their goal: to make Mistborn approachable and fun for both new readers and seasoned fans, with minimum spoilers beyond the chapters covered.

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Key Episode Segments & Timestamps

• [05:59] Meet Your Hosts & The Mistborn Readalong Agenda
• [07:06] Stephen’s First Impressions of Mistborn
• [08:33] Episode Format Breakdown
• [08:43] Stephen’s Humorous Recap: Prologue–Ch. 5 (“Vin Damsel,” “Nature’s Dandruff,” & Blood and Sand)
• [13:01] Hayden’s “One Big Word” for the Opening Chapters: Wonder
• [14:18] Epigraph Read-Aloud & Analysis
• [15:15] Prologue Deep Dive: World, Society, Magic
• [28:30] Chapter 1 Breakdown: Meet Vin and Allomancy’s “Luck”
• [34:22] Chapter 2: Kelsier’s Crew, Luthadel, and Magic System Basics
• [48:49] Chapter 3: Vin’s Abilities Revealed & First Glimpse at Mistborn Potential
• [60:05] Chapter 4: The Thieving Crew, Kelsier’s Big Plan, & Choosing Sides
• [73:37] Chapter 5: Mistborn in Action—Kelsier’s Heist and Allomantic Showdown
• [84:43] Winner & Loser of the Week
• [86:26] Stephen’s Wild Predictions

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Detailed Summary

Meet the Fanfellas & Podcast Format

• [05:59] Hayden and Stephen introduce themselves and explain the show’s premise: Hayden is a long-time Cosmere devotee, while Stephen is entering Mistborn for the first time (the “sane and the feral,” as the sisters say).
• Only spoilers through the current week’s reading—ideal for first-timers.
• Each segment includes:
  • Stephen’s hilarious recap
  • Hayden’s “One Big Word”
  • Deep-dive chapter analyses (characters, setup, worldbuilding, magic)
  • Winner & loser of the week
  • Stephen’s “foggy crystal ball” prediction for what’s next

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Stephen’s “Vin Damsel” Recap ([08:43–12:58])

• Rapid-fire, irreverent summary full of jokes, creative nicknames, and pop culture references (Chipotle, Dobby the elf, Henry Cavill, Buzz Lightyear).
• Example:
  “Vin Damsel goes to see her boss… kind of a dick, but also helpful, like a frat bro teaching you how to play beer pong.” [08:55]
• Sets the comedic, lively tone for the episode.

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Hayden’s Main Theme: Wonder ([13:01])

• “My one big word for the prologue through chapter five is wonder. Sanderson throws us right in... perfectly comfortable with us not entirely understanding what’s going on. For some readers, that can be a bit overwhelming. But if you give yourself over to this story and just go along for the ride, it will absolutely suck you in.”
• Gushes about the “badassery of Kelsier” and the thrill of discovering Allomancy’s possibilities.

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Chapter-by-Chapter Deep Dive

Prologue ([15:15–28:06])

• Iconic opening line: "Ash fell from the sky."
• Society built on extreme class division: nobles oppress the enslaved “ska.”
• Intro to Trusting (a callous noble), Obligators (tattooed officials), Inquisitors (spiked eyes—“shadow daddies”), and the terrifying mists.
• Kelsier’s first entrance: Smuggles food, brings hope and subverts expectations.
  • “You ask why I smile, Goodman Menace... The Lord Ruler thinks he has claimed laughter and joy for himself. I’m disinclined to let him do so. This is one battle that doesn’t take much effort to fight.” —Kelsier [22:22]
• First Allomancy shown: Kelsier burns “tin” to enhance senses, leads the ska to freedom, and annihilates Trusting’s household—moral ambiguity front and center.
• Epigraphs introduced: Set up the Hero of Ages, prophecy, and unreliable narration.

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Chapter 1 ([28:30–34:22])

• Vin’s POV: Streetwise, traumatized “ska” orphan; internalized voice of her brother Rean as a survival guide (“When you’re alone, no one can betray you.”)
• Physical/emotional abuse at the hands of Caiman, her mob boss.
• Subtle magic moment: Vin can shift others’ emotions (“luck”), used to sway an aristocratic obligator in a heist.

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Chapter 2 ([34:22–48:49])

• Kelsier’s POV: Now in Luthadel, the “Gothic” capital. Further worldbuilding—keeps, noble power, filthy streets, palace of the Lord Ruler.
• Kelsier and Dachshund—old colleagues with fake noble airs and a shadowy “job.”
• Hints of a found family forming around Kelsier.
• Kelsier and Vin’s fates begin to intertwine—Vin’s powers noted but misunderstood, fueled by trace metals in city water (unique world detail).
• Stephen’s favorite side character so far: “Breeze… seems like a witty, sarcastic dude.”

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Chapter 3 ([48:49–60:05])

• Vin attempts to escape her life; betrayal by “Oof,” brutal beating by Caiman.
• First major “Mistborn” moment: Kelsier bursts in and uses Allomancy to intervene (“like Gandalf vs. Saruman,” says Stephen).
• Kelsier assesses Vin—discovers her hidden Allomantic talent, gifts her her first vial of “real” metal—opening her power floodgates.
• Mistborn revealed: “If you can use two metals, you can use them all. There’s no in-between.” —Hayden [57:41]

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Chapter 4 ([60:05–73:37])

• Vin questions trust, community, and the possibility of belonging.
• Kelsier’s tragic backstory teased: survivor of the dreaded (and mysterious) Pits of Hathsin, lost his wife there, gained powers—morally gray hero?
• Team-building scene: Kelsier assembles a classic heist crew (Ham, Breeze, Clubs, Dachshund, Yeden); banter and introductions.
• Big bombshell: Plan to “overthrow the Final Empire,” Robin Hood style—crew doubts but gets drawn in.
• Rare “11th metal”: Kelsier claims it’s the key to defeating the Lord Ruler, but Stephen’s skeptical it’s real.

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Chapter 5 ([73:37–84:43])

• Action showcase: Kelsier dons his “mistcloak,” breaks into House Venture (noble mansion), and demonstrates advanced Allomancy (pushing/pulling on metal, enhanced senses/strength).
• Fights Haze Killers (anti-Allomancer bodyguards) and fellow Mistings.
• Scene ends on a chilling, morally gray note:
  • “Any night that ended with a group of dead noblemen was a successful one, in Kelsier’s opinion.” [83:38]
• Stephen and Hayden discuss the implication: is Kelsier truly a hero, or something more ambiguous?

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Kelsier’s Defiance:
  “The Lord Ruler thinks he has claimed laughter and joy for himself. I’m disinclined to let him do so. This is one battle that doesn’t take much effort to fight.” —Kelsier, read by Hayden [22:22]

• On Power & Principle:
  “Even the cutthroat I have noticed believes his actions to be moral… In the end, I’m the one with the armies.” —Epigraph, Ch. 1 [28:30]

• On Allomancy:
  “I like how they burn metal as their magic system. I used to be a welder, and I can tell you this much—never had magical abilities. All I had was a bad cough and trouble sleeping.” —Stephen [40:25]

• On Chosen One Anxiety:
  “The terrorist philosophers claim that I’ll know my duty when the time comes... The deepness must be destroyed, and apparently I’m the only one who can do so.” —Epigraph, Ch. 5 [73:37]

• Hayden’s writing advice / Sanderson’s philosophy:
  “There’s always another secret.” [73:55]

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Magic System Highlights

• Allomancy Basics: Ingest & “burn” metals for supernatural abilities; most (Mistings) can use only one metal, but Mistborn can use all.
• Metal examples (powers): Tin (enhanced senses), Pewter (strength), Zinc (emotions), Steel/Iron (push/pull, “flying”).
• Magic is revealed through action—not exposition—tying into the “wonder” theme and immersing the reader in discovery.

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Character & Theme Insights

• Kelsier: Charismatic, powerful, carries deep scars (literally and psychologically); acts as revolutionary but with hints of hidden motives.
• Vin: Survivor, deeply mistrustful, hints of greatness—Stephen dubs her “Vin Damsel,” but she’s nobody’s damsel.
• Morally Gray World: Kelsier slaughters nobles and their guards; the book quickly challenges simple “hero/villain” binaries.
• Found Family & Trust: The evolution from abusive gangs to a new, chosen family (the crew) is a major emotional throughline.
• Epigraphs: Drop tantalizing hints about prophecy, unreliable narration, and the mysterious “Hero of Ages.”

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Funniest/Most Memorable Moments

• Stephen naming places and characters: Pig and Shit tavern; Vin Damsel; “Shadow daddy” Obligators.
• Pop culture banter (Chipotle, Henry Cavill, Linkin Park, Dobby/Malfoy).
• Hayden’s “chill count”: Tracking how many times the book’s last lines give him shivers. [59:51]

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Winner & Loser of the Week ([84:43])

• Stephen’s picks:
  • Loser: Lord Trusting (“he’s dead—if you die, you lose... plus, he was a bad guy”)
  • Winner: Vin (“finding out her abilities, changing her situation, budding into an amazing female main character”)
• Hayden’s picks:
  • Loser: Caiman (abuser who lost everything, a victim and perpetrator of systemic power dynamics)
  • Winner: Kelsier (maximum “badass moments per page”)

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Stephen's Predictions ([86:26])

• The “smiling ska” in the prologue was Kelsier (correct).
• Dachshund might die “for emotional impact.”
• Vin will fly using Allomancy.
• Kelsier will protect Vin from creeps in a tavern (“Pig and Shit”).
• The “11th metal” is a sham; Kelsier is manipulating the crew (“snake oil salesman”).
• Accuracy: Hayden rates him 40% right, some confirmed, some half-right, some not happening in this book.

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Episode Tone

• Playful, irreverent, and welcoming ("for Sanderson newbies and superfans alike").
• Mix of deep lore/fantasy analysis and “book club energy.”
• Quotes & jokes fly fast: “You smile to keep from crying,” “I’m burning metal, baby. BMB,” “Winner and loser of the week—massive Ls in the chat.”
• Strong encouragement to not be intimidated by Mistborn’s world—a recurring message from Hayden.
• Calls to community: listeners invited to read along, predict, and join in speculation.

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Takeaways for New Readers

• You don’t need to understand all the terms up front; the book (and podcast) will gradually scaffold your knowledge.
• Sanderson’s magic system is highly original—rooted in sensation, metal, and logic—in contrast to typical fantasy “handwaving.”
• Moral ambiguity is built in—heroic actions can carry dark consequences.
• “There’s always another secret”—each reread or relisten promises new discoveries.

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Next/Related Episodes

• “Episode Two: Now Available” on the dedicated Fantasy Fanfellas feed.
• Bonus: Interview with Pierce Brown (Red Rising) on the same feed.

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Social Links:
Follow @fantasyfanfellas on Instagram and TikTok for updates, memes, and future episodes.

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“Just because you were born a ska does not mean you are not powerful. In fact, you are more powerful than the nobles because you don’t have to play by their rules.” —Kelsier, via Hayden [59:00]

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For both new and returning Mistborn readers, this lively, insightful episode guides you through the prologue’s ashes, the sparkle of metals, and the first “wonder-filled” chapters—with Kelsier’s enigmatic smile leading the way.

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Transcript

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I took a look myself and oh my goodness, while I don't have a gaming PC, it's honestly very tempting with these prices. I definitely sent it to everyone I know who has a gaming PC. Plus with Alienware you know you are getting some of the most advanced engineering out there with systems at the top of reviewers lists.

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[Fantasy Fanfellas Host 2]

What you're about to hear is a brand new deep dive podcast hosted by our very own sanity manager Hayden and our close Bookstagram friend Stephen Walker. Each week they are going to dive deep into Brandon Sanderson's Mistborn.

[Fantasy Fanfellas Host 1]

But here's the twist. As many of you know, Hayden is absolutely feral for Sanderson's Cosmere and has already read Mistborn, but Steven has not. So so each week you'll join Hayden as he takes Stephen through his first time reading Mistborn by Brandon Sanderson.

