Difference between revisions of "Silver"

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m (Consensus seems to be that silver isn't really relevant enough for Scadrial/Mistborn that they need to be in the infobox)
(expand, review)
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== Uses ==
 
== Uses ==
 
=== Threnody ===
 
=== Threnody ===
Silver is a significant substance and a valuable currency in the [[Forests of Hell]] as it is known to repel spirits. Shades that touch it are thrown backward, though the touch of the Shades blacken and ruin it. A ring of silver is installed around every house to ward off the shades, and they need to be replaced regularly.{{book ref|sfs}}
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Silver is a significant substance and a valuable currency in the [[Forests of Hell]], as it is known to repel [[shade]]s. Shades that touch it are thrown backward, though the touch of the spirits blacken and ruin the metal. A ring of silver is installed around every house to ward off the shades, and the ring needs to be maintained regularly.{{book ref|sfs}}
   
Silver can also heal the effects of a Shade attack. Silver dust is applied immediately to areas of the body that are affected, reversing the necrotic effects of the Shade's touch. Applying too late would have no effect on the wound.{{book ref|sfs}}
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Silver can also heal the effects of a shade attack. Silver dust is applied immediately to areas of the body that are affected, reversing the necrotic effects of the shade's touch. Applying silver too late would have no effect on the wound.{{book ref|sfs}}
   
=== Scadrial ===
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==== Threnodite Chains ====
 
Silvery chains that originate on [[Threnody]]{{wob ref|12843}} somehow allow a user to "anchor" themselves through a [[Cognitive anomaly]].{{book ref|sa4|64}} The implications of anchoring are unknown, but the chains are incredibly rare and valuable on other planets.{{book ref|sa3|102}}{{book ref|sa4|60}} They are used by the scholars of [[Silverlight]].{{wob ref|12843}}
Silver is [[Allomancy|Allomantically]] inert.{{wob ref|7983}} It may have interesting properties, but on Scadrial they are largely undiscovered.{{wob ref|11892}} Like all metals other than [[aluminium]] (and certain aluminum alloys), it can be used as an anchor by [[Coinshot]]s and [[Lurcher]]s.{{book ref|mb5|2}}{{wob ref|11239}}
 
   
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The chains are described as "silver" or "silvery", but their exact composition is unclear. [[Raboniel]] was immediately shocked at the sight of a Threnodite chain on [[Roshar]]{{book ref|sa4|60}} while [[Kaladin]] failed to notice anything unusual about a chain that he saw in [[Shadesmar]],{{book ref|sa3|102}} implying that the chains have distinguishing characteristics that are not obvious to every observer.
=== Cognitive anomalies ===
 
  +
Silvery chains that originate on [[Threnody]]{{wob ref|12843}} somehow allow a user to "anchor" themselves through a [[Cognitive anomaly]].{{book ref|sa4|64}} The implications of anchoring are unknown, but the chains are incredibly rare and valuable on other planets.{{book ref|sa4|64}} The exact composition of the chains remains unknown. The chains are known to be used by the scholars of [[Silverlight]].{{wob ref|12843}}
 
  +
=== Scadrial and Other Planets ===
 
Silver is [[Allomancy|Allomantically]] inert.{{wob ref|7983}} It may have interesting properties, but on Scadrial they are largely undiscovered.{{wob ref|11892}} Like all metals other than [[aluminum]] (and certain aluminum alloys), it can be used as an anchor by [[Coinshot]]s and [[Lurcher]]s.{{book ref|mb5|2}}{{wob ref|11239}}
  +
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On planets where silver is not known to exhibit special properties (such as Scadrial, Roshar, and [[Sel]]), it is typically used as jewelry or decoration.{{book ref|mb3|8}}{{book ref|sa2.5|prologue}}{{book ref|elantris|8}}
   
