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Difference between revisions of "Nahel bond"

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{{magic
  
{{magic
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|image=Stormlight Decal Swords.svg
 
|related=[[Surgebinding]], [[Honor]], [[Cultivation]]
  
|related=[[Surgebinding]], [[Honor]], [[Cultivation]]
 
|world=Roshar
  
|world=Roshar
 
|universe=[[Cosmere]]
  
|universe=[[Cosmere]]
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|books=[[The Stormlight Archive]]
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|books=[[The Stormlight Archive]], [[Yumi and the Nightmare Painter]], [[The Sunlit Man]]
 
}}
  
}}
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{{spoilers|book=sa3}}
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{{update|sa4|tress}}
   
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{{quote
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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}}
  
  +
| 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}}
  +
}}
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  +
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 Orders of Knights, each Order's members bonded to the same type of spren.
   
  ⚫
== Mechanics of the Surgebinding 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}}
  
  +
{{image|Shallan and Cryptic.jpg|side=right|width=300px|[[Cryptic]]s observing [[Shallan]] prior to her bond}}
  +
{{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 ==
 +
=== Formation ===
−
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}}
 +
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}}
   
  +
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}}
⚫
== Limitations of the 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.
 
−
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.
  
   
  +
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}}
⚫
== Powers Granted by the Bond ==
  
−
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.{{cite}} In addition, Stormlight fuels the primary magic of Surgebinding: the usage of [[Surge]]s.
  
   
  +
=== Progression ===
−
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. The people who bond spren share a Cognitive connection with their bond partners, which allows them to recognize each other and communicate telepathically.{{cite|Has this been explicitly stated by WOB or in the books?}}.
 
  +
{{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}}
⚫
Some Orders{{wob ref|6740}} have additional, unique abilities known as resonances, that occur due to the combination of their Surges, such as the Windrunners increased number of squires{{wob ref|6740}}{{wob ref|4889}} and Lightweavers mnemonic abilities.{{wob ref|6740}} This is a result of the two Surges interacting to producing an effect rather than being directly caused by the Nahel bond.{{wob ref|3958}} However, as Herald's such as Jezrien did not have access to the Windrunner resonance, the bond may facilitate access to this resonance.{{wob ref|3958}}
 
   
  +
=== Breaking ===
−
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 during [[Edgedancer]] that spren can manifest as non-weapons, when [[Wyndle]] manifested as 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.
  
  +
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}}
−
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.
  
   
  +
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}}
−
== Severing the Bond ==
  
  +
−
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}}
  
  ⚫
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 Granted by the Surgebinding Bond ==
  +
{{image|Edgedancer by Paul Canavan.jpg|side=right|width=300px|An [[Order of Edgedancers|Edgedancer]] using her powers}}
  +
{{quote
  ⚫
|[[Alakavish]] was a [[Surgebinder]] and yet the Nahel bond gave him no more wisdom than a regular man.
  +
|[[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 ==
  
== Notable Surgebinders and Spren ==
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{{for|:Category:Surgebinders|a full list of Surgebinders}}
  +
 
{| class='infobox sortable' width=100%
  
{| class='infobox sortable' width=100%
 
! Surgebinder !! Order !! Spren type !! Spren
  
! Surgebinder !! Order !! Spren type !! Spren
Line 40: Line 89:
 
| [[Kaladin]] || [[Windrunner]] || [[Honorspren]] || [[Syl]]
  
| [[Kaladin]] || [[Windrunner]] || [[Honorspren]] || [[Syl]]
 
|-
  
|-
−
| [[Shallan]] || [[Lightweaver]] || [[Cryptic]] || [[Pattern]]
 +
| [[Shallan]] || [[Order of Lightweavers|Lightweaver]] || [[Cryptic]] || [[Pattern]]
 
|-
  
|-
−
| [[Jasnah]] || [[Elsecallers]] || [[Inkspren]] || [[Ivory]]
 +
| [[Jasnah]] || [[Elsecaller]] || [[Inkspren]] || [[Ivory]]
 
