Difference between revisions of "Nahel bond"

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{{magic
{{spoilers|book=sa3}}
|image=Stormlight Decal Swords.svg
|related=[[Surgebinding]], [[Honor]], [[Cultivation]]
|world=Roshar
|universe=[[Cosmere]]
|books=[[The Stormlight Archive]], [[Yumi and the Nightmare Painter]], [[The Sunlit Man]]
}}
{{update|sa4|tress}}
 
{{quote
The '''Nahel bond''' is a connection between a [[Spren]] and a [[Roshar]]an human. 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]].
| The Nahel bond is far more intimate a relationship. The linking of spirits. This is not a thing that should be done lightly, unsupervised.
| [[Notum]]{{book ref|sa3|108}}
}}
 
The '''Nahel bond''' is a bond between a [[spren]] and a being from the Physical Realm.{{wob ref|14509}} It's a symbiotic relationship, granting the spren the ability to manifest into the [[Physical Realm]] without losing their mind. In the case of a sapient individual in the Physical Realm, it grants the person the power of [[Surgebinding]] as well. It's also a bond formed by, for example, greatshells and Ryshadium.{{wob ref|14509}}
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 ordersOrders of Knights, each orderOrder's members bonded to the same type of spren.
== Formation of the Bond ==
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.{{qa ref|1097|13|How do spren choose what human they'll bond with?|date=Dec 6th, 2014}}
 
== LimitationsMechanics of the Surgebinding Bond ==
{{image|Shallan and Cryptic.jpg|side=right|width=300px|[[Cryptic]]s observing [[Shallan]] prior to her bond}}
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.
{{quote
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.
{{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}}|}}.
|[[Nohadon]]{{book ref|sa1|60}}
}}
 
=== Formation of the Bond ===
== Powers granted by the Bond ==
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 Surgebinders with same-gender spren, such as [[Malata]] with [[Spark]], or [[Renarin]] with [[Glys]]. Surgebinders are able to instinctively tell their spren apart from others.{{book ref|sa4|10}} A person is able to bond with two different spren, though most spren aren't going to like it.{{wob ref|3082}} A person can also bond with two spren of the same order, though this will not increase their powers or strength.{{wob ref|14591}} Spren can theoretically bond with another spren.{{wob ref|14737}}
The Nahel Bond grants the human the ability to [[Surgebind]]. Surgebinding allows one to use Stormlight, which grants superhuman abilities to the user, such as increased strength, agility, and healing abilities. It also perfects innate skills of the user but does not grant additional skills; for example, an expert spearman will become a spearman without equal, but will not become a master swordsman. In addition, Stormlight fuels the primary magic of Surgebinding: the usage of [[Surge]]s.
 
How exactly the bond is decided on varies, though it requires volition.{{book ref|sa4|115}} 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 committee, then send one of their number to bond.{{wob ref|1384}}
Each type of spren will grant its human Surgebinder two different Surges. Which two is decided by the type of spren to which they are bonded, and thus, which order of knights they belong to. There are ten different types of surges, and ten different orders of knights, so each surge is used by exactly two different orders of knights. There is a cognitive connection between all people who are bonded with a certain type of spren. This mental connection provides telepathy and recognition between the Bond members. Some Orders of the Knights Radiants have additional, unique abilities. For example, [[Lightweaver]]s are known for their mnemonic abilities (which manifests differently in each person) and [[Skybreaker]]s can divide the innocent from the guilty. This is a result of the two surges overlapping, producing an effect like mixed chemicals.
 
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}} It is also harder to form a bond with a heavily Invested being, such as a [[Returned]], due to Investiture resisting Investiture.{{wob ref|288}}{{book ref|sa4|part=ars}} Spren are also less likely to bond with a person using a [[Hemalurgy|Hemalurgic]] spike.{{wob ref|4961}} This can be contrasted with the [[Luhel Bond]], which primarily utilizes physical matter.{{book ref|tress|31}}
When the Nahel bond is at a sufficient strength, the bonded spren can instantly manifest itself as a Shardblade in any number of forms. For example, when [[Kaladin]] and [[Syl]] are in battle, Syl is able to manifest herself as a sword, a spear, and a shield. [[Lift]] proved in her story [[Edgedancer]] that they can manifest as anything metal, including a fork. A human using a Shardblade without a Nahel Bond (these shardblades are dead spren) must wait ten heartbeats before the summoning will take place, and are limited to using the Shardblade in the form of a large sword, as Shardblades were patterned after the original Honorblades.
 
