Editing Nightblood

|introduced=[[Warbreaker]]

Nightblood has no sense of gender assigned to itself. Vasher is responsible for originally assigning it male pronouns, while [[Lift]] refers to it using female pronouns. It is fascinated by gender, and is still attempting to figure it out.{{wob ref|3372}}

Those aligned with Nightblood's [[Intention|Intent]], or those who do not want to use it, will not be affected by Nightblood.{{wob ref|15920}} Anyone who is able to wield Nightblood and survive forms a bond or connection with the blade to a greater degree and is no longer repelled by or abnormally drawn to use it.{{wob ref|7404}} This bond does not allow for access to [[Stormlight]] directly.{{wob ref|8348}} Nightblood's compulsion/revulsion effect has some parallels with [[Zinc#Allomantic_Use|Rioting]].{{wob ref|9424}}

Nightblood is able to better sense where those are that have bonded more deeply with it.{{book ref|wb|55}}{{wob ref|7404}} This is normally done by having it absorb a large amount of their Investiture.

Even while still in its scabbard, Nightblood is very powerful and enhances the person holding it; simply unclasping it allows some of its power to manifest. It will deepen colors around it, similar to how a person with many Breaths will brighten colors, even on worlds without Breaths.{{book ref|wb|15}} When its clasp is undone and even a bit of its blade shows, it suddenly feels lighter and leaks an inky smoke. The smoke is the Breaths that it has absorbed from its victims, twisted and fouled, leaking back out.{{wob ref|7374}} This is very similar to the black Investiture made from the souls consumed by the [[father machine]].{{book ref|yumi|39}} While the sword was simply unclasped, Szeth smashed a man in the back, seemingly breaking bones and paralyzing him.{{book ref|sa3|92}} A prison guard on Nalthis was able to run the mostly-sheathed sword through his own chest.{{book ref|wb|prologue}} If Nightblood kills while still in its scabbard, it will leave a blackness around the wound.{{book ref|wb|19}}

Once drawn, Nightblood becomes incredibly powerful. Its voice becomes overpowering and liquid smoke pours from the length of the blade. The sword becomes barely sentient as its Command takes over, and it does not usually recall what happens while it is drawn.{{wob ref|7474}} The wielder feels extreme pain in the arm holding Nightblood and the hand, arm, and eventually the whole body turns black as the sword consumes Investiture.{{book ref|wb|56}}{{book ref|sa3|119}} The black veins or tendrils that appear in the wielder usually leave the skin gray after Nightblood is sheathed or otherwise satiated. This can be seen in [[Lolan]]'s hand, Lift's arms, and Szeth's face.{{book ref|wb|26}}{{book ref|sa3|119}} So long as Nightblood is unsheathed, it drains Investiture from its wielder, drawing it faster the longer it is held, until it is all gone in a way very similar to both [[larkin]] and [[chromium|chromium Mistings]].{{book ref|wb|56}}{{wob ref|5023}}{{book ref|sa4|i|12}} If held until all available Breath (or other [[Investiture]]) is consumed, Nightblood will feed on the spark of life, killing the wielder.{{book ref|sa3|119}}{{wob ref|5813}} This will also happen to non-Returned that wield Nightblood.{{wob ref|4068}} Some of Nightblood's negative effects can be negated by an aluminum gauntlet, though this would also negate some positive effects; however, these positive effects are not used by many of Nightblood's wielders in the first place.

When it inflicts a wound, it vaporizes and destroys on all three [[Realms]] (Cognitive, Physical, and Spiritual).{{book ref|sa4|111}}{{wob ref|3393}}{{wob ref|8404}} Living humans, [[Lifeless]], and inanimate objects disappear in a puff of smoke if so much as nicked by Nightblood's blade.{{book ref|sa3|92}}{{book ref|wb|56}} Nightblood can also destroy inanimate objects by destroying their bead in [[Shadesmar]].{{wob ref|10508}} Nightblood is powerful enough to destroy [[Fused]] and [[thunderclast]]s permanently, presumably sending them to the [[Beyond]].{{wob ref|10440}} Additional incredible effects of Nightblood include: killing the [[Vessel]] of a [[Shard]] of [[Adonalsium]],{{book ref|sa4|113}} collapsing a [[perpendicularity]],{{book ref|sa4|111}} chipping an [[Honorblade]],{{book ref|sa4|111}} and severing [[Bondsmith]]-forged [[Connection]]s.{{book ref|sa4|111}}

Nightblood was created on Nalthis and initially consumed BioChromatic Breaths, but it can also consume other forms of Investiture, such as [[Stormlight]].{{wob ref|661}}{{book ref|sa3|92}} On [[Scadrial]], a person would need to be actively [[Allomancy|burning a metal]] or tapping a [[Feruchemy|metalmind]] to avoid being consumed very quickly.{{wob ref|8683}} Nightblood can also feed on the [[mist]]s but would not be able to pick up the Shard [[Preservation]].{{wob ref|4590}} On [[Sel]], Nightblood would be able to draw power from the [[Dor]]. For instance, if an Elantrian drew an [[Aon]] above the sword, it would be able to draw on Investiture, but the Aon would quickly be consumed due to too much energy being pulled through too small an opening.{{wob ref|8746}} Notably, it can draw Stormlight from other sources directly--not just from the wielder.{{book ref|sa3|92}} Nightblood is strong enough that an Awakener of the tenth Heightening cannot break its command.{{wob ref|13095}}

