Editing Autonomy

{{shard info
|image=Autonomy Playing Card.png
|vessel=[[Bavadin]]{{book ref|mb7|19}}
|status=Whole
|splinters=None
|magic=[[Sand mastery]], [[Starmarks]]
|residence=[[Taldain]]
|books=[[White Sand]], [[Mistborn Era 2]]
}}

{{quote
|It is when the soul is pushed to the limit that true exceptionalism manifests. And so, there must be a consequence—as final and terrible as death—for failure.
|Autonomy{{book ref|mb7|55}}
}}

'''Autonomy''' is a [[Shard]] of [[Adonalsium]], currently held by [[Bavadin]].{{book ref|mb7|19}} It's presently located on [[Taldain]], Invested in at least one of the local suns, [[AisDa]], though it possesses a number of [[Avatar|avatars]] in other worlds throughout the [[cosmere]].{{wob ref|4021}}{{au ref|Taldain}}{{wob ref|8606}}{{book ref|ws|part=ars}}

== Intent ==
{{quote
|Autonomy is driven to divide off from the rest of us, go her own way. She pushes her followers to prove themselves, and she rewards those who are bold, who survive against the odds. She respects big plans and big accomplishments.
|[[Harmony]]{{book ref|mb7|19}}
}}

Autonomy wants to remain alone; she does not wish to be corrupted by other Shards and thinks that all Shards are better off on their own.{{wob ref|9608}} She strives to become the most powerful, most untouchable Shard; to achieve this, she spreads her influence throughout the cosmere.{{book ref|mb7|20}} For her followers, she seeks those who are capable of surviving on their own and defying the odds.{{book ref|mb7|19}} Her philosophy is very much focused on the survival of the fittest. Under Autonomy's world order, one must earn their right to keep existing.{{book ref|mb7|65}}

However, this doesn't stop Autonomy from meddling in affairs of others.{{au ref|Taldain}} On the micro scale, she dictates how exactly people are allowed to express their individualism, requiring that each of them fit in her major plan in the way she, rather than they, have decided.{{book ref|mb7|20}} On the macro scale, she often intervenes with her fellow Shards, up to and including indirectly attacking them and plotting invasions of their worlds.{{book ref|mb7|19}}{{book ref|mb7|35}}

== Associated Magics ==
{{image|Sand Mastery.jpg|side=right|width=250px|[[Kenton]] using sand mastery}}

=== Sand mastery ===
{{for|Sand mastery}}
Sand mastery is the magic system of the [[Dayside]] of [[Taldain]]. Autonomy's [[Investiture]] travels through the atmosphere there and is absorbed by a small lichen living on the local sand; this has the effect of turning the sand white.{{au ref|Taldain}} Sand masters can use this to command the sand, making it move around. Sand is controlled in ribbons; the strength of a sand master is defined by how many ribbons they are capable of calling forth.{{book ref|ws|1}}{{book ref|ws|part=ars}} They do so at the cost of their internal stores of water.{{au ref|Taldain}}

It's unclear what the conditions for becoming a sand master are. The ability seems to be a combination of nature and nurture,{{book ref|ws|5}} and must be encouraged to appear in a person by another Sand master;{{book ref|ws|part=ars}} it can take weeks of training before one can control sand. At the same time, it appears to be in-born to at least some extent, as different people have different strength, and in some, the power will not appear at all.{{book ref|ws|1}}{{book ref|ws|5}}

The same [[Investiture]] used in sand mastery can be also utilized by people in other star systems, if Taldain's sun is visible from their location.{{wob ref|4770}} [[Surgebinder]]s could draw Investiture from the sun's light.{{wob ref|15339}}

=== Starmarks ===
{{for|Starmarks}}
'''Starmarks''' are a form of Invested Art on Darkside, charged by weekly pulses from [[Taldain system|Ridos]]. Those who use this art are called '''Starcarved'''. There are many similarities between starmarks and sand mastery.{{book ref|ws|part=ars}}

