Moon Scepter
| Moon Scepter | |
|---|---|
 by botanicaxu
| |
| Type | Scepter |
| World of Origin | Sel |
| Universe | Cosmere |
The Moon Scepter is part of the regalia of the Emperor of the Rose Empire on Sel.[1] It was formerly on display in the Imperial Gallery of the Rose Palace.[1]
Description[edit]
The shape is similar to a Chinese scepter known as a ruyi and it is pale blue in color, echoing the color of Sel's moon Oem.[2] It has Aons written or inscribed on one side of it.[3]
History[edit]
The origin of the Moon Scepter is unknown.
Shai wanted to swap the real scepter with her own forged copy as a test of her skill, because it was the most famous piece of art in the whole empire.[4] After an elaborate plan that also included the theft and forgery of a painting by Han ShuXen, she was betrayed at the last moment by Hoid (whom she knew as the Imperial Fool) and imprisoned.[1] Shai assumed that the Fool escaped with the original scepter and that her forged version now sat in the gallery.[1] Hoid did take the original scepter[3][5] but its fate after that point is unknown.
Use[edit]
Translation Device[edit]
The Moon Scepter is not simply ornamental; it is a translation device between sets of symbols that are used to access Investiture in the various Selish magic systems.[6][3] This is significant because Sel's numerous manifestations of Investiture are similar to computer programming languages.[7] The scepter presumably has other symbols written or inscribed on it that correspond to the Aons known to be on one side. A knowledgeable individual would therefore be able to use the translations to gain an understanding of the symbols that are integral to various types of Selish magic.[3]
Access to Investiture[edit]
Selish magic is particularly powerful,[8] but despite a common power source (the Dor),[9] each type of magic is usually only usable by people native to specific areas of Sel.[10][7][11] Additionally, Selish magic typically gets weaker as the distance from its homeland increases.[12][13] These properties vary for each specific magic system,[14] but Selish magic generally does not work on other planets.[15][11][16] This is a problem that some characters are actively trying to solve.[8]
Although the Moon Scepter does not remove these geographic restrictions,[17] thus far it is the only known object that could make this task "less daunting".[15] Someone that is able to use at least one type of Selish magic might be able to use the information on the scepter to gain access to one or more additional types of magic (including AonDor, Forgery, ChayShan, Dakhor, Invested potions,[18] Bloodsealing, and more).[19][20] Alternatively, the translation could allow the powers of a magic system to be accessed using different symbols in non-native locations (for example, an Elantrian traveling to Fjorden might be able to use AonDor with Dakhor glyphs rather than Aons). Notably, the scepter provides information about Selish magics, but it does not inherently grant the holder access to any of its manifestations.[8]
The scepter is a piece of a much larger puzzle that could theoretically allow conversion between different types of Investiture, even beyond those found on Sel.[21] The translation information on the scepter was the reason for Hoid's interest, and he has already gotten what he needs from it.[3]
Trivia[edit]
- Brandon has not confirmed whether or not the scepter itself is Invested,[15] but it is unlikely since it does not seem to have particular value to Hoid.[3]
- The Moon Scepter is likely to reappear in a future book, at least as a cameo.[3]
- Shallan sees a stick with unreadable writing on it in Mraize's "trophy room",[22] but it is not the Moon Scepter.[23]
Notes[edit]
- ↑ a b c d The Emperor's Soul - Day 2#
- ↑ Stormlight Three Update #4
— Arcanum - 2016-10-21# - ↑ a b c d e f g Arcanum Unbounded release party
— Arcanum - 2016-11-22# - ↑ The Emperor's Soul - Day 42#
- ↑ Deleted prologue from The Emperor's Soul
— Brandon's website - 2014-03-31# - ↑ Shadows of Self London UK signing
— Arcanum - 2015-10-19# - ↑ a b Ad Astra 2017
— Arcanum - 2017-05-05# - ↑ a b c FanX 2018
— Arcanum - 2018-09-06# - ↑ Calamity release party
— Arcanum - 2016-02-16# - ↑ Oathbringer Chicago signing
— Arcanum - 2017-11-21# - ↑ a b Arcanum Unbounded signing Chicago
— Arcanum - 2016-12-06# - ↑ Elantris chapter 19#
- ↑ General Reddit 2015
— Arcanum - 2015-06-02# - ↑ Salt Lake City ComicCon 2017
— Arcanum - 2017-09-23# - ↑ a b c Worldbuilders AMA
— Arcanum - 2015-12-05# - ↑ Shadows of Self signing Chicago
— Arcanum - 2015-10-12# - ↑ Skyward Pre-Release AMA
— Arcanum - 2018-10-26# - ↑ General Twitter 2016
— Arcanum - 2016-01-17# - ↑ /r/books AMA 2015
— Arcanum - 2015-06-06# - ↑ General Signed Books 2018
— Arcanum - 2018-10-15# - ↑ General Reddit 2019
— Arcanum - 2019-01-01# - ↑ Words of Radiance chapter 43#
- ↑ Words of Radiance Philadelphia signing
— Arcanum - 2014-03-21#