Shardblades were magical weapons of unknown origin which were used by the Knights Radiant on Roshar.
After the Recreance there were an estimated twenty Shardblades held by Alethkar, another twenty for Jah Keved, and approximately another forty spread out among the rest of the world.
Shardblades were much longer than than an average blade (a notable exception being Szeth's Shardblade). They were unbreakable and could cut through any non-living material with ease. When a Shardblade encountered living flesh, it severed the creature's soul rather than its body; however, once the creature was killed, the remains interacted with the blade like any other non-living material.
Shardplate
Shardplate was ornate armor that covered the entire body and was powered by stormlight, through the use of gemstones located at key points on the armor. Related to Shardblades, it was nearly indestructible, though Shardblades or constant attacks against it could eventually break it down whereupon it would need to be recharged and repaired by letting it draw Stormligt from infused gems. People wearing shardplate were gifted with advanced strength and speed, though it was no substitute for skill.
In present times, shardplate is often painted according to the bearer's preference, but when worn by the Radiants of old, the 'plate glowed according to the Order they were a part of.
Shardbearer
Shardbearer was a term used to refer to someone who held a Shardblade or a suit of Shardplate. If someone held both a Shardblade and Shardplate, they were considered a "Full Shardbearer."
They had to wait ten hearbeats (which the Shardbearer could hear no matter how loud his surroundings) after summoning the Shardblade before it appeared. When a Shardblade appeared, it formed as is from mist, wet with dew. If the Blade was dropped or put down when the Shardbearer was still alive, the Shardblade would vanish unless the bearer willed it to remain. However, when the Shardbearer died, the Shardblade remained corporeal and could be claimed by another.
The term "Shardbearer" is not to be confused with "Shard," which refers to someone holding a Shard of Adonalsium.
Known Shardbearers
- King Elhokar (Shardblade called Sunraiser)
- Highprince Sadeas[fn 1] (Shardblade called Oathbringer)
- Brightlord Adolin
- Shallan Davar[fn 2]
- Brightlord Amaram[fn 3]
- Szeth
- An unidentified Parshendi
Former Shardbearers
- King Gavilar[fn 4]
- The King of Jah Keved[fn 4]
- Two unnamed guards of the King of Jah Keved[fn 4]
- Highprince Dalinar[fn 1]
- An unidentified Veden[fn 3]
Theories
- Shardblades are created by the Almighty
- Shardblades are related to the Dawnblades held by the Heralds.
Notes
footnotes