The First Gem

[+DarthEllis]

Do we have any idea what the First Gem is? I tried looking on the Coppermind and couldn't find anything substantial. This question specifically arises from the second of the Oathbringer Letters, where the author of the letter (Presumed to be Autonomy/Patji) addresses the receiver (Hoid) as "Bearer of the First Gem." If we then look at The Second Letter from Words of Radiance, we see that the author (Presumed to be Frost) asks the receiver (Hoid) whether he has "given up on the gemstone, now that it is dead?" I think it seems safe to say that both are referring to the same Gem. We also know that Hoid is known as Topaz, due to "the large gem stone he wore a long time ago."

All of these seem to indicate that Hoid is carrying a gemstone, one that is known by those who were involved in the shattering of Adonalsium, and that it is important enough that once can address Hoid (who has many remarkable feats) simply by the fact that he is the bearer of this gem. The Gem is most likely as old as the shattering, or older. The Gem is either a topaz or of similar color and clarity, (I currently lean towards the latter) and is currently "dead." What constitutes the Gem being alive is unclear, although I would propose that the Gem is magical in nature, and so the gem's "death" is, at the very least, that the gem's magic is no longer active. It seems that Hoid is rather attached to the Gem, as he continues to carry it with him across worlds and through millennia, even though it is now dead. Not only is Hoid actively carrying the gem, but he seems to be actively trying to restore or use the gem, even though it is dead and individuals as knowledgeable as Frost believe that it is a lost cause.

In fact, Frost's statement to Hoid that he should give up on the gemstone now that it is dead seems reminiscent to me of their interaction in The Traveler, where Frost tells Hoid, "You will not find a way to restore what you have lost...it is impossible." Hoid then responds to this stating that "You don't know that, the old rules no longer hold" and following up with "This isn't...just about the dead." This interaction, much like their discussion in the Words of Radiance letter, revolves around Hoid having something that is "dead" and Hoid not giving up on it. If we are to make this connection (which, admittedly, seems tenuous at best) we can then surmise that the gem's death is more than just a loss of power, and that the gem had some form of sentience or sapience, (as evidenced by the way Hoid responds to Frost) and Hoid is indeed actively trying to restore the gem to life. 

Lastly, I would propose that the First Gem was instrumental in the shattering of Adonalsium. Admittedly, this has no real evidence other than the fact that the other individuals involved in the shattering seem aware of the gem, and seem to have a measure of respect for the gem. I would however believe that from a writer's standpoint, referencing the first gem as an item from before the shattering does not seem to hold thematic weight unless it has an impact on the storyline from that time. 

I've looked a bit for references to the First Gem and haven't found anything more substantial than vague references. I'm hoping someone more knowledgeable will be able to fill me in. 

[AC12 he/him]

Quote

ParadoxicalZen

The Second Letter, Frost mentions a gemstone, is that in the Moon Scepter?

Brandon Sanderson

No, good question. That is a topaz, which was associated with him for a long time and had some mystical properties.

source

Its not much, but here is a WOB that confirms the gemstone is indeed a topaz and has magical properties

 

[Calderis he/him]

I agree with you on the "instrumental in the Shattering" part. 

With the gem having been something Hoid carried, and appropriating as a name. It being now dead... I think this recent WoB is in relation to it. 

Quote

Valhalla [PENDING REVIEW]

So, you talked about a weapon made by the enemies of Adonalsium, and you said it doesn't exist in it's original form. Do any remnants of it still exist in the Physical Realm?

Brandon Sanderson [PENDING REVIEW]

Yes.

Valhalla [PENDING REVIEW]

Have we seen any of those remnants on-screen?

Brandon Sanderson [PENDING REVIEW]

*pause* RAFO.

In current continuity (and people would know this), Hoid's immortality comes from this. People who have read Dragonsteel know that.

source

 

[KalaDANG he/him]

When Hoid talks to Kaladin (It might have been Dalinar, I can't be sure) at one part in WoK, he mentions that (Paraphrasing) He was named after a beautiful stone that became all the more worthless for his wearing it, or something like that. So, if the stone has properties, and it becomes worthless when he wears it, is he protecting it or something? Is he kind of just holding on to it so it won't be misused?

 

[Calderis he/him]

@KalaDANG I interpreted that differently than you.

Quote

Have you given up on the gemstone, now that it is dead? And do you no longer hide behind the name of your old master? I am told that in your current incarnation you’ve taken a name that references what you presume to be one of your virtues.

"have you given up on the gemstone, now that it is dead?" 

I don't think it's worthless only while he wears it. 

[KalaDANG he/him]

Ahhhhhhhhh I didn't remember that quote. Interesting.

[+DarthEllis]

I don't remember that quote from Hoid, what were they talking about previously that prompted that statement? 

From what you said I think that Hoid was simply being self deprecating. It was already worthless because the gem was "dead," but it was "more" worthless because he was the one wearing it.

[+Extesian he/him]

It's when Kal asks his name

Quote

“I began life as a thought, a concept, words on a page. That was another thing I stole. Myself. Another time, I was named for a rock.” “A pretty one, I hope.” “A beautiful one,” the man said. “And one that became completely worthless for my wearing it.”

 

[+DarthEllis]

If the First Gem is a topaz (and not merely reminiscent of a topaz) do we believe any connection can be drawn from the Stormlight Archive where topaz is a polestone? So, do we think that the First Gem has anything to do with bone, stone, dependability, resourcefulness, or the number 9?

[Quantus he/him]

Hoid Theory:  He is collecting Shardic Investiture so that he can (attempt to) recombine them into some approximation of whatever Adonalsium's Pre-Shattering Investiture looked like (not breaths or Stormlight but their progenitor), which is the specific brand/flavor of Investiture required to activate this Gem. That might be like trying to recombine a rainbow into White Light, but Magic..

He'd then either be using it as a weapon to vengefully Shatter Odium the way they shattered Adonalsium originally, or perhaps to break a hole through Time or Death (my best guesses for the "Old Rules" he hopes will not stop him).