Restrictions of Intent

[Darkeye Venev]

All shards have an intent, but what does that intent allow/restrict the shard, and to what extent? In Rhythm of War, when Zahel talks to Kaladin after they fight in the Laundry section, Zahel says "The longer one exists, the more... consumed by a singular purpose, our minds bound and chained by our intent." This suggests that the restrictions get more hefty as a entity progresses through time, as we have seen a lot in the first trilogy of Mistborn. But how much do these restrict the entity? Well we know in the beginning, it still restricts some, as Vin finds out after becoming preservation. We see how odium is virtually incapable of other things besides his plan of hate, etc, and that he becomes obsessed with it, which I believe connects to his intent as well.

[Darkeye Venev]

All shards have an intent, but what does that intent allow/restrict the shard, and to what extent? In Rhythm of War, when Zahel talks to Kaladin after they fight in the Laundry section, Zahel says "The longer one exists, the more... consumed by a singular purpose, our minds bound and chained by our intent." This suggests that the restrictions get more hefty as a entity progresses through time, as we have seen a lot in the first trilogy of Mistborn. But how much do these restrict the entity? Well we know in the beginning, it still restricts some, as Vin finds out after becoming preservation. We see how odium is virtually incapable of other things besides his plan of hate, etc, and that he becomes obsessed with it, which I believe connects to his intent as well.

[Stick The Savant]

I think that the intent starts affecting the vessels decisions within a short time, before that, it seems that the vessel has free reign of the power since vin was able to kill Ruin's vessel. by era 2 of mistborn, it is clear that Harmony's intent is already affecting Sazed's actions. 

I do think that the vessel's interpretation of the intent allows for a level of flexibility, for example Rayse sees Odium as representing passion and emotions while Sazed sees Harmony an intent which prevents him from interfering very much. 

 

[alder24]

It restricts their actions, making them incapable of doing something against their Intent. Like Preservation can destroy, nor can he hurt somebody. The mere thought of him hurting Elend is causing him to agonize. He just couldn't do it. The same with Ruin, he can't act to Preserve something, he has to destroy or at least create a scenario which ends in destruction. I think those two are the best example of how Intent limits the actions of a Shard. 

Odium is tricky, as Rayse actively tries to redefine the intent of his Shard to Passion with some effects. So Odium isn't just pure hate.

Their limitations are also very situational. What does it mean for Preservation to Preserve? Does it mean maintaining the current state of affairs at all costs? But that's not the case, as after 1000 years of stasis, Mists started to Snap people. This is a change. He changed his behavior and Preserved Kelsier because he begged him. He changed his opinion on Kelsier and became part of his crew. Intent to Preserve isn't forcing Preservation to Preserve himself, it's focused outwards not inwards. Like Ruin isn't ruining himself. 

So it's hard to say how much Shards are limited, as Vin Preservation was still able to level Ashmounts, shift planet rotation and things like that - she wasn't acting to Preserve current world. but to Preserve people living in it.