|-
  
|-
−
| [[Renarin]] || [[Truthwatcher]] || ''unknown'' || [[Glys]]
 +
| [[Renarin]] || [[Truthwatcher]] || [[Mistspren]] || [[Glys]]
 
|-
  
|-
 
| [[Dalinar]] || [[Bondsmith]] || ''unique'' || [[Stormfather]]
  
| [[Dalinar]] || [[Bondsmith]] || ''unique'' || [[Stormfather]]
 
|-
  
|-
−
| [[Lift]] || [[Edgedancer]] || [[Cultivationspren]] || [[Wyndle]]
 +
| [[Lift]] || [[Order of Edgedancers|Edgedancer]] || [[Cultivationspren]] || [[Wyndle]]
−
|-
  
−
| [[Stump]] || [[Truthwatcher]] || ''unknown'' || ''unknown''
  
−
|-
  
−
| [[Malata]] || [[Dustbringer]] || [[Ashspren]] || [[Spark]]
  
 
|-
  
|-
 
| [[Lopen]] || [[Windrunner]] || [[Honorspren]] || [[Rua]]
  
| [[Lopen]] || [[Windrunner]] || [[Honorspren]] || [[Rua]]
 
|-
  
|-
−
| [[Teft]] || [[Windrunner]] || [[Honorspren]] || ''unknown''
 +
| [[Huio]] || [[Windrunner]] || [[Honorspren]] || [[Caelinora]]
 
|-
  
|-
−
| [[Drehy]] || [[Windrunner]] || [[Honorspren]] || ''unknown''
 +
| [[Teft]] || [[Windrunner]] || [[Honorspren]] || [[Phendorana]]
 
|-
  
|-
−
| [[Szeth]] || [[Skybreaker]] || [[Highspren]] || ''unknown''
 +
| [[Szeth]] || [[Skybreaker]] || [[Highspren]] || ''[[Szeth's highspren|unknown]]''
 
|-
  
|-
−
| [[Hoid]] || [[Lightweaver]] || [[Cryptic]] || ''unknown''
 +
| [[Hoid]] || [[Order of Lightweavers|Lightweaver]] || [[Cryptic]] || [[Design]]
 
|-
  
|-
−
| [[Venli]] || [[Willshaper]] || [[Lightspren]] || [[Timbre]]
 +
| [[Venli]] || [[Willshaper]] || [[Reacher]] || [[Timbre]]
 
|-
  
|-
−
| [[Tien]] || [[Lightweaver]] || [[Cryptic]] || ''unknown''
 +
| [[Rlain]] || [[Truthwatcher]] || [[Mistspren]] || [[Tumi]]
 
|-
  
|-
−
| [[Ki]] || [[Skybreaker]] || [[Highspren]] || [[Winnow]]
 +
| [[Navani]] || [[Bondsmith]] || ''unique'' || The [[Sibling]]
−
|-
  
−
| [[Warren]] || [[Skybreaker]] || [[Highspren]] || ''unknown''
  
−
|-
  
−
| [[Nale]] || [[Skybreaker]] || [[Highspren]] || ''unknown''
  
 
|}
  
|}
  +
<!-- This page is slated to be merged elsewhere and this table will disappear. Please do not add anyone further to it.-->
−  
−
== Quotes ==
  
⚫
{{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}}|}}
  
   
 
== Trivia ==
  
== 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.{{wob ref|12014}}
 +
* 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.
   
 
== Notes ==
  
== Notes ==
Line 87: Line 124:
 
{{partial}}
  
{{partial}}
 
{{Stormlight}}
  
{{Stormlight}}
  +
[[es:Vínculo Nahel]]

Latest revision as of 15:14, 30 April 2024

Nahel bond
Stormlight Decal Swords.svg
by Isaac Stewart
Related to Surgebinding, Honor, Cultivation
World of Origin Roshar
Universe Cosmere
This page or section needs to be updated with new information for Rhythm of War and Tress of the Emerald Sea!
Be aware that in its current state, it may not include all additional content yet.

