Difference between revisions of "Hoid"
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|image=Worldsinger by Ari Ibarra.jpg
|groups={{tag|Worldsingers}}
|abilities=[[Lightweaving]] <small>([[Yolen|Yolish]])</small>, {{tag+|Mistborn}}, {{tag+|Awakener}}, {{tag+|Lightweaver}} <small>([[Surgebinder]])</small>, {{tag+|worldhopping}}, [[#Attributes and
|bonded=[[Design]]
|aliases=Wit, Hoid, [[#Known Pseudonyms|others]]
|world=Yolen
|universe=[[Cosmere]]
|books=[[The Stormlight Archive]], [[Elantris (book)|Elantris]], [[The Emperor's Soul]], [[Mistborn (series)|Mistborn]], [[Warbreaker]], [[White Sand]]
}}{{theory}}{{spoilers
{{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]],
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}}
{{for|/Gallery|more images}}
Hoid's appearance varies dramatically from book to book. He's often in disguise, which makes his true appearance difficult to ascertain. Couple this with the fact that he can
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 directly physically harm people; this is an involuntary trait that is the result of changes to his spirit made during his time as a [[Dawnshard]].{{wob ref|8687}}{{wob ref|14300}} 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}}
When he is on Roshar during the [[War of Reckoning]] and [[True Desolation]], serving as King [[Elhokar Kholin]]'s, and later Queen [[Jasnah Kholin]]'s Wit, Hoid has the appearance of a man in his mid-
== 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 that are capable of hurting him, one of which is [[Nightblood]], and he stays far away from all of them.{{wob ref|11671}} Hoid also has an unknown [[seon]].{{book ref|sa4|78}}{{book ref|sa4|115}}
=== Illusions ===
|Hoid on Lightweaving to Shallan{{book ref|sa2|45}}
}}
Hoid has access to an Invested Art known as [[Lightweaving]] that originates from Yolen prior to the Shattering of Adonalsium.{{wob ref|8909}} Lightweaving allows for the creation of optical and auditory illusions.{{book ref|sa2|part=ars}} This Lightweaving is much less restrictive than the later [[Illumination|Rosharan variant]],{{book ref|sa2|45}} and does not require a spren or Stormlight to function.{{wob ref|8909}} Hoid sometimes makes use of this ability in his disguises{{wob ref|5775}} although he has several ways of changing how he looks{{wob ref|5024}} including practical effects.{{epigraph ref|sa3|35}} He may also make use of it in some of his storytelling,{{wob ref|8329}} such as the pictures of [[Derethil]] and the ''[[Wandersail]]'' that Kaladin sees in the smoke when Hoid is telling him a story.{{book ref|sa1|57}}
Hoid's Yolish Lightweaving does not always seem to function perfectly on Roshar;{{wob ref|9346}} in fact, he needs help from Shallan to fully craft an illusion.{{book ref|sa3|82}} His power is somehow limited, and he has trouble making some aspects of it work, even after multiple attempts.{{wob ref|9346}} It is uncertain why this occurs and whether or not this issue is unique to Roshar. Hoid's bonding of a Cryptic will provide abilities that supplement his own Lightweaving{{wob ref|8473}} and may allow him to overcome his issues crafting illusions, although further impacts or resonances between the two are unknown.{{wob ref|8664}} Hoid's access to Yolish Lightweaving does allow him to guide another Lightweaver's power, although this is not something he would be able to do with just any Invested Art.{{wob ref|9346}}
|Hoid on his age{{book ref|sa3|68}}
}}
Hoid has lived for many more years than any mortal human would be able to live.{{wob ref|4031}} This immortality is an effect of some remnant of the weapon the original sixteen Vessels used to kill Adonalsium
=== Healing Factor ===
|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
=== Surgebinder ===
|Hoid to his Cryptic spren, Design{{book ref|sa3|epilogue}}
}}
Hoid has bonded the [[Cryptic]] [[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
=== Storytelling Method ===
|Hoid to a skaze{{book ref|Elantris|Postscript}}
}}
