The Cosmere's Greatest Hero

[KaladinsSenseOfHumourSpren He/Him]

The Cosmere's greatest hero is not who you probably think it is. It's not Dalinar, not Vin, not Sazed, not Hoid, not Sigzil, not even Taravangian.

It is Ati, the character who also has the most tragic story known. Let's look at his perspective for a minute.

He was known among the 16 who killed Adonalsium as one who was kind and generous. He took the Shard Ruin, thinking he could contain it's Intent. And he did, for just long enough to create Scadrial. Scadrial would not exist without Ati.

But it's more than that. After Ruin did take over, Ati was able to reign it in to a slow and gradual decay instead of total destruction, as seen in HoA.

Before WaT, we were all worried about Odium taking over the Cosmere. Now, we're worried about Retribution. 

But these Intents are mere hatred and emotion, easy to deceive. Multiple times in Stornlight, the protagonists could rely on them wanting to occupy, not destroy.

However, if someone like Taravangian was there and the Shattering and took Ruin... I wouldn't give the Cosmere even a single millennium to live. Ati saved the entire Cosmere by resisting Ruin.

Now, there is one final scene I want to address. That is when Vin slays Ati in HoA. We know from WaT that when two Shards fight, planets are destroyed. This did not happen in HoA. This may be one of the rare inconsistencies, but I choose to believe that Ati's final sacrifice was not resisting, letting Vin kill him so Sazed could take the Shards. 

Kelsier, he did not deserve that.

"Vax?"

Edited June 8, 2025 by KaladinsSenseOfHumorSpren

[Argenti he/him]

29 minutes ago, KaladinsSenseOfHumorSpren said:

Now, there is one final scene I want to address. That is when Vin slays Ati in HoA. We know from WaT that when two Shards fight, planets are destroyed. This did not happen in HoA. This may be one of the rare inconsistencies, but I choose to believe that Ati's final sacrifice was not resisting, letting Vin kill him so Sazed could take the Shards. 

 

Well. That's addressed. When one shard wants to protect and the other to destroy, nothing bad happens. If both want to destroy, well....
 

[DoctaDajman]

21 hours ago, KaladinsSenseOfHumorSpren said:

The Cosmere's greatest hero is not who you probably think it is. It's not Dalinar, not Vin, not Sazed, not Hoid, not Sigzil, not even Taravangian.

It is Ati, the character who also has the most tragic story known. Let's look at his perspective for a minute.

He was known among the 16 who killed Adonalsium as one who was kind and generous. He took the Shard Ruin, thinking he could contain it's Intent. And he did, for just long enough to create Scadrial. Scadrial would not exist without Ati.

But it's more than that. After Ruin did take over, Ati was able to reign it in to a slow and gradual decay instead of total destruction, as seen in HoA.

Before WaT, we were all worried about Odium taking over the Cosmere. Now, we're worried about Retribution. 

But these Intents are mere hatred and emotion, easy to deceive. Multiple times in Stornlight, the protagonists could rely on them wanting to occupy, not destroy.

However, if someone like Taravangian was there and the Shattering and took Ruin... I wouldn't give the Cosmere even a single millennium to live. Ati saved the entire Cosmere by resisting Ruin.

Now, there is one final scene I want to address. That is when Vin slays Ati in HoA. We know from WaT that when two Shards fight, planets are destroyed. This did not happen in HoA. This may be one of the rare inconsistencies, but I choose to believe that Ati's final sacrifice was not resisting, letting Vin kill him so Sazed could take the Shards. 

Kelsier, he did not deserve that.

"Vax?"

I dig it. When I first saw the thread title I was inclined to insert a "Plot Armor" and "Rool of Cool" for the real heros of the cosmere. So I will leave them here and call it enough on that. 

I appreciate this idea. And I like thinking in similar ways. I have to admit that I dont think this was the first time something like this happened. The plot armor that has sustained Scadrial since the beginning was immortals allowing a small and young girl kill them. No way in a thousand years Rashek couldn't have back handed Vin straight into The Beyond. I have long subscribed to the thought that he was tired and didn't want to play anymore. He, like Ati, allowed the tiny mistborn to do what she did. 

[Qianweilian He/him]

14 hours ago, DoctaDajman said:

he was tired and didn't want to play anymore

Imagine ruling an empire for a thousand years constantly worn at by Ruin. Frodo was trashed after maybe a year? carrying the ring. Anyone would get tired.

[Jult]

Couldn't agree more. I feel like Ruin gets underestimated as a threat because Ati and Sazed (for now) have done such a good job of keeping Ruin's influence in check. But Discord is coming..

I don't think it's a 100% coincidence that the Aon Ati means 'Hope'.

 

 

[Qianweilian He/him]

I don't think it's a coincidence either as Kelsier told TLR "I am hope" and he is mentioned as especially connected to Ruin

[clowncarcrash]

I think Ati is a punk but you know what? I like this idea, it parrallels Marsh's one pivotol moment of defiance.