=== Progression ===
The Nahel Bond also grants the ability for spren to manifest themselves into the [[Physical Realm]], outside of the form of a Shardblade. Additionally, the spren gains greater self-awareness, intelligence, and access to their memories the stronger their bond is with their human.
{{for|Immortal Words}}
The Nahel bond is forged and progressed by the 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 bondholder 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}}
== Severing the Bond ==
 
The only known way to sever a Nahel Bond is for a Bonded Person to act in a manner contrary to the limitations of the Bond. This can kill the spren, sending them back to the [[Cognitive Realm]]. Revival is possible, but difficult. 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. It is uncertain if a Spren is able to sever the bond on their own and return to the cognitive realm.
=== Breaking ===
There are some ways to break a Nahel bond. The best-known is when the Surgebinder acts in a manner contrary to the Oaths that they have sworn. This initially manifests by limiting the spren's intelligence and the Surgebinder's capacity to draw in Stormlight.{{book ref|sa2|15}}{{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 to a new Ideal of the Oaths.{{book ref|sa2|84}}{{wob ref|293}} If a spren is permanently killed by the use of a [[raysium]] dagger embedded with a gem of anti-Stormlight, the bond will break, leaving the Radiant traumatized.{{book ref|sa4|104}}
 
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}} A Radiant revived as a [[Returned]] would not have their Nahel Bond.{{wob ref|15061}} Spren are able to retain their sapience in the Physical Realm for a time after the death of their Radiant, but will need to bond again in order to keep it.{{book ref|sa4|10}} The spren can also safely break the bond on their own, though this requires a great deal of caution.{{book ref|sa4|87}}{{wob ref|9298}} This will cause the Radiant pain, but will not be destructive to them like it would be a spren.{{wob ref|15167}}
 
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 behind it are unknown.
 
=== Interactions with Dawnshards ===
 
Individuals who have already formed a Nahel bond are also able to become a [[Dawnshard]], however, this does pose risks for the Surgebinder's spren, as the Dawnshard can use the spren's substance to fuel the Radiant's abilities.{{book ref|tsm|20}}{{book ref|tsm|21}} This can cause the spren to lose their body in the Cognitive Realm, leaving them as a fragment of themselves.{{book ref|tsm|28}}{{book ref|tsm|epilogue}} After this, they mainly exist in their Surgebinder's mind and must use the Radiant's body to sense the world around them.{{book ref|tsm|29}}{{book ref|tsm|34}}{{book ref|tsm|37}} They are also stripped of most vocal expression, giving them a monotoned voice.{{book ref|tsm|12}}
 
The pair also loses many of their abilities, including Surgebinding and the Radiant being able to communicate with their mind.{{book ref|tsm|30}} They are still able to send feelings and emotions to their spren.{{book ref|tsm|28}} Even after the Radiant has given up the Dawnshard, they can still further burn away the mind and personality of their spren for a short burst of Surgebinding.{{book ref|tsm|45}}
 
If the Nahel bond has progressed to the point of being able to summon Shardplate and Shardblade, the Shardblade and Shardplate remain unaffected, even if the spren is completely consumed.{{book ref|tsm|47}}{{book ref|tsm|48}}
 
== Powers grantedGranted by the Surgebinding Bond ==
{{image|Edgedancer by Paul Canavan.jpg|side=right|width=300px|An [[Order of Edgedancers|Edgedancer]] using her powers}}
{{quote
{{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}}|}}.
|[[Nohadon]]{{book ref|sa1|60}}
}}
 
=== Surgebinding ===
{{for|Surgebinding}}
 
The Nahel bond makes a 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, Surgebinders can use Stormlight to fuel their usage of [[Surge]]s. Each type of Radiant spren grants its Surgebinder two different Surges, with each Surge shared between two Orders of Surgebinders.{{book ref|sa2|3}}
 
=== Resonances ===
Some Orders 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, and the Lightweavers' mnemonic abilities.{{wob ref|6740}}{{wob ref|4889}} Rather than being directly caused by the Nahel bond, this is a result of the two Surges interacting to produce an effect together. While some [[Herald]]s 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.{{wob ref|3958}}
 
