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Each Order of the [[Knights Radiant]] formed a [[Nahel Bond]] with a different type of spren.{{wob ref|6651}} This bond is similar in nature to the bond between a [[seon]] and its master.{{wob ref|3035}} The bond between a knight and their spren could be strengthened by verbally or mentally stating certain [[Immortal Words|Ideals]] or ideas related to their Order. Once the bond has strengthened to a certain point, the spren gains the ability to become a [[Shardblade]] when needed.{{book ref|wor|84}} A sword was the base form for a shardblade since they were fashioned after the [[Honorblade]]s but they could become any shape their knight needed such as a spear, hammer, or shield.{{book ref|wor|86}}
{{Theory}}
Each order of the [[Knights Radiant]] bonds to a different spren, and they may each attract a different spren based on their powers. This may be a coincidence, or it may mean something. For example, [[Kaladin]] is followed by a large number of [[windspren]] when he fights [[Szeth]] during the summoning of the [[Everstorm]]. That may be because of the storm, but windspren have also followed Kaladin on other occasions. Kaladin also commands hundred of windspren to form a blockade in front of a highstorm.{{book ref|sa3|31}}
Also, [[Shallan]] has been known to gather a large number of [[creationspren]] when making illusions. Although this seems obvious, with someone so acquainted with art, [[Renarin]], who also has the surge of Illumination, hasn't ever had any significant number of creationspren nearby. He hasn't made any complex illusions, though. But maybe only [[Lightweavers]] attract the creationspren, and [[Truthwatchers]] attract a different spren.
This is also shown with [[Lift]], who attracts lifespren from time to time.{{book ref|sa2.5|8}} These may be the spren attracted by [[Edgedancers]]. ▼
[[Dalinar Kholin]], during the [[Battle of Thaylen Field]], brought together an amazing amount of [[gloryspren]], enough to make a pillar of them that pierced all three realms. Nobody else has been recorded to do that, but Dalinar is also the only [[Bondsmith]] in several thousand years. So, maybe that was commonplace during the cycle of Desolations.
== Known Surgebinders' spren ==
== Theories and Speculation ==
{{theoryTheory}}
It may be possible that there are larger categories of spren. When accused of being a [[Voidbringer]] Pattern retorts that "[he] is no voidspren..." From this it has been extrapolated that the divisions of spren may have two axes: their power level and their source.
=== Cousin spren ===
The power axis has been addressed above and has 3 main anchor points (though if graphed spren would likely form a spectrum). These points would be the common spren (those who embody/personify the effects of human consciousness) Bondspren (those capable of forming a [[Nahel Bond]] with a human and depend on this bond for sentience while outside of [[Shadesmar]]) and Godspren (also capable of forging a [[Nahel Bond]], but who have great power in or influence over the physical realm even without it)
Each order of the [[Knights Radiant]] bonds to a different true spren, and each has been shown to attract a different kind of lesser spren in various circumstances. For example:
A spren's other dimension, its source, refers to which shard ultimately caused its existence. Most spren would likely be the product of Honor or Cultivation (say honorspren and cultivation spren respectively), while Voidspren are of Odium.
* [[Kaladin]], a [[Windrunner]], attracts [[windspren]] on numerous occassions, most notably when fighting [[Szeth]] and when forming the "wind break" in [[Revolar]].{{book ref|sa2|86}}{{book ref|sa3|31}} Windspren are also called [[Syl]]'s "cousins" several times.{{book ref|sa2|9}}{{book ref|sa2|52}}
* [[Shallan]], a [[Order of Lightweavers|Lightweaver]], has been known to gather a large number of [[creationspren]] when drawing or crafting illusions. Although this might simply be a function of her being an artist, the numbers Shallan attracts are unnatural, with hundreds surrounding her at one point.{{book ref|sa3|3}}
▲This* is also shown[[Lift]], withan [[ LiftEdgedancer]], who attracts lifespren from time to time.{{book ref|sa2.5|8}} These may be the spren attracted by [[Edgedancers]].
* [[Dalinar Kholin]], a [[Bondsmith]], brings together an incredible amount of [[gloryspren]] during the [[Battle of Thaylen Field]].
* Also during the Battle of Thaylen Field, [[Jasnah]], an [[Elsecaller]], is surrounded by a glow of geometric patterns for a moment.{{book ref|sa3|120}}
What this means, if anything, is uncertain; it has been speculated that the lesser spren will eventually form [[Shardplate]], once the Radiants reach a high enough level.
It should be noted that so far a number of times spren have been called Gods or as Syl put it "a tiny part of one." And Sanderson has confirmed that spren are [[Splinter|Splinters]].{{wob ref|141}}{{wob ref|3017}} If it is assumed that the Desolations began to occur before Odium killed Honor then it is likely that the Knights Radiant were formed before Honor shattered entirely. This would imply that spren, at least Bondspren, where present in the world before Honor shattered. If this was true of Honor than it was/is likely true of Cultivation as well. These protospren present before Honor's death would be the equivalent of the piece of Preservation within each [[Scadrial|Scadrian]].
=== Bondsmith spren ===
In support of the above assumptions there is the fact that Odium is by no means dead, yet his Voidspren are still present on Roshar (and therefore likely inhabit [[Shadesmar]] as well). If he can send spren into the [[cosmere]] while alive but "imprisoned by the oathpact" (an act which would be necessary to create the Voidbringers and bring about each of the previous 99 desolations) it might be true that Honor and Cultivation can send spren while alive too.
The singular nature of the [[Bondsmith]] spren has led to some speculation regarding which named spren could bestow a Bondsmith [[Nahel Bond]]. Candidates commonly put forth include:
* [[Nightwatcher]], whom Brandon has previously stated is on the same level as Stormfather{{wob ref|174}}
* [[Cusicesh]], as it's a powerful spren that's worshipped by the people watching it{{book ref|sa1|i|5}}
* The [[Sibling]], based on their connection to [[Urithiru]] and Stormfather's comments about how humans had harmed them before{{book ref|sa3|111}}
== Trivia ==
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