Difference between revisions of "Splinter"

{{update|sa4|yumi}}

A '''Splinter''' is the term for a specific type of fragment of [[Investiture]] that is ultimately derived from [[Adonalsium]].{{wob ref|10563}} These Splinters can be composed of a single [[Shard]]'s power or the Investiture of multiple Shards. They are present in many worlds of the [[cosmere]], sometimes in abundant quantities{{au ref|roshar}} or with self-aware personalities,{{au ref|sel}} while other times they are absent altogether or exist simply as a chunk of raw power guided by something else. These Splinters often possess abilities themselves or are capable of granting abilities by bonding with people.{{au ref|roshar}} Splinters are generally ageless and difficult to kill or destroy.{{wob ref|3855}} The [[spren]] of [[Roshar]]{{au ref|roshar}} and the [[seon]]s and [[skaze]] of [[Sel]]{{au ref|sel}} are some of the most well-known, although many species of Splinters can be found throughout the cosmere. The Shards [[Honor]],{{au ref|roshar}} [[Ambition]],{{au ref|threnody}} [[Devotion]], and [[Dominion]],{{au ref|sel}} and [[Virtuosity]]{{book ref|yumi|1}} have been Splintered, and therefore large portions of their power exist as Splinters.

At its core, a Splinter is a significant measure of a Shard's power that has been separated from the main body of Investiture. There is a notable difference between a physical manifestation of Investiture --such as [[atium]] and [[lerasium]] or a [[perpendicularity]], --and a Splinter. While a Shard's power is never truly separated from itself, as it is all connected through the [[Spiritual Realm]],{{wob ref|8605}} Splinters represent power that has been released or removed by a Shard.{{wob ref|986}} Splinters tend to not have much in the way of a Physical aspect. As a chunk of Investiture they tend to be more rooted in the [[Cognitive Realm|Cognitive]] and Spiritual Realms.{{wob ref|4066}} While many Splinters are composed of the Investiture of a single Shard, in the case of some Splinters they may actually be composed of the Investiture of two or more Shards.{{wob ref|13604}}

One distinguishing factor of a Splinter is that it may often have an intent of its own, separate from that of its parent Shard,{{wob ref|10089}} although it may be thematically related.{{wob ref|15990}} Splinters are often sentient and have an associated personality,{{ref|group=fn|name=eyes|text=While Brandon has said on one occasion that Splinters must be self-aware,{{wob ref|10563}} elsewhere he has said differently and has explicitly referred to the [[divine Breath]] as a Splinter, despite its lack of self-awareness. That, combined with the fact that [[Khriss]] feels the need to specify that seons and skaze are self-aware Splinters,{{au ref|sel}} makes it clear that a Splinter need not necessarily be self-aware.}} although that personality may be destroyed{{book ref|sa2|87}} or its body tortured.{{book ref|sa3|110}} However, they do not necessarily need a personality to be considered a Splinter. Generally speaking, a Splinter has never been a person.{{wob ref|4541}} Therefore, by the strictest definition, a [[Cognitive Shadow]] may not be considered a Splinter, by some. However, there is an argument to be made that a Cognitive Shadow is just an imprint of a once-living being on Investiture,{{wob ref|8395}} and has therefore never truly been human.{{au ref|threnody}} Generally speaking, most would consider a Cognitive Shadow to be a type of Splinter.{{wob ref|8757}} Nevertheless, Splinters and Cognitive Shadows operate by similar rules and many Cognitive Shadows may be made of an amount of Investiture equivalent or potentially even greater than a typical Splinter. Whether or not an avatar of a Shard should be considered a Splinter is also a subject of some debate.{{wob ref|13323}} While some would disagree, many people in the cosmere would be comfortable terming avatars Splinters.

A bond between a human and a [[seon]], another type of Splinter, can also be a vulnerability for the seon. Following the [[Reod]] in the ten years before the restoration of [[Elantris (city)|Elantris]], seons were in danger if their master was taken by the [[Shaod]]. The incorrect [[Aon]] acting on the human would disrupt their bonded seon as well, causing gaps to appear in their Aon, as well as a loss of any apparent sentience.{{book ref|elantris|16}} These damaged seons were known to stay close to their former masters that still lived, but apart from this they were seemingly totally unaware. Their minds were returned to them when Raoden repaired the [[Aon#Rao|Aon Rao]] in Elantris.{{book ref|thoe}}

During the time of the [[Final Empire]], both Ruin and Preservation had no Splinters of themselves on [[Scadrial]].{{wob ref|4541}} This signifies that their [[Metallic Arts#The God Metals|God Metals]], [[lerasium]] and [[atium]]--despite existing as condensed Investiture of their respective Shards{{wob ref|6072}}--are not Splinters.{{wob ref|4541}} In fact, there are no Splinters of Ruin and Preservation in existence.{{wob ref|3020}} Three and a half centuries after the [[Catacendre]], [[Harmony]] still does not have any Splinters, but that does not preclude the possibility that one day he may have Splinters of his own.{{wob ref|652}} Any potential Splinters present on Scadrial would have to be brought there from another world,{{wob ref|3020}} a notoriously tricky process.{{wob ref|8757}} However, in the event that Ruin had been successful in defeating Preservation and destroying Scadrial, he would have Splintered Preservation.{{msh ref|6|4}} Somehow, Rosharan spren have entered and arecan wanderingbe aroundfound in Scadrial's [[Cognitive Realm]].{{wob ref|817}}{{ref|group=fn|name=spren|text= Given several more recent comments, it is possible that this statement has been retconned.{{book ref|sa4|14}}{{book ref|yumi|21}}{{wob ref|9489}}{{wob ref|4956}}{{wob ref|15879}}{{wob ref|15986}}{{wob ref|8543}}}}