[Fantasy Fanfellas Host 2]

That means that each episode has spoilers only for the chapters being discussed that week. If you haven't read Mistborn already, now is the perfect time for a read along. It is such a fantastic story and Fantasy Fanfellas is a great way to experience it for the first time or for a reread. Every episode will include chapter breakdowns, magic explainers, and even some interesting predictions for what's next.

[Fantasy Fanfellas Host 1]

The first few episodes of Fantasy Fanfellas will be posted on the Fantasy Fangirls feed and you can also find each episode on the Fantasy Fanfellas very own podcast feed, which is here in the show Notes. But there's more. There's also an episode with Pierce Brown, author of Red Rising, only available on the Fantasy Fanfellas feed, so be sure.

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To follow the Fantasy Fanfellas podcast feed. New episodes drop every Wednesday. Additionally, give the podcast a follow on social media, Antasy Fanfellas on Instagram and TikTok sponsors.

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So without further ado, we hope you enjoy this episode of Fantasy Fan Fellas.

[Hayden]

Howdy, howdy ho, and welcome to Fantasy Fanfellas. I'm Hayden, producer of the Fantasy Fangirls podcast and lover of all things Sanderson.

[Stephen Walker]

And I'm Stephen, your Internet goofball and lover of all things fantasy.

[Hayden]

And we are here today to dive so, so deep into the prologue to chapter five of Brandon Sanderson's Mistborn. Here's how it's going to work. I, Hayden, am personally so obsessed with all things Brandon Sanderson, so think of me as your Mistborn Professor. But Stephen here has not ever read Mistborn before. So I am going to be tasked with guiding Steven, and by extension you, the audience, through Sanderson's breakout fantasy epic.

[Stephen Walker]

That's right. Hey hey. Also, before we get started, to be clear, this podcast will only have spoilers for the chapters we read for each episode. So if you're just starting Mistborn, just getting your feet wet, or if you haven't finished it yet, this is the podcast for you.

[Hayden]

So Steven, I'm kind of curious. I mean, you're just getting started here with Mistborn. You've only read through chapter five. Like hopefully the audience has. What are you thinking of it so far?

[Stephen Walker]

I like it. I'm a fan. I've heard people say it's slow in the beginning. It's not really slow. You have to have a slow start to a fantasy series you've never read before because it's A different world, but it keeps you engaged as it explains things and it kind of holds your hand while not making everything super available, if that makes sense. I like it.

[Hayden]

For those who think that it's slow, I would ask them if mass murder of noble people through by the means of throwing metal at them is slow. But, you know, to each their own. Okay, so here's how things are going to go. Steven, as our Sanderson newbie, each week is going to guide us through his rendition of a summary of what he thinks happened in the chapters that he read.

[Stephen Walker]

And then Heihei here is gonna give us his one big word for the chapters. This is essentially the main idea that Hayden wants to make sure we all walk away with. And then we're gonna go through each chapter with a finer tooth comb, where we're gonna dive deep into characters, world building and the magic of Mistborn.

[Hayden]

Then finally, these last two segments are just for fun. First, Stephen and I will hand out our winner and loser of the week awards. And lastly, this is the one I'm really looking forward to. Stephen will look into his very, very foggy crystal ball and try to predict what happens next. And I'm going to tell him right now, you're going to be incredibly wrong.

[Stephen Walker]

You say foggy, I say crystal clear, my friend. But one last thing before we get started. This is a new podcast, obviously, so if you want to help get the word out, please give us a follow on Instagram and TikTok at fantasy fan Fellows. There's going to be a lot of content as we go.

[Hayden]

Oh, Bo, it is time. Steven, don your mist cloak and let us know from your perspective what happened in the prologue to chapter five of Mistborn.

[Stephen Walker]

Let's start with the prologue. Our story begins with a guy named Trusting, which is an odd name, but let's go with it. And a bunch of ash is falling from the sky, kind of like nature's dandruff. He's chatting with this obligator, which is some sort of government official who's all tatted up and could pass as a shadow daddy in certain books, but probably not this one. Anyway, they're talking about these slaves that they're using, which are called Ska. Then one of the ska makes eye contact with Tresting, which apparently is a big no, no. They're supposed to treat their superiors like a basilisk, which means no eye contact whatsoever. So Tresting wants to have him punished, but he loses him in the crowd of slaves somehow. And then we cut to a guy named Kelsier. He Shows up at the ska houses, passing through all this mist like he's a megachurch pastor entering through a smoke machine. While he's there, he has a conversation with a few ska, namely a guy named Minas, but is interrupted by a loud scream outside. And then we learn that Kelsier has ingested some tin and no, I don't mean the number, I mean the metal. And is drawing power from it in his stomach. Kind of like the opposite of a chipotle burrito, because that's drawing power from you, buddy. Anyway, this tummy tin gives him this supernatural good hearing and he's able to hear where the sound is coming from. It turns out that Trusting was trying to sa a young girl. So Kelsier kills them all. Kind of like the last episode of Blood and Sand. Chapter one. We meet a chick named Vin. Is her last name Diesel? Probably not. Anyway, so Vin Damsel goes to see her boss, master named Kamen. He's kind of a dick, but also helpful, like a frat bro teaching you how to play beer pong. Anyway, an obligator comes to see Caiman and they're trying to strike up this deal. Caiman is laying down some business rizz that doesn't seem to be working. So Vin Damsel uses her mind magic that she calls luck at this point to tickle his thoughts and sway this guy to consider. And at this point, her ability is vague, at least to her, but it feels like an awake version of the movie Inception. Chapter 2. Kelsier is meeting with a guy named Dachshund. It's an interesting name. It sounds like a father on a boat yelling orders to his child doc son. Anyway, they have a job to do, so they go wait outside by this ministry building where Cayman and Vin Damsel are meeting with an obligator to finalize this sham of a deal they want to make. So she uses her luck magic to sway the obligator's mind and they think they get off scot free, but apparently they were found out. Like a teen hiding his vape under his bed. You knew she was going to look there. And they leave the building, not knowing they're being followed by some ministry folk. Then Kelsier and Dachshund decide they're going to go take out these people so the girl isn't harmed because they know she's special, like the extra onion ring at the bottom of a fast food bag. So Kelsier drinks metal water and it's then we learn the eight basic allomantic metals. Chapter 3. Vin Damsel and Caiman are back at their lair. Vin has this bad feeling and wants to leave, but Cayman catches her trying to leave and starts beating her like my kids do the bathroom door every time I'm trying to poop. Then, like a boss, Kelsier comes in and Magic throws Caiman across the room like he's Dobby, tossing Malfoy right after Harry presented him a sock. They make everybody leave the room, including Caiman, so they can have a chat with Vin Damsel, and he tells her that she's special. Then he gives her some metal liquid and she discovers the magical abilities of metal. Chapter four. Vin Damsel is having a conversation with some folk and we learn that Kelsier has a dark and brooding past. He sounds like he has all the makings of a shadow daddy in some books, but probably not this one. Anyway, the main focus is a meeting between Kelsier, Ven Damsel and some new characters. Kelsier is presenting a job opportunity. He wants to rob from the Lord Ruler like he's some sort of Robin Hood, the daddy version, and overthrow the final empire. He also wants to kill the Lord Ruler if he gets the chance. And everybody's like, bro, that's crazy. That's stupid. You're an idiot also, let's do that. Exactly. But this guy named Clubs is like, nah, I'm out. I'm not going to do it. And then Kelsier presents the 11th medal, which will kill the ruler. It's super rare and most have never seen it. Chapter five, Clubs comes back. Yay. Says he wants to do it. Well, you flip quicker than a hetero dude in the presence of Henry Cavill. Then Kelsier jumps from a roof and takes flight with his metal magic. But the book says the metal magic flying feels more like falling. Okay, calm down, Buzz Lightyear. I'm not flying. I'm falling with style. Anyway, he shows up at this place and he kills a bunch of people like a of bunch boss. And he steals the rare metal.

[Hayden]

Oh, man, Stephen, that was beautiful.

[Stephen Walker]

Was it?

[Hayden]

Yes. Please take a good swig of water, take a little break, and I will take our audience through my one big word. My one big word for the prologue through chapter five is wonder. Oftentimes, the beginning of a fantasy story can be a bit on the quiet side, giving us a sense of normalcy before the author turns everything upside down. But as we go through these first chapters and are introduced to the world, characters and magic system, Sanderson throws us right in. And he's perfectly comfortable with us. Not entirely Understanding what's going on. For some readers, that can be a bit overwhelming. But if you give yourself over to this story and just go along for the ride, it will absolutely suck you in. From the absolute badassery of Kelsier to seeing the endless possibilities of allomancy for the first time, this book was the first. First that gave me a real sense of childlike wonder in a very, very long time. So if you feel a bit lost, that's okay. Buckle up, because it's just getting started. And with that, let's burn our metals and dive deeper into the prologue through chapter five. Steven, as you started to notice with this book, every single chapter begins with an epigraph. And I felt as though you have just the vocal timbre to be our epigraph reader. So could you please give us the epigraph for the prologue?

[Stephen Walker]

Stop it. But keep going. Sometimes I wonder that I'm not the hero everyone thinks I am. The philosophers assure me that this is the time that the signs have been met. But I still wonder if they have the wrong man. So many people depend on me. They say I will hold the future of the entire world on my arms. What would they think if they knew that their champion, the hero of ages, their savior, doubted himself? Perhaps they wouldn't be shocked at all. In a way, this is what worries me the most. Maybe in their hearts, they wonder, just as I do, when they see me, do they see a liar?

[Hayden]

Now, this is a very important epigraph, Stephen. Not just because it's the first, but as you continue to read along through the series into the well of Ascension. And then the hero of Ages turns out that everything you need to know about the ending of the final book is all there in this first epigraph. You just have to be able to find it.

[Stephen Walker]

So you just gave us spoilers.

[Hayden]

What you're saying I didn't give spoilers? I said that there are spoilers within the epigraph. I didn't say what the spoilers are.

[Stephen Walker]

But you have to find them in there. Like a needle in a haystack.

[Hayden]

Exactly. Exactly. So let's dive deep into the prologue of Mistborn. Now, this first page or so is packed with world building tidbits. So we're going to go a little bit beat by beat to make sure that we cover everything. We begin with perhaps one of the most iconic opening lines in the history of fantasy. Ash fell from the sky. I love this line so much because in five words, we are instantly transported to a place completely alien from what we Know. And in that same breath, you know in your heart that a place where ash falls from the sky can't be a place of sunshine and rainbows and unicorns. This place is up. We just don't know yet quite how up. And the first person we meet is an asshat named Lord Tring. And in a single paragraph, he gives us an idea of what the structure of society is fundamentally about. A small group of the chosen few profiting off of the physical labor of the ska. Quote, Trusting stood with his guest on a small hilltop patio that overlooked the fields. Hundreds of people and brown smocks worked in the falling ash, caring for the crops. There was a sluggishness to their efforts, but of course, that was the way of the ska. The peasants were an indolent, unproductive lot. They didn't complain. They knew better than that. Instead, they simply worked with bowed heads, moving about their work with quiet apathy. The passing whip of a taskmaster would force them into dedicated motion for a few moments. But as soon as the taskmaster moved on, they would return to their lingua. We come to learn that the lord trusting is hosting a government official called an obligator, who is a representative, someone called the lord ruler. There's so many terms here in the first page that as a first time reader, you're not really going to be familiar with between obligator and steel inquisitor. So, Stephen, did this kind of overwhelm you as you were reading it for the first time?

[Stephen Walker]

Maybe the first few pages, maybe the first chapter, but it does a good job of kind of explaining it to you by not making it boring. Like, you find out through different means that, okay, this means this and this means this. So it wasn't crazy.

[Hayden]

Yeah. Are you one of those readers who's able to just kind of be along for the ride and not ask too much of the author too soon?

[Stephen Walker]

Usually. But whenever you put me in situations like this where I need to have answers, it's a little more complicated.

