Summary:Mistborn: The Final Empire

This page contains a chapter by chapter summary of Mistborn: The Final Empire. We hope this summary will make it easier to find specific areas of the book, as well as providing a quick plot refresher for anyone who doesn't want to take the time to reread the entire book.

Prologue

Epigraph: Sometimes, I worry that I’m not the hero everyone thinks I am.

The philosophers assure me that this is the time, that the signs have been met. But I still wonder if they have the wrong man. So many people depend on me. They say I will hold the future of the entire world on my arms.

What would they think if they knew that their champion - the Hero of Ages, their savior - doubted himself? Perhaps they wouldn’t be shocked at all. In a way, this is what worries me most. Maybe, in their hearts, they wonder - just as I do.

When they see me, do they see a liar?

Characters: Lord Tresting, Lord Venture’s full prelan obligator (unnamed), Kurdon (a taskmaster for Tresting),Kelsier, Tepper (a skaa elder), Mennis (an elderly skaa), Shum (a skaa lad), Jess (a skaa woman), Jess’ daughter (a pretty skaa, unnamed)

Summary: Lord Tresting entertains an obligator sent by Lord Venture, hoping to gain Venture’s business partnership. Kelsier speaks with some skaa in the evening, and when a skaa girl is being taken to Tresting, Kelsier intervenes, killing Tresting and all his servants and soldiers, finally burning the manor to the ground.

Other Notes: First mention of Lord Venture. First mention of a Steel Inquisitor. First mention of Lord Renoux. First mention of mistwraiths. First mention of the Pits of Hathsin. First mention of koloss. First mention of the caves held by the Skaa Rebellion.

Chapter 1

Epigraph: I consider myself to be a man of principle. But, what man does not? Even the cutthroat, I have noticed, considers his actions “moral” after a fashion.

Perhaps another person, reading of my life, would name me a religious tyrant. He could call me arrogant. What is to make that man’s opinion any less valid than my own?

I guess it all comes down to one fact: In the end, I’m the one with the armies.

Characters: Vin, Ulef (a skaa in Camon’s crew), Camon, Theron (a crewleader), Prelan Laird (a Canton of Finance obligator)

Summary: Vin introduced, summoned to Camon by Ulef. Camon pretends to be Lord Jedue, head of a house desperately looking for new contracts; this is a cover, an attempt to scam the Steel Ministry out of money. Vin Soothes the obligator so he won’t dismiss Camon’s pleas.

Other Notes: Lord Tresting’s first name mentioned: Themos.

Chapter 2

Epigraph: If men read these words, let them know that power is a heavy burden. Seek not to be bound by its chains. The Terris prophecies say that I will have the power to save the world.

They hint, however, that I will have the power to destroy it as well.

Characters: Kelsier, Dockson, Vin, Camon, High Prelan Arriev (a Canton of Finance obligator)

Summary: Kelsier meets up with Dockson, they talk about their upcoming meeting. Camon, as Lord Jedue, takes Vin to scam the Ministry; Kelsier and Dockson sit in the waiting room with Camon and Vin; Vin Soothes the High Prelan, and he gives Camon three thousand boxings. Kelsier and Dockson see the High Prelan and a Steel Inquisitor tail Camon, Vin, and the rest of Camon’s retinue. Dockson plans to distract the obligator, while Kelsier plans to distract the Inquisitor.

Other Notes: None.

Chapter 3

Epigraph: We arrived in Terris earlier this week, and, I have to say, I find the countryside beautiful. The great mountains to the north - with their bald snowcaps and forested mantles - stand like watchful gods over this land of green fertility. My own lands to the south are mostly flat; I think that they might look less dreary if there were a few mountains to vary the terrain.

The people here are mostly herdsmen - though timber harvesters and farmers are not uncommon. It is a pastoral land, certainly. It seems odd that a place so remarkably agrarian could have produced the prophecies and theologies upon which the entire world now relies.

Characters: Camon, Vin, Ulef, Kelsier, Dockson, Millev (Camon’s Second)

Summary: Vin’s nervousness about the meeting with the obligator causes her to want to leave Camon’s lair. She tells Ulef, whom she wants to bring along, but he tells Camon while she retrieves her personal effects (including the hemalurgic earring her mother gave her). Kelsier saves Vin, promotes Millev to Crewleader, takes the three thousand boxings as payment for dealing with the obligator and Inquisitor, and rents the den for the evening meeting. Millev’s crew leaves for a while so Kelsier can test Vin for being a Mistborn.

Other Notes: Vin subconsciously burns pewter after Camon hits her with a thrown stool.

Chapter 4

Epigraph: Apparently, the next stage of my quest will take us up into the highlands of Terris. This is said to be a cold, unforgiving place - a land where the mountains themselves are made of ice.

Our normal attendants will not do for such a trip. We should probably hire some Terris packmen to carry our gear.

Characters: Ulef, Disten (a head pointman in Camon’sMillev’s crew), Vin, Harmon (a scraggly-bearded burglar), Hrud (a flat-faced, quiet thug), Hammond, Breeze, Clubs, Yeden, Kelsier, Dockson

Summary: Kelsier and Dockson had left for a while, letting the crew return for a bit. The crew talks about what happened, speculating on the job. At a certain time, the crew leaves and the others arrive. Kelsier pitches his plan regarding the Skaa Rebellion. Kelsier’s crew agrees, (except for Clubs, who walks out). Kelsier reveals to the others that Vin is a Mistborn, then tells them about and shows them the Eleventh Metal.

Other Notes: Mare mentioned by thieving crew, but not by name.

Chapter 5

Epigraph: I don’t even understand what I’m supposed to do. The Terris philosophers claim that I’ll know my duty when the time comes, but that’s a small comfort.

The Deepness must be destroyed, and apparently I’m the only one who can do so. It ravages the world even now. If I don’t stop it soon, there will be nothing left of this land but bones and dust.

Characters: Kelsier, Dockson, Vin, Clubs, Spook

Summary: Small talk after the meeting; Hammond, Breeze, Yeden have left. Clubs returns, agrees to be on the team, leaves again. Kelsier, Dockson, and Vin head to rooftop. Kelsier gears up, heads off to Keep Venture to steal atium. Kelsier breaks in, gets the safe with the atium, and then has to fight some hazekillers. Kelsier escapes with the desired atium.

Other Notes: First mention of OreSeur by name. Spook isn’t identified at all. Mare mentioned as a Tineye. First mention of Gemmel. First mention of feruchemists, as Kelsier remembers some of Gemmel’s advice.