Difference between revisions of "Hoid"

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With how much jetsetting Hoid does and the very ???? movements of Vasher I think it's better if we leave this off
(With how much jetsetting Hoid does and the very ???? movements of Vasher I think it's better if we leave this off)
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|groups={{tag|Worldsingers}}
|abilities=[[Lightweaving]] <small>([[Yolen|Yolish]])</small>, {{tag+|Mistborn}}, {{tag+|Awakener}}, {{tag+|Lightweaver}} <small>([[Surgebinder]])</small>, {{tag+|worldhopping}}, [[#Attributes and Abilites|others]]
|bonded=[[Design]]
|aliases=Wit, Hoid, [[#Known Pseudonyms|others]]
|world=Yolen
|universe=[[Cosmere]]
|books=[[The Stormlight Archive]], [[Elantris]], [[The Emperor's Soul]], [[Mistborn (series)|Mistborn]], [[Warbreaker]], [[White Sand]]
}}{{theory}}{{spoilers|sa3.5|sa4}}{{update|sa4}}
{{quote
|And while I am your friend, please understand that our goals do not completely align. You must not trust yourself with me. If I have to watch this world crumble and burn to get what I need, I will do so. With tears, yes, but I would let it happen.
}}
 
 
'''Hoid''' is a recurring character in the [[cosmere]], as well as a legend rumored to have a thousand titles (most of which, he says, are not pleasant). He has appeared in almost every cosmere novel, short story, and novella which takes place in that universe. Note that his real name is likely not Hoid. In ''[[The Way of Kings]]'', he mentions he stole the name from someone he should have loved, while giving [[Kaladin]] his flute and telling the story of the ''[[Wandersail]]''. In section 2 of the 2nd [[Letters|Letter]] from ''[[Words of Radiance]]'', the author of the letter ([[Frost]]) asks if Hoid is no longer hiding behind the name of his old master. The name "Hoid" is likely the name he is hiding behind.
 
Hoid was involved in the events taking place before any of the cosmere's published books begin, and is the second oldest character seen so far.{{wob ref|945}} He was originally human, but has changed enough that when asked, [[Brandon]] only says "It's complicated."{{wob ref|6614}} Hoid is not a [[Shard]], nor is he a [[Herald]], but something else entirely.{{wob ref|8843}} He is very skilled with disguises, and the overtness of his involvement varies from book to book. In some, he is named outright and makes references to other events and places in the cosmere, while in others he is seen only deep in disguise, almost unrecognizable. Brandon has confirmed that all of these appearances are the same individual,{{wob ref|4414}} but that he [[worldhopping|worldhops]] between planets. Hoid's motives are unknown, and most of his actions occur behind the scenes. He is searching for something unknown.{{wob ref|7842}}
Hoid's true personality, while also usually disguised, is more easily seen as he occasionally drops whatever part he is playing. One of his overall most noticeable traits is his sharp wit and intelligence. The characters he plays often have a penchant for jokes and mockery but when he removes the facade his personality often seems mysterious and grave.{{book ref|twok|epilogue}}{{book ref|twok|57}} If he was asked about whether he called himself a good man personality-wise, Hoid would reply with a "No".{{wob ref|1704}}
 
Hoid cannot easilydirectly killphysically harm people; duethis is an involuntary trait that is the result of changes to previouslyhis beingspirit made during his time as a [[Dawnshard]].{{wob ref|143008687}}{{wob ref|478014300}} Rock says he cannot hurt man because it is forbidden by other gods.{{book ref|sa2|46}} He also tells a young Shallan, "You needn't fear me. I'm terribly ineffective at hurting people. I blame my upbringing."{{book ref|sa2|45}} Hoid apologizes to Kelsier after beating him in a fight, stating he doesn't have the inclination to do real harm to him.{{msh ref|2|1}} This aversion causes him to be nauseated when thinking about physically harming someone, and is sometimes bad enough to incapacitate him. However, this only extends to physical trauma- Hoid has no issues with mentally hurting someone or through inaction.{{wob ref|2010}} Hoid also has issues with harming himself physically, such as when he has to manipulate another man into punching him when he wants a tooth knocked out, rather than just doing it himself.{{book ref|sa3|epilogue}}{{wob ref|8498}} This is an involuntary trait.{{wob ref|8687}} It is a "magical compulsion."{{wob ref|11673}}
 
