Dawnshards

The Dawnshards are mysterious relics that have only been mentioned a few times in The Way of Kings. However, they are revealed to be more in both Oathbringer and Dawnshard.

Dawnshards are the four original Commands used by Adonalsium to create the cosmere. Just one can supercharge the abilities of an Invested being to the power that transcends what is normally possible for such Invested beings. Conversely, in the wrong hands, one may be used to end the lives of billions of beings just at the mere whim of its holder. As such, one has been secreted away.

“	"The most powerful forms of Surgebinding transcend traditional mortal understanding," Nikli said. His body began to re-form, hordelings crawling back into place. "All their greatest applications require Intent and a Command. Demands on a level no person could ever manage alone. To make such Commands, one must have the reasoning - the breadth of understanding - of a deity. And so, the Dawnshards. The four primal Commands that created all things." He paused. "And then eventually, they were used to undo Adonalsium itself."	”
–Nikliasorm

Characteristics

The Investiture of every Dawnshard grants Heightening-like abilities, which allows individuals to see colors more vividly than before.

Dawnshards predate the Shattering, so they're something other than traditional Shards. Similar, but distinct in some ways.

There is one Dawnshard that is different from the rest.

Commands

Each Dawnshard has a different Command. That held by Rysn is Change.

Quotes

“	"A mythological treasure, Brightness, much like the Dawnshards or the Honorblades. Certainly worth seeking, but only with great caution."	”
–Shallan to Jasnah

“	Taking the Dawnshard, known to bind any creature voidish or mortal, he crawled up the steps crafted for Heralds, ten strides tall apiece, toward the grand temple above.	”
–From the Poem of Ista (Jasnah's note: I have found no modern explanation of what these 'Dawnshards' are. They seem ignored by scholars, though talk of them was obviously prevalent among those recording the early mythologies.)

“	"You might be able to get him (Odium) to choose a champion. He is bound by some rules. All of us are. A champion could work well for you, but it is not certain. And ... without the Dawnshards ... Well, I have done what I can. It is a terrible, terrible thing to leave you alone."	”
–A man claiming to be the Almighty, speaking to Dalinar

Numbers

According to Brandon, there are only four Dawnshards.

Holders

• Hoid - At some point in the deep past, Hoid was a Dawnshard, and the reason he (even still) cannot physically harm people - or even eat meat - is related to the changes this made to his spirit. (Consider this the same fundamental principle as savanthood.) Those who have read Dragonsteel know that his having been a Dawnshard was also the source of his immortality in that book, though the terms were different back then. The word Dawnshard was never mentioned, for example, though the primary story of Dragonsteel (which is no longer canon) was about several people who unwittingly became Dawnshards.

• Rysn Ftori - Readers don't know if the Dawnshard currently held by Rysn is the same as that of Hoid.

• Sigzil - At one point, Sigzil held the same Dawnshard that Hoid used to have.

Notes

The pie chart-like cover art of the Gollancz edition of Dawnshard supports the above quote here.

Theory

Since there are four Dawnshards, and sixteen Intents of Adonalsium, it may be possible that each Dawnshard Command is somehow related to four Shardic Intents. This theory is also supported by the cover art of the Gollancz edition of Dawnshard.

Q&A with Brandon

Q: I was wondering if Dawnshards were created at the same time that Adonalsium was.

A: Dawnshards, I'll have to RAFO that, mostly because my timeline for all the Yolen stuff, with the Adonalsium stuff, is going to depend on writing Dragonsteel. And right now, I intend those to be post-Adonalsium but pre-Shattering. But I can't canonize that until I've actually written that mythology and lore. Because the original Intent of the Dawnshards, when you read Dragonsteel Prime (which we'll release with the Words of Radiance leatherbound), you will find two Dawnshards in there. And their original Intent has changed a great deal as I've canonized things and really, really dug into building the cosmere. And you'll see what my kind of original intent for those was. (Or at least I can talk about it.) And it's changed since then. The way that they were in that book (and have remained so far) is that they are younger than Adonalsium.

Q. Do all Dawnshards come with a Torment?

A. Not necessarily. It depends on your definition of Torment, and it depends on some other context. As you find out more about the Dawnshards, that will become more clear.

Q. If Sigzil got a Torment from being a Dawnshard, would someone like Kelsier, who has held a Shard, also manifest a Torment tied to the Intent of Preservation?

A. Not necessarily.