Difference between revisions of "Shard"

| The Shards are not God, but they are ''pieces'' of God. Ruin, Preservation, Autonomy, Cultivation, Devotion...There are sixteen of them.

| [[Khriss]]{{msh ref|3|2}}

[[File:{{image|Tanavast.jpg|thumb|side=right|width=250px|<center><small>by {{a|botanicaxu}}</small></center> [[Honor]] ]]}}

| Ruin and Preservation inhabited power and energy in the same way a person inhabits flesh and blood.

| [[Sazed]]{{epigraph ref|mb3|14}}

Each Shard is a piece of the power of creation with a specific motivation, such as to destroy or to preserve. Those fragments each began their existence with equal level of power; however, over time many have diminished, whether through conflict or by the act of Investing a world -- imbuing it with [[Investiture]]. Each Shard has its own Investiture; while a Shard can co-opt the Investiture of another Shard, that Investiture willcan become noticeably red.{{wob ref|8340}}

Investing in a world will produce numerous effects, most notably the creation of a magic system tied to the Shard. While a Shard doesn't have complete control over how the magic system functions or what it does, it can manipulate its mechanics to an extent.{{wob ref|6072}}{{wob ref|4242}} Moreover, the presence of a Shard leads to the formation of a [[Perpendicularity]], a well of the Shard's Investiture that pierces all three [[Realmatic Theory|Realm]]s, allowing for the existence of [[worldhopping]].{{book ref|sa3|119}} The Shard's Investiture can also influencemanifest directly in the world in other ways; examples of such influencemanifestations are [[atium]] and [[lerasium]] on [[Scadrial]], the [[Tears of Edgli]] on [[Nalthis]], or the many [[spren]] of [[Roshar]].

The act of becoming a Vessel is called '''Ascension''', and causes the Vessel's body to vaporize, allowing their mind to expand.{{wob ref|6072}} From then on, the Vessel and the Shard are intertwined; the Vessel gets to set some general course of how the Shard's power is defined, and feeds off the Shard's power to remain alive, but the Shard's power is the driving force between the two. Over centuries, the Vessel's mind begins to change to fit the Shard's intent more perfectly.{{annotationwob ref|mb3|chapter=587965}}{{wob ref|5485}}{{epigraph ref|sa1|18}} If the Vessel were to give up the Shard, the Shard's influence on their mind would fade over time.{{wob ref|3009}}

It is possible for a Vessel to be separated from their Shard without dying or Splintering the Shard they held.{{wob ref|120}}{{wob ref|6587}} If this happens, then after the Vessel's death, it is able to resist the pull into the [[Beyond]].{{msh ref|6|8}}

| I have delved and searched, and have only been able to come up with a single name: Adonalsium. Who, or what, it was, I do not yet know.

| [[Sazed]]{{epigraph ref|mb3|39}}

It is unknown what precisely [[Adonalsium]] was, though it has been referred to numerous times as the power of creation, suggesting it to be the progenitor god of the [[cosmere]]. At some point in the distant past, on the planet of [[Yolen]], sixteen people conspired to kill it, and succeeded in an event known as the [[Shattering of Adonalsium]].{{msh ref|3|2}} Some of those people were romantically involved; others were related to each other.{{wob ref|1291}}{{wob ref|2786}} All of them were mortal at some point.{{wob ref|13341}}

Following the Shattering, the power that comprised Adonalsium broke into sixteen pieces, each polarized to one particular aspect of it, such as [[Ruin]] or [[Endowment]]. Those pieces, each equal in power,{{wob ref|13482}} became known as the Shards. The sixteen killers of Adonalsium each took up one of the Shards, Ascending and becoming the first Vessels.{{msh ref|3|2}} Following their Ascension, each of the Vessels departed Yolen. Some settled on various planets, henceforth dubbed [[Shardworld]]s; others set no roots.{{wob ref|4441}} At this time they all had an equal amount of power.{{wob ref|13482}}

Over the millennia, several Shards have passed away, one way or another. The most common cause of death for them were actions of one specific Shard, [[Odium]], who went on a killing spree, splintering [[Ambition]], [[Devotion]], [[Dominion]] and [[Honor]] before eventually being trapped in the [[Rosharan system]] by the remnants of the latter.{{au ref|Rosharan}} The death of [[Preservation]]'s Vessel, [[Leras]], led to the power being passed handsbetween several timeshands before beingit mergedwas eventually combined with [[Ruin]] intoto form [[Harmony]];.{{wobbook ref|6486mb3|76}}{{msh ref |6|4}} byBy contrast, [[Autonomy]] spread, creating avatars to inhabit numerous Shardworlds, including [[Obrodai]] and [[First of the Sun]].{{wob ref|11432}}

At least one of the Vessels regrets taking up a Shard, though which one that would be is unknown.{{wob ref|11900}} There are living descendants of some of them still alive.{{wob ref|13341}}

| [[Sazed]] <small>(formerly [[Leras]], [[Kelsier]], and [[Vin]])</small>

| Some men, as they age, grow wiser. I am not one of those, for wisdom and I have always been at cross-purposes, and I have yet to learn the tongue in which she speaks.

| [[Hoid]] implying the existence of another Shard{{book ref|sa3|68}}

There remain six Shards that have not been named, nor referred to explicitelyexplicitly in text. Very little is known about them.

