Difference between revisions of "Shardblade"

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A '''Shardblade''' is a type of [[Investiture|Invested]] weapon found on [[Roshar]] that is typically carried by the [[Knights Radiant]]{{book ref|sa1|prologue}} and the [[Herald]]s of the [[Almighty]]. Shardblades wielded by Radiants are [[spren]] who have taken a physical form, and as such are [[Splinter]]s of [[Shard]]s [[Honor]] and [[Cultivation]].{{book ref|sa2|87}} They are usually used with [[Shardplate]], Invested armor that also exists on Roshar,{{book ref|sa1|prologue}} as Shardblades are so large that they are unwieldy on their own.{{book ref|sa1|13}} Making use of a Shardblade is referred to as [[Shardwielding]]{{article ref|The Way of Kings|The Way of Kings cover synopsis}} and those who are bound to a Shardblade are referred to as Shardbearers.{{book ref|sa2|16}}

== Abilities ==

=== General Characteristics ===

 

While there are a few differences between the various types of Shardblades, they all share a few common traits. All are larger but lighter than any normal sword, often at or approaching six feet in length,{{book ref|sa1|prologue}} while simultaneously extremely light.{{book ref|sa1|18}} All Shardblades that are bound to a specific owner can be summoned{{book ref|sa1|prologue}} and dismissed at will.{{book ref|sa2|8}} When summoned, they appear in one's hand,{{book ref|sa1|prologue}} coalescing out of mist, with water condensing along the length of the Blade.{{book ref|sa1|13}} When a Blade is dismissed{{book ref|sa2|5}} it also vanishes into mist.{{book ref|sa1|13}} They are composed of an unknown metal that is the body of a Shard{{wob ref|109}}, the same type as appears on the keyhole of an [[Oathgate]].{{book ref|sa2|84}} The tensile strength of Shardblades is very high; while they can bend a small amount, Shardblades appear to be unbreakable.{{book ref|sa2|26}} Shardblades are said to have a sort of magnetism to them, anyone who sees one is drawn to it.{{book ref|sa3|7}}

 

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Seven of the Honorblades are held by the [[Shin]], who have kept them safe for millenia.{{book ref|sa2|88}} The Honorblade of [[Jezrien]] is held by [[Vyre]].{{book ref|sa3|122}} [[Talenel]]'s Honorblade has been stolen by unknown people.{{wob ref|8850}} The Blade he held when he arrived in [[Kholinar]] was swapped at some point for the Shardblade that was brought with him to the [[Shattered Plains]]. The final Honorblade is in the possession of [[Nale]],{{wob ref|2562}} who went back to retrieve his Blade after abandoning the Oathpact.{{wob ref|2909}}

 

 

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The spren still is capable of speaking with their Radiant while in Blade form.{{book ref|sa2|86}} In addition to that, the spren need not take the shape of a Blade. They can become a spear, a shield, a knife, an axe, a hammer, or a large variety of weapons. In the past they may have even taken the form of bows, although it is uncertain what was used for a string.{{book ref|edgedancer|20}} A spren may take many forms when it becomes solid, but it must be metal.{{book ref|edgedancer|20}} Certain unserious forms, like a table fork, are also possible, though strange forms may annoy the spren. Radiant Blades may be lent to others, just like their dead counterparts, and may even change form in order to aid the borrower.{{book ref|sa2|72}} When the Radiant who owns the Blade dies, the spren is freed and may bond again with another person one day.{{wob ref|6688}} A Radiant's living Shardblade can be used to activate [[Oathgates]].{{book ref|sa3|8}}

=== Dead Shardblades ===

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Dead Shardblades are blades that were once owned by members of the Knights Radiant.{{book ref|sa2|87}} If a Radiant that has a Shardblade betrays their oaths, their spren is killed and its body is trapped in the shape of the Blade. Dead Shardblades lose some of the functionality that they once had. The Blades lose most of their ability to change into different weapons, although the shape of the Blade may change slightly to accomodate its owner after being used for a long time.{{wob ref|7728}} The dead Shardblades are nearly identical to how they appeared while still wielded by the Radiants, but there are two small differences. Each dead Shardblade has a [[Polestone]] attached to its pommel or crossguard,{{book ref|sa3|73}} whereas the the Shardblades wielded by Radiants do not.{{book ref|sa2|67}} These gemstones allow for a new bond to be created between a person and a dead Shardblade.{{book ref|sa3|16}} They also lack the subtle glow possessed by the Blades of active Radiants.{{book ref|sa1|52}} Another difference between the two is that dead Shardblades do not automatically remain summoned when dropped or placed somewhere by their owner.{{book ref|sa1|13}} If a Shardbearer does not intentionally command their Blade mentally to remain, the Blade will automatically be dismissed and will have to be summoned all over again.{{book ref|sa2|8}} When a Shardblade is not actively summoned, the spren appear within Shadesmar as a [[deadeye]], where their eyes take on an appearance of having been scratched away, like scraping paint off a painting.{{book ref|sa3|89}} The deadeyes have no apparent personality or autonomy, instead they will wander to the location that corresponds with the location in the Physical Realm of their corpse, or the person bonded to it unless prevented from doing so. If the person it is bonded to is themself in Shadesmar the spren will follow them around within Shadesmar.