Nightblood is one of the most heavily Invested non-Shard entities in the cosmere, due to consuming the Investiture of its users and victims.{{wob ref|10833}} It has been compared to [[Susebron]], making it possible that its current Investiture is roughly equivalent to over 50,000 Breaths.{{wob ref|7299}} Nightblood probably has more raw Investiture than an [[Unmade]], but not the [[Stormfather]].{{wob ref|12591}} There is a limit to how much Investiture Nightblood can hold.{{wob ref|16272}}

When used, its effects are somewhat similar to those of Shardblades, but much more powerful. It can destroy non-living material, but not just what it touches, as Shardblades do: Vasher clears a hole ten feet wide by ramming Nightblood into a ceiling.{{book ref|wb|56}} So far, everything Nightblood has touched has been destroyed, except for its own aluminum scabbard, which was used by a [[Fused]] to block a blow from Nightblood during the [[Battle of Thaylen Field]]. Nightblood would be able to stop a Shardblade that hit it, but it seems to be unclear what would happen to the Shardblade.{{wob ref|5555}} Nightblood is able to both stop, and damage, an Honorblade.{{book ref|sa4|111}}

=== Nalthis ===

==== Creation ====

Nightblood was created in collaboration between [[Vasher]] and [[Shashara]], [[Returned]] lovers and two of the [[Five Scholars]]. Shashara, a very talented [[Awakener]], has some feelings of envy after [[Yesteel]] invents [[ichor-alcohol]], so she begins experimenting with steel.{{book ref|wb|51}} She eventually discovers a method to Awaken steel and give it sentience, although she and Vasher do not fully understand how this is possible.{{book ref|wb|51}} She reaches the Ninth [[Heightening]] and uses a thousand [[BioChromatic_Breath|Breaths]] and a very difficult visualization to Awaken a sword with the [[Command]] "Destroy Evil." However, the sword had no concept of evil, and so the Breaths it inherited decided evil was "someone who would try to take the sword and use it for evil purposes; selling it, manipulating, and extorting others, that sort of thing."{{wob ref|7278}}

Nightblood was not black before being Awakened,{{wob ref|8245}} and had a different name when originally Awakened. It is unknown when the sword changed color and began leaking black smoke; but the sword was renamed Nightblood due to these qualities sometime after Vasher used Nightblood to kill Shashara.{{wob ref|7374}}

Nightblood was not originally a [[Feruchemy|metalmind]] or a [[Hemalurgic]] spike.{{wob ref|13044}} If a different Allomantically viable metal had been used, Nightblood would have likely manifested different powers and capabilities.{{wob ref|15263}}{{wob ref|15335}} Nightblood would not likely have had the same powers or capabilities had a different object been awakened. A shield for instance, would have a different response to the command to 'destroy evil'.{{wob ref|14005}}

==== The Manywar ====

==== The Pahn Kahl Rebellion ====

Vasher was in possession of Nightblood during the [[Pahn Kahl rebellion]] in 327 and warned [[Vivenna]] against asking questions about Type IV objects.{{book ref|wb|53}} At one point [[Denth]] took the sword from Vasher and threw it into a shallow bay (although Nightblood thought it was "the ocean").{{wob ref|7385}}{{book ref|wb|54}} Nightblood was able to get the attention of [[Chapps]], who took it out of the water,{{book ref|wb|53}} but later kills four people and himself.{{book ref|wb|54}} Vivenna then retrieved it and gave it to a group of soldiers to use, who also all die.{{book ref|wb|55}} Vasher finally found it and used it to destroy a large number of Lifeless while pursuing Denth.{{book ref|wb|56}}

Some time later, Vasher traveled to Roshar but was eventually separated from Nightblood{{wob ref|1714}} after some kind of falling out a few generations after the Pahn Khal Rebellion.{{wob ref|651}}{{wob ref|14099}} Some time before this, Nightblood was brought to one or more planets other than Nalthis or Roshar, but when or to what planets is unknown.{{wob ref|12594}}

The [[Nightwatcher]] somehow came in possession of Nightblood, and offered it to Dalinar during his visit to the [[Valley]] in {{rosharan date|1168}} in the Vorin reckoning.{{book ref|sa3|114}} At some point following this, [[Nale]] came in possession of the sword.{{book ref|sa2|88}}

==== The True Desolation ====

The sword next surfaced after the [[Battle of Narak]], when it is given to [[Szeth]] after his death and restoration by Nale on {{rosharan date|1173|10|10|3}}.{{book ref|sa2|88}}

