Um, what exactly is Hoid? Or who? Cosmere spoilers abound!

[Teavin Calayna]

I read Mistborn era 1 and 2 and Warbreaker first so my introduction to Hoid wasn't the same as it would be if I'd read Stormlight Archive first. The biggest question I have now that I've finished Words of Radiance is what is Hoid or who is he and where does he come from? How does he world hop? I know there's probably no answer at all but I find myself truly baffled by his existence especially after Words of Radiance. He takes on so many different roles from Wax's carriage driver to Elhokar's Wit but then he also shows up at certain moments to either give advice or provide insight and perspective for characters at a time when they need it. At the end of Words of Radiance Jasnah (side note: I was so relieved she wasn't dead) seemed very annoyed that he had found her. My first big thought is that he's some sort of strange spren but now I just don't know. I have a feeling we'll never know but what does everyone else think?

 

[Kranerian Vrammar]

Allow me to be the first to say here: Read And Find Out.

Specifically, the most info we have is from Mistborn Secret History. But even with that, there's still a lot of questions. Most of what we know is pieced together from a line here or there, or questions people have asked Sanderson. Also a few of the chapter header messages in Stormlight are from letters between him and other cosmere entities, reading those gives some hints.

I'll answer what I can of your questions without spoiling things.

We're still not sure who Hoid is, other than that he's Hoid. He is *extremely* old. He world hops in mostly the same ways that everyone else does. He seems to have a remarkable, possibly supernatural talent for finding himself in just the right place at the right time to nudge events along, but he's far from infallible. As for if he's human or something else, I believe the official word of Brandon is, "it's complicated."

Hope that helps some.

 

[Teavin Calayna]

I expected a RAFO but I just had to ask because he's such an interesting character. Very layered and seemingly simple on the surface but complex underneath. I really need to sit down and read Mistborn Secret History since I keep being pointed in that direction and will also answer my question of how Kelsier is alive in The Lost Metal which I also apparently should have read before Stormlight but that's a whole other ball of wax.

Hoid is such a mystery I've been gnawing on like a bone since he appeared in Stormlight. I'm intrigued by his existence and what precisely he is there to do in the story beyond throwing insults and the odd bit of wisdom

 

[Siusane al'Cuyler]

i believe there will (a long time from now) be a story set earlier in time on Hoid’s home planet with him as a key character.

what I didn’t know until just now is that he is going to be a main character in the last Mistborn trilogy, word of Brandon at a signing.

in any case, long term plan gives us more info about Hoid…

 

[Teavin Calayna]

I didn't know he was going to be a major character in the last Mistborn trilogy. There are supped be two more Mistborn trilogies aren't there? I'll be super interested in how he makes that transition to main character

 

[Siusane al'Cuyler]

i was thinking there would be just one more era, set however many years in future with space travel…? but I’m no Sanderson expert.

 

[Teavin Calayna]

I read it on the Coppermind when I was poking around there a few days ago. Which does mention Hoid being a main character. Guess I forgot that detail

https://coppermind.net/wiki/Mistborn_(series)#Era_2

 

[Kranerian Vrammar]

Originally there were going to be three Mistborn eras, but then the Wax and Wayne books just kinda happened. So there will be four. The two we have, one at a ~1980s tech level, and one with a sci fi future tech level.

 

[Siusane al'Cuyler]

ahhh! that’s very cool. i guess i didn’t realize that Wax and Wayne are Era 2 but not the second Mistborn trilogy. (of course their books aren’t even a trilogy. but anyway. different.) so I knew about the third trilogy being a space opera but hadn’t realized that would be Era 4.

I’m now very excited for ALL of them, haha, thanks for the link.

 

[Arella Mathara]

I feel like we do know a lot about Hoid already. Wouldn't recommend poking around for info before you've read a lot more Cosmere though. And yep, definitely looking forward to the story Siusane mentioned. Giving more details on that would be major spoilers though so

 

[Teavin Calayna]

I have been careful poking around, I was just looking up some Mistborn stuff. Trust me, the temptation is great to poke around more and look for fanart and things. When I do rereads for Mistborn and Warbreaker I'll have to pay more close attention to where Hoid shows up

 

[Arella Mathara]

I get you! I run to the Coppermind as soon as I finish a new Cosmere book

 

[Kallarn Lo'Vosh]

Im sure there was a reference in one of the books (perhaps even tress) that said he was present at the shattering but took a step back or something like.

 

[Teavin Calayna]

If it's in Tress I haven't seen it yet since I'm waiting for the physical book to come out in April and buy it then

 

[Arella Mathara]

It's been known for years so not in Tress

 

[Teavin Calayna]

Ah, I either missed it somehow or haven't gotten there yet. I didn't know to keep an eye out for Hoid when he makes appearances in the other books. I began with Mistborn but now think I should have started with Stormlight

 

[Arella Mathara]

Nah, you definitely don't have to start with Stormlight. I started with Elantris, then Mistborn. You get a lot more Cosmere stuff in Stormlight early on but at this point all the books are heavy on Cosmere lore and worldhoppers

 

[Roheryn ni Galghandhrei t'al'Djinn]

Personally, I think its better to start with something other than Stormlight, get your feet wet a bit and then you get some of the Cosmere references in Stormlight.

 

[Arella Mathara]

Yes! That is what I meant to say. And the earlier stuff as the recent books have been full of references to other stories

 

[Teavin Calayna]

I don't regret starting with Mistborn when I was incredibly intimidated by how chunky the Stormlight books were but reflecting on it if I had known what I do now I probably would have begun with Stormlight first