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When asked about what Vessel he would become, Brandon suggested Ingenuity, implying that it might be another Shard.{{wob ref|10288}}{{wob ref|3299}} However, this has not been confirmed.
== UsePowers ofand InvestitureAbilities ==
{{quote
| 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.
| I am convinced from my studies that [Scadrial] itself '''did not exist''' before its Shards, Ruin and Preservation, arrived in the system.
| [[KhrissStormfather]]{{aubook ref|Scadriansa3|16}}
}}
Shards possess incredible power -- a single Shard can easily move entire planets and alter people down to genetic level.{{epigraph ref|mb3|4}} They exist in all three Realms, but unlike other living beings, vast majority of their power is concentrated in the [[Cognitive Realm|Cognitive]] and [[Spiritual Realm|Spiritual]]. Time matters little to them, and can bend and stretch as they wish it.{{epigraph ref|mb3|17}}
A Shard is a chunk of [[Investiture]] with intent, while held by a [[Vessel]] that vessel is able to guide that power to do incredible things so long as that corresponds with its intent. Here lists some general abilities of all Shards that we currently know. An individual Shard's abilities may vary depending on their intent, but such distinctions are not fully understood at this time.
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 neither omniscient, nor omnipresent or omnipotent.
Shards are a vast amount of Spiritual energy, and have enormous capabilities, so much power that they have effectively turned the Vessels holding them into gods. Things like moving a planet is easy for them to accomplish.{{epigraph ref|mb3|4}} They exist on a higher level than the Physical Realm, and have expanded Cognitive aspects and perceptions. Time seems to matter little to Shards. Minutes can pass like hours.{{epigraph ref|mb3|17}}
A Shard's power can be temporarily diminished, either by assigning it to other living creatures (like people or [[spren]]) or by sending it back to Spiritual Realm, for example, by 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}}
=== Movement ===
Shards are 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 [[Harmony]] could travel to another world, but chooses not to.{{wob ref|5526}} 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|9852}} 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 trapped in his current system.{{wob ref|8560}}
Each Shard appears particularly predisposed towards acting in line with their intent; for example, [[Preservation]] finds it near-impossible to destroy, while it's extremely easy for [[Ruin]].{{msh ref|2|3}} This is partially influenced by the personality change brought about by the Shard.{{wob ref|6685}} However, whether their intents provide Shards with actual unique powers is unknown.
=== Magic Generation === ▼Shards will begin to fuel magic when they settle on a world. Each Shard can do this differently, though much of the system is restricted by the world itself. Because of this, the Shard 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.{{wob ref|6072}} ▼
=== CommunicationIndividual Powers ===
[[File:Marsh Ruin.png|thumb|right|250px|<center><small>by {{a|eyeronis}}</small></center> [[Ruin]] commanding a [[Steel Inquisitor]] ]]
Some Shards have the ability to touch the minds of people. This ability has many restrictions and much may depend on the intent of each Shard.
[[Ruin]] can whisper into the minds of humans, especially spiked humans to whom he could manifest and speak to directly. Preservation can see into the minds of humans and even influence them a small amount, like causing them to leave an earring off. However, that influence is very weak and can easily be overcome by a person's own will.{{cite}}
==== Future SightMovement === =
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 it are unknown.{{book ref|sa3|57}}
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]].{{wob ref|5309}} Most of the time, temporal abilities are related to the pure essence of a Shard (see [[atium]]) or to a Splinter (like Returned do).{{wob ref|4645}} 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 [[seon]] or [[skaze]].
==== Cognitive ConstructsCommunication ====
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 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 develop complex constructs with their power. Preservation made the mists Snap Allomancers long after his mind had withered away.{{wob ref|4445}} Honor created a visual journal which [[Dalinar]] saw during [[highstorm]]s.{{book ref|twok|75}} That visual journal was propagated by the [[Stormfather]]. Honor also created many [[Spren]] out of Investiture and was even able to alter and increase the mind of the [[Stormfather]]. Entities like the Mist spirit and the Stormfather are often called [[Cognitive Shadow]]s, bits of mind with power doing tasks created for them.
