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As the title says, who named the Shards? It seems as if Hoid and other Yolenites of that time all refer to each other by their given names (at least, in the Letters, Hoid and The Recipient call everyone by their actual names and I don't have my Mistborn books to see about Leras and Ati and Harmony). But who decided to call Ati's Shard "Ruin" as opposed to "Change"? Or Rayse's "Odium"? Or Tanavast's "Honor"? They seem... slanted, and not based on the person (after all, Rayse was a good man). It has to be someone Realmatically aware to an extremely large degree, since they know the very nature of these gods, not just their short term goals and accomplishments, which means more so than Khriss and Nazh. A head honcho at Silverlight maybe? A new Yolenite?

So, when one has to read from about fifteen different books (and eventually more), it becomes difficult to figure out a storyline. So, I'm gonna sum up what I think I've picked up from all of these stories as best I can, and Ya'll tell me what I've got wrong. So, there's this dude (God) called Adonalsium, who's killed by sixteen other dudes & chicks, who are conveniently named after emotions and qualities. These deified Dudes and Chicks go to certain planets and reside. And one of the Dudes called Odium (aka hatred?) keeps killing off all of the other Dudes and Chicks, and none of the living Dudes and Chicks do anything about it. But, the only people who seem to be aware of the situation are the Scholar Chick in White Sand (who has a name that I don't remember) who writes all the Ars Arcanum stuffs, and Hoid, who somehow doesn't ever die, and also finds a way to travel everywhere all the time, and still show up as a main character in the Stormlight Archive. And when the Dudes or Chicks die, it's called Splintering, which means something. The thing is, when Odium causes a Dude or a Chick to Splinter, he doesn't ever actually take their power, he just leaves it lying around to cause surgebinding or something similar that will harm him. Another question: is one of the Sixteen Shards named Stupidity? or Ignorance? That would amuse me.

This is regarding the statement made by Hoid to Dainar in WoK about Adonalsium. I was going through some of the popular big old threads and found this thread interesting. These comments from users @Devo and @Bloodfalcon seem significant. Hoid definitely is hinting that Adonalsium is an anagram or a combination of words. To make sure I'm not repeating the efforts done by someone, I did a quick internet search about this that revealed this golden post on Reddit (full credit to /u/eMeLDi). Behold everyone! Adonalisum = A mind, a soul On a side note, there are many other possible anagrams, some hilarious ones such as Am slain duo, I a damnation soul, On a-dualism, Anal Odiums TL;DR There could be some secret within the word Adonalsium itself. It could be an anagram of "A mind, a soul" From the WoB in the above 17S thread, that says "Everything Hoid says is significant in this context", I think there is some possibility that this theory had merit. Thoughts? Reactions? Would be great to have some input! Thanks.

Okay so this is a pretty far out theory, largely based on things I am pretty sure I have seen in interviews but have no quotes for so it could fall apart pretty quickly. So here goes... Base Assumptions Hoid is present at the shattering of Adonalsium There was once something that was the opposite of Adonalsium The shards were originally natives of Yolen It is theorized that Dragonsteel deals with the shattering of Adonalsium Liar of Partinel takes place before Dragonsteel. So if that is the case several thoughts spring to mind. Adonalsium was described in the blurb of one of the mistborn books as being the power of creation and whilst I take that to mean a more broad definition than the simple intent of a shard I think that Adonalsium broadly was a force of life. Even Ruin is not completely anti-life merely seeking the completion of life cycles. Tied with the other intents I believe could be directed towards creation. (See Harmony). This would imply that the opposite force was a force of death. Death in its most extreme form (possible Spiritual/Cognative and Physical death?) In Liar of Partinel we see the fain life which seems by far the most disturbing thing we have thus far seen in the Cosmere. Shards intents almost certainly interfere with each other. Before the shattering I am guessing that the various intents were all held in tension much as Harmony is causing them to be interpreted in the light of the other intents. This makes it impossible to use their power as an offensive weapon. Shards such as Ruin and Odium could be as dangerous to Fain life as they are to everything else. So here is my conclusion: On Yolen Hoid and others decided to attempt to fight the Fain Life by essentially weaponising Adonalsium breaking off the aggressive intents to create more lethal weapons. To do this they were forced into some kind of alliance of convenience with Rayse and Bavadin their human rivals/enemies. Hoid at this point quits the group essentially predicting that Rayse and Bavadin will be as much a headache holding shards as the Fain Life is. Adonalsium is then shattered and the Fain life either driven back or destroyed, leaving us with the state of affairs we have today (minus Odium's shard splintering quest.) What do you think?

