Difference between revisions of "Koloss"

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{{lifeform
{{sapient
|image=Human Koloss.jpg
|type={{tag+|Hemalurgic construct}}
|image-artist=[[Ben McSweeney]] for the ''[[Mistborn Adventure Game]]''
{{|sapient=Yes
|magic=[[Hemalurgy]]
|world=Scadrial
|universe=[[Cosmere]]
|books=[[Mistborn (series)|Mistborn]]
}}
The '''koloss''' are a bestial race of creatures on [[Scadrial]], created by the [[Lord Ruler]] through the use of [[Hemalurgy]].{{book ref|mb3|37}}{{book ref|mb3|40}} During the time of the [[Lord Ruler]], koloss serve as a powerful, fiercely loyal army to him, thanks in no small part to the fact that they can be controlled through the use of [[Allomancy]] by any powerful [[Allomancy#Mistborn|Mistborn]] or group of [[brassSoother]]s and/or [[mistingRioter]]s. {{book ref|mb2|54}}{{book ref|mb3|3}}{{epigraph ref|mb3|21}}.
 
== AppearancePhysiology ==
=== Appearance ===
The koloss are physically very large and very powerful. A full sized koloss could grow to be as tall as twelve feet. A young koloss has as much skin as it would come to have in its later life. Because of this, the younger a koloss is, the fatter they appear, due to having too much baggy skin covering themselves. The skin itself doesn't hold terribly firmly to the koloss' body.{{book ref|mb2|19}} As the koloss grow taller, their skin tears and fits tightly to them. A koloss ancient will have little to no skin at all, being covered instead in leather wrappings.{{book ref|eltania}}. When a koloss reaches about twelve feet, their hearts can no longer sustain their bodies, and they die shortly thereafter.
{{image|Koloss by cyangorilla.jpg|side=right|width=300px}}
{{for|/Gallery|more images}}
 
==== Koloss ====
== Creation and reproduction==
The koloss are physically very large and very powerful. Koloss have blue skin and red eyes.{{book ref|mb2|19}} A full -sized koloss could grow to be as tall as twelve feet. AThe youngtransformation kolossprocess hascorrupts asthe muchability of their skin asto itgrow wouldand heal. Therefore Koloss are comesaid to only have ina itsfixed lateramount of skin that does not change over their lifelifetime. Because of this, the younger a koloss is, the fatter theyit may appear, due to having too much baggy skin covering themselvesitself. The skin itself doesn't hold terribly firmlywell to the koloss' body.{{book ref|mb2|19}} As the koloss grow taller, their skin tears and fits tightly to them. AAn ancient koloss ancientis willa havehideous littlesight toindeed, nohaving skinlittle atremaining all,original skin. beingBeing covered instead in scars, half-healed wounds, and innumerable newly formed tears. Older koloss protect their mutilated skin with leather wrappings.{{book ref|eltania}} A koloss continuously grows until its death. When a kolossit reaches aboutroughly twelve feet, theirdespite heartsits hemalugically enhanced strength and fortitude, its heart and lungs can no longer sustain theirits bodies,disproportionate andweight. theyHeart diefailure begins to set in. It dies shortly thereafter, or in a weakened state is killed by younger koloss seeking to take its blade.
Similar to [[Steel Inquisitor]]s, the creation of a koloss is very brutal. To create a koloss, four humans are stabbed with individual iron spikes through their heart, and these spikes are then placed strategically on to a fifth person.
 
==== Koloss-blooded ====
The addition of four spikes containing the strength and a portion of the [[spiritweb]] of four other people causes them to grow in physical strength far beyond human limits as well as making it possible for them to continue growing in size until they can no longer physically support their own bodies and their hearts give out. The four spikes also have the effect of reducing their intelligence to almost that of a basic animal. These spikes can be reused, however they are subject to Hemalurgic decay, meaning that the power in the spikes diminishes with each re-use, which allows for more of the koloss' humanity to remain.{{epigraph ref|mb3|40}}
Koloss-blooded resemble normal humans with skin ranging from mottled granite to various shades of blue.{{book ref|mb4|5}}{{book ref|eltania}}{{book ref|mb5|prolouge}} Like koloss, they continue growing taller throughout their life.{{book ref|mb4|19}}
 
