Editing Rhythm

{{magic
|related=[[Connection]], [[Singer]]s
|universe=[[Cosmere]]
|books=[[The Stormlight Archive]]
}}
{{update|sa4}}
{{quote
|Without the rhythms, men needed help understanding one another.
|[[Rlain]]{{book ref|sa3|55}}
}}

'''Rhythms''' are a [[cosmere]]-wide phenomenon that manifests most clearly on [[Roshar]].{{wob ref|7414}} They're a variety of beats or melodies that change in regular ways over time.{{book ref|sa2|i|4}} They are not normally audible; [[singer]]s, humans, and [[larkin]] are the only known species able to hear the rhythms, though others exist throughout the cosmere.{{wob ref|3662}}{{book ref|sa4|i|8}}

== Behavior ==
Rhythms are ever-present, though most beings in the cosmere cannot hear them.{{wob ref|3662}} Every rhythm changes, albeit in regular ways; a rhythm can be divided into movements, which are stable enough to measure time by.{{book ref|sa2|i|4}} They're tied to emotions; a person capable of hearing the rhythms will naturally attune to one matching their mood, or start feeling in a specific way by attuning to a specific mood.{{book ref|sa2|i|1}} Some rhythms seem to be tied to other aspects of the world, however; the Rhythm of Winds, for example, can be used to predict [[highstorm]]s.{{book ref|sa2|i|4}}

It's unclear where precisely rhythms come from, or what makes them. They appear to be tied to planets, with each world having its own "songs".{{wob ref|13451}} [[Roshar]] seems to have particularly strong or powerful rhythms; a [[bronze]] [[Allomancer]] would be able to hear them there.{{wob ref|2031}} Each Shard also has its own rhythm and, as they Invest in a planet, their rhythm becomes part of that world.{{book ref|sa4|83}} Other rhythms may be tied to a [[Shard]]; there are several rhythms similar to the ones that a singer would normally hear, but with a more passionate or aggressive feeling, that are considered to be of [[Odium]].{{book ref|sa3|i|7}}{{book ref|sa4|51}} Odium, at least, also seems to be able to craft or grant rhythms for a specific person.{{book ref|sa4|41}}

Hearing the rhythms is tied to the phenomenon of [[Connection]]; whatever the precise nature of the rhythms, they can be Connected to, which is how any being is able to hear them. A creature capable of hearing the rhythms can pick up what another person's attuned to from just a few spoken words, which is something an unconnected person wouldn't be able to do, even though the rhythms can be written down as sheet music.{{wob ref|13451}} Each rhythm carries with it an innate understanding of its meaning.{{book ref|sa4|76}}

== Users ==
{{image|Parshendi Fighting Pair by stinkypanda.jpg|side=right|width=300px|[[Singer]]s are [[Connection|Connected]] to each other by the rhythms}}

=== Singers ===
{{quote
|They could feel the rhythm, hear it. All were in tune, all were in rhythm with one another. Perfection.
|[[Eshonai]]{{book ref|sa2|i|8}}
}}

[[Singer]]s speak to rhythms to express their feelings or to assign their words specific meaning.{{book ref|sa2|i|1}} When not paying attention, singers will attune to the rhythm that corresponds to their mood, but they can attune to another rhythm in order to fit with their message. Not all [[Singer#Forms|forms]] can hear the rhythms equally; dullforms hear them only partially, while singers in slaveform cannot hear them at all.{{book ref|sa3|55}} The rhythms Connect the singers, and the various singer songs are sung to different rhythms.{{wob ref|9937}}{{wob ref|6482}}

=== Larkin ===
{{quote
|Chiri-Chiri did not always understand the mouth noises of the soft ones. They did not click, and there was no rhythm to them. So the sounds were sometimes just noises.
|[[Chiri-Chiri]]{{book ref|sa4|i|8}}
}}

[[Rysn|Rysn's]] [[larkin]] [[Chiri-Chiri]] seems to be able to hear rhythms, including the Rhythm of Contentment, though whether larkin hear the same rhythms as the singers is unknown.{{book ref|sa4|i|8}}

=== Others ===
{{quote
|Perhaps it was his imagination, but it seemed that sometimes [humans] responded to certain rhythms.
|[[Rlain]]{{book ref|sa3|55}}
}}
Apart from singers and larkin, humans also seem to have limited capability to hear rhythms. Although [[Navani]] was able to hear them after some measure of concentration, she was also able to sing the tone of Honor as well. Humans with singer ancestry, such as [[Unkalaki]], can occasionally catch them, albeit very faintly.{{book ref|sa3|37}} A [[Feruchemy|Feruchemical]] [[Connection]] medallion would be able to interpret the rhythms, albeit not very accurately.{{wob ref|753}} [[Allomancer]]s capable of burning [[bronze]] would be able to hear them on [[Roshar]];{{wob ref|2031}} conversely, if a singer were to become a Seeker or Mistborn, they'd find bronze pulses familiar, though strange.{{wob ref|11606}}

There are also other species in the [[cosmere]] capable of hearing the rhythms, but what they are is currently unknown.{{wob ref|3662}}

== Known Rhythms ==
=== Normal Rhythms ===
Most rhythms appear to be natural phenomena, unrelated to the [[Shard]]s. Singers hear these beats when not in [[Regal]] Forms.