My first theory!! Maybe it's already somewhere else or dis proven but here it goes. If Hoid as access to Cadmium Allomantic power and Chromium Feruchemical power we could store luck and then prepare a vial with chromium using the stored luck, given him the amount of chromium necessary to stay in a bubble until the next important event happen...

In the intro to chapter 72 of WoR there is a section of a letter written to a person who I assume to be Hoid. It is talking about Rayse and how the author of the letter thinks he is now simply a force, a slave to his Shard. It then states that the recipient of the letter (Hoid potentially) insists that this is not the case. I'm not sure what to make of this but it does seem interesting that Hoid would insist that Rayse has not been completely taken over by his Shard.

So in Hoid's first meeting with Kaladin, he tells Kaladin a story about the Wandersail. This story led Kaladin to finally overcoming his depression/apathy and embracing his surge binding abilities. Note the underlined part (added for emphasis). I see a connection between the behavior of the Uvara and that of the Skybreakers / Nale who are murdering new surgebinders. I also see a connection between the Emperor of the Uvara and Honor/Tanavast (because he's dead and the people don't realize it) or perhaps Ishar (since Nale was justifying his actions on Ishar's assurances/warnings) . I was hoping that others might ... consider this connection and offer your thoughts/criticism, and think about whether any other events in Edgedancer connect to the Uvara (or other stories, legends, etc.) Thanks!

This idea is probably way out there: but what if? What if Hoid has given up on instant noodles? I know he's just messing with us, but what if he's giving a clue? I dunno, let me know what you think about this idea.

I looked and I could find this theory being discussed so here we go. this assumes that Talnfrom the end of WoK is Talenel. Also that his shardblade is an Honorblade but by the time he gets the the shattered planes it has been switched to a normal shardblade. most of my info is from the coppermind. Basically I think Hoid took Talenel's Honorblade. We know he has acquired a significant amount of Breath and that he took a Lerasium pellet from the Well of Ascension. I'm sure there is other evidence that he is gathering "powers" from different worlds. With an Honorblade he would have both a shardblade and the surges affiliated with Talenel's order. Thats the whole reason Hoid is waiting for Taln. All Hoid needs is to have acquired an unknown shardblade and switch them without anyone knowing. Hoid has proved pretty resourceful in the past so I don't see a problem.

Hello everyone, I'm wondering if we have a consolidated list of Hoid's abilities we have seen till now. The only ones I can think of are 1. Allomancy: Stealing the Lerasium (WoA), Interacting with Shallan (WoR) 2. Feruchemy: WoB 3. Lightweaving: Stormlight Archive (during narrating story to Kaladin) Do we have evidence of him having or using any other abilities like Breath or Dor?

Well it is my first post and i've looked and couldnt find anyone who wrote about it but correct me if its already have been theorised. It is known from a WoB(that i dont remember where) that Hoid uses Feruchemy to be where he needs to be although he doesnt actually know. I belive Hoid draws fortune to get lucky and happen to be where he needs to be. There is a quote from mistborn Secret History part 5, 2nd chapter "you always jump at stories, Alonoe. not every coincidence is a sign someone drawing upon fortune" and it sounds very similar to what hoid does that he just happends to be around major events around the cosmere.

I was re-reading the WoK and the scene where Kaladin first meets Hoid really stuck out to me. [ ''And what is your name, my thoughtful bridgeman? Kaladin hesitantly raised his own hand. ''Kaladin. And yours?'' "I've many.'' The man shook Kaladin's hand. "I began life as a thought, a concept, words on a page. That was another thing I stole. Myself.] - Chapter 57 "Wandersail" It seems to me that Hoid is aware that he is a fictional character.

Have we ever gotten a WoB about who else knows about the Shattering besides the 16 original shard holders, Harmony, and Hoid? I know he has said that Khriss is the most knowledgable and that Nazh knows approximately as much as Hoid but does that include the Shattering? I can't see how it would, since I doubt K or N are in contact with a Shard Holder and I doubt Hoid gives that info away. And how much do the natives of Yolen know about the Shattering? I would imagine that the destruction of a god would be a notable event but we have heard nothing from other Yolenites (Yoleners?).