=== Creation and reproduction ===
The spiking, however, only affects them in the [[Physical Realm]]. When they appear in the [[Cognitive Realm]] after death, they look exactly like the humans they were before being spiked.
Similar to [[Steel Inquisitor]]s, the creation of a koloss is very brutal. To create a koloss, four humans are stabbed with individual iron spikes through their heart, and these spikes are then placed strategically on to a fifth person. Once placed, the spikes turn the recipient into a koloss "very quickly".{{wob ref|8075}} It is possible to create Hemalurgic constructs similar to koloss using animals instead of humans as a base.{{wob ref|3590}} It is possible to create sapient creatures similar to koloss from other primates.{{wob ref|12581}}
 
The addition of four spikes containing the strength and a portion of the [[spiritweb]] of four other people causes them to grow in physical strength far beyond human limits as well as making it possible for them to continue growing in size until they can no longer physically support their own bodies and their hearts give out. The four spikes also have the effect of reducingdamaging their intelligencecognitive toand almostemotional thatcapacity, ofmaking them more animalistic aand basicpoorly animalsentient. These spikes can be reused, however they are subject to Hemalurgic decay, meaning that the power in the spikes diminishes with each re-use, which allows for more of the koloss' humanity to remain in subsequent creations.{{epigraph ref|mb3|40}}Such koloss may retain more of the skills and language they possessed prior to being transformed.
When a koloss dies, other koloss in the vicinity attempt to collect and reuse the spikes from the dead one. This results in the koloss being able to reproduce in a manner of speaking, provided that they have someone to receive the spikes. The koloss are periodically supplied with fresh spikes and skaa captives to produce more koloss, but after the death of the Lord Ruler, they learned how to reproduce on their own; by harvesting the spikes from their dead brethren and re-using them.{{epigraph ref|mb3|42}}
 
The spiking, however, only affects them in the [[Physical Realm]]. When they appear in the [[Cognitive Realm]] after death, they look exactly like the humans they were before being spiked.{{msh ref|6|2}}
Because of this, after the Lord Ruler's control over the koloss ends, many of the koloss attack nearby human inhabitants in an attempt to make more Koloss. When [[Vin]] visits a Koloss camp, they request for her to give them more Koloss. She does not know how, but they expect a human to be able to provide them with more Koloss, since that is what they have experienced in the past.
 
When a koloss dies, other koloss in the vicinity attempt to collect and reuse the spikes from the dead one. This results in the koloss being able to reproduce in a manner of speaking, provided that they have someone to receive the spikes. The koloss are periodically supplied with fresh spikes and skaa captives to produce more koloss, but after the death of the Lord Ruler, they learned how to reproduce on their own; by harvesting the spikes from their dead brethren and re-using them, likely under Ruin's influence.{{epigraph ref|mb3|42}}
In the post-Catacendre era, Koloss became a self reproducing species. When two koloss reproduce, the child is born koloss-blooded. This means that they are physically strong, with a mottled granite-like complexion.{{book ref|mb4|5}} A semi-offensive term for them is "'''kig'''".{{book ref| mb6|}} Furthermore they continue to grow taller throughout their lives. They heal quickly, and are often less intelligent than average. They become a full koloss once they accept the spikes.{{wob ref|1417}} [[Wax]] estimates [[Tarson]] to be young purely by his short but stocky frame.{{book ref|mb4|19}}
 
Because of this, after the Lord Ruler's control over the koloss ends, many of the koloss attack nearby human inhabitants in an attempt to make more Kolosskoloss. When [[Vin]] visits a Kolosskoloss camp, they request for her to give them more Kolosskoloss. She does not know how, but they expect a human to be able to provide them with more Kolosskoloss, since that is what they have experienced in the past.
 
