Difference between revisions of "Old Magic"

The '''Old Magic''' is a manifestation of [[Investiture]] on [[Roshar]]. A person can gain a single unique ability from the Old Magic, but are also given a unique curse along with their boon, which can or cannot be related.{{book ref|sa1|i|7}} There is no record of anyone ever having had their curse lifted,{{book ref|sa3|111}} save for [[Dalinar Kholin]], who had his lifted by the design of [[Cultivation]].

To gain a boon and a curse from the Old Magic, a person has to seek the [[Nightwatcher]]. Anyone is allowed to seek a single boon from the Nightwatcher. To do this, the person must first travel to the [[Valley]] in the west, where the Nightwatcher resides. After finding the Nightwatcher, the person may request a boon. In very rare cases, a boon and curse can be given by [[Cultivation]].{{wob ref|9601}}{{book ref|sa3|114}} The precise phrasing of the request does not appear to make a difference, however, since the Nightwatcher bestows a boon that she feels the person deserves.{{book ref|sa1|i|7}} The Old Magic can be given to any sentient species, including ones not from Roshar.{{wob ref|9517}} A person's boon and curse stay with them for life and will stay with them if they leave Roshar.{{book ref|sa3|111}}{{wob ref|9517}} The boons and curses are limited in a particular manner.{{wob ref|1258}} According to [[Lift]], those who have the Old Magic have a certain "smell".{{book ref|sa3|65}} Many view the Old Magic as inscrutable.{{book ref|sa3|24}}

Contrary to popular belief, it is not possible to avoid the curse by carefully phrasing a request--or even to predict the curse that the Nightwatcher will bestow.{{book ref|twok|i|7}} Interestingly, it does not appear that balance is carefully maintained through an individual blessing and curse--often, highly visible curses are the result of relatively minor boons. The curses can be quite thorough, however--in one case, a man lost all feeling in both of his hands until the day he died. Whether these curses follow some cosmic justice, or are merely the result of a capricious spren, is unknown. Many people throughout centuries have tried to find ways of dealing with their curse and a cure for them, with no successful attempts.{{book ref|sa3|24}} There is no record of anyone ever having had their curse lifted,{{book ref|sa3|111}} save for [[Dalinar Kholin]], who had his lifted by the design of [[Cultivation]].