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|According to legend, the Shardblades were first carried by the [[Knights Radiant]] uncounted ages ago. Gifts of their god, granted to allow them to fight horrors of rock and flame, dozens of feet tall, foes whose eyes burned with hatred. The [[Voidbringer]]s.
{{image|The Blackthorn by Harry Shea-Pelletier.jpg|side=right|width=300px|[[Dalinar]] wielding [[Oathbringer (Shardblade)|Oathbringer]]}}
 
While there are a few differences between the various types of Shardblades, they all share a few common traits. All are larger but lighter than any normal sword,{{book ref|sa2|44}} often at or approaching six feet in length,{{book ref|sa1|prologue}} while simultaneously extremely light.{{book ref|sa1|18}}{{wob ref|7134}} All Shardblades that are bound to a specific owner can be summoned{{book ref|sa1|prologue}} and dismissed at will.{{book ref|sa2|8}} When summoned, they appear in one's hand,{{book ref|sa1|prologue}} coalescing out of mist, with the shape the mist takes depending on the type of spren from which it was formed. For example, [[Mayalaran]] manifests as small vines before appearing as a Blade.{{book ref|sa2|50}} Additionally, water condenses along the length of the Blade when it appears.{{book ref|sa1|13}} They can appear inside liquid, shoving it out of the way, but cannot be summoned inside of a solid object.{{wob ref|14108}} When a Blade is dismissed{{book ref|sa2|5}} it also vanishes into mist.{{book ref|sa1|13}} TheyThe blades are amade from an alloy of the [[God Metal|God Metals]] of Honor and Cultivation. Each blade has a different ratio of that alloy depending on which radiant spren it is.{{wob ref|11949}}{{wob ref|2541}} This alloy is the same type as the one that appears on the keyhole of an [[Oathgate]].{{book ref|sa2|84}} The tensile strength of Shardblades is very high; while they can bend a small amount, Shardblades appear to be unbreakable under natural circumstances.{{book ref|sa2|26}}{{book ref|tsm|30}} Shardblades are said to have a sort of magnetism to them, anyone who sees one is drawn to it.{{book ref|sa3|7}}
 
Shardblades can cut through non-living objects, such as wood or stone, as if they are passing through water.{{book ref|sa1|prologue}} Even though they can cut through nearly any material, there is still a slight bit of resistance even when cutting through inanimate objects.{{book ref|sa2|44}} When cutting through an object, Shardblades leave behind distinctive perfectly clean cuts.{{book ref|sa3|50}} However, when swung at a person or other living object, the edge of the Shardblade will fuzz, leaving the physical body unharmed, and cutting the being's soul. It is still possible to Soulcast a person killed by a Shardblade.{{book ref|sa4|104}}{{book ref|sa4|114}} The wielder of the Blade feels a small tug of resistance as the Blade passes through living material.{{book ref|sa1|13}} If the Blade cuts the core of a person's limb, the person feels a flash of incredible pain and then the limb turns gray and becomes limp and numb.{{book ref|sa2|32}} If an internal organ is pierced by a Shardblade, it may be killed or cease to function.{{book ref|sa1|13}} If the Blade strikes the spine or head, the eyes of the person blacken and burn out with a dark smoke rising from them.{{book ref|sa1|prologue}} When a person is killed this way by a Shardblade, death is not instantaneous; it often takes a few moments for the person to be completely dead.{{book ref|edgedancer|8}} Once a person or other living thing has been killed, its remains can be cut like any other inanimate object.{{book ref|sa2|72}} This applies to plants as well; it takes two swings of a Shardblade to sever a plant, one to kill the soul and another to cut it. Non-living portions of a living thing, such as hair or nails can be cut with a Shardblade before the creature itself is killed.{{book ref|sa1|13}} Parts of a body that have been damaged by a Shardblade are typically referred to as Blade-dead.{{book ref|sa2|56}} Blood continues to flow through them, and they do not rot.{{wob ref|12881}}
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}}
 
Outside of Vorin Roshar, other regions usually have far fewer Blades and they deal with them quite differently. The [[Thaylenah|Thaylens]] have only five Blades, which they keep in the hands of their Royal Guards.{{book ref|sa1|23}} The [[Herdaz|Herdazians]] have but a single Blade, which is kept in the royal line, passed from each king to his heir. In the Makabaki regions, the [[Prime Aqasix]] of [[Azir]] controls the Imperial Shardblades which he rents to the smaller kingdoms.{{book ref|edgedancer|2}} The Selay have several Blades of their own as well.{{book ref|sa1|23}} Even the [[listener]]s havehad their own Shardblades,{{book ref|sa1|28}} although theirthey numberseventually havelost dwindledevery downone toof a singletheir Bladeblades{{book ref|sa2|i|11}} asbecause the Alethi gradually killkilled the listener Shardbearers in the [[War of Reckoning]] and took theirthese Blades for themselves.{{book ref|sa1|18}} Smaller and weaker nations such as [[Kharbranth]], however, have no Shardblades, leaving it to the mercy of the kingdoms with Shardblades.{{book ref|sa1|5}} It is generally believed that the island people of the [[Reshi Sea]] do not have any Blades either,{{book ref|sa1|16}} which leaves them at a disadvantage to the Alethi during border conflicts.{{book ref|sa1|52}} The [[Unkalaki]] of the [[Horneater Peaks]] do not have any Shardblades, but the first man to gain a Blade would be able to unite the Peaks as king.{{book ref|sa1|23}}
 