[Hayden]

Totally. And after the obligator leaves, Trusting looks over his plantation of working ska and notices one looking up at him and smiling while there's ash falling from the sky. I absolutely love this moment. First of all, this freaks Trusting out. Obviously he is not used to Scott showing any level of emotion besides exhaustion and fear. So for one to look up at him and give him a good old saw. Dude, it's a saw. Dude. It's a bit freaky. Then, after turning to call for the help of one of his obligators, Trusting looks back down, only to find the ska is gone. Peace out, dude. See you later. This for me is such a cool moment. Here we are getting multiple pages of world building, but this tiny moment is the first real instance of tension, of our expectations being subverted. And trust me, it won't be the last. So now we are going to jump over to Kelsier's pov. And within his inner dialogue, he hints at stories of a time before the lord ruler when the sun was not red, where ash did not fall from the sky, plants grew easily, and where ska were not slaves. And as the sun begins to dip, Kelsier mentions. What's so funny?

[Stephen Walker]

I was just thinking like, do you think he's looking at the past with rose colored glasses? Like whenever you were. Oh, whenever I was a kid, everything was perfect. And then you look back, they're like, oh, no, that not perfect. I just happened to think it was.

[Hayden]

Well, we'll get into this more later.

[Stephen Walker]

I think I'm onto something here.

[Hayden]

But yeah, I really can't say anything right now.

[Stephen Walker]

When I was a kid, we had everything we wanted. Then you go back in time like we had nothing. We lived in dirt floors and we ate leaves in the pasture.

[Hayden]

Or in my case, when you look back at video games that you played as a kid and you're like, those graphics were amazing, right?

[Stephen Walker]

Like Lara Croft, Tomb Raider. You look back like, oh, she has triangles.

[Hayden]

Yeah. And they look. Looks like like a four year old molded play.

[Stephen Walker]

Basically broken Legos.

[Hayden]

Yeah, exactly. So as the sun begins to dip, Kelsier mentions that the mist will be coming shortly and that no ska will leave the indoors once it arrives. Then Kelsier bursts into a hovel of about 30 ska and conversation stops as all the scars seem to give Kelsier the who the is this guy treatment. These sca, especially an older one named Tepper, are suspicious of Kelsier and tell him that his little stunt with trusting could have gotten a lot of people a beating. And Kelsier essentially is like, well, you could have gotten beating for doing just about anything. So what's the point? This is a little glimpse into what we will come to know of Kelsier. He is the king of levity and dire situations. But back to the moment at hand. Kelsier makes a show of rolling his eyes at the chilly reception from the ska, turning to leave and opening the door, allowing mist to begin to pour into the entryway. The ska react with utter horror, begging him to close the door, saying, the men who venture into the mist lose their Souls. Stephen, this whole Ms. Thing has been a major point in the opening pages of this book. What do you make of it so far?

[Stephen Walker]

Well, I've never lost my soul before, so I don't know how that would feel, seemingly. But also, a lot of these books that I've read have myst that seems to be active for some reason. And so because I've read these other books, I don't. What year did this book come out?

[Hayden]

It was 2006.

[Stephen Walker]

2006. So all the books I've read came after this book. So perhaps this was the first of the og, but nevertheless, it kind of didn't give it the same effect for me because I like. Oh, it's missed. Of course it's missed. It's always missed.

[Hayden]

Yeah. Okay. Interesting. I wonder if that will change as you go along.

[Stephen Walker]

Maybe.

[Hayden]

Kelsier settles back in after the Ska beg him to close the door. And he reveals that he not only brings mention of some goings on in the outside world, of how some lords are considering paying a wage to their ska, but he also brings food that he stole from Lord Trusting's manor. Turns out he makes a point of traveling through Ska plantations, sharing news of what's happening around the world. As the ska eat, Kelsier is approached by one of the oldest Ska he's seen in his journeys, named Menace. Menace is a pragmatist in every sense of the word. He refuses to eat the luxurious food that Kelsior brings because he knows it will give him a tummy ache. It is clear that he has gotten to his advanced age despite the demands of Ska life because he is a realist. In this moment, Menes has a quick exchange with Kelsier that is one of my favorites in the book. Menace asks Kelsier how he smiles so much. There's so much packed into this simple question. Menace's question encapsulates the SCA experience. For a person who has been through what Menace has been through, the very idea of smiling is unfathomable. Kelsier's response is, oh, I'm just a happy person. This is such a powerful yet simple statement from Kelsier. In a world that is filled with horrors such as slavery, beatings, and freaking ash falling from the sky, making the choice to smile in and of itself is a protest.

[Stephen Walker]

I do that all the time. I smile about my past all the time. Like, I'm gonna laugh at myself and the things of the past, and it's gonna make my life better.

[Hayden]

Yeah. Making the smile so I don't cry. Choice happens.

[Stephen Walker]

We have to keep from crying. Hey.

[Hayden]

Exactly. Kelsier isn't just going around these plantations to feed ska. He's coming to them to try to be an example of what's possible for them. Them that there's a way for them to show their autonomy, even if it's as simple as a smile. Here it is boiled down into one line. You ask why I smile, Goodman? Menace. Well, the lord ruler thinks he has claimed laughter and joy for himself. I'm disinclined to let him do so. This is one battle that doesn't take much effort to fight. Menace also brings up something that was touched upon just a few moments ago. Kelsier's scars on his hands. That the only person he's seen with scars like that was someone who was supposed to be dead. Yes. This person had been caught speaking of rebellion and had been sent to a place called the pits of Hafsin by the lord ruler. We'll learn more about that later, but it's good to clock it for now.

[Stephen Walker]

You know, I feel like I'm kind of like Kelsier Heihei.

[Hayden]

Why is that?

[Stephen Walker]

Because I have scars on my hands too. You see that right there? Look at that. You see that?

[Hayden]

Where'd it come from?

[Stephen Walker]

I fell out of an above ground pool, so perhaps they're not the same way. But I do have scar scarves on my hands.

[Hayden]

You have.

[Stephen Walker]

What if Kelsier got his that way?

[Hayden]

Everybody has their own pits of hafsin, and they come in varying shapes and.

[Stephen Walker]

Sizes, like nature's tattoo right there.

[Hayden]

Then a scream is heard. Lord trusting has come to claim a ska woman who he will use and then kill because of the lord ruler's law against children born of SCA nobility lineage. Okay, folks, we officially have our first moment of magic being used in Mistborn. And so begins an absolute banger. To close out the rest of this scene, Kelsier quote burns tent, which, according to him, had been sitting in his stomach until he was ready to use it. Once burned, the tin enhances his senses and allows him to not only hear more effectively, but all of his senses become stronger.

[Stephen Walker]

You know, we should do. Yeah, we should. Every time Kelsey or somebody uses metal, we should have a sound effect. We do. Ooh, I don't know what that would be, but it could be something like maybe not that kashink.

[Hayden]

Okay, here we go. I'm gonna read this again. Hold on. Kelsier burns 10 Kashink, which, according to him, had been sitting in his stomach until he was Ready to use it. Once burned, the tin enhances his senses and allows him to not only hear more effectively, but all of his senses become stronger. Quote, the room around him became crisp, the dull fire pit flaring to near blinding brightness. He could feel the grain in the wood of the stool beneath him. He could still taste the remnants of the loaf of bread he'd snacked on earlier. Most importantly, he could hear the screams with supernatural years. Then, as Kelsier leaves, he turns back to Menace, smiles and says, new days are coming. Survive a little longer and you might see great happenings in the final empire. I bid you all thanks for your hospitality and leaves. Oh, boy. I remember reading that for the first time, and I was in. There is so much packed in this prologue. From world building to politics to magic.

[Stephen Walker]

Yeah, I forget. We're still in the prologue.

[Hayden]

We are still on the freaking prologue.

[Stephen Walker]

That's a good prologue, man. Usually a prologue is like one or two pages, but this is like a whole chapter.

[Hayden]

Yeah, exactly. But to me, the thing that stands out the most is how much these few pages endear us to Kelsier. I mean, seriously. I mean, Stephen, at this point, you've got to be all in on Kelsier, right?

[Stephen Walker]

Oh, yeah, absolutely. I do think there's some slyness to him as a person. I think there's some. We don't know enough about him yet to see whether or not he's like, a good, yes, perfectly good person. But he is a badass, I'll give him that.

[Hayden]

I would put a pin in that, because there's some perhaps not so nice things that he does to a certain group of people very soon.

[Stephen Walker]

So he's morally gray is what you're saying.

[Hayden]

I would put a pin in that. We will get to that later.

[Stephen Walker]

Long story short, Smash. That's what I'm gonna say for Kelsier.

[Hayden]

Just. Yes. Even if he is morally gray. Easy. Smash. We then jump to Menaces pov. There's a ruckus in the Ska ranks. As it turns out, the young Ska woman who was taken by Lord Trusting has been returned, which was not something that we were anticipating. And there's a scent of smoke in the air. And no, it's not just some BBQ left on the grill for too long. The whole manor is burned down. Turns out Kelsier killed Lord Trusting in every single person in his employ. This next whole realization is interesting because it, in an instant, gives us an idea of the kind of person we're dealing with here in Kelsier. He is powerful. He was hugely outnumbered, but was able to take down an entire manor single handedly. This is also the first instance where as readers, we start to ask ourselves, is Kelsier actually a good guy? Just like.

[Stephen Walker]

Yeah, that's what I was saying. Oh, it's like we think the same. Hey, hey.

[Hayden]

Not only did Kelsier kill a lot of people in one fell swoop, but menace goes on to reflect how this will bring real trouble onto this group of scoffs. Without any proof of Kelsier being here, the government will pin the murders on the ska. Ultimately, with no other option, the group of ska decide to flee to caves lying several days to the east where there are rumors of other rebel scar hiding. Damn. This is a lot to take in through just the prologue. Overall impression. Steven, on a scale of 1 to 10, how in were you after this prologue was done?

[Stephen Walker]

How in was. I was in about an eight.

[Hayden]

And I see. I think that's a perfect level. As an author, you want to leave some. Some of your. Your tricks in your bag.

[Stephen Walker]

Yeah.

[Hayden]

But getting someone to be at that point where they're like, I don't know what's going on, but I gotta keep going because I know I'm going to get to a 10. I think that's the perfect place to be.

[Stephen Walker]

I was worried going into it because Brandy Sandy is talked so highly about in the fantasy world.

[Hayden]

Right.

[Stephen Walker]

I've never read any of his books before, and so I'm like, what if I actually hate this fricking book? I'm gonna get burned at the stakes. But after reading the prologue, I'm invested. I really enjoyed it.

[Hayden]

Okay, folks, we are finally out of the prologue. So Stephen, please give us a quick reading of the epigraph for chapter one.

[Stephen Walker]

I consider myself to be a man of principle, but what man does not? Even the cutthroat I have noticed believes his actions to be moral after a fashion. Perhaps another person reading of my life would name me a religious tyrant. He could call me arrogant. What is it to make that man's opinion any less valid than my own? I guess it all comes down to one fact. In the end, I'm the one with the armies.

[Hayden]

Ah, yeah. We are now in my girl Vin's pov. Ven is a teenage orphan living in Scadriel's capital city of Luthadel. And to be blunt, her life sucks. Very quickly we are introduced to her brother Rean, but not in the way you might expect. You see, her brother abandoned her long ago, leaving behind a considerable monetary debt to Kamin the leader of the thieving crew, Vin and Ryne were a part of. And without Ryne to make good on his debts, Vin has been left to absorb it, making her one of Kamin's minions. But although Ryne is gone, he is very much present on the page. As Ven goes throughout her day, Ryne's voice plays in her head, reinforcing some of the beliefs that he enforced on her throughout her childhood. And yeah, this guy wasn't exactly the best big bro. Quote, when you're alone, no one can betray you. Quote, Anyone will betray you, Vin. Anyone. These are not exactly the warm and fuzzy impressions you want to be left with your big brother, are they?

[Stephen Walker]

I mean, not necessarily, but I don't always want warm and fuzzy. If I need practical living advice in this particular city.