As I'm rereading through TWoK, I got to the section where Wit (Hoid) appears in the story and something hit me. We know that physical death on Roshar is off a bit, that "warriors are needed to fight for the Tranquiline Halls" in the afterlife and all. The ardents teach that all callings are helpful in the afterlife, so it seems that death takes a person into service in the next life. It's been theorized that the reason the KR abandoned their oaths was because they learned that death would send them to Damnation (Braize) to fight voidbringers or to be tortured or whatever happens there (obviously unpleasant because they abandoned their shards and oaths to avoid going). But, even after the Recreance, this idea of moving on into the afterlife to fight for the Tranquiline Halls continued in culture/religion, but obviously didn't apply to average people because giving up the shards/Nahel Bond caused the KR to become average (read "uninvested" maybe?) people again, avoiding this unpleasant future. That said, of all the kinds of people and disguises Hoid could have taken, he chose to be a King's Wit, a position who insults others and is often killed for the offensive nature of the position. We know Hoid is invested with all kinds of magic - do you think he wants to be killed so he can be transported to whatever this next life, the "Tranquiline Halls/Damnation/Braize/Cognitive Realm," to further his mission in the Cosmere? Maybe there's no other way to get there specifically, so he's biding his time insulting powerful warlords knowing that he will eventually get his chance to go. Theory Hole #1 is that Hoid seems to be worried about Odium/Rayse and the terrible power he holds, so why would he want to go to where Odium is? I'm not honestly sure, but he does strange things - maybe he's ready to take the fight to Rayse directly?

I don't know if this has been brought up before but here's a theory that i've been thinking about since i've read SH. We know that Cognitive Shadows are people who have only ties to the Spiritual and Cognitive Realms but none to the Physical. That got me wondering that if you can exist in someway with only two ties to the Realms, so what if there are people with ties only with the Physical and Spiritual or to the Physical and Cognitive out dare. This is what I believe what Hoid is, a person with only ties to the Physical and the Cognitive but none to the Spiritual. We know that Hoid is something a little different from a normal human and i think thats it. Even if thats not true there is definitely something wrong with his Spiritual self as he himself mentions in WoK. The biggest proof for this theory would be how Hoid implies in WoR that he can't be hurt by a Shardblade which would make sense as it cuts in the Spiritual. What are your guys thoughts on this theory, any things that might disprove it?

Hey all, Not sure if this has been discussed elsewhere. I tried searching for it, but I couldn't find any related topics, and also I didn't search too hard because I am busy at work. I am only posting this because it has been burning in my mind since I read it last night. During my 4th re-read of The Way of Kings, when Hoid is telling Kaladin the story "Wandersail", Kaladin notices that Hoid is carrying a sword with a black sheath...Also, Hoid had been noticeably absent from his duties as the King's Wit, and he mentioned something about searching for someone (i think he said an old acquaintance). Am I crazy, or is Hoid in possession of a certain sword at this point?

I have two different copies of Elantris (hard and soft) and with purchasing all the other Sanderson books in hardcover, I found it impossible to justify $100 more dollars to buy the anniversary addition for the small additions I have had described. Do you know of a short list of additional information we get from the anniversary addition that is not in the hardcover? I am aware of maps additions, and a short chapter with Hoid and a Skaze at the end where he does not turn to an Elantrian when lowering into the Pool near Elantris; but what I am looking for are any other details that are Cosmere-important, or Hoid-revelatory that people who have not got the new addition ought to know. Remember, we can't copy whole sections, and pictures are probably a copyright infringement, so please filter down to the information gleaned from them. I would hope that this becomes a good reference post, or that someone links me to one that may already exist. I spent 4 hours combing the forums and did not see one. Gratefully...

Hello everybody! A thought tickled my brain after reading a couple of WOBs and I thought I'd pop my head up to see what folks have to say about it. First the WOBs: WOB #1: WOB #2: So we know that Hoid pops up in many places, interacts with important people, and gathers cool stuff in order to achieve some desired outcome. We also know that he uses feruchemy order to know where to go. However, it had previously always been discussed and speculated that Hoid obtained his feruchemy on Scadrial or from some Scadrian artifact. However, the more recent of the two WOBs above (that would be #2 from Librarypalooza back in Feb of this year) indicates that his ability to know where to go is "innate". This suggests that Hoid had his feruchemy from birth (since that is what 'innate' means). However we know that Hoid predates Scadrial since he was present at the shattering of Adonalsium (and Scadrial, or at least its flora, fauna, and metallic arts, was created by the combined efforts of two of the shards). This means that he predates Scadrian feruchemy. So, is feruchemy a native Yolan art or did Brandon misuse the term 'innate'?

