Editing Connection

{{Magic
|related=[[Realmatic Theory]]
|type=Spiritual property
|universe=[[Cosmere]]
}}
{{update|sa4|yumi}}
'''Connection''' is a Spiritual attribute that represents spiritual connections and relationships between different entities -- living being, locations, items and so on. Like other Spiritual attributes in the [[cosmere]], Connection is quantifiable and can affect or be affected by different [[Investiture|Invested Arts]].

== The Nature of Connection ==
Connection uses [[spiritweb]]s, and connects them in the [[Spiritual Realm]]. Connection is thought to be part of the Spiritual aspect of a being. Additionally, it is possible to alter Connection through artificial means,{{msh ref|5|2}} though the particulars of how this is accomplished are unknown. Connection can be inherited.{{wob ref|11881}} People are generally Connected to certain locations, and can be Connected to more than one place at a time.{{book ref|tsm|40}}{{wob ref|642}} [[Cognitive Shadow]]s, [[splinter]]s, and in certain instances [[Shard]]s, can get tied to an area or [[Cosmere#Planets|planet]] in the cosmere due to their Connection to the location.{{wob ref|2688}}{{book ref|yumi|21}}

When made visible in the [[Physical Realm]], Connection appears as glowing cords of light connecting things together in a complex web.{{book ref|sa4|47}}{{book ref|yumi|22}} The cords are very difficult to understand.{{book ref|yumi|32}}

== Uses of Connection ==
=== Accessing Investiture ===
Many methods of accessing [[Investiture]] have been observed throughout the cosmere, but all share certain cardinal similarities; an established Connection or ability to create a Connection to a source of power and a way of directing that power. 

=== Linguistic Connection ===
Connection can be used in many ways to allow the user to speak the language of another person they are Connecting with.{{book ref|mb6|22}}{{book ref|sa3|65}}{{book ref|mb7|39}} This can be done without the user learning any of the language beforehand. Some methods replace their native language, tricking a person's soul into thinking they were born where they are currently located.{{book ref|tsm|6}}{{book ref|tsm|44}} The ability has flaws though, as it will fill in local idioms and phrases on its own, but if the user is careless and focuses on a specific word or phrase the ability may fail and they will say the word verbatim in their own tongue{{wob ref|3759}} or it may be said in an odd way.{{wob ref|3583}} This includes slip-ups that confuse others,{{wob ref|8185}} such as saying coin{{book ref|sa2|epilogue}} or bunny{{book ref|sa2|59}} on [[Roshar]]. They may also interpret local words as something more familiar, even if it is less accurate.{{book ref|tsm|13}}

Blanking [[Identity]] and tapping Connection can cause someone to gain an accent for a particular area.{{wob ref|2558}}

*'''Feruchemical Duralumin''': In [[Feruchemy]], Connection is stored in [[duralumin]].{{book ref|aol|part=ars}} Using this, a Feruchemist can communicate with others on foreign lands.{{book ref|mb6|22}} Connection can also be used by anyone by wearing [[unsealed metalminds]].{{wob ref|2112}} These medallions are worn by a person who is in a land that is not their own, and they are then able to speak the language of the place they are in. A person wearing their medallion in their own land will still speak their own language, not the language of the person they are communicating with. Occasionally, words do not translate fully.

*'''Spiritual Adhesion''': Using the [[Surge]] of [[Adhesion]] to manipulate spiritual, rather than purely physical forces, a [[Bondsmith]] can touch another person and forge a spiritual Connection between them. This allows the Bondsmith to temporarily speak whatever languages this other person can speak.{{book ref|sa3|65}}

*'''Regal Forms of Power''': By staying out in the [[Everstorm]], [[singer]]s are capable of bonding with a [[Voidspren]], which has the effect of changing their form, which alters their physical appearance and mental capabilities.{{book ref|sa3|i|6}} One [[Regal]] form of power is envoyform, which allows the user to have Connection to other cultures and allows the user to speak and read their languages.{{book ref|sa3|i|6}}{{book ref|sa4|11}}

*'''Ones Above''': The [[Ones Above]] have a handheld device that is a language translator and can even translate written words.{{book ref|sixth}}

*'''Nalthian Technology''': [[Fort]] uses a computer tablet from [[Nalthis]] that is said to use [[Awakening|Awakened]] predictive Connection circuits. While Fort uses the tablet to communicate with people who read and write the same language as him, the individual he received the tablet from used it to translate between languages.{{book ref|Tress|15}}

*'''Dawnshard''': At least one [[Dawnshard]] can Connect a user to their current location, allowing them to speak and read the local language.{{book ref|tsm|1}} This requires at least two-thousand [[Breath Equivalent Unit|BEUs]].{{book ref|tsm|4}}{{book ref|tsm|17}}

