Preservation
The ancient force of stasis that gifted Scadrial life and metal powers before merging with Ruin to form Harmony within Sazed.
Preservation is one of the two Shards of Adonalsium that came to rest on the planet Scadrial, representing the concept of stasis and unchanging life. Unlike its counterpart Ruin, which sought destruction, Preservation aimed to maintain existence in a perfect, static state. For thousands of years, it acted as the silent guardian of the world, infusing the atmosphere with white or silver mists and granting humanity the power to manipulate metals through Allomancy.
- Nature
- Shard of Adonalsium
- Concept
- Stasis and Preservation of Life
- Location
- Scadrial (formerly), currently merged within Sazed as Harmony
- Associated Metal
- Lerasium
- Manifestation
- The mists, the Well of Ascension, Allomancy
- Status
- Merged with Ruin; Shard now resides in Sazed
Lore & Background
Preservation and Ruin together created humanity and the world of Scadrial. Preservation's key intervention was to trap Ruin by giving up a portion of his own power at the Well of Ascension, limiting his influence and allowing life to continue. The mists—typically white or silver—are a manifestation of Preservation's power, and through them and the Well of Ascension, Preservation granted Allomancy to humanity. The era of ash and mist known as the Final Days was caused by Ruin's influence breaking through the Lord Ruler's control, not by Preservation.
In Their Own Story
The ash fell softly, a gray snow that never melted, covering the scorched earth in a blanket of silence. In this timeless expanse, a single figure stood amidst the swirling mists, not breathing, yet alive. The air hummed with a low, golden vibration, a constant reminder of the power holding back the void. It was not a god walking among men, but a force woven into the very fabric of reality, watching over its creation with an unblinking eye. The mist curled around the figure's feet, whispering secrets of metals and strength, waiting for the day when stasis would end and life could truly begin again.
Reader's Guide
Preservation functions as the source of Allomancy on Scadrial, granting individuals the ability to ingest and 'burn' specific metals to gain supernatural abilities. This power is drawn directly from the ambient gold mist that fills the atmosphere, which acts as a conduit for the Shard's energy. The magic system relies on a complex interplay between ingested metals and the user's intent. By burning these metals in their stomachs, Allomancers can manipulate gravity, enhance physical senses, or push against other metals in the environment. The strength of this power is directly linked to the intensity of the mists surrounding them. While Preservation originally acted as a distant guardian, its power eventually became accessible to humanity through the Lord Ruler and later the Kelsier's crew. Ultimately, the Shard ceased to exist as an independent entity when it merged with Ruin within the vessel Vin, transferring its essence into her and allowing her to become a new god.
Did You Know?
- Preservation's power is physically manifested as white or silver mists that permeate the atmosphere of Scadrial during the Final Days.
- The Shard created the Well of Ascension as a place where his power could be stored and accessed, not as a trap for Ruin; Preservation trapped Ruin by sacrificing a portion of his own power at the Well.
- Allomancy existed before the suspension era; Preservation did not create it to help humanity survive an invasion.
- After merging with Sazed (not Vin), the combined power of Preservation and Ruin allowed him to reshape the world without destroying it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Preservation?
Preservation is one of the two Shards of Adonalsium that landed on Scadrial, embodying the concept of stasis and unchanging life. It acted as a silent guardian for millennia before eventually merging with its counterpart, Ruin.
What powers did Preservation grant?
This Shard infused the planet's atmosphere with gold mist and enabled humans to manipulate metals through Allomancy. It also created the Well of Ascension and maintained the physical laws that kept humanity alive during the Deep Mist era.
How does Preservation's story end?
At the conclusion of the original trilogy, Sazed absorbs both Preservation and Ruin to become the new god, Harmony. Consequently, Preservation no longer exists as an independent entity but lives on within Sazed’s merged power.
Why is Preservation important?
It was responsible for sustaining life on the planet and providing the magical system that defined human culture for thousands of years. Without its influence, the world would have succumbed entirely to Ruin's destructive intent long ago.
Is Preservation still active today?
No, Preservation is currently merged with Ruin inside Sazed, who holds both Shards as Harmony. While the specific intent of stasis remains part of this new fusion, the original Shard identity has ceased to function separately.
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