Difference between revisions of "Shard"

The '''Shards of [[Adonalsium]]''', or '''Shards''' for short, are pieces of the power of creation itself.{{qawob ref|727|456072}} They are named after a specific action or ideal, often referred to as an "intent," which represents the Shard's primary purpose or motivation. A mind must control a Shard. When a person holds a Shard, they are imbued with its power, but they also become the Shard.{{qawob ref|697|214466}} A person who has taken up the power of a Shard is the '''Vessel''' of that Shard.{{msh ref|5|2}}

There are sixteen Shards{{epigraph ref|TWoK|11}}, and they are the most powerful known entities in the [[cosmere]]. They are related to many, if not all, magic systems, and for practical purposes, they are gods. All Shards started at an equal power level.{{17swob ref|post|421161081}}

| the [[HeroWords of AgesFounding]]{{epigraph ref|mb3|39}}, emphasis added

It is not known what [[Adonalsium]] is, whether it be a person or a great power. Since Shards have been called pieces of the power of creation,{{qawob ref|727|456072}}, it is theorized that Adonalsium is in fact the power of creation. Regardless of its nature, Adonalsium was [[Shattering|Shattered]] by the original sixteen Vessels, and thus the Shards of Adonalsium came into being. [[TheThere's Waya total of Kings]] heavily implies there are sixteen Shards.{{epigraph ref|TWoK|11}}

These Shards are named after their respective intent, which represents the driving force of the power{{annotation ref|mb3|chapter=58}}--an aspect of creation. However, after the Shattering, the Shards were left with no mind to control the power. For [[Realmatic]] reasons, a mind--Cognitive power--must be attached to the Spiritual power of the Shard. People eventually took up these Shards, like [[Rayse]] and [[Bavadin]], whofor shareexample, sometake historyup withthese whoever wrote [[the Letter]]Shards.

When a person takes up a Shard, the extreme power vaporizes the body, allowing the person's mind to expand.{{qawob ref|727|456072}} From then on, the person's consciousness feeds on the power of the Shard to remain alive{{annotation ref|mb3|chapter=58}}, but the Shard's intent is the driving force of the power. Over an immense time--centuries, perhaps millennia--a Vessel’s mind begins to change, slowly molding to the Shard's intent.{{wob ref|Alloy of Law 17th Shard Q&A|5485|date=2011-11-5}}{{epigraph ref|sa1|18}}{{annotation ref|mb3|chapter=57}}{{qawob ref|691|175527}}

It is not clear who the original Vessels were, but they all originally were from [[Yolen]]. Together, the sixteen of them killed [[Adonalsium]] and divided the power between themselves, becoming the first to Ascend.{{msh ref|3|2}} Over time, the Vessels begin referring to themselves as their Shard's name (though they do remember their original selves).{{qawob ref|700|57264}}). They eventually scattered throughout the cosmere, taking residence on several different [[Shardworld|worlds]] and influencing events on their given planet. Ruin and Preservation made a pact to create life on Scadrial,{{epigraph ref|mb3|53}} and constructed humans in the form which they have seen before{{book ref|mb3|76}}--presumably on the planet where Adonalsium and these Vessels came from. Judging from humanity on other Shardworlds, the Shards on those worlds probably created humanity there, too. However, the worlds existed before the Shards arrived there{{qawob ref|700|37262}} so there is a case to be made that humans already have been present before the Shards’ arrival in some cases. It is known that some shards may have helped transplant humanity to other worlds as well.{{book ref|sa3|113}}{{wob ref|8243}}

Odium is not native on Roshar{{qawob ref|675|326918}} and it's not known yet whether any Shard is native on its Shardworld.{{qawob ref|836|499934}}

If Brandon were to do a novel where different magic systems collide as the focus of the book, he refers to it as a '''conflux''' book.{{qawob ref|692|1210125}}

The [[Seventeenth Shard]], however, is not a Shard of Adonalsium, but rather an organization of people who hop between worlds.{{17swob ref|topic4439}}{{wob ref|64013}}

WhileOne it isdoes not aneed requirementto forbe takingable upto ause Shard,Investiture itin helpsorder to betake ableup toa utilizeShard, Investiturebut the ability does help.{{qawob ref|979|564062}}

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|{{au ref|threnodite}}{{epigraph ref|sa3|40}}{{17swob ref|post|636695|text=Is Uli Da Ambition?|date=Nov 17th, 20178398}}

It is likely that this is a complete list of all the Shards for the published [[Shardworld]]s. Some worlds have more Shards than others.{{qawob ref|428|595943}}

| Brandon Sanderson{{qawob ref|727|315786}}

Endowment was confirmed to be the Voice from [[Warbreaker]],{{qawob ref|428|595943}} which Lightsong interacts with. [[Raoden]] interacts with a second voice when he jumps into the [[Perpendicularity]] in [[Elantris]] (presumably Aona's). Before the release of [[The Way of Kings]] it was not clear what the other two Shards were. However, Hoid was not a Vessel on that list.{{qawob ref|691|125522}}

There are three Shards on Roshar{{qawob ref|691|135523}} and they are confirmed to be Honor, Odium, and Cultivation.{{qawob ref|692|2110113}} Honor and Cultivation arrived at the same time on Roshar,{{17swob ref|post|422131169}}, prior to Odium's appearance.{{qawob ref|836|499934}}

| Brandon Sanderson{{17swob ref|post|460992788}}

There is also a shard that doesn't inhabit any planet.{{qawob ref|1079|14441}} While Ambition fits that description, Brandon was referring to another Shard.{{wob ref|date=2016-12-3|2550|Arcanum Unbounded Hoboken signing}}

Also, one that had already been splintered, but its intent was still unknown at the time of the questioning.{{qawob ref|1091|31357}} This may refer to Ambition.

