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|world=Yolen
|universe=[[Cosmere]]
|first appeared=[[Elantris (book)|Elantris]]
}}
{{notice|style=background-color: #F55;
|Hoid to [[Dalinar]]{{book ref|sa2|67}}
}}
'''Hoid''' is a [[Worldhopper]] and [[Dawnshard]]{{book ref|tsm|21}} that travels the cosmere, originally born on the planet [[Yolen]] before the [[Shattering]].{{book ref|tsm|10}} He was one of the major figures in the [[Shattering of Adonalsium]], but avoided taking a up a [[Shard]] himself,{{book ref|sa4|99}} instead choosing to wander the cosmere pursing his unknown goals, often in the guise of a fool{{book ref|Sa1|12}} or storyteller.{{book ref|warbreaker|32}} He may be guided at times by a mysterious sense about where he should go, but not what he is to accomplish there.{{wob ref|2567}} One of his major goals is the defeat of Rayse, the original Vessel of the Shard Odium.{{epigraph ref|sa1|28}} While Hoid has generally avoided direct involvement in the major events of the cosmere, he is oftentimes present in the periphery, influencing in large ways and small the people who will go on to alter the course of history, as well as occasionally taking on an apprentice to train at his side.{{book ref|tsm|34}} Hoid has been present for events such as the restoration of the city of [[Elantris (city)|Elantris]] on [[Sel]],{{book ref|elantris|58}} the [[Catacendre]] of [[Scadrial]],{{book ref|mb3|27}} and the [[True Desolation]] of [[Roshar]].{{book ref|sa2|epilogue}} Along the way he has gained access to a prodigious number of powerful [[Invested Art]]s and arcana, including [[Surgebinding]],{{book ref|sa3|epilogue}} [[AonDor]],{{book ref|tress|64}} Awakening,{{book ref|sa2|59}} and [[Allomancy]],{{wob ref|4877}} among others.
== 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, though he was not born with that color{{wob ref|15174}} and 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}}
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 an Alethi man in his mid-30s{{wob ref|1705}} with deep onyx hair. He wears a stiff black coat and 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/Queen's Wit, though Hoid himself is not a skilled swordfighter.{{wob ref|896}}
=== Personality ===
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}}
Hoid is a very kind person to those he takes a liking to, doing his best to emotionally console them and give them the will to keep going. This can be seen in the various times he has told [[Kaladin]] stories in order to comfort him and teach him a lesson that he believes he needs to learn.{{book ref|sa1|57}}{{book ref|sa4|80}} He has done the same to Shallan, most notably when he met her as a child traumatized by her experiences and the abuses she went through during the [[Middlefest Fair]]. Here, he consoles her and gave her motivation to keep moving forward.{{book ref|sa2|45}} He did the same later, when speaking with her in [[Kholinar]].{{book ref|sa3|82}} He occasionally uses
While he is very comforting to those he likes, and can sometimes be open about some parts of his past; he does make sure
On the other end, he finds great joy in tormenting those he hates, such as [[Ruthar]], [[Rayse]], or
He deeply enjoys storytelling, and has learned many stories over his long life. The stories he tells often have a personal or thematic relevance to those he is telling them to.{{book ref|wb|32}}{{book ref|sa1|57}}{{book ref|sa3|82}}{{book ref|sa4|80}} Though sometimes, he simply tells stories for the sake of telling them, as he feels that as stories exist, they must be told.{{book ref|wb|32}}{{book ref|yumi}}{{book ref|tress}} As a storyteller, he deeply hates when people spoil his stories.{{book ref|sa3|epilogue}} He also enjoys pontificating on the nature of art and storytelling to whoever would listen.{{book ref|sa1|epilogue}}{{book ref|sa2|epilogue}}{{book ref|sa3|epilogue}}{{book ref|sa4|epilogue}}{{book ref|ws|epilogue}}{{book ref|yumi}} He also enjoys asking people questions of philosophy and ideology, and would do so even with complete strangers. He uses these questions in order to use the answers of others as a jumping off point to share his own philosophy on the subject in question.{{book ref|sa1|epilogue}}
