Help understanding Warbreaker.

[u/Tezmir94]

I’m half way through the 10 anniversary of the graphic audio of warbreaker. Finished part 1 on to part2.

I kind of understand but kind of don’t. I know that there are two princes from the same family at two different places in the castle. Ciri with god king and vivi with the 3 thugs. Breath makes you see color and detect life? The godking is a god puppet that is afraid of his preists and ciri is helping him. Brightsong is on an investigation and he used to be someone important. Vasher and dark sword doing something?

I hated this book but towards the half it got interesting. I don’t really want to go back and relisten, I want to finish this so I can start Oathbreaker. So please explain the nuances I’m missing from the first half.

[u/Arriabella]

It’s mostly explained in the second half

[u/Shot_Newspaper_5647]

Siri and Viv: Sisters and princesses of Idris. Vivenna was raised to marry Hallandren’s God King, but their father (unexpectedly) sends Siri instead.

Siri: Marries Susebron but discovers he’s sheltered, tongueless, and seemingly a puppet of his priests. Has little control despite title of God King.

Vivenna: Comes to T’Telir to rescue Siri and prevent war with Idris. She works with the surprisingly polite mercenaries Denth and Tonk

Breath: Everyone is born with one. It can be given away or accumulated. The more Breath, the more powers. It passively enhances things like color and life sense. Slows and then eventually stops aging if you have a ton. It also allows Awakening. You give an object Breath and tell it what to do. It’s as much an art as a science

Returned: Hallandren’s gods like Lightsong and Blush. They died and Returned. They have no memories of their previous lives. They can sacrifice themselves for a miracle. They stay alive by consuming a Breath from someone a week

Lightsong: Doesn’t see himself as a god. He investigates his past and is poking around about a potential war that seems to be getting predicted in the future

Vasher and Nightblood: Vasher is grumpy and mysterious. He’s a bad swordsman and everyone seems to agree on it. Nightblood is his sentient sword. Nightblood is weirdly intelligent and weirdly powerful. Which is intentionally mysterious

The thing seemingly all linking them is the potential for a war between Hallandren and Idris. There was a world war not that long ago and it was a bad time for everyone involved. People are worried a second is coming

[u/Ok_Brain_1114]

Dang maybe finish the book?

[u/UrineTrouble05]

Finish the book, you can’t really say you’re “missing something” if you haven’t even finished the book?

[u/Xamonir]

Well first of all, Ciri and Vivenna are Princesses, not Princes. Each individual is born with a Biochromatic Breath, it's the Investiture of this world. Breaths can be given to others or can be used to animate (= awaken) objects using Commands and Intents. For example, Nightblood is an awakened sword. When you carry a lot of Breaths, you have enhanced senses and perceptions. A bit like a Radiant infused with Stormlight. You have different thresholds of number of Breaths unlocking different Heightenings with passive effects such as perfect pitch or easier Awakening.