Difference between revisions of "Shaod"

The Shaod, or the Transformation, generally happens at night.{{wob ref|8409}} The people it chooses are seemingly random (though not completely){{wob ref|13071}} and may be from any age or class in society.{{book ref|Elantris|prologue}} One of the many oddities of theThe Shaod is that it only takes people from [[Arelon]] or [[Teod]], and occasionally [[Duladel]].{{book ref|Elantris|19}} It is suspected, but not confirmed, that this is due to [[AonDor]]'s close connection[[Connection]] with Arelon and its geography in general.{{wob ref|411}} A person needs to have some genetic ties to Arelon and be in Arelon to be taken by the Shaod.{{wob ref|2173}} Immediate proximity to Elantris or Elantrians does not increase one's chances of being taken by the Shaod.{{book ref|Elantris|2}} A non-human could become an Elantrian.{{wob ref|11629}}

Those affected by the Shaod are transformed into Elantrians: they have brilliant white hair, silver skin, and seem almost to shine.{{book ref|Elantris|prologue}} Their bodies are able to heal quickly and they have superior strength, speed, and mental abilities, as well as access to the AonDor. ForIf furtherthe detailsShaod strikes a pregnant woman, seethe unborn child becomes an [[Elantrian]].{{wob ref|4665}}

During the time that the Shaod was unable to complete itself, the Shaod caused those effectedaffected by it to have grey skin with "sickly black patches" and caused their hair to fall out{{book ref|Elantris|1}}. Their bodies became unable to heal and so continuously accumulated injuries. It is possible to mimic the physical effects of the failed Shaod ([[Hrathen]] does so through the use of a crafted poison), but the only known way to become an Elantrian is to be taken by the Shaod.

DuringAfter the events of ''[[ElantrisReod]]'', the Shaod could not complete itself because the geographical region around [[Elantris (city)|Elantris]] had changed from the configuration depicted in the [[Aon#Rao|Aon Rao]] formed by Elantris and its surrounding cities, altered by the appearance of a chasm after the [[Reod]]. The incomplete transformation rendered their bodies unable to heal. In the years following, it was therefore considered a curse to be struckchosen withby the Shaod. Those stricken with the Shaod were treated as dead (complete with burial wrappings and a funeral offering of food{{book ref|Elantris|1}}) and exiled to Elantris, where they would slowly accumulate aeternally large number ofhurting injuries until they succumbed to the pain. When [[Raoden]] added a line representing the new chasm to this massive Aon Rao, the [[Dor]] was suddenly able to complete the transformation of those stricken by the Shaod, transforming them into full Elantrians. {{book ref|Elantris|61}}