 

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Dead Shardblades also have one other unique trait. When touched by a Radiant or Radiant-in-training, the Radiant will hear the agonizing screams of the dead spren.{{book ref|sa2|57}} If the Radiant touches the dead Blade of another, the person it is bonded to will also hear screams and be accused of murdering the spren. This experience is terrifying. There is no known way to free the spren trapped within dead Shardblades,{{book ref|sa3|28}} they have been so severely damaged that it would require their original knight{{wob ref|6937}} to repair them in almost all cases.{{wob ref|7137}} These deadeyes do have some measure of awareness of their surroundings in the Physical Realm, and may grow to hate some wielders less because they approve of their actions, screaming more quietly in their hands.{{book ref|sa3|28}} Other living true spren that are capable of forming the Nahel bond will sometimes express dislike and revulsion for anyone wielding a dead Shardblade, no matter the character of the person bound to the Blade.{{book ref|sa1|73}}{{book ref|sa3|18}} They consider these Blades to be abominations,{{book ref|sa2|16}} and distrust those that use the corpses of their relatives as mere objects.{{book ref|sa3|10}} Other spren have managed to understand the reasons humans still make use of the Blades.{{book ref|sa3|18}}

 

 

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These Shardblades were used by the Radiants to fight against the Voidbringers for at least several Desolations.{{book ref|sa2|64}} Finally, the Last Desolation, [[Aharietiam]], occurred.{{book ref|sa1|part=prelude}} The Heralds, broken under the pressure of their torture, abandoned their Honorblades and broke the [[Oathpact]]. They told mankind that humanity had won the war finally and left the Radiants to guide mankind themselves. At some point the [[Shin]] people obtained these nine remaining Honorblades and took them, guarding them for millennia.{{book ref|sa2|88}} At some point it was known that Shardblades could be blocked by aluminum,{{wob ref|8489}} although this knowledge has slipped into legend and been largely forgotten.{{book ref|sa3|100}}

 

 

=== Refounding of the Knights Radiant ===

 

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== Politics ==

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Shardblades were often one of the most tangible expressions of power between various nations.{{book ref|sa1|29}} Kingdoms with many Shardblades were often considered to be more politically powerful than the others. Those without Shardblades, especially the smaller kingdoms, lived in fear of those with Shardblades.{{book ref|sa1|29}} In the major Vorin kingdoms, Alethkar and Jah Keved, Shardblades are sign of nobility and power. The highprinces of these nations and oftentimes their children or favored highlords typically have a Blade or two. With perhaps twenty or so Blades each, Jah Keved and Alethkar have the most Blades of any kingdom on Roshar.{{book ref|sa1|52}} These Blades are passed down family lines,{{book ref|sa2|14}} although if a Shardbearer is killed, their Blade goes to their killer.{{book ref|sa1|46}}

 

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Even within the Vorin kingdoms themselves, those with Shardblades were usually seen as more powerful. Highprinces of Alethkar and Jah Keved jostle with one another for position and influence,{{book ref|sa1|15}} and Shardblades are just another tool and indication of power and authority.{{book ref|sa2|5}} Duels for Shards can be used to embarrass political enemies as well as to weaken their military strength. For instance, Highprince Dalinar Kholin had his son duel Shardbearers that supported Torol Sadeas politically,{{book ref|sa2|51}} in order to disarm and shame them.{{book ref|sa2|5}} As most Blades are won by those who already have their own Shards, not all Blades are kept by the person that wins them. Oftentimes they are bestowed upon an heir or relative,{{book ref|sa1|18}} a worthy warrior,{{book ref|sa2|16}} a loyal officer,{{book ref|sa1|18}}{{book ref|sa2|66}} or even sometimes promised to an ally.{{book ref|sa1|24}} It is worth noting though that even if a person is said to own a Shardblade, it is considered treasonous to sell the Blade or defect to another kingdom.{{book ref|sa2|66}} However other than this exception, when a person is able to claim and bond a Blade without having it taken from them, no one will question their ownership of the weapon.{{book ref|sa3|7}}

