MeLaan

Mistborn · Character

MeLaan

  • Supporting
  • First seen · Book 3 · Ch. 9

MeLaan is a supporting character in Mistborn (Book 3).

Gender
female
Age
young adult
First appears
Book 3 · Ch. 9
Books
4

MeLaan is a kandra of the Second Generation's successors who first appears in the Final Empire's twilight wearing a whimsical True Body of spindly wooden bones, an early sign of her irreverent individuality among her people. Centuries later, as an agent of Harmony in Elendel, she joins Waxillium Ladrian's hunt for the rogue kandra Paalm, insisting that even a murderous Faceless Immortal deserves capture and help rather than death, and refusing to lie under oath. Her long, affectionate romance with Wayne becomes one of her defining bonds, but true to the warnings of TenSoon and VenDell about loving mortals, she ultimately ends it to accept Harmony's assignment to explore worlds beyond Scadrial, leaving gently but firmly as a formidable, self-possessed immortal with an emerald skeleton of her own design.

Description

A slender female kandra with an eccentric True Body crafted entirely from spindly wooden bones that create an exaggeratedly thin and willowy silhouette, almost inhuman in its unnatural proportions. Her long wooden skull frames a thin face with a sharply pointed triangular chin and a pair of overly large, expressive eyes that dominate her features and reveal her emotions clearly. Twisted bits of cloth stick out from her head like rebellious hair, enhancing her quirky and distinctive appearance as she moves with a delicate yet purposeful grace. MeLaan is a tall, limber woman at least six foot four with an androgynous appearance and very short blonde hair. Her cheeks are faintly transparent, revealing an emerald skeleton beneath. She wears stylish blue trousers and a buttoned shirt. She has also appeared as a large grey-and-white short-haired dog. A pretty young woman with large eyes and jet-black hair, wearing a sleekly elegant gown torn off below the knees. Her chest can turn nearly transparent, and one breast can split open to reveal a small handgun. MeLaan is exceptionally tall, at least six feet four, with a long, limber build and an androgynous silhouette. Her very short blonde hair frames a face whose faintly transparent cheeks reveal the emerald-green bones beneath. She favors stylish blue trousers and a buttoned shirt, carrying the clothes with effortless polish. Her calm, confident presence is sharpened by the uncanny glimpse of green skeleton beneath her skin.

Connections

  • Wayneconflicting source relationships

    Begins as an easy, bantering companionship—Wayne coaches her accents while they guard Innate—and grows into a six-year romance. Wayne is more deeply attached; MeLaan, mindful of her immortality, ends it to serve Harmony beyond Scadrial, doing so with gentleness and genuine affection.

  • Harmonyconflicting source relationships

    MeLaan serves Harmony willingly, calling him generally kind in contrast to the kandra's old service to the Lord Ruler; her loyalty culminates in accepting a mission off-world that she prioritizes over her love life.

  • Marasi Colmsally

    Cooperates with Marasi in the Paalm investigation, debating the ethics of prosecuting nobles; their friendship persists through Wayne's connection.

  • Paalmfellow kandra

    A dangerous, lost member of MeLaan's dwindling people; MeLaan helps oppose her yet insists she is a person deserving rescue rather than execution.

  • TenSoonfellow kandra

    A respected elder whose opinion she values—she fears his disapproval for killing—and who warns her that mortals experience time and attachment differently.

  • Waxillium Ladrianconflicting source relationships

    A trusted ally who once brought him a crucial earring and later aids his hunt for Paalm, advising on kandra weaknesses and protecting him in battle.

  • CA

    Claude Aradelinformant

    Provides Aradel the proof that Paalm is a kandra and promises her people's aid to Elendel.

  • V

    VenDellfellow kandra

    An ancient kandra who discusses human nature with her and cautions her against attachment to mortals.

  • WI

    Winsting Innateassumed identity

    MeLaan wears Innate's appearance and voice while in custody.

Story so far

  1. BOOK 3The Hero of Ages
    • Appears among the kandra of the Homeland during the crisis of the Final Empire's collapse
    • Displays an eccentric True Body of thin wooden bones with cloth 'hair' and oversized expressive eyes
    • Represents the younger, more unconventional generation of kandra
  2. BOOK 4The Lost Metal (The Mistborn Saga)
    • Mentioned as possibly having broken up with Wayne
    • Appears in the form of a large dog before shifting into a tall, androgynous human body
    • Reveals her emerald skeleton through transparent cheeks
    • Revealed to be roughly 667 years old and serving Harmony
  3. BOOK 5Shadows of Self
    • Impersonates former governor Winsting Innate while in custody, guarded by Wayne
    • Confirms to Governor Aradel that Paalm is a kandra and pledges her people's aid
    • Advises Wax on kandra abilities and joins the confrontation with Paalm, briefly incapacitated by a Hemalurgic spike
    • Argues that Paalm should be captured and helped, and refuses to lie as a witness despite Marasi's case
  4. BOOK 7The Lost Metal
    • Takes a new assignment from Harmony ('the big guy') and fights alongside the constables
    • Proves herself a formidable fighter in a stylish humanlike body built around her emerald skeleton
    • Ends her six-year relationship with Wayne to undertake a long-term mission beyond Scadrial
    • Shares a final tender conversation with Wayne, acknowledging how much he meant to her

Book 5: Shadows of Self

Appearances

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