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}}
 
=== Training Shardbearers ===
A Shardbearer is typically trained in a specific way among the Alethi. Lighteyed boys of appropriate rank around the age of ten are chosen by an ardent swordmaster for training.{{book ref|sa2|16}} These boys typically already have at least some training with the sword. The swordmasters train in training grounds run by the ardentia. The swordmaster's job is teachesto teach them the ten [[Stances|Shardblade Stances]], which are used in both dueling and regular combat.{{book ref|sa2|44}} They train with Blades in two ways. If the trainee has no Blade of his own, they can make use of wooden practice swords that approximate the balance and weight of a real Blade. They may also borrow one of the King's Blades.{{book ref|sa2|16}} Either way, when training with real Blades a guard is used to blunt the cutting edge.{{book ref|sa2|18}} The origin of these guards is unknown, but they are believed to come from long ago. As the Blades of the original Radiants could naturally dull themselves to prevent injury, it seems likely that they were developed at some point following the Recreance.{{book ref|sa3|15}} The guards are made of metal and conform to the edge of any Blade.{{book ref|sa2|18}} The guards themselves are useless and fragile on their own, but they are perfect for training. A swordmaster also coaches their student on how to control the Blade with their mind, commanding it to remain in place so it can be loaned to others.{{book ref|sa2|35}}
 
=== King's Blades ===
The first tactical decision made using Shards is often deciding where to deploy them. As Shardblades are as rare as they are effective, generals and tacticians must decide where they are most useful. Shardbearers typically only fight in the most important battles.{{book ref|sa1|16}} For instance, no Shardbearers were necessary when the Alethi fought the Reshi in the [[wastescum skirmishes]],{{book ref|sa1|16}} but every single Shardbearer has been deployed to the Shattered Plains for the War of Reckoning.{{book ref|sa1|52}} While sending as many Shardblades to a conflict as possible may seem a simple solution, it may leave an army exposed elsewhere or leave its homeland defenseless.{{book ref|sa1|18}} Another consideration is the fact that sending Shardbearers to a battle may serve as a deterrent to one's enemies, but it may also escalate the conflict and provoke one's enemies to send their own Shardbearers into battle.{{book ref|sa1|52}}
 
Shardbearers often lead formations themselves, cutting a hole in enemy ranks with their overwhelming force.{{book ref|sa1|68}} This creates a gap that well-trained men can exploit, which can allow for an army to overcome superior numbers. The usefulness of this tactic is twofold. Few regular men can put up an effective resistance against a Shardbearer, allowing them to lead a spectacularly effective charge, and also this tactic putsalso places the Shardbearers at the front of the regular soldiers, often giving them a boost in morale as well.{{book ref|sa1|56}} Shardbearers willmay also sometimes be used in defensive fights to bolster the gaps in their own lines, moving quickly between weak places to give soldiers a chance to recover and return to their formation.{{book ref|sa1|67}} When a Shardbearer has Plate and Blade, they can also easily cut their way behind enemy lines, where they can wreak havoc with impunity and cause confusion that their own soldiers can then exploit.{{book ref|sa1|65}} Unlike fighting in a duel, the most effective way to combat large groups of soldiers is to maintain momentum and keep the Shardblade in constant motion, always cutting.{{book ref|sa1|56}} Practiced Shardbearers will use their control over their bond with their Shardblade to make use of it unexpectedly. They may throw their Shardblades in a more ranged attack than an enemy is used to and then dismiss it once the damage is done so that they can summon it back to their hands.{{book ref|sa2|35}} Another uncommon tactic is unexpectedly dismissing the Blade, which can surprise an enemy who is preparing to dodge the Blade or parry it.{{book ref|sa1|i|9}} This works particularly well when the Shardbearer is wearing Plate.
 
