There was a bigger plan for the Eleventh Metal

[AleStaar he/him]

I find it intriguing that Ruin formulated the whole Eleventh Metal plan, even though the Eleventh Metal wouldn't have killed the Lord Ruler by itself. We know that Ruin manipulated humans to bring malatium into the world, planned for Kelsier to become obsessed with the Eleventh Metal and find the bar, and gave Kelsier’s crew the clue to kill the Lord Ruler. However, this still doesn’t answer something.

Ruin needed something (or someone) to actually do the job. To kill the Lord Ruler in a way that still involves burning malatium. 

I believe Ruin had a much bigger plan to subtly get Kelsier to get Vin into the position of killing TLR. Something far more complex than the book confirmed.

Ruin needed TLR to die, to make way for Vin to give up the Well of Ascension’s power. However, he knew TLR’s unmatched Metallic power. Ruin would’ve known ordinary Allomancy and Feruchemy wouldn’t beat TLR, even if someone burned malatium to realize he’s a Feruchemist. Normal Steelpushing or Ironpulling couldn’t even create lines to TLR’s highly Invested atium bracers. He needed people to not only figure out TLR is a Feruchemist with a specific weakness, but also needed someone with the raw power to exploit that weakness. 

Furthermore, Ruin’s plan needed the crew to acquire knowledge of Rashek and Alendi’s existence. I believe he nudged Kelsier, Vin, and Steel Inquisitors so that the crew could get Alendi’s logbook from Kredik Shaw. 

I’m assuming here that Ruin has a more powerful version of Hoid’s ability to vaguely sense the future. Fortune, if I remember correctly. Going off from some WoBs I’ve seen of why he took one lerasium bead… It seems Hoid’s Fortune hinted that Kelsier needed to start a rebellion that would end the Final Empire and kill the Lord Ruler. I’m guessing Ruin’s precognitive ability showed him the importance of Kelsier being a rebel leader. And from Ruin’s own mouth, the Empire’s fall AND Kelsier recruiting Vin was part of his plans.

The full scope of Ruin’s plan required Kelsier’s mentorship to unknowingly nudge Vin into a position where she wants to fight the Lord Ruler. The Lord Ruler would tear out Vin’s earring, allowing the Mists to temporarily Invest in her. With the Mists’ power, Vin would Pull out the Lord Ruler’s atium bracers. Killing the immortal emperor at last. And courtesy of Ruin’s emotional manipulation, Vin would be compelled to put the earring back in. Preventing the further consequences of her attunement to Preservation’s power.

This was a complex gambit. A sequence of events where Ruin took advantage of Vin being Preservation’s chosen successor. Perhaps the most intelligent plan we saw from him.
 

[reisleK she/her]

On 4/18/2025 at 2:04 PM, Ale the Metallic Conjurer said:

I find it intriguing that Ruin formulated the whole Eleventh Metal plan, even though the Eleventh Metal wouldn't have killed the Lord Ruler by itself. We know that Ruin manipulated humans to bring malatium into the world, planned for Kelsier to become obsessed with the Eleventh Metal and find the bar, and gave Kelsier’s crew the clue to kill the Lord Ruler. However, this still doesn’t answer something.

Ruin needed something (or someone) to actually do the job. To kill the Lord Ruler in a way that still involves burning malatium. 

I believe Ruin had a much bigger plan to subtly get Kelsier to get Vin into the position of killing TLR. Something far more complex than the book confirmed.

Ruin needed TLR to die, to make way for Vin to give up the Well of Ascension’s power. However, he knew TLR’s unmatched Metallic power. Ruin would’ve known ordinary Allomancy and Feruchemy wouldn’t beat TLR, even if someone burned malatium to realize he’s a Feruchemist. Normal Steelpushing or Ironpulling couldn’t even create lines to TLR’s highly Invested atium bracers. He needed people to not only figure out TLR is a Feruchemist with a specific weakness, but also needed someone with the raw power to exploit that weakness. 

Furthermore, Ruin’s plan needed the crew to acquire knowledge of Rashek and Alendi’s existence. I believe he nudged Kelsier, Vin, and Steel Inquisitors so that the crew could get Alendi’s logbook from Kredik Shaw. 

I’m assuming here that Ruin has a more powerful version of Hoid’s ability to vaguely sense the future. Fortune, if I remember correctly. Going off from some WoBs I’ve seen of why he took one lerasium bead… It seems Hoid’s Fortune hinted that Kelsier needed to start a rebellion that would end the Final Empire and kill the Lord Ruler. I’m guessing Ruin’s precognitive ability showed him the importance of Kelsier being a rebel leader. And from Ruin’s own mouth, the Empire’s fall AND Kelsier recruiting Vin was part of his plans.

The full scope of Ruin’s plan required Kelsier’s mentorship to unknowingly nudge Vin into a position where she wants to fight the Lord Ruler. The Lord Ruler would tear out Vin’s earring, allowing the Mists to temporarily Invest in her. With the Mists’ power, Vin would Pull out the Lord Ruler’s atium bracers. Killing the immortal emperor at last. And courtesy of Ruin’s emotional manipulation, Vin would be compelled to put the earring back in. Preventing the further consequences of her attunement to Preservation’s power.

This was a complex gambit. A sequence of events where Ruin took advantage of Vin being Preservation’s chosen successor. Perhaps the most intelligent plan we saw from him.
 

Some of my thoughts


(Have you read Secret History? )
Secret History spoilers:

Spoiler

Kelsier and Leras talk and he gives Kell a taste of what being a shard is like, seeing all of the potential paths and stuff. I assume Ruin did some of that since he was in the well for a long time.

I agree with everything you've said. Also do you know what WOB is about Hoid's Fortune and Kelsier? EDIT: found it. And I also misinterperated things. 

The WOB about Hoid not taking the second bead

 

Quote

 

Questioner

Why didn't Hoid take the second bead of lerasium?

Brandon Sanderson

Hoid knew that if he did so, bad things would happen.

Idaho Falls signing (Dec. 29, 2018)

 

  Edited May 26, 2025 by reisleK