[Hayden]

Okay, but let me actually go to the stoop for rean here. Because these kind of limiting beliefs aren't just the product of her shitty brother, They're a survival tactic. Then lives on the streets surrounded by people who she is frankly not safe with. Yeah, exactly. As terrible as her brother was, these beliefs that he has instilled in her have given her some of the tools she has needed to survive to this point. Your honor, I rest my case. But anyways, now on to the next shitty man in Ben's life. Cayman is the leader of the thieving crew. And within sentences of being introduced to him, he slaps then across the face. Yes, he is a piece of. And I'm not even going to sugarcoat that one. There's really no excuse for this.

[Stephen Walker]

Yeah, you shouldn't slap women. If you take anything from this episode is that you shouldn't slap women, let.

[Hayden]

Alone a 16 year old girl. So it's kind of like double whammy.

[Stephen Walker]

At any age, but definitely not a 16 year old.

[Hayden]

To be clear, 10 to 12 to 16 to 89. Don't slap women.

[Stephen Walker]

So I'm saying the cutoff is 80, so 90 year olds, buckle up.

[Hayden]

No, no, no. I'm merely making the. What's the song that's like for kids from 1 to 92?

[Stephen Walker]

I don't listen to the same music as you do.

[Hayden]

Many times, many ways. Merry Christmas to you. Yeah, the cutoff is somewhere. I'm not saying that you know folks who are 95? How about from have a fucking terrible Christmas? I'm more saying for colloquial purposes, the cutoff has to be somewhere. Don't slap women of any age. Caiman is a bit testy today because they are about to take On a heist that could be very profitable, and vin is going to be an essential part of it. But as caiman is about to hit her a second time, Vint does something to stop him. She uses what she calls luck. We learn a few things about this luck. First, we learn that vin has a finite amount of it, whatever it is, but it only takes, quote, a smidgen in order to influence caiman. Second, we see how it works. To some degree, the luck apparently calms Cayman's nervousness Without him knowing that an external force is working on him. So we know that it's more of a gentle push as opposed to directly stopping someone from doing something.

[Stephen Walker]

I feel like I could have used this in my life many a time.

[Hayden]

Oh, are you kidding me? Okay, we're gonna get more into this. Solutely. We're going to get more into this later.

[Stephen Walker]

Yeah.

[Hayden]

But the luck is a very useful power to have. Like, imagine going into shark tank with this and gently pushing on mark Cuban's trustfulness, and all of a sudden, he's buying 5% of your company for $5 million. So the mission for the crew is this. Cayman will impersonate a failing nobleman, lord jadou, and negotiate a deal with an obligator. Laird. Remember the term obligator from the prologue? As a shipping partner with the government to deliver newly trained obligators to luthadell for the completion of their training. The specifics of the deal are not as important, but that's what they are. And I gotta give credit where it's due. Caiman does a decent job impersonating a nobleman. His costume is pretty convincing, and he certainly does put on a Persona that makes us think he's not an abusive street thief. The exchange reaches a bit of an impasse, but that is where Vin comes in. She starts to use her luck on the obligator. It begins gently, with ven barely pressing against laird's emotions to coax him to be more agreeable and melt away his worries. But in order to seal the deal, Vin has to push harder and harder until her luck finally runs out, Leading to Laird saying he can take the new proposal to the council. At least for now. It seems like Ven has clutched up up and made the mission a success.

[Stephen Walker]

I really like Vin Damsel in this book, dude. I think she's a good, good character.

[Hayden]

Yes. Instantly, you are invested in making sure one, that vin is okay. You just want her to be safe. You want her to be okay. And two, instantly rooting for her.

[Stephen Walker]

Yeah.

[Hayden]

And we'll see this more and more down the line, but I think in many books you could see a young girl written by a man that is very two dimensional. But Sanderson, and we'll see this as we go through the book, does an excellent job of writing then as a 3D character. On to chapter two. Stephen, please take us through the epigraph.

[Stephen Walker]

If men read these words, let them know that power is a heavy burden. Seek not to be bound by its chains. The terrorist prophecies say that I will have the power to save the world. They hint, however, that I will have the power to destroy it as well. That's a good line. That seems like something out of like, like a Chosen One type of book.

[Hayden]

It's the best. These epigraphs are so much fun. They have this like epic quality to them, even though you have no idea what they are.

[Stephen Walker]

I don't know what this is. It has nothing to do with the chapter, does it?

[Hayden]

Yeah, no, not necessarily randomly. And I wonder if you're going to find out more as we go through the book.

[Stephen Walker]

Look, I'm sure I will because you're. You're foreshadowing, aren't you, Mr. I've already finished it.

[Hayden]

Because I have a sarcastic tone right now.

[Stephen Walker]

You're like Lord trusting.

[Hayden]

All right, chapter two. We open on Kelsier, standing atop the city wall of Luthadel. And Sanderson wastes no time to use this higher vantage point as a way to give us a download on what the capital city of the final empire looks like, from its architecture to the way that they deal with the reigning ash. Luthadel, at least to me, reads very Gothic in its architecture, with some of its most recognizable features being the keeps that are spread across the city. Interspersed throughout the city were a dozen or so monolithic keeps, intricate, with rows of spear like spires of deep archways. These were the homes of the high nobility. In fact, they were the mark of a high noble family. Any family who could afford to build a keep and maintain a high profile presence in Luthadell was considered to be a great house. In this moment, we are given a quick but very insightful look into power within the final empire. It's not just about wealth for these noble families, it's the appearance of wealth. These keeps literally rise above the lower levels of the city that are racked with squalor and they serve as a kind of lighthouse that broadcasts each family's social status. We also get the first mention of the Lord Ruler's palace, Kredic Shah, or the Hill of A thousand spires. The way the palace is first described is so interesting to me. The Lord Ruler's palace loomed like some kind of massive multi spined insect. The palace was several times the size of any nobleman's keep and was by far the largest building in the city. I love that Kelsier in his inner dialogue describes it as an insect. We'll learn more about Kelsier's opinion on the Lord Ruler later, but we can all infer that he is not a fan based on his actions in the prologue. This little description of the palace invites us to consider who the Lord Ruler really is and what his relationship is to this society. And from Kelsier's perspective, he is almost like a parasite sucking the life force out of the world and its people.

[Stephen Walker]

So he's like a modern day billionaire?

[Hayden]

Yes. The Lord Ruler is the Jeff Bezos of the final Empire. And before Kelsier is joined by a new character that we'll get to in a moment, we also get some insight into the cosmetic effects of the ash falls on Luthadel. The streets are completely black and structures are the blackest at the top, but rain and condensation extends the stains down the walls as well. Is it just me or did anyone else think of the in the end Linkin park music video during this part? Are you familiar with that? They are standing at the top of this like black spire essentially, and it is the resounding image that I have as I read this chapter. Anyways, now Kelsier is joined by another man. Dachshund has entered the chat. Dachshund seems like your run of the mill dude, but what's interesting here is his choice of clothing. Both he and Kelsier here are dressed in aristocratic clothing that is nice, but not too nice, so that as they're walking along, the street, guards won't give them the side eye. In fact, neither of them are of noble blood.

[Stephen Walker]

They're wearing a top hat and a monocle while they listen to Linkin park music.

[Hayden]

Literally. Kelsier takes out his airpods as Dachshund walks up behind him.

[Stephen Walker]

Yes.

[Hayden]

He's like, sorry bro, I was listening to a punk rock classic. Except we learned that Kelsier is half noble, half sca, something we have learned is illegal in the final empire. So these two continue their conversation and Dachshund is like, hey man, what took you so long? You're a few days late. To which Kelsier is like, oh, you know, I just took a quick stop to kill Lord Trusting. This is so funny to me because he's talking about it as if he was running just a bit late because he had to stop for a quick vape on the side of the road. But actually he was busy murdering people. Then they start talking about this job. And as readers, we don't really know what kind of job this is, but based on our short time with Kelsier, it's safe to say it's going to be crazy. Crazy and still in the dark, as readers, Dachshund and Kelsier start rattling off names of people who will be at the meeting tonight to discuss this mysterious plan. Ham, Breeze, Yetden, and Clubs. We also get the first mention of Kelsier's brother, Marsh. And on top of it all, we get mention of two new kinds of owlmancers. A smoker and a ten eye.

[Stephen Walker]

I was gonna say Breeze. Out of these characters that we've just introduced to, I think Breeze is my favorite up to this point.

[Hayden]

Dude, Breeze.

[Stephen Walker]

I hope there's some more, because he's like a. He seems like a witty type of sarcastic dude.

[Hayden]

Oh, yeah.

[Stephen Walker]

And I love that kind of character. Hopefully it's more airtime.

[Hayden]

Yes, Breeze is the best. Just you wait. You will get plenty of Breeze in coming chapters.

[Stephen Walker]

So, first impressions on Breeze. Yes. I love that guy.

[Hayden]

Yeah. And I love his dynamic with Ham. But we'll talk all about that.

[Stephen Walker]

Okay, perfect.

[Hayden]

Now, we haven't gotten the full rundown about this book's magic system allomancy yet, but let's do a quick aside to give us a baseline. We saw Kelsier burn tin in the prologue. An allomancer is someone who can burn a metal to give them specific powers. Most allomancers can burn only one kind of metal, and they're called mistings. And each kind of misting has a sort of colloquial term. For example, someone who can burn tin is called a tineye. Trust us, we'll dive into allomancy much more soon, but I think it's helpful to at least get a taste as all this information is dropped so flippantly.

[Stephen Walker]

I like how they burn metal as their magic system. We're going to dive into that here in a second, I guess. But I used to be a welder, and I would inhale the smoke as I was welding. And I can tell you this much. I never had magical abilities. All I had was a bad cough and trouble sleeping.

[Hayden]

Dude. Okay, so, quick aside. So this is the first trilogy of Mistborn. There is a second era that is comprised of four books that happens hundreds of years after this story. And it's kind of like when people are going through the Industrial Revolution. And so like the. Yes. And so like the application of, like, welding metal. I could so see it in. In the second era of Mistborn, whereas this is a little bit more kind of like Victorian era kind of thing. And so next we move to Ven's pov. As she is hanging out in the lair of the thieving crew, we're given a quick look into the reality of Vin's life. She is constantly in danger. As a small teenage girl in a crew of predominantly men, she is a target. Then spends most of her time trying to remain invisible, listening to Rean's voice in her head, just so that she can survive day by day. After a short time, we've got some movement within the crew, though. The next phase of the job is underway. And this time, they have to go into the belly of the beast, the Ministry's Canton of Finance. Now, the original plan was for Theron and Kamin to agree to transport newly trained obligators to Lutha Daemon. And coincidentally, these obligators always brought large funds from the Ministry disguised as luggage to be held in Luthadel. So Theron would have his guards rob the obligators while on the boat, then blame it on bandits, equaling a huge profit. But Caiman has other plans. He tells Vin that his real plan is to trick the Ministry into giving him a down payment now and then disappear, leaving Theron in the lurch. This is the reality of crime in Luthadel. Eat, eat or be eaten as survival of the fittest. That is exactly right. As disgusted by this betrayal as Ben is, she admits that Theron was likely going to do the same to Cayman. Cayman just acted first. So Cayman and Ben finally are able to meet with the obligator, expecting it to be Laird like last time. But if Laird is Charmander, then the obligator that stands before them, Ariev, is Charmeleon. Because this guy. Yeah, yeah.

[Stephen Walker]

Charizard's the best Pokemon, by the way. So. Good, good, good, good job.

[Hayden]

Okay, we can't. We're not even gonna have that discussion right now.

[Stephen Walker]

We're not?

[Hayden]

No, no.

[Stephen Walker]

Maybe another episode.

[Hayden]

Exactly. Yeah, That's. That's for a mailbag episode. Because this guy not only has the trademark obligator tattoos around his eyes, but his loop goes all the way back to his ears and over his forehead. He is the real deal.

[Stephen Walker]

I bet he looks good with those tats, too.

[Hayden]

Hell yeah, brother.

[Stephen Walker]

Some gauged ears Too.

[Hayden]

That is so poor, so hardcore.

[Stephen Walker]

That's so punk, man. He's probably listening to Linkin park and wearing a top hat in a monocle.