Another thing he finds joy in is getting away with things.{{wob ref|1745}}
For unknown reasons, he was willing to turn down the immense power of a [[Shard]] when it was offered to him.{{epigraph ref|sa3|38}}{{epigraph ref|sa3|41}} This is likely connected to his self-professed distrust of the
He has a very negative outlook on himself, often believing that he has no answers for others or even any answers at all,{{book ref|sa1|57}} believes that he should never be trusted due to what he is willing to do to achieve his goals,{{book ref|sa2|67}}{{book ref|sa3|68}} he thinks himself arrogant and regrets many of his actions and inactions throughout his life,{{book ref|tress|56}}{{book ref|sa1|57}} and he does not consider himself a good man.{{wob ref|1704}} He even considers a Dawnshard itself to have become completely worthless in his wearing of it.{{book ref|sa1|57}}
==== Philosophy ====
He believes that the main thing that people value in creation is not the
He feels that art and aesthetic beauty is not some eternal idea outside of humanity, but rather that it inherently relies upon and is defined by humanity. That art produced with low audience expectations can gain much love and loyal following from those given more then they expect; but conversely, an artist held in very high esteem can have their works torn apart and considered a failure for falling even slightly short from expectations. Aesthetic beauty is given definition through audience expectation and interpretation, it relies deeply upon audience participation, and therefore is not eternal and independent. He claims that this aspect of art makes it fundamentally unfair. He furthers this idea to say that the concept of expectation defining value extends to all parts of life, such as in financial gains.{{book ref|sa2|epilogue}}
He believes that all great art is necessarily hated by some due to the variety in human tastes
He believes that stories don't live until they are imagined in someone's mind, and that everyone's experience of the story is individual and unique. He believes that the meaning of a story is up to the audience themselves to decide; that it is not meant to tell them how to think, but instead to give them questions to think upon.{{book ref|sa1|57}} He thinks that the interpretations people have of stories are based upon what they themselves are looking for, as are the answers they find in them.{{book ref|sa1|57}} His belief in how stories take on life in the minds of an audience is likely a reason for his feeling of obligation to tell the stories that he learns to whoever will listen.{{book ref|wb|32}}
=== Metallic Arts ===
Hoid has also gained access to Allomancy,{{wob ref|4877}} by burning a bead of lerasium stolen from the Well of Ascension.{{msh ref|2|1}}{{wob ref|1515}}{{wob ref|12210}} This grants him power equivalent to that of the ancient Allomancers.{{epigraph ref|mb3|22}} It is uncertain how practiced he is with these powers, but he does make use of emotional Allomancy{{wob ref|6933}} on at least one occasion.{{book ref|sa2|45}} He also has access to [[atium]].{{wob ref|465}} It is unknown whether or not Hoid has access to [[Feruchemy]].{{wob ref|466}} However, he does have access to some unkeyed metalminds,{{wob ref|1571}} which would not be useful to him without Feruchemical abilities or unsealed metalminds. The particular attributes that are stored in these metalminds are unknown. Hoid does not make use of Hemalurgy, to gain access to the Metallic Arts or any other manifestation of Investiture, as he is concerned about opening himself up to the influence of Shards.{{wob ref|656}} He does, however, own many Hemalurgic spikes.{{wob ref|15271}}{{wob ref|16280}}
=== Awakening ===
=== The Desolations ===
At some point after the Shattering, Hoid visited Roshar and mingled with the original inhabitants of the world, even dancing with the ancient [[singer]]s. He grew to be close with one
He knew the Heralds, and they recognize him by the name Midius. He was the one that taught them how they could use Investiture to enhance their memories.{{book ref|sa3|121}}{{epigraph ref|sa4|84}} Whether he knew them before or after the [[Oathpact]], or the exact nature of their relationship, is unclear.
