Why Hoid declined a shard/can a shard get more shards?

[Wind he/him]

Hoid declined a shard when he was offered one at one point, did he do this so that at a later date he could take them all at once? When Vin was preservation her and ruin couldn't touch without consequence so does that mean that shards can't get another shard well they have one, this would make sense because when Sazid had no shard he was able to take up two shards with no problem.

[NameIess]

54 minutes ago, A Windrunner said:

Hoid declined a shard when he was offered one at one point, did he do this so that at a later date he could take them all at once? When Vin was preservation her and ruin couldn't touch without consequence so does that mean that shards can't get another shard well they have one, this would make sense because when Sazid had no shard he was able to take up two shards with no problem.

I believe that the reason that Vin was unable to come into contact with Ruin without pain is related to the fact that the intents of the two shards were completely opposite to one another. Also, Ruin was currently being held by a vessel, and when that vessel died, this released the power without an owner, which is why Sazed was able to pick it and Preservation up.

[Karger he/him]

3 hours ago, A Windrunner said:

When Vin was preservation her and ruin couldn't touch without consequence so does that mean that shards can't get another shard well they have one,

The pain was also because Ruin was fighting her and because she was using the shard in a way somewhat contrary to its intent.  We really don't know much about Hoid but I don't think he is interested in power for power's sake.

[Gilphon]

Hoid chose not to pick up a Shard because that power changes you- He prefers to remain himself, and just gradually gain by power by hacking his way into the magic systems.

It's totally possible to gain additional Shards- the tricky part is doing so and remaining yourself. Which is why Odium shattered the Shards he kills instead of claiming that power for himself.

[Karger he/him]

36 minutes ago, Gilphon said:

He prefers to remain himself, and just gradually gain by power by hacking his way into the magic systems.

That is conjecture.  Reasonable but conjecture.

[Gilphon]

I believe there's a WOB to that effect, but it's too 2 am right now for me to be willing to put a lot of effort into finding it.

[Honorless he/him]

You can pick up another Shard while holding one, you don't need to drop it and pick up both of them.

We can infer this from what Brandon said regarding Odium not picking up the Shards he Splintered. He chooses not to.

Edited May 29, 2020 by R J
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[Wind he/him]

8 hours ago, Gilphon said:

Hoid chose not to pick up a Shard because that power changes you- He prefers to remain himself, and just gradually gain by power by hacking his way into the magic systems.

I actually agree with all of you on this. Also ruin could not claim the power of the well of ascension without a human, but maybe this was a thing unique to him and preservation, though the shard was still in use (even if preservation was barely there). So basically shards cannot be claimed unless the vessel has been killed and once that has happened anyone can claim it.

Edited May 26, 2020 by A Windrunner