[Hayden]

Yeah, and isn't a biker gang or something. As soon as Ben sees this guy, she has a feeling that they should leave immediately. But Cayman pushes on and begins his discussion with Arya eventually. Then gives a push on Aria with her luck. And he immediately accepts Cayman's proposal, gives him a contract, and sends them off with a smile. But Vin knows something is very wrong. Quote, a happy obligator was always a bad sign. So without any choice, Cayman and Vin leave the Canton building. As Vin and Cayman leave, it turns out that Kelsier and Dachshund have been watching them. You see, Kelsier's brother Marsh had a run in with Caiman earlier and he noticed that Ven had owlmantic abilities. And it turns out that Ben is even becoming, quote, famous in the right circles as a good luck charm. Kelsier goes on to say that he's surprised she'd been so brazen to use her powers on a ministry official. So he suspects she may not even know what her powers are. He suggests that she likely is fueling her powers through trace metals in the city's drinking water, which would explain Ven's mention of having to, quote, save up her luck because she only has a finite amount of it. I love this world building tactic that Sanderson is using, because of course there is metal contaminated water in the Final Empire because the Lord Ruler does not care enough to build out a water filtration system for the broader public.

[Stephen Walker]

So little Brandon Sanderson, that's specific to him, we call him BS on that.

[Hayden]

No, I. No, it's not specific to him, but I think it's a way for him to show us the world building as opposed to like directly telling us.

[Stephen Walker]

Yeah, some books will, like ad nauseam, just describe, yes. Features of a city without the people doing something. And it's just boring. But this kind of incorporates as something's going on.

[Hayden]

And to me, that is the trade off of having a magic system and world showed to you versus told to you. Because, yes, you may start out this book not really knowing what's going on, but in exchange you are just going through the story and you're not having to go through chapters and chapters of explainers on how magic works.

[Stephen Walker]

Yeah. As something comes up that you need to know, it's explained as something is happening.

[Hayden]

Yes, basically. And. And my advice to people whenever they're reading Sanderson is You are not going to understand what's fully going on. When you see a word that you don't understand, I can guarantee you it is going to come up again and you will get more clarity as it comes up. But then both an obligator and another figure step out of the building. The second is a grotesque man. Tall, with a strong build. A thick metal spike had been pounded tip first through each of the man's eyes with shafts as wide as an eye socket. The nail like spikes were long enough that their sharp points jutted out about an inch from the back of the man's clean shaven skull. The flat spike ends shown like two silvery discs sticking out of the sockets in the front where the eyes should have been. This is a steel inquisitor. And they are bad news, Steven.

[Stephen Walker]

They kind of sound scary.

[Hayden]

They are freaking scary.

[Stephen Walker]

I guess I missed that. I mean, I didn't miss it, but maybe I just forgot about. I missed that description of them. They have nails through their spikes to their eyes.

[Hayden]

Yes, dude.

[Stephen Walker]

So they can't see.

[Hayden]

They can't see through normal means.

[Stephen Walker]

Oh, do they see through their fingers?

[Hayden]

No, not in a literal sense. Kelsier realizes that they are following Vin and Caiman. He and Dachshund leap into action. Dachshund runs off to take care of whatever tales they would have sent after Ben. And Kelsier takes the inquisitor. But first, he takes a swig from a small vial filled with alcohol and eight different metals. Iron, steel, tin, pewter, copper, bronze, zinc, and brass.

[Stephen Walker]

And we don't know what each one of those do yet, do we?

[Hayden]

At that point, that is correct. And up until this point, we only understand that people can use one kind of metal, Right?

[Stephen Walker]

We know that. Ten at least, at the very least, gives you the ability to hear far away things.

[Hayden]

Exactly.

[Stephen Walker]

Dolphin. It gives you dolphin.

[Hayden]

It actually enhances all of your senses. So remember how when Kelsier used it, the fire became like overwhelmingly bright and that kind of thing. So it. It does. Is helpful in that you can hear much better. But also it has the drawback as well.

[Stephen Walker]

I said dolphins can hear. Can dolphins hear a long way? Am I an idiot?

[Hayden]

I think they can hear a long way through sonar.

[Stephen Walker]

There we go. I'm not an idiot.

[Hayden]

Keep going. We're going to keep it moving, folks. Kelsier first burns pewter, giving him enhanced strength. Strength. Then he burned zinc. Okay, so officially now we know that Kelsier can burn more than one metal.

[Stephen Walker]

Like a little metal cocktail going on in his belly.

[Hayden]

Yes, he burns zinc and, quote, yanks on the inquisitor's emotions. Now, remember, with Then and her luck, the idea has been that she's been pushing on people's emotions very gently, whereas Kelsier here is at a whole other level. He's not gently pushing. He is yanking on the inquisitor's emotions, diverting its attention. And then in his head, Kelsier thinks to himself, quote, let's have a chase now, you and I. Kelsier is so cool.

[Stephen Walker]

I like that last line of that chapter. Let's have a chase now.

[Hayden]

It's so cool.

[Stephen Walker]

Also, this part confused me initially when it says he burns metal. It's not like he's burning incense or he has a fire. It's like it's digesting it.

[Hayden]

No. Yes. It is literally ingested into his stomach and he is able to. A fantasy magic thing. He's able to burn it inside at will. So.

[Stephen Walker]

Gotcha. So he's burning metal, baby. Bmb.

[Hayden]

All right, Stephen, now on to chapter three. Please give us the epigraph.

[Stephen Walker]

We arrived in Terrace earlier this week, and I have to say I find the countryside beautiful. The great mountains to the north with their bald snow caps and forested mantles, stand like watchful gods over this land of green fertility. My own lands to the south are mostly flat. I think that they might look less dreary if there were a few mountains to vary the terrain. The people here are mostly herdsmen, though timber harvesters and farmers are not uncommon. It is a pastoral land. Certainly. It seems odd that a place so remarkably agrarian could have produced the prophecies and theologies upon which the entire world now relies.

[Hayden]

We are in Vince pov. We are back at Cayman's lair, and Cayman is a pig in shit. After bringing back all this money from the Ministry.

[Stephen Walker]

That could be a good bar title. Pig and Shit.

[Hayden]

Pig and oh my God, I love pig and that'd be hilarious.

[Stephen Walker]

Old tavern here in this world.

[Hayden]

That's low key. Amazing. Pig and shit. All right, well, stay tuned, folks.

[Stephen Walker]

Stay tuned for a new bar that's opening up somewhere, hopefully.

[Hayden]

And that does not sit right with vintage. She knows that Kamin bringing this much money back makes the likelihood that there's a coup from one of the other thieves to try to steal that money much higher. Plus, Vin still can't shake the weird feelings she had about what went down at the Canton building earlier. So she decides she needs to leave. But she doesn't want to be alone. We're given some insight into how Vin loves solitude, but the Idea of truly being alone in this huge city, fighting for her life by herself is too much for her to bear. So she recruits another member of the crew. Oof. To leave with her after telling Oof. Oof, classic fantasy name, where you're like, what the hell is that?

[Stephen Walker]

How do you even pronounce it?

[Hayden]

Yeah. After telling Olaf her plan to leave, she goes into the sleeping quarters to grab her stuff, which consists of very little. All she adds to her name is the following. A pebble from each city she has visited, A simple stud earring that Rean claimed her mother left for her. Now, we don't really know anything about Vin's mother to this point, but this is all that Vin has in the way of tokens of remembrance for her. And lastly, a small bit of obsidian that Ryne used to carry around as a good luck charm, which he left behind when he abandoned Vin. And so now Vin is ready to leave, but turns out that Olaf is not a real bro because he has told Caiman about Vin's plan to leave. And Caiman, being the piece of shit that he is, throws an entire stool at Venice, hitting her in the back. Again, Caiman is a piece of.

[Stephen Walker]

Yeah, not a good guy.

[Hayden]

But something goofy happens after Vin falls to the floor. After the initial pain, something within Vin rises that she doesn't quite understand. She starts to regain her strength, and her head stops spinning. This is the first hint we get that Ven is not only a Misting, but a Mistborn like Kelsier. Someone who can access all mantic power from all medals.

[Stephen Walker]

So we don't know the difference between a Misting and a Misborn at this point, right?

[Hayden]

We don't. Not at this very moment.

[Stephen Walker]

Seemingly, is the higher up. And a Misting is more like.

[Hayden]

Absolutely. A Mistborn is exceptionally powerful compared to a Misting. And we'll of course, talk about that in the coming chapters as well. Unfortunately, Cayman is far bigger than men, so he begins to beat her again, striking her, but in a different way than the beatings that Vin is used to. She knows that in this moment, he plans to kill her. But. What's that? I believe it's Kelsier's music. John Cena. The door bursts open, and Caiman's grip on Ben is suddenly released. Quote, Caiman's angry demands were cut off as he was thrown backward, as if punched by a powerful force. His arm was ripped free from Ben's shoulder, and he toppled to the ground, causing the floorboards to shake.

[Stephen Walker]

So he didn't even touch him. He Just like.

[Hayden]

No. Yeah. He literally was like, push away. As if.

[Stephen Walker]

Yeah, like you've seen Lord of the Rings. Of course you have.

[Hayden]

Of course.

[Stephen Walker]

The first one where Gandalf is fighting Saruman.

[Hayden]

Yes. And he starts getting spun on the floor.

[Stephen Walker]

Yeah, yeah, yeah. I just imagine that.

[Hayden]

Yeah. Okay, a quick pause on this to touch on some allomancy moments. So, remember how Vin mentioned she was able to restore her strength through a strange power? Well before Vin is released by Cayman, the weight of her pain and exhaustion comes back even stronger. This confirms that what she was unknowingly doing was burning pewter, which enhances your physical strength and endurance. But once her latent supply of pewter from the drinking water ran out, the pain came roaring back. Also, after she's released by Cayman, she notices that her panic of needing to get away has turned to utter serenity. That is because Kelsier is using brass to soothe Ven's emotions and coax her towards different feelings, then actually recognizes this, saying that someone was using luck on her. We then also see that not only she is being soothed, but all the other crew are as well. So this is the first time that we see emotional allomancy can be used not only on one person, but multiple people at once.

[Stephen Walker]

And this is also the part where we learn that luck isn't what it really is called. It's just allomancy. Right. She just didn't have the right word for it because she's 16 and didn't know that anybody else had this ability.

[Hayden]

Exactly. And we're actually. Real quick. We'll learn later in some of these chapters that Vin knows of allomancy. She knows that there is some kind of magic in this world, but because one, she's a Scar, and you know that Scar are not supposed to be owlmancers, and two, she's too busy surviving. She just thinks she's not worthy of the power that she's been given. She doesn't even consider allomancy as a potential option, even though these things that are happening to her are completely unexplained. Back to the action. After putting Caiman on his ass, Kelsier comes in through the door with Dachshund and lets the crew know that he has saved the lair from a Steel Inquisitor following Caiman and Ben, and everyone is shook. Steel Inquisitors are rumored to be immortal. No normal person could deal with one, as Kelsier puts it. So in repayment, the crew gives Kelsier the money Kayman got from the Ministry and accepts Kelsier's condition of turning Caiman into a beggar for what he's done to Vin.

[Stephen Walker]

Imagine, like a still inquisitor with the description that they've given, following you.

[Hayden]

Oh, my God.

[Stephen Walker]

Breaking it. That would be freaking terrifying. It's Halloween Coming.

[Hayden]

It's a literal recording. Yes, it is a literal horror film.

[Stephen Walker]

I mean, I've seen TikTok videos. There'll probably be some. I wonder if there's some Inquisitor thirst traps that could go out there.

[Hayden]

Okay, that's your homework, Stephen.

[Stephen Walker]

That's my homework. I'm gonna do some inquisitor thirst traps.

[Hayden]

And then share with the class.

[Stephen Walker]

I will share with the class.

