Difference between revisions of "Cognitive Shadow"

'''Cognitive Shadow''' is a term used by [[Brandon]] to refer to a spirit that has not yet moved into the afterlife.{{wob ref|8836}} While the manifestations of this kind of entity can vary depending on the [[Shardworld|world]] it occurs on, Cognitive Shadows can occur on any planet ofin the [[Cosmere]]. In general, they are similar to the concept of ghosts on Earth.

When the [[Singers]] turned to [[Odium]] for help in fighting off the humans, he responded by infusing some of them with his power, which turned them into Cognitive Shadows.{{book ref|sa3|38}} They reside on [[Braize]], but return to Roshar during every [[Desolation]]. Since they lost their bodies long ago, they must possess the bodies of living singers; in doing so killsthey destroy the mind of the possessed body.{{book ref|sa3|i|6}} This cycle of rebirth strains the minds of the Fused and, eventually, they go crazy.{{book ref|sa3|38}} When this happens, they instead possess chunks of rock and become a [[Thunderclast]] during the Desolations.{{book ref|sa3|115}} Their status as Cognitive Shadows grants them access to the [[Surge]]s.{{wob ref|11156}} Odium could remove the Investiture that maintains a Fused, which would send that Fused to the [[Beyond]].{{book ref|sa3|118}}