What is a Worldhopper? They are select individuals who have learned how to travel between the different Shard worlds in the Cosmere. The most likely way that these individuals do is is by sinking into shard pools and emerging in the cognitive realm, where the minds of men connect across the vastness of space. This allows for people to walk from world to world, assuming they can do so in safety. Hoid is a perfect example of a worldhopper, although there are others. There are also other, less known ways of entering the Cognitive realm. Who know what will become of worldhoppers. Transcript: This letter is more of a journal entry than a field report. I had started to wonder if I would ever see another messenger. I know that travel across the Cosmere is difficult and dangerous, but it’s been years. Your call back is… troubling at best. However, I will not disguise the fact that your abrupt silence was causing me to consider returning anyway. Needless to say, the Cognitive Realm may be a home to dreams and ideas of men, but some of those dreams are nightmares come with some serious teeth. The philosophers of the various worlds often discuss the dangers and natures of ideas among a population. Naturally they were making references to the fickle hearts of men in times of transition and stress. Individuals such as you and me know that the dangers of ideas are real in the Cognitive Realm. There is nothing more terrifying than the realization that one slip, one misstep or encounter with a powerful cognitive being and your life can be snuffed out like a candle in the wind. I once practically lived among the shadows of the cognitive realm, and now that I have returned once again, I find myself fearing that abyss. Although you may understand the traversing of the Cognitive realm in an academic sense, I doubt you truly understand the strange and fascinating perils that reside here. Roshar is of itself particularly dangerous, for the Spren here are far more powerful than their diminished counterparts in the physical realm. Here they are a horde, most are more like forces of nature rather than beings of intellect. They move and act, bound by their nature and intent. I have been warned by the whispers of the cryptics of the dangers their fellows present. One should not travel the Cognitive realm lightly here. On the other hand, the spren are fascinating to converse with. The cryptics in particular seemed to enjoy my company, something about the lies I tell. I found that they themselves were hard to ply for information, but if you listen carefully you can decipher meaning in their circling words. They remind me of politicians if I am honest, perhaps that is why I felt I could follow their logic better. It was almost like being with family again. I have seen the powers of Investiture here on Roshar that create holes or perpandicularies in the cognitive realm. This is most fascinating because until now, I had assumed that the only points where someone could pass from the physical world into the Cognitive real was through locations of condensed Investiture. Shard Pools, as they are called, are points on the various worlds where the raw power and investiture of a Shard collects and condenses. So far I have found such pools on each of the worlds I have visited, for I could not have traversed there without them. Yet there are old stories and new whispers that claim that some of the Knights Radiant can send themselves physically into the Cognitive Realm without using a shard pool. I also believe that the Oath Gates that I’ve used to travel great distances in an instant also operate by traversing the Cognitive Realm but how this works is still a mystery to me. I wonder if someday everyone will have access to the Cognitive Realm. I have a…unique background and with concentration, I can pass through a perpendiculary with relatively safely. The issue is, I don’t know if just anyone can survive this process. I have never tested it, fearing what would happen if the concentrated power would harm or kill others. The concentration of pure Investiture is so great that it effectively dissolves the boundaries between the physical and cognitive realms. Perhaps like so many things in the Cosmere, using the Shard pools in this way is more about Intent, rather than physical limitation. Sadly, the ways of these pools are far exciding my understanding. One of the many reasons why I am hesitant to use them is rooted in the knowledge that I understand almost nothing about the mysteries of shard pools, except that they can carry me between realms. Even so, I know there are others who use these pools for the very purpose I do. As I have written to you before, Hoid is a master of traversing the various worlds via shard pools. In fact, I think that the only way he can be reasonably tracked is watching the points where he can travel. However, he is far too crafty to make it that easy to catch him. Independent of our little organization, the 17th Shard is the only operating group of Worldhoppers that I know of for sure. They seem to see themselves as a policing force, attempting to keep some kind of balance and observing the actions that are happening across the Cosmere. Like I have said before, they are no longer fond of me since I set foot and integrated myself among the people of Roshar. They seem to feel that these peoples are far too easy for an outsider to manipulate. Although they have sought me out, I have hidden myself well and make sure not to draw attention or meddle in things other than behind the scenes. Besides, subtlety is often a more powerful tool in making things happen. Let the heroes take the spotlight. Instead I move people into places they need to be, funds where they are most advantageous, and building structure and wealth where there is chaos. Where some wield knives or armies, I wield politics, information, and influence. I sometimes feel ashamed of the distinct advantages my skills and knowledge allow me. Yet doing nothing, as my pursuers would wish of me, would go against all that I have become. Never again will I sit back and watch the world burn beneath me. I have been given too many gifts and understanding to just let myself wander away. I will watch, and I will nudge when I feel it will be of greatest benefit. I am not a man to make history, just a man who wants things to run as smoothly as possible. Regardless, I have kept an eye out for these 17th shard peace keepers, they will not get in my way for long. There must be others out there that traverse the worlds beyond their home. The only possible exception would be travelers from Sel. Sel is nearly impossible to visit, and very dangerous at that. Well, all the Cognitive Realm is dangerous for the physical bodies that walk the dark paths. But Sel is far more so even than Roshar. Yet I have a feeling that if travelers haven’t been able to leave as of yet, they someday will find a way. At the moment, only a small number of people know that Worldhopping is possible. But as the peoples of these worlds grow, it becomes more and more likely that others will eventually learn of the secrets of the shard pools. Will we one day see networks of interdimensional highways connecting the peoples of the Cosmere? Will worlds ever push to expand their borders, seeing opportunity in the lands of beyond? With there ever become a time where I become so well know, that I can no longer blend in with alien societies? The future of worldhopping is as unpredictable as the people who practice the art. It is amusing how often we cross paths, seeing how large the Cosmere is. But I feel that many of us are drawn to large and pivotal points in the narratives of the Shard worlds. In fact, as I make my way back to my homeland, I wonder if Hoid or the Scholar have already traveled there. I never thought I would return, but what is more surprising is the fact that I think I am ready to return. After failing my family, knowing they died because I was not strong enough to protect them, I thought I could never face the world that let them die. Yet, dare I say, my travails on Roshar has shown me that through despair and failure, we often learn and gain the strength that we lacked when we were younger. Your report was cryptic at best. Your long silence had me believing that our communications were being intercepted or lost somehow. Disturbing thoughts, that remind me of darker days. In fact, I wonder what forces could be out there, continuing to conspire against us. Perhaps this is why I was called in the first place, to stand and recognize the signs of corruption as they manifest. If the danger you implied is caused by a fallen Shard… well, I just hope I am not too late. I look forward to meeting in person once again, if anything I can’t wait to see the look on your face to see the backlog of reports you now need to sift through, you could make a book out of them I’m sure. I also bring a gift from Roshar, something that might make these reports easier to manage in the coming years, assuming we can keep the gemstones charged. Until we meet again, Elsric Please remember, anyone can submit art for this series, so if you want to share anything, please message me and we can get it in there!

