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Difference between revisions of "Nahel bond"

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The '''Nahel bond''' is a connection between a sentient [[spren]] and a human or [[singer]]. This bond is a symbiotic relationship, granting the human participant the power of [[Surgebinding]] and the spren participant the ability to manifest into the [[Physical Realm]] and retain their mind. At least part of the bond is dependent on the use of Connection and Identity, since storing those attributes into a [[metalmind]] will affect the bond.{{wob ref|9407}}
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The '''Nahel bond''' is a connection between a sentient [[spren]] and a human or [[singer]]. This bond is a symbiotic relationship, granting a person the power of [[Surgebinding]], and the spren the ability to manifest into the [[Physical Realm]] without losing their mind.
   
 
Originally, the Nahel bond granted power to individuals with no affiliation with one another. Eventually, the [[Knights Radiant]] were formed and the Surgebinders were gathered into ten different Orders of Knights, each Order's members bonded to the same type of spren.
 
Originally, the Nahel bond granted power to individuals with no affiliation with one another. Eventually, the [[Knights Radiant]] were formed and the Surgebinders were gathered into ten different Orders of Knights, each Order's members bonded to the same type of spren.
   
  ⚫
== Mechanics of the Bond ==
⚫
A Nahel bond can theoretically be passed from one person to another, similar to that of a [[seon]]. In fact, this has happened a few times in the past.{{wob ref|885}}
  
  +
{{quote
  ⚫
|The responsibility of what we've been given — whether it be the crown or the Nahel bond — needs to make ''us'' better
  +
|[[Nohadon]]{{book ref|sa1|60}}
  +
}}
   
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== Formation of the Bond ==
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=== Formation ===
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Spren seem to bond with people who share in their perspective or personality. However, some types of spren are more discerning than others when choosing their human partners.{{book ref|sa1|60}} Additionally, some types of spren are more free-spirited and choose the humans that they bond with individually. Others are more organized and will choose a human to bond with by committee, then send one of their members to the chosen human.{{wob ref|1384}}
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Spren seem to bond with people who share their perspective or personality; however, they also seem to seek partners that would complement them.{{wob ref|5183}} The bonded spren is more likely to be of the opposite gender to their bond-mate, but this is by no means a hard rule,{{wob ref|349}} and there are numerous Surgebindes with same-gender spren, such as [[Malata]] with [[Spark]], or [[Renarin]] with [[Glys]].
   
  +
How exactly the bond is decided on varies. Some spren are highly discerning, while others do not pay much attention to the morality of their prospective partner.{{book ref|sa1|60}} Some spren choose the people they bond with individually, while others are more organized and make the decision by comittee, then send one of their number to bond.{{wob ref|1384}}
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== Limitations of the Bond ==
  
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Spren bond with people that share beliefs similar to the spren's own concept. As the bond progresses, the holder of the bond will move along a path bringing the holder's thinking more in line with the spren they are bonded to.
 
  +
Forming a bond utilizes the [[cosmere]]-wide properties of [[Connection]] and [[Identity]] in some manner; lessening those attributes, such as by storing them in a [[metalmind]], would affect the bond.{{wob ref|9407}}
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Each Ideal said by the Radiant progresses the bond. Only the first Ideal is said by all Radiants, as the later ideals are Order specific. [[Lightweaver]]s say Truths rather than Ideals. Without saying the words, the Radiant's ability to use Stormlight will not increase. If the Radiant stops acting according to their oaths, they will weaken or completely destroy the bond, which can result in killing the spren.
  
