Elantris (Chapter 58)
Hoid appears in Elantris as a simple beggar. He is responsible for moving Sarene’s shipments of goods into Elantris. This is possibly useful for him keeping tabs on Sarene’s plans, as he is able to ascertain when she begins to move weapons into Elantris. It is also possible that he is trying to make her cautious, as he appears worried in this chapter. The Elantrians cannot win this fight and if they are destroyed so is any hope for Arelon’s future. It is also interesting to note that Hoid never shows Sarene his face, so he could be keeping tabs on her in other guises as well.
The Final Empire (Chapter 29)
In The Final Empire, Hoid meets with Kelsier in the guise of a skaa informant. He provides information about House Renoux to him, which I believe he is doing to warn Kelsier about dangers to their operation. He tells Kelsier that other Houses may attempt to take advantage of Renoux since they are shipping at a loss. He also gives him warning that other houses are aware of Vin and Elend’s interactions and believe that Renoux has some sort of control over Venture, which could turn dangerous if Venture discovers what the other houses think. Hoid also warns Elend that Shan Elariel is a Soother. The strange part is that she is actually a Mistborn. Either Hoid doesn’t know this, or he’s trying to just give Kelsier a general warning to watch out for Shan without giving away information he has no way of knowing.
Well of Ascension (Chapter 56)
The Well of Ascension is Hoid’s longest and most subtle appearance in the Mistborn trilogy. He appears as the leader of the Terrismen refugees that Spook and Elend meet. His name is never mentioned at all. It is possible that he is Lightweaving here to appear Terris, as Kelsier thought he was skaa in the last book. Hoid had spent most of the time in this book looking for the Well of Ascension in the Terris mountains with no success. He had been tricked by the Lord Ruler like everyone else.
Hoid overhears them whispering about Vin going to the Well in Luthadel. After they leave Hoid slips into Shadesmar and manages to beat Vin to the Well. Hoid goes there for unknown reasons, although it is possible that Hoid steals a bead of lerasium from there. He has “metal that he shouldn’t have” and Peter has said that there is at least one more bead out there.
This book also provides decent evidence that Hoid is a good guy. He could have easily taken the power at the Well and let Ruin free. Vin and Elend would be none the wiser. He chooses to let Vin do so though, so she can begin the process of fixing Scadrial. Another interesting thing to note is that when Hoid is in his Terrisman guise, he is shaking. Whether that is part of his disguise, or a physical reaction to Scadrial’s environment or something else entirely remains to be seen.
Hero of Ages (Chapter 27)
In Hero of Ages, Hoid barely appears at all. Cett lists him as a trustworthy informant. Vin goes to meet with him but she sees him standing there, whistling to himself, and something spooks her, so she leaves. There have been many theories on why she left. Maybe she could detect that he wasn’t from Scadrial, maybe her bronze was allowing her to sense his Lightweaving, maybe Ruin was trying to keep her away. Whatever it is, Hoid didn’t get to give Vin any information.
Warbreaker (Chapter 32)
Hoid is the storyteller that explains the history of the God Kings to Siri. He manages to at least give her hints of the past so she can try to figure out what is going to happen to Susebron. He also clues her into the nature of Kalad’s Phantoms and that her ancestor was Vo the First Returned. If Hoid is on Nalthis to avert the next Manywar we don’t see much of it.
The Way of Kings (Chapters 12, 15, 22, 53, 57 & Epilogue)
Hoid’s appearance in this book is the King’s Wit. He spends much time interacting with the main characters. As the King’s Wit he has access to the most important people in Alethkar. He is trying to figure something out, asking Dalinar if he has heard the term Adonalsium and mentioning the Cosmere. He also spends time trying to make the main characters grow, prodding at Renarin, and telling Kaladin a story to try to show him that he needs to take responsibility. There is a high chance he Lightweaves while telling Kaladin this story too. Hoid mentions he is hiding from an old acquaintance, which is possibly Rayse, holder of the Shard Odium. Hoid was also mentor to the Sizgil, teaching him the ways of the Worldsingers. He also witnesses the return of Taln. Hopefully he will attempt to send Taln to the Shattered Plains to meet with the true leaders of Alethkar. There are also men looking for him in the Purelake, most likely members of the Seventeenth Shard.
Appearing in the Epigraphs of the Way of Kings in Part Two, from chapters 12 to 28, is the text of a letter. Many people believe that this letter was written by Hoid. Much of the evidence makes sense, as the writer refers to the other Shardholders by name, implying he knew them personally. Brandon has also confirmed the person it was sent to appears in Dragonsteel. If it was written by Hoid this gives more indication that he is a good man. He wishes to stop disaster from consuming more lives and begs for the aid of his friend, who is implied to possibly hold a Shard. He also would have an enourmous grudge against and fear of Rayse, holder of Odium and Bavadin who holds another unspecified Shard on Taldain (the planet of White Sand, an unpublished book, but one that is definitely in the Cosmere).
Alloy of Law (Chapter 4)
In Alloy of Law, Hoid appears as a ragged beggar dressed in black, who speaks to Lord Joshin and Lady Mi’chelle. Unfortunately Wax fails to overhear what is said during the conversation. While these two are obviously worthy of congratulations, I doubt Hoid went to Scadrial to simply attend their wedding. There is always the possibility that one or both of them are Worldhoppers themselves. It is interesting to realize, that at this point in time, if the Pits of Hathsin which are possibly now called the Pits of Eltania, still exist then atium is now being produced again. Kelsier said it would take 300 years for the crystals to regrow, and it has been 342 years since Harmony’s Ascension. It is possible he is checking to see what is happening to the atium.
