Difference between revisions of "Hoid"

|universe=[[Cosmere]]

|books=[[The Stormlight Archive]], [[Elantris (book)|Elantris]], [[The Emperor's Soul]], [[Mistborn (series)|Mistborn]], [[Warbreaker]], [[White Sand]]

{{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}}

 

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 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}}

}}

 

=== Storytelling Method ===

 

=== The Shards ===

 

==== Tanavast ====

 

==== Sadeas ====

 

=== Scadrial ===

* 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}}

 

== Notes ==