Mistborn Era 3's Popular Villain Theory Would Hurt The Next Book (& The Original Series)

SPOILERS for the Mistborn series and The Stormlight Archive Book 4

A popular villain theory for Mistborn Era 3 has its appeals, but it risks hurting the saga’s overarching narrative and the upcoming continuation. The first Mistborn series, Era 1, consists of three novels in a quintessentially medieval fantasy setting, while Era 2 jumps ahead 300 years on the Scadrial timeline with technological advancements and cultural changes. The next Mistborn book will continue this trend, picking up events decades later in a technological era resembling the real world’s 1980s, with early computers and developing nerd culture.

Despite advancing significantly through time, the Mistborn books have found ways to maintain consistency between eras. For example, Sazed was a main character in Mistborn Era 1, and there are still glimpses of his personality in Era 2, when he orchestrates events as the god, Harmony. Other characters, like Marsh and TenSoon, are shown to still be alive in Mistborn Era 2. Not to mention, the iconic Mistborn magic system and the world-building of Scadrial tie things together. That continuity provides some clues at the grander narrative, leaving room to theorize despite not having much info on Era 3.

A Popular Mistborn Era 3 Theory Dubs Kelsier The Villain Of The Next Book Series

Kelsier Has Been Built Up As A Wild Card In The Cosmere

Though very few plot details are known about Era 3, there are some fascinating Mistborn theories regarding the state of Scadrial, who the antagonists will be, and how the upcoming trilogy’s events will tie in with the larger Cosmere. One such theory suggests that Kelsier will be a central antagonist for at least one of the forthcoming books. After The Lord Ruler killed Kelsier in what seemed to be a definitive fashion in The Final Empire, the character’s journey has been re-routed.

The novella Mistborn: Secret History shows what happens to Kelsier following his death, taking him to the Cognitive Realm. There, he interacts with many of the events of the original trilogy, speaking to characters like Hoid and Spook. Sometime after Era 1, Kelsier finds a way to regain a physical form and operate from the shadows. He hasn’t had a prominent role in any book since The Final Empire, but he’s been revealed to be orchestrating events in The Stormlight Archive and in Mistborn Era 2, indicating he has a significant role to play in the Cosmere universe.

It’s hard to say precisely what Kelsier has planned. Brandon Sanderson once described him, saying (via Arcanum), “Kelsier is a little frightening to me as a writer, just because he’s a character that I can’t guarantee will make good decisions.” Kelsier may have the best intentions of Scadrial and the Cosmere in mind, but he’s still a bit of a wild card, and he can’t be trusted to make level-headed choices. Like many of Sanderson’s antagonists, if Kelsier becomes the bad guy, he may most likely have good intentions but commit a terrible act to achieve his goals.

One Kelsier fan theory (via 17thShard) ties him to the original Hero of Ages prophecy, suggesting that he may, at some point, acquire Harmony’s Shards. A hypothetical villain arc could see him not trusting Harmony to do what’s necessary, finding a way to steal the Shards, and ultimately failing or making the situation worse, losing the trust of the Era 3 heroes. He will undoubtedly be an unpredictable player going forward.

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Why Making Kelsier Mistborn Era 3’s Villain Would Be A Huge Mistake

Kelsier Is Still A Beloved Character With An Important Arc In The Final Empire

Maintaining Kelsier as a figure in his overarching narrative is terrific, providing some ties to the trilogy that’s been the entry point to Brandon Sanderson’s books for many readers. As much as Kelsier is a flawed character who isn’t necessarily good or evil, he’s a beloved figure in the Cosmere due to his role in The Final Empire, the best Mistborn book. Transforming Kelsier too far into a villain could betray many of the warm feelings readers have for the original book and the iconic heist team.

The Next Book Would Ruin Kelsier’s Original Character Arc With This Twist

Kelsier Is Shown To Care Deeply About His Friends, Making Him A Likable Character Despite Complexity

In The Final Empire, Kelsier is the hero Scadrial needs, as he’s charismatic, energetic, and has the can-do attitude necessary to spark a rebellion and convince people to follow him. However, the world has changed significantly, and Kelsier hasn’t. He still sees himself as a man who needs to act, but he doesn’t understand the situation as well as he might’ve understood the politics of the Final Empire. With that in mind, it makes perfect sense that he will, at some point, make a reckless and costly decision. However, completely vilifying him could damage his arc and the original Mistborn series.

Kelsier’s letter to Vin at the end of the first book is one of the most gut-wrenching moments in Sanderson’s stories, sending off his character arc on an emotional note, suggesting that he made a sacrifice with love in his heart for Vin and for his late wife, Mare. No matter what Kelsier does in the Cosmere’s future, his innermost values should always reflect the sentiment of his letter in The Final Empire. He cares deeply about those he loves, even to the point where he puts aside his prejudices for Luthadel’s nobility to save Elend out of respect and admiration for Vin.

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Mistborn Can Bring Back Kelsier Without Making Him The Bad Guy

If Kelsier Does Something Bad, He Should Have A Chance At Redemption

If Mistborn Era 3 is going to make Kelsier a prominent character with a substantial arc, there are ways to do so without making him the antagonist. Of course, if Kelsier is an antagonist in one book or some sort of antihero, it would indeed be fascinating to see him make some costly mistake in an effort for the greater good. This aligns with much of what Sanderson has said about the character. However, the most optimal way to execute this narrative would be for Kelsier to seek redemption for what he’s done after the fact, and ultimately succeed.

Sanderson made another comment about Kelsier that’s interesting (via Arcanum), saying, “He’s a psychopath–meaning the actual, technical term. Lack of empathy, egotism, lack of fear.” With that in mind, Kelsier being a psychopath means that his acts of good and acts of empathy aren’t natural, but instead come with conscious intent. He directly tries to be good, as the feelings that make characters like Vin or Elend compassionate don’t come naturally to him.

In the years following his rebirth, Kelsier is without friends and family like he once had, and it would therefore make sense why he’d struggle to have empathy and could plausibly make an impulsive decision. It would be interesting to see Kelsier develop a bond with Era 3’s protagonist, who’s meant to be a young woman and have his redemption come from admiration for her, reminding him of the values that made him heroic in Mistborn Era 1.

Sources: Arcanum, 17thShard