Spanreed

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Spanreed
Fabrial type Conjoiner
Gem Ruby
World of Origin Roshar
Universe Cosmere
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A spanreed is a type of conjoiner fabrial developed sometime before the War of Reckoning that enabled long distance communication on the world of Roshar.[1][2]

Function and Mechanics[edit]

Spanreeds, like all conjoiner fabrials, are made by capturing a spren inside a ruby and splitting it in half.[3] The two halves are then embedded in reed pens. The two pens can then mimic the movements of the other, exactly. The energy required for the second pen to move is provided by the holder of the first pen, which feels twice as heavy as an ordinary pen would.[2] The farther apart spanreeds are, the heavier the pens became after activation. This can be used to triangulate the position of the opposite spanreed.[4] Furthermore, they cannot communicate faster-than-light, due to a mixture of the fact they grow heavier the further apart they are, and a lag between the communication of two spanreeds, presumably proportional to the distance between them.[5]

The setting of the ruby can be rotated to switch between different "modes." One is to alert the possessor of the spanreed's twin that a conversation is desired. Another to alert the first that the message was received. The third and fourth notches sync the movements of the two pens, each notch makes one pen the transmitter and the other the receiver.[1] Vorin men who do not write can communicate with a spanreed by turning the gem on and off to indicate that they are still alive.[6]

Spanreeds cannot be used effectively whilst moving when its pair is stable.[7] Since the function of fabrials is dependent on the user's frame of reference, a spanreed in motion would be incapable of relaying a clear message to its stationary pair. If both spanreeds are on the same ship, for example, then the spanreed would function properly because both users have the same frame of reference. This is also why spanreeds are unaffected by the planet's motion and curvature.[8]

It is possible to create three or more linked spanreeds by breaking a ruby into more than two parts. However, all attempts have currently been unsuccessful.[9]

Spanreeds are incapable of interrealmatic communication between the Physical and Cognitive Realms.[10]

History[edit]

As of 1168, shortly after the War of Reckoning began, spanreeds were still regarded as a recent innovation.[11]

By the sixth year of the war, spanreeds have achieved widespread use, at least among the Vorin nations, from the Shattered Plains, to Kharbranth, and even to the isolated estates of House Davar.[1][12]

As of 1173, Tashikk is beginning to become a spanreed hub, with several people and places having reeds connected to various businesses in Tashikk. The Tashikk operator is hired by the remote user to exchange messages, to research on your behalf, and to make other enquiries.[13]

Notes[edit]

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