In the post-Catacendre era, koloss became a self-reproducing species. When two koloss reproduce, the offspring are born koloss-blooded. They can also breed with humans and produce koloss-blooded hybrids. They become a full koloss once they choose to accept spikes.{{book ref|eltania}}{{wob ref|1417}}
 
== Powers ==
{{image|Koloss by Gar leyva.jpeg|side=right|width=250px|Large Koloss attacking [[Sazed]]}}
The only real powers in a koloss' arsenal are superhuman strength, and increased size. However, this comes at a price. Koloss in the [[Final Empire]] are nowhere near as intelligent as they were as humans. However, they still retain the faint ability to reason, and the ability to communicate, and the re-use of spikes from dead koloss to create more resulted in koloss that retained more of their former humanity.{{epigraph ref|mb3|42}}
=== Koloss ===
Koloss have four [[Hemalurgy|Hemalurgically]] charged [[iron#Hemalurgic Use|iron]] spikes, which grant them increased strength and stamina. This allows them to wield enormous blades, which are about the same size they are. The blades are relatively blunt and not well made. The edges are jagged and full of nicks and dents. Koloss tend to rely on brute strength and the great inertia of their weapons to smash and hack their opponents, rather than any great technique or finesse. They should not be underestimated, however. Larger koloss are more experienced killers. The Hemalurgic spikes, however, come with a price. In addition to twisting their bodies, the spikes also diminish a koloss' mental and emotional capacity. Moreover it dulls their sense, including reduced sensitivity to pain. However, they still retain some ability to reason, remember, perform certain tasks, and the ability to communicate. The re-use of spikes from dead koloss to create more resulted in koloss that retained more of their former humanity and mental capacity.{{epigraph ref|mb3|42}}
 
Koloss can subsist off of nearly any substance and can eat almost anything, including dirt and ash.{{book ref|mb2|19}}{{book ref|mb3|13}} They are not bothered by the cold.{{book ref|mb2|41}}
Allomancers who are transformed into koloss will retain their Allomantic abilities, though they may not necessarily retain the knowledge to use those abilities.{{qa ref|692|25}}
 
Allomancers who are transformed into koloss will retain their Allomantic abilities, though they may not necessarily retain the knowledge to use those abilities.{{qawob ref|692|2510117}}
 
=== Koloss-blooded ===
Koloss-blooded are stronger than an average human.{{book ref|mb4|11}}{{book ref|eltania}} Koloss-blooded can also withstand more damage, able to survive gunshots and heal faster than a human can.{{book ref|mb4|18}}{{book ref|mb6|5}} Koloss-blooded are not nearly as fast as full-blooded koloss.{{book ref|mb4|18}}
 
While it is believed that koloss-blooded are less intelligent than humans, studies have shown that they are just as intelligent.{{book ref|eltania}}
 
== See AlsoHistory ==
{{image|HoA Weber.jpg|side=right|width=250px|[[Vin]] standing on a koloss}}
=== The Final Empire ===
During the Final Empire the koloss serve as the Lord Ruler's army.{{book ref|mb2|54}} After the Lord Ruler's control over the koloss ends, many of the koloss attack nearby human inhabitants in an attempt to make more koloss. They were used as a driving force of their armies for both [[Vin]] and [[Ruin]].{{book ref|mb3|2}}{{book ref|mb3|82}}
 
=== After the Ascension ===
After [[Harmony]]'s [[Final Ascension|Ascension]], however, the koloss were transformed into a tribal race that could breed, which lived in the [[Roughs]].{{wob ref|1381}} As a true breeding race, Kolosskoloss raise koloss-blooded children. Those who chose can turn into full koloss at the age of twelve in a coming-of-age ritual where they choose to accept the requisite spikes or not. Those who do not accept the spikes leave, and live outside the tribe. Additionally, outsiders can choose to become koloss through this ritual.{{wob ref|1417}} The koloss as a people have made a vow not to harm the [[Terris]] people, which entitles Terrismen to safety and a degree of respect amongst the koloss.{{book ref|eltania}}
 
The changes in the Kolosskoloss and their breeding subsequently allowed some koloss-blooded to become allomancersAllomancers.{{book ref|aolmb4|6}} How this is achieved is unknown, but Kolosskoloss with the powers of allomancyAllomancy appear to be known in the [[Roughs]] enough to be recognisedrecognized. {{book ref|aolmb4|11}}
 
Since the Kolosskoloss are no longer required to fight for anybody, they are able to live longer lives. This allows for the development of Kolosskoloss ancients, who have little to no skin at all. They are enormous, have no noses or lips, and their eyes appear to bulge. They survive only by wrapping themselves in leather to keep in their blood. While their intelligence is still at the level of the average Kolosskoloss, they are looked after by the tribe and given respect similar to that of a tribal elder .{{book ref|eltania}}.
 
