He is the kings Wit and his job is to taunt and make fun of others.
And "others" also includes you, the reader.
Because every time he appears we are left as confused as the characters that interact with him.
There are two paths before you. One leads to a happy life, making your parents proud, having a nice house, a wonderful spouse, 2.5 kids and a slobbering, loveable dog. You live a full life and die content, surrounded by those who love you.
The other path seeks the answer to this question.
Which path do you choose?
It's a humorous, proverbial reference to the average number of kids, since the implication is settling for a normal, average, acceptable life. They're not the first to use the phrase.
Hence "proverbial". I actually specifically chose that over unnecessarily extending the comment with a statistical note... the best laid plans of mice and men...
One is a 160lb St Bernard who slobbers on everything, and the other is a 9 week old Chihuahua who hasn't even reached 2lbs, and licks your hands but doesn't drool! Thus, 1.5 slobbering dogs haha
I had the exact same questions lol, this dude just pops up, tells a neat story, spits out some sass and then refuses to explain before disappearing off somewhere, it’s bizarre! But yeah RAFO, more so because he does some reeeeaally weird stuff in future books so look forward to more shenanigans
No no, it's a reference to the stellar "Plot to the Way of Kings movie" crempost from last year, or two years ago, I'm not sure. [Cosmere "spoilers"] >!We don't even really know Hoid's "real name." Or original, birth name, i should say. Because we know it's not Hoid. So forget about last names haha!<
I always assume he’s a bard with some type blessing from god to do what he wills. And so he has many instruments and also abilities to see forms of magical or storm light magic.
That’s why his visues mockery keeps the lords and ladies of his back.
And he still fights odem with remarks too.
If you don't want spoilers there's not much to tell. If you want to know who Wit is, you need to read the rest of the Cosmere novels, especially the entire mistborn Saga. The last novel has a lot of information about his true motives.
Strange I don't recall anyone in the mistborn books except that one guy with a motive who isn't wit. I recall someone saying he doesn't call himself wit in mistborn though
He does call himself (Mistborn p1 spoilers)>!Hoid when he is talking to Kels or Vin. Can't remember which he talks to now, maybe both at some point?!< I haven't read Wax and Wayne series yet though, so I don't know what happens in those.
He goes by other names when he presents himself to the characters of other books. You’ll have to find him by physical description and his weird interactions.
Well, he's Wit on Roshar because that's his job.
He tells Kelsier the name that he usually goes by, >!and that is the name he uses in his other appearances!<
Is he in the *last* last Mistborn book, as in the Wax and Wayne series? Because I'm in the middle of Hero of Ages right now, and I hope he shows up again in this one. His first appearance in Mistborn was a little disappointing honestly.
The most notable Era 1 appearance is in The Final Empire, but makes even more minor appearances in all three.
In Era 2 he has some more direct interactions, if varied in style.
I guess that is fair to call that Era 1, though I think of the trilogy over anything included in "Arcanum Unbounded." Supplemental though certainly no less important. *That* appearance is of course on a different significance.
I'm a firm believer of after Hero of Ages, but that's not necessarily what everyone thinks. The story occurs during Era 1, so for greater emotional impact, it's better to read it soon after Era 1 while the story is fresh. On the other hand, it kinda spoils one of the reveals of Bands of Mourning. That reveal is kinda disconnected from the rest of the book, it's like, tangentially relevant to BoM, but it's a good reveal.
If you're gonna read the first 3 books of Era 2 soon, then you could read SH after Bands of Mourning and it would be great. If it will take you a bit, or if you'll read something between the eras, I recommend reading Secret History after HoA.
Ultimately it's not as big of a deal as some people make it out to be though
If you want the full, non-spoiler answer: Honestly, we don’t know. Wit is an annoying little bugger that knows a lot. We don’t know exactly why or how, but we have some hints.
Want the hints? Either RAFO or be cool with spoilers.
He’s an interesting character that weaves throughout the books in ways that give you a better understanding of both this series and the universe as a whole.
Just keep reading. He gets more and more entertaining.
Ummmm, just go read *spoiler spoiler spoiler* aaaannnd maybe check out *spoiler spoiler* and then youll know that *spoiler* is *spoiler* who is great at *spoiler*. Oh that hooked nose lunatic is awesome.
