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{{Magic
|related=[[Shard]]s, [[Investiture]]
|universe=[[Cosmere]]
}}
{{update|sa4}}
{{quote
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'''Adonalsium''' is a mysterious being or force in the [[cosmere]]{{msh ref|3|2}} from which all [[Investiture]] is derived.{{wob ref|8605}} It is unknown whether the term Adonalsium is a name or title.{{wob ref|3245}} Adonalsium is generally regarded as a God, responsible for the creation of the cosmere,{{msh ref|3|2}}{{wob ref|4850}} and it is sometimes referred to as the "power of creation."{{wob ref|3435}} In a pivotal moment in the history of the cosmere, an event known as the [[Shattering]], a group of individuals conspired against and killed Adonalsium.{{msh ref|3|2}}{{wob ref|2247}} Upon its death the power was broken into sixteen [[Shards]] which were all seized by some of the individuals present.{{msh ref|3|2}}{{epigraph ref|sa1|11}}{{wob ref|10563}} These Shards each bear an aspect of Adonalsium's nature.{{wob ref|9363}}
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The events on [[Yolen]] surrounding the Shattering of Adonalsium will be addressed in ''[[Dragonsteel]]''.{{wob ref|9138}}{{wob ref|9882}}
== Nature == <!--T:3-->
The exact nature of Adonalsium, whether it is more a force of nature or an intelligent being, is unknown, though either interpretation carries a measure of validity.{{msh ref|3|2}} Notions that it could be "killed"{{msh ref|3|2}} or that it could "design" things{{epigraph ref|sa2|66}} suggests the latter, though these understandings could be faulty. It is unclear whether Adonalsium's power reaches beyond the cosmere,{{wob ref|8561}} or whether Adonalsium could, unlike Shards, wield its power to the
<!--T:4-->
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 its power.{{au ref|scadrian}}{{msh ref|3|2}} Variations of the phrase "power of creation" typically
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{{sidequote
|Anyway, there was a God. Adonalsium. I don't know if it was a force or a being, though I suspect the latter.
}}
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All Investiture in the cosmere is associated with Adonalsium.{{wob ref|8605}} Consequently, all forms of magic are ultimately 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}} Furthermore, Adonalsium exercised direct control over the nature and limitations of this magic.{{wob ref|13333}}{{wob ref|13525}} Some "fourth law" of thermodynamics seems to govern Adonalsium and the nature of Investiture.{{wob ref|3544}}
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It is unclear precisely why the power was later divided into sixteen Shards, or why these Shards bear the
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Adonalsium
== History == <!--T:9-->
=== Pre-Shattering ===
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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{{sidequote
|The worlds you now tread bear the touch and design of Adonalsium.
}}
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Nothing is known about any interaction Adonalsium may have had with mortals, beyond its work as a creator. Sapient beings were apparently aware of Adonalsium's existence and power, at least, and some worshiped Adonalsium as a deity.{{book ref|sa3|121}} Despite this, or perhaps because of it, some individuals grew to oppose Adonalsium.{{msh ref|3|2}} Their number included humans, [[dragon (cosmere)|dragon]]s, and [[Sho Del]],{{wob ref|9676}} and their motives were diverse; while some sought power for themselves, others simply believed that Adonalsium presented some manner of threat.{{msh ref|3|2}} And so, this opposing force developed a mysterious weapon for use against Adonalsium.{{wob ref|5602}}
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At least one plot to destroy Adonalsium failed, though the details of this remain an enigma.{{wob ref|2648}} It is possible that the weapon failed to accomplish the task it was designed for, and that the Shattering was forced by some other means. On the other hand, it may be that the weapon was developed as an alternative approach after some prior strategy failed. Though unlikely, given the thirst for power that motivated some conspirators,{{msh ref|3|2}} it is even possible that the Shattering itself is the aforementioned failure--that the results of the Shattering, whether caused by the weapon or otherwise, were not intended.{{wob ref|721}}
=== Shattering of Adonalsium === <!--T:13-->
:''Main article:'' [[Shattering|The Shattering of Adonalsium]]
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{{sidequote
|A diverse group. With equally diverse motives. Some wished for the power; others saw killing Adonalsium as the only good option left to them. Together they murdered a deity, and became divine themselves.
}}
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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}}
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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}}
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The weapon intended to kill Adonalsium no longer exists in its original form, having been expended,{{wob ref|2246}} though remnants of it still exist in the Physical Realm and are the source of Hoid's immortality.{{wob ref|10439}}
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=== Legacy ===▼
According to the [[Sleepless]], the Shattering was accomplished through the use of the four [[Dawnshard]]s, a process which required both [[Intention|Intent]] and [[Command]].{{book ref|sa3.5|19}}
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 worlds 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}}▼
▲=== Legacy === <!--T:19-->
▲The Shattering occurred
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{{sidequote
|Adonalsium... Have you ever heard the term, Dalinar?
}}
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With access to future sight, Adonalsium may have actually anticipated the Shattering. While it apparently took no successful measures to prevent the attack, it may have laid certain plans in place which are still in effect.{{wob ref|8443}} It is also possible that a [[cognitive shadow]] of Adonalsium was left in its place following the Shattering.{{wob ref|8509}}
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Scholars disagree as to whether Adonalsium could be reformed by reuniting the sixteen Shards of its power.{{wob ref|4762}} Though some theorize this may be possible, others argue that it would not restore that which was "killed
== Trivia == <!--T:23-->
* Events on Yolen, including the Shattering of Adonalsium, will be addressed in ''[[Dragonsteel]]''.{{wob ref|9138}}{{wob ref|9882}} ''Dragonsteel'' is currently planned as a trilogy to be written after ''[[The Stormlight Archive]]'' is complete.{{wob ref|10741}}
* Adonalsium is not a [[dragon (cosmere)|dragon]].{{wob ref|4556}}
* [[Brandon Sanderson]] developed the concept of Adonalsium and the cosmere while writing ''[[Dragonsteel Prime]]''.{{wob ref|1191}}
* The name Adonalsium is derived from a Hebrew name for God, ''Adonai'' (literally, "my
*
* In the original publication of ''[[The Hero of Ages]]'', Adonalsium was misspelled as "Adonasium".{{wob ref|7710}}
== Notes == <!--T:24-->
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