=== The Pahn Kahl Rebellion ===
Several centuries later,{{wob ref|14099}} around
Hoid spent a lot of time gambling on Nalthis, and was fairly renowned. He would arrange things so that he could never lose, and then bet everything on himself. However, someone else managed to arrange it so that he couldn't ''win'', either, resulting in a tie and the loss of his winnings.{{book ref|sa4|99}}
In {{rosharan date|1170|5}} during the [[Middlefest Fair]] in [[Jah Keved]], [[Shallan Davar]] met Hoid disguised as a messenger, and he spoke with her.{{book ref|sa2|45}} Seeing that she was emotionally distressed, he used emotional allomancy in order to soothe her, and encouraged her to keep on pushing forward despite her struggles.{{book ref|sa2|45}}{{wob ref|6933}} This meeting would leave a deep impression upon Shallan, and she would remember him for years after the event.{{book ref|sa2|55}}
He met [[Lift]] at some point after her blessing by the [[Nightwatcher]] in {{Rosharan date|1170}}, but before her heist on the [[Bronze Palace]] in {{rosharan date|1173}}.{{wob ref|5016}}{{
[[Ishikk]] was hired by three men from the [[Seventeenth Shard]] to search for Hoid in the [[Purelake]], though all four failed to find him.{{book ref|sa1|i|1}} He searched for five months, though came up with no results.{{book ref|sa1|i|1}}
After the start of the True Desolation circa {{Rosharan date|1173|10|10|3}},{{article ref|Words of Radiance/Timeline|Words of Radiance timeline}} on the day that the Everstorm was projected to hit [[Shinovar]] on {{rosharan date|1174|1|1|4}}, he monologued to a Sleepless Hordling about the nature of art. After he finished his monologue, he met with [[Jasnah Kholin]] as she exited the Cognitive Realm, offering to travel with her.{{book ref|sa2|epilogue}}{{wob ref|1523}}
====
Hoid next appeared as Wit in Alethkar, discussing the nature of power with Shallan. Prior to that, while telling the story of Mishim in Alethkar, Hoid sees something next to his pack, which startles him. After the story, Shallan looks into Hoid's pack and sees a small, sealed black jar. The side of the jar pointing at Shallan was white. This might be a jar of sand from [[Taldain]]'s Dayside, with the sand turning white showing Hoid a Surgebinder is near. This may be important, but not much is known about it. During Hoid's conversation with Shallan, he says that he knew of a group like the Cult of Moments, describing them as equally foolish and dangerous. It is unclear at the moment which group he may be referring to.
He later helps her get into the Cult of Moments, finding Shallan at her darkest moment, when she discovered the food she has been giving to the poor is just making things worse.{{expand}}
[[Shalash]], upon seeing sketches of [[Talenel]] and herself, wondered aloud why Midius, another name for Hoid, was giving away drawings of them.{{book ref|sa3|121}}
==== Bonding of Design ====
=== Bet with the Sorceress of Lumar ===
Hoid would later go on to visit the planet of [[Lumar]],{{book ref|tress|4}}{{ref|group=fn|text=It can be assumed that this takes place after the events of other Cosmere books due to the references to and appearence of very advanced technology, relative to what has been seen before. Examples include computers,{{book ref|tress|64}}{{book ref|tress|60}} monitoring systems,{{book ref|tress|60}} extremely advanced Nalthian tech such as Awakened predictive circuits,{{book ref|tress|15}} spaceships,{{book ref|tress|60}} and rockets.{{book ref|tress|64}} Along with the release of the Kandra across the cosmere;{{book ref|tress|42}} and awareness of Marsh spreading across the Cosmere,{{book ref|tress|53}} which began late into the anteverdant era of Scadrial.{{book ref|mb7|part=ars
At some point he informed his friend, the [[kandra]] [[Ulaam]], of his intentions to visit the planet via letter.{{book ref|tress|22}} Still hoping to gain access to AonDor, he met with [[Riina]], who was living on the planet in the guise the Sorceress of the Midnight Sea.{{book ref|tress|22}} While visiting her island, Hoid agreed to a bet with her. Riina would be allowed to place him under a curse, and in exchange, if he could successfully break it, he would be granted admission to the Elantrians and the ability to use AonDor. The curse placed on him stripped him of his sense of humor, sense of style, sense of decorum, sense of purpose, intelligence, and sense of self.{{book ref|tress|15}} In order to break the curse, he would need to return to the central room of the Sorceress' ship on her island.{{book ref|tress|64}} As a part of the curse, he was also forbidden from telling anyone any information about his curse, how he had been given it, or how it could be broken. Riina finished her casting by sending Hoid far away from the Midnight Sea. During his time here, he likely came into possession of some Midnight spores.{{book ref|tress|28}}
