Editing Identity

{{update|sa4|yumi}}

'''Identity''' is a [[Spiritual Realm|Spiritual]] attribute{{book ref|mb6|3}}{{wob ref|9431}} within the [[cosmere]] that demarcates one being from another for the purposes of [[Investiture]].{{book ref |BoM|3}} It acts as a sort of spiritual DNA, and it functions together with [[Connection]] in order to form a link to various forms of Investiture.

Across the cosmere, use of magic is tied to the user's Identity, and power stored by one person is hard to access by a different person (though it is possible, albeit ''extremely'' unlikely, for two people to have matching Identity by chance).{{wob ref|874}} This restriction is the reason, for example, that [[BioChromatic Breath|Breath]]s stored or [[metalmind]]s charged by one person cannot be used by anyone else.{{book ref|mb6|3}} However, if someone "blanks" their Identity and stores power, it becomes easier for others to use that power (especially other blanked people, but potentially also non-blanked people, depending on the magic system).{{wob ref|1709}}

In [[Feruchemy]], Identity is stored in [[aluminum]]. To effectively use aluminum, one must have Feruchemical access to at least one metal besides aluminum. By storing Identity in aluminum and then filling another metalmind, they create an "unkeyed" metalmind that can be used by any Feruchemist.{{book ref|mb6|3}} One example is in [[The Bands of Mourning]]: [[Wax]] finds a gold bracelet filled with healing power that [[Wayne]], a gold Ferring, can access, Wax cannot.{{book ref|mb6|17}} Through a method that has not yet been fully revealed, but which builds on unkeyed metalminds,{{wob ref|5656}} it is also possible to create an [[unsealed metalminds|"unsealed" metalmind]] of [[Investiture]], which ''anyone'' can use to access Feruchemical power; the [[Southern Scadrial]] medallions are an example.{{book ref|mb6|21}}{{wob ref|2112}}

Like with Feruchemy, Breaths that have been put into an object are keyed to the original Awakener's Identity, and so can only be reclaimed by that Awakener.{{book ref|wb|prologue}}{{wob ref|1709}} However, when Breath is transferred directly from one person to another, the magic system automatically rekeys the Identity of the Breaths to that of the recipient, making Awakening the easiest of the magic systems to gain access to.{{wob ref|1473}} Breaths used by an Awakener who has blanked their Identity can be retrieved by anyone, though Intent is required.{{wob ref|14423}}

=== Shallan ===

There is a "pretty tenuous" link between Identity and the different parts of Shallan.{{wob ref|8480}}

Identity and Connection are involved with the [[singer]]s' ability to [[Singers#Forms|change forms]].{{book ref|sa3|17}} If a singer's Identity and Connection is stolen, they will change into slaveform.{{book ref|sa1|72}}{{book ref|sa3|17}}

=== Nahel Bonds ===

Forming a Nahel Bond utilizes Identity and Connection in some manner. Lessening those attributes, such as by storing them in a metalmind, would affect the bond.{{wob ref|9407}}

Most healing in the cosmere works by using the three versions of the user's self: the Physical, Cognitive, and Spiritual versions.{{wob ref|9441}}{{wob ref|5306}} Healing typically heals the Physical version by matching it to their ideal Spiritual version, which is filtered through the lens of their minds (Cognitive version).{{wob ref|3923}} Almost all forms of healing in the cosmere are filtered through the perception of the user.{{wob ref|7024}}{{wob ref|9623}} If a person hasn't accepted a wound as a part of themselves, they can still heal it regardless of how long they've had it.{{wob ref|12149}} However, even if a wound is recent, if the person has changed their mindset to see it as a part of themselves, they will not be able to heal from it.{{wob ref|6501}}{{book ref|sa3|i|13}}

[[es:Identidad]]