{{image|Arena_adolin.jpg|width=300px|side=left|Adolin prepares for a fight in the dueling pit}}
Due to their awesome power, Shardbearers fighting together often have to be careful that they do not inadvertently hurt one another or their own men.{{book ref|sa1|56}} Fighting in tandem with Shards is a skill all its own, keeping close enough to support one another but just far enough away to avoid interfering in the other's fight.{{book ref|sa1|67}} While the skill is uncommonly practiced, two Shardbearers supporting one another in combat can achieve incredible success.{{book ref|sa2|26}} Many times a Shardbearer will wade into enemy lines, bolstered by an honor guard fighting a few steps behind them.{{book ref|sa1|56}} The honor guard does not spend time defending the Shardbearer directly, but rather stays nearby to support the Shardbearer, so if his Plate is severely damaged or he is seriously injured, the Shardbearer can retreat to safety and not risk their life or their Shards.{{book ref|sa1|28}} Bolder Shardbearers will leave this honor guard behind and will attack enemies alone, either on foot or horseback.{{book ref|sa1|26}} Such a move is a tactical risk, as an isolated Shardbearer is at his most vulnerable and the loss of a Shardbearer in combat may prove disastrous for their own forces.{{book ref|sa1|56}} Shardbearers may also fight alone when capturing a wall or taking down some other fortification. Narrow wall tops are ideal for Shardbearers, as they are able to easily kill the clustered soldiers.{{book ref|sa3|11}} They must take care when scaling walls however, as some handholds are designed to be retracted by the defenders.{{book ref|sa3|66}} Unexpectedly pulling in a ledge that a Shardbearer is hanging from can be enough to send them spilling to the ground, cracking their Plate or killing them.
 
As Shards are often passed down family lines,{{book ref|sa2|14}} manythey timessometimes it endsend up in the hands of someone thatwho prefers not to be involved directly in combat. Aged warriors, those who lack a talent for fighting, or those who prefer to lead tactically from the rear{{book ref|sa2|8}} may not desire to engage directly in combat themselves, but also do not want to deprive their army of a Shardblade.{{book ref|sa1|52}} Shardbearers can will their Blade to remain and still remain fully bonded to the Blade.{{book ref|sa2|8}} This has lead to the practice of highprinces and other lighteyes lending their Blades to skilled officers. This tactic relies on a great deal of trust on both sides though. As the owner of the Blade has the ability to recall the Blade at any moment, the person fighting with it must trust that the owner will not dismiss the Blade, leaving them unarmed. For their part, the owner of the Blade must trust that the person wielding it will not interfere with the gem on the Blade or allow it to be damaged, which would prevent the true owner from being able to summon it until it is replaced with a new gemstone.{{wob ref|1844}}
 
The Shardblade is such a powerful weapon that its versatility is often only limited by the creativity of its bearer. For instance, Adolin Kholin used his Shardblade stuck into the side of a plateau as a platform to stand on while clearing a space for him to stand on top of the plateau.{{book ref|sa2|26}} In another instance, Dalinar cuts section of rock away, allowing it to fall on his opponents below him.{{book ref|sa1|68}} He also will cut the stone underneath the feet of his opponents to make them lose their footing. An experienced Shardbearer can find a multitude of ways to use a Blade to his advantage in battle beyond the tactics in which they are typically trained.
| ''Unknown''
| [[Relis Ruthar]]
| Colored a deep black
| ''Unknown''
| Won by Adolin in his duels
| {{book ref|sa2|66}}{{book ref|sa2|56}}
|-
| [[Liss]]
[[Forgery]] could be used to gain a Shardblade, with some restrictions.{{wob ref|7235}} The Investiture is not powerful enough to temporarily create a new Shardblade, and if it somehow could it would be terribly inefficient.{{wob ref|4859}} Instead, if a person had once held a Shardblade and gave it up, a Forger could rewrite their past to make it that they had never given up the Blade, and they would then be able to summon that same Shardblade.{{wob ref|7235}} This would have the effect of tricking a Blade into believing that it is bound to two people at once and could be summoned by both of them. It is theoretically possible for the [[seon]]s and [[skaze]] of Sel to take the form of a Shardblade, but something would need to pull them more fully into the Physical Realm, like the Nahel bond does for the spren.{{wob ref|6197}}
 
While there are only three known ways to heal from a Shardblade wound on [[Roshar]], it seems likely that other magic systems would also allow for that same healing. On [[Scadrial]], [[Gold#Feruchemical Use|goldminds]] of [[Feruchemy]] could be used to heal Shardblade damage.{{wob ref|4111}} The [[BioChromatic Breath|Divinedivine Breath]], the Breath of the [[Returned]] of [[Nalthis]], able to heal any typical wound or illness,{{wob ref|6724}} is also a possible solution for repairing the damage. On [[Sel]], the [[Aon]] [[Aon#Ien|Ien]], used for healing,{{book ref|elantris|19}} could potentially heal a Shardblade wound as well.
 
=== Relationship to Nightblood ===
*Dalinar Kholin is unable to summon his Shardblade while he is experiencing one of his [[Dalinar's visions|visions]].{{book ref|sa1|19}}
*Adolin Kholin has a habit of repeatedly summoning and then dismissing his Blade when he is nervous,{{book ref|sa2|50}} a trait he may have inherited from Gavilar, his uncle .{{book ref|sa3|11}}
*In the current draft of the [[Sixth of the Dusk sequel|sequel]] to [[Sixth of the Dusk]], an individual in Shardplate summons what appears to be a "Shardgun".{{wob ref|14408}} This seems to be a form of a living Shardblade, as it takes less than ten seconds to summon and its wielder has access to [[Surgebinding]]. We never see it fired; however, it appears to require the use of some sort of power pack, the mechanism of which is unknown. It should be noted that this scene is not from a finished story, and is subject to change.
 
== Notes ==
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