{{columns|
* Rhythm of Amusement{{book ref|sa2|i|1}}
* Rhythm of Annoyance{{book ref|sa2|i|4}}
* Rhythm of Anticipation{{book ref|sa2|i|13}}
* Rhythm of Anxiety{{book ref|sa2|i|4}}
* Rhythm of Appreciation{{book ref|sa2|i|4}}
* Rhythm of Awe - the [[Knights Radiant]] are sung of to this rhythm{{book ref|sa2|i|8}}
* Rhythm of Betrayal - rarely sung{{book ref|sa2|i|4}}
* Rhythm of Confidence{{book ref|sa2|i|11}}
* Rhythm of Confusion{{book ref|sa4|60}}
* Rhythm of Consideration{{book ref|sa2|i|4}}
* Rhythm of Consolation - used for strong apologies{{book ref|sa3|i|7}}
* Rhythm of Curiosity - a slow rhythm{{book ref|sa2|i|4}}
* Rhythm of Despair{{book ref|sa4|111}}
* Rhythm of Determination{{book ref|sa4|11}}
* Rhythm of Disappointment{{book ref|sa4|56}}
* Rhythm of Excitement{{book ref|sa2|i|1}}
* Rhythm of Fortune - has some cultural significance, as one can be said to be blessed by it if they're lucky{{book ref|sa4|77}}
* Rhythm of Hope{{book ref|sa4|42}}
* Rhythm of Irritation{{book ref|sa2|i|4}}
* Rhythm of Joy{{book ref|sa2|i|11}}
* Rhythm of Longing{{book ref|sa3|55}}
* Rhythm of the Lost - soft, slow, but violent, with sharp, separated notes; used for remembering the fallen{{book ref|sa2|i|1}}{{book ref|sa3|55}}
* Rhythm of Memories - used for singing about history{{book ref|sa4|73}}
* Rhythm of Mourning{{book ref|sa2|i|1}}
* Rhythm of Pain{{book ref|sa4|60}}
* Rhythm of Peace - calm, soft, soothing beats; used by [[listener]]s to measure time.{{book ref|sa2|i|11}} While attuning it in [[stormform]], Eshonai heard her own voice screaming like a [[deadeye]], possibly due to her [[Nahel bond]] with [[Timbre]]. 
* Rhythm of Pleading - rarely-used{{book ref|sa2|i|4}}
* Rhythm of Praise - used both to show appreciation of others and to express true satisfaction{{book ref|sa2|i|1}}
* Rhythm of Reconciliation{{book ref|sa4|86}}
* Rhythm of Remembrance{{book ref|sa2|i|4}}
* Rhythm of Reprimand{{book ref|sa2|i|1}}
* Rhythm of Resignation{{book ref|sa4|45}}
* Rhythm of Resolve - a steady beat with power rising over time{{book ref|sa2|i|5}}
* Rhythm of Skepticism{{book ref|sa2|i|1}}
* Rhythm of Supplication{{book ref|sa2|i|4}}
* Rhythm of Surprise{{book ref|sa4|62}}
* Rhythm of Tension{{book ref|sa2|i|11}}
* Rhythm of the Terrors{{book ref|sa3|prologue}} - used when feeling terror, as the name implies.{{book ref|sa4|106}}
* Rhythm of Victory{{book ref|sa3|120}}
* Rhythm of Winds - used for predicting [[highstorm]]s{{book ref|sa2|i|4}} and as an instruction to follow.{{book ref|sa4|115}} Hummed to indicate respect for a highstorm occurring.{{book ref|sa4|57}}
* Rhythm of Wisdom - possibly metaphorical{{ref|text=The rhythm is referred to in dialogue ("they attuned Wisdom, not Betrayal, in their actions"{{book ref|sa4|73}}), but it has not been known to actually be attuned or hummed.}}

}}

=== Odium's Rhythms ===
{{quote
|That song! That '''song'''. It is death.
|[[Rlain]]{{book ref|sa2|81}}
}}

