The Realmatics of Shards

[Stormgate he/him]

I have a theory that the Shards correspond with the 16 Metals of Allomancy and Feruchemy. I have no idea if this applies to Hemalurgy, I'm assuming for now that it does not.

Anyway, the method I have used to gain evidence to support my claim is to take the different ways metals are classified and try to equate them to factors influencing Shards and their magic systems, such as Connection.

After an epiphany while studying the Feruchemical table, I have figured out how Shards can be Realmatically oriented, as is done in the Feruchemical table.

I'm not touching the Spiritual Feruchemical aspects, as the Spiritual Shards have not had enough screen time to get any conclusions.

Anyway, a Shard's Realmatic orientation affects what people do to use the magic system. Honor, the Shard I have equated with pewter, has people interact with the Surges by physically inhaling Stormlight. Preservation's magic system involves physically swallowing metals, while Ruin's involves physically stabbing someone with a metal object.

That's all for the physical Shards, Cadmium and Bendalloy being the Shards of Preservation and Ruin respectively. It should be noted that Cadmium and Bendalloy are in fact Feruchemically physical metals.

Cognitively, things get interesting. Endowment is a Cognitive Shard, requiring Awakeners to form a picture in their minds of what they want their Awakened objects to accomplish. Devotion, also a Cognitive Shard, requires that Elantrians occasionally put themselves into the correct frame of mind, like Aon Omi requiring people to have positive feelings for the people in the room.

Dominion, interestingly, equates with brass, which is a Feruchemically Physical metal. The symbols that seem prevalent among all forms of Selish magic seem to be more important here, being essentially branded with the symbols. Forgery also has physical symbols, but all Selish magic is a mix of Devotion and Dominion, AonDor and Dakhor are simply the most pure forms.

I actually had this theory for a while, but the Selish Shards were messing me up.

Also, if anyone has any theories about the relationship between Shards and the metals, PM me. I will be more than happy to examine your theory.