[Hayden]

Kelsier tells the crew that he will be using the Lair for a meeting tonight and for all of them to leave, except for Vin. Once Vin, Kelsier, Dachshund are alone. Kelsier and Dachshund's demeanor goes from downright intimidating to affable and gentle. But then she doesn't trust easy. Rightly so. So she stands there, very cat like, scoping out the situation. After a moment, they sit down and Kelsier begins to give her the rundown. But first, a little classic fatherly Knock that shit off. Off. He tells her to never again try to use her luck on an obligator, because they are trained to recognize when someone is working on their emotions. He also warns her to keep her eyes open when it comes to the inquisitor that was tracking her. He believes that since he distracted him, it should be fine. But inquisitors aren't just your typical owlmancers. They're something much more. And then he gives Vin a vial of liquid filled with metal shavings of two allomantic metals. Upon taking it, then feels for her luck. And not only is it replenished, but quote, it was there like a massive golden horde. A storage of power so incredible that it stretched her understanding. Always before she had needed to be a scrimp with her luck, holding it in reserve, using up morsels sparingly. Now she felt like a starving woman invited to a high nobleman's feast. She sat stunned, regarding the enormous wealth within her.

[Stephen Walker]

So this point, she didn't know metal did that to her. She just knew. She just thought she had this.

[Hayden]

She just thought she had this.

[Stephen Walker]

If it's just drawn from metal burning, then how did she is just her drinking the water that. That happens to be there? I guess.

[Hayden]

Yes. So, as Kelsey or mentioned, drinking the trace metals in the water gives her a little Bit of allomantic reserves to pull her.

[Stephen Walker]

Okay. And so that's what she's been drawing from.

[Hayden]

That's what she's been drawing from. And this Stark difference is illustrated of. Vin has been doing all this with very little supplies, but now that she's given a full vial of this stuff, it roars to life within her. So it's pretty impressive what she's been able to do with so little resources. Yeah, but remember, Ven consumed two kinds of metal. Kelsier tells her to try the other way around. They all know that she can soothe him, but can she inflame him too? This is the test to see if she's a Mistborn. Someone who can access all allomantic metals. If you can use two of them, you can use them all. There's no in between. And she does it. Vin is officially a Mistborn.

[Stephen Walker]

Okay, is Kelsey or misborn or. He's a missing.

[Hayden]

He's a Mistborn because we saw him use 10, and then we saw him use pewter earlier when he was about to follow the Inquisitor.

[Stephen Walker]

So only Mistborns can do multiples.

[Hayden]

Exactly. Being a Sca Mistborn is unfathomably rare. Allomancy is a hereditary noble trait. So? So it's relatively rare, even among people of noble blood whose ancestors were gifted the power by the Lord Ruler. As Kelsier puts it, there's likely a misting for about one out of every 10,000 half noble born Ska. So imagine how unbelievably rare it is for a Ska to be a Mistborn. We also get a bit of insight into Vin's parentage. According to her, her mother was a prostitute, and her father is a high pralin in the Steel Ministry, meaning he is a nobleman. As she takes in the reality that she is a Mistborn, then stunned. It's a lot to take in. And Kelsier caps off the chapter with an incredible line that gives me chills. Quote, Kelsier smiled. It means that you then, are a very special person. You have a power that most high noblemen envy. It is a power that, had you been born in an aristocrat, would have made you one of the most deadly and influential people in all of the final Empire. Kelsier leaned forward again. But you weren't born an aristocrat. You're not noble, Vince. You don't have to play by their rules. And that makes you even more powerful.

[Stephen Walker]

Is that the last line of that chapter?

[Hayden]

It is, dude.

[Stephen Walker]

Yeah, that's a good line.

[Hayden]

Oh, my God.

[Stephen Walker]

All These chapters end with these nice little. Ooh, I want to read the next chapter. That's the hardest thing for me. I've only been able to read to chapter five because we have to talk about this. Yeah, I've been waiting to get to chapter six, but I can't yet until I have to record this freaking thing.

[Hayden]

You want to keep going? And what I love about this moment so much is that there is a very clear power dynamic in the final empire. The scar are way down here, the nobleman are right here, and the lord ruler is way above them all. But in this moment, Kelsier is trying to teach Vin that there is a way to flip that power dynamic. And just because you were born a ska does not mean that you are not powerful. In fact, you are more powerful than the sky because you don't have to worry about your social status like all these noblemen do.

[Stephen Walker]

Yeah. Oh, okay. That is lessons for life. Doesn't matter how you start. Matters how you freaking finish.

[Hayden]

Exactly.

[Stephen Walker]

Burn metal, baby.

[Hayden]

And I'm starting a chill count for myself. Number of times I've gotten chills. And that is two for this episode.

[Stephen Walker]

You got two chills? Yeah, I got one. I got one a second ago.

[Hayden]

Okay, good, good, good, good, good. All right, Steven, take us through the epigraph of chapter four.

[Stephen Walker]

Apparently, the next stage of my quest will take us up to the highlands of Terrace. This is said to be a cold, unforgiving place. A land where the very mountains are made of ice. Our normal attendance will not do for such a trip. We should probably hire some terrorist Pacman to carry our gear. Where is that from? Who's talking? Where are they?

[Hayden]

It sounds like an Airbnb entry. To be honest with you.

[Stephen Walker]

That's what it does sound like.

[Hayden]

All right, we are back in Vin's pov. Caiman's crew temporarily returns before Kelsier's meeting starts. And they're treating Finn like she just got to hang out with the mysterious cool new kid at the school School. And sitting with her old crew as they talk about Kelsier, Vince starts to experience some cognitive dissonance. Here's a group that have turned a blind eyed. Event's beatings by Cayman. And in the case of Oleff, someone she considered kind of a friend ratted her out. But she doesn't necessarily blame them for it because that's just how it works among thieves. But with Kelsier and Dachshund, it seemed different. They seemed like they didn't fear that one might betray the other at any moment. And stranger still was their openness with Vin. They were more than happy to clue in Ven on her powers, with seemingly nothing asked for in return. And as the gossip about Kelsier continues, we learn that not only was Kelsier sent to the pits of Hafsin, but he was sent there with his wife when he was captured by the Lord Ruler, and unfortunately, she did not make it out alive.

[Stephen Walker]

Yeah, and I was gonna say that was an interesting part to learn about his past and a tough part. And then that kind of makes you kind of admire him even more because he's smiling at this initial point in the story or original point in the story.

[Hayden]

Absolutely. But it's all in breadcrumbs. We're not getting this all in one.

[Stephen Walker]

Fell swoop, which is what you want in a good book. You don't want everything in the front of it, because then there's nothing more to go for.

[Hayden]

No, of course. But it just adds to this layer of mystery with Kelsier that while, yes, he is a badass, and we love him. I don't know about you, but from the beginning, I was always a little bit reserved about Kelsier in terms of, like, you start seeing some of the things he's doing, and you're like, is this the guy we're really supposed to be rooting for?

[Stephen Walker]

Yeah. I also like books that have characters where you can root for them but also know they do wrong things, and there's really no one that's technically good.

[Hayden]

Yeah.

[Stephen Walker]

Just have to side with the lesser.

[Hayden]

Almost as if they're morally gray. Yeah.

[Stephen Walker]

Yeah. Basically.

[Hayden]

We also get two other interesting tidbits about Kelsier and how he found himself in the pits. According to the crew, Kelsier was betrayed by someone. Someone which led to his capture. Let's file that one away in the back of our brains. And that he wasn't an owlmancer before his time at the pits. So something changed about him while he was there. But now it is meeting time. As the thieving crew leaves, Kelsier's friends start walking down the Runway like it's a maxi challenge of RuPaul's Drag Race. The first two are a muscular man wearing a sleeveless shirt named Ham. Tens. Tens across the board.

[Stephen Walker]

I like the name Ham for this guy. I know Ham.

[Hayden]

Yeah. It's so interesting.

[Stephen Walker]

Maybe he works at the Pig.

[Hayden]

Shit Pig and the Pig, and. Yeah, that's.

[Stephen Walker]

He's the head bartender at the Ham. I don't have all you need to talk to Bacon. I don't have all the information. Yeah.

[Hayden]

Oh, my God. We're gonna build out an entire staff for the pig, and by the time this is all over. So we have Ham. And a portly, well dressed man named Breathe is Steven's favorite. And from the jump, we can tell these guys are chill friendly dudes. But has been. Sounds like a tender profile. I'm just.

[Stephen Walker]

I'm a chilling, friendly dude.

[Hayden]

I'm just a chill friendly dude.

[Stephen Walker]

Still swiping left, buddy.

[Hayden]

Yeah. But as Vin is pouring wine for them, Ham calls out Breeze for using emotional allomancy on Vin. But she hadn't even noticed he was using it on her. This gives us insight into what a truly skilled misting is capable of. In this case, someone like Breeze can push on emotions with ease. And the person he's working on would be none the wiser.

[Stephen Walker]

I've got a question now.

[Hayden]

Yeah.

[Stephen Walker]

So Mistings can only burn one metal, and a Mistborn can burn more than two metals.

[Hayden]

Burn all of them.

[Stephen Walker]

So let's say you ingest two metals and you're misling.

[Hayden]

Yep.

[Stephen Walker]

Which one do you get to pick? Which one?

[Hayden]

No. Each misting is essentially assigned. I mean, they're not really assigned it, but they can't choose which metal they can burn. They have to.

[Stephen Walker]

If you take pewter and you can't. You can't burn that.

[Hayden]

There's no.

[Stephen Walker]

Because you're not able to burn that.

[Hayden]

Yeah, yeah.

[Stephen Walker]

You're only able to burn one metal.

[Hayden]

Exactly. Exactly.

[Stephen Walker]

You have the ability to burn only one metal.

[Hayden]

Exactly.

[Stephen Walker]

It's not like described you by somebody else.

[Hayden]

Yes. It's not like one at a time. It is one forever.

[Stephen Walker]

Okay. Like I'm the pewter and I'm the copper.

[Hayden]

Exactly. And that's why there's those different. Different names for, like, smoker, tiny, all that stuff.

[Stephen Walker]

Oh, look at that. It's all coming together now. Hey. Hey.

[Hayden]

Exactly. After some bickering between Breeze and Ham about the morality of pushing on someone's emotions. Then brings a glass of wine and asks Ham what his deal is. To which Ham responds that he's what is called a thug. Someone who burns pewter to enhance their strength. My favorite thing about Ham, though, is that his biggest character trait is that he's obsessed with philosophical discussion, much to the annoyance of Breeze, which we'll get lots more of throughout the story. And then the conversation is interrupted by another man joining us. His name is Clubs. He's an older man with a gnarled, twisted face. He is giving major mad eye, moody vibes.

[Stephen Walker]

I Always miss, like, descriptions of people. And then I just. In my head, everybody kind of looks the same.

[Hayden]

Yeah, yeah.

[Stephen Walker]

So diving into this, I get to, like, rewrite my own brain.

[Hayden]

Yes.

[Stephen Walker]

To think of these people differently.

[Hayden]

Exactly, yeah. Clubs is what is called a smoker. He can obscure allomantic pulses, essentially hiding his and the team's powers from inquisitors. And lastly, Yedden arrives. He is decidedly more unassuming than the rest of the crew, wearing simple gray SKA clothes. Yeddon is the only non misting in the group, so no special powers for him. Okay, so the gang's all here. And with that, Kelsier finally shows up, fashionably late, and he tells the crew that they are now working for Geddon, who is part of the Ska rebellion. Then clues us readers in that there are two sides to the underworld world. The far larger portion was made up of thieves, crews and beggars who tried to survive outside mainstream Scott culture. And then there were the rebels, the people who worked against the final empire.

[Stephen Walker]

Okay, so you have the survivors, and then you have the ones that are actively trying to make change.

[Hayden]

Actively trying to do something about it. Exactly.

[Stephen Walker]

Gotcha.

[Hayden]

Kelsier then drops another bomb quote. Gentlemen, this will be no ordinary job. It's going to be different from anything any crew has ever tried to pull. We're going to help Yedden overthrow the final empire. Essentially, Kelsier is saying, we're gonna steal the Declaration of Independence in this moment.

[Stephen Walker]

We're gonna steal it. We're gonna steal the Declaration.