=== Aviar ===
{{for|Aviar}}
Aviar are a type of birds on the planet of [[First of the Sun]]. They are known for their supernatural abilities; every species of Aviar has their own, specific gift. They gain those talents by feeding on fruits of [[Patji's Finger]], a tree native to the island of [[Patji (island)|Patji]]. This fruit contains worms, which bond with Aviar to grant them their powers. Aviar abilities include hiding one's mind from those capable of perceiving it, and showing others their possible deaths.{{book ref|sixth}} As the mind of Patji is an avatar of Autonomy, it's highly likely that Aviar make use of Autonomy's Investiture.{{wob ref|8902}}

=== Avatars ===
{{image|Pantheon by Heatherly.jpeg|side=right|width=250px|[[Pantheon]], home of the [[aviar]]s and the avatar [[Patji (being)|Patji]]}}
{{quote
|Autonomy is trying to outcompete the others by filling the cosmere with versions of herself. Crowd out the competition, so to speak.
|[[Moonlight]]{{book ref|mb7|20}}
}}

Like all Shards,{{wob ref|9082}} Autonomy is able to create avatars—semi-autonomous entities that wield a portion of Autonomy's power without being wholly separate from Autonomy herself. Autonomy creates two types of avatars. One type are pieces of Autonomy that have been allowed to gain their own sentience, becoming effectively alternate identities of herself. The other are Physical beings that have been granted the use of a portion of Autonomy's power, and becoming a [[Sliver]] of her.{{book ref|mb7|19}}{{book ref|mb7|66}} Physical avatars benefit from becoming Invested, granting them immortality, as well as incredible healing and resilience.{{book ref|mb7|69}} However, they require a [[Connection]] to Autonomy herself in order to benefit from their status as an avatar; interrupting and cutting off that Connection leads them to lose the power.{{book ref|mb7|66}} While they are connected and begin to become a sliver, they also begin to take on Autonomy's intent, similar to full [[Shard]] wielders.{{book ref|mb7|66}}{{book ref|mb7|55}}

Avatars, both made and Invested, can be of any gender, race and species, including fully inhuman ones.{{wob ref|3974}} They are considered to be Shards of Adonalsium, in a way.{{wob ref|8606}} Autonomy can create avatars on different [[Cosmere#Planets|planets]] in the cosmere without physically visiting them.{{wob ref|9385}} Avatars can also form without a direct and conscious decision on Autonomy's part, but she will always be aware of this happening.{{wob ref|13220}}

Through this process, Autonomy has created several personas, both male and female; she has more female personas than male ones, though the latter are also quite popular. She prefers to make her avatars rather than herself the center of attention.{{wob ref|3974}}

==== Known avatars ====
* '''[[Sand Lord]]''', on Taldain; Taldain is also home to many other, unnamed personas of Autonomy, though it is unclear if they are all avatars or if they are all different "faces" of the Sand Lord.{{wob ref|5876}}{{wob ref|3974}} He apparently manifested himself at some point to [[Elorin]], leading to an attempt to destroy the [[Diem|sand master]]s, though whether driving sand mastery to extinction was his goal remains uncertain.{{book ref|ws|18}} The Sand Lord may have also been responsible for the schism between Kerzta and Lossand, as the siblings to found both nations, [[Kerzt]] and [[Lossa]] both claimed to have received visits from the Sand Lord, but the content of those visits were very different. Lossa was gifted sand mastery, while Kerzt was led to beleive sand mastery was a curse.{{book ref|ws|part=ars}}
* '''[[Patji (being)|Patji]]''', located on [[First of the Sun]]; the origin and amount of its [[Investiture]] is unknown.{{wob ref|8902}}{{wob ref|8606}} It wrote a letter to Hoid where it dismisses his concerns over [[Odium]].{{epigraph ref|sa3|42}}{{wob ref|9081}}{{wob ref|8606}}
* '''[[Obrodai]] avatar''', younger than either of the above. She has been instilled with a great dislike of [[Hoid]] in order to prevent him from returning there.{{epigraph ref|sa3|50}}
* '''[[Telsin Ladrian]]''', the leader of the [[Set]]. Telsin was Invested by Autonomy in order to facilitate either control or destruction of [[Scadrian]] society. In this function, both Telsin and Autonomy herself are occassionally referred to as [[Trell (Trellism)|Trell]].{{book ref|mb7|20}}{{book ref|mb7|55}}