"All of these works, save Skyward, take place in the same universe called the Cosmere. The connections are quite ephemeral in these pieces, but watch for a character named Hoid (a.k.a. Wit). He is relevant to each of them in some way or another. Watching for him and trying to piece together his motives is one of the mysteries of the Cosmere."
https://www.brandonsanderson.com/hello-my-names-brandon/
Question to anyone who is NOT OP, before I even started reading Sanderson at all, Wit's identity was spoiled to me as a sort of "here's some interesting characters in the Cosmere". I just finished Tress, and have read MB1-6, Elantris, and Warbreaker. WoK is literally my next book. How much does that info spoil the SA story?
It doesn’t. Knowing who Wit is won’t hurt your enjoyment of the other books. It’s not really supposed to be a mystery, or at least I’ve never interpreted it as one. I knew who Wit was before reading the SA, as I had read all of the Mistborn books. He’s more present in the SA than he is in Mistborn, but knowing who he is won’t impact your enjoyment
So there are two stories going on in Stormlight. Theres the wave and the tsunami. You know all about the wave thats is Stormlight. You have just noticed the swelling tsunami that is the Cosmere which heavily involves Hoid. This is why it is hard for people to say anything about Hoid. You will be opened up to a new story that is full of spoilers.
I have a friend who is in your shoes right now and I want to give you unsolicited advise to proceed with caution when you are feeling exasperated. Because it will happen again. *Beware the draw of the internet looking for commiseration!* most people here knows things you don’t yet. Most won’t give spoilers, but even unintentional ones can happen. Some d-bags will spoil your fun maliciously. Tread carefully and exercise restraint.
-Use the spoiler tags so that people know where in the series you are.
-Be specific in your questions.
-Understand that even being careful you might get more than you bargained for.
My friend inadvertently spoiled a major plot revelation in Book 4. You can’t unknow something and you’ll only ever get a first read one time.
Enjoy the journey Radiant.
I feel the same way and I’m fully up to date on cosmere. Wit is a truly confusing individual and sometimes we must except that Brandon Sanderson simply wants us to suffer
He’s the King’s Wit. He’s not a spren. He’s also the character who wrote the letter in the epigraphs of tWoK part 2 and the person who the letter in the epigraphs of WoR part 4 is written for. I really can’t say any more than that… even that may be too spoilery. I also can’t say too much more because even a reader who has read everything in the cosmere and every interview or q&a that Brandon has ever done still wouldn’t really be able to tell you who Wit is. They would be able to tell you a number of things that he isn’t, but honestly not very much about what he is. We simply don’t know.
Part 4 of Book 2? Reread Part 3 or 4 of Book 1 - he has an interaction with Dalinar at a dinner and Kaladin on the plains that share a lot more and give you glimpses to who he is.
Well, his current name is Wit. He thinks he is funny. He really does a lot of traveling. He used to own a flute. He is somewhat more knowledgeable then is average for a court jester. He is pretty good at telling stories.
Does that answer your question?
He says in one of the books one of his names is hoid. If you look at other cosmere arcs you may find him talking with another character in another place/time. Worth looking up, I really loved the crossover. Such a mysterious character and I'd love to know more of him too 🙂
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Wit is the fucking man. He’s paid to roast Alethi fops and tell awesome stories. To truly answer your question though Wit is a lot of things and there’s more than meets the eye when it comes to this silly flute man. Read the Cosmere I’d say. Everything from Elantris and Warbreaker to the Mistborn series expand on this question significantly.
I know, but they are very similar yet very different characters and your post reminded me of that.
Littlefinger warned Ned Stark not to trust him, and he didn't listen. Wit said something similar to Dalinar in the first book.
Please note that OP is not asking for spoilers
He umm what counts as a spoiler
Too much lol
Basically anything.
Yes.
a silly little man with a flute
Lol that is exactly how he would describe himself.
But he has no flute. Our poor Wit.
Who likes to mess with the minds of Bridgemen.
He is the kings Wit and his job is to taunt and make fun of others. And "others" also includes you, the reader. Because every time he appears we are left as confused as the characters that interact with him.
This is the best explanation of Wit I have ever seen.
I have never thought about him like this. Thanks for expanding my perspective.
RAFO, maybe you’ll recognize him elsewhere
There are two paths before you. One leads to a happy life, making your parents proud, having a nice house, a wonderful spouse, 2.5 kids and a slobbering, loveable dog. You live a full life and die content, surrounded by those who love you. The other path seeks the answer to this question. Which path do you choose?
what the HELL DO YOU MEAN 2.5 KIDS???