*'''Hoid''': [[Hoid]] has access to some manifestation of Investiture that allows him to manipulate the Spiritual attribute of Connection. The full extent of this ability is unknown, but its primary known use is to help Hoid speak the various languages of the worlds of the cosmere that he visits. The ability allows him to Connect to whatever land he is in, temporarily altering his Spiritual aspect to believe that he was raised in that place, allowing him to speak as a native.{{wob ref|3759}}

=== Other Uses ===
*'''Lightweaving''': In order to [[Surgebinding#Illumination|Lightweave]] properly, a strong spiritual component requiring a certain measure of Connection and a full mental picture of the desired illusion is necessary.{{book ref|sa2|part=ars}}
*'''Allomantic Malatium''': Flaring [[malatium]] allows an [[Allomancer]] to see not just a malatium shadow of a person, but seems to give them a glimpse into the Spiritual Realm, allowing them to see a vision of a past event in another person's life by seeing their Connection and their past. Given the only circumstance in which this effect is seen, it may be a result of flaring malatium at the moment of death and transition to the [[Cognitive Realm]], rather than a result of simply flaring the metal in and of itself.{{msh ref|1|1}}
*'''Allomantic Lerasium''': For normal people, burning [[lerasium]] forges a permanent Connection between them and [[Preservation]], turning them into a very powerful [[Allomancy|Mistborn]] by rewriting their spiritual DNA.{{wob ref|10116}} For people who are already Mistborn, the same effect increases their power.{{wob ref|1304}}
*'''Selish Magic''': All magic on [[Sel]] (including [[AonDor]], [[Dakhor]], [[ChayShan]], [[Forgery]], and [[Bloodsealing]]) requires a Connection to certain lands to function properly. The magics will decrease in power the farther from the land the user is,{{wob ref|8617}} and will not normally work outside of Sel.{{wob ref|1473}}{{wob ref|6164}}
*'''Ba-Ado-Mishram''': [[Ba-Ado-Mishram]] is able to Connect with the vast majority of singers on Roshar and is able to grant them forms of power. This made them into [[Regal]]s. She also provided them with [[Voidlight]].{{epigraph ref|sa3|80}}
*'''Singers''': Singers are able to speak to rhythms.{{book ref|sa2|i|4}} Rhythms represent a certain state of mind, the feelings of the singer using it. The rhythms Connect the singers,{{wob ref|9937}} and there is Connection between them and the songs of Roshar.{{wob ref|13451}}
*'''Realms''': Connection can be used to exist in different realms.{{msh ref|6|6}}
*'''Bondsmith powers''': After the death of Honor, [[Bondsmiths]] can use their powers to affect Connection more directly. These expanded powers allow a skilled Bondsmith to see the Connections a person has when touching them.{{book ref|sa4|47}}
*''' Tracking''': Certain entities are able to follow Connection in order to find people, such as the [[Messengers]] in the [[Cognitive Realm]].{{book ref|mb7|epilogue|6}}
*''' Body Swap''': Manipulation Connection in certain ways can allow one to swap souls between bodies. How this would be done intentionally is unknown, but it can be done on accident when creating a Connection between two people.{{book ref|yumi|40}}

== Bonds ==
Bonds are Connections between entities in the cosmere that exist outside the [[Physical Realm]].{{wob ref|9682}} All bonds are basically the same, with the powers and functions depending on the holders of the bond.{{wob ref|3488}} Bonds are typically formed between entities with greater-than-normal Investiture and other entities, allowing them to gain enhancements. Forming a bond utilizes Connection and Identity in some manner. Lessening those attributes, such as by storing them in a metalmind, would affect the bond.{{wob ref|9407}} Using [[Hemalurgy]], bonds may be stolen and given to a new person.{{wob ref|6876}}{{wob ref|1153}}{{wob ref|13432}} There is an upper limit to how many bonds a person can have.{{wob ref|6647}}

Bonds on some planets provide the holders of the bonds with additional powers.{{wob ref|3488}} Bonds other than the [[Nahel bond]] will provide powers to the constituent entities of that bond while on Roshar. What these powers are is unknown, and will not be of the ten [[Surge]]s. The seon bond is confirmed to do this, as the Nahel bond and the seon bond are very similar.{{wob ref|6928}}

=== Types of known Bonding Entities ===
*'''The Nahel Bond''': The [[Nahel bond]] is formed between sapient beings and certain types of intelligent [[Spren]].{{wob ref|14509}} It gives access to [[Surgebinding]], while granting the spren the ability to maintain their cognition in the Physical Realm. There are ten known forms the Nahel Bond can take, each giving access to two different Surges among the ten.{{book ref|sa3|38}}
**'''Lesser Spren Bonds''': Non-intelligent spren can theoretically form symbiotic bonds with people.{{wob ref|4783}}
**'''Other Spren Bonds''': Certain spren bond with animals native to Roshar, enhancing those animals and granting them abilities. Animals that are confirmed to have these bonds include [[chasmfiend]]s, [[chull]]s, [[Ryshadium]], [[Larkin]] and [[skyeel]]s.{{book ref|sa3|99}}{{au ref|rosharan}}{{book ref|sa3.5|19}}