=== Trellium ===
{{for|Trellium}}

[[Trellium]], more rarely called '''bavadinium''', is the [[God Metal]] of Autonomy.{{book ref|mb7|epilogue|4}} While its [[Allomancy|Allomantic]] and [[Feruchemy|Feruchemical]] properties are unknown, when used as a [[Hemalurgic]] spike, trellium can grant other Allomantic or Feruchemical abilities, and hide the bearer of the spike from [[Harmony]]'s vision and control.{{book ref|mb5|epilogue}}{{wob ref|6300}} Additionally, trellium repells other forms of [[Investiture]], particularly [[harmonium]]. {{book ref|mb7|15}}

When trellium is brought into contact with superheated harmonium, it causes a massive, exceptionally destructive explosion, capable of levelling entire cities.{{book ref|mb7|15}} Moreover, in the aftermath of the blast, small quantities of [[lerasium]] and [[atium]] can be found.{{book ref|mb7|epilogue|4}}{{book ref|mb7|71}}

=== Faceless Immortals ===
{{quote
|They didn't understand, couldn’t understand. The Set had Faceless Immortals of its own.
|[[Edwarn Ladrian]]{{book ref|mb6|epilogue}}
}}

Autonomy appears to have the ability to take control of living bodies, even as far as on [[Scadrial]]. It is unclear what her limitations are, or if there is any requirement the person must fulfill before Autonomy can use them; it is likely that it requires [[Connection]] to Autonomy, and possibly the presence of trellium. When people are under Autonomy's control, she can make them move to their wish and speak what she wants; they can be recognized as hers by red glow in their eyes.{{book ref|mb7|55}} The [[Set]] calls them their "Faceless Immortals"; they do not appear aware of the Immortals' true nature.{{book ref|mb6|epilogue}} It's unclear if Autonomy can return the body under the control of its original owner, or if the person is still aware of themselves while Autonomy is in control.

=== Perpendicularity Control ===
{{quote
|There are planets where Autonomy has created such portals unexpectedly, and against all understood mechanics.
|[[Moonlight]]{{book ref|mb7|50}}
}}

Autonomy seems to have mastered control over [[perpendicularity|perpendicularities]]. She has barred access to [[Taldain]] through the [[Cognitive Realm]], locking any native worldhoppers out of their own homeland.{{au ref|Taldain}} On other worlds, she has shown the ability to create artificial, temporary perpendicularities; the methods by which she does so are unknown to cosmere scholars and appear to break the known laws of [[Realmatic Theory]].{{book ref|mb7|50}}

However, unlike natural perpendicularities, the portals created by Autonomy have strict constraints, requiring specific time and place to form. What affects those conditions is unclear, though it appears that large quantities of Invested individuals and liquid Investiture are key aspects. Whatever the case may be, those constraints means that for Autonomy to use the portals effectively, she requires a great deal of coordination and timing.{{book ref|mb7|59}} Additionally, once made, those perpedicularities can be destroyed by spending the Investiture they are comprised of; a small group of [[Allomancer]]s can destroy a portal over the course of several minutes.{{book ref|mb7|64}}

== History ==
{{image|Autonomy by zoethatcher.jpg|side=right|width=250px|[[Bavadin]]}}
{{for|Bavadin#History|the history of Bavadin prior to taking up the Shard}}

=== Early History and Isolation of Taldain ===
{{quote
|Autonomy's policy of isolationism in recent times (in direct contrast to her interference with other planets, I might add) has prevented travel to and from Taldain for many, many years.
|[[Khriss]]{{au ref|taldain}}
}}