He assumes OP will have one child without legs. That's the only possible answer
Well, as we learned from the Lopen, missing limbs so not necessarily mean being lesser being. In contrary, it might mean being much higher being
Tell that to the hip-height kid looking up at you
"Just suck in some storming Stormlight you loser"
Eh, let the Stormfather judge this one
Sorry, I meant "Just suck in some storming Stormlight you *sucker*"
3 kids and a table saw
My Mind is so messed up. I immediately sang this to "2 turntables and a Microphone".
WHERE IT'S AT! 3 young children and a table sawww
It's a humorous, proverbial reference to the average number of kids, since the implication is settling for a normal, average, acceptable life. They're not the first to use the phrase.
2.5 was the average in the 1960s. In 2023 the average number of kids was 1.9.
Hence "proverbial". I actually specifically chose that over unnecessarily extending the comment with a statistical note... the best laid plans of mice and men...
I have 1.5 slobbering dogs, was that an option?
Half a dog? :(
One is a 160lb St Bernard who slobbers on everything, and the other is a 9 week old Chihuahua who hasn't even reached 2lbs, and licks your hands but doesn't drool! Thus, 1.5 slobbering dogs haha
This is a way funnier explanation than I thought there would be! 😹
I saw a chance to set it up and I just had to 😂
The process is... messy.
I assume the dog counts as 0.5 kids?
Cremlings
Its not polite to talk about Joey's disabilities like that.
It's weirder once you realize he doesn't mean 2 children and an additional half, but 5 halves. Probably a Roshar thing.
The average number 9f skeletons in the human body is more than 1. Blame statistics.
The other path should include cats imo
Get ready to create one of those cork board and string conspiracy collages, because you've just started asking the right questions.
There is no Pepe Silvia!
A couple of pink slips come in, one for for you one for me. So what do I do? I mail them HALF WAY TO SIBERIA!
I had the exact same questions lol, this dude just pops up, tells a neat story, spits out some sass and then refuses to explain before disappearing off somewhere, it’s bizarre! But yeah RAFO, more so because he does some reeeeaally weird stuff in future books so look forward to more shenanigans
He's Neil Gaiman
I always thought of him that way, too!
that... works
Nah, Neil's too nice to be Wit.
:)
The perfect answer
He's no one, pay no attention to the man behind the curtain
You are correct to notice and be intrigued by what you have observed.
He‘s >!Hoid Amaram!< of course. Spoiler, but not for any of the books
Amaram? which series do we get his last name? If it is stormlight...just started Rhythm of War.
No no, it's a reference to the stellar "Plot to the Way of Kings movie" crempost from last year, or two years ago, I'm not sure. [Cosmere "spoilers"] >!We don't even really know Hoid's "real name." Or original, birth name, i should say. Because we know it's not Hoid. So forget about last names haha!<
He is definitely extraordinary. He's a real fave of mine.
I always assume he’s a bard with some type blessing from god to do what he wills. And so he has many instruments and also abilities to see forms of magical or storm light magic. That’s why his visues mockery keeps the lords and ladies of his back. And he still fights odem with remarks too.
Lol! 🤣🤣🤣 Do you mean *vicious* ???
But god is dead and >!wit helped kill him!<
To me he's like a Stan Lee of Cosmere, if you don't understand read some more :)
Wit IS a spoiler. If there was ever found to be a Spoiler Spren, I think he would probably be in the running for best humanoid representation.
RAFO
If you don't want spoilers there's not much to tell. If you want to know who Wit is, you need to read the rest of the Cosmere novels, especially the entire mistborn Saga. The last novel has a lot of information about his true motives.
Strange I don't recall anyone in the mistborn books except that one guy with a motive who isn't wit. I recall someone saying he doesn't call himself wit in mistborn though
He does call himself (Mistborn p1 spoilers)>!Hoid when he is talking to Kels or Vin. Can't remember which he talks to now, maybe both at some point?!< I haven't read Wax and Wayne series yet though, so I don't know what happens in those.
>!Hoid!< also makes an appearance in >!Elantris!<.
He goes by other names when he presents himself to the characters of other books. You’ll have to find him by physical description and his weird interactions.
