Difference between revisions of "Shardplate"

'''Shardplate''' is an ancient and magical type of full-body armor found on [[Roshar]].{{book ref|sa1|prologue}} Shardplates used by Radiants are [[Spren#Lesser Spren|lesser spren]] who have taken a physical form, and as such are [[Splinter]]s of [[Shard]]s [[Honor]] and [[Cultivation]].{{book ref|sa2|87}}{{wob ref|11211}} They are usually used with [[Shardblade]]s, Invested swords that also existsexist on Roshar,{{book ref|sa1|prologue}} as Shardblades are so large that they are unwieldy on their own.{{book ref|sa1|13}} Those who are bound to a Shardplate are referred to as Shardbearers.{{book ref|sa2|16}}

Shardplate differs from ordinary armor in that it can stop blows from [[Shardblade]]s or other highly Invested attacks.{{wob ref|6927}}{{book ref|tsm|47}} This capacity is not unlimited, as damage can still crack and even break the Plate with repeated blows.{{book ref|sa1|58}}{{book ref|tsm|48}} But Shardplate is one of the few materials that can block or resist a Shardblade strike to any degree, apart from another Shardblade or a [[half-shard]].{{book ref|sa1|prologue}}{{book ref|sa1|22}} SharplateShardplate is also designed to maintain temperature and life support, and is strong enough to protect a user from heat that could burn a person alive in seconds.{{book ref|tsm|47}}

Radiant Shardplates are granted to people who are on the path to becoming a full Radiant and have sworn a particular oath of the [[Immortal Words]].{{book ref|sa4|110}} Most Orders acquired Shardplate after swearing the Fourth Ideal.{{epigraph ref|sa3|86}} At that point, the Radiant will gain the ability to pull [[Spren#Lesser Spren|lesser spren]] into the Physical Realm to create the Shardplate. Each Order has its own lesser spren, whcihwhich are associated with their Nahel Spren, for example [[windspren]] for [[honorspren]]{{book ref|sa4|110}} or [[logicspren]] for [[inkspren]].{{wob ref|14477}} The lesser spren will perpetually accompany the Radiant, though invisible, and manifest when called on.{{book ref|tsm|45}} Radiants are able to hear their lesser spren howl in pain or annoyance when attacked.{{book ref|sa4|64}}

A Radiant cannot summon their Shardplate for the first time if they are not on [[Roshar]], but can summon it off-world if they have done so before.{{wob ref|15786}}{{book ref|tsm|45}} Plate will automatically feed off their Surgebinder's Stormlight to power and heal itself.{{book ref|sa2|57}}{{book ref|sa4|64}} AtIt leastseems somethat Radiants are able to Surgebind while wearing their armorown plate, although the plate still protects them from others using the surges.{{book ref|sa1|19}}{{book ref|sa4|64}}

It shines brightly with glow of Stormlight and gleaming glyphs, although the Radiant can will it to appear as "dead" Plate.{{book ref|sa1|19}}{{book ref|sa4|64}}{{book ref|sa4|114}} In semi-dismissed state, the Plate is only visible as a faint outline, and can't be felt by touch.{{book ref|sa4|110}} From the inside, the helmet is as transparent as glass and the eye slit is not necessary and can be sealed.{{book ref|sa4|64}} Radiants can control their Shardplate with more precision -- for example, will only part of it to appear or disappear or change in shape to some degree.{{book ref|sa1|19}}{{book ref|sa4|64}} Moreover, [[Windrunner]]s are able to form their Plate around others at least temporarily.{{book ref|sa4|111}}{{wob ref|14506}}

== Known SuitsShardbearers ==