This article contains SPOILERS for The Stormlight Archive, up to the fifth book, Wind and Truth, as well as Mistborn eras 1 and 2 and various standalone works within the Cosmere universe.
The Stormlight Archive: Characters from the Wider Cosmere in Wind and Truth
The fifth installment of The Stormlight Archive, titled Wind and Truth, is brimming with references to characters from across the expansive Cosmere. With an ever-growing array of connections between Brandon Sanderson’s narratives, it can be quite daunting for readers who primarily focus on The Stormlight Archive. The references in Wind and Truth might leave fans scratching their heads, as the connections, while intentional, are often somewhat ambiguous.
In addition to characters that debuted in other stories, Wind and Truth also introduces several Worldhoppers, chief among them being the enigmatic Wit. Several characters mentioned in the book are revealed to have traveled to Roshar from different worlds, despite having their first mentions in The Stormlight Archive. Notably, Axindweth—a Feruchemist presumed to hail from Scadrial—makes her debut in Rhythm of War rather than in the Mistborn series. Similarly, Iyatil is introduced in Words of Radiance. For this exploration, we will focus on characters originating outside the framework of The Stormlight Archive.
1. Hoid
The Cosmere’s Most Recognizable Worldhopper
Undoubtedly, Hoid stands out as the most prominent Worldhopper across the various Cosmere stories, often appearing as Wit in The Stormlight Archive. His origins trace back to the planet Yolen, where the forthcoming Dragonsteel series is planned to unfold. Hoid’s arrival on Roshar predates the events of The Stormlight Archive, having journeyed through a portal from the dying world of Ashyn alongside the would-be Heralds. As Wit, he serves as a guiding figure for Dalinar and Roshar’s inhabitants, providing wisdom without directly engaging in conflicts.
2. Thaidakar
From Mistborn Era 1
One of the most striking revelations in the fourth book of The Stormlight Archive is the identification of Thaidakar, the head of the Ghostbloods, as the well-known Kelsier from the Mistborn trilogy. Following his death in The Final Empire, Kelsier is reborn in the novella Mistborn: Secret History and evolves into an immortal manipulator in the Cosmere. His primary aim on Roshar is to ferry Stormlight back to Scadrial as a form of Investiture, although both of his operatives, Mraize and Iyatil, meet their demise at the hands of Shallan in Wind and Truth.
3. Sazed
From Mistborn Era 1
In the early chapters of Wind and Truth, Wit casually references Sazed, a significant figure from the original Mistborn trilogy. Having transformed into Harmony—the amalgamation of the Shards Ruin and Preservation—Sazed now embodies the godly force guiding Scadrial. However, Wit’s commentary pertains to Sazed’s mortal life, highlighting his journey of faith after the death of Tindwyl, where he reconstructed his belief system.
4. Come
From Mistborn Era 1
Although Vin is not explicitly named in Wind and Truth, Wit’s reference to her story is potent enough to warrant attention. He mentions that Vin is the only mortal he has seen relinquish the power of a Shard, alluding to her choice at the conclusion of The Well of Ascension. By refusing to embrace that power, she inadvertently released Ruin into the world. Wit’s musings to Dalinar foreshadow significant choices made later in Wind and Truth:
“It wasn’t a full Ascension, but a mortal did give up the power once. It proved to be the wrong choice, but it was the most selfless thing I believe I’ve ever witnessed.”
5. Ruin
From Mistborn Era 1
Ruin, one of the Shards originating from Scadrial, serves as a principal antagonist in the original Mistborn trilogy. Currently, his power is intertwined with Preservation’s, under the stewardship of Sazed. In Wind and Truth, Tanavast reminisces about the original vessel Ati, depicting him as “perhaps kindliest among us,”who took on Ruin’s mantle. These reflections underscore the contrasting personalities of the Shards and the vessels who bore them.
6. Preservation
From Mistborn Era 1
Another crucial Shard of Scadrial, Preservation has been held by Kelsier and Vin at different points before Sazed ultimately assumed control. In Wind and Truth, Tanavast acknowledges Leras, Preservation’s initial vessel, stating he “always had such a strong nature.”This portrayal, alongside that of Ati, emphasizes the intricate dichotomy between their vessels and the Shards they represent.
