Hoja esquirlada

A Shardblade is a magical weapon of unknown origin which was used by a Knight Radiant in previous epochs. They are currently possessed by various factions and persons across Roshar. There are an estimated twenty Shardblades held by Alethkar, another twenty for Jah Keved, and approximately another forty spread out among the rest of the world.

Shardblades are much longer than than an average blade (a notable exception being Szeth's Shardblade). They are unbreakable and can cut through any non-living material with ease. When a Shardblade encounters living flesh, it severs the creature's soul rather than its body; however, once the creature is killed, the remains interact with the blade like any other non-living material.

The Shardbearer must wait ten hearbeats (which the Shardbearer can hear no matter how loud his surroundings) after summoning the Shardblade before it appears. When a Shardblade appears, it forms as is from mist, wet with dew. If the Blade is dropped or put down when the Shardbearer is still alive, the Shardblade will vanish unless the bearer wills it to remain. However, when the Shardbearer dies, the Shardblade remains corporeal and may be claimed by another.

Theories

• Shardblades are created by the Almighty
• Shardblades are related to the Dawnblades held by the the Heralds.