== Culture==
Because of their diminished intelligence, the Final Empire-era koloss live in barbaric tribes. Usually, social standing is determined by age, because as the koloss agesage, they get larger and more powerful.
 
Koloss are said to have two emotional states: boredom and rage. Because of this, their day to day lives are filled with milling about and fighting. When there is nothing else to fight near them, the koloss turn to in-fighting. Their [[koloss blades|blades]] arecan be distributedused as a means of population control, as well as weaponry. If a koloss doesn't have a sword it feels is of adequate size, theyit will have to kill another koloss and take theirsits sword. If there is anare extra swords, theythe cankoloss will expect their handlers to make amore humankoloss intoto atake up those swords, and if there are not enough swords, the koloss will kill each other for them until there are.
 
Most of the killing within a tribe is done solely on a whim, usually to get something the other koloss owns, or because some random glance or act has enraged one of the koloss.{{book ref|mb2|19}}
 
After the [[Lord Ruler]]'s death, [[Jastes Lekal]] created some fake wooden coins and by "paying" with the coins, he recruited an army of koloss. The koloss carry the coins in a small sack and would kill each other for them.{{book ref|mb2|19}} This is probably caused by the reusing of the spikes which increases their intelligence to the point that they can understand economy values.
==After the Ascension==
After [[Harmony]]'s [[Final Ascension|Ascension]], however, the koloss were transformed into a tribal race that could breed, which lived in the [[Roughs]].{{wob ref|1381}} As a true breeding race, Koloss raise koloss-blooded children. Those who chose can turn into full koloss at the age of twelve in a coming-of-age ritual where they choose to accept the requisite spikes or not. Those who do not accept the spikes leave, and live outside the tribe. Additionally, outsiders can choose to become koloss through this ritual.{{wob ref|1417}}
 
After the Catacendre, some Koloss clans have vowed to not harm [[Terris]].{{book ref|eltania}}
The changes in the Koloss and their breeding subsequently allowed some koloss-blooded to become allomancers.{{book ref|aol|6}} How this is achieved is unknown, but Koloss with the powers of allomancy appear to be known in the [[Roughs]] enough to be recognised. {{book ref|aol|11}}
 
A semi-offensive term for koloss-blodded is "'''kig'''".{{book ref|mb6|9}}
Since the Koloss are no longer required to fight for anybody, they are able to live longer lives. This allows for the development of Koloss ancients, who have little to no skin at all. They are enormous, have no noses or lips, and their eyes appear to bulge. They survive only by wrapping themselves in leather to keep in their blood. While their intelligence is still at the level of the average Koloss, they are looked after by the tribe and given respect similar to that of a tribal elder {{book ref|eltania}}.
 
== Notable Koloss ==
{{for|:Category:Koloss|a complete list of Koloss|Category:Koloss}}
{{columns|
*[[Human]]
* [[TarsonElizandra Dramali]]
* [[Granite Joe]]
* [[Human]]
* [[Tarson]]
}}
 
== Trivia ==
 
* The very first time Koloss appeared in anything [[Brandon Sanderson]] made was during a high school DnD campaign, though this interpetation had them be much more demonic in nature than later iterations.{{wob ref|9017}}
== See Also ==
*[[Koloss blades]]
 
== Notes ==
<references/>
{{qa ref |date=2010-10-15|692|25|17th Shard interview}}
{{wob ref|date=2014-03-07|1417|''Words of Radiance'' signing Portland}}
{{wob ref|date=2014-12-06|1381|Orem signing}}
</references>
{{partial}}
{{Mistborn|metals}}
[[category: magical entities]]
[[category: Hemalurgy]]
[[category: weapons]]
[[category: notable articles]]
[[category: Koloss| ]]
*[[es:Koloss blades]]