ThreeTimesAllOnPurpose

Interesting, I'll have to take a look at those. There's clearly a reason that Sazed was able to hold two opposing shards, since Adonalsium managed to hold 16 of them. I'd imagine that Harmony is most interested in preserving the cycle of life, which includes ruin and destruction as a necessity, but preserves itself through the rebirth of new generations. Holding something so powerful as a piece of a god probably erodes the user's mind pretty quickly. Of course, most vessels have held their Shards for much longer, but the combined power of two probably would speed up the process for Sazed. I think the most natural conclusion from all this is that Shards determine the magic system of a world, not the vessel, since Scadrial remained unchanged when Sazed became a Vessel. Or maybe that's not how it works. Honor sort of invented surgebinding through the Oathpact, right? Then the Nahel bond naturally replicated that afterwards. But he must have invented the system by using his splinters to create the honorblades.

I guess I should clarify then. By "Shardic Intent," I did mean the natural force and direction of the shard's power, which, I believe, is confirmed to heavily influence the actions and personality of the shard's holder. Does anyone know where I could find the WoB on that? For the most part, it doesn't look like shard holders can act in the opposite direction of their shard's nature. So Preservation doesn't destroy things for the fun of it, and Honor doesn't break oaths. However, there are clear workarounds for this, as Ruin was able to help Preservation start life on Scadrial, with the intent of destroying it later, because it would be more fun that way. So it seems that shards can contradict their nature, if only to further a greater plan that goes along with their nature. In the same way, I think it stands to reason that a magic system shouldn't be able to counter a shard's nature. This is why Kaladin loses his ability to hold Stormlight when he contradicts his oath. By contradicting his oath, he contradicts the nature of Honor. Although Honor is dead, apparently magic still works the same way. Perhaps that's due to the Stormfather? I'm not sure it's been explained yet. We can see an example of a system sort of countering Shardic nature in Allomancy, since it destroys metal to work. However, since it preserves people in the bigger picture (by protecting allomancers when they Snap in great danger.) Thoughts? Does this explanation seem to make sense?

You might be the first Cosmere brony I've ever come across. Welcome, may your pony art be plentiful.

I've finally found my home. Thank you @Invocation. I always wanted to belong.

Huh, that's really interesting. I just assumed it would be the other way around, but that makes sense too. Anyone have an idea of what sand mastery has to do with Autonomy?

I'll give you a hint...

So, just recently I realized that most cosmere systems of magic have to do with shardic intent. I know that people have probably already thought of this, but it came to me while I was reading Warbreaker. On Endowment's shardworld, magic allows people to endow items with gifts, namely, the gift of life and breath. Awakeners give items life, of course, but even common people can give their breath to the Returned. And the Returned give their breath to heal. On Scadrial, Ruin's system of magic requires the destruction of metal for power. Preservation's preserves power to be saved for later. Hemalurgy sort of preserves power by transferring it, but requires the ruin of a living being. So it's kind of a combination of the two. On Sel, stuff is different, due to both shards being shattered. I won't bother. I'm still trying to work out White Sand. I haven't read them yet. On Roshar, a Knight Radiant's power is directly linked to being honorable by following the ideals of their order. Cultivation cultivates people with her magic. She nurtures with a gift, but prunes with a curse, in an attempt to foster healthy growth. Odium is... Odium. It seems like the Fused are fuled by passion, which is Odium's thing. We really don't have much concrete information on them though, except that they're basically uncool and Unhinged versions of the Knights Radiant. That's... All I've read of the cosmere so far. Feel free to add, or correct.

Hi uh I guess not a whole not of introduction is needed, but I've finally joined seventeenth shard, to hopefully juggle around theories with the community, and share cool stuff. I've been a Sanderson fan for a few years now, and a cosmere fan for only a couple. Anyway uh As always, Vyre. Seriously, storm that guy. -ThreeTimesAllOnPurpose