“ 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 bond between a spren and a being from the Physical Realm.[2] 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.[2]

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 Surgebinding Bond[edit]

by Petar Penev
Cryptics observing Shallan prior to her bond

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

Formation[edit]

Spren seem to bond with people who share their perspective or personality; however, they also seem to seek partners that would complement them.[4] 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,[5] 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.[6] A person is able to bond with two different spren, though most spren aren't going to like it.[7] A person can also bond with two spren of the same order, though this will not increase their powers or strength.[8] Spren can theoretically bond with another spren.[9]

How exactly the bond is decided on varies, though it requires volition.[10] Some spren are highly discerning, while others do not pay much attention to the morality of their prospective partner.[3] 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.[11]

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.[12] It is also harder to form a bond with a heavily Invested being, such as a Returned, due to Investiture resisting Investiture.[13][14] Spren are also less likely to bond with a person using a Hemalurgic spike.[15] This can be contrasted with the Luhel Bond, which primarily utilizes physical matter.[16]

Progression[edit]

For more information, see 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 Lightweavers in particular stating deep, intimate Truths about themselves rather than Ideals.[17]

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.[18]

Breaking[edit]

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.[19][20] Eventually, it can kill the spren, sending it back to the Cognitive Realm.[21] 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.[22][23] 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.[24]

Another way to break the Nahel bond is to deliberately forswear the First Ideal; this, too, will kill the spren.[25] If the spren is at a point where it can become a Shardblade, breaking the bond will turn it into a deadeye.[26]

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.[27] A Radiant revived as a Returned would not have their Nahel Bond.[28] 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.[6] The spren can also safely break the bond on their own, though this requires a great deal of caution.[29][30] This will cause the Radiant pain, but will not be destructive to them like it would be a spren.[31]

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,[32] though the mechanics behind it are unknown.

Interactions with Dawnshards[edit]

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.[33][34] This can cause the spren to lose their body in the Cognitive Realm, leaving them as a fragment of themselves.[35][36] After this, they mainly exist in their Surgebinder's mind and must use the Radiant's body to sense the world around them.[37][38][39] They are also stripped of most vocal expression, giving them a monotoned voice.[40]

The pair also loses many of their abilities, including Surgebinding and the Radiant being able to communicate with their mind.[41] They are still able to send feelings and emotions to their spren.[35] 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.[42]

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.[43][44]

Powers Granted by the Surgebinding Bond[edit]

by Paul Canavan
An Edgedancer using her powers

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

Surgebinding[edit]

For more information, see 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 Surges. Each type of Radiant spren grants its Surgebinder two different Surges, with each Surge shared between two Orders of Surgebinders.[45]

Resonances[edit]

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.[46][47] 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 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.[48]

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.[49] While this effect has been observed with Kaladin, it's uncertain whether it holds true for other Surgebinders or orders.

Shardblade[edit]

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,[50] to utilitarian, like forks,[51] or plain rods.[18] Moreover, while a human using a dead Shardblade must wait ten heartbeats before the summoning occurs, a living Blade will manifest instantenously.[50]

While in Shardblade form, a spren can communicate with its partner telepathically.[52] 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.[53][54]

Benefits for the spren[edit]

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.[55] 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.[56] If a spren is somehow pushed back into the Cognitive Realm, their Radiant may be able to pull them back into the Physical Realm.[57][58]

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.[59] Therefore, unlike the Luhel bond which trades in physical matter, the Nahel bond trades in consciousness and anchoring to the Physical Realm.[16]

Notable Surgebinders and Spren[edit]

For a full list of Surgebinders, see :Category:Surgebinders.
Surgebinder Order Spren type Spren
Kaladin Windrunner Honorspren Syl
Shallan Lightweaver Cryptic Pattern
Jasnah Elsecaller Inkspren Ivory
Renarin Truthwatcher Mistspren Glys
Dalinar Bondsmith unique Stormfather
Lift Edgedancer Cultivationspren Wyndle
Lopen Windrunner Honorspren Rua
Huio Windrunner Honorspren Caelinora
Teft Windrunner Honorspren Phendorana
Szeth Skybreaker Highspren unknown
Hoid Lightweaver Cryptic Design
Venli Willshaper Reacher Timbre
Rlain Truthwatcher Mistspren Tumi
Navani Bondsmith unique The Sibling

Trivia[edit]

  • 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.[60] 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.

