Honorblades

Honorblades are an ancient class of Shardblades in the world of Roshar, central to the lore of the Stormlight Archive series. Forged by the deity Honor, they were granted to humans during the era of the Desolations and are distinct from ordinary Shardblades in their origin and perceived power. Unlike typical Shardblades that arise from bonding with a spren, Honorblades are said to be created directly by Honor and can be wielded without a formal spren bond.

There were ten known Honorblades, each historically linked to one of the ten orders of Knights Radiant. Over time many blades were lost, hidden, or taken by different parties, and the surviving blades become central to several plot threads in later installments. The blades are described as exceptionally potent, often granting the wielder extraordinary combat abilities and a direct, oath-based bond to the old orders.

To use an Honorblade, a wielder is bound to an oath system associated with the Knights Radiant. The blade amplifies investiture and can empower the bearer to perform feats beyond ordinary Shardblades; however, breaking the agreed oaths carries a cost and can diminish the blade's power or harm the user. Because of their oath-based nature, Honorblades are both coveted and dangerous artifacts in Rosharan politics and wartime strategy.

In modern Roshar, the existence and disposition of Honorblades influence several factions and storylines. The resurfacing of one or more blades affects alliances among the surviving Heralds, the Knights Radiant, and various political powers, motivating searches for missing blades and careful handling by those who seek to avoid triggering old oaths.