===== Serving Under Nale =====

Szeth, who calls Nightblood 'sword-nimi', carried it during and after his training with Nale and the [[Order of Skybreakers|Skybreakers]]. He was warned not to draw it except in case of extreme emergency and only if he carries much Stormlight, lest it feed upon his soul.{{book ref|sa3|90}} Notably, Szeth made no mention of any sensation of either nausea or lust for Nightblood upon encountering it because of his compatibility with Nightblood.{{wob ref|15920}}

He was seen by [[Lift]] carrying Nightblood in [[Yeddaw]] in {{rosharan date|1174|1}}. Nightblood later stated that he likes her.{{book ref|sa3|119}}{{book ref|edgedancer|16}}

The first time Szeth drew Nightblood was during his Skybreaker test at the Purelake. Colors appeared to become darker and more vibrant around him, and he managed to re-sheath the sword after killing a corrupt nobleman.{{book ref|sa3|92}} Szeth then drew Nightblood during the [[Battle of Thaylen Field]] on {{Rosharan date|1174|2|10|5}}{{ref|name=timeline}} and killed hundreds of enemies, including a [[Thunderclast]] but also nearly killed both himself and [[Lift]], draining their Stormlight.{{book ref|sa3|118}}

During the [[War of Reckoning]] and the [[True Desolation]], Vasher remains on Roshar and has been there for quite some time.{{wob ref|6267}} Vivenna subsequently appeared on Roshar under the identity of [[Azure]], searching for Vasher and Nightblood.{{wob ref|1892}} As Azure, Vivenna carried a sword of unknown origin that shares some similar characteristics with Nightblood.{{book ref|sa3|108}}{{wob ref|10477}} [[Borea]], an [[honorspren]] in [[Shadesmar]], wanted to know more about the sword; she recalled Nightblood passing through several years ago and agrees to trade information with Vivenna.{{book ref|sa3|108}}

===== Campaign in Emul =====

During their campaign to free [[Emul]], Nightblood accompanied Szeth, Dalinar, and several Windrunners to parley with [[Ishar]]. Crazed, Ishar attempts to form a [[Connection]] with Dalinar to steal his bond to the [[Stormfather]]. Inside of Dalinar's [[perpendicularity]], Szeth uses Nightblood to sever this Connection, thereby saving Dalinar. While Szeth duels [[Ishar]], Nightblood manages to chip off a piece of Ishar's [[Honorblade]], shocking Ishar and causing him to flee.{{book ref|sa4|111}}

Nightblood later accompanied Szeth when the Skybreaker invades [[Taravangian]]'s prison and murdered him with a normal knife. Just before Taravangian perished, [[Odium]] arrived to question him, but Taravangian grabbed the cognitive manifestation of Nightblood and used it to attack the Shard. Taravangian then perished, but, before he could pass into the [[Beyond]], Nightblood killed Odium's Vessel, [[Rayse]], but was sated by the Investiture required to do so and left the [[Shard]] itself intact, which allowed Taravangian to Ascend as the new Vessel of Odium.{{book ref|sa4|113}}

===== Expedition to Shinovar =====

Following the campaign in Emul, Szeth decided to travel to Shinovar with Nightblood in order to complete his Fourth Ideal.{{book ref|sa4|111}}

{{image|Nightblood by Anya.png|side=right|width=400px}}

Both Shashara and Vasher had been to other planets before creating Nightblood and have relatively significant amounts of knowledge regarding the cosmere and Investiture.{{wob ref|1548}} Nightblood is one of the most heavily Invested things in the [[cosmere]].{{wob ref|5170}}{{wob ref|8662}} It is far more Invested than other powerful magical objects like Shardblades or the [[Bands of Mourning]],{{wob ref|7668}} and the only things more Invested than it are [[Shards]].{{wob ref|10833}} Nightblood didn't start off that strong but grew in power over time.{{wob ref|10833}} Nightblood cannot destroy an entire Shard but the Vessel can be killed by it.{{wob ref|13379}}{{book ref|sa4|113}}

It retains its power in any location as it can feed on any kind of Investiture available, including souls and even physical matter.{{wob ref|5879}}{{wob ref|8662}} It consumes Investiture at an incredibly high rate.{{book ref|wb|56}}{{book ref|sa3|90}} It is one of very few things known to affect all three [[Realms]]; it has been described as "attacking directly at the spirit".{{wob ref|8404}} Nightblood is able to collapse a perpendicularity.{{wob ref|12915}}{{book ref|sa4|111}} [[Rayse]] was well aware of Nightblood,{{wob ref|8741}} though he was surprised to see it before he was destroyed.{{book ref|sa4|113}} Other Vessels are afraid of it.{{wob ref|10832}} Even [[Hoid]], who is very difficult to kill,{{wob ref|4780}} is afraid of it.{{wob ref|8588}}{{wob ref|16273}}

* If Nightblood was a ''[[wikipedia:Magic: The Gathering|Magic: The Gathering]]'' card, it would be equipment, with the text: "When equipped creature does combat damage, destroy all other creatures. During your upkeep, pay WUBRG or you lose the game."{{wob ref|4095}}

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