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|universe=[[Cosmere]]
|books=[[The Stormlight Archive]], [[Elantris (book)|Elantris]], [[The Emperor's Soul]], [[Mistborn (series)|Mistborn]], [[Warbreaker]], [[White Sand]]
}}
{{theory}}
{{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 to [[Dalinar]]{{book ref|sa2|67}}
}}
'''Hoid''' is a recurring character in the [[cosmere]], originally from [[Yolen]]. Hoid is not his original name;{{wob ref|5882}} before telling [[Kaladin]] the story of the ''[[Wandersail]]'', he claims he stole the name from someone he should have loved.{{book ref|sa1|57}} In response to [[Letters#The First Letter|a letter]] asking for help in the fight against [[Odium]], [[Frost]] asked him if he is no longer hiding behind the name of his old master,{{epigraph ref|sa2|60}} likely referring to the name Hoid. Among the original [[Vessel]]s, Hoid is often known as Cephandrius,{{msh ref|2|1}}{{epigraph ref|sa3|33}}{{epigraph ref|sa3|42}}{{book ref|sa4|112}} which is one of his earliest aliases.{{wob ref|3985}}
His particular style of storytelling in which he manipulates sand or smoke to illustrate his stories, as in [[Warbreaker]] and ''The Way of Kings'', does not originate from ''[[White Sand]]'', but from another unpublished story, ''[[The Liar of Partinel]]''.{{wob ref|4636}} In ''Warbreaker'', Siri asked Hoid where he learned his style of story telling. Hoid answered, "I learned it many, many years ago from a man who didn't know who he was, Your Majesty. It was a distant place where two lands meet and gods have died. But that is unimportant." His origin will be revealed in the ''[[Dragonsteel]]'' series,{{wob ref|4039}} and so it is commonly believed Hoid is from [[Yolen]], the world of ''Dragonsteel'' and [[The Liar of Partinel|''Liar'']]. He also has a "home base" somewhere in the [[Cognitive Realm]].{{wob ref|3479}}{{wob ref|1261}}
Hoid is neither the author of the [[Ars Arcanum|Ars Arcanum]], nor of the back-of-book blurb for ''[[Words of Radiance]]''
== Appearance & Personality ==
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 Lightweave his appearance in order to look however he wants, it makes it nearly impossible to know for sure what he looks like. To the best of our knowledge, his face is lined,{{book ref|twok|54}} hawk-like and arrow shaped. Hoid is tall and thin{{book ref|twok|12}} and also has a sharp nose and jaw with delicate eyebrows.{{book ref|twok|54}} He tends to cock his head to one side{{book ref|twok|57}} and has keen blue eyes.{{book ref|twok|12}} Hoid's hair is white, although he occasionally dyes it.{{book ref|twok|i|1}} There is a particular reason for his hair being white, which will be revealed in the future.{{wob ref|9236}}
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 is not always serious when he should be, due to how much normal human interaction bores him.{{wob ref|14988}}
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}}
{{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 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 seems to have a compounding effect with his Yolish Lightweaving, and seemingly 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]].
<!-- It is unknown if Hoid's Nahel bond will prevent him from world hopping as implied by Mraize -->
<!-- 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 ===
When Waxillium Ladrian walked up the path to Kelesina's mansion to attend a [[Kelesina Shores' party|party]] with [[Steris Harms]], Hoid climbed out of the bushes, startling Wax.{{book ref|mb6|11}} Wanting to reveal Kelsier's resurrection and identity as the Sovereign,{{wob ref|1727}} Hoid looked for an opportunity to pass on the unsealed metalmind. He asked Wax for a few clips.{{book ref|mb6|11}} Steris noticed Hoid's cologne and asked him if he was wearing cologne. Hoid was startled by her observation and claimed that he had been drinking perfume, as it had quite a kick. Steris told him that that was unhealthy and Wax advised Hoid that he should leave the private grounds. Hoid agreed but claimed that it was his property and again asked for coins. Wax gave him a banknote and told him again to leave the grounds. Hoid claimed it was far too much and that he wished to give Waxillium change. As Wax walked away, Hoid threw the coin at Wax's head, who caught it in midair. A groundsman then noticed Hoid and tried to chase him off. Hoid laughed and escaped back into the bushes again.
== Relationships ==
Due to his nature as a worldhopper, Hoid has met most of the main characters in the cosmere, as well as a large quantity of side characters.
=== The Shards ===
Hoid's relationships with the various [[Vessel]]s are varied<!--wow that was a lot of v's-->, to say the least, ranging from hate and terror to respect and cameraderie.