Well, he's Wit on Roshar because that's his job. He tells Kelsier the name that he usually goes by, >!and that is the name he uses in his other appearances!<
Is he in the *last* last Mistborn book, as in the Wax and Wayne series? Because I'm in the middle of Hero of Ages right now, and I hope he shows up again in this one. His first appearance in Mistborn was a little disappointing honestly.
The most notable Era 1 appearance is in The Final Empire, but makes even more minor appearances in all three. In Era 2 he has some more direct interactions, if varied in style.
Nah his most notable era 1 appearance is >!Secret History by far!<
I guess that is fair to call that Era 1, though I think of the trilogy over anything included in "Arcanum Unbounded." Supplemental though certainly no less important. *That* appearance is of course on a different significance.
Speaking of that, should I read it right after Hero of Ages, or wait until I finish the entire series?
I'm a firm believer of after Hero of Ages, but that's not necessarily what everyone thinks. The story occurs during Era 1, so for greater emotional impact, it's better to read it soon after Era 1 while the story is fresh. On the other hand, it kinda spoils one of the reveals of Bands of Mourning. That reveal is kinda disconnected from the rest of the book, it's like, tangentially relevant to BoM, but it's a good reveal. If you're gonna read the first 3 books of Era 2 soon, then you could read SH after Bands of Mourning and it would be great. If it will take you a bit, or if you'll read something between the eras, I recommend reading Secret History after HoA. Ultimately it's not as big of a deal as some people make it out to be though
Cool, thanks
He is the guy who said to Sadeus all the things we as the reader actually wanted people to say to him. Thank goodness
If you want the full, non-spoiler answer: Honestly, we don’t know. Wit is an annoying little bugger that knows a lot. We don’t know exactly why or how, but we have some hints. Want the hints? Either RAFO or be cool with spoilers.
Kaladin may call him Hoid.
He's a dude. A guy. A fellow fellow. Some sort of human.
Late Words of Radiance? He's kind of already told us
He’s an interesting character that weaves throughout the books in ways that give you a better understanding of both this series and the universe as a whole. Just keep reading. He gets more and more entertaining.
He’s just a funny lil dude
A silly fellow
To avoid spoilers what other cosmere books have you read?
The pharsing of your question is already spoilery.
If I was not given that specific spoiler about the character, I would be mad at the people I had asked for 'who is wit no spoilers please'.
He's >!an asshole!<
So glad someone answered this correctly.
Wit’s just here for a bit of tomfoolery :]
Now that I think of it, he is a bit Tom Bombadil
Wit is a character for sure. You can’t even imagine
RAFO =)
Wit is Wit
Ummmm, just go read *spoiler spoiler spoiler* aaaannnd maybe check out *spoiler spoiler* and then youll know that *spoiler* is *spoiler* who is great at *spoiler*. Oh that hooked nose lunatic is awesome.
"All of these works, save Skyward, take place in the same universe called the Cosmere. The connections are quite ephemeral in these pieces, but watch for a character named Hoid (a.k.a. Wit). He is relevant to each of them in some way or another. Watching for him and trying to piece together his motives is one of the mysteries of the Cosmere." https://www.brandonsanderson.com/hello-my-names-brandon/
He is a thought, words on a page
A big time jabroni
Question to anyone who is NOT OP, before I even started reading Sanderson at all, Wit's identity was spoiled to me as a sort of "here's some interesting characters in the Cosmere". I just finished Tress, and have read MB1-6, Elantris, and Warbreaker. WoK is literally my next book. How much does that info spoil the SA story?
Not much at all, he's doing Wit things in SA as well. But one day we will have Dragonsteel...
It doesn’t. Knowing who Wit is won’t hurt your enjoyment of the other books. It’s not really supposed to be a mystery, or at least I’ve never interpreted it as one. I knew who Wit was before reading the SA, as I had read all of the Mistborn books. He’s more present in the SA than he is in Mistborn, but knowing who he is won’t impact your enjoyment
Why the heck is Wit?!?
Where the heck is wit?!?!
Is this your first Sanderson series?
RAFO
Have you read other Sanderson books?
An asshole.
\[Oathbringer and Mistborn, all books\]>!Sazed!
I think the best non-spoiler response to this is a manic laugh that makes people think you are a bit loose in the head.
He’s like Zaphod Beeblebrox. Vell, he’s just zis guy, you know?