 

 

=== Theology & Mythology ===

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According to Vorin doctrine, the Shardblades were gifts from the Almighty, used to fight the Voidbringers, who were said to have skin of stone.{{book ref|sa1|prologue}} As humanity was barely making spears, and their metalworking was incredibly basic, they needed the aid of their god to drive the Voidbringers from Roshar and the Tranquiline Halls and back into Damnation.{{book ref|sa1|61}} While the Radiants were initially a force for good,{{book ref|sa1|61}} it is said that over time they became corrupt{{book ref|sa1|21}} and eventually betrayed mankind in some way, possibly helping the other side.{{book ref|sa1|43}} Thereafter they were known as the Lost Radiants, and some began to say that their powers had been a curse{{book ref|sa2|3}} or merely fanciful tales.{{book ref|sa2|5}} The Honorblades have been elevated to a place of legend,{{book ref|sa1|19}} considered to be mythological treasures.{{book ref|sa1|29}} In Vorinism, it is not believed that being killed by a Shardblade destroys the soul, likely due to their connection to the Radiants.{{wob ref|3754}} There are legends of a [[Aluminum|light, silvery metal]] that falls from the sky and has the capacity to block Shardblades.{{book ref|sa3|100}}

 

=== Greatshell Hunts ===

 

Shardblades are often used in [[greatshell]] hunts, enormous Vorin sporting events.{{book ref|sa1|12}} Typically the Shardblades are used in the very final stages of the hunt, after the beast has been wounded by volleys of arrows and shots from a [[grandbow]]. In the case of the [[chasmfiend]]s of the [[Shattered Plains]], the Shardblades are used on the beasts's legs.{{book ref|sa1|13}} Shardbearers ride around beneath the greatshell, cutting through one leg at a time until the remaining legs cannot support the chasmfiend's weight and it collapses. The creature is then killed with the Blades and its gemheart is harvested. Some consider the Blades to be so effective that the greatshell hunts are unsportsmanlike.{{book ref|sa1|12}} It is unknown what role Shardblades play in other greatshell hunts.

=== Dueling ===

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The Vorin kingdoms of eastern Roshar have a proud tradition of dueling, particularly with Shardblades. A duel between Shardbearers was not just a contest of skill, but an art form all its own.{{book ref|sa1|58}} Lighteyes and darkeyes alike gathered in arenas, to view not only a simple battle, but a grand spectacle. While there were rules and regulations as to what was permitted and forbidden during a duel, oftentimes certain actions were forbidden by traditions stronger than law.{{book ref|sa2|14}} Duels are supposed to be fought slowly and gracefully, both opponents testing one another before dueling in earnest. Duelists nearly always make use of traditional dueling styles, such as Windstance or Smokestance. Duels that are instead fought quickly with fast, brutal blows are nontraditional and unpopular with both highjudges and audiences, if not technically forbidden. While Shardblades typically do not need to be swung at full strength in combat, it is useful during a duel with someone also wielding another Shardblade.{{book ref|sa1|58}} Some duels are fought without a Shardblade, but even many of those are fought without a shield evoking the classical ideal of a duel with Shardblades.{{book ref|sa2|45}}

 

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Duels are moderated by a highjudge, who has absolute authority over what occurs during a duel within the arena.{{book ref|sa2|56}} Both duelists agree to terms in front of the highjudge before a duel. Duels are usually fought until a specific number of sections of Plate are Shattered. The typical number of Plates duelists fight for is one, but higher stakes duels can go for more two or three, but this can prove dangerous. {{book ref|sa1|58}} Some try to jam their Blade in gaps between the sections of Plate, hoping to break them.{{book ref|sa2|52}} This is a dangerous move though, and risks seriously wounding an opponent. A duel can also go until surrender, which allows a man to keep fighting until he feels he is bested or is rendered incapable of further fighting.{{book ref|sa2|56}} If a highjudge feels a duel has gone too far, she can end the duel herself. Duelists can also agree to a paired duel, in which one man fights two or a disadvantaged duel wherein the disadvantaged side need only have fewer duelists than the other side. Specific language when challenging another person to a duel is crucial as other duelists will use any flaws in the wording of the challenge to skew the duel to their own advantage.