7. Demoux
From Mistborn Era 1
Demoux, another familiar character from the original Mistborn series, emerges as a dedicated follower of Kelsier and eventually a general in Elend’s army. Surviving the Final Ascension, he aligns with the Seventeenth Shard, an enigmatic organization operating throughout the Cosmere. In Wind and Truth‘s Interlude 11, he teams up with Galladon and Baon to track down Hoid.
8. Ulaan
From Mistborn Era 2 & Tress of the Emerald Sea
Ulaam makes a notable appearance at the climax of Wind and Truth, materializing after Wit is struck by Retribution and transported back to Scadrial. A Kandra first revealed in the Mistborn novel The Lost Metal, Ulaam returns to prominence in Tress of the Emerald Sea. His role involves maintaining a cell culture for Wit, enabling his potential resurrection in case of bodily destruction.
9. He choked
From Mistborn Era 2
Introduced in The Lost Metal, Dlavil is a member of the Ghostbloods and serves as the brother to Iyatil. His Southern Scadrian lineage and ruthlessness threaten to ignite conflict, particularly when Thaidakar hints at informing Dlavil about Iyatil’s circumstances during a conversation with Shallan in Wind and Truth.
10. Galladon
From Elantris
Galladon, originating from Sanderson’s debut novel Elantris, is depicted as an Elantrian who has since joined the Seventeenth Shard. In Wind and Truth, it is mentioned that he possesses silver skin—a consequence of the Shaod process on Sel, which transforms individuals into Elantrians. Despite their quest to locate Hoid, Galladon and his companions ultimately decide to leave Roshar.
11. Pocket
From White Sand
Baon, one more character associated with the Seventeenth Shard, appears in Interlude 11 of Wind and Truth. Mistaken initially for the Herald Nale, Baon hails from the Cosmere graphic novel White Sand, set in the world of Taldain. Previously introduced in The Way of Kings, he wields sand mastery, a form of Investiture unique to the White Sand universe.
12. Endowment
From Warbreaker
Mentioned in chapter 115, Tanavast describes Endowment and its vessel, Edgli, as “the most compassionate woman I had ever known.”Representing the Shard of Endowment, she originates from the planet Nalthis, featured in Warbreaker. Despite her relatively minor role in the narrative, Endowment indirectly influences many events throughout the Cosmere.
13. Autonomy
From White Sand, Sixth of the Dusk, & Mistborn Era 2
Bavadin, the vessel for Autonomy, is characterized by Tanavast in chapter 115 as “shrewd and capable.”Autonomy governs the Shard found in Taldain and begins to exert its influence in Mistborn Era 2, creating turmoil against Scadrial. Within the series, Autonomy employs a character named Telsin Ladrian as its avatar, manipulating events to affect political structures in Elendel.
14. Devotion & Dominion
From Elantris
Devotion and Dominion are two pivotal Shards associated with Sel, discussed together in Wind and Truth. Their vessels, Aona and Skai, met grim fates at the hands of Odium, who manipulated their conflict before extinguishing their lives. The remnants of their power were subsequently confined to the Cognitive Realm, giving rise to the Dor, a unique force of Investiture that defines Sel’s magical systems and complicates worldhopping in the region.
“In another, the god’s power was stuffed in a metaphorical closet—packed into Shadesmar, left to rot.”
15. Ambition
From Shadows for Silence in the Forests of Hell
In Tanavast’s perspective chapters, Rayse recounts the demise of Uli Da, the vessel of Ambition, acknowledging the potential that Ambition posed as a threat. Notably, in chapter 147 of Wind and Truth, it is stated that Ambition’s death triggered catastrophic consequences, resulting in the annihilation of several worlds. This tumultuous conflict unfolded near the planet Threnody, which serves as the backdrop for the novella Shadows for Silence in the Forests of Hell, where the devastating aftermath of Ambition’s downfall reshaped the planet and its inhabitants.
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