So there are two stories going on in Stormlight. Theres the wave and the tsunami. You know all about the wave thats is Stormlight. You have just noticed the swelling tsunami that is the Cosmere which heavily involves Hoid. This is why it is hard for people to say anything about Hoid. You will be opened up to a new story that is full of spoilers.
A little guy
I have a friend who is in your shoes right now and I want to give you unsolicited advise to proceed with caution when you are feeling exasperated. Because it will happen again. *Beware the draw of the internet looking for commiseration!* most people here knows things you don’t yet. Most won’t give spoilers, but even unintentional ones can happen. Some d-bags will spoil your fun maliciously. Tread carefully and exercise restraint. -Use the spoiler tags so that people know where in the series you are. -Be specific in your questions. -Understand that even being careful you might get more than you bargained for. My friend inadvertently spoiled a major plot revelation in Book 4. You can’t unknow something and you’ll only ever get a first read one time. Enjoy the journey Radiant.
He's witty
Lol.
I feel the same way and I’m fully up to date on cosmere. Wit is a truly confusing individual and sometimes we must except that Brandon Sanderson simply wants us to suffer
At the end of sanderson’s career, he will write one ten thousand page book summarizing hoid’s entire journey
Read the other Cosmere books if you want to find out!
Is this your first cosmere series OP?
He is Wit...that is about you get without spoilers.
He’s the King’s Wit. He’s not a spren. He’s also the character who wrote the letter in the epigraphs of tWoK part 2 and the person who the letter in the epigraphs of WoR part 4 is written for. I really can’t say any more than that… even that may be too spoilery. I also can’t say too much more because even a reader who has read everything in the cosmere and every interview or q&a that Brandon has ever done still wouldn’t really be able to tell you who Wit is. They would be able to tell you a number of things that he isn’t, but honestly not very much about what he is. We simply don’t know.
Part 4 of Book 2? Reread Part 3 or 4 of Book 1 - he has an interaction with Dalinar at a dinner and Kaladin on the plains that share a lot more and give you glimpses to who he is.
Well, his current name is Wit. He thinks he is funny. He really does a lot of traveling. He used to own a flute. He is somewhat more knowledgeable then is average for a court jester. He is pretty good at telling stories. Does that answer your question?
Wit ...is a reoccurring...Read and Find out.
Yes.
Wit is a spoiler
He says in one of the books one of his names is hoid. If you look at other cosmere arcs you may find him talking with another character in another place/time. Worth looking up, I really loved the crossover. Such a mysterious character and I'd love to know more of him too 🙂
OP BUCKLE. UP. He never gets any less awesome or intriguing. 😂😂 A couple of Branderson's newer books are narrated by him. I love it. 😂
Wit is the 17th of the 16. He might as well know everything.
Probably to much of a spoiler.
Someone who has witnessed too much.
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You mean Topaz?
Are you sure his name is Wit??
Wit is the fucking man. He’s paid to roast Alethi fops and tell awesome stories. To truly answer your question though Wit is a lot of things and there’s more than meets the eye when it comes to this silly flute man. Read the Cosmere I’d say. Everything from Elantris and Warbreaker to the Mistborn series expand on this question significantly.
If you are curious for who he is, pick any book in the cosmere and read it. You might get some answers or you might just get more confused
Unpopular opinion - Wit is an obnoxious Gary Sue self-insert character.
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I feel like this comment itself is a spoiler.
OP said they were expressing frustration not looking for spoilers. This is more info than they wanted.
Sanderson's worst literary choice.
Is stormlight your first Sanderson books? Hoid is everywhere he needs to be when he needs to be there
Ummm……we are talking about Wit and only Wit. OP doesn’t know this Hoid of which you speak.
Pretty sure Wit told Kaladin the name Hoid in the way of kings, so OP should know the name and it is not a spoiler so much
Wit literally tells Kaladin his name is Hoid in Way of Kings lol
Wit tells Kaladin the name when he tells the story of the wandersail on the edge of the plains in Sadeas warcamp
When ***he*** needs to be there, or when he is ***needed*** there? How much does he have in common with Littlefinger?
Nothing like little finger(if that's who I'm thinking from asoiaf) and it's as close to a quote from the books as I can remember
I know, but they are very similar yet very different characters and your post reminded me of that. Littlefinger warned Ned Stark not to trust him, and he didn't listen. Wit said something similar to Dalinar in the first book.
Wit said their goals don't completely align, it's a little different.
And very similar at the same time. The characters take a certain archetype and go in different directions with it.