I assume I'm not the first to think Hoid's apparent "switch with a carriage driver on the way to the menagerie" was faked, using something like Lightweaving. The man's accent was described as "unfamiliar" by Kaladin. The character seems a little too stereotypical, and his description of Wit's supposed behaviour also seems like a parody of Wit's character, both of which would seem a grand joke to Hoid. It is unlikely Hoid got another worldhopper involved, as they all seem out to get him, or at least not to like him much. And he is known to like taking on disguises and characters. But... What does this achieve? Is it just a meta-trick, making them think they've been tricked one way by tricking them another, just so Hoid can laugh at the triplicity (duplicity +1) of it?

Trell is a shard we have seen before. Threnody does not have a shard on it, but it may have at one point. I propose that this unnamed shard wanders the cosmere destroying planets. Its metal is a spike that brings spiritual things to the physical, like spiking shades turns them into physical beings (red-eyed faceless immortals). This theoretical metal could also explain quite nicely how Kelsier got his body back. In the BoM broadsheet, the main story of (Allomancer Jak's woman friend, whatever her name was), she was fighting a guy who had a gun that charged from green to red, and then disintegrated a window. This might be weaponized threnodian technology. Using a story in a broadsheet as hints about future books has precedence (stories about encountering masked savages in the SoS broadsheet), and when Main Character Girl goes back to investigate the wreck of the skycar she is met by a "thin, white haired, young guy" who asks her some slightly mocking existential questions (Hoid?). The only way Hoid? could be included is if this story is based on actual events (the only reason to pay attention to a fictional newspaper story).