A Shards isare capable of moving themselves to various parts of their world instantaneously (or near instantly).{{book ref|mb3|76}} They can will themselves to other Shardworlds, as noted from Odium's journey to Sel{{epigraph ref|sa1|21}} and Brandon implying that [[Sazed]] could travel to another world, but chooses not to.{{qawob ref|6915526}} The [[Lord Ruler]] was also capable of moving around worlds when he took up the power at the [[Well of Ascension]], but he also didn't. However, when a Shard invests its power in a world, it is bound to it and will have difficulty leaving the planet or system.{{wob ref|169852}} For example, Ruin and Preservation couldn't leave [[Scadrial]] for they had had a large hand in the creation of the planet and every thing on Scadrial contains some of the Shards' power.{{cite}} In the [[Letters#The Second Letter|Second Letter]], Odium is implied to be trapped in his current system.

Shards will begin to fuel magic when they settle on a world begin to fuel magic. Each shardShard can do this differently, andthough much of the system is restricted by the world its selfitself. becuaseBecause of this, the shardShard is able to directly interact with the users of the magic and provide the needed investiture. Ruin and Preservation's ability to fuel all the Metallic Arts is an example of this,.{{qawob ref|727|456072}} [[Ruin]] could also manipulate the contents of [[Feruchemical]] [[metalmind]]s.

[[Ruin]] can whisper into the minds of humans, andespecially spiked humans itto whom he could manifest and speak to directly and. Preservation can see into the minds of humans and even influence them a small amount, like getting them to leave an earring off. however that influence is very weak and easily be overcome by a persons own will.{{cite}}

Shards can see into the future, though this is difficult to do. [[Honor]] describes seeing the future like "It's as if the future is a shattering window. The further you look, the more pieces that window breaks into."{{book ref|twok|75}} Some Shards are better at seeing into the future--Honor says Cultivation is better at future sight than Honor.{{book ref|twok|75}} Preservation saw into the future and created the [[Terris Prophecies]].{{qawob ref|727|95309}} Most of the time, temporal abilities are related to the pure essence of a Shard (see [[atium]]) or to a Splinter (like Returned do).{{qawob ref|590|464645}} Since Wyrn can see into the future through some method, it is theorized he may hold a Splinter or be a Sliver, but he may also have this power via [[Seonseon]] or [[Skazeskaze]].

Investiture never goes away and always returns,; a Vessel wielding a Shard has access to an endless supply of Investiture. However, howeverthere they haveis a finite amount theythat a Vessel can wield at one time. Occasionally a shardsShard's power is condensed into a different form in the physical realm. Investiture can appear in one of three states: a gas or mist like substance, a liquid, or a solid. [[Stormlight]] and the mists on [[scadrialScadrial]] are examples of investiture manifesting as a gas. The wellWell of ascensionAscension is [[preservationPreservation]]'s power, condensed as a liquid. Some Aspects of Shards' power regenerate over time. The Well of Ascension reformed every 1024 years{{qawob ref|691|35511}} rather than vanishing forever. Atium also regenerates, though when atium was burned away, Ruin was not able to use it. It isn't known whether all of a Shard's power would regenerate eventually.

One of the largest weaknesses a Shard has is that its Vessel is shaped to its intent. Ruin and Preservation could not create by themselves, as it was against their Shards' intent to do so alone. Odium refuses to take additional Shards simply because doing so would change his personality.{{qawob ref|675|126685}}

In its Physical form, it can appear as a solid, and does one specific thing.{{qawob ref|727|456072}} On Scadrial, a Shards' Physical essence was a metal, and these [[god metals]] each performed a specific effect within the Metallic Arts. Yet, as evidenced by the god metal atium, the physical essence of a Shard can be used by magic systems created by other shards. For example, Atium, Ruin's "body", could be burned by a mistborn or atium misting, both of whom use magic created by or based on Preservation.

In its liquid form, it is most potent.{{qawob ref|727|456072}} The [[Well of Ascension]] is one such pool of a Shard's power, and as it was formed from Preservation's own mind, the liquid essence of a Shard is said to be related to the Cognitive aspect. Many Shards have such a [[Perpendicularity]]. Ruin's is located below the [[Pits of Hathsin]].{{17swob ref|topic|6145525}} [[Raoden]] encounters a Perpendicularity, where [[Hoed]] can go to relieve their pain.{{book ref|Elantris|60}} That poolPerpendicularity is theorized to be Aona's Perpendicularity.{{cite}}

It is not clear what the gaseous form of Shards (the Spiritual power) do in general, but the mists--the power of Preservation--are able to fuel Allomancy as if working as a metal.{{qawob ref|727|456072}} The black smoke that was found in the chamber before the Well of Ascension was Ruin's corresponding "mist".{{epigraph ref|mb3|14}} [[Stormlight]] powers the surges and the fabrials.