*'''Shardblades''': Dead [[Shardblade]]s are able to bond with people through the use of charged gemstones.{{book ref|sa3|73}} The gem is placed in the hilt of the Blade and after a week of constant contact, the Blade is bonded and can be dismissed from and recalled to the Physical Realm.{{book ref|sa2|5}} Once bonded the blade can be dismissed and recalled by syncing with the user's heart to the blade. Ten heartbeats are required.{{book ref|sa1|26}} A person's irises will lighten during the bonding process.{{book ref|sa2|68}}
*'''Honorblades''': [[Honorblade]]s grant Surgebinding abilities to humans who touch them, but require dangerous levels of [[Stormlight]].{{wob ref|5822}}
*'''Shardplate''': There is some manner of bond between Dead [[Shardplate]] and its wearer that will disappear when the wearer dies, causing the Plate to fall off of their body.{{wob ref|6758}}{{book ref|sa1|47}} Specific lesser spren are able to bond with Surgebinders to form their Radiant [[Shardplate]].{{book ref|tsm|45}}

*'''Singer Bond''': The singers can bond with a spren. Doing so grants the singer a form with a specific physical and mental change.{{book ref|sa2|i|5}}{{wob ref|3862}} Not all spren grant a unique form; most spren give the singers dullform.{{book ref|sa2|i|4}} Without a spren, singers exist in what is known as slaveform ([[Parshmen]]).{{book ref|sa2|i|1}}
**'''Regal''': [[Regal]]s are singers who bonded with [[Voidspren]], granting them a transformation called a form of power. These forms grant them supernatural abilities.{{book ref|sa3|i|7}}{{book ref|sa2|i|8}} This bond can drastically alter a singer's ways of thinking.{{book ref|sa2|i|11}}{{book ref|sa3|i|3}} It also allow singers to hear and use new rhythms, but makes hearing the old ones extremely difficult.{{book ref|sa2|i|11}}

*'''Unmade''': Several [[Unmade]] hold the ability to manipulate Connection and bond with sapient beings, granting various powers or psychological effects. 
**'''Yelig-nar''': [[Yelig-nar]] is able to bond with a human or [[singer]] and gives his host command of the Surges.{{book ref|sa3|118}}{{epigraph ref|sa3|95}} [[Hessi]] believes this bond grants the host the use of all ten Surges,{{epigraph ref|sa3|95}} though given the Voidbringers' view of the Surge of [[Adhesion]],{{book ref|sa4|31}} Yelig-Nar may only grant the other nine. The people he bonds with appear to remain fully in control of themselves,{{book ref|sa3|120}} but they must control Yelig-nar if they do not wish to be consumed by him.{{book ref|sa3|118}}
**'''Nergaoul''': [[Nergaoul]] is able to bond with humans who embrace the Thrill.{{book ref|sa3|115}} This imbues them with bloodlust and the urge to fight above all else.{{book ref|sa1|28}} With the help of [[Odium]], he is able to fully control large groups of people through the bond.{{book ref|sa3|116}}

*'''Seons''': A [[seon]] can create bonds with humans, including [[Elantrian]]s.{{book ref|Elantris|4}} Little is known of this bond other than that the [[seon]] follows and helps the person it is bonded to, functioning as a servant to the owner of the bond.{{book ref|Elantris|16}} Seons will automatically seek out a new person to bond with following the death of its master; often the new master has been prearranged.{{book ref|Elantris|34}}{{book ref|Elantris|5}} This bond is similar to the Nahel bond and would grant some sort of ability if manifested on Roshar.{{wob ref|3035}}{{wob ref|6928}}

*'''Aviar''': [[Aviar]]s create a bond with a person and grant a specific power based on the type of Aviar bonded. Aviar are granted their ability if raised on one of the pantheon islands and consume a worm native to the island.{{book ref|sixth}}
**'''Other Worm-Infected Animals''': Other birds besides native island Aviar are able to eat the worms and create a bond with a new effect.{{book ref|sixth}}

