Difference between revisions of "Awakening"

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|image=Vivenna by Ari Ibarra.jpg
|related=[[Endowment]]
|focus=[[Command]]
|prereq=[[Breath]]
|type=End-Neutral{{wob ref|6738}}
|world=Nalthis
|universe=[[Cosmere]]
|books=[[Warbreaker]], [[The Stormlight Archive]],{{Book ref|sa3|epilogue}}, [[Mistborn Era 2]],{{book ref|mb7|40}}, [[Tress of the Emerald Sea]],{{book ref|tress|15}} [[Yumi and the Nightmare Painter]],{{book ref|yumi|39}} [[The Sunlit Man]]
}}
{{spoilers|mb7|tresstsm}}
{{update|mb7|tress|yumi}}
{{quote
|BioChroma is the power of life, and so it seeks patterns of life.
}}
 
'''Awakening''' is a manifestation of [[Investiture]] on [[Nalthis]]. It is the art of combining color, [[BioChromatic Breath]] ('''"Breath"'''), and an Awakening [[Command]] in order to animate an object, resulting in one of four types of [[BioChromatic_Breath#Types_of_BioChromatic_entities|BioChromatic entities]]. It was discovered approximately 400 years before the [[Pahn Kahl rebellion]].{{book ref|wb|32}} It has also become a generic term for the concept of using Investiture and Commands to grant objects sentience, regardless of the source of Investiture used, though Breath is still one of the main methods used.{{wob ref|16178}}
 
The process of Awakening begins when an Awakener releases some of their stored Breath into an object through the use of a Command. While doing so, the Awakener must alsoalmost always be in physical contact with a source of color (e.g. a piece of dyed cloth). If the Command is valid and is correctly visualized in the Awakener's mind, then color is drained from the color source and the target object becomes '''Awakened'''. It then proceeds to carry out the Command. If the command is invalid or not visualized properly, the object can still be Awakened but will have no effect.{{book ref|wb|35}} Awakened objects can interact with [[Connection]], [[Intent]], and [[Identity]].
 
==BioChromatic Breath==
{{image|Vasher by Connor Chamberlain.jpg|side=right|width=300px|[[Vasher]] using Awakening}}
{{for|/Command|a list of all Commands}}
'''Commands''' are the [[focus]] for [[Awakening]].{{wob ref|6799}} The Commands used in Awakening are crucial to its success or failure. They must be clearly stated, properly visualized, spoken in a crisp and clear voice without mumbling or slurring{{book ref|wb|20}}, and said in the Awakener's native language.{{book ref|wb|46}} If there is strong enough Connection to another language, their native language would not need to be used.{{wob ref|2699}} Awakening can be performed with sign language.{{wob ref|14720}}
 
Many Commands are simple, concrete ideas expressed in phrases of two words or less in the imperative mood, usually consisting of a specific verb and a general subject (e.g. "Grab things"). While more complex Commands can be used, the more complex the Command the more difficult the visualization of the Command becomes. Advanced Commands tend to be jealously guarded by Awakeners.{{book ref|wb|46}} Awakening can be performed with sign language.{{wob ref|14720}}
 
In Awakening, the exact wording of the Command is important. An Awakener could, for example, give a piece of rope the Command "Hold things" so it will wrap itself around objects, but this will likely result in the rope simply wrapping itself around the Awakener's hand. The Command "Hold things when thrown" is more useful and only slightly more complex.{{book ref|wb|46}}
There are limitations on what a person can alter about themselves with Breaths.{{wob ref|3462}}
 
It is possible to make tablets with "Awakened predictive Connection circuits", which manifests as a list of suggested words when typing.{{book ref|tress|1415}} However these suggestions are not always relevant.{{book ref|tress|23}} Locks can be made that will read a person's Intent and choose not to open.{{book ref|mb7|40}}
 
==BioChromatic hosts==
The process generally thought of as Awakening creates '''Type III BioChromatic entities''', a BioChromatic manifestation in an organic host far removed from being alive. Examples include Awakened ropes, cloth, or skeletal remains.
 
These are between the two extremes of inorganic objects and dead bodies. Therefore, these have the advantage of requiring less Breath (still more than corpses, often over one hundred) to Awaken than inorganic objects while at the same time allowing for Breath recovery. They have the strength to easily strangle people. The more it resembled living beings, the easier it is to be Awakened, so a skilled Awakener would prepare human-shaped and organic clothes for Awakening purposes.{{book ref|wb|prologue}} An Awakener who is not a human and has a different shape would have an easier time Awakening something that is similar to them in shape (such as a canine making cloth into the shape of a canine).{{wob ref|3660}} When Awakened, it tends to mimic living things, forming muscle-like structures or shape of hand.{{book ref|wb|5}} Awakened objects see similar to [[Steel Inquisitor]]s do via Iron and Steel lines.{{wob ref|145}} They are understandably the most common type of BioChromatic host entities created.{{book ref|wb|46}} However, other types of BioChromatc hosts are generally more powerful.
 
Awakened objects see similar to [[Steel Inquisitor]]s do via Iron and Steel lines.{{wob ref|145}} Awakened objects can identify the [[Intent]] of people, and can choose not to perform actions based on that.{{book ref|mb7|40}}
 
They are understandably the most common type of BioChromatic host entities created.{{book ref|wb|46}} However, other types of BioChromatc hosts are generally more powerful.
 
===Dead bodies===
Most of the time, however, dead bodies only Awaken during the process of creating [[Lifeless]]. These creatures are made via complex Commands that reanimate a dead person or animal. These Commands are guarded closely by those who know them.
 
