Brandon Sanderson's Cosmere

Explore the wondrous realms of the Cosmere, the massive, interconnected universe of novels written by fantasy author Brandon Sanderson. Thousands of years ago, the mysterious Adonalsium shattered into sixteen pieces. These Shards journeyed to new planets, where they established diverse and fantastical magic systems. The stories taking place on these planets can be found in The Stormlight Archive, Mistborn, Elantris, and other novels by Sanderson. I've created sixteen dioramas containing either specific moments from the books, or non-specific moments that would commonly occur on the planet in question. I've also crammed as many Easter Eggs into the background as possible, keep an eye out, there's always another secret...

 

Due to the current prevalence of Mistborn and The Stormlight Archive, I chose to devote the main display ring to dramatic moments from both series.

 

Travel to the planet Roshar (setting of The Stormlight Archive), where humans bond with spren to become Radiants and gain control over forces of nature. Join Kaladin and Shallan as they are confronted by a titanic Chasmfiend, the apex predator of Roshar, deep within the chasms of the Shattered Plains. Kaladin wields a Shardblade while Shallan uses her sketches and illusory abilities to distract the beast. Alternatively, reconfigure the chasm walls into the top of a plateau, where Adolin and Dalinar battle the enormous creature. Encased in Shardplate and wielding their Shardblades, they face down the monstrous crustacean with honor and skill.

 

Mistborn takes place on Scadrial; a planet with radically different ecologies between two eras of note. During the days of the Final Empire, ash falls from the sky as Kelsier trains Vin to use her Mistborn abilities. Before long, the smiling thief finds himself in a fierce telekinetic pushing match with his protege; a coin balanced precariously between them while the dark palace of Kredik Shaw looms in the background.

 

In a new Era of Scadrial, adventures await! Lord Waxillium Ladrian, his deputy Wayne, and the curious Marasi Colms are caught off guard by an explosion in his lab. While Wayne extends time with a speed bubble, Wax uses his weight manipulation powers to crash through the floor and make a path to safety! Meanwhile, Steris is not too pleased with Wayne's latest trade...

 

The lower ring features a series of twelve vignettes displaying other events from both Roshar and Scadrial, as well as the planets of Nalthis, Sel, Threnody, and others. Worldhop like Hoid and see the sights the Cosmere has to offer.

 

Travel to Taldain, where the Sand Masters traverse the perpetually sunny Dayside and command thin ribbons of sand as extensions of their will!

Marvel at the breathtaking world of Nalthis, where Awakeners use Breath to animate items made of cloth, stone, and even metal!

Follow the rules on Threnody; for it does not do to enrage the Shades…

Tread carefully on the island of Patji, while the Aviar can help shield you from harm, the jungle still has dangers lurking at every turn!

 

Sel:

See the majestic city of Elantris, where the Elantrians never age or sicken; and the most skilled can alter the world around them with a calculated swish of their fingers.

Visit the Rose Empire, where Shai labors in the moonlight to save an Emperor. Using Forgery, the power to alter an object in the present by rewriting its history, she hopes to save him as well as improve the conditions of her room.

 

Scadrial

Take in the splendor of Keep Venture’s grand ballroom; a sight to behold with its immense stained-glass windows and propensity for extravagant balls. Seeking some calm, Vin discovers Elend's favorite reading spot!

Discover the absolutely true, not-at-all-exaggerated adventures, of Allomancer Jak!

 

Roshar:

A Singer uses the power of the continent sized Highstorms and the spren contained within a gemstone to change their physical form. Beware if they choose Stormform…

During the Battle of Thaylen Field, Honor’s Perpendicularity refuels the Radiants, while the Thrill emerges from the ocean, and the Everstorm comes…

In the realm of Shadesmar, items in the normal world are represented as churning oceans of dark beads. A Starspren glides serenely past the stronghold of Lasting Integrity, the glowing capital of the proud and noble Honorspren. A Cryptic and Syl explore the near side of the ocean of beads.

Lift… is stealing the Prime of Azir’s dinner. Using her powers to negate friction and become awesome, courtesy of her “Personal Voidbringer,” this Edgedancer glides through the dining room like a skater on ice.

Finally, the top ring features Brandon and Hoid discussing the Cosmere. The library where they are sitting is littered with souvenirs from the latter’s travels. On bookshelves are the books that currently make up the Cosmere, while secret projects are hiding in plain sight on his desk.

 

The minifigures I chose to include are Kaladin, Shallan, Adolin, Sylphrena, Pattern, Dalinar, Lift, Szeth, Jasnah, a Singer, Kelsier, Vin (Mistcloak and Ballgown), Elend, Sazed, and Inquisitor, Wax, Wayne, Marasi, Steris, Shai, Hoid, and Brandon Sanderson himself. I also included brick-built models or parts representing Syl, Pattern, a Sand Master, Vasher, Wyndle, a Shade and of course, a Chasmfiend!

I believe that the spirit of adventure that fills every book in the Cosmere would translate well to a LEGO Set. Due to the distinctive designs of the creatures and settings, the Chasmfiend and Scadrial scenes in particular represent fascinating locations and interesting imagery providing the opportunity for unique builds. The biggest challenge of this set wasn’t what to include, but what would have to be left out. From a business collaboration standpoint, Dragonsteel Entertainment’s ideals of “Err[ing] on the side of Awesome” would mesh well with LEGO’s culture of “Only the Best is Good Enough”. Additionally, interest in the Cosmere has been skyrocketing in recent years! In 2022, the release of four secret books and the launch of a monthly subscription box resulted in the most successful Kickstarter in history. Following that, the Cosmere Role-Playing Game launched this summer as the 3^rd most funded Kickstarter ever, showing that Cosmere fans are excited for new mediums to depict their favorite stories!

As a personal note, I started designing this project in early 2022 and I have been truly overwhelmed by the support I have received. I’ve gotten compliments on the build from fans of the Cosmere, fans of LEGO, and Brandon Sanderson himself! Bringing the worlds of the Cosmere to life in LEGO has been such a fun project over the last few years, and I would love to see this be made into an official LEGO Set! Thank you for reading!