*'''Sentient Awakened Entities in an Inorganic Host''': Also known as Type IV BioChromatic Entities.{{book ref|wb|51}} The only known entities of this kind are [[Nightblood]] and [[Vivenna's Blade]], though much less is known about the latter. Nightblood is a sentient sword made using one thousand [[Breath]]s and the command ''destroy evil''. Nightblood will bond with anyone they wish to communicate with, and is able to read and speak with minds directly.{{book ref|wb|51}} Distance appears to be a factor, but this may be a limitation of the mind of Nightblood and not their ability. While idle, Nightblood reaches out to other people, tempting them to draw the blade. "Pure" people who cannot be tempted would feel great nausea, even induce vomiting. Anyone who is able to wield Nightblood and survive bonds with the blade to a greater degree and is no longer repelled by or abnormally drawn to use it.{{wob ref|7404}} Those unable to control Nightblood become controlled themselves, leading to them using Nightblood to kill everyone around them and allowing Nightblood to absorb all Investiture from the victims including the spark of life (i.e. the soul).{{book ref|sa3|90}}{{wob ref|5879}}

*'''The Luhel Bond''': The [[Luhel bond]] is typically formed between sapient beings and [[aether|aethers]].{{book ref|tress|31}} It gives access to aether manipulation abilities in exchange for the sophont giving up water.{{book ref|mb7|39}} This bond can be either symbiotic or parasitic depending on the context, and varies in duration and nature.{{book ref|tress|31}}{{book ref|mb7|42}}

*'''Cognitive Shadows''': It is theoretically possible for a [[Cognitive Shadow]] to form a bond with a human.{{wob ref|3239}}
**'''Nightmares''': It is theoretically possible to form a bond with a [[nightmare]].{{wob ref|15528}} How exactly one would do this, or what effects such a bond would have on either party, is unknown.

== Manipulating Connection ==
*'''Feruchemical Duralumin''': In Feruchemy, Connection is stored in duralumin.{{book ref|aol|part=ars}} Storing Connection lessens others' trust in and awareness of the Feruchemist, while tapping Connection allows the Feruchemist to form trusting relationships quickly.{{book ref|mb4|part=ars}} Tapping the metalmind will allow the Feruchemist to form stronger Connections, possibly depending on what Connections were stored. It can allow Feruchemists to form trust relationships with others much faster, for example. Duralumin Feruchemy can also change one's Spiritual Connection to a planet, which can help [[worldhopper]]s with magic systems. If a Feruchemist were able to [[Compounding|compound]] duralumin, they would be able to use duralumin to have a nearly infinite supply of Spiritual Connection.
*'''Hemalurgic Duralumin''': In [[Hemalurgy]], Connection can be stolen by a duralumin spike.{{file ref| Hemalurgy table.jpg | Hemalurgy Table}}
*'''Singers''': If a singers Connection and Identity is stolen, they will change into slaveform.{{book ref|sa1|72}}{{book ref|sa3|17}}
*'''The Ire's orb''': The [[Ire]]'s [[Ire's orb|orb]] is an arcane device that can magically grant Connection. The members of the Ire intended to use it to allow one of their members to ascend as a Vessel of a Shard of [[Adonalsium]].{{msh ref|5|2}}{{wob ref|11537}}
*'''Aons''': There is an [[Aon]] for Connection, but its use is unknown.{{wob ref|11541}}
*'''Fabrials''': [[Fabrial]]s can be used to alter Connection, though how is currently unknown.{{wob ref|4822}}
*'''Bondsmith powers''': After the death of Honor [[Bondsmiths]] can use their powers to affect Connection more directly. These expanded powers allow a skilled Bondsmith to bind Surgebinders to the ground causing their Stormlight to be drained, or steal a Nahel bond.{{book ref|sa4|111}}
*'''Dawnshards''': At least one Dawnshard is able to shortly reinforce Connections between former holders, allowing one to appear to another as an illusion.{{book ref|tsm|10}} This requires at least ten percent Skip capacity of Breath Equivalent Units.

Through an unknown manner, one can directly interact with and manipulate Connection. They can directly stretch it and check for issues in the Connection. Stretching it too far can risk degradation to the Connection.{{book ref|yumi|22}} How exactly distance functions in relation to Connection, given the lack of such concepts in the Spiritual Realm, is unknown.

== Connection with Shards ==
The closer the Connection between a human and a Shard, the more powerful the human becomes. How a person becomes Connected to a Shard varies between planets. It is assumed that the intent of the respective Shard influences these conditions. On [[Scadrial]] Connection to a Shard is determined by genetics. On Sel it will depend on a person's location and their Connection to the land, and on Roshar it has to do with a person's actions and how they live their life.{{wob ref|7256}}

Since Shards are Connected to their magic, a Shard is able to directly interact with its users and provide the needed Investiture directly when needed.{{wob ref|6072}}

=== Ascension ===
Connection has an influence on who can or cannot Ascend as the holder of a certain Shard,{{msh ref|6|4}} and Connection to a Shard is required to Ascend. Improper Connection decreases the vessel's ability to control the powers and weakens the vessel's power.{{msh ref|6|4}} Connection to an opposing Shard makes it more difficult to maintain Ascension. Proper Ascension can happen either forged artificially or driven by a natural inclination towards the Shard's intent.{{msh ref|5|2}}

== Notes ==
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