Lifeless, defined as Mindless Manifestations in a Deceased Host, or '''Type II BioChromatic entities''', are non-sentient reanimated human or animal remains. They have a functioning brain, and are able to interpret old Commands and have new Commands given.{{book ref|wb|46}}
 
Type II entities are cheap to make, even with awkward Commands (used to cost 50 Breaths before the Manywar). This is due to the Law of BioChromatic Parallelism. However, Breath sticks so firmly to the construct that it is impossible to remove afterwards. Once a '''Lifeless''' is created, it will obey any instructions given to it that include a pre-determined '''Command Phrase''' (similar to a password).{{book ref|wb|46}} Human Lifeless are able to understand more abstract instructions than animal Lifeless. However, the skill of the Awakener who Awakens the Lifeless also affects its ability.{{wob ref|6799}} Any Lifeless will retain a level of skill that it had in life. For example, a soldier's corpse would make a better soldier Lifeless than that of a farmer's.{{book ref|wb|33}}
Lifeless created from bones encased in stone have the advantage of being extremely resilient and not needing [[ichor-alcohol]].{{book ref|wb|58}} It is also possible to make stone Lifeless by transforming a dead body to stone (e.g. via [[Soulcasting]]) before Awakening it.{{wob ref|2781}}
 
The discovery of how to create Lifeless with just a single Breath eventually led to the Lifeless armies of the [[Manywar]].{{book ref|wb|26}} One example of a single-Breath Lifeless Command is ''Awaken to my Breath, serve my needs, live at my Command and my word.''{{book ref|wb|21}}
 
===Metal and stone===
'''Type IV BioChromatic entities''' are sentient objects made by Awakening inorganic materials like metal and stone. This requires at least the [[Heightening#Ninth_Heightening|Ninth Heightening]].{{book ref|wb|51}} Breath can still be stored in metal without the Ninth Heightening, but cannot be Awakened.{{wob ref|10408}} [[Nightblood]],Type aIV sentientBioChromatic Awakenedentities sword,gain isat theleast onlysome known objectlevel of thissentience, type.however Hethis wasmight createdjust bybe [[Shashara]]a withside theeffect helpfrom of her husband [[Talaxin]], usingputting a thousandlarge Breathsamount andof theBreath Commandinto "Destroyon evil"object.{{book ref|yumi|40}}{{book ref|wb|51}}
 
[[Nightblood]], a sentient Awakened sword, is a known object of this type. It was created by [[Shashara]] with the help of her husband [[Talaxin]], using a thousand Breaths and the Command "Destroy evil".{{book ref|wb|51}} Nightblood is incapable of determining morality{{wob ref|3023}} and has a rigid way of thinking similar to a [[Spren]] on Roshar.{{wob ref|7257}} The large number of Breaths heit contains also grants himit incredible destructive power. The threat of more weapons like Nightblood being created eventually caused Talaxin to kill Shashara to prevent the knowledge of this form of Awakening from becoming public.{{wob ref|6954}}
 
The [[Sorceress]] keeps an army of animated metal soldiers that she has Awakened through unknown means.{{book ref|tress|63}} They are semi-self-aware and rely on their initial programming, but they can follow orders after being Awakened.{{book ref|tress|64}}
 
Stone is presumed to be similarly difficult to Awaken. However, Lifeless can be made by enclosing bones in stone, making near indestructible warriors. [[Talaxin]] used this technique to create the legendary [[Kalad's Phantoms]].{{book ref|wb|58}} Dead bodies [[Soulcast]] into stone are also easier to Awaken due to them once being alive.{{wob ref|2781}}
 
Burning metals containing BioChromatic Breath has no effect on the Allomancy, although if the Breath belongs to the Allomancer it will be regained.{{wob ref|8055}}
 
=== Technology ===
==== Fort's Tablets ====
'''Awakened technology''' is possible through the process of Awakening circuitry; the only known example of such technology is '''Fort's Tablet''', which is an Awakened device that provides a dual function to [[Fort]]. On the back, it allows him to tap letters and bring down a list of common words. These letters and words are then displayed on the front of the tablet for the reader or person(s) he is communicating with to see and read. The board is able to anticipate his needs, giving him likely suggestions-working with supernatural speed. In turn, the tablet is also able to hear and understand audible words from those near Fort, and will then display them for Fort to be able to read. It has the ability to differentiate between voices and will place a symbol before each voice, allowing Fort to differentiate between speakers. This process of communication is accomplished via Awakened predictive Connection circuits. Further utilizing Connection, the device will only work for Fort, as he mentions when he warns Tress not to attempt to steal it. Fort's tablet operates on a solar battery, which requires it to be left out in the sun at least once a week to charge, or it will cease to function.{{book ref|tress|15}} The tablet also has security protocols, although they are off by default. The Sorceress hacked Fort's tablets to spy on the ''[[Crow's Song]]''.{{book ref|tress|60}}
 
Fort's second tablet, received from [[Tress]] as a part of her boon in trade with [[Xisis]], is an improvement upon the original device. It can change between different fonts. It also offers more real-time-like communication, accomplished by allowing the text to disappear at the top of the board as he taps, allowing for longer sentences and fewer pauses, as he does not have to wait for the old text to disappear. Additionally, Fort's new tablet is advanced enough to allow for video conferencing.{{book ref|tress|62}}
 
==== Komashi machines ====
The [[father machine]] and its prototype, created by scholars on [[Komashi]] to extract [[hion]] from the [[hijo]], was described by [[Hoid]] as having been Awakened with Commands.{{book ref|yumi|39}} The father machine was Awakened using something other than Nalthian Breath, but the exact method is unknown.{{wob ref|16178}}
 
== Known Awakeners ==
[[category: Awakening]]
[[category: magic systems]]
[[es:Despertar]]

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