[Hayden]

And nobody believes that is possible because his Declaration is followed by an oh, brother, this guy stinks. Levels of silence from the crew. What Kelsier is saying here is basically unfathomable. The final empire and the Lord Ruler has reigned for a thousand years, and the SKA rebellion has made virtually no progress in waging a full scale war against the regime in that time. So what's going to be different about this time? Well, according to Kelsier, it's because the rebellion is finally stooping to their level to work with thieves who are used to breaking down jobs into smaller, more achievable parts to accomplish the impossible. Stephen, I'm going to be real. Kelsier sounds like he's full of shit at the moment. How did this moment strike you?

[Stephen Walker]

Oh, yeah, of course he's full of shit. I have some theories. I'll give you them at the end, but yeah, I think he's telling partial truths, but he has, like, a specific motive that he is going after.

[Hayden]

Okay, so you're essentially saying the job is not really the job. It's a way for him to further his own ambitions.

[Stephen Walker]

Maybe that's part of the job, but I feel like he has a. He has a different idea of what he wants to do. Yeah. Yeah.

[Hayden]

Okay. Okay.

[Stephen Walker]

Or maybe he just flips it on its head at the end and just needs them initially for a few things, and then he changes everything. I don't know. But he's obviously not giving all the information right now. And the way it's written, the author obviously wants you to at least, at the very least think that.

[Hayden]

Yes. And I think that's a really astute observation by you, because this will become a theme throughout the story. Kelsier not telling people the full story.

[Stephen Walker]

And you really don't want to tell people the full story. If you're in that position of power, you want to give them the truth that they can handle for the job that needs to be done.

[Hayden]

Yes.

[Stephen Walker]

So I can. I can see what he's doing. I love the fact that I got to this point. I'm like, oh, yeah, heist. I love a heist. Yeah, every dude loves a good. Everybody loves a good heist.

[Hayden]

Oh, yeah. You hear the word heist, and in any kind of format, whether it's Ocean's Eleven or Inception, and you're in.

[Stephen Walker]

Yeah.

[Hayden]

So what's the plan? Well, the broad idea is this. Kelsier's crew will work to build up and provide an army for Yeton. Then the crew will neutralize the Luthadel garrison and stir up a Scar rebellion within the city, which will incapacitate the city's police force. That will open up an opportunity for Yedin's army to seize the city. And from there, they will be able to take the Lord Ruler's source of adium, which Kelsier's crew will take half of as payment for the job. Now, what is Atium? Well, it's the rarest and most valuable known allomantic metal. And the Lord Ruler stockpiles the world's supply and sells it in small quantities to noble houses so that he can control the market.

[Stephen Walker]

Is this the tenth metal?

[Hayden]

I suppose it would technically be the tenth metal, yes, because there's eight basic.

[Stephen Walker]

And then there's two after that. Basically.

[Hayden]

Yes, exactly. The Lord Ruler losing his adium reserves would cripple his financial strength, making it impossible to keep the empire in line. And Kelsior drops one more bombshell. He knows where the atium is mined. It's at the pits of Hathsden.

[Stephen Walker]

What we heard that name earlier.

[Hayden]

Exactly. Which is the place where he was sent to. And he escaped. The place isn't a prison. It's a mine. Breeze and Ham, after some gentle coaxing from Kelsier, are in. Clubs, however, basically calls Kelsier an idiot for even considering to try and PC Pieces out, and Kelsier just lets him go, which is shocking to them. Again, this is just another instance of Kelsier and his crew acting counter to everything she has come to expect from thieving teams. Friendship and trust has never been a part of the equation, and Vin has a point. If Clubs leaks this plan to anyone, the entire crew is dead. But when? Yet in protests their decision to let Clubs leave, Dachshund simply says, quote, we wouldn't invite someone to one of these meetings unless we trusted him not to betray us.

[Stephen Walker]

I love that there's. There's. It just kind of sets those people apart from your general thieves or your average thieves. Absolutely good thieves.

[Hayden]

And it serves to make the cognitive dissonance in Ben's head even stronger, because Dachshund says it as if it's nothing. Yeah, but there's still one person in the room who hasn't given their answer. So Kelsier looks to Vin and asks her if she wants to be a part of this job. And Vin is shocked. After all, Kelsier knows that he has the information about her powers that Vin is so desperate for. Why would he even ask? But this isn't about power or leverage anymore. This is about Vin having the agency to decide if she wants to be a part of this team as an equal. Chill. Count up to three. So she simply says, I'm in. And she joins the crew at the table. Kelsier then reveals two more things. This guy always holds secrets, huh? One, he coyly lets the group know that Ven isn't just a Misting. She's a Mistborn, which has quite the effect on the overall morale of the crew. After all, Mistborn are so rare that having two on the team will do wonders for their odds of success. And second, if he gets the chance, Kelsier plans on killing the Lord Ruler. But how could he possibly do that? The Lord Ruler is supposed to be immortal and the most powerful allomancer on the planet.

[Stephen Walker]

Supposed to be. That's a key word, I think. You know, they always. The people of power always chalk themselves up to be more powerful than they really are. It's like the dude behind the curtain, the wizard of Oz.

[Hayden]

I think you're going to learn here. Steven. In this case, the Lord ruler can back it up. Well, Kelsier throws a medal onto the table and claims that this is the legendary 11th metal. And apparently the Lord rulers only weakened weakness. He claims he found it, quote, in a land near the far peninsula, a land where people still remember what their old kingdom was called in the days before the ascension. I love this moment because it gives us just a taste of what kind of bigger world is out there beyond Luthadel. Now, Kelsier is pretty clear that he doesn't know really how the 11th metal works or how it can kill the Lord Ruler, but he's going to work to find it out. And so the chapter closes with Vin's inner dialogue. Quote, I've bound myself to a madman, then thought with resignation. But that didn't really matter, not as long as he taught her allomancy and oh boy, teacher allomancy. He will.

[Stephen Walker]

That was the last line, too.

[Hayden]

That was the last line.

[Stephen Walker]

Oh, such great last lines. Well done, Brandy. Sandy.

[Hayden]

It was. I would rake that one as at the bottom of the the list chapter. Last line so far, but still very good.

[Stephen Walker]

I will say this. This is a theory I have.

[Hayden]

Okay.

[Stephen Walker]

I'll say more about it at the end, but I don't think whatever he's holding, that's the 11th metal. I think the 11th metal exists because somebody mentions it in this group. I don't think that's really it. I think he's just holding a trinket and just saying it's. It does something.

[Hayden]

So you think Kelsier is like a snake oil salesman at this point?

[Stephen Walker]

Oh, yeah, yeah. Oh, yeah. Buy this miracle spring water. It'll cure stuff. Yeah, sure. No, it's not going to do anything. I think he's just trying to get somebody on his side.

[Hayden]

Okay, Interesting. Okay.

[Stephen Walker]

It may exist and he may have it. I just. Don't show your cards too quickly. And I think he is. Is pulling.

[Hayden]

You want to see the proof first?

[Stephen Walker]

Yeah.

[Hayden]

So I think the skepticism is well deserved. Stephen, would you please read the epigraph of chapter five, the last chapter we will cover in today's episode.

[Stephen Walker]

I don't understand what I'm supposed to do. The terrorist philosophers claim that I'll know my duty when the time comes, but that's a small comfort. The deepness must be destroyed. And apparently I'm the only one who can do so. Though it ravages the world even now, if I don't stop it soon, there will be nothing left in this land but bones and dust.

[Hayden]

We are back in Vin's POV and we are still at the lair. Breeze, Ham and Yeton have all left after the meeting and Kelsier has found some wine in a drawer with a false back and rather proud of himself. Kelsier gives us his motto, which will become one of the more important lines of the series and in my opinion is part of Sanderson's writing philosophy. Quote there's always another secret. I love this idea so much because it captures why we love reading fantasy stories in the first place. Sure, we love the characters and magic, but more than anything we love the feeling of adventure. And this line is a rallying cry for us readers. When you close a book, find another one. Or hey, maybe just reread the one you just read. Because there's always more to learn, to explore. There's always another secret.

[Stephen Walker]

Yeah, I like that.

[Hayden]

Vin notes that she feels like she should have left too, but Kelsier and Dachshund are just hanging out. Then thinks to herself quote Dachshund and Kelsier seem to take it for granted that she would remain with them, then doesn't know what it's like to be given agency, the choice to stay or leave. But that is the fundamental difference between Kelsier's crew and the people Vin has been forced to associate with her whole life. This is about being a part of something, an equal member in a team that is working towards a goal. Then doesn't know what trust feels like. In fact, it feels wrong in this moment. But as she spends more time with Kelsier and the crew, she will start to come into her own. The conversation turns to Kelsier and his need for more adium. Turns out he used up his last bit during his destruction of Lord Trusting's manor. Dachshund then asks Hel how he plans on getting more, but before he can answer, someone comes down the stairs to join the group and it's Clubs. But he's not alone. A quote thin, awkward looking teenage boy is close behind him. Turns out when Clubs left earlier he was still open to the job, but he wanted to think clearly without Breeze the Soother around to influence his emotions. He tells Kell that he is in and he doesn't even want payment. He's only interested in the downfall of the Lord Ruler. This dude is just in it for the love of the game. Essentially. Clubs doesn't think this plan is going to work and he's very outspoken about that. But when Dachshund asks why he'd bother helping, he says quote because the Lord Ruler is going to get me sooner or later. Later. At least this way, I'll be able to spit in his face as I go overthrowing the final empire. It's got style.

[Stephen Walker]

I love that life style. Oh, man.

[Hayden]

And with that clubs and the young boy. Peace out. Now we're switching over to Kelsier's pov. We are now on the roof, and since night has fallen, we are in the mist. Mist is a source of terror for so many, but we see now that the mist is a source of comfort and nostalgia for Kelsier. We're given a little bit of insight into what life was like for Kelsier before he was captured by the Lord Ruler. You see, Kelsier, his wife, mare, and dachshund used to make a living on stealing from the most wealthy houses in Luthadel. After some discussion, Kelsier decides he's going to raid House Venture after all. Since they're the wealthiest house in the city currently, they're definitely going to have at least some attium to steal. So with that, he whips on his Mistborn cloak, which has become an iconic image from the series. It's described as a dark gray cloak, large and enveloping. The cloak wasn't constructed from a single piece of cloth. Rather, it was made up of hundreds of long ribbon like strips. They were sewn together at the shoulders and across the chest, but mostly they hung separate from one another, like overlapping streamers. Now, if you are having a hard time visualizing the Mistborn cloak in your head, there are tons of great fan art examples out there on the Internet. Go ahead and look them up. You see, Mistborn cloaks are colored and constructed to hide one among the mists. And it works as a kind of warning to guards or other owlmancers to not even try messing with them because they're so much more powerful than your normal owlmancer.

[Stephen Walker]

They're kind of like camouflaged into the mist.

[Hayden]

Yeah, basically.

[Stephen Walker]

Okay.

[Hayden]

Yeah. And so, before he leaves, Kelsier takes off every bit of metal from his body, including his shoes. This ensures that no other owlmancers could pull or push on him with their powers. He also puts two glass daggers into sheaths. All he has with him now is a pouch of metal coins and three vials of metal shaped savings. This is so cool. As you're reading this, you're like, oh, duh. Of course they'd use glass daggers. So they're not battling with metal that can be manipulated. Kelsier throws a single coin. Yeah. Exactly like that.

[Stephen Walker]

You miss on the first read.

[Hayden]

Exactly. Kelsier throws a single coin off the side of the building and leaps into the open air. Now it is time for our first real instance of major owlmancy use in our story. Buckle up. I thought it would be best for me to quote the next moments so that we can spell out what's happening. Quote. Kelsier turned and walked back up onto the roof's ledge. Then he jumped off the building. Mist curled in the air around him. He burned steel, second of the basic almantic metals. Translucent blue lines sprang into existence around him, visible only to his eyes. Each one led from the center of his chest out to a nearby source of metal. The lines were all relatively faint, a sign that they pointed to metal sources that were small door hinges, nails, and other bits. The type of source metal didn't matter. Burning iron or steel would point blue lines at all kinds of metal, assuming they were close enough and large enough to be noticeable.

