Difference between revisions of "Ien"

|books=[[Elantris (book)|Elantris]]

| To a Seonseon, there is no above or beneath, there are only those we love. And we serve those we love.

| Ien to [[Raoden]]{{book ref|Elantris|16}}

'''Ien''' is a [[Seonseon]], a magical being on [[Sel]]. He is bound to King [[Raoden]] of [[Arelon]].{{book ref|Elantris|1}} He is named for [[Aon#Ien|Aon Ien]], which means "wisdom"{{book ref|elantris|part=ars}} and is the symbol used for healing magic in [[AonDor]].{{book ref|Elantris|19}}

==Appearance and personalityPersonality==

Like all Seonsseons, Ien is sentientsapient and he appears as a melon-sized ball of light.{{book ref|Elantris|2}} Seons have some control over the level of their brightness,{{book ref|Elantris|32}} and they often pulse while speaking or laughing.{{book ref|Elantris|5}} Ien's namesake Aon glows at his center, although it may be difficult to discern through the light.{{book ref|Elantris|32}}

When Raoden is taken by the failed [[Shaod]], Ien's appearance changes. His Aon has new breaks in its lines and patchy colors,{{book ref|Elantris|16}} displaying some similarities to the blotchy skin of [[Elantrian]]s before the restoration of their powers.{{book ref|Elantris|10}} Despite this change, Ien was still recognizable to humans and other Seonsseons.{{wob ref|3342}} After Raoden regains access to the power of the [[Dor]], Ien reverts to his original appearance.{{book ref|Elantris|63}}

==Attributes and Abilities==

Seons are sapient [[Splinter]]s of [[Devotion]]{{wob ref|5991}} and possess several magical qualities, including flight, light generation, immortality,{{wob ref|3885}} invulnerability,{{wob ref|7439}} instant communication, and enhanced senses.{{book ref|Elantris|2}}{{book ref|Elantris|32}} Seons form bonds with humans; this bond can be Passed from person to person.{{wob ref|2076}} This bond works through [[Spiritual Realm|Spiritual]] [[Connection]]{{wob ref|10049}} and has similarities to the [[Nahel bond]] on [[Roshar]].{{wob ref|3488}}

When Raoden was taken by the broken Shaod, his spiritual nature was changed, causing Ien to lose his sapience and sentience.{{wob ref|10049}} Ien retains at least some of thesehis powers when he loses sentience - hesentience—he still glows and is able to fly -fly—but buthis theyabilities are severely weakened.{{book ref|Elantris|10}}

Ien has been bound to Raoden since he was a young boy.{{annotationbook ref|Elantris|chapter=10|link=annotation-elantris-chapter-1016}} It is not clear who exactly Passed Ien to Raoden, but it is common to keep Seonsseons within a family. When Raoden was eight years old, he severely broke his leg.{{book ref|Elantris|19}} Doctors could not heal him, and [[Raoden's mother|his mother]] and his father [[Iadon]] were forced to take him to Elantris. A female Elantrian healed him with a complex version of Aon Ien.{{book ref|Elantris|19}} He has intense memories of this event,{{book ref|Elantris|19}} but it is unknown if that influenced the selection of his Seonseon.

In Raoden's youth, he learns about slavery and attempts to free Ien, but Ien assures him that he wants to serve him and that he requires no payment.{{book ref|Elantris|16}} Raoden considers Ien a a friend, but he also sees him as a reflection of his god's love.{{book ref|Elantris|16}}

Ien is almost always at Raoden's side. When Raoden is taken by the Shaod, he does not immediately understand what has happened and is confused by the fact that he cannot find Ien.{{book ref|Elantris|1}} After getting thrown into the fallen city of Elantris, Raoden worries about Ien but tries not to think about his fate.{{book ref|Elantris|4}} He later finds Ien, but the Seonseon has lost sentiencesapience and seems to be barely able to stay upright.{{book ref|Elantris|10}} There are some indications that Ien somehow recognizes Raoden, but they are fleeting moments that pass quickly.{{book ref|Elantris|10}}{{book ref|Elantris|16}} While most "mad" Seonsseons stay away from humans, [[Galladon]] thinks Ien is "creepy" because he tends to stay near Raoden.{{book ref|Elantris|28}}

After the Elantrians regain their powers, the mad Seonsseons also have their powers and personalities restored. Ien claims to have no recollection of anything that happened during his "madness".{{book ref|Elantris|63}} However, Raoden notes that Ien has changed; he has become quieter and even more thoughtful.{{book ref|Elantris|63}} This change in Ien is significant.{{wob ref|7182}}

* In an early draft of ''Elantris'', Ien (then known as "Ian") showed up and had a major role during a climactic fight with [[Dilaf]].{{bws ref|elantris-alternate-ending-material|''Elantris'' alternate ending material|date=date unknown}} Brandon and his editor [[Moshe Feder]] felt that the scene (including the way that the Seonseon's magic was used) did not fit into the book's narrative, and it was completely rewritten.{{annotationwob ref|Elantris|chapter=62 part 3|link=annotation-elantris-62-32234}}