  +
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=== Progression ===
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{{for|Immortal Words}}
  +
The Nahel Bond is forged and progressed by the human partner stating [[Immortal Words]], also known as Oaths or Ideals, which align with their Order's general outlook and attitude. The first Ideal is identical for all Orders; the latter ones are Order-specific, with [[Order of Lightweavers|Lightweavers]] in particular stating deep, intimate Truths about themselves rather than Ideals.{{book ref|sa2|87}}
  +
  +
As the Radiant states further Oaths, they are brought closer to the spren they're bonded to. The spren's mental capacity in the Physical Realm increases, while the bold holder gains the ability to use [[Surgebinding]] more effectively. At some point, the bond also grants the use of [[Shardblade]] and [[Shardplate]]. However, saying the words - at the very least, in one's mind, though out loud is preferred - is necessary to progress it.{{book ref|sa2.5|19}}
  +
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=== Breaking ===
  +
There are some ways to break a Nahel Bond. The best-known one is for the Surgebinder to act contrary to the Oaths they've sword. This initially manifests by limiting the spren's intelligence and the Surgebinder's capacity to draw in Stormlight.{{book ref|sa2|68}} Eventually, it can kill the spren, sending it back to the [[Cognitive Realm]].{{book ref|sa2|74}} Revival is possible, albeit difficult, and typically requires the Surgebinder who broke the Oaths to re-swear them, possibly along with progressing it.{{book ref|sa2|84}}{{wob ref|293}}
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  +
Another way to break the Nahel Bond is to deliberately forswear the First Ideal; this, too, will kill the spren.{{wob ref|11533}} If the spren is at a point where it can become a [[Shardblade]], breaking the bond will turn it into a [[deadeye]].{{book ref|sa3|101}}
  +
  +
There are some ways to break the bond without killing the spren. Dying while upholding the Oaths -- for example, of old age, or in battle -- will send the spren back to [[Shadesmar]], and severely traumatize it, but the spren will survive, and can bond again.{{book ref|sa3|95}} The spren can also safely break the bond on their own, albeit this requires great deal of caution.{{wob ref|9298}}
  +
  ⚫
A Nahel bond can also be passed from one person to another, similar to a [[seon]] bond. This has happened a few times in the past,{{wob ref|885}} though the mechanics of how are unknown.
   
 
== Powers Granted by the Bond ==
  
== Powers Granted by the Bond ==
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{{quote
  ⚫
|[[Alakavish]] was a [[Surgebinder]] and yet the Nahel bond gave him no more wisdom than a regular man.
  +
|[[Nohadon]]{{book ref|sa1|60}}
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}}
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=== Surgebinding ===
  
=== Surgebinding ===
 
{{for|Surgebinding}}
  
{{for|Surgebinding}}
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=== Benefits for the spren ===
  
=== Benefits for the spren ===
 
While a sapient spren can cross over into the [[Physical Realm]] without forming a Nahel Bond, the transition leaves them only semi-sapient, with loss of self-awareness, memory and intelligence. By forming a Nahel Bond, spren are capable of regaining all those things, growing more like themselves the stronger the Bond is. However, with a few exceptions (such as the [[Stormfather]]), the spren must remain in close physical proximity to their partner to retain their mind.
  
While a sapient spren can cross over into the [[Physical Realm]] without forming a Nahel Bond, the transition leaves them only semi-sapient, with loss of self-awareness, memory and intelligence. By forming a Nahel Bond, spren are capable of regaining all those things, growing more like themselves the stronger the Bond is. However, with a few exceptions (such as the [[Stormfather]]), the spren must remain in close physical proximity to their partner to retain their mind.
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== Severing the Bond ==
  
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The only known way to sever a Nahel bond is for a Surgebinder to act in a manner contrary to the limitations of the bond.{{disputed}}{{cite}} This can kill the spren, sending them back to the [[Cognitive Realm]]. Revival is possible, but difficult{{wob ref|293}}. It is even more difficult for the spren to bond with a different person after severing the bond, and they will only do this if the person they originally bonded with is dead.{{cite}} While difficult, it is possible for a spren to safely break the bond on their own.{{wob ref|9298}}
  
   
 
== Notable Surgebinders and Spren ==
  
== Notable Surgebinders and Spren ==
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| [[Nale]] || [[Skybreaker]] || [[Highspren]] || ''unknown''
  
| [[Nale]] || [[Skybreaker]] || [[Highspren]] || ''unknown''
 
|}
  
|}
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== Quotes ==
  
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{{quote|[[Alakavish]] was a [[Surgebinder]] and yet the Nahel bond gave him no more wisdom than a regular man|[[Nohadon]] on the bond{{book ref|sa1|60}}|}}
  
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{{quote|The responsibility of what we've been given — whether it be the crown or the Nahel bond — needs to make ''us'' better|[[Nohadon]] on the bond{{book ref|sa1|60}}|}}
  
   
 
== Trivia ==
  
== Trivia ==

Revision as of 10:42, 9 October 2019

Nahel bond
Related to Surgebinding, Honor, Cultivation
World of Origin Roshar
Universe Cosmere

“ The Nahel bond is far more intimate a relationship. The linking of spirits. This is not a thing that should be done lightly, unsupervised. ”

The Nahel bond is a connection between a sentient spren and a human or singer. This bond is a symbiotic relationship, granting a person the power of Surgebinding, and the spren the ability to manifest into the Physical Realm without losing their mind.

