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Midnight Essence are creatures birthed of the Midnight Mother, the Unmade otherwise known as Re-Shephir.[1][2]

Appearance[]

These creatures have smooth, black, reflective skin; knifelike teeth; soft black heads with no visible eyes; sinuous, boneless necks; fluid, inklike bodies; six slender, very thin, legs bent at the sides and clawed paws.[1] They appear as shiny tar, their features blobby, imperfect.[2]

*Shallan recognizes that these creatures look like themselves; she and her companions, some of whom were originally members of Bridge Four (i.e., Teft, Lopen, and Drehy, amongst other members).[2]

Characteristics[]

They make a hissing sound and click their teeth when "tasting the air" around them.[1]

Their skin is resistant to knife attacks at first, but when it breaks, it can be ripped apart easily. Their wounds bleed smoke and when killed, and the body deflates "like a leaking wineskin". After dead, each their bodies resembles a "black silk sack". (Dalinar killed one by stabbing it though the chest in one of his visions.)[1]

Quotes[]

"Re-Shephir, the Midnight Mother, giving birth to abominations with her essence so dark, so terrible, so consuming. She is here! She watches me die!"

–Dated Shashabev, 1173, 8 seconds pre-death. Subject: a darkeyed dock-worker in his forties, father of three.[3]

*Although these dying words are the only record of the name, Re-Shephir, or Midnight Mother, having been mentioned in The Way of Kings, Dalinar's vision is the only instance therein in which the reference to her Essence occurs.[1]

Notes[]

Brandon has confirmed that the Unmade are Splinters of Odium.[4] Odium splintered himself and created the Unmade to be his influence on Roshar. It is through the Unmade that Odium may be able to influence people in how they think or act.[5]

References[]

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