
Mistborn · Character
TenSoon
- Minor
- First seen · Book 1 · Ch. 28
TenSoon is the stone-faced house kandra of Straff Venture in Mistborn (Book 1).
- Gender
- male
- Age
- ancient
- First appears
- Book 1 · Ch. 28
- Books
- 6
TenSoon begins as the stone-faced house kandra of Straff Venture, an ancient Second Generation servant bound by the Contract. After killing and replacing OreSeur to serve Vin, he comes to love his 'last and greatest master', breaks his Contract to reveal his identity, and returns to the Homeland, where he defies KanPaar and is reborn as a spike-empowered wolfhound. Centuries later he serves as Harmony's agent among the kandra, aiding Waxillium Ladrian against Paalm and later the Set, safeguarding the Bands of Mourning in Elendel's darkest hour.
Description
TenSoon appears in the body of a former servant from the Hasting household, though the servant’s specific coloring, features, build, and clothing are not described. His defining visible quality is a flat, controlled expression, as if his face had been carved from stone. He holds himself with an unnervingly still, unreadable presence. TenSoon inhabits a muscular wolfhound body, his form large and powerfully built with shaggy dark fur. Intense amber eyes gleam with ancient intelligence from beneath alert ears. He pads on heavy paws, head often bowing in deference, though his frame hints at underlying strength. Subtle mangling shows in exposed bones, yet his presence remains dignified and watchful. A mass of translucent connected muscles resembling large snails or slugs, malleable without skin or bones. TenSoon appears most commonly in the borrowed body of a middle-aged male constable, wearing the standard uniform with badge and cap. His build is solid and authoritative, with short-cropped hair and a face capable of expressing both thoughtfulness and horror. When revealing his kandra nature, his skin becomes transparent, showing the muscles and tendons beneath. His voice emerges as a grinding, rough growl when he speaks, and he carries himself with the quiet menace of a predator wearing human skin. A wolfhound, easily the largest Wax had seen, with a mottled grey pelt reminiscent of the mists, bestial eyes, and stark white teeth. It walks on all fours; after the fight, its pelt is missing hair in patches. TenSoon is lanky, with a notably long neck and freckles visible on his human-shaped body. His skin can turn transparent, making his borrowed form feel strange and exposed; no fixed hair color, eye color, or clothing style is specified. He moves awkwardly on two legs at times, though he can also prowl with unnerving intent. His face scrunches when he thinks, and his low, soft growl lends him a distinctly inhuman presence.
Connections
Family & partnersFriends & mentorsRivals

Elend Venturehouse kandra
Elend recognized TenSoon's borrowed body in Straff's study; TenSoon later indirectly aided his cause through Vin.

Harmonyconflicting source relationships
Becomes Harmony's devoted agent among the kandra, acting on his will and conveying his concerns to mortal leaders.

MeLaanfellow kandra
A mentor-like fellow kandra whose judgment MeLaan respects; he cautions her about attachment to mortals.

Steris Ladrianally
Works with Steris during Elendel's evacuation and in arbitrating use of the Bands.

Straff Ventureemployer
TenSoon served Straff as house kandra, a Contract he ultimately betrayed.

Vinformer servant
Initially served her under OreSeur's guise; grew devoted enough to break his Contract for her, later seeking her out and remembering her as his last and greatest master.

Waxillium Ladrianconflicting source relationships
Once Wax's bodyguard in the Roughs, TenSoon fights beside him in the Homeland despite tension over withheld truths, and later supports him against the Set.
- GV
Governor Varlanceadviser
Advises the governor on the Set's threat and fetches the Bands at his request.

Paalmconflicting source relationships
An ancient peer turned traitor whose Hemalurgic schemes TenSoon opposes.
- K
KanPaarThird vs Second Generation
TenSoon's defiance of the Second Generation leader in the Homeland triggered KanPaar's coup.
- O
OreSeurgeneration brother killer
TenSoon killed his generation brother, took his place, and stole his Blessing of Potency.
Story so far
BOOK 1Mistborn: The Final Empire
- Serves as House Venture's kandra under Straff Venture
- Appears in Straff's study wearing the body of a former Hasting servant
- Unsettles Elend with his stone-flat, borrowed expression
BOOK 2The Well of Ascension
- Kills OreSeur and impersonates him while serving Vin in wolfhound form
- Infiltrates Straff Venture's camp despite his Contract obligations
- Breaks his Contract and reveals his true identity to aid Vin
- Suffers broken, mangled bones as punishment for his betrayal of his master
BOOK 3The Hero of Ages
- Returns to the kandra Homeland to face judgment
- Challenges KanPaar's authority, prompting KanPaar's coup
- Takes a powerful wolfhound body enhanced by absorbed iron spikes
- Sets out to find Vin and share kandra secrets crucial to the world's fate
BOOK 4The Lost Metal (The Mistborn Saga)
- Appears disguised as Constable Gorglen in Elendel
- Reveals himself as a kandra by making his skin transparent
- Carries the Bands of Mourning in a box and presents them
- Prowls the central station as an ally in the crisis
BOOK 5Shadows of Self
- Appears as a massive mottled-grey wolfhound to aid Wax
- Identifies himself as Harmony's agent among the kandra
- Guides and fights alongside Wax through the Homeland
- Opposes Paalm's Hemalurgic schemes and confirms the truth about Lessie
BOOK 7The Lost Metal
- Warns MeLaan against growing too attached to mortals
- Reveals his identity to the senators to confirm the Set's threat
- Advises Governor Varlance and fetches the Bands of Mourning
- Assists Steris during the evacuation of Elendel
Key events
Appearances
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