WhatThere isexists knowna isShard that therewishes existsonly ato Shardhide withand intentsurvive.{{wob similarref|2788}} toIt's Wisdom,possible that oncethis soughtrefers to hide"wisdom". andThere's survive,also butat hasleast overone timeunknown realizedShard that this isndoesn't theinhabit mostany desirable course of actionplanet.{{wob ref|126844441}}{{wob ref|13231}}Moreover, [[Hoid]]at andleast thisone unknown Shard seemhas tobeen bementioned antagonisticas towardshaving eachbeen othersplintered, thoughalthough this appearsmay refer to beAmbition, awho commonwas threadunnamed inat histhe relationstime withthis allinformation Vesselsappeared.{{book ref|sa3|68}}{{wob ref|132391357}}

ThereWhat existsis aknown Shardis that wishesthere onlyexists toa hideShard andwith survive.{{wobintent ref|2788}}similar It'sto possibleWisdom, that thisonce referssought to "wisdom".hide There'sand alsosurvive, atbut leasthas oneover uknowntime Shardrealized that doesnthis isn't inhabitthe anymost planetdesirable course of action.{{wob ref|444112684}}{{wob Moreover,ref|13231}} at[[Hoid]] leastand one unknownthis Shard hasseem beento mentionedbe asantagonistic havingtowards beeneach splinteredother, althoughthough this may referappears to Ambition,be whoa wascommon unnamedthread atin thehis timerelations thiswith informationall appearedVessels.{{book ref|sa3|68}}{{wob ref|135713239}}

| The power of ancient Adonalsium permeates him. And controls him. [[Odium]] is a force like pressure, gravitation, or the movement of time. These things cannot break their own rules. Nor can he.

| [[Stormfather]]{{book ref|sa3|16}}

Shards possess incredible power -- a single Shard can easily move entire planets and alter people down to the genetic level.{{epigraph ref|mb3|4}} They exist in all three Realms, but unlike other living beings, the vast majority of their power is concentrated in the [[Cognitive Realm|Cognitive]] and [[Spiritual Realm|Spiritual]]. Time matters little to themShards, and they can bend and stretch it as they wish it.{{epigraph ref|mb3|17}}

As [[Investiture]] never truly goes away, a Shard has access to a functionally-endless supply of it; however, there is a finite amount that a Vessel can command at any one time. This also means that while all Investiture in the cosmere is assigned to one Shard or another, a Shard cannot truly command all of it at once.{{wob ref|8605}} As such, while powerful, Shards are neithernot omniscient, nor omnipresent, or omnipotent.

A Shard's power can be temporarily diminished, either by assigning it to other living creatures (likesuch as people or [[spren]]), or by sending it back to the Spiritual Realm, for example, by(e.g. burning [[atium]]). Moreover, Shards are, as powers, bound to follow higher rules; a deal, once made by a Shard, cannot be broken, and they must absolutely obey the rules that govern them.{{book ref|sa3|16}}

Each Shard appears particularly predisposed towardstoward acting in line with their intent; for example, [[Preservation]] finds it near-nearly impossible to destroy, while it's extremely easy for [[Ruin]] to do so.{{msh ref|2|3}} This is partially influenced by the personality change brought about by the Shard.{{wob ref|6685}} However, whether their intentsintentions provide Shards with actual unique powers is unknown.

[[File:{{image|Marsh Ruin.png|thumb|side=right|width=250px|<center><small>by {{a|eyeronis}}</small></center> [[Ruin]] commanding a [[Steel Inquisitor]] ]]}}

Shards are capable of appearing in various parts of their own Invested worlds instantaneously.{{book ref|mb3|76}} They can also travel to other planets by willing themselves to do so.{{epigraph ref|sa1|21}}{{wob ref|5526}} However, when a Shard Invests its power in a world, it's bound to it and will have difficulty leaving the system it's in.{{wob ref|9852}} Shards can also trap each other in systems, though the precise mechanics of itthat are unknown.{{book ref|sa3|57}}

Shards have several ways of communicating with people. Some Shards can speak directly into the minds of others, while others can listen.{{book ref|mb3|48}} A Shard can also communicate with a person directly through dreams or visions, and even take on a physical form -- a puppet of sorts, serving as a Physical outlet for communication.{{book ref|sa3|57}}{{book ref|sa3|114}} While the use of visions and speaking directly into a mind are limited to a single person, a puppet can be seen by many people.{{book ref|sa3|115}}