 

Duels can be fought for a variety of reasons. One is for sport, fighting to duels to practice and display skill.{{book ref|sa1|58}} Someone dueling can choose to compete to become the dueling champion of the kingdom. This is determined by statistical dueling rankings,{{book ref|sa1|58}} which prevent just any Shardbearer from challenging one ranked far higher.{{book ref|sa2|37}} Typically, a dueling champion will only agree to fight someone close to him in the rankings. Working ones way to the top of the rankings can typically take a year or two. Another reasons someone can challenge another to a duel is in recompense for an insult or some sort of wrongdoing.{{book ref|sa2|55}} This usually only applies to people of a similar rank, a subordinate is typically not permitted to challenge his superior to a duel. Duels can also be fought wagering Plate, Blades or both.{{book ref|sa2|14}} These duels are uncommon and usually something of a spectacle. This is one of the few ways that Shards change hands outside of actual combat. Duels to the death are very rare, although accidental death or serious injury are not unheard of in duels. One of the few ways that a duel to the death is permitted is permitted by the [[Right of Challenge]], which is sometimes granted by a [[King's Boon|boon]] from the king.{{book ref|sa2|55}} The [[Alethi Codes of War]] forbid dueling in times of war, to avoid injuring officers, although few modern Alethi keep to the codes.{{book ref|sa1|12}}

 

 

Duelists themselves have their own strongly held set of traditions, both as individuals and as a whole.{{book ref|sa3|15}} Some are borne out of necessity, such as how a Blade is held to avoid slicing something by accident or how to think of an enemy in combat. Others are less practical and seem almost mystical or spiritual. The manner in which they show respect to the traditions and institutions of dueling itself is one. Many duelists feel that the Blade itself is a part of them, a tradition perhaps dating back to the Radiants themselves. Some such as Adolin take this even further, believing that the Blade is a duelists life, and that they must be respected. Some also believe that a Blade cannot fail its wielder, a loss occurs only when the duelist fails the Blade.

=== Shardblade Tactics ===

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The first tactical decision made using Shards is often deciding where to deploy them. As Shardblades are as rare as they are effective, generals and tacticians must decide where they are most useful. Shardbearers typically only fight in the most important battles.{{book ref|sa1|16}} For instance, no Shardbearers were necessary when the Alethi fought the Reshi in the [[wastescum skirmishes]],{{book ref|sa1|16}} but every single Shardbearer has been deployed to the Shattered Plains for the War of Reckoning.{{book ref|sa1|52}} While sending as many Shardblades to a conflict as possible may seem a simple solution, it may leave an army exposed elsewhere or leave its homeland defenseless.{{book ref|sa1|18}} Another consideration is the fact that sending Shardbearers to a battle may serve as a deterrent to one's enemies, but it may also escalate the conflict and provoke one's enemies to send their own Shardbearers into battle.{{book ref|sa1|52}}

 

Shardbearers often lead formations themselves, cutting a hole in enemy ranks with their overwhelming force.{{book ref|sa1|68}} This creates a gap that well-trained men can exploit, which can allow for an army to overcome superior numbers. The usefulness of this tactic is twofold. Few regular men can put up an effective resistance against a Shardbearer, allowing them to lead a spectacularly effective charge, and also this tactic puts the Shardbearers at the front of the regular soldiers, often giving them a boost in morale as well.{{book ref|sa1|56}} Shardbearers will also sometimes be used in defensive fights to bolster the gaps in their own lines, moving quickly between weak places to give soldiers a chance to recover and return to their formation.{{book ref|sa1|67}} When a Shardbearer has Plate and Blade, they can also easily cut their way behind enemy lines, where they can wreak havoc with impunity and cause confusion that their own soldiers can then exploit.{{book ref|sa1|65}} Unlike fighting in a duel, the most effective way to combat large groups of soldiers is to maintain momentum and keep the Shardblade in constant motion, always cutting.{{book ref|sa1|56}} Practiced Shardbearers will use their control over their bond with their Shardblade to make use of it unexpectedly. They may throw their Shardblades in a more ranged attack than an enemy is used to and then dismiss it once the damage is done so that they can summon it back to their hands.{{book ref|sa2|35}} Another uncommon tactic is unexpectedly dismissing the Blade, which can surprise an enemy who is preparing to dodge the Blade or parry it.{{book ref|sa1|i|9}} This works particularly well when the Shardbearer is wearing Plate.