Originally, the Nahel bond granted power to individuals with no affiliation with one another. Eventually, the Knights Radiant were formed and the Surgebinders were gathered into ten different Orders of Knights, each Order's members bonded to the same type of spren.

Mechanics of the Bond

“The responsibility of what we've been given — whether it be the crown or the Nahel bond — needs to make us better ”

Formation

Spren seem to bond with people who share their perspective or personality; however, they also seem to seek partners that would complement them.[3] The bonded spren is more likely to be of the opposite gender to their bond-mate, but this is by no means a hard rule,[4] and there are numerous Surgebindes with same-gender spren, such as Malata with Spark, or Renarin with Glys.

How exactly the bond is decided on varies. Some spren are highly discerning, while others do not pay much attention to the morality of their prospective partner.[2] Some spren choose the people they bond with individually, while others are more organized and make the decision by comittee, then send one of their number to bond.[5]

Forming a bond utilizes the cosmere-wide properties of Connection and Identity in some manner; lessening those attributes, such as by storing them in a metalmind, would affect the bond.[6]

Progression

For more information, see Immortal Words.

The Nahel Bond is forged and progressed by the human partner stating Immortal Words, also known as Oaths or Ideals, which align with their Order's general outlook and attitude. The first Ideal is identical for all Orders; the latter ones are Order-specific, with Lightweavers in particular stating deep, intimate Truths about themselves rather than Ideals.[7]

As the Radiant states further Oaths, they are brought closer to the spren they're bonded to. The spren's mental capacity in the Physical Realm increases, while the bold holder gains the ability to use Surgebinding more effectively. At some point, the bond also grants the use of Shardblade and Shardplate. However, saying the words - at the very least, in one's mind, though out loud is preferred - is necessary to progress it.[8]

Breaking

There are some ways to break a Nahel Bond. The best-known one is for the Surgebinder to act contrary to the Oaths they've sword. This initially manifests by limiting the spren's intelligence and the Surgebinder's capacity to draw in Stormlight.[9] Eventually, it can kill the spren, sending it back to the Cognitive Realm.[10] Revival is possible, albeit difficult, and typically requires the Surgebinder who broke the Oaths to re-swear them, possibly along with progressing it.[11][12]

Another way to break the Nahel Bond is to deliberately forswear the First Ideal; this, too, will kill the spren.[13] If the spren is at a point where it can become a Shardblade, breaking the bond will turn it into a deadeye.[14]

There are some ways to break the bond without killing the spren. Dying while upholding the Oaths -- for example, of old age, or in battle -- will send the spren back to Shadesmar, and severely traumatize it, but the spren will survive, and can bond again.[15] The spren can also safely break the bond on their own, albeit this requires great deal of caution.[16]

A Nahel bond can also be passed from one person to another, similar to a seon bond. This has happened a few times in the past,[17] though the mechanics of how are unknown.

Powers Granted by the Bond

“Alakavish was a Surgebinder and yet the Nahel bond gave him no more wisdom than a regular man. ”

Surgebinding

For more information, see Surgebinding.

The Nahel Bond makes person a Surgebinder. This allows them to breathe in Stormlight, which grants numerous benefits, such as increased reflexes and agility, as well as incredible healing abilities. Moreover, Surgebindes can use Stormlight to fuel their usage of Surges. Each type of Radiant spren grants its Surgebinder two different Surges, with each Surge shared between two Orders of Surgebinders.[18]

Resonances

Some Orders[19] have additional, unique abilities known as resonances, that occur due to the combination of their Surges. Examples of such resonances are the Windrunners' increased number of squires,[19][20] and the Lightweavers' mnemonic abilities.[19] Rather than being directly caused by the Nahel bond, this is a result of the two Surges interacting to produce an effect together.[21] While some Heralds benefit from the same resonances, others do not - for example, Jezrien will not have a large number of squires, because heralds do not get squires.[21]

It's possible that the Bond also perfects innate skills of the user, without granting additional skills; for example, an expert spearman would become a spearman without equal, but wouldn't become a master swordsman.[22] While this effect has been observed with Kaladin, it's uncertain whether it holds true for other Surgebinders or orders.