Autonomy was created in the aftermath of the [[Shattering of Adonalsium]], and taken up by [[Bavadin]], who carried it away from [[Yolen]].{{msh ref|3|2}} Eventually, she settled in [[Taldain system]].{{au ref|Taldain}} Someone altered the system into its current, unnatural shape, though whether this was Autonomy or some other force is unknown.{{wob ref|3343}} 

Eventually, Autonomy began to enforce a policy of strict isolationism for the planet, preventing people from leaving and travellers such as [[Khriss]] from returning.{{au ref|Taldain}} She also began to take a more active role in Taldain's affairs, teaching her people about advanced physics and technologies she has forseen with her powers, leading to the planet's meteoric rise as a technological powerhouse.{{book ref|mb7|epilogue|4}} Throughout this time, however, Taldain remained isolated from the rest of the cosmere.

=== Avatar Creation and Alliance With Odium ===
Even as Taldain grew inaccessible, Autonomy started to nurture avatars of herself on various worlds, including [[First of the Sun]].{{wob ref|13323}} At some point during this time, she has seeded the religion of [[Trelagism]] on [[Scadrial]], presumably with the intent of later activating it and raising her own avatar on the planet.{{book ref|mb7|20}}

It is possible that Autonomy aided [[Odium]] in killing [[Devotion]] and [[Dominion]] in an unknown way.{{wob ref|2614}} The two Shards appear to have some form of alliance or pact preventing them from attacking each other. Odium intended to eventually break it and double-cross Autonomy, killing her off; however, he was trapped in the [[Rosharan system]] before that could happen.{{wob ref|15137}} 

Millennia later, [[Hoid]] sent a message to Autonomy asking for aid with Odium and the ongoing [[True Desolation]]. The message was intercepted by her avatar on First of the Sun and the request denied, although [[Patji (being)|Patji]] indicated that other avatars may be more inclined to assist.{{epigraph ref|sa3|46}}{{epigraph ref|sa3|47}} At the same time, Autonomy was manifesting another avatar on [[Obrodai]], and Patji demanded that Hoid does not return there.{{epigraph ref|sa3|50}}

=== Trell ===
==== The Set ====
{{quote
|One day, the men of gold and red, bearers of the final metal, will come to you. And you will be ruled by them. Worship. Worship Trell and wait…
|[[Miles Hundredlives]]{{book ref|mb4|epilogue}}
}}

At some point following the [[Catacendre]], Autonomy decided that [[Scadrial]]'s advancing technological development would be detrimental to her own goals.{{book ref|mb7|19}} Autonomy's initial plan for dealing with this was the creation of [[Set]], a secret society that resurrected the long-dead religion of [[Trelagism]] as [[Trellism]]. The leaders of the Set were not aware of Autonomy's true nature and intentions, knowing her as the male Trell and interacting with her through Trell's "Faceless Immortals".{{book ref|mb6|epilogue}}

While this was happening in the [[Physical Realm]], Autonomy began the process of Investing herself into Scadrial, taking advantage of [[Harmony]]'s conflicting intents to infiltrate the planet. Harmony could not understand it at the time, albeit he knew enough to visualize it to [[Wax]] as a choking, pressing red haze.{{book ref|mb6|28}}

Set's original purpose appears to have been a takeover of the [[Elendel Basin]], installing themselves—and, by extension, Trell—as the rulers of Scadrial.{{book ref|mb6|13}} However, the discovery of [[Southern Scadrian]]s and their vastly more advanced technology led them to attempt to accelerate the timeline. Autonomy, on the other hand, decided to forego the plan to control Scadrial and opt for its complete destruction instead.{{book ref|mb6|epilogue}} For this reason, she eliminated Set's then-leader, [[Edwarn Ladrian]], and began to move her men of gold and red into Scadrian subastral of the [[Cognitive Realm]], intending a full-blown invasion.{{book ref|mb7|60}}