[Stephen Walker]

Oh, this is like Revelio.

[Hayden]

It's so cool.

[Stephen Walker]

From Rick and Hogwarts legacy.

[Hayden]

Yeah, it's so cool. Kelsier chose the line that pointed directly beneath him toward his coin. Burning steel. He pushed against the coin. His descent immediately stopped and he was thrown back up into the air in the opposite direction. Along the blue line. He reached out to the side, selecting a passing window clasp, and pushed against it, angling himself to the side. The careful nudge sent him up and above the lip of the building, directly across the street from Ben's lair.

[Stephen Walker]

So this metal reveals other metals.

[Hayden]

Steel and iron are both push and pull metals. So they allow you to either push or pull on any metals that you can find. But in order, it also pushes out these blue translucent lines so you can see where all the different metals are, which allows you to kind of plan your flight path as you're using it.

[Stephen Walker]

To traverse on the. Yeah, it's like a route on a game map.

[Hayden]

Yes, it is.

[Stephen Walker]

So can anybody see these blue lines or is it just the person burning?

[Hayden]

It's just you when you activate it. Obviously there's the traversal aspect to these metals, but you also potentially could use it to find people if they're hiding, if they have metal on their person.

[Stephen Walker]

What about if they have metal inside them?

[Hayden]

We'll get to that later.

[Stephen Walker]

Iron and steel, you say do this, but they distinct in other ways.

[Hayden]

No, they do the basically the same thing, except one pushes and one pulls.

[Stephen Walker]

Okay, so the one that pulls is the one that does the blue lines or the one that both of them.

[Hayden]

Do the blue lines.

[Stephen Walker]

Okay, so when you say push or pull, what does that.

[Hayden]

So, like, think about it this way. So he threw off this coin off the side of the building, Right. When he jumps off the building, he pushes on the coin that's on the ground so it can't move, and that causes him to launch into the air. However, let's say he just drops.

[Stephen Walker]

So he's like spider man.

[Hayden]

He's like spider man.

[Stephen Walker]

Blue lines.

[Hayden]

Yep, yep. But let's say essentially he dropped the coin and he didn't want to. He could pull on the metal for it to come back to his hand.

[Stephen Walker]

Right. But if he wants to fly, he's pushing, Most likely.

[Hayden]

Yeah. I love getting to see Kelsier Applying allomancy In so many different ways. Yes, he essentially flies to keep venture through pushing and pulling. But he also uses iron, the pulling metal, to find large sources of metal sourcing, which anchor would be the strongest to pull on, Giving him the best leap possible. He even burns pewter to enhance his strength, Anticipating a rough landing on the stone wall of the keep so that his bones won't break. In a moment, we see that Kelsier is truly a savant of allomancy. Next, Kelsier kills his way inside, Slitting the throat of a guard, Breaking into lord Venture's study. As this happens, we start to notice that Kelsior Isn't just trying to rob the place and make it out quietly, as he puts it. He wants to make a bit of noise. Now, in the study, Kelsier rips a secret safe from the wall by flaring pewter and iron. And as soon as it's ripped from the wall, Two guards come into the room, and Kel kills them very quickly. We're starting to get a real picture of Kelsier in battle and his true hatred for nobles. His anger was quiet, not as fierce as it had been the night he'd killed lord trusting. But he felt it still, felt it in the itching of his scars and in the remembered screams of the woman he loved. As far as Kelsier was concerned, Any man who upheld the final empire Also forfeited his right to live. So Kelsier is a bit bloodthirsty. And guess what? He's getting his wish. Because what happens next is an absolute blur of violence. Kelsier is interrupted as he's trying to escape by eight haze killers. They're not alomancers, but they are soldiers who have been trained to specifically fight mistings and mistborns. And also they carry zero metal on their person that could be manipulated by an owlmancer.

[Stephen Walker]

Haze Killers.

[Hayden]

Haze Killers, yes. One by one, Kelsier kills the Haze Killers in more creative ways and even launches one out of a window into the mist. And just when Kelsier thought he had had his fill, a group of Mistings joined the party. Kell decides that it's time to go and leaps out the window, also pulling on the safe. Safe. Ultimately, he's able to escape. And even better, the safe shattered, with the fall opening up for Kel to take its contents. Turns out all this trouble wasn't for nothing, because in addition to some gemstones and letters of credit lies a small pouch that contains the adium he came here for. And the chapter ends with a chilling line that not only gives us more insight into Kelsier's opinion of nobles, it pokes at us readers, daring us to ask if we're really comfortable with Kelsier's methods. Quote. No, this night was not a waste. Even if he hadn't found the adium, any night that ended with a group of dead noblemen was a successful one, in Kelsier's opinion. And we will pick up a chapter six in the next episode.

[Stephen Walker]

Oh, yeah, that was a good. That was a good one. I like that. So, I mean, at this point, we think the noblemans are bad.

[Hayden]

I mean, objectively, they are bad. They. They profit off of the labor of the SCA and do not treat them well. But we are asked this question of, just because someone is bad and some noblemen are bad, does that mean all of them are lumped into one group? And does it make it okay for us to throw them out of windows and slit their throats?

[Stephen Walker]

Now he's a philosophizer.

[Hayden]

So, Stephen, after reading these first five chapters, what's your overall impression? Are you enjoying it so far?

[Stephen Walker]

Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah. I love it. It's really good. I like the heist thing in the book. I like the way it's written so far. I like the characters. I like the world that is being built. I really like the magic system. It's nothing like I've ever read before. Yeah, which is kind of what you want. You don't want this generic. Oh, it's just magic. It's like, oh, this is why it works. This is how it works. I'm really having a good time with it. And like I said earlier, I hated the fact I had to stop at 5 because what's next? I can't keep reading because I have to be in the dark for each episode.

[Hayden]

Absolutely. I love it. All right, Stephen, now is the time where you and I are going to give out our winner and loser of the week awards. Stephen, why don't you go first? Can you give us your loser of the week week?

[Stephen Walker]

The loser of the week is obviously trusting because he's dead. And I feel like if you die, you lose. Unless you go out, like as a self sacrifice. Right. Kind of a. Oh, he's a good guy. Long live you. But you're dead now anyway. No, yeah, totally him. Plus, he was a bad guy while he was alive. So loser is trusting.

[Hayden]

Okay. And your winner.

[Stephen Walker]

I'm going with Vin Damsel because she's finding out her abilities. She's changing her current situation. She gets to go under the wing of Kelsier seemingly. I don't know, she just. She's budding into what I perceive to be hopefully will be this amazing female main character.

[Hayden]

Okay, perfect. So I took a little bit of a different direction with my winner and loser. I had my winner as Kelsier.

[Stephen Walker]

Oh, you went obvious.

[Hayden]

The badass moments per page for Kelsier here is out of control. From amazing one liners to just sick allomancy feats. I just think he was on a whole other level.

[Stephen Walker]

I didn't want to go with the obvious answer though, you know?

[Momentous Supplement Announcer]

Know what I mean?

[Stephen Walker]

Plus, I feel like Vin. I don't know.

[Hayden]

Yeah, trust me. Then will have her moments to shine in due time. And for my loser, I'm going with Cayman. Cayman is a perfect example of how cruelty knows no creed or social class. Power corrupts every part of the society, and the ska are not exempt. Cayman is someone who has been stepped on and abused in his own ways throughout his life, of course. But as soon as he has gained any kind of leverage or power over someone, he decides to use that power to abuse those around him. Massive Ls for Cayman in the chat.

[Stephen Walker]

Yeah, it's like bullies from school. I mean, most of them have terrible lives, but that doesn't mean you get to bully other people.

[Hayden]

Exactly.

[Stephen Walker]

Way to do that.

[Hayden]

You don't get a free pass.

[Stephen Walker]

Right.

[Hayden]

So Stephen now, I think is my favorite part of the episode. It is time for you to predict what happens next in these set of chapters, and I will give you a percentage of how right you are.

[Stephen Walker]

Okay. Everybody gets metal and they live happily ever after.

[Hayden]

Zero percent.

[Stephen Walker]

I'm kidding. So first off, I think the smiling skull at the beginning, the prologue is Kelsier.

[Hayden]

Okay.

[Stephen Walker]

I think he was there doing some Recon work. And since he's half skull, that makes sense. He would just kind of embody that role and just for a second. So I think that was him. I also think that Dachshund's gonna die. Not because I want him to die, but because there's always that best. I don't think Kelsier is gonna die, but because he's like the main guy. So I think one of his friends is gonna die just to keep the story emotional and moving. Let's see. I think Vin is gonna fly for the first time. I also think that it maybe the next chapter, some pervy dude is going to try to hit on young Vin, and Kelsier is going to either kill him or just make him very injured. So they'll be at the shitting pig, or whatever we call the pig. The pig and shit. And yeah, he's going to kill somebody. And I also think, and I said this earlier, that the 11th medal that Kelsier had is fake, or at least the one he's holding is fake, and it's just a trinket to try to sway people into following him.

[Hayden]

Okay, this is interesting because I'm having a hard time figuring out what percent you're. Because. Because one of your answers, number one, has already been confirmed.

[Stephen Walker]

What?

[Hayden]

That Kelsier was the smiling ska.

[Stephen Walker]

Oh, it was?

[Hayden]

Yeah.

[Stephen Walker]

So when did I say that? Or when did it say that?

[Hayden]

It's basically confirmed in the prologue, so that's one. But I'll give it.

[Stephen Walker]

See how right I was.

[Hayden]

I'll give it to you. And then one of your things does happen, but not in this book. So I'm gonna give you 40%. You're 40% right. Which I think is an exceptional score for a first time trying this.

[Stephen Walker]

Is it exceptional or is it predictable? That's the story too predictable, or am I just a genius?

[Hayden]

Oh, I promise you the story is not predictable. I'm sure it's not, so excellent. Well, great job with that, Stephen. Okay, everybody, that is it for episode one of our deep dive of Mistborn.

[Stephen Walker]

Hey, and if you like this, you can actually check out episode two right now on our feedback, a little episode dump for you. And episode three will be coming out Wednesday, November 12th.

[Hayden]

Also, if you haven't yet, check out our interview with Pierce Brown, author of the Red Rising series. It was such an awesome conversation and we think you'll really love it.

[Stephen Walker]

Yeah, it was really good. Also, please be sure to give us a five star rating if you love this podcast and review it on any podcast platform that you listen to this on and give us a follow on Instagram and tick tock at Fantasy Fanfellas.

[Hayden]

And lastly, if you loved this episode and you have any friends who you have been begging to take the Sanderson plunge, go ahead and share this episode with them. It may be just the push they need. Okay, see you next episode. Bye.

[Fantasy Fanfellas Host 2]

Yay. Wasn't that so much fun? We hope you enjoyed episode one of Fantasy Fanfellas.

[Fantasy Fanfellas Host 1]

And if you want to listen to episode two, it's actually available right now on the Fantasy Fanfellas podcast feed. And hey, that's where you can also find Hayden and Steven's interview with Pierce Brown. I can't say that enough.

[Fantasy Fanfellas Host 2]

Be sure to follow the Fantasy Fanfellas podcast feed for new episodes every Wednesday and give the show a follow on social media Antasy Fanfellas on Instagram and slash or TikTok.

[Fantasy Fanfellas Host 1]

And last but most certainly not least, do not forget to share this episode with your friends. If you have been peer pressuring that one friend of yours to read Mistborn for forever, this is the perfect opportunity for them to join in the read along.

[Fantasy Fanfellas Host 2]

All right friends, thank you so much for listening to this episode one of the Fantasy Femme. Fellas, we will see you later. Bye bye bye.

[Hayden]

Dude, did you order the new iPhone 17 Pro? Got it from Verizon, the best 5G network in America.

[Stephen Walker]

I never look so good.

[Hayden]

You look the same, but with this camera everything looks better.

[Stephen Walker]

Especially me.

[Hayden]

You haven't changed your hair in 15 years. Sell these.

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[Stephen Walker]

Just just one rogue agent can do.

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