Nahel bond
The Nahel bond is the name of a form of magical connection made by humans on Roshar. These humans are known as Surgebinders and historically Knights Radiant.
“Alakavish was a Surgebinder and yet the Nahel bond gave him no more wisdom than a regular man”
“The responsibility of what we've been given — whether it be the crown or the Nahel bond — needs to make us better”
The Nahel bond forms between a Spren and a Human. This bond allows them to draw in Stormlight and grants access to 2 Surges of power. The type of spren drawn to a human determines the type of Surgebinder they will become. Their are ten known types of Surgebinders. Each type of Surgebinders is believed to be tied to a different Spren, For example, bonding an honorspren would give you the powers of a Windrunner, while bonding a Cryptic would give you the powers of a Lightweaver. See Surgebinding and Knights Radiant for more information.
Formation of the Bond
Spren will seek out people who follow a similar lifestyle to their own Cognitive template. For example, Honorspren seek out people who act with honor and protect others.
Limitations of the Bond
The Nahel Bond is about personal enlightenment.[clarification needed] Spren find people that to some extent follow a similar path 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. Lightweavers 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.
Powers granted By the Bond
The Nahel Bond grants access to two different Surges, out of ten possible Surges. Each Order of the Knights Radiant shares each of their Surges with one other Order. In addition to the Surges, the Bond creates a mental connection to the members of the Bond. This mental connection provides telepathy and recognition between the Bond members. Other enhancements are granted to some holders of the Bond. For example, Lightweavers are known for their mnemonic abilities. Additionally, the bond allows the taking in of Stormlight, which grants incredible healing abilities, such as regrowing an arm. Other people who are close to the Surgebinder, known as Squires, gain this ability as well, although they don't get access to any Surges.
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 breaks the Spren in some fashion and revival is possible but difficult more so if the original holder of the bond is no longer around. It is uncertain if a Spren is able to sever the bond and return to the cognitive realm.
Notable Surgebinders and Spren
| Surgebinder | Order | Spren type | Spren |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kaladin | Windrunner | Honorspren | Syl |
| Shallan | Lightweaver | Cryptic | Pattern |
| Jasnah | Elsecallers | unknown | Ivory |
| Renarin | Truthwatchers | unknown | Glys |
| Dalinar | Bondsmiths | unknown | Stormfather |
| Lift | Edgedancers | unknown | Wyndle |