Cognitive Shadow
Cognitive Shadow is term used by Brandon to refer to a spirit that has not yet moved into the afterlife.[1] While the manifestations of this kind of entity can vary depending on the world it occurs on, Cognitive Shadows can occur on any planet of the Cosmere. In general, they are similar to the concept of ghosts on Earth. Some of them are created when a person has sufficient attachment to something in the Physical Realm, a Vessel that has held onto the Shard for a long time dies[2], or the cognitive aspect of a recently deceased person finds a source of Investiture to anchor themselves to the Cognitive Realm before passing on to the Beyond. [citation needed] Some Vessels can prepare a Cognitive shadow as or just prior to their death /Splintering allowing a portion of their power to continue to function with a small amount of direction, the Stormfather is an example of this.[citation needed]
Examples
Common on Threnody, Shades are somewhat unique in that they can convert living people into more Shades. This is explained by the kind of Investiture the people on that planet have, as well as the lack of Shard.[3]
A cognitive shadow of Honor on Roshar.[4] Before Honor was killed he began changing the Stormfather making him more intelligent and giving him greater tasks beyond what he could ever have grown to without Honor's tampering.[citation needed]
After his death, Kelsier still managed to influence the Physical Realm for some time, even holding the Shard Preservation for a time.
Kelsier became a cognitive shadow not through his attachment to the Physical Realm, but by anchoring his mind (his cognitive aspect) to Shadesmar (the Cognitive Realm) with investiture from Preservation's Perpendicularity, the Well of Ascension.
Heralds of The Almighty are cognitive shadows.[5]
Returned are cognitive shadows.[6]
Notes
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— Arcanum - 2017-12-21# - ↑ Stormlight Three Update #6
— Arcanum - 2017-01-20#
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