{{sidequote
Hoid would later share his adventure with Tress and Charlie as a story to an unknown audience, potentially made up of people from the planet [[First of the Sun]].{{book ref|tress|24}}{{book ref|tress|60}} It is unknown exactly when he tells this story relative to the events, but it is known to be within years or decades, but less than centuries.{{wob ref|15442}}
=== Meeting with Sigzil ===▼
When Hoid's apprentice Sigzil arrived on [[Canticle]], Sigzil's spren [[Auxiliary]] used some Investiture they had acquired to temporarily reinforce Sigzil's Connection to Hoid, allowing Hoid to appear before Sigzil as an illusion.{{book ref|tsm|10}} Sigzil remained angry with Hoid for the betrayal, feeling as if he had been tricked and used by Wit when he was asked to take up the Dawnshard, and forced into his life of fleeing the Night Brigade. He confronted Hoid in anger for this and his betrayal in the warcamps. Hoid responded by explaining to Sigzil that he had taken him on as an apprentice due to his hunger for answers to all his questions. Hoid reminded Sigzil that while that it was a good
=== Frozen on Komashi ===
{{image|The Noodle Pupil by Aliya Chen.jpg|width=300px|side=right|Hoid frozen due to his protection measures (left)}}
At some point after Sigzil's overthrowing of the [[Cinder King]]{{ref|group=fn|text=It has been confirmed that the events of Yumi and the Nightmare Painter take place after the events of The Sunlit Man by an unclear margin of time.{{wob ref|16524}}}},
After the father machine was destroyed by Yumi, and the attempts to absorb his Investiture thus halted, he was freed from his stasis. He planned with Design to disguise themselves as astronauts and steal a ship, allowing them to travel to the nearby [[Iron Seven Waystation]].{{book ref|yumi|part=anotherepilogue}}
It is possible that Hoid had been to Komashi at some point before the activation of the father machine, as he had some implied familiarity with some elements of [[Torio|Torish]] culture.{{book ref|yumi|2}}
▲=== Meeting with Sigzil ===
▲When Hoid's apprentice Sigzil arrived on [[Canticle]], Sigzil's spren [[Auxiliary]] used some Investiture they had acquired to temporarily reinforce Sigzil's Connection to Hoid, allowing Hoid to appear before Sigzil as an illusion.{{book ref|tsm|10}} Sigzil remained angry with Hoid for the betrayal, feeling as if he had been tricked and used by Wit when he was asked to take up the Dawnshard, and forced into his life of fleeing the Night Brigade. He confronted Hoid in anger for this and his betrayal in the warcamps. Hoid responded by explaining to Sigzil that he had taken him on as an apprentice due to his hunger for answers to all his questions. Hoid reminded Sigzil that while that it was a good instict, it's important to realize that the questions are more important than the answers themselves sometimes. As the Connection faded, Hoid apologized sincerely to Sigzil for his mistake, and for ruining his life.
== Relationships ==
: 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}}
: Hoid feels shame for how he effected Sigzil by giving him the Dawnshard, and for abandoning him to slavery.{{book ref|tsm|10}}
: For a while, Sigzil believed that Hoid thought him dead, but was filled with rage upon learning that he knew he was alive all through his slavery at the Shattered Plains.{{book ref|tsm|10}} He is further angered by the burden placed upon him by Hoid giving him the Dawnshard.{{book ref|tsm|10}}
; Torol Sadeas
:Hoid dislikes Sadeas, insulting him at any chance he gets. Though at first he tries to get Sadeas to attempt to kill him in order to remove the man as a threat, he makes fun of Sadeas after his death just for the fun of it.{{book ref|sa1|15}}{{book ref|sa3|68}}{{cite}}
=== Scadrial ===
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