Editing Hijo

{{lifeform
|type=[[Splinter]] of [[Virtuosity]]
|sapient=Yes
|use=bound spirits, [[hion]]
|world=Komashi
|universe=[[Cosmere]]
|books=[[Yumi and the Nightmare Painter]]
}}
{{spoilers|yumi}}
{{update|yumi}}

The '''primal hijo''', or '''primal spirits''', are [[Splinter]]s of [[Virtuosity]] found on [[Komashi]].{{book ref|yumi|17}} They naturally reside underground, and are attracted by thoughts, emotions, and artistic expressions.{{book ref|yumi|17}} They can be bound by a [[yoki-hijo]] into useful tools and devices,{{book ref|yumi|4}} or be utilized to produce and supply [[hion]].{{{{book ref|yumi|part=anotherepilogue}}

==Appearance==
Hijo typically take on a teardrop-shaped form roughly the size of a person's head.{{book ref|yumi|4}} They glow brightly like molten metal with a swirl of red and blue colors.{{book ref|yumi|4}}{{book ref|yumi|24}} They have no eyes or other discernible features, though they do seem to sense their surroundings and are able to speak audibly and telepathically.{{book ref|yumi|4}} The spirits which are bound to the [[father machine]] have an ice-like appearance, and undulate to an inaudible rhythm.{{book ref|yumi|39}}

==Behavior==
The hijo are related to Komashi's strange geothermal activity, apparently being directly responsible for the intense heating of the ground in the region of [[Torio]].{{book ref|yumi|4}} Their level of activity seems to vary somewhat. They are especially active every thirteenth year during the [[Festival of Reveals]].{{book ref|yumi|2}}

Primal spirits are attracted to human thoughts and emotions expressed through art.{{book ref|yumi|17}} Many different forms of art can attract their attention, though not all--including painting--are known to do so.{{book ref|yumi|22}} A musical performance such a rock concert, for example, could summon spirits.{{book ref|15551}} In Torio, a yoki-hijo stacking stones was known to be the best way to attract the spirits.{{book ref|yumi|22}} Following their freedom from the [[father machine]], the hijo have also shown interest in historical dramas and perhaps other [[hion viewer]] programs.{{book ref|yumi|part=anotherepilogue}} Some locations prove better for attracting the spirits than others, such as a [[place of ritual]], but they can be attracted elsewhere.{{{{book ref|yumi|22}}

According to [[Yumi]], yoki-hijo must typically create twenty stacks of approximately thirty stones each in order to summon the spirits, though smaller stacks are also sufficient if they have increased complexity.{{book ref|yumi|20}}

===Boons===
Stories speak of the spirits granting boons, which are always associated with adventure. In practice there is little direct contact between spirits and humans aside from the yoki-hijo and so the truth of these stories is difficult to discern. One spirit is able to create a unique [[Connection]] between Yumi and [[Nikaro]], however, suggesting the spirits are perhaps capable of these mythological abilities.{{book ref|yumi|6}}

==Uses==
The people of Komashi rely on the hijo for their ways of life, and are able to use these spirits in several ways.

===Bound Spirits===
When a yoki-hijo summons a spirit, they may request that the spirit be bound into some device or tool. They do this by offering, along with their artwork, a measure of their own Investiture, and mentally projecting an idea of what they wish the spirit to become. If this is not done properly, the spirit may become confused or be frightened off. If successful, the stack of stones becomes strengthened, and the spirit transforms.{{book ref|yumi|4}} The scholars of the [[Institute of Mechanical Solutions]] are able to bind spirits by showing them pictures of the things they wish them to become.{{book ref|yumi|24}}

Bound spirits typically take on either a stone or metal form, and always seem to be divided into two parts.{{book ref|yumi|4}} Spirits typically remain bound for five to ten years.{{book ref|yumi|4}}  Spirits bound by the prototype machine, seem to have operational issues much sooner and may not remain bound as long.{{book ref|yumi|31}} This is likely due to the machine consuming a portion of the spirit's own Investiture in order to operate.{{book ref|yumi|31}}

Common types of bound spirits include:

;Repelling statues
: Involves two statues, one female and one male, with grotesque features.{{book ref|yumi|2}} These statues behave similarly to [[Fabrial#Reversers|reverser fabrials]], with movement and forces of one affecting the other in an opposite manner. These are most often used to levitate vehicles or structures above the hot ground in Torio.{{book ref|yumi|4}} In some cases, however, they may even simply be used for religious purposes--to be put on display to give people comfort by reminding them that the spirits are watching over them.{{book ref|yumi|13}}
;Spirit lights
: The spirit divides into two balls that fit into the palm of a hand: one a bright orange and the other a dull blue.{{book ref|yumi|4}} When the balls are separate, they glow, and are commonly used as a light source in Torio.{{book ref|yumi|4}} Touching the balls together turns the lights off.{{book ref|yumi|6}}
;Flyers
: These devices include the flyer itself--a hovering device approximately two feet across with insectile wings--and a handheld controller portion.{{book ref|yumi|4}} These are commonly used in Torio to corral plants and to drive threats away.{{book ref|yumi|8}}
;Spirit saw
: Presumably a simple device for sawing. It is unclear what the two halves of the device are.{{book ref|yumi|4}} 

===Hion===
With some measure of human intervention, the spirits are able to produce and power the hion lines which sustain modern life on Komashi. The original hion lines are produced by the machine, which harvests the Investiture of the hijo to create hion lines emerging from the ground. After the father machine is destroyed, the hijo continue to power these hion lines.{{book ref|yumi|part=anotherepilogue}}

==History==
In Yumi's time, the hijo were considered essential for human civilization in Torio because the bound spirits were vital tools necessary for survival. Accordingly, the spirits, as well as the yoki-hijo who summoned them and bound them, were greatly revered.{{book ref|yumi|4}} 

When the father machine was activated, all of the known spirits on Komashi were bound to that device. They congregated around the machine and were unable to leave it for approximately 1700 years.{{book ref|yumi|40}} During this time, the surface of the planet cooled and the machine used their energy to produce hion. At one point, some spirits managed to escape and contact residents of [[Futinoro]], in an event which would come to be known among the scholars as "the [[Incident]]".{{book ref|yumi|23}}{{book ref|yumi|36}} A few decades later, Yumi was able to free another spirit, which granted her Connection to Nikaro and ultimately enabled the yoki-hijo to destroy the machine and free the hijo.{{book ref|yumi|40}}{{book ref|yumi|6}}

Freedom of the hijo caused the surface of Komashi to heat up once more, but only to a lesser extent as the spirits voluntarily supplied some of their power to continue supplying hion in response to hion viewer dramas.{{book ref|yumi|part=anotherepilogue}}

==Notes==
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