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, the malevolent force of decay and destruction in the Mistborn series, manifests in 'The Hero of Ages' by possessing the body of Vin's brother Reen, revealing its ancient antagonism against Preservation as the true architect of the world's impending doom. This embodiment allows Ruin to orchestrate cataclysmic events through subtle manipulations, culminating in a climactic confrontation where its insatiable hunger for ruin threatens all existence. Ultimately, Vin's sacrifice merges Preservation's power with Ruin's, neutralizing the godlike entity's destructive will and restoring balance to the Cosmere.
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
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.
- Possesses the body of Vin's brother Reen, adopting a tall, angular form with piercing unnatural eyes.
- Manipulates Inquisitors, particularly controlling Marsh as a servant to advance its agenda.
- Orchestrates the release of the deadly mists and atium production to accelerate planetary destruction.
- Reveals its true nature through visions and direct communication, taunting protagonists with its omnipresence.
- Engages in final battle where Vin absorbs its power, leading to Ruin's defeat and integration.
Relationships
Ruin exerts direct control over Marsh, an Inquisitor, compelling him to execute critical tasks like influencing key events and thwarting heroes; this possession persists through the book's climax, highlighting Ruin's strategy of using corrupted agents.
Book Appearances
The Hero of Ages
First appears Ch 46