When he is on Roshar during the [[War of Reckoning]] and [[True Desolation]], serving as King [[Elhokar Kholin]]'s Wit, Hoid has the appearance of a man in his mid-30's{{wob ref|1705}} with deep onyx hair. He wears a stiff black coat a carries a long thin sword at his waist.{{book ref|sa1|12}} This blade is not magically Invested but has personal value to Hoid.{{wob ref|2505}} It is a symbol of office for the King's Wit, though Hoid himself is not a skilled swordfighter.{{wob ref|896}}
== Attributes and Abilities ==
{{theory}}
Hoid does not yet have the abilities of every planet he's visited.{{wob ref|2853}} Some of his powers predate the [[Shattering]], but none of them are gained through [[Hemalurgy]].{{wob ref|6658}} Hoid is concerned about opening himself up to the influence of Shards, so he only gains access to manifestations of Investiture through more conventional ways.{{wob ref|656}} Hoid has access to multiple Invested Arts, but not an incredibly large number.{{wob ref|1044}} He is likely the most powerful non-Shard entity in the cosmere.{{wob ref|7323}} There are only a few things in the cosmere whichthat couldare theoreticallycapable of hurthurting him, (one of which is [[Nightblood]]), and he stays far away from all of them.{{wob ref|11671}}
 
=== Illusions ===
|Hoid to Kaladin on making music{{book ref|sa2|59}}
}}
As a Yolish man, Hoid was not himself born with any [[BioChromatic Breath]].{{wob ref|3212}} However at some point Hoid has gained access to enough BioChromatic Breath to bring him to at least the Second Heightening.{{book ref|sa2|59}} This means Hoid has at least two-hundred Breaths, which grant him the ability to recognize unsupressed Breath auras and judge about how much breath another Awakener has, as well as perfect pitch.{{book ref|wb|epilogue}} That is not to say that Hoid may not have reached a higher Heightening, just that the second Heightening is his minimum power level.{{wob ref|4655}} Hoid's level of skill with [[Awakening]] is still unknown, as he has only made use of it on one known occasion, Awakening a doll to allow it to walk.{{book ref|sa3|epilogue}} This makes it difficult to ascertain his knowledge of Commands or complex Awakenings. Hoid's level of control over Investiture does allow him to suppress his Breath aura, making it difficult to notice by others. However, there are various methods of detecting Investiture that could circumvent this suppression.{{wob ref|3437}} Hoid's perfect pitch does aid him in tuning instruments and making music.{{book ref|sa2|59}} Additionally, holding Breath has allowed Hoid to somehow outsource some of his memory to said Breath. Recent loss of a part of his Breaths has resulted in him having memory gaps, the extent of which being as of yet unknown, and losing his perfect pitch, demoting him to only the First Heightening.{{book ref|sa4|epilogue}}
 
=== Surgebinder ===
{{quote
|It's either go with me now or wait it out and get captured. I honestly don't even know if you've the mind to listen. But if you do, know this: I will give you truths. And I know some juicy ones.
|Hoid to ahis Cryptic spren, Design{{book ref|sa3|epilogue}}
}}
Hoid has bonded athe [[Cryptic]] that formerly belonged to Elhokar[[Design]], which grants him access to Surgebinding.{{wob ref|10746}} While the enhanced reflexes and healing permitted by Stormlight will likely be less useful to Hoid, the [[Nahel bond]] allows him to access the surges of [[Illumination]] and [[Transformation]].{{Book ref|sa3|epilogue}} This allows Hoid to [[Soulcast]], transforming one type of matter to another by persuading its Cognitive aspect as well as Lightweaving, which grants him the ability to create visual and auditory illusions. This Rosharan Lightweaving may have a compounding effect with his Yolish Lightweaving, and likely allows him to circumvent the problems that he has experienced with his own Illusions. Although Hoid's Ideals are unknown, it may eventually grant him a [[Shardblade]] and [[Shardplate]]. <!-- Out of all of the orders of the [[Knights Radiant]], [[Order of Lightweavers|Lightweaver]] was his first choice, as Lightweaving matches him very well and he's quite familiar and experienced with it. Having full access to Lightweaving is a fulfillment of a long, long quest for him.{{wob ref|10755}} -->
 