Before this could happen, however, [[Telsin Ladrian]] somehow managed to convince Autonomy to give the Set a chance to take over the planet again. Autonomy, ever appreciative of bold, ambitious actions, responded by Investing Telsin as her avatar. However, she also granted Telsin a deadline before which the world would have to find itself under Set's control, as on a specific date, the artificial [[perpendicularity]] she was creating to let her armies in would be opened.{{book ref|mb7|59}}

At some point during this time, Autonomy's actions came under attention of the [[Ghostbloods]], who began their work to stop her.{{wob ref|9590}}

{{image|Telsin Ladrian-MotP.png|side=right|width=150px|[[Telsin Ladrian]], avatar of Autonomy}}

==== Bilming ====
{{quote
|It is not the bomb you should worry about. It is the destruction I have sent if that bomb fails.
|Autonomy{{book ref|mb7|55}}
}}

Over the six years following the death of Edwarn Ladrian, the Set fully took control of the city of [[Bilming]] on behalf of Autonomy, up to developing it with accordance to Autonomy's philosophy and using Taldain architecture, particularly the [[wikipedia:Brutalist architecture|brutalist]] style.{{book ref|mb7|20}} At the same time, they conducted underground tests in order to create a [[trellium]]-[[harmonium]] bomb.{{book ref|mb7|19}} The key part of the plan—and the part of it meant to impress Autonomy—was the delivery device: a self-propelled rocket, something that Autonomy herself was yet to figure out.{{book ref|mb7|66}}

During this time, Autonomy finished the process of Investing herself into the planet. About a year before her deadline, she communicated with [[Harmony]], attempting a compromise: she would let Harmony peacefully depart Scadrial and Invest himself elsewhere, while she took control of Scadrial. Harmony rejected her offer, and was subsequently bound by Autonomy, blinding his future-sight. In response, Harmony sent his agents—primarily [[Waxillium Ladrian]]—to Bilming.{{book ref|mb7|19}}

While in Bilming, Wax and his team, as well as a group of [[Ghostbloods]], began to unravel Set's plan. Autonomy eventually chose to speak with Wax through a dying body, warning him about the impending invasion and encouraging him to prove his desire to protect Scadrial to her.{{book ref|mb7|55}} Later that day, when Wax confronted Telsin, Harmony briefly disrupted Autonomy's link to her, causing Telsin to fall unconscious.{{book ref|mb7|66}} When Telsin came to, Autonomy abandoned her willingly, having apparently given up on her and her plans.{{book ref|mb7|69}}

After Wax and [[Wayne]] destroyed the Set's bomb, while [[Marasi]] destroyed the perpendicularity intended for the [[men of gold and red]], Autonomy begrudgingly withdrew from Scadrial, acknowledging their victory.{{book ref|mb7|74}} However, this was only temporary—she fully intended to regroup and return in the future.{{book ref|mb7|epilogue|4}}

== Influence ==
=== Religions ===
{{image|Sand Lord.jpg|side=right|width=250px|The Sand Lord of [[Taldain]]}}

Autonomy is widely worshipped by many of [[cosmere]]'s worlds and cultures. She—or, sometimes, he or they—appears in various forms and under various names throughout her many religions. In some places, there are entire pantheons of gods where every member is actually a different persona of her.{{wob ref|3974}}{{book ref|mb7|20}} Religions worshipping Autonomy include [[Ker'reen]] and [[Los'seen]] of [[Taldain]], which worships her under the male persona of [[Sand Lord]], the [[Eelakin]] faith, which considers the island of [[Patji (island)|Patji]], the site of the Patji avatar, one of its gods, and the [[Scadrian]] faiths of [[Trelagism]] and later [[Trellism]], in which she is known as the god Trell.{{book ref|ws|3}}{{book ref|ws|part=ars}}{{book ref|sixth}}{{book ref|mb7|20}}

Autonomy will often seed these religions on various planets—including those already Invested by other [[Shard]]s. These are seeds of influence she can later reactivate in order to exert her influence on the planet; for example, reactivating Trelagism as Trellism with the [[Set]].{{book ref|mb7|20}}

