Difference between revisions of "Shardblade"

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Each default form that Radiant Shardblades take is unique, typically around six feet in length and a handspan in width.{{book ref|sa2|18}} They can be edged on one{{book ref|sa2|16}} or both sides,{{book ref|sa2|66}} and are often ornamented with [[glyphs]],{{book ref|sa2|86}} as well as patterns along the edges,{{book ref|sa2|84}} which may correspond with the [[Ten Essences|essence]] of that particular Radiant's order. The Blades also glow slightly along its lines with the [[Polestone]] color that corresponds to their Radiant's order.{{book ref|sa2|84}}{{book ref|sa2|72}}

Even within the Vorin kingdoms themselves, those with Shardblades were usually seen as more powerful. Highprinces of Alethkar and Jah Keved jostle with one another for position and influence,{{book ref|sa1|15}} and Shardblades are just another tool and indication of power and authority.{{book ref|sa2|5}} Duels for Shards can be used to embarrass political enemies as well as to weaken their military strength. For instance, Highprince Dalinar Kholin had his son duel Shardbearers that supported Torol Sadeas politically,{{book ref|sa2|51}} in order to disarm and shame them.{{book ref|sa2|5}} As most Blades are won by those who already have their own Shards, not all Blades are kept by the person that wins them. Oftentimes they are bestowed upon an heir or relative,{{book ref|sa1|18}} a worthy warrior,{{book ref|sa2|16}} a loyal officer,{{book ref|sa1|18}}{{book ref|sa2|66}} or even sometimes promised to an ally.{{book ref|sa1|24}} It is worth noting though that even if a person is said to own a Shardblade, it is considered treasonous to sell the Blade or defect to another kingdom.{{book ref|sa2|66}} However other than this exception, when a person is able to claim and bond a Blade without having it taken from them, no one will question their ownership of the weapon.{{book ref|sa3|7}}

 

 

A less common use for Shardblades was in assassination. Shardbearer assassins were by no means commonplace, but the [[Weeper]]{{book ref|sa2|prologue}} and [[Szeth|Szeth-son-son-Vallano]] used Shardblades in assassinations.{{book ref|sa1|prologue}} A potential strategy made use of by Shardbearer assassins is to give the Blade to a woman.{{book ref|sa2|36}} Centuries after the last female Radiants, Shardblades are rarely carried by women, so no one would expect to have to defend against, for instance, a washerwoman wielding a Shardblade. Other Shardbearer assassins, such as the Weeper, remove the burned out eyes of their victims, to hide the fact that they make use of a Shardblade.{{book ref|sa2|prologue}}

According to Vorin doctrine, the Shardblades were gifts from the Almighty, used to fight the Voidbringers, who were said to have skin of stone.{{book ref|sa1|prologue}} As humanity was barely making spears, and their metalworking was incredibly basic, they needed the aid of their god to drive the Voidbringers from Roshar and the Tranquiline Halls and back into Damnation.{{book ref|sa1|61}} While the Radiants were initially a force for good,{{book ref|sa1|61}} it is said that over time they became corrupt{{book ref|sa1|21}} and eventually betrayed mankind in some way, possibly helping the other side.{{book ref|sa1|43}} Thereafter they were known as the Lost Radiants, and some began to say that their powers had been a curse{{book ref|sa2|3}} or merely fanciful tales.{{book ref|sa2|5}} The Honorblades have been elevated to a place of legend,{{book ref|sa1|19}} considered to be mythological treasures.{{book ref|sa1|29}} In Vorinism, it is not believed that being killed by a Shardblade destroys the soul, likely due to their connection to the Radiants.{{wob ref|3754}} There are legends of a [[Aluminum|light, silvery metal]] that falls from the sky and has the capacity to block Shardblades.{{book ref|sa3|100}}

 

 

=== Society ===

Even though the Radiants are a distant memory of the past of Roshar, their influence still permeates Vorin society.{{book ref|sa2|87}} Indeed, it is the memory of the Radiants, whose eyes were lightened upon bonding their Blade, that led to the stratification of Vorin society into castes based on eye color. Even some titles may be passed with Shards; for instance in [[Thanadal|Thanadal's princedom]], the owner of a certain set of Shards is typically given the title of Royal Defender.{{book ref|sa1|58}}

 

 

When someone bonds a Shardblade, most commonly they maintain that bond up until the point of their death or it is lost in a duel or some other way.{{book ref|sa1|52}} It is worth noting though that to win a Blade fairly requires a true contest, in most cases.{{book ref|sa3|36}} Doing something like taking one from a child who cannot defend themselves may be frowned on or cause for rebellion, although there is oftentimes no way to force the Blade to be returned. The only circumstance that a person would willingly give up their Blade is when they become to weak or ill to be able to use it themselves, and even then it is uncommon and done with reluctance. In Vorin kingdoms, upon a Shardbearer's natural death, a Blade is most commonly passed on down their family line.{{book ref|sa2|14}} While passing the Blade from father to son is the most common, every person who owns a Blade has the right of bestowal, the ability to chose their successor themselves.{{book ref|sa3|10}} Most Shardblades have a detailed history and lore of their own{{book ref|sa3|11}} as well of drawings done of them{{book ref|sa2|44}} Royal records done by scholars{{book ref|sa2|44}} track the lineage of Blades down through the generations as they are passed down families{{book ref|sa2|i|7}} or change hands between brightlords and kings.{{book ref|sa3|11}} Oftentimes they also are given a name, such as Firestorm or Sunraiser, although some Shardbearers prefer not to name their Blades.{{book ref|sa2|14}}

One common vulnerability a Shardbearer has is their own arrogance. In fact, oftentimes Shardbearers allow their combat skills to dull or never bother becoming terribly skilled in the first place, as they become used to being near-invincible and fantastically stronger than any of their opponents.{{book ref|sa1|i|9}} This can be the undoing of a Shardbearer who faces a more practiced opponent or a Surgebinder. One specific move to counter a Shardblade that makes use of this weakness is called a lastclap.{{book ref|sa2|44}} Oftentimes Shardbearers do not swing at their full strength as they typically do not need to do so when fighting in large battles, as they have a Blade that can cut through any material.{{book ref|sa1|58}} This means that when they are swinging downward at an enemy with an overhead blow, the person they are swinging at can sometimes catch the Blade between their palms.{{book ref|sa2|32}} Some see this as a dumb move, only useful as a last resort, because it relies fully on an enemy's lack of care.{{book ref|sa2|44}}

 

 

=== Combat in the Shattered Plains ===

| [[Windrunner]]

| Hammer or spear

|{{book ref|sa3.5|18}}{{book ref|sa3.5|19}}

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