I have a theory about how the Shattering happened. In the play Julius Caesar, the main event is when a group of people who are upset with the power of the one in charge form a conspiracy and stab the guy in charge several times. Perhaps this happened with the Shattering, 16-17 individuals stabbed Adonalsium, transforming the knives they held into the most powerful Hemalurgic spikes ever. I don't believe that Hemalurgy was created by Ruin, only implemented. The power lost in the transfer of power went into Adonalsium, which was then removed by Cephandrius' knife. The amount of Investiture contained in the spikes was so massive as to be reminiscent of an unkeyed metalmind or an overfilled water balloon. The Investiture escaped, and flowed into the Vessels, and they Ascended. Except for Cephandrius, who, ashamed of his actions, decided to take on the name of his dead master, and try to stop the violence that the new Vessles were unfortunately prone to by nature. And perhaps that is how Adonalsium Shattered.

A massive thank you to all the fantastic artists for the creative works and to The Darkeyed Musician for her musical composition! Please make sure to check out their links and support them in their work. Kaladin - Words of Radience by emann29: http://www.deviantart.com/art/Kaladin-Words-of-Radience-462831658 Beneath the Shattered Plains by woutart http://woutart.deviantart.com/art/Beneath-the-Shattered-Plains-607677436 Breath by Emerald-Depths http://emerald-depths.deviantart.com/art/Breath-426869221 TWoK - The King's Wit by BotanicaXu http://botanicaxu.deviantart.com/art/TWoK-The-King-s-Wit-409756211 The Survivor by The-demons-heart http://the-demons-heart.deviantart.com/art/The-Survivor-483045604 Wit vs Hoid by BotanicaXu http://botanicaxu.deviantart.com/art/Wit-vs-Hoid-417088327 Raodin by Esamitch http://esamitch.tumblr.com/ Parshendi by Esamitch http://esamitch.tumblr.com/ This episode focuses on the Worldhopper Hoid, who is a persistent character through the Brandon Sanderson Cosmere books. Hoid could be labeled the first Worldhopper. He has appeared and been documented in nearly every story arc in the Cosmere including Mistborn, The Stormlight Archive, and Warbreaker. In this episode Elsric talks about his observations of Hoid and commits to keep an eye on the elusive man. There is a greater plan to his motions and all the readers of the Cosmere accounts should keep their eyes peeled for sightings of him. I hope you enjoyed this episode. Please leave a comment or ask any questions that you have so that I can address them at a future date. If you would like to share your art in a future "Letters from the Cosmere" please contact me at my channel E-mail: [email protected] Want to hear the story about how this series was started by Brandon Sanderson and myself? Here is a link to the story on 17th Shard: Script for Episode 4 - "Who is Hoid?" I am not sure how many men or women I have met who have lived as long as I have. Part of me can hardly believe how much it cost me both spiritually and monetarily to achieve this timelessness. Yet it doesn’t feel unnatural. On the contrary, I have been able to hone and master my skills far beyond what they were when my journey began. I was always skilled in the art of politics and playing the games of the nobility. However due to my longevity, I feel that even my subpar combat skills have improved greatly. When I found myself with more time than I could fathom, I took to the ways of the Cosmere and walked the paths between worlds. And I am far from alone in my exploration. I am not sure if it is my newfound abilities or a consequence of my long life, but there are “old souls” of whom I have recognized at a mere glance. Perhaps it is the vestige in their eyes, eyes that have seen too many wonders to be contained. Souls that have aged and flourished. As I sit at the edge of these chasms, awaiting my first walk into the mystery that is Urithiru, I seem able to see far into the night. Somewhere on this world, is another Wanderer, one who has lived far longer than I. You know of him as well, for he was to be found walking my homeland before I lost everything. Your response was cryptic when I inquired about the Wanderer whom I encountered, but I have more or less filled in the gaps you left bare. Oddly he looks nothing like he did back then, and your description of the man reminded me of yet another time we might have crossed paths. His eyes, the eyes of this Hoid, if that is his real name, look familiar to me for a reason. I met him in Hallandren itself. At that time, he was a master story weaver, a man who was often called before the court of gods and was very expensive. I assumed him to be an informant and never hired him personally. Yet those eyes struck me that day, although I didn’t realize why. He happened to be called to a party I had attended. He never said a word to me, but as he moved through the colorful attendees we locked eyes for the briefest moment and I nearly tripped. His eyes had such an intensity, like a fire burning too bright to look at directly. Those eyes drilling right through me seemed to strip me of my façade and examine my very soul. And then the moment passed and he was gone. Until now I had put aside this memory, but I am sure