Requesting a basic summary of the Cosmere

[RippleGylf she/her]

Recently, I finished reading Elantris. At this point, I have read most of the primary Cosmere novels that are out thus far, with the exception of the Emperor's Soul. I have not read any of the novellas. I really want just a general summary of how the Cosmere works.

 

What I understand so far:

• The Cosmere is a universe containing all of the worlds of the afore mentioned novels.
• There are worldhoppers (such as Hoid) who go from planet to planet. I have no idea of their purpose.
• There are several shards, including Honor, Cultivation, Ruin, and Preservation. I know there must be shards on Sel and Nalthis, but I'm not certain of their extent.

It's a large thing to get one's mind around, and I would appreciate any clarification.

Edited September 11, 2015 by RippleGylf

[18th Shard he/him]

http://www.17thshard.com/forum/topic/491-cosmere-101/

[RippleGylf she/her]

My eyes completely skip over the pinned stuff.   Thanks for pointing that out, it really helps.

[ParadoxicalZen he/him]

Bear in mind that it needs a little updating

[Chaos he/him]

This is not basic, but is very complete and up to date (as of a few months ago): http://www.coppermind.net/wiki/Cosmere

As long as you've read Mistborn and Stormlight it doesn't contain anything you should spoiler. But, I think you'll find literally everything you want here.

So, it isn't basic, I know, but this should serve you very well.

[VindicationKnight he/him]

Yeah those should cover it. For the quick cliff notes summary.

 

The Cosmere is the setting for most of Sanderson's books,  it takes place in a dwarf galaxy with several inhabited planets on which the stories take place. Backstory wise it all starts of with Adonalsium who as basically God. Adonalsium was shattered into sixteen Shards each one of which is embodies and ideal/intent like Devotion or Honor and which bonded with mortals like humans from the planet Yolen where humanity originally evolved. They headed of to other Shardworlds and are heavily linked to how the majority of the magics working the way they do there. Fast forward a good long while and you have Odium (one of the Shards) running around trying to kill the others to prevent a challenge to his power. But their is a man calling himself Hoid (whose not a Shard but was there when the shattering of Adonalsium took place) traveling around the Cosmere and claiming to be fighting against Odium. 

 

The rest of the stories take place on different worlds and in different times in the setting. Some are closly linked to the overall plot of the Cosmere, some are more self contained.