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.{{book ref|sa2|52}} 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 or a spear,{{book ref|sa3|86}} to utilitarian, like forks,{{book ref|sa2.5|20}} or plain rods.{{book ref|sa2.5|19}} Moreover, while a human using a dead Shardblade must wait ten heartbeats before the summoning occurs, a living Blade will manifest instantenously.{{book ref|sa3|86}}
 
While in Shardblade form, a spren can communicate with its partner telepathically.{{book ref|sa2|86}} 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.{{book ref|sa2|89}}{{book ref|sa3|4}}
 
=== Benefits for the spren ===
While a 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. There are precautions spren can take to try and minimize the loss of self, but they are not very effective.{{book ref|sa2|i|9}} 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. The distance can vary, but some can go upwards of a few miles.{{book ref|sa4|i|1}} If a spren is somehow pushed back into the Cognitive Realm, their Radiant may be able to pull them back into the Physical Realm.{{book ref|sa4|39}}{{book ref|sa4|102}}
 
Spren can also anchor themselves to a Radiant while looking for a squire to bond, granting them some level of stability in the Physical Realm.{{book ref|sa4|67}} Therefore, unlike the [[Luhel bond]] which trades in physical matter, the Nahel bond trades in consciousness and anchoring to the Physical Realm.{{book ref|tress|31}}
 
== Notable Surgebinders and Spren ==
{{for|:Category:Surgebinders|a full list of Surgebinders}}
 
{| class='infobox sortable' width=100%
! Surgebinder !! Order !! Spren type !! Spren
| [[Kaladin]] || [[Windrunner]] || [[Honorspren]] || [[Syl]]
|-
| [[Shallan]] || [[Order of Lightweavers|Lightweaver]] || [[Cryptic]] || [[Pattern]]
|-
| [[Jasnah]] || [[ElsecallersElsecaller]] || [[Inkspren]] || [[Ivory]]
|-
| [[Renarin]] || [[Truthwatcher]] || ''unknown''[[Mistspren]] || [[Glys]]
|-
| [[Dalinar]] || [[Bondsmith]] || ''unique'' || [[Stormfather]]
|-
| [[Lift]] || [[Order of Edgedancers|Edgedancer]] || [[Cultivationspren]] || [[Wyndle]]
|-
| [[StumpLopen]] || [[TruthwatcherWindrunner]] || ''unknown''[[Honorspren]] || ''unknown'' [[Rua]]
|-
| [[MalataHuio]] || [[DustbringerWindrunner]] || [[AshsprenHonorspren]] || [[SparkCaelinora]]
|-
| [[LopenTeft]] || [[Windrunner]] || [[Honorspren]] || [[RuaPhendorana]]
|-
| [[TeftSzeth]] || [[WindrunnerSkybreaker]] || [[HonorsprenHighspren]] || ''[[Szeth's highspren|unknown]]''
|-
| [[DrehyHoid]] || [[WindrunnerOrder of Lightweavers|Lightweaver]] || [[HonorsprenCryptic]] || ''unknown''[[Design]]
|-
| [[SzethVenli]] || [[SkybreakerWillshaper]] || [[HighsprenReacher]] || ''unknown''[[Timbre]]
|-
| [[WitRlain]] || [[LightweaverTruthwatcher]] || [[CrypticMistspren]] || ''unknown''[[Tumi]]
|-
| [[VenliNavani]] || probably [[WillshaperBondsmith]] || ''unknownunique'' || The [[TimbreSibling]]
|}
<!-- This page is slated to be merged elsewhere and this table will disappear. Please do not add anyone further to it.-->
 
== QuotesTrivia ==
* 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.{{wob ref|12014}} Assuming the Luhel bond comes from the same root, it can be assumed that the root ''-hel'' indicates a bond to something, and ''na-'' relates to divinity.
 
{{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}}|}}
 
{{quote|The responsibility of what we've been given &mdash; whether it be the crown or the Nahel bond &mdash; needs to make ''us'' better|[[Nohadon]] on the bond{{book ref|sa1|60}}|}}
 
== Notes ==
{{partial}}
{{Stormlight}}
[[es:Vínculo Nahel]]
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