Sliver
Sliver | |
---|---|
Related to | Shards |
Universe | Cosmere |
A Sliver is a human intelligence who has held all or a very large portion of the power of a Shard and has since released it.[1][2] There is a certain threshold of power where one would be considered a Sliver of Adonalsium. Every person on Scadrial has a bit of the power of Preservation, but they are not technically Slivers. Though there is some grey area in what it means to be a Sliver, individuals who have directly held the power of a Shard are usually termed Slivers. Elend, who became a full lerasium Mistborn, is not a Sliver, but was starting to get close.[3]
Requirements
- All Slivers by definition must be a physical, sapient being first. Non-physical entities like spren cannot become Slivers, but non-human entities like listeners can.[2][4]
- A human must hold a large portion of a Shard; a single bead of lerasium is not enough.[3] While using the Well of Ascension seems to make one a Sliver, touching the Well of Ascension but not holding and using its power might not.[citation needed]
- Slivers must have used up that power or released it.
Qualities of a Sliver
Being a Sliver changes a person, there is a residue left behind in a person.[3] This residue has many effects, one of which is that a person who is capable of noticing Investiture would be able to look at someone and tell that they are a Sliver.[5] Holding a large portion of a Shard is similar to inflating a balloon.[6] It is unknown what effects this expansion of their mind and spirit ultimately has on a person.
Known sources of power to become a Sliver
- Holding any Shard for any amount of time.
- The Well of Ascension
Known Slivers
- Kelsier held Preservation after his and Leras's death until Vin picked up the Shard[3]
- Rashek used the Well of Ascension.[3]
- Vin used the Well of Ascension.[3]
- The Stormfather self-identified as a sliver.[7] As the Stormfather was never a human, this contradicts the definition given above.
Potential Slivers
- Dalinar may be a Sliver as he has held the power of Honor, however, it is currently unclear.[8][9][10]
Notes
- ↑ Vericon 2011
— Arcanum - 2011-03-19# - ↑ a b Vericon 2011
— Arcanum - 2011-03-19# - ↑ a b c d e f Goodreads Fantasy Book Discussion Warbreaker Q&A
— Arcanum - 2010-01-18# - ↑ Skyward Pre-Release AMA
— Arcanum - 2018-10-15# - ↑ Orem signing
— Arcanum - 2012-09-22# - ↑ Words of Radiance San Diego signing
— Arcanum - 2014-03-04# - ↑ JordanCon 2016
— Arcanum - 2016-04-23# - ↑ Oathbringer chapter 119#
- ↑ Skyward Pre-Release AMA
— Arcanum - 2018-10-20# - ↑ Idaho Falls signing
— Arcanum - 2018-07-21#