Editing Charred

{{lifeform
|image=Elegy by Ernanda Souza.jpg
|sapient=Yes
|world=Canticle
|universe=[[Cosmere]]
|books=[[The Sunlit Man]]
}}
{{update|tsm}}

'''Charred''' are a classification of [[Investiture|Invested]] being on [[Canticle]].{{book ref|tsm|11}}

== Prerequisites ==
Charred are created using a corrupted [[sunheart]], called a cinderheart, and stabbing a person in the chest with it.{{book ref|tsm|45}}{{book ref|tsm|24}} 
This is typically done while attached to a spearhead.{{book ref|tsm|4}} Union has a machine that implants the cinderheart, although still being done with a spear.{{book ref|tsm|50}} Once the cinderheart is inserted heat will begin to flare, causing sparks and flames to spray out as the body is burned.{{book ref|tsm|50}} The person's pectorals, rib cage, and heart will burn away, leaving seared and blackened skin.{{book ref|tsm|1}} The cinderheart will then radiate from the center of the cavity.{{book ref|tsm|50}}

The immense amount of heat causes most of their memories and soul to burn up.{{book ref|tsm|50}}{{book ref|tsm|20}} Giving a Charred even more heat can further destroy their memories.{{book ref|tsm|50}}

=== Sunlit Ones ===
Leaders of the Charred, known as Sunlit Ones, are created by removing some of the heat from the cinderheart immediately after it is implanted.{{book ref|tsm|50}}{{book ref|tsm|epilogue}} Sunlit Charred keep most of their skin and organs intact, leaving the cinderheart not as deeply implanted.{{book ref|tsm|24}}{{book ref|tsm|50}} They also keep their memories, as the cinderheart is unable to finish burning away their soul.{{book ref|tsm|50}}

== Abilities and Weaknesses ==
Charred posses supernatural strength, speed, and durability.{{book ref|tsm|1}}{{book ref|tsm|6}}{{book ref|tsm|18}}{{book ref|tsm|42}} They are very effective in close combat and are consistently driven to act.{{book ref|tsm|16}}{{book ref|tsm|24}} Charred can also use their cinderhearts to ignite explosives.{{book ref|tsm|42}} Their bodies are hotter than normal and can cause water to quickly evaporate if touching them.{{book ref|tsm|4}} Sunlit Charred are able to absorb a much larger amount of [[Investiture]] than normal, though being Charred does not grant someone the inherent ability to absorb Investiture.{{book ref|tsm|24}}{{book ref|tsm|2}}

A major weakness of Charred is that they will collapse if heat is drawn from their bodies.{{book ref|tsm|5}} Charred will also not survive modern weapons, such as guns, and are not strong enough to break out of chains.{{book ref|tsm|18}}{{book ref|tsm|5}} They can also be killed if they are unable to breathe.{{book ref|tsm|16}}

=== Cinderheart ===
Despite removing a person's heart and other important organs, cinderhearts are able to keep Charred alive.{{book ref|tsm|32}} Cinderhearts constantly push heat throughout the body, energizing the Charred.{{book ref|tsm|38}} If their cinderheart stops working, they will immediately die.{{book ref|tsm|37}}

Cinderhearts will respond to a Charred's emotions, and may flare, dim, or change color depending on their mood.{{book ref|tsm|20}}{{book ref|tsm|37}} Through their cinderhearts, all Charred are [[Connection|Connected]], and can feel the presence of other Charred.{{book ref|tsm|50}}

=== Control ===
{{quote
|You see how they can’t protest or resist? How they serve me regardless of how I treat them? I have absolute power over these. 
|[[Cinder King]]{{book ref|tsm|16}}
}}

Charred are Connected to their leader, a Sunlit Charred, who is able to control them.{{book ref|tsm|50}}{{book ref|tsm|24}} Due to their compromised souls, the control can be strong enough that a Charred will barely even struggle while getting strangled if told not to move.{{book ref|tsm|16}}{{book ref|tsm|24}} Charred are able to feel the emotions of their Sunlit One and may express and act on these feelings despite their current commands.{{book ref|tsm|37}}{{book ref|tsm|46}} When left without orders, Charred are typically violent, and will growl or attack those close to them.{{book ref|tsm|7}}{{book ref|tsm|42}}

If more than one Sunlit Charred tries to take control at the same time, the stronger one will win.{{book ref|tsm|50}}{{book ref|tsm|51}} Sunlit Charred are not able to directly control too many Charred at a time, and often just give them general instructions.{{book ref|tsm|24}} Charred will not attack Sunlit Charred, even if they are not the one controlling them.{{book ref|tsm|50}}

Charred can be freed from the control of a Sunlit Charred by taking some of the heat from their cinderhearts.{{book ref|tsm|24}} This removes some of the corrupted coating placed on the soul and removes the darkness of the cinderheart. Charred freed from control will still feel the Connection and emotions of their Sunlit Charred, but will not hear orders from them.{{book ref|tsm|24}}{{book ref|tsm|46}} It is unknown if this process is permanent or if the Charred needs to continue removing heat from their cinderheart to remain autonomous.{{book ref|tsm|33}} This process allows the Charred to think and speak, but they will not regain memories or personalities from before they were Charred.{{book ref|tsm|38}} They will still be quick to attack others, but this can be controlled through willpower and discipline.

== History ==
At some point [[Scadrial|Scadrian]] researchers arrived on [[Canticle]] and began experimenting with the local investiture. One of these experiments led to them creating cinderhearts, and finding out how to create Charred and Sunlit Ones.{{book ref|tsm|45}} They also met the [[Cinder King]] and began trading with him.

During one of these trades, the Cinder King acquired the knowledge of how to make Charred and Sunlit Ones. He began doing this shortly after, creating the army by which he was able to conquer the world.

== Notable Charred ==
{{for|:Category:Charred|a full list see}}
* [[Elegy]]
* [[Rebeke]]
* [[Cinder King]]

== Notes ==
<references />
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{{Sunlit Man}}
[[category: magic]]