VenDell?” Wax guessed, putting his bullets away. The kandra was wearing a new body, but the creature’s air was distinctive. After Wax discovers a new type of explosive that can unleash unprecedented destruction and realizes that the Set must already have it, an immortal kandra serving Scadrial’s god, Harmony, reveals that Bilming has fallen under the influence of another god: Trell, worshipped by the Set. And Trell isn’t the only factor at play from the larger Cosmere—Marasi is recruited by offworlders with strange abilities who claim their goal is to protect Scadrial… at any cost.

Rusts. He really was going to have to talk to Harmony, wasn’t he? As little as Wax liked it, he was a part of this. He needed to finish what he’d begun all those years ago, when he’d fled Elendel—leaving his house to the machinations of his sister and uncle. In the aftermath, Kelsier and Harmony debate about whether Harmony should introduce technology to the people or not, and Wax lives happily with Steris and his children. The city honors Wayne by putting up a statue of him. Delivers more excitement, adventure, and magic in a newly industrialized world that is as richly realized as any of Sanderson’s creations.” — Buzzfeed on Shadows of Self Bittersweet Ending: Equally heavy on the bitter and the sweet. Wayne dies disarming the harmonium-trellium nuke, but dies a hero finally at peace with himself. Civil war with the rest of the Basin cities has been averted, but the problems that lead to it still somewhat remain. The Malwish retake the Bands of Mourning and close off most channels with the Basin, implying Scadrial is about to enter its equivalent of the Cold War. Autonomy agrees to leave the planet and Harmony alone... for now, and it's implied that other forces and Shards out in the Cosmere are still VERY interested in Scadrial. Wax is finally allowed to retire from Harmony's service, but Harmony's Shards are starting to become more at odds with one another. Harmony nevertheless agrees to help Kelsier start advancing Scadrial's technology to better prepare itself for the wider Cosmere.

Wayne,” Jaxy said, “I’ve… wanted to talk to you about that. The way you treat that girl. I realize today might not be the best day…”

Gotta pretend I can’t see your cards, friends,” Wayne said. “Otherwise, where’s the sport in it? Cheatin’s one thing, but if I can just see what you’re going to do, then… well, might as well be playin’ with myself. And there are much funner ways to do that.” After the events of The Bands of Mourning, the Basin managed to avoid immediate civil war—but that does not mean all is done. Now, years later, Lord Waxilium Ladrian finds himself fighting hard in the legislature, struggling against both the Set's machinations and the nobility's own fear and stubbornness. He tries, and fails, to defeat a bill that will grant the Governor of Elendel complete authority over the entire Basin... without any say from anyone outside the city.

To be honest,” she said, “I’m proud of you, Wayne. How you’re handling this. It’s relatively mature.”

Control Freak: Autonomy is this one, in a case of Dramatic Irony lampshaded by many of her own underlings. Despite wanting her followers to be rugged individuals, she's not afraid to pull a You Have Failed Me. She wants them individually and freely choose what she thinks is best. Best demonstrated with the city of Bilming. Every house is designed to be completely unique... but they all come from the plans of a single architect. Steelpushes. Force transference. The Cycle wasn’t the only one using powers they weren’t practiced with. She retrieved the flash-bangs from her pouch and handed one to him. Then she pulled the pin on the other to light the fuse. “Ready,” she said. Even if he had “plenty,” bendalloy was rare and expensive. They needed to be careful with it. Once, Wax had assumed this kind of experience—not just the height, but the motion while traversing the city from above—would always be reserved for Coinshots. Then the Malwish airships had taken that assumption and tossed it out a window from three thousand feet.A fresh view of how a world can grow, building new dimensions into the best of the old. Sanderson continues to show that he is one of the best authors in the genre.” — Library Journal, starred review, on The Alloy of Law Your end,” the voice whispered. “Your end comes. Either in ash, or at the hands of the men of gold and red. Gold and—” Two of which was dumb,” he said sullenly. “One was apparently also geriatric. Same jokes as Lord Harms. I’m losing my edge, I am.” He met her eyes, then grinned. “Does this mean I get to be the grumpy old one in the partnership? You can be the young spunky one what swears all the time and makes bad life decisions.” Sure it is,” Wayne said. “If that’s the guy payin’ them, those other sods got no reason to keep fightin’.”