Difference between revisions of "Order of Bondsmiths"

The Bondsmiths are [[Surgebinder]]s who use the [[Surge]]s of Tension and Adhesion,{{wob ref|14102}} and they are associated with the heliodor [[polestone]]. {{book ref|sa2|part=ars}} They form a [[Nahel Bondbond]] with one of three unique [[spren]]: the [[Stormfather]],{{book ref|sa2|89}} the [[Nightwatcher]]{{book ref|sa3|64}}, and the [[Sibling]].{{book ref|sa4|3}} The exact nature of the [[Nahel Bondbond]] that Bondsmiths share with their specific spren is unclear; it may or may not be similar to other orders of the Knights Radiant. Historically one of the most exalted orders of Radiants,{{wob ref|14102}} the Bondsmiths are Surgebinders of extraordinary power{{book ref|sa3|64}} that were refounded following the Recreance by Dalinar Kholin.{{book ref|sa2|89}}

Those who see these visions are in some way experiencing the Spiritual Realm, but the Cognitive Realm is also involved to provide a framework for what appears and allow for Spiritual Realm to be comprehensible.{{wob ref|9562}} Any intelligent personalities that exist in the vision are comprised of Investiture that has interacted with the Cognitive Realm in order to come come to life and be capable of intelligent response. This power can allow someone to interact with historic figures long dead or speak to deceased loved ones for a moment or two.{{book ref|sa4|108}} When these visions show people who have passed into the Beyond, it is ambiguous whether these minds are truly allow the dead to speak from the Beyond or whether the Stormfather's knowledge and Connection allows him to convincingly mimic their personalities.{{wob ref|14515}}

Each Bondsmith shares a [[Nahel bond]] with one of three unique spren: the [[Stormfather]], the [[Nightwatcher]]{{book ref|sa3|111}}, and the [[Sibling]].{{book ref|sa4|3}} These spren are all sort of the same type,{{wob ref|13647}} but obviously have substantial differences between them as well. The sheer power of the various Bondsmith spren allows them to violate the normal rules governing the true spren bonded to other orders. The Bondsmith spren are more omnipresent and can be located great distances from their Radiants while still granting them powers and speaking directly into their minds, as they are much more widely Connected than other Radiant spren.{{wob ref|4268}} Bondsmiths typically do not have access to a [[Shardblade]],{{wob ref|3311}} although it is possible to force the essence of their bonded spren into the Physical Realm{{book ref|sa4|90}} in a way that allows them to activate Oathgates.{{book ref|sa3|100}} This is an uncomfortable and even dangerous thing to do, perhaps risking killing the spren,{{book ref|sa4|90}} and has only been observed with the Stormfather.{{book ref|sa3|100}} However, like typical Radiant spren, Bondsmith spren are still vulnerable if their bonded Radiant betrays their oaths.{{wob ref|6041}} While Bondsmiths do not have access to a Blade, there is evidence that they may manifest a suit of Shardplate,{{book ref|sa3|109}} perhaps comprised of gloryspren, although this is not confirmed.{{wob ref|8803}} Additionally, following the death of Honor, the Stormfather's Bondsmith has the ability to release Odium from his confinement if they so choose, as they hold a large remnant of Honor's power and authority.{{book ref|sa3|57}}

In a somewhat unique expression of their power, a Bondsmith may use their control over both their Surges as well as their unique affinity for Connection{{wob ref|14447}} to repair inanimate objects.{{book ref|sa3|59}} During this process they may sense and hear the Cognitive aspects of certain damaged objects around them.{{book ref|sa3|59}} With some combination of physical effort, as well as this power, they can fix the damage completely. It has been suggested that this ability may have restrictions to Progression-based healing wherinwherein it is easier to heal those who are recently wounded, before the soul becomes accustomed to the wound. While this ability may seem niche, it is useful for a Bondsmith wishing to assist very directly in the repair of cities damaged in battle, allowing the Bondsmith to restore historical works of art and buildings to their former state.

No known Bondsmiths were sworn for centuries, although the Stormfather was given the task in Honor's final days of choosing a new Bondsmith.{{book ref|sa3|28}} It is uncertain how often this happened, but ultimately over the course of the following millenia, the Stormfather chose fewer than ten people to show the visions.{{wob ref|12268}} By 1167 Gavilar Kholin had begun seeing visions{{book ref|sa2|i|14}} and had developed at least a tentative bond with the Stormfather.{{wob ref|2509}} This bond ended when the king was assassinated by [[Szeth]] on the orders of the listeners.{{book ref|sa1|prologue}} At some point in the intervening years, his brother Dalinar was chosen by the Stormfather and by 1173 he had begun receiving visions of his own.{{book ref|sa1|12}} At the start of 1174 he swore the first two Ideals and formally bonded the Stormfather.{{book ref|sa2|89}}

Over the next several months Dalinar spent his time acting very similarly to historical Bondsmiths, uniting a coalition of monarchs against the Voidbringer threat, bringing together the Vorin monarchs with the Azish and their surrounding countries.{{book ref|sa3|111}} While there were some challenges to his authority,{{book ref|sa3|111}} Dalinar managed to successfully coordinate the defense of [[Battle of Thaylen Field|Thaylen City]]{{book ref|sa3|120}} by swearing the third Ideal and learning to open [[Honor's Perpendicularity]]{{book ref|sa3|119}} and trap [[Nergaoul]] using his Bondsmith abilities.{{book ref|sa3|120}} As Bondsmith, Dalinar was able to speak on Honor's behalf{{book ref|sa3|57}} and challenge Odium to a duel of champions, which he accepted, before fleeing at the end of the battle.{{book ref|sa3|117}}