Notes[edit]

  1. ↑ Oathbringer chapter 108#
  2. ↑ a b YouTube Livestream 23
    — Arcanum - 2020-12-17#
  3. ↑ a b c The Way of Kings chapter 60#
  4. ↑ Salt Lake City ComicCon 2017
    — Arcanum - 2017-09-23#
  5. ↑ Bands of Mourning release party
    — Arcanum - 2016-01-25#
  6. ↑ a b Rhythm of War chapter 10#
  7. ↑ Firefight Seattle Public Library signing
    — Arcanum - 2015-01-07#
  8. ↑ General Reddit 2020
    — Arcanum - 2020-12-22#
  9. ↑ YouTube Livestream 32
    — Arcanum - 2021-06-03#
  10. ↑ Rhythm of War chapter 115#
  11. ↑ Orem signing 2014
    — Arcanum - 2014-12-06#
  12. ↑ Orem signing
    — Arcanum - 2018-03-10#
  13. ↑ Bands of Mourning release party
    — Arcanum - 2016-01-25#
  14. ↑ Rhythm of War Ars Arcanum#
  15. ↑ Dark Talent release party
    — Arcanum - 2016-09-06#
  16. ↑ a b Tress of the Emerald Sea chapter 31#
  17. ↑ Words of Radiance chapter 87#
  18. ↑ a b Edgedancer chapter 19#
  19. ↑ Words of Radiance chapter 15#
  20. ↑ Words of Radiance chapter 68#
  21. ↑ Words of Radiance chapter 74#
  22. ↑ Words of Radiance chapter 84#
  23. ↑ Bands of Mourning release party
    — Arcanum - 2016-01-25#
  24. ↑ Rhythm of War chapter 104#
  25. ↑ The Great American Read: Other Worlds with Brandon Sanderson
    — Arcanum - 2018-10-25#
  26. ↑ Oathbringer chapter 101#
  27. ↑ Oathbringer chapter 95#
  28. ↑ FanX 2021
    — Arcanum - 2021-09-18#
  29. ↑ Rhythm of War chapter 87#
  30. ↑ Emerald City Comic Con 2018
    — Arcanum - 2018-03-01#
  31. ↑ Mini-Con 2021
    — Arcanum - 2021-11-22#
  32. ↑ Firefight Phoenix signing
    — Arcanum - 2015-01-21#
  33. ↑ The Sunlit Man chapter 20#
  34. ↑ The Sunlit Man chapter 21#
  35. ↑ a b The Sunlit Man chapter 28#
  36. ↑ The Sunlit Man epilogue#
  37. ↑ The Sunlit Man chapter 29#
  38. ↑ The Sunlit Man chapter 34#
  39. ↑ The Sunlit Man chapter 37#
  40. ↑ The Sunlit Man chapter 12#
  41. ↑ The Sunlit Man chapter 30#
  42. ↑ The Sunlit Man chapter 45#
  43. ↑ The Sunlit Man chapter 47#
  44. ↑ The Sunlit Man chapter 48#
  45. ↑ Words of Radiance chapter 3#
  46. ↑ Words of Radiance Chicago signing
    — Arcanum - 2014-03-22#
  47. ↑ Calamity Austin signing
    — Arcanum - 2016-02-25#
  48. ↑ General Reddit 2016
    — Arcanum - 2016-10-04#
  49. ↑ Words of Radiance chapter 52#
  50. ↑ a b Oathbringer chapter 86#
  51. ↑ Edgedancer chapter 20#
  52. ↑ Words of Radiance chapter 86#
  53. ↑ Words of Radiance chapter 89#
  54. ↑ Oathbringer chapter 4#
  55. ↑ Words of Radiance interlude I-9#
  56. ↑ Rhythm of War interlude I-1#
  57. ↑ Rhythm of War chapter 39#
  58. ↑ Rhythm of War chapter 102#
  59. ↑ Rhythm of War chapter 67#
  60. ↑ Skyward Chicago signing
    — Arcanum - 2018-11-16#
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