=== Storytelling Method ===
{{image|Drifter.png|side=right|width=250px|[[Kelsier]] and Hoid's meeting at the [[Well of Ascension]]}}
 
Around a year later, Hoid returned to Scadrial, traveling through Scadrial's subastral, riding on the back of a [[Cognitive Shadow]] to the Well of Ascension, Preservation's Perpendicularity.{{msh ref|2|1}} He was using an oar coated with a strange glowing substance connected to the substance drunk by members of the [[Ire]].{{wob ref|200}} He encountered the Shadow of Kelsier, who asked for help returning to the Physical Realm. Hoid told him that there was nothing to be done, but he challenged Kelsier to an insult battle, with the prize being the answer to one true question. Kelsier instead threatened Hoid. Hoid attempted to enter the pool, but Kelsier attacked him. Hoid easily overpowered Kelsier and caused him serious pain, if not permanent injury. Hoid then transitioned through the Well and stole the bead of [[lerasium]] from the adjacent room. He later ate the lerasium and became a [[Allomancy|Mistborn]].{{wob ref|12210}} When Kelsier spoke of the incident to Preservation, Preservation spoke briefly on Hoid, calling him Cephandrius. Later, Kelsier told [[Khriss]] and [[Nazh]] about his meeting with Hoid, and they seemed distressed to know that he had arrived and stolen a bead or lerasium.
 
Hoid then traveled to the [[Terris Dominance]] to figure out [[Feruchemy]],{{msh ref|2|2}}{{wob ref|1552}}{{wob ref|12754}} and then became wrapped up in matters he did not anticipate. This may refer to him becoming involved after the [[Inquisitor]] attack on [[Tathingdwen]] and the slaughter of the [[Synod]]. Hoid took up the guise of a Terris leader{{wob ref|5942}} and led the Terris refugees to the Central Dominance.{{book ref|mb2|56}}
 
=== Nalthis ===
Hoid traveled to [[Nalthis]] and took the role of a master storyteller. [[Lightsong]] summoned him to the [[Court of the Gods]], where he recounted the story of [[Vo]], explained the origin of the [[Hallandren]] God Kings, and answered Lightsong and [[Siri]]'s questions.{{book ref|wb|32}} He likely achieved perfect pitch while on this world by obtaining additional Breaths.{{book ref|wb|52}}{{book ref|sa2|59}} At some later point, [[Vivenna]] also met Hoid; she later described him as one of the only people on Nalthis that is cosmere-aware.
 
[[Vasher]] once met Hoid when he was using the alias "Dust", several years before Vasher's activities on Roshar.
 
=== Obrodai ===
}}
===== Prior Visits =====
While rescuing [[Elhokar]]'s [[CrypticDesign]] before leaving [[Kholinar]], he recognizes one of the [[Fused]] as [[Vatwha]], an old acquaintance. At some point, "thousands of years ago," Hoid visited Roshar and mingled with the original inhabitants of the world, even dancing with the ancient [[singer]]s. The Fused, however, are now trained to watch for him - most likely to capture him and deliver him to [[Odium]].{{book ref|sa3|epilogue}}
 
Hoid is worshipped by the [[Unkalaki]] as ''Lunu'anaki'', the god of travel and mischief who cannot hurt man.{{book ref|sa2|46}}
 
Hoid is a member of the [[Worldsingers]] with the rank of Master Worldsinger. [[Sigzil]] was once his apprentice.{{book ref|sa1|57}}
 
