How does one misplace a Dawnshard?

[dstokes7]

I realize this might be one we won't know until Dragonsteel is written, but it's something I've been wondering about. It's been made clear that Adonalsium was shattered using the power of the Dawnshards, and those Dawnshards were wielded by the 16 people who subsequently took up the 16 Shards. It is also clear that Wit and others are desperately trying to keep the Dawnshards out of the hands of the Shards, and that the Shards don't seem to know where the Dawnshards are currently located. If the Dawnshards would be so dangerous in the hands of a Shard and the Shards apparently still want them and can use them, why don't the Shards still hold them? How does someone accidentally misplace the most powerful weapon in the Cosmere?

I have this comical image in my head of the 16 shatterers somehow dropping their Dawnshards when they took up the Shards, then someone (probably Hoid, knowing him) sneaks in and makes off with the Dawnshards while no one is looking. Five minutes later, we find a baffled group of Shards looking around the room saying "wait, guys, where's the Dawnshard?" "Weren't you carrying it?" "I don't have it!" "Where did you see it last?" "It was right here! By Me, I could've sworn I set it on this table!" "Well it ain't there now!" "It's gone??!!!" "Wow, nice job bro." "It's not my fault!" etc... 

[alder24]

16 hours ago, dstokes7 said:

I realize this might be one we won't know until Dragonsteel is written, but it's something I've been wondering about. It's been made clear that Adonalsium was shattered using the power of the Dawnshards, and those Dawnshards were wielded by the 16 people who subsequently took up the 16 Shards. It is also clear that Wit and others are desperately trying to keep the Dawnshards out of the hands of the Shards, and that the Shards don't seem to know where the Dawnshards are currently located. If the Dawnshards would be so dangerous in the hands of a Shard and the Shards apparently still want them and can use them, why don't the Shards still hold them? How does someone accidentally misplace the most powerful weapon in the Cosmere?

I have this comical image in my head of the 16 shatterers somehow dropping their Dawnshards when they took up the Shards, then someone (probably Hoid, knowing him) sneaks in and makes off with the Dawnshards while no one is looking. Five minutes later, we find a baffled group of Shards looking around the room saying "wait, guys, where's the Dawnshard?" "Weren't you carrying it?" "I don't have it!" "Where did you see it last?" "It was right here! By Me, I could've sworn I set it on this table!" "Well it ain't there now!" "It's gone??!!!" "Wow, nice job bro." "It's not my fault!" etc... 

We know that just after the Shattering, Shards made some kind of agreement to settle alone and don't interfere with each other. I think it's very likely that they also made a similar promise about Dawnshard, so that all those who were Dawnshards drop them or give them to someone else like Sleepless or Dragons for safekeeping. Hoid was one of the Dawnshards there and he didn't pick up a Shard. We know that at some point Hoid gave up his Dawnshard and then picked it up in secret. We also know from WaT what happens when two Dawnshards get close together so it's unlikely that Hoid, who already was a Dawnshard, would be able to steal and hide the other 3. 

Spoiler

Nameless36

All the Shards basically agreed not to settle on the same planet. Six of them - that we know of - immediately, basically broke that.

Brandon Sanderson

So... they did not make an oath to it. There was a suggestion made... and perhaps the people who made the suggestion did not understand that, if you want the Shards to do something, you need an actual oath. And they did not get one.

Tel Aviv Signing (Oct. 18, 2019)

 

16 hours ago, First of the Tide said:

My guess is that Adonalsium did something to get them away from these people, because they're too powerful. We know Ado has experience with the powers of the Dawn shards(making everything with them and stuff) and was enormously powerful. We also know that one of the dawnshards is different (from a WoB), (maybe b/c he held it, and then was shattered) I doubt Adonalsium was just like "Come at me bro" and then stood there, he prob. did something to fight back and/or thwart them.

I didn't see many WoBs that were super relevant, but I'm sure treamayne is gonna come and give like 60. 

Well, Adonalsium was dead so he couldn't do anything at all and from WaT ch 113 we know Adonalsium didn't fight back. He let them kill him. 

[First of the Tide He/him]

My guess is that Adonalsium did something to get them away from these people, because they're too powerful. We know Ado has experience with the powers of the Dawn shards(making everything with them and stuff) and was enormously powerful. We also know that one of the dawnshards is different (from a WoB), (maybe b/c he held it, and then was shattered) I doubt Adonalsium was just like "Come at me bro" and then stood there, he prob. did something to fight back and/or thwart them.

I didn't see many WoBs that were super relevant, but I'm sure treamayne is gonna come and give like 60. 

[Immortal Platypus]

5 minutes ago, First of the Tide said:

My guess is that Adonalsium did something to get them away from these people, because they're too powerful. We know Ado has experience with the powers of the Dawn shards(making everything with them and stuff) and was enormously powerful. We also know that one of the dawnshards is different (from a WoB), (maybe b/c he held it, and then was shattered) I doubt Adonalsium was just like "Come at me bro" and then stood there, he prob. did something to fight back and/or thwart them.

I didn't see many WoBs that were super relevant, but I'm sure treamayne is gonna come and give like 60. 

I do like this theory. One thing I would add is that it has long been an open question (at least in my mind) how such a powerful being like Ado was able to be killed by mortals. I think that this could explain it. Instead of defending himself, he sent the Dawnshards away. That might be my new headcanon (until someone inevitably shows me something that I totally forgot about that makes this idea entirely incorrect ).