Dawnshard
| Dawnshard | |
|---|---|
| World of Origin | Roshar |
| Universe | Cosmere |
“Taking the Dawnshard, known to bind any creature voidish or mortal, he crawled up the steps crafted for Heralds, ten strides tall apiece, toward the grand temple above.”
—From the Poem of Ista. I have found no modern explanation of what these "Dawnshards" are. They seem ignored by scholars, though talk of them was obviously prevalent among those recording the early mythologies[1]
The Dawnshards are some sort of ancient magical items, powerful enough to destroy an entire planet.[2] There are multiple Dawnshards in existence, but it is known that at least one Dawnshard is different from all of the rest.[3] They are considered to be mythological objects in modern-day Roshar.[4]
Mythology
During the Era of Solitude, no one seemed to know exactly what the Dawnshards were or what they look like.[1] They have their root in mythology where they are reputed to be valuable but extraordinarily dangerous.[4] Talk about them was once common among those who recorded the early mythologies of Roshar, but they have since fallen out of common discussion.[1] One of the Dawnshards was said to be able to bind both Voidish and mortal creatures, but what exactly that entails is unknown.
History
Humans in the Rosharan system used the Dawnshards to destroy their former homeworld of Ashyn, before fleeing to Roshar for survival.[2][5]
At least one Dawnshard was referenced in the Poem of Ista, a written work on Roshar.[4] The Shard Honor raved to the Knights Radiant about the Dawnshards in his final days.[2] He claimed that they would one day destroy Roshar as their ancestors had destroyed Ashyn with the Dawnshards, leading to the Radiants abandoning their oaths in the Recreance. Honor also referred to them in Highprince Dalinar Kholin's final vision, worried how mankind would survive without Dawnshards,[6] which suggests that the Dawnshards were lost or do not exist anymore. Honor seemed to believe that the Dawnshards were crucial to defeating Odium.
The Dawnshards are not the same thing as Honorblades; Shallan referred to them as distinct objects.[4]
Notes
- ↑ a b c The Way of Kings chapter 36 epigraph#
- ↑ a b c Oathbringer chapter 113#
- ↑ Words of Radiance release party
— Arcanum - 2014-03-03# - ↑ a b c d The Way of Kings chapter 29#
- ↑ Oathbringer signing Portland
— Arcanum - 2017-11-16# - ↑ The Way of Kings chapter 75#