These are the rhythms that those with [[Connection]] to [[Odium]], such as the [[Fused]] and Regals, can attune to. In most cases, being able to hear the new rhythms precludes one from hearing the old ones. These Rhythms of Power sound and feel different to the more well known rhythms of similar emotions.{{wob ref|1682}} In many cases, though, they express similar things, albeit in a more violent and hostile manner.{{book ref|sa2|i|11}}

{{columns|
* Rhythm of Abashment{{book ref|sa3|i|12}}
* Rhythm of Agony{{book ref|sa3|120}} - counterpart to Anxiety{{book ref|sa4|14}}
* Rhythm of Command - a more powerful version of Appreciation{{book ref|sa3|i|3}}
* Rhythm of Conceit{{book ref|sa3|i|12}}
* Rhythm of Craving - a more violent version of Anticipation{{book ref|sa2|i|13}} used to indicate confusion or a question {{book ref|sa4|42}}
* Rhythm of Derision{{book ref|sa2|i|11}}
* Rhythm of Destruction{{book ref|sa2|i|11}}
* Rhythm of Executions - rare; expresses killing intent{{book ref|sa4|60}}{{book ref|sa4|111}}
* Rhythm of Exultation{{book ref|sa4|14}}
* Rhythm of Fury{{book ref|sa2|i|11}}
* Rhythm of Indifference{{book ref|sa4|92}}
* Rhythm of Panic - a pained, choppy beat with unfinished measures{{book ref|sa4|14}}
* Rhythm of Relief{{book ref|sa4|42}}
* Rhythm of Ridicule - similar to Amusement{{book ref|sa2|i|11}}
* Rhythm of Satisfaction{{book ref|sa2|i|11}}
* Rhythm of Spite{{book ref|sa2|i|11}}
* Rhythm of Subservience{{book ref|sa3|i|7}}
*Rhythm of Thoughtfulness{{book ref|sa4|41}}
* Rhythm of Tribute{{book ref|sa4|51}}
* Rhythm of Withdrawal - one of the few calm Odium rhythms{{book ref|sa3|i|12}}
* Song of Prayer - a rhythm used to draw [[Voidlight]] into the [[Physical Realm]]{{book ref|sa4|67}}
}}

=== The Pure Tones and Shardic Rhythms ===
Each of the [[Shard]]s Invested in Roshar has its own note, called a pure tone, which can be heard and sang by any [[singer]], and even humans, if taught to do so.{{book ref|sa4|68}}{{book ref|sa4|76}} The [[Light]] corresponding to each of these Shards both react to and produce the corresponding pure tone, and closer hearing reveals a faint rhythm unique to each Light.{{book ref|sa4|76}} A slight alteration of the pure tone combined with precise alignment of the Rhythms allows for harmonization between pairs of tone and rhythms. This harmonization is essential in creation of hybrid [[Lights]].{{book ref|sa4|76}}{{book ref|sa4|110}}

* Rhythm of [[Honor]] – a vibrant beat, stately and controlled{{book ref|sa4|76}}
* Rhythm of [[Cultivation]] – stark and staccato, building up{{book ref|sa4|76}}
* Rhythm of [[Odium]] – violent, chaotic rhythm that becomes more logical over time{{book ref|sa4|76}}
* Rhythm of War – a mix of Honor's and Odium's rhythms; a combination of chaotic notes and steady pulse{{book ref|sa4|76}}
* Rhythm of the Tower – a mix of Honor and Cultivation's rhythms; a mix of boundless energy and structure{{book ref|sa4|110}}
* A mix of Odium and Cultivation's rhythms; attuned once by [[Venli]] but as of yet unnamed{{book ref|sa4|83}}
* The pulsing which comes from the [[Well of Ascension]] is a pure tone of [[Scadrial]].{{wob ref|14586}}

== Trivia ==
* The rhythms, and the connections they afford to the singers, were based on the works of [[wikipedia:Carl Jung|Carl Jung]].{{wob ref|4051}}
* Brandon based his mental image of speaking to rhythms on Hindu chants.{{wob ref|1646}}
* Striking a chime or bell made of a [[God Metal]] would not necessarily produce a similar note to that God Metal's corresponding Rhythm.{{wob ref|15275}}
* Brandon once joked that if a singer were to attune the rhythm of [[wikipedia:Barry White|Barry White]], they'd immediately enter [[mateform]].{{wob ref|6333}}
* In her last moments as a [[Cognitive Shadow]], [[Eshonai]] believed that nobody could understand the Rhythms without seeing the entire continent first.{{book ref|sa4|117}}

== Notes ==
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