"Letters from the Cosmere" Part 4 - Who is Hoid?

[TheBlueShifting he/him]

 

A massive thank you to all the fantastic artists for the creative works and to The Darkeyed Musician for her musical composition! Please make sure to check out their links and support them in their work.

Kaladin - Words of Radience by emann29: http://www.deviantart.com/art/Kaladin-Words-of-Radience-462831658
Beneath the Shattered Plains by woutart
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Breath by Emerald-Depths
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TWoK - The King's Wit by BotanicaXu
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The Survivor by The-demons-heart
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Wit vs Hoid by BotanicaXu
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Raodin by Esamitch
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Parshendi by Esamitch
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This episode focuses on the Worldhopper Hoid, who is a persistent character through the Brandon Sanderson Cosmere books. Hoid could be labeled the first Worldhopper. He has appeared and been documented in nearly every story arc in the Cosmere including Mistborn, The Stormlight Archive, and Warbreaker. In this episode Elsric talks about his observations of Hoid and commits to keep an eye on the elusive man. There is a greater plan to his motions and all the readers of the Cosmere accounts should keep their eyes peeled for sightings of him. 

I hope you enjoyed this episode. Please leave a comment or ask any questions that you have so that I can address them at a future date.

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Want to hear the story about how this series was started by Brandon Sanderson and myself? Here is a link to the story on 17th Shard:

 

Script for Episode 4 - "Who is Hoid?"

 

I am not sure how many men or women I have met who have lived as long as I have. Part of me can hardly believe how much it cost me both spiritually and monetarily to achieve this timelessness. Yet it doesn’t feel unnatural. On the contrary, I have been able to hone and master my skills far beyond what they were when my journey began. I was always skilled in the art of politics and playing the games of the nobility. However due to my longevity, I feel that even my subpar combat skills have improved greatly. When I found myself with more time than I could fathom, I took to the ways of the Cosmere and walked the paths between worlds. And I am far from alone in my exploration.

I am not sure if it is my newfound abilities or a consequence of my long life, but there are “old souls” of whom I have recognized at a mere glance. Perhaps it is the vestige in their eyes, eyes that have seen too many wonders to be contained. Souls that have aged and flourished. As I sit at the edge of these chasms, awaiting my first walk into the mystery that is Urithiru, I seem able to see far into the night. Somewhere on this world, is another Wanderer, one who has lived far longer than I. You know of him as well, for he was to be found walking my homeland before I lost everything. Your response was cryptic when I inquired about the Wanderer whom I encountered, but I have more or less filled in the gaps you left bare. Oddly he looks nothing like he did back then, and your description of the man reminded me of yet another time we might have crossed paths. His eyes, the eyes of this Hoid, if that is his real name, look familiar to me for a reason. I met him in Hallandren itself. At that time, he was a master story weaver, a man who was often called before the court of gods and was very expensive. I assumed him to be an informant and never hired him personally. Yet those eyes struck me that day, although I didn’t realize why. He happened to be called to a party I had attended. He never said a word to me, but as he moved through the colorful attendees we locked eyes for the briefest moment and I nearly tripped. His eyes had such an intensity, like a fire burning too bright to look at directly. Those eyes drilling right through me seemed to strip me of my façade and examine my very soul. And then the moment passed and he was gone. Until now I had put aside this memory, but I am sure that it was him.

Now the rest of my knowledge is distilled from speculation and guesswork. However, I understand that you are curious about this man and his intentions. Quite honestly, if I hadn’t seen the pure steele behind those eyes, I would say he makes things up as he goes. When he confronted me in the Cognitive Realm he seemed driven by a compulsion to stand before me and encourage my passions. He whispered his talk of the 16 shards and the coming deaths that a fallen shard would soon be bringing. It seemed so important, so well timed to catch me right before my mission began. And now I am here, directly interfering in the plans of Gods and men alike. He moves with a purpose, following a plan that I feel I have only glimpsed a drops worth in an ocean of mysterious intent.

It is safe to say that this Hoid has traveled all over the Cosmere. He steps in right when a critical nudge is needed. I have observed him doing this, as well as confirmed some of the strange whispers of the King of Alethkar’s servant, someone called Wit. If there are important events happening in the Cosmere, a tipping point or critical juncture, Hoid will be there I can guarantee it. Each time I have seen him he has worn a completely different appearance. From age to hairstyles he all but reinvents himself from place to place. But you can be sure it is him. In fact, I would guess that his compulsion to throw out witticisms and sarcastic remarks might be the only way to truly know who he is for sure. That level of self-confident mockery cannot be faked. How he knows where to be is a mystery of the ages. However, I have seen many strange and impossible things these past centuries. Perhaps he sees where he needs to be before he gets there. This is a comforting theory, because I wonder if I am making a difference. If this “appointed path” idea is real, then I have been swept along with him.

I also must impress upon you the age of Hoid, or more accurately the vast age of Hoid. To him I felt as but a child. He seemed to see patterns in the very fabric of creation itself. He might even be as old as creation itself. Hoid spoke of the ascended men and women who are now Gods as if he knew them personally. He whispered of the machinations that had been turning for thousands of years, and he said all this without batting an eye. To hear him speak was akin to hearing the stones tell tales of all they have seen. Entire nations have risen and fallen before his eyes, including my own. And yet there seems more. This is more of a feeling, but it seems he has seen the beginning of all that the Cosmere is, and that he plans to see the end as well. I wouldn’t be surprised if he out lives us all, and that is saying something.

It would be folly to look for him. He knows how to hide, and I suspect he understands your abilities all too well. A man such as he must carry powers beyond what I have seen or imagined. Perhaps he seeks to chronicle all the powers of the Cosmere itself? His motivations are unclear, and that troubles me. I believe he is working to save lives, that much was clear when he spoke about the desolation that was coming to Roshar. No, what worries me is what he plans to do with all this time. There are things in motion now. My instincts tell me that Hoid is playing two games at once. A game that has been set and played for a very long time, and we are all just pawns dancing our dance before his agile fingers. This is a game he plans on winning. I am an informant, and such games are nearly second nature to me. I am impressed by those who understand the power of subtlety, and Hoid might be a master, despite his powerful personality. Perhaps this is his source of strength. Regardless, informants and secret keepers learn quickly that the short term game always leads to an eventual loss. If you want to win, you make every victory and defeat a part of the true plan.

Hoid is a crafty manipulator. For that alone, I intend to keep my eye on him as best I can. So you can count on future letters about his work, so long as I can keep him within earshot. Despite all that he has done for me, the ones who know the most are the most dangerous. If I’m not careful, I could be set up to fall. Perhaps I will eventually see the board he plays. If knowledge is power, then he shouldn’t be the only one wielding it.

Until the next Letter,

Elsric