==== Tanavast ====
Hoid was acquainted with [[Tanavast]] before the Shattering.{{book ref|sa2|epilogue}}
==== Rayse ====
Hoid is terrified of [[Rayse]], and takes many precautions against him. However, he is not above taunting the Shard, as he feels him to be the most detestable person he has ever met, albeit preferably from a position of superiority.{{epigraph ref|sa1|18}}{{book ref|sa4|epilogue}}
==== Taravangian ====
Prior to [[Taravangian]]'s Ascension, Hoid had never notably interacted with him. However, after the occupation of [[Urithiru]], when going to challenge Rayse, he realized that a new Vessel had Ascended, and was completely terrified, as Rayse was controlled by the power, but a new Vessel might have more control. However, Taravangian destroyed the Breaths holding his short-term memory, so he did not believe anything to be amiss.{{book ref|sa4|epiogue}}
==== Koravellium Avast ====
Hoid, while not ''enemies'' with [[Koravellium]], has never really gotten along with her. However, he recognizes the fact that she poses a threat to Odium, and respects that.{{book ref|sa2|55}}
==== Sazed ====
[[Sazed]] has a benevolent feeling towards Hoid.{{epigraph ref|sa3|53}} However, the latter has nevertheless hidden from the Shard whenever he visits [[Scadrial]],{{epigraph ref|sa3|56}} a decision of which Sazed disapproves,{{epigraph ref|sa3|57}} but by which he is also fascinated.{{epigraph ref|sa4|21}} He wishes to work with Hoid to keep Odium contained, as he is highly disturbed by the wound upon the Spiritual Realm where Ambition was Splintered. They disagree on whether it is the Vessel or the power that is more dangerous, with Sazed believing that the Investiture will make any Vessel of Odium the same as their predecessor, but they agree that it would be the combination of a Vessel's craftiness and the power's Intent that would be most fearsome--coincidentally, a very good description of Taravangian.
==== Bavadin ====
Hoid has a long-standing grudge against [[Bavadin]] for unknown reasons.{{epigraph ref|sa1|23}}{{wob ref|10630}} She has instilled in many of her avatars, including the one on [[Obrodai]], a deep dislike of him;{{epigraph ref|sa3|50}} however, he and Bavadin herself had a relationship at some point.{{epigraph ref|sa3|42}}
==== Edgli ====
Hoid and [[Edgli]] mutually detest each other. However, their conversations are far more polite than Hoid's relations with Bavadin or Rayse.{{epigraph ref|sa3|33}}{{epigraph ref|sa3|41}}
=== Roshar ===
In his position as King's, and later, Queen's Wit, Hoid has had opportunities to interact with many notable Rosharans, and has taken full advantage of such chances.
==== Kaladin ====
Hoid feels paternally to [[Kaladin]]. In such situations as when Kaladin is terrified at the discovery of his Radiant powers,{{book ref|sa1|57}} languishing in prison,{{book ref|sa2|59}} or trapped in a vision concocted by Odium and [[Moash]] in order to try and break him,{{book ref|sa4|80}} Hoid is always there with a story to bring him back from the brink, and at one point gave Kaladin his [[Trailman's flute]].
==== Shallan ====
Hoid feels similarly to [[Shallan]] as he does to Kaladin. Visiting her in times of need, such as when her father is growing more and more abusive or when she's sitting in a dark building in [[Kholinar]], racked with guilt about [[Grund]]'s death, he guides her to a path of self-forgiveness.
==== Sigzil ====
Hoid's relationship with [[Sigzil]] seems similar to that of Jasnah and Shallan. When in Azir, Hoid found Sigzil to be in some sort of trouble, and, after rescuing him, took the young [[Azish]] man under his wing and began teaching him as a [[Worldsinger]].{{book ref|sa1|57}} The two traveled [[Roshar]] together, at one point ending up in [[Babatharnam]], where Hoid had to pay for Sigzil to be freed three separate times, though Sigzil suspected that they mainly arrested him because Hoid had a lot of money.{{book ref|sa2|46}} Hoid graduated him as a full Worldsinger in {{rosharan date|1173|9}}.{{book ref|sa1|57}}
==== Design ====
Hoid has a fondly exasperated view towards [[Design]]. Though, as a pair who share a [[Nahel bond]], they are extremely close, he is consistently frustrated by her habit of spoiling stories that he's telling, as he sees it.{{book ref|sa4|80}}{{book ref|sa4|epilogue}}
==== Jasnah ====
Hoid is romantically involved with [[Jasnah]].{{book ref|sa4|17}}{{book ref|sa4|99}} He also has immense respect for her, both due to her sheer intelligence and the fact that, when all else fails, she is, above all, paranoid. Jasnah notes that he seems to think such things as kissing her safehand would spark passion in her, though it is her view that mental stimulation is far superior.
==== Sadeas ====
Hoid dislikes Sadeas, insulting him at any chance he gets. Though at first he tries to get Sadeas to kill him in order to remove the man as a threat (since Shardblades are unable to hurt him anyway), he makes fun of Sadeas after his death just for the fun of it.{{cite}}
=== Scadrial ===
==== Kelsier ====
[[Kelsier]] and Hoid mutually detest one another. Hoid considers him extremely dangerous, though he doesn't think much of his organization.{{book ref|sa4|64}}{{wob ref|12011}} However, this doesn't stop him from taking action against the Cognitive Shadow, such as when he gives [[Wax]] a [[coppermind]] containing knowledge that Kelsier would have preferred to have stayed hidden.{{book ref|mb6|epilogue}}
== Known Aliases ==
* Hoid does not pay taxes.{{wob ref|13322}}
* Hoid was at least acquainted with [[Tanavast]] before the Shattering.{{book ref|sa2|epilogue}}
* Hoid fears The Beyond.{{
* Hoid's favorite color is black.{{wob ref|14774}}
* Though he once (extremely accurately) said to Shallan that he began life as words on a page, this was not in fact a break of the fourth wall.{{wob ref|3334}}
* Brandon Sanderson used Topaz as a D&D character when he was a teenager.{{wob ref|15048}}
== Notes ==
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