=== Technological and Cultural Control ===
{{quote
|She claims she wants everyone to be individual. Gives them each a little house that is distinctive from the others, but only in a way that fits her plan, her desires. It's fake individualism. A corporate uniqueness. Like an advertisement telling people to go their own way, be their own person—by buying this product like everyone else.
|[[Moonlight]]{{book ref|mb7|20}}
}}

Autonomy has consistently shared her Shardic knowledge of advanced physics and technology with her people. This has led to [[Taldain]] becoming one of cosmere's most technologically-advanced worlds, and the fastest to advance.{{book ref|mb7|epilogue|4}} However, Autonomy has at the same time insisted on stopping Taldain from developing further than she desires, and has meddled in the planet's cultural and political development from ancient times, including manipulating specific individuals in an attempt to divide faith in the Sand Lord and destroy the [[Diem]] should they prove unworthy to survive.{{book ref|ws|part=ars}}{{book ref|ws|18}}

Presently, Autonomy has effectively isolated Taldain from the rest of the cosmere. As such, off-world travel to and from the planet has all but ceased.{{wob ref|3912}}{{wob ref|12236}} This also had the result of cutting Taldain [[worldhopper]]s off from their own homeland; people like [[Khriss]] and [[Baon]] are virtual exiles.{{msh ref|3|2}} Autonomy is not, however, opposed to exporting Taldain's culture—or rather, the version of it she approves of—to other worlds. Places under Autonomy's control, like [[Bilming]], will eventually come to look similar to cities of Taldain, mimicking aspects such as layout and architectural style.{{book ref|mb7|20}}

=== Interplanetary Conflicts ===
{{quote
|Autonomy has access to … some very specialized troops. Hard to control. Dangerous to unleash.
|[[TwinSoul]]{{book ref|mb7|50}}
}}

Autonomy herself interferes directly in a number of cosmere's worlds.{{wob ref|2744}} She might have aided Odium in killing and splintering [[Devotion]] and [[Dominion]] among other [[Shards]].{{epigraph ref|sa3|44}}{{wob ref|2614}} She has been taking over multiple worlds through her avatars, with [[First of the Sun]], [[Obrodai]] and [[Scadrial]] being known to host her avatars at one point or another.{{epigraph ref|sa3|50}}{{book ref|sixth}} On Scadrial in particular, through her persona of Trell, Autonomy can outright blind [[Harmony]] and attempt to bring destruction to the planet as part of her plan to prevent the rise of Scadrial as an interstellar power.{{book ref|mb7|20}} She appears to be influencing Roshar to an unknown degree.{{wob ref|15850}}

When subterfuge proves insufficient, Autonomy has access to more forceful methods, as she commands an army known only as the [[men of gold and red]].{{book ref|mb7|35}} They are humanoid figures with golden skin and red eyes that give them their appellation, equipped with advanced firearms.{{book ref|mb7|60}}{{book ref|mb7|65}} Their full capabilities are unknown; while they specialize in widespread destruction, they are reportedly difficult to control, making unleashing them an irreversible act.{{book ref|mb7|50}}

== Trivia ==
* If Brandon were to become a Vessel, Autonomy is one of the Shards he has said he might choose.{{wob ref|14733}}
* When asked about associations between Shards and various ''[[wikipedia:Magic: The Gathering|Magic: The Gathering]]'' colors, Brandon's answer for Autonomy was "it's complicated".{{wob ref|11057}}
* Per Brandon, Autonomy would be the Shard most fitting the [[Cytoverse]] as it is during [[Spensa]]'s lifetime.{{wob ref|10948}}
* Autonomy is featured on one of the playing cards created for the release of ''[[The Lost Metal]]''; she is depicted as one of the two Jokers alongside [[Harmony]].
* Autonomy is a fan of [[Kelsier]] and his actions.{{wob ref|15850}}

== Notes ==
<references />

{{complete}}
{{White Sand}}
{{cosmere}}
[[es:Autonomía]]