Steris Ladrian

Also known as Steris Harms, Steris Harms Ladrian, Steris

Major
First seen · Book 4 · Ch. 2

Steris Ladrian is a major character in Mistborn (Book 4).

Gender: female
Age: young adult
First appears: Book 4 · Ch. 2
Books: 3

Steris Ladrian, born into House Harms, enters the story as Waxillium Ladrian's meticulously organized fiancée, a woman who plans for every contingency and quietly affirms the worth of Wax's work even when he doubts himself. Over the series she grows from a seemingly arranged political match into Wax's devoted wife, the mother of Max and Tindwyl, and his partner in scientific and political matters. In the climactic crisis over the Set's bomb, her careful thinking makes her one of Elendel's most important leaders. She sees through the Set's political traps, faces down hostile council members, and directs the city's evacuation. Her composure never erases her fear, but it gives her a way to endure it, and Wax names his love for her as the reason he returned from death.

Description

Woman carrying a bag, particular about seating arrangements. A human woman with blonde hair worn up in a bun. She wears a blue flowered dress and prim hat in her earliest described appearance; later, she is seen in a gauzy, draping white dress with a small bustle, a distinct waist, and sequins along the collar and cuffs. Her shoes fasten securely. Steris is a young adult woman of average build, dressed in formal attire. She carries notebooks, which she handles with purposeful care. Her appearance is otherwise not detailed; her most noticeable impression is one of composure and attentive practicality. Steris is a young adult woman whose appearance is described through practical restraint rather than distinctive physical features; her height, build, coloring, hair, eyes, and face are not specified. She wears sensible clothing suited to reading and organizing stacks of papers, with a small silver spear necklace at her throat. Her presence is steady and attentive, the sort that makes careful preparation feel like a form of kindness. A human woman in neat, formal clothing suited to an affluent Elendel household, with gloves and a face mask when circumstances call for them. Her posture is usually controlled and precise, and her lips can press into a firm line; she carries notebooks and, in private moments, relaxes beside Wax with her shoes off and stockinged feet tucked to one side. Her hair, complexion, eyes, height, and build are not established by the available descriptions.

Connections

Family & partnersFriends & mentorsRivals

Marasi Colmsconflicting source relationships
Marasi is Steris's illegitimate half-sister through their shared father. Their once-distant relationship, strained by resentment, grows into genuine affection, and they work together on investigations and family matters.
Waxillium Ladrianconflicting source relationships
The two begin as betrothed partners whose relationship balances her planning against his impulsiveness. They become a deeply devoted married couple who are also scientific and political collaborators. Wax credits his love for her with his choice to return from death.
ML
Maxillium Ladrianmother
Max is Steris's son. She responds warmly to his stories and cares for him while Wax is away.
LH
Lord Harmsdaughter
Lord Harms is Steris's father and the patriarch of House Harms.
TL
Tindwyl Ladrianmother
Tindwyl is Steris's infant daughter, whom she protects through the crises.
TenSoonconflicting source relationships
TenSoon is an ally in arbitrating the dispute over the Bands of Mourning and in running the evacuation station.
Wayneconflicting source relationships
Wayne starts out teasingly jealous of Wax's engagement to her. He comes to care for her deeply and wants her to know that his sacrifice saved her.
GV
Governor Varlanceconflicting source relationships
Varlance moves from political contact to someone who follows her lead. He heeds her evacuation plans even after she was excluded from his council.
Replar Innatepolitical acquaintance
Innate is a political acquaintance whom Steris admires for his orderly motives and record.
Telsin Ladrianconflicting source relationships
Telsin is Steris's sister-in-law. Steris's evacuation directly opposes Telsin's plan to destroy Elendel, yet Telsin sends Allomancers to aid her at the docks.
A
Adawathwynconflicting source relationships
Adawathwyn is a political opponent who blocks Steris from the council and pushes forceful measures. Steris suspects her of being a Set agent or decoy.

Story so far

BOOK 4The Lost Metal (The Mistborn Saga)
- Appears as Wax's wife, carrying a bag and fussing over seating arrangements
- Prepares supplies and plans to support Wax's investigations
- Works with Governor Varlance to evacuate Elendel during the crisis
- Cares for her daughter Tindwyl amid danger
BOOK 5Shadows of Self
- Attends a party led by her father, Lord Harms, as Wax's betrothed
- Encourages the politician Replar Innate to take Wax's warning seriously
- Survives an attack and is checked on by her half-sister Marasi
- Reassures Wax of the value of his actions despite his doubts about his motives
BOOK 7The Lost Metal
- Conducts metal experiments with Wax and VenDell, documenting results and planning for hazards
- Is excluded from the select council by Adawathwyn but forces her warning before Governor Varlance
- Identifies the escalation as a Set trap, suspects Lady Gardre and Adawathwyn, and argues for evacuating Elendel
- Directs the evacuation alongside Reddi and TenSoon, then watches the distant explosion from a rooftop while gripping her spear necklace
- Receives help from Allomancers sent by Telsin, and is remembered in Wayne's final sacrifice