The Dawnshard MYSTERY | What are the Dawnshards?

This video explores the lore and theories surrounding the Dawnshards, the four ancient commands used to create and shatter the creator deity Adonalsium within Brandon Sanderson's Cosmere universe. https://www.17thshard.com/forums/topi... 00:00 - Introduction 00:27 - The Shattering of Adonalsium 02:25 - Where are the Dawnshards 09:52 - Effects of the Dawnshards 12:43 - The Dawnshard Grouping Theory As the underlying building blocks of reality, the Dawnshards hold immense narrative significance across major book series like the Stormlight Archive and individual novellas. This guide breaks down the nature of these primal forces, analyzing the two known commands and tracing their current whereabouts among various characters and factions. By examining how these immense reservoirs of power alter their vessels over long periods, the discussion highlights the physical and spiritual consequences known as Torments. Finally, the analysis evaluates a prominent community theory regarding how the sixteen Shards divide into four distinct quadrants dictated by these foundational forces. What’s covered in this video: The introductory segment outlines how a prehistoric conspiracy utilized the four primal commands of creation to execute the Shattering of Adonalsium into sixteen distinct shards of power. An analysis of the Change Dawnshard traces its journey to the island of Aimia, where a human named Rysn inadvertently absorbed the command from an underwater cavern mural while accompanied by her larkin, Chiri-Chiri. The discussion details the role of the Sleepless hivemind in monitoring Rysn to ensure she does not form a Nahel bond with a spren, which would grant her the necessary investiture trigger to wield her command. A chronological review examines the Exist Dawnshard held by Hoid, tracking its temporary transfer to his apprentice Sigzil during the events of Wind and Truth before Sigzil became the universe-hopping Nomad in The Sunlit Man. The examination of spiritual consequences explains how holding a Dawnshard turns an individual into an investiture savant, warping their spiritweb and inflicting severe behavioral restrictions known as Torments. A breakdown of historical Cosmere lore highlights a recent revelation from the Isles of the Emberdark indicating that the dragons previously guarded a third mysterious Dawnshard before relocating it to empty vaults in secret. The theoretical framework section evaluates a comprehensive model by community theorist Dufurion from the 17th Shard forums that organizes the sixteen Shards into four distinct ancestral quadrants. The final synthesis demonstrates how the pattern of combining Shards matches historical book events, specifically referencing the fusion of Preservation and Ruin into Harmony, alongside Honor and Odium merging into Retribution. Mentioned in this video: Adonalsium, Cosmere, Dawnshards, Second Breakfast, Odium, Ruin, Autonomy, Cultivation, Preservation, Honor, Shards, Brandon Sanderson, Words of Radiance, Aimia, Change, Exist, Dawnshard Novella, Thaylen, Rysn, Chiri-Chiri, Sleepless, Hordelings, Nahel bond, Spren, Lanceryn, Scouring of Aimia, Dai-Gonarthis, Wind and Truth, Hoid, Nikli, Torment, Kelsier, Cognitive Shadow, Urithiru, Retribution, Sigzil, Nomad, Frost, The Way of Kings, Sazed, The Sunlit Man, Night Brigade, Coppermind, 17th Shard Podcast, Isles of the Emberdark, Dragons, Breath, Heightenings, Warbreaker, Spiritweb, Savants, Mistborn, Spook, Taln, Ashyn, Oathpact, Heralds, Dufurion, Harmony, Tampa Bay Comic Convention, Feel, Act, Endowment, Whimsy, Mercy, Invention, Valor, Advanced Cosmere Studies.