 

 

Due to their awesome power, Shardbearers fighting together often have to be careful that they do not inadvertently hurt one another or their own men.{{book ref|sa1|56}} Fighting in tandem with Shards is a skill all its own, keeping close enough to support one another but just far enough away to avoid interfering in the other's fight.{{book ref|sa1|67}} While the skill is uncommonly practiced, two Shardbearers supporting one another in combat can achieve incredible success.{{book ref|sa2|26}} Many times a Shardbearer will wade into enemy lines, bolstered by an honor guard fighting a few steps behind them.{{book ref|sa1|56}} The honor guard does not spend time defending the Shardbearer directly, but rather stays nearby to support the Shardbearer, so if his Plate is severely damaged or he is seriously injured, the Shardbearer can retreat to safety and not risk their life or their Shards.{{book ref|sa1|28}} Bolder Shardbearers will leave this honor guard behind and will attack enemies alone, either on foot or horseback.{{book ref|sa1|26}} Such a move is a tactical risk, as an isolated Shardbearer is at his most vulnerable and the loss of a Shardbearer in combat may prove disastrous for their own forces.{{book ref|sa1|56}} Shardbearers may also fight alone when capturing a wall or taking down some other fortification. Narrow wall tops are ideal for Shardbearers, as they are able to easily kill the clustered soldiers.{{book ref|sa3|11}} They must take care when scaling walls however, as some handholds are designed to be retracted by the defenders.{{book ref|sa3|66}} Unexpectedly pulling in a ledge that a Shardbearer is hanging from can be enough to send them spilling to the ground, cracking their Plate or killing them.

 

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As swords and arrows are practically useless against a Shardbearer, heavy weapons such as war hammers and axes are often used in an attempt to shatter the plate.{{book ref|sa1|56}} The most common tactic is to simply drown a Shardbearer in enemies.{{book ref|sa2|85}} Enemy forces attempt to attack from all directions, hoping that the Shardbearer may grow distracted or disoriented.{{book ref|sa1|56}} Despite the fact that most regular soldiers are afraid to face a Shardbearer, when they attack in large groups the weight of the army can force even the reluctant forward,{{book ref|sa1|56}} and there is always the chance that someone will get in a lucky blow.{{book ref|sa2|85}} Shardbearers are vulnerable if they can be separated from the soldiers supporting them, so if an army can separate a Shardbearer from their honor guard and limit their mobility, they have a decent chance of killing him.{{book ref|sa1|28}} One tactic to reduce a Shardblade's effectiveness is to get in close to the Shardbearer, staying within the Shardbearer's reach{{book ref|sa3|11}} and taking advantage of the Blade's long, non-lethal hilt.{{book ref|sa1|56}}{{book ref|sa2|89}} Fortifications may be constructed with this principle in mind, keeps built with narrow corridors to prevent a bulky Shardbearer from maneuvering.{{book ref|sa3|66}} There are also soldiers trained specifically to deal with Shardbearers. They utilize ropes and hooks to try to unbalance or trip the shardbearer, though this isn't always successful as shardplates are heavy. As the Shardblades cut through corpses instead of knocking them away like a normal weapon would, Shardbearers often become surrounded in corpses, which can lead to unstable footing and decreased mobility.{{book ref|sa1|56}} In extended battle, Shardbearers are rarely the last fighting, their enemy focuses on bringing them down first so that their Blades can be turned on their own men once they have fallen.{{book ref|sa1|67}} This means when a Shardbearer is killed, recovering their Blade and Plate are a higher priority than even retrieving the highlord's body.{{book ref|sa2|82}}

== Development ==

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[[Brandon Sanderson]]'s inspiration for Shardblades came out of the books, art, and video games in the fantasy genre during the 80s and 90s. He was a big fan of the [[Wikipedia:Final Fantasy|Final Fantasy]] games on the [[Wikipedia:NES|NES]], in which there are oversized swords.{{wob ref|9020}} Impractically large and ornate swords were common in other fantasy art during this time period as well. Brandon began to think about the circumstances in which these swords would be actually be practical and the kinds of enemies that they would be useful in combating. He also began to wonder how he could even make these swords useful, and came to the conclusion that they would have to be summoned. Brandon also felt that lightsabers are the coolest magic sword, but because Star Wars is science fiction, he wanted to come up with a cool magic sword for the fantasy genre.{{wob ref|1005}}