 
== Trivia ==
 
== Trivia ==
Brandon originally envisaged the Allomantic powers of [[tin]] as silver, falsely assuming that [[pewter]] had a high quantity of silver.{{wob ref|2391}} He also considered using it instead of [[aluminum]] when [[Vin]] is captured in [[Kredik Shaw]], but decided it was too abundant.{{wob ref|7983}} After changing it, he was concerned that [[Vin]]'s earring might be confusing, so it became 'silver coated'.{{wob ref|7957}}
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*Brandon originally envisioned the Allomantic partner of [[pewter]] as silver instead of [[tin]], changing his mind after learning that he was under the false impression that pewter had a high quantity of silver.{{wob ref|2391}} Even years later, he sometimes forgets that silver was replaced with tin.{{wob ref|13565}}
  +
*Because silver is such a well-known metal in real life, Brandon still wanted to include it in the Allomantic table. He considered swapping it in for aluminum as the metal that wipes out other metal reserves in chapter 36 of ''The Final Empire'', when [[Vin]] is captured in [[Kredik Shaw]]. However, he decided that silver was too abundant to have this effect.{{wob ref|7983}} He has some regrets about leaving silver out of Allomancy, but the fact that aluminum goes from very rare to very common after a society becomes industrialized lends itself well to the long-term arc of ''Mistborn''.{{wob ref|9281}}
  +
*After replacing silver with tin, Brandon was concerned that the description of [[Vin]]'s earring might be confusing, so it became 'silver coated'.{{wob ref|7957}}
  +
*[[Nightblood]]'s sheath is described as "silver" in ''[[Warbreaker]]'', but it is actually made of [[aluminum]].{{wob ref|8162}}
   
 
== Notes ==
 
== Notes ==
<references />
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<references/>
{{partial}}
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{{complete}}
 
{{Shadows for Silence}}
 
{{Shadows for Silence}}
 
[[Category:Magic]]
 
[[Category:Magic]]

Revision as of 16:18, 6 July 2021

Silver
Properties Harms shades
Universe Cosmere

The metal silver has some notable properties in the cosmere.[1]

Uses

Threnody

Silver is a significant substance and a valuable currency in the Forests of Hell, as it is known to repel shades. Shades that touch it are thrown backward, though the touch of the spirits blacken and ruin the metal. A ring of silver is installed around every house to ward off the shades, and the ring needs to be maintained regularly.[2]

Silver can also heal the effects of a shade attack. Silver dust is applied immediately to areas of the body that are affected, reversing the necrotic effects of the shade's touch. Applying silver too late would have no effect on the wound.[2]

Threnodite Chains

Silvery chains that originate on Threnody[3] somehow allow a user to "anchor" themselves through a Cognitive anomaly.[4] The implications of anchoring are unknown, but the chains are incredibly rare and valuable on other planets.[5][6] They are used by the scholars of Silverlight.[3]

The chains are described as "silver" or "silvery", but their exact composition is unclear. Raboniel was immediately shocked at the sight of a Threnodite chain on Roshar[6] while Kaladin failed to notice anything unusual about a chain that he saw in Shadesmar,[5] implying that the chains have distinguishing characteristics that are not obvious to every observer.

Scadrial and Other Planets

Silver is Allomantically inert.[7] It may have interesting properties, but on Scadrial they are largely undiscovered.[8] Like all metals other than aluminum (and certain aluminum alloys), it can be used as an anchor by Coinshots and Lurchers.[9][10]

On planets where silver is not known to exhibit special properties (such as Scadrial, Roshar, and Sel), it is typically used as jewelry or decoration.[11][12][13]

Trivia

  • Brandon originally envisioned the Allomantic partner of pewter as silver instead of tin, changing his mind after learning that he was under the false impression that pewter had a high quantity of silver.[14] Even years later, he sometimes forgets that silver was replaced with tin.[15]
  • Because silver is such a well-known metal in real life, Brandon still wanted to include it in the Allomantic table. He considered swapping it in for aluminum as the metal that wipes out other metal reserves in chapter 36 of The Final Empire, when Vin is captured in Kredik Shaw. However, he decided that silver was too abundant to have this effect.[7] He has some regrets about leaving silver out of Allomancy, but the fact that aluminum goes from very rare to very common after a society becomes industrialized lends itself well to the long-term arc of Mistborn.[16]
  • After replacing silver with tin, Brandon was concerned that the description of Vin's earring might be confusing, so it became 'silver coated'.[17]
  • Nightblood's sheath is described as "silver" in Warbreaker, but it is actually made of aluminum.[18]

Notes

This page is probably complete!
This page contains most of the knowledge we have on the subject at this time.
It has yet to be reviewed.