the Lord Ruler

Also known as Rashek, his God, Sliver of Infinity

Major
First seen · Book 1

the Lord Ruler is a major character in Mistborn (Book 1).

Gender: male
Age: appears middle-aged (immortal)
First appears: Book 1
Books: 5

The Lord Ruler, born Rashek, is the immortal god-emperor of the Final Empire, who ruled for a thousand years through his obligators, Steel Inquisitors, and the enslavement of the skaa before Vin killed him at the climax of The Final Empire. After his death, his legacy darkens and grows more complicated: Sazed's logbook research shows he was a Terrisman porter who seized the power at the Well of Ascension, and later revelations show he held back the being Ruin and prepared humanity for the end of the world. Centuries later, in the era of Scadrial's industrial age, he survives as a religious and historical figure, venerated, reinterpreted, and even depicted with a paunch in temple portraits, his memory filtered through the faiths and myths that outlived him.

Description

A handsome, young-looking man with jet-black hair, pale skin, and a tall, thin build; when he removes his coat and shirt, his torso is strongly muscular. He wears an exaggerated black-and-white uniform with a floor-length trailing coat, a pure-black vest marked in brilliant white, and rings on his fingers. Several thin bracelets pierce the skin of his upper arms. His bearing is confident, though he can appear weary and exhausted. Tall, imposing figure with white hair in later years, muscular build. Tall, youthful appearing due to powers, dark hair A man with a ripe paunch, depicted with a cup thrust forward in a temple portrait. Historical ruler figure

Connections

Family & partnersFriends & mentorsRivals

Paalmformer master
The kandra Paalm was once his agent, carrying out missions like suppressing rebellions, a past revealed centuries after his death.
Straff Venturesubject
A powerful noble subject who fears the Lord Ruler's wrath over the rebellion and the Pits incident.
I
Inquisitorservant
The Steel Inquisitors serve as his enforcers, seeking power over the Ministry; he grants it and sends them after Vin.
Elend Ventureopponent
Elend recognizes the Lord Ruler as the empire's true enemy and stays in Luthadel, later inheriting the ruins of his empire.
Harmonyconflicting source relationships
As a Keeper, Sazed belongs to a group the Lord Ruler persecuted; he later becomes the scholar who uncovers the Lord Ruler's origins as Rashek.
Kelsierrebel
Kelsier leads a rebellion against the Lord Ruler's tyranny; the Lord Ruler kills him, but Kelsier's martyrdom ignites the uprising that brings down the Empire.
Marshrebel adversary
A lifelong rebel who grew pessimistic about defeating the Lord Ruler and infiltrated his Inquisitors.
Vinrebel opponent
Vin, recognizing him as the greatest enemy, investigates his secrets and ultimately kills him, ending his thousand-year reign.

Story so far

BOOK 1Mistborn: The Final Empire
- Rules the Final Empire as an immortal god-emperor, crushing skaa rebellions including Kelsier's army.
- Grants the Steel Inquisitors greater authority over the Ministry and orders them to investigate Vin.
- Kills Kelsier publicly, unknowingly making him a martyr who inspires the skaa uprising.
- Sazed's logbook research suggests his true identity is Rashek, a Terrisman.
- Is defeated and killed by Vin in his palace after she removes his bracelets.
BOOK 2The Well of Ascension
- His death leaves a power vacuum that sends armies and koloss converging on Luthadel.
- His history at the Well of Ascension is re-examined, showing Rashek took the power meant for Alendi.
- His supply caches and atium hoard become central mysteries for the survivors.
BOOK 3The Hero of Ages
- Revealed to have prepared storage caverns to help humanity survive the catastrophe.
- His long rule is understood as partly a way to hold back Ruin's influence.
- His Feruchemical and Allomantic tricks, using Hemalurgy, explain his agelessness and creation of the Inquisitors and other races.
BOOK 5Shadows of Self
- Venerated in temple portraits, depicted with a paunch and a raised cup.
- Revealed to have assigned the kandra Paalm missions such as suppressing rebellions and possibly impersonating Inquisitors.
BOOK 7The Lost Metal
- Remembered as a distant historical ruler whose era shapes the religions and politics of the modern age.