Shards can use their power to create complex '''constructs''', capable of continuing their function past the Shard's death. Examples of such constructs are the snapping mists of [[Preservation]],{{wob ref|4445}} and the vision journal of [[Honor]].{{book ref|sa1|75}} Shards can also create sapient beings out offrom their power -- this is most commonly seen on [[Roshar]], with its overabundance of [[spren]]. Many of them, like the [[Stormfather]], [[Nightwatcher]], and [[honorspren]], were created by local Shards.{{book ref|sa3|108}}{{book ref|sa3|114}}

Shards can also create '''avatars''', personas that can act independently of them.{{wob ref|13220}} Avatars can be of any gender, race, and species, regardless of the original Vessel creating them, and can be formed at a considerable distance from the main body of the Shard, with many different avatars able to exist on a single [[Shardworld]].{{wob ref|3974}}{{wob ref|9385}}{{wob ref|3974}} Though a Shard can create them directly, avatars can also fromform without a conscious decision on the Shard's part, though the Shard is still aware of what is happening.{{wob ref|13220}} When created directly, however, they can be instilled with specific traits.{{epigraph ref|sa3|50}}

Avatars are, in a way, considered to be Shards in their own right.{{wob ref|8606}} Known ones include [[Patji (being)|Patji]] and the [[Sand Lord]], both of [[Autonomy]].{{wob ref|8902}}{{wob ref|5876}} It is difficult but possible for someone to become a Vessel of an avatar.{{wob ref|13323}}

Shardic power is also directly related to sentience and sapience. CloseThe close presence of a particular Shard, such as [[Cultivation]], can lead to surroundingsome beings developing higher levels of sapience.{{wob ref|2792}} Shardic power can also grant sentience directly -- [[Scadrian]]s are sapient due to Preservation's power within them, and [[Nightblood]]'s sapience is partially derived from his large quantity of [[Breath]]s. [[Splinter]]s can also become sapient.{{wob ref|1799}} Even the raw power of a Shard, if left alone and without a Vessel, will eventually begin to form a rudimentary mind.{{au ref|Selish}}

While not all magic systems in the cosmere are directly tied to a Shard, Shardic presence greatly influences the shape a magic system takes. On a [[Shardworld]], magic forms as a result of the interactions between a Shard's power, [[Realmatic]]s, the world's natural inclinations and, in some placescases, even genetics.{{wob ref|6072}} For this reason, the exact function magic performs will not always be related to the Shard's nature -- for example, [[Surgebinding]], despite being powered by [[Honor]], is capable of manipulating [[Division]], which controls separating things. However, how the magic is ''obtained'' is, in fact, tied to the Shard.{{wob ref|4032}} [[Hemalurgy]] demands that a person be destroyed, in line with the intent of Ruin, while Surgebinding demands forging bonds.

| It's as if the future is a shattering window. The further you look, the more pieces that window breaks into. The near future can be anticipated, but the distant future… I can only guess.

| [[Honor]]{{book ref|sa1|75}}

Shards can perceive the future, although it can be difficult for them. Some are better at it than others, with [[Cultivation]] and [[Preservation]] in particular being noted as particularly excelling.{{book ref|sa1|75}}{{wob ref|5309}} Like all seers, Shards utilize [[Fortune]] to see ahead; and, like all seers, they can be wrong about both what they see and how they interpret it.{{book ref|sa3|122}} Shardic power can also be utilized by others to perceive the future likeas they do: examples of this are [[atium]], as well as the visions of the [[Returned]].{{wob ref|4645}}

It has been speculated that theA Shard's intent ismay be tied to its proficiency inwith futuresight. Preservation, as a Shard dedicated to keeping things existing, and Cultivation, a Shard dedicated to growing something in a desired form, would hold a natural interest in predicting what the future will hold. Aswhich such,may theymake would bethem particularlymore excellentproficient atwith seeingthis itability. By contrast, a Shard like Ruin, which is interested only in destroying things, and Honor, about holding to one's oaths no matter what, would not have "seeing ahead" as part of their nature.

[[File:{{image|Cultivation and the Nightwatcher 1.jpg|thumb|side=right|width=250px|<center><small>by {{a|Kyle Pearson}}</small></center> [[Cultivation]] with her daughter-[[spren]], the [[Nightwatcher]] ]]}}

| I'm still a [[spren]]. I’m a little piece of God.

| [[Syl]]{{book ref|sa3|91}}

A Splinter is a fragment of a Shard's power, similar to how a Shard is a fragment of Adonalsium's power. Unlike Slivers of [[Cognitive Shadow]]s, Splinters don't generally have a Physical component.{{wob ref|4541}} They often have a mind of their own, separate and distinct from that of their parent Shard.{{wob ref|10089}} They can form in two distinct ways: either by the Shard being splintered (killed), or by the Shard directly splitting off splinters of itself.{{wob ref|4129}}{{book ref|sa3|108}}