Splinter
Splinter | |
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Related to | Shards |
Universe | Cosmere |
A Splinter is a specific type of fragment of a Shard's power.
What are Splinters?
Brandon has not stated the complete definition of what a Splinter is. The most he has said is that it is a term used by certain people in the Cosmere for a power of Adonalsium which has no person holding it, which has attained self-awareness.[1] In a way they are qualitative opposites of Slivers. Whereas Slivers are people who have been influenced by Shardic power, a Splinter is a thing that has never been human.[2] One distinguishing factor of a Splinter is that they often have an intent, separate from their Shards'.[3] Splinters are a blend of more the spiritual and cognitive and less the physical.[4]
Known Splinters
Examples of Splinters are Honorspren (Splinters of Honor)[5], the Unmade (Splinters of Odium)[6], the Divine Breath that Returned hold (Splinters of Endowment)[7], and the Aons inside of seons (Splinters of Devotion)[8].
This indicates that there are Splinters on Roshar, Sel and Nalthis. Whether or not there are more, on other Shardworlds, is unknown.
No Splinters on Scadrial
Lerasium and atium--despite being condensed essences of their Shards--are not Splinters, so there are no Splinters in Mistborn.[2]
Creation
It is not clear how Splinters are formed, though it appears a Shard must actively create one. Endowment seems to be able to form them at will for Returned. Odium traveled to Sel and Splintered Devotion and Dominion.[9] Since Odium killed Tanavast,[10] the holder of Honor, Honor was Splintered as well.[11]
Notes
- ↑ Steelheart Seattle signing
— Arcanum - 2013-10-14# - ↑ a b Vericon 2011
— Arcanum - 2011-03-19# - ↑ West Jordan signing
— Arcanum - 2011-08-04# - ↑ /r/fantasy AMA 2013
— Arcanum - 2013-04-15# - ↑ Steelheart Chicago signing
— Arcanum - 2013-10-05# - ↑ /r/books AMA 2015
— Arcanum - 2015-03-12# - ↑ Warbreaker Annotations
— Arcanum - 2010-09-09# - ↑ A Memory of Light Signing Milford
— Arcanum - 2013-02-16# - ↑ The Letter#
- ↑ The Way of Kings chapter 75#
- ↑ Google+ Hangout
— Arcanum - 2012-04-17#