Likely Insane Hoid Theory

[TheWanderer]

So as of late I have been pondering how exactly Hoid has such a seemingly insurmountable healing factor and how he has managed to live such a long time. Well I think we might have some clues from the; fused, returned, heralds, and our beloved survivor. All of whom found a way to keep themselves anchored to the physical/cognitive realm and refrain from passing on. The common denominator of course is that Shards and likely heavy amounts of investiture were involved. Why is this relevant? Well I think Hoid might actually have gone through a similar process during the shattering, since we know he was the only one there to refuse a shard (at least as of now) we don't know what impact the shattering might have had on the rest of those present when Adonalsium was killed.

Anyway I think the shattering may have released enough investiture to give Hoid the same kind of immortality cognitive shadows have, he was just fortunate enough to still have his body at the time. As I read on the coppermind odium gave the fused a portion of his power so they could become cognitive shadows, but since they lack an anchor to the physical realm they require hosts. Heralds on the other hand have no bodies created for them at the start of each desolation. While I must concede neither the Heralds or Fused share Hoid's healing ability and this does somewhat hurt my theory I do think it is worth noting that Honor, Odiun, and Endowment are just shards yet they are able to create immortals. One could only imagine the magnitude of investiture Adonalsium must have had within it and I doubt that God went quietly into whatever awaited it. So I think the fact Hoid was alive and therefore tied to the physical realm gave him a more potent immortality and is why he seems simply unable to die. Hence, why nothing save Nightblood (seemingly the embodiment of entropy for the cosmere) well known to devour investiture is one of the few weapons that seems capable of causing him lasting harm. 

As always I must acknowledge this is just a crazed theory and I admittedly do not have much supporting evidence for my inference. I do hope you enjoyed this idea though.

Sorry, also forgot to mention Elantrians who are also immortal, seemed unfair to leave them out.

Yet another edition. As for why the others took up shards when they might have already been immortal. Well I think they just might not have been aware, and were likely eager to become gods.

Edited August 16, 2019 by TheWanderer

[RShara]

Hoid's immortality is due to having some of the remnants of the weapon that Shattered Adonalsium in him. His healing could be from a number of things, since it seems to work on the same principle as F-gold or Stormlight healing.

Quote

Valhalla

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

Yes.

Valhalla

Have we seen any of those remnants on-screen?

Brandon Sanderson

*pause* RAFO.

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

Idaho Falls signing (July 21, 2018)

 

[TheWanderer]

Evidently I need to make an expedition to go and read dragonsteel. Oh well I don't hate being proven wrong, hope you enjoyed the theory.

[+Q10fanatic]

I liked the theory. It built on what we already know. Sometimes there just happens to be a WOB that already addressed it.

[Mailnaise]

I mean even with the WoB there are some holes and room for speculations. That's what this is for, no? lol

Anyways I like the theory, and it's along the lines of what I've been thinking. Hoid is really good at being where he needs to be and who knows, maybe he knew being at the shattering or whatever would give him immortality. 

Here's my thought; maybe the healing came from something else entirely? We know that the immortality is connected to the weapon used for the shattering, but no confirmation about the healing.