He has been to Aimia at some point.{{wob ref|12780}}
===== War of Reckoning =====
{{image|Wit by ShiroXIX.png|side=right|width=200px|Insulting the [[lighteyes]]}}
In a departure from his previous appearances, Hoid plays a more conspicuous role in the events on [[Roshar]], since his goal is to become a Radiant.{{wob ref|13563}} Most often seen under the guise of Wit, [[Elhokar Kholin]]'s court jester, he influences [[Dalinar]], going so far as to ask Dalinar if he has ever heard the term "Adonalsium".{{book ref|twok|54}} He also tells [[Kaladin]] the story of [[Derethil]] and the ''[[Wandersail]]''.{{book ref|sa1|57}} During the course of the story, Hoid uses a special, ancient flute called a [[Trailman's flute]]. It is also likely that he uses [[Lightweaving]] to cause the smoke from the fire to take the form of various elements from his story. [[Ishikk]] was hired by three men from the [[Seventeenth Shard]] to search for Hoid in the [[Purelake]]. HeHoid was in [[Kholinar]] when [[Taln]] arrived to herald the coming of the [[Desolation]].{{book ref|twok|epilogue}}
 
===== Words of Radiance =====
Hoid again plays a minor role as Wit, though he is absent for most of the book. In Shallan's flashback to three and a half years ago, she meets Hoid disguised as a messenger, and he talks to her. Here, Hoid is seen ingesting metals and Soothing Shallan. [[Rock]] also describes an encounter with him in the [[Horneater Oceans]] and calls him ''Lunu'anaki'', the god of travel and mischief who cannot hurt man.{{book ref|sa2|46}}{{wob ref|7156}}
 
Hoid is also seen acting as the carriage driver for [[Adolin]] when he is visiting [[Shallan]] at [[Shattered Plains|Sebarial's warcamp]]. He speaks to [[Kaladin]] about his flute and mentions that he wants an interesting story from him. When [[Shallan]] recognizes him she happily hugs him for his advice from three and a half years prior when he encouraged her at her worst and told her to keep seeking the light.{{book ref|sa2|55}}
In the epigraphs in Part 2 of The Way of Kings, there is the text of a [[letters|letter]] written by Hoid to [[Frost]]. It offers valuable insights into his personality and goals. The author of the Letter is being hunted by the Seventeenth Shard and has set a false trail for them to follow, which lines up well with the interlude in which three men are searching for Hoid. The author comes across as not at all worried about them, and in fact seems mildly amused. Brandon has also said that we "may have read that Hoid has specific beef with Rayse," with the Letter being the only real example of this.{{wob ref|4130}}
 
The Letters in [[Oathbringer]]'s epigraphs are all from Shards{{wob ref|8401}} and all of them are directed to Hoid, as is the letter from the epigraphs of Part 2 of [[Rhythm of War]].
 
=== Post-Catacendric Scadrial ===
* Cephandrius Maxtori{{wob ref|5882}}{{wob ref|3985}}
=== Suspected Pseudonyms ===
* Midius{{book ref|sa3|121}}--a name Hoid uses in an unpublished work; when Ash usesand Kalak use this name, shethey isare probably referring to Hoid.
 
== Speculation ==
* He has dressed in drag before, "multiple times."{{wob ref|11824}}
* Hoids quest may be "To make that which once was."{{wob ref|9218}}
* In the2018, shortBrandon storydid a reading of an uncanonical scene he had written several years prior, called "[[The Traveler]]." (whichIn canit, betwo foundmen, [https://wob.coppermind.net/events/332/#e9518likely here])Hoid twoand menFrost, have a conversation. Itshortly is likely thatafter the charactersdeaths areof Hoid[[Leras]] and Frost[[Ati]]. ItA isrecording unknownand ifa transcription of the storyreading iscan canonbe found [[wob:9518|here]].
* Hoid is unimpressed with the [[Ghostbloods]].{{wob ref|12011}}
* Hoid loathes the [[Set]], and the members who know of him loath him in return.{{wob ref|12632}}
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