A Shard can also communicate directly with [[Cognitive Shadow]]s, and is capable of bilocation -- being present in several places at once -- within its sphere of influence.{{msh ref|1|1}}
=== Avatars ===
Shards are able to create avatars, personas that can act independently from them.{{wob ref|13220}} Avatars can have any gender or race and some don't have human appearances.{{wob ref|3974}} Avatars are considered to be Shards of Adonalsium, in a way.{{wob ref|8606}} Many different avatars can exist on a Shardworld{{wob ref|3974}} and they can have varying amounts of origins of Investiture.{{wob ref|8606}} Shards can create avatars on [[Shardworld]]s without physically visiting them.{{wob ref|9385}} Avatars can also form without a direct and conscious decision on the Shard's part, but they will always be aware of it happening.{{wob ref|13220}} Avatars can be instilled with certain traits when created.{{epigraph ref|sa3|50}} Known avatars include [[Patji (being)|Patji]] and the [[Sand Lord]].{{wob ref|8902}}{{wob ref|5876}}
==== EndlessConstructs investitureand Avatars ====
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 of their power -- this is most commonly seen on [[Roshar]], with its overabundance of [[spren]]. Many of them, like [[Stormfather]], [[Nightwatcher]] and [[honorspren]], were created by local Shards.{{book ref|sa3|108}}{{book ref|sa3|114}}
Investiture never goes away and always returns; a Vessel wielding a Shard has access to an endless supply of Investiture. However, there is a finite amount that a Vessel can wield at one time. Occasionally a Shard'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 [[Scadrial]] are examples of Investiture manifesting as a gas. The Well of Ascension is [[Preservation]]'s power, condensed as a liquid. Some Aspects of Shards' power regenerate over time. The Well of Ascension reformed every 1024 years{{wob ref|5511}} 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.
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 from witohut 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}}
=== Weaknesses ===
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.{{wob ref|6685}}
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}}
Shards, though their minds are significantly expanded, are not omniscient, omnipresent nor omnipotent. Even after Ruin was free from his prison, he couldn't influence everything. After the [[catacendre]], Harmony can more easily influence events where the mists are located,{{wob ref|5308}} which implies that there is a limit to his Shards' powers.
▲==== Magic Generation ====
Ruin could not read minds, but this is not a limitation to all Shards. Ruin is invasive, it can insert thoughts, but that power can't hear the reaction. Preservation listens and protects, and as such can hear what is inside people's minds, but cannot insert thoughts.{{wob ref|4156}} Brandon has also stated, however, that Shardic mind reading in this case has to do with humans having more Preservation than Ruin.{{wob ref|4139}} It is possible a Shard could only read a mind when the Shard has given its power to make sentience (as Preservation did with humans on Scadrial). If that were true, then if Odium did not give humans sentience on Roshar, Odium would also not be able to read minds, similar to Ruin.
▲ShardsWhen a Shard Invests a world, it will begin to fuel magicthe whenlocal theymagic settle on a worldsystem. Each Shard can do this differently, though much of the system is restricteddictated by the worldplanet itself. Because of this , connection to the magic, a Shard is able to directly interact with theits users of the magic and provide the needed Investiture . Ruindirectl andwhen Preservation's ability to fuel all the Metallic Arts is an example of thisneeded.{{wob ref|6072}}
==== Future Sight ====
Preservation and Ruin are blind to metal, the [[focus]] of the [[Metallic Arts]]. It is not clear if other Shards are blind to an aspect of their respective focus, but Brandon has stated that Harmony is also blind to metal.{{wob ref|6149}}
{{quote
| 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 like they do: examples of this are [[atium]], as well as the visions of the [[Returned]].{{wob ref|4645}}
Honor states to [[Dalinar]] that a champion may bind [[Odium]], but it is unknown what he meant.{{book ref|sa1|75}}
== Forms and Subdivisions ==
|