that it was him. Now the rest of my knowledge is distilled from speculation and guesswork. However, I understand that you are curious about this man and his intentions. Quite honestly, if I hadn’t seen the pure steele behind those eyes, I would say he makes things up as he goes. When he confronted me in the Cognitive Realm he seemed driven by a compulsion to stand before me and encourage my passions. He whispered his talk of the 16 shards and the coming deaths that a fallen shard would soon be bringing. It seemed so important, so well timed to catch me right before my mission began. And now I am here, directly interfering in the plans of Gods and men alike. He moves with a purpose, following a plan that I feel I have only glimpsed a drops worth in an ocean of mysterious intent. It is safe to say that this Hoid has traveled all over the Cosmere. He steps in right when a critical nudge is needed. I have observed him doing this, as well as confirmed some of the strange whispers of the King of Alethkar’s servant, someone called Wit. If there are important events happening in the Cosmere, a tipping point or critical juncture, Hoid will be there I can guarantee it. Each time I have seen him he has worn a completely different appearance. From age to hairstyles he all but reinvents himself from place to place. But you can be sure it is him. In fact, I would guess that his compulsion to throw out witticisms and sarcastic remarks might be the only way to truly know who he is for sure. That level of self-confident mockery cannot be faked. How he knows where to be is a mystery of the ages. However, I have seen many strange and impossible things these past centuries. Perhaps he sees where he needs to be before he gets there. This is a comforting theory, because I wonder if I am making a difference. If this “appointed path” idea is real, then I have been swept along with him. I also must impress upon you the age of Hoid, or more accurately the vast age of Hoid. To him I felt as but a child. He seemed to see patterns in the very fabric of creation itself. He might even be as old as creation itself. Hoid spoke of the ascended men and women who are now Gods as if he knew them personally. He whispered of the machinations that had been turning for thousands of years, and he said all this without batting an eye. To hear him speak was akin to hearing the stones tell tales of all they have seen. Entire nations have risen and fallen before his eyes, including my own. And yet there seems more. This is more of a feeling, but it seems he has seen the beginning of all that the Cosmere is, and that he plans to see the end as well. I wouldn’t be surprised if he out lives us all, and that is saying something. It would be folly to look for him. He knows how to hide, and I suspect he understands your abilities all too well. A man such as he must carry powers beyond what I have seen or imagined. Perhaps he seeks to chronicle all the powers of the Cosmere itself? His motivations are unclear, and that troubles me. I believe he is working to save lives, that much was clear when he spoke about the desolation that was coming to Roshar. No, what worries me is what he plans to do with all this time. There are things in motion now. My instincts tell me that Hoid is playing two games at once. A game that has been set and played for a very long time, and we are all just pawns dancing our dance before his agile fingers. This is a game he plans on winning. I am an informant, and such games are nearly second nature to me. I am impressed by those who understand the power of subtlety, and Hoid might be a master, despite his powerful personality. Perhaps this is his source of strength. Regardless, informants and secret keepers learn quickly that the short term game always leads to an eventual loss. If you want to win, you make every victory and defeat a part of the true plan. Hoid is a crafty manipulator. For that alone, I intend to keep my eye on him as best I can. So you can count on future letters about his work, so long as I can keep him within earshot. Despite all that he has done for me, the ones who know the most are the most dangerous. If I’m not careful, I could be set up to fall. Perhaps I will eventually see the board he plays. If knowledge is power, then he shouldn’t be the only one wielding it. Until the next Letter, Elsric

So this is my first ever post on the forums. There might already have been a theory about this but I was thinking about it. I was rereading The Way of Kings and I came to Ishikks chapture in the first interlude. As far as I can remember this is the only time we meet him in the Stormlight Archive. Now the interesting part of the chapture is at the end when the meeting is over and the foreigners are leaving. The man Ishikk called Grump said, "Where are you, Roamer? What a fool's quest this is." Now the interesting part is what he said in his own language, "Alavanta kamaloo kayana." That if I'm not mistaken is Duladel from Sel due to the word, kayana. I dont think the same word from Elantris is a coincidence. So foreigners from Sel are on Roshar looking for Hoid. I'm excited for Oathbringer to see if there's a chapture on Ishikk or the Foreigners. Looking forward to your thoughts and theories regarding it.