Difference between revisions of "Adonalsium"

Adonalsium is widely believed to be the creator of the entire cosmere and all life within it.{{wob ref|3711}}{{wob ref|4850}}{{epigraph ref|sa2|66}} That is, excepting any subsequent creation performed by the Shards, which is typically regarded as a copy of Adonalsium's own designs performed with the remnants of his power.{{au ref|scadrian}}{{msh ref|3|2}} Variations of the phrase "power of creation" typically refers to Adonalsium or the remnants of his power, due to this belief.{{wob ref|3435}} It is possible that the tendency of Investiture to develop sentience over time is rooted in Adonalsium's own drive to develop life.{{wob ref|2253}}

 

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All Investiture in the cosmere is associated with Adonalsium.{{wob ref|8605}} Consequently, all forms of magic are derived from Adonalsium's power.{{wob ref|2612}} As far as anyone in the cosmere is aware, there was no predecessor to Adonalsium.{{wob ref|12882}} While most of the more complex magic systems, such as [[Allomancy]] and [[Surgebinding]], were established after the Shattering, some simpler forms of magic, such as [[highstorm]]s{{wob ref|8624}} and [[spren]],{{wob ref|141}} existed in some form prior to Adonalsium's demise.{{wob ref|4097}} Some "fourth law" of thermodynamics seems to govern Adonalsium and the nature of Investiture.{{wob ref|3544}}

 

Nobody knows whether Adonalsium's Investiture existed from eternity or whether it came into being--naturally, or by means of some other God.{{wob ref|3436}}{{wob ref|8648}} It is also unclear whether Adonalsium's presumed consciousness existed alongside its power from the beginning, or whether it developed as a natural function of Investiture.{{wob ref|9324}} It is, however, likely that Adonalsium existed before any other intelligent life in the cosmere. While the extent of Adonalsium's role as a creator is unclear, it was at least directly responsible for the formation of some worlds, including [[Roshar]] and the rest of the [[Rosharan system]].{{wob ref|3952}}{{wob ref|9283}}{{wob ref|1654}} [[Taldain]]'s specific orbit may also lend itself to Adonalsium's touch.{{wob ref|5491}}

 

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Adonalsium's opposition, or some subset of their number, eventually put their final plan into action on [[Yolen]].{{wob ref|8605}}{{wob ref|11602}} The group included [[Hoid]]{{wob ref|10773}} and, likely, [[Frost]],{{epigraph ref|sa2|66}} in addition to those who would become the original vessels of the sixteen Shards. Few details are known concerning what transpired at the Shattering. The Shattering occurred as a single event{{wob ref|1292}} at which Adonalsium was indeed killed,{{wob ref|2247}}, and consequently its power was divided into sixteen equal portions.{{wob ref|5313}} This bears some measure of resemblance to the Splintering of Shards.{{wob ref|3456}} Investiture throughout the cosmere was affected as a result of the Shattering--becoming associated with particular Shards.{{wob ref|9385}}

 

Some evidence suggests that the participants influenced the quantity or nature of the Shards which were left behind,{{wob ref|9956}} but it may be that the result of the Shattering was not entirely expected.{{wob ref|721}} It is clear that they did not fully have a plan as to how the power might be divided, as more than sixteen individuals were present and at least one of them, Hoid, refused the offer of a Shard.{{epigraph ref|sa3|41}}{{wob ref|3337}} At least some of the participants in the Shattering regret what occurred--particularly those who did not seize Shards.{{wob ref|6545}} This may be due to the direct consequences of the Shattering, to the subsequent actions taken by the Shards, or simply to guilt.{{epigraph ref|sa2|66}}

 

 

=== Legacy ===

The Shattering occurred long before other notable events in the cosmere.{{wob ref|1355}}{{wob ref|9683}}{{wob ref|2728}} In the centuries that followed, the Shards settled on other words and began using their new power to shape the cosmere in new ways. New magic systems were developed, and manifestations of Investiture which previously existed were changed in some small ways.{{wob ref|8357}}{{wob ref|3314}} Adonalsium's name was eventually forgotten in much of the cosmere,{{book ref|sa1|54}}{{epigraph ref|mb3|39}} though [[worldhopper]]s remember at least some of its history{{msh ref|3|2}} and [[Shalash]] appears to still revere it as divinity.{{book ref|sa3|121}}

 

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