A Sliver is a human intelligence who has held the power and released it.{{qawob ref|699|74540}} There is a certain threshold of power where one would be considered a Sliver of Adonalsium. Every person on [[Scadrial]] has a bit of the power of Preservation, but they are not technically Slivers. Though there is some grey area in what it means to be a Sliver, individuals who have directly held the power of a Shard are usually termed Slivers.{{qawob ref|680|264499}}

The [[Lord Ruler]] held a bit of Preservation at the [[Well of Ascension]] and let it go. This altered him, and that residue of a Shard inside him was what scholars would term a Sliver. After Vin gave up [[Preservation]], she was considered a Sliver, as was Kelsier by the end of the [[Mistborn trilogy]]. Elantrians are not slivers.{{qawob ref|680|264499}}

It is unknown what the exact definition of a Splinter is, but the term seems to refer to a specific kind of fragment of a Shard's power. Unlike Slivers, a Splinter has never been human.{{qawob ref|699|84541}} Lerasium and atium, despite being condensed essences of their Shards, are not Splinters. One distinguishing factor of a Splinter is that they often have an intent, separate from their Shards'. {{wob ref|name=orullian10089}}

The divine Breath that [[Returned]] hold (a Splinter of [[Endowment]]){{qawob ref|680|134486}}) and, the Aon within a Seonseon (a Splinter of [[Devotion]]) and [[Spren]] on Roshar (Splinters of [[Honor]]){{wob ref|3017}} are the only confirmed Splinters. Splinters alsodid not appear in ''[[The Way of Kings]]'', but not ''[[Mistborn (series)#Era 1|Mistborn Era 1]]''.{{qawob ref|699|84541}}

It is not clear how Splinters are formed, though it appears a Shard can actively create one. Endowment seems to be able to form them at will for [[Returned]]. [[Odium]] traveled to Sel and Splintered [[Devotion]] and [[Dominion]].{{article ref|The Letter}} Since [[Odium]] killed [[Tanavast]],{{book ref|twok|75}} the Vessel of [[Honor]], Honor is Splintered.{{qawob ref|755|279810}}

| [[Brandon]]{{qawob ref|727|456072}}

All magic systems that are currently known are related to Shards. [[Allomancy]] is of Preservation, [[Hemalurgy]] is of Ruin, and [[Feruchemy]] is the balance between the two Shards. [[AonDor]], by name, appears to be related to [[Devotion]]. [[Awakening]] is of [[Endowment]]. [[Surgebinding]] is of [[Honor]] and [[Cultivation]]. The only magic that may not be related to a Shard are [[Hoid]]'s ability to move from planet to planet, but the mechanics of his powers are not clear.

The types of magics that exist on a world depends on which Shards are present. If Endowment were to move to Scadrial, additional combinations of magics may form.{{qawob ref|691|255535}}{{qawob ref|1038|5|3005}} However, Shards did not ''create'' magic systems. Ruin and Preservation did not create the Metallic Arts.{{qawob ref|727|55269}} Rather, magic is a natural function of the world, a Shard's intent, [[Realmatic]] interactions, and sometimes genetics.{{qawob ref|727|456072}}

Though magics are related to a Shard, that does not mean that the effect of a magic is in line with a Shard's intent. For example, Allomancy does things like Pushing and Pulling that don't bring to mind "Preserving" things. Rather, a Shard's intent determines ''how'' the magic is obtained, not its effect.{{qawob ref|622|1074032}} In Hemalurgy, the method of gaining magic is spiking and it is inherently destruction, but the ''effect'' of the magic actually enhances something else. (This is the more exact, confirmed statement of [[17s-topic:369|the Principle of Intent]] theory).

Magic systems have a [[focus]]. Metals are the focus for the Metallic Arts, Aons are the focus for AonDor, and the Commands are the focus for Awakening.{{annotation ref|textwb|chapter=[[User: Chaos2651|Chaos]]'s meeting with Brandon insists it is so.}}{{clarify|need better than 'Eric says so21}} The focus seems to be related to Shards themselves, as Ruin and Preservation could not perceive metal. It is not known what determines a focus for a given Shard, or if all Shards are blind to their focus in some way.

The idea is simple: a Shard's ability to see into the future is determined by the Shard's intent.{{wob ref|date=2014-08-09|2713|When Worlds Collide 2014}} Ruin is intent that has an immediate effect--Ruin wants to destroy ''now'', not later. Since Ruin is preoccupied with the present, he is particularly bad at seeing into the future. Preservation, on the other hand, is about protection. Protection is a long term thing, so Preservation is more looking into the future, so he is good at seeing into the future. It’s probably for similar reasons why Cultivation is skilled at seeing into the future.

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