Shardblade

When the Nahel bond is at a sufficient strength, the bonded spren can instantly manifest itself as a Shardblade, which, unlike dead Blades, is capable of shapeshifting. Known forms range from strictly militant, such as a shield o a spear,[23] to utilitarian, like forks,[24] or plain rods.[8] Moreover, while a human using a dead Shardblade must wait ten heartbeats before the summoning occurs, a living Blade will manifest instantenously.[23]

While in Shardblade form, a spren can communicate with its partner telepathically.[25] The exception to that is the Stormfather, who, while refusing to become a Blade, can communicate with his Surgebinder regardless of the physical distance, directly in their mind.[26][27]

Benefits for the spren

While a sapient spren can cross over into the Physical Realm without forming a Nahel Bond, the transition leaves them only semi-sapient, with loss of self-awareness, memory and intelligence. By forming a Nahel Bond, spren are capable of regaining all those things, growing more like themselves the stronger the Bond is. However, with a few exceptions (such as the Stormfather), the spren must remain in close physical proximity to their partner to retain their mind.

Notable Surgebinders and Spren

Surgebinder Order Spren type Spren
Kaladin Windrunner Honorspren Syl
Shallan Lightweaver Cryptic Pattern
Jasnah Elsecallers Inkspren Ivory
Renarin Truthwatcher unknown Glys
Dalinar Bondsmith unique Stormfather
Lift Edgedancer Cultivationspren Wyndle
Stump Truthwatcher unknown unknown
Malata Dustbringer Ashspren Spark
Lopen Windrunner Honorspren Rua
Teft Windrunner Honorspren unknown
Drehy Windrunner Honorspren unknown
Szeth Skybreaker Highspren unknown
Hoid Lightweaver Cryptic unknown
Venli Willshaper Lightspren Timbre
Tien Lightweaver Cryptic unknown
Ki Skybreaker Highspren Winnow
Warren Skybreaker Highspren unknown
Nale Skybreaker Highspren unknown

Trivia

  • The word "Nahel" is a Rosharan word that means "the bond to divinity", while the word "bond" was added to the term to avoid confusing readers.[28]

Notes

  1. ↑ Oathbringer chapter 108#
  2. ↑ a b c The Way of Kings chapter 60#
  3. ↑ Salt Lake City ComicCon 2017
    — Arcanum - 2017-09-23#
  4. ↑ Bands of Mourning release party
    — Arcanum - 2016-01-25#
  5. ↑ Orem signing 2014
    — Arcanum - 2014-12-06#
  6. ↑ Orem signing
    — Arcanum - 2018-03-10#
  7. ↑ Words of Radiance chapter 87#
  8. ↑ a b Edgedancer chapter 19#
  9. ↑ Words of Radiance chapter 68#
  10. ↑ Words of Radiance chapter 74#
  11. ↑ Words of Radiance chapter 84#
  12. ↑ Bands of Mourning release party
    — Arcanum - 2016-01-25#
  13. ↑ The Great American Read: Other Worlds with Brandon Sanderson
    — Arcanum - 2018-10-25#
  14. ↑ Oathbringer chapter 101#
  15. ↑ Oathbringer chapter 95#
  16. ↑ Emerald City Comic Con 2018
    — Arcanum - 2018-03-01#
  17. ↑ Firefight Phoenix signing
    — Arcanum - 2015-01-21#
  18. ↑ Words of Radiance chapter 3#
  19. ↑ a b c Words of Radiance Chicago signing
    — Arcanum - 2014-03-22#
  20. ↑ Calamity Austin signing
    — Arcanum - 2016-02-25#
  21. ↑ a b General Reddit 2016
    — Arcanum - 2016-10-04#
  22. ↑ Words of Radiance chapter 52#
  23. ↑ a b Oathbringer chapter 86#
  24. ↑ Edgedancer chapter 20#
  25. ↑ Words of Radiance chapter 86#
  26. ↑ Words of Radiance chapter 89#
  27. ↑ Oathbringer chapter 4#
  28. ↑ Skyward Chicago signing
    — Arcanum - 2018-11-16#
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