Ruin
MajorA tall, broad-shouldered man with a hard, angular face unrelieved by any humor, standing in a straight-backed posture that conveys authority and occasional benevolence. His eyes are distinctly unnatural and piercing, betraying the immortal force controlling the form of Vin's brother Reen, while his mouth can slacken open in moments of blissful pleasure during destruction. He has fair skin, short dark hair, and a powerful build suggesting a lifetime of hardship, dressed in simple dark garments as he gestures with clasped hands behind his back or folded arms.
Ruin is a Shard of Adonalsium whose influence grows from subtle manipulation to overt destruction across the Mistborn series. Initially appearing as an unseen force whispering in the minds of the insane, Ruin gradually reveals itself as the driving antagonist behind the world's impending doom. By the final book, Ruin manifests physically through the body of Vin's brother Reen, becoming a tangible presence that nearly succeeds in ending all life on Scadrial before its defeat.
Physical Description
A tall, broad-shouldered man with a hard, angular face unrelieved by any humor, standing in a straight-backed posture that conveys authority and occasional benevolence. His eyes are distinctly unnatural and piercing, betraying the immortal force controlling the form of Vin's brother Reen, while his mouth can slacken open in moments of blissful pleasure during destruction. He has fair skin, short dark hair, and a powerful build suggesting a lifetime of hardship, dressed in simple dark garments as he gestures with clasped hands behind his back or folded arms.
Gallery
Book 3: The Hero of Ages
Evolution
The Hero of Ages
A tall, broad-shouldered man with a hard, angular face unrelieved by any humor, standing in a straight-backed posture that conveys authority and occasional benevolence. His eyes are distinctly unnatural and piercing, betraying the immortal force controlling the form of Vin's brother Reen, while his mouth can slacken open in moments of blissful pleasure during destruction. He has fair skin, short dark hair, and a powerful build suggesting a lifetime of hardship, dressed in simple dark garments as he gestures with clasped hands behind his back or folded arms.
- Manifests physically in the body of Vin's deceased brother Reen, revealing its true nature as an immortal Shard
- Controls Marsh as a fully subservient Inquisitor to carry out its destructive agenda
- Nearly succeeds in destroying Scadrial by releasing the mists and causing mass devastation
- Is ultimately defeated when Vin sacrifices herself to destroy Ruin's physical form
Relationships
Ruin transforms Marsh from a rebellious ally into its primary physical agent, using him as a fully controlled Inquisitor to execute its will across the world
Key Events
Book Appearances
The Hero of Ages
First appears Ch 46