Hoid traveled to [[Sel]], likely making use of [[Devotion's Perpendicularity]] in [[Arelon]]. Hoid spoke to the [[skaze]], and seems to have made some sort of agreement with them hinging on his desire to become an Elantrian with the restoration of [[Elantris (city)|Elantris]].{{book ref|Elantris|Postscript}} Hoid disguised himself as a beggar, wrapped in bandages. He helped [[Sarene]] smuggle weapons into
Hoid returned to Sel several years later, and found himself a position in the court of Emperor [[Ashravan]] in the [[Rose Empire]] as the Royal Fool. He allied himself with the [[Forger]] [[Shai]] in her attempt to steal the [[Moon Scepter]], an artifact that allows for the translation of the various symbols of Selish Investiture. He arranged for her to be caught after she'd left the Gallery with the Scepter, later using her duplicate to steal the scepter for himself. Hoid
=== The Collapse of the Final Empire and Catacendre ===
{{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 true answer to one
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}}
He has been to Aimia at some point.{{wob ref|12780}}
=====
{{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]]. Hoid was in [[Kholinar]] when [[Taln]] arrived to herald the coming of the [[Desolation]].{{book ref|twok|epilogue}}
{{image|You by Marie Seeberger.jpg|side=left|width=250px|[[Shallan]] hugging Wit}}
===== 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]].{{book ref|sa2|46}}{{wob ref|7156}}
===== Oathbringer =====
{{image|Wit-Fool by taratjah.jpg|side=
The three letters in part two of Oathbringer are directed at Cephandrius. The first two explicitly say this, while the third simply says "friend". It is likely that they are all referring to the same person.
Hoid's actions after this point are unclear. Hoid somehow obtained a coin-like [[Feruchemy#Unsealed_Metalminds|unsealed metalmind]] containing a memory of [[Kelsier]] aiding the [[Southern Peoples of Scadrial|southern Scadrians]] in surviving the aftereffects of the Catacendre.{{book ref|mb6|epilogue}} He also spent some time in [[New Seran]] and following [[Nazh]]'s theft of [[Nicki Savage]]'s map of New Seran, Hoid asked her if she wanted to hear a story, an offer that she declined.{{article ref|The New Ascendancy}}{{wob ref|1702}} He has also somehow come to the conclusion that he is the true owner of [[Kelesina Shores]]' mansion there,{{wob ref|8899}} for somewhat legitimate but unknown reasons.{{wob ref|8392}} He was apparently a regular intruder on the mansion grounds, to the irritation of the guards.{{book ref|mb6|11}} During this time, Hoid took the appearance of a beggar with long, unkempt fingernails and a ragged shirt. Hoid appeared blind with milky white eyes.
When Waxillium Ladrian walked up the path to
== Known Pseudonyms ==
* Hoid
* Roamer{{book ref|sa1|i|1}}
*
*
* The
* Imperial Fool of the [[Rose Empire]]{{ref|name=tes-del}}
* Topaz{{wob ref|8609}}
* Drifter{{msh ref|2|1}}
* Wanderer{{epigraph ref|sa4|20}}
* Lunu'anaki{{book ref|sa2|46}}
* Cephandrius Maxtori{{wob ref|5882}}{{wob ref|3985}}
=== Suspected Pseudonyms ===
* Midius{{book ref|sa3|121}} is a name Hoid uses in an unpublished work; when Ash and Kalak use this name, they are probably referring to Hoid.{{epigraph ref|sa4|84}}
== Speculation ==
=== Worldsingers & Worldbringers ===
The names of the [[Worldsingers]], a group of storytellers on Roshar, and the Conclave of [[Worldbringers]], the leading body of the original [[Terris]] religion, are strikingly similar. Brandon has stated that this is not a coincidence.{{wob ref|3656}} Some believe that Hoid is a common root to both of these organizations, one of which, the Worldbringers, was very [[Realmatic Theory|Realmatically]] aware.{{wob ref|1253}}
== Quotes ==
* Prior to the events of ''Words of Radiance'', Hoid had not been hugged in "a long time."{{wob ref|3169}}
* He has dressed in drag before, "multiple times."{{wob ref|11824}}
*
* In 2018, Brandon did a reading of an uncanonical scene he had written several years prior, called "The Traveler." In it, two men, likely Hoid and Frost, have a conversation shortly after the deaths of [[Leras]] and [[Ati]]. A recording and a transcription of the reading can be found [[wob:9518|here]].
* Hoid is unimpressed with the [[Ghostbloods]].{{wob ref|12011}}
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