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{{magic
|related=[[Allomancy]], [[Feruchemy]], [[Preservation]]
|type=Ability
|world=Scadrial
|universe=[[Cosmere]]
|books=[[Mistborn (series)|Mistborn]]
}}
{{update|mb7}}
'''Compounding''' is a technique for using [[Allomancy]] to enhance [[Feruchemy]]. A person capable of Compounding is referred to as a '''Compounder'''.
== Mechanics ==
The [[Lord Ruler]] used this ability extensively, as he was both [[Mistborn]] and a full [[Feruchemist]], so he could Compound in every metal. He stored and burned age in [[atium]] to effectively live forever, and also used gold to heal very rapidly, leading to rumors that he survived flaying and decapitation. In [[the Alloy of Law]], [[Miles Dagouter]] also uses gold Compounding to heal almost infinitely, hence his nickname, Miles Hundredlives. Marsh can perform the same age trick as the Lord Ruler, so he also has some ability to Compound.▼
{{sidequote
|However, if the Feruchemist were also an Allomancer, he might be able to burn his own metal storages, releasing the energy within them tenfold. Mistress Vin tried to burn some of my metals earlier, but couldn't access the power. However, if you were able to make up the Feruchemical storages yourself, then burn them for the extra power...
|Sazed{{book ref|mb1|epilogue}}
|side=right|size=300px
}}
When a [[Metalborn]] has Allomantic and Feruchemical abilities in the same metal, they may store an attribute inside of a [[metalmind]] and then Allomantically burn the power. This gives a supercharged burst of the Feruchemical attribute, rather than the typical Allomantic ability.{{book ref|mb4|11}} For example, a [[Twinborn]] with both abilities in [[iron]] can store weight briefly in a metalmind and then burn the metalmind to draw out an order of magnitude more weight than was originally stored (instead of receiving the usual Pulling ability associated with the Allomantic burning of iron). Both [[Sazed]]{{book ref|mb1|epilogue}} and [[Waxillium Ladrian]]{{book ref|mb4|11}} suggest that the Feruchemical power withdrawn is multiplied tenfold, but it is unclear how accurate this number is.
To understand the mechanics for this ability, one must first understand the differences between Allomancy and Feruchemy. Allomancy is considered an end-positive system, meaning power is drawn from an outside source--in this case, from [[Preservation]].{{epigraph ref|mb3|32}} Feruchemy is an end-neutral system, with the power for the magic being drawn directly from the magic user--the amount of [[Investiture]] drawn out of a metalmind is equal to, and limited by, the amount of Investiture that was stored in the first place. In both cases, the type of metal acts as a focus, determining the form in which the magic manifests.{{book ref|mb4|part=ars}} When Compounding is performed, the nature of the Investiture already stored in the metalmind determines the form taken by the magic--thus Feruchemical attributes are released.{{wob ref|4702}} However, because the Allomancy is fueled by Preservation, the amount of Investiture released is amplified. It is as if a previously hand-powered device were hooked up to an electrical cord to provide greater power output.{{wob ref|851}}
During the Final Empire, [[Steel Inquisitors]] did not Compound, though it was sometimes possible for them to figure it out. Compounding was the reason the Lord Ruler hunted down Feruchemists so extensively--he did not want Feruchemy to mix with Allomancers and create another Compounder.▼
The power of Compounding is even greater than it may appear at first glance because the Feruchemical attributes being released may also be stored, rather than used, and the process repeated with a greater reserve of Investiture at the Compounder's disposal. Repeated cycles allow for exponential (and effectively infinite) access to Feruchemical attributes.
While typically, Compounding refers to Allomancy enhancing Feruchemy, there is a way for Feruchemy to enhance Allomantic abilities as well.▼
▲While
== Uses ==
{{sidequote
|The man's virtually immortal. I heard he once took a shotgun blast to the face point-blank and walked away from it.
|[[Waxillium Ladrian]] on [[Miles Dagouter]]{{book ref|mb4|11}}
|side=left|size=200px
}}
▲The [[Lord Ruler]] used this ability extensively, as he was both [[Allomancy|Mistborn]] and a full [[Feruchemist]], so he could Compound in every metal. He
▲During the [[Final Empire]], [[Steel
== Limitations and Dangers==
{{sidequote
|However, Feruchemy gives decreasing returns—it takes more than the proportionate amount of strength, for instance, to make yourself four times as strong as a regular man, as opposed to simply twice as strong. In the Lord Ruler's case, this meant that he had to spend more and more youth to keep from aging.
|Sazed{{book ref|mb1|epilogue}}
|side=right|size=300px
}}
While the exponential use of Compounding is immensely powerful, it isn't without limitation. In some cases, the need to withdraw Feruchemical attributes may outpace even the ability to produce them using Compounding. For example, a gold Compounder with limited reserves may in some cases be unable to Compound health at the rate in which he needs to withdraw it. Likewise, the Lord Ruler could not have used Compounding to become immortal, because the rate at which one must withdraw youth increases with age. At some point his need to withdraw youth would outpace his ability to store and Compound it. Compounding Brass too vigorously could also result in overheating, leading to heatstroke and other heat related maladies, including death.{{wob ref|5025}}
To perform Compounding, the metalminds themselves must be burned. Thus a person can only Compound so long as a supply of metal is accessible for the purpose of producing more metalminds. These metalminds also must be small enough to swallow or insert into the body, such that they can be Allomantically burned.
Compounding is also only possible with a metalmind that is not "locked" by Spiritual Identity--that is, the metalmind must either have been created by the user himself or it must be "unkeyed". Any Allomancer is technically capable of Compounding--even without Feruchemical abilities--if the metalmind has been "unkeyed" by means of Feruchemical Aluminum.{{wob ref|2099}}
According to rumor, Miles Dagouter would constantly tap his metalminds for healing. Waxillium took this to confirm his suspicions that Compounding could be dangerous to stop once started--presumably because the Compounder's body comes to rely on the stores provided.{{book ref|mb4|13}} This suggests that Compounding often leads to [[savant|savanthood]].
== Notable Compounders ==
* [[Rashek]]{{book ref|mb1|epilogue}}
* [[Marsh]]{{wob ref|5264}}{{book ref|tlm|28}}{{book ref|tlm|epilogue|7}} (an atium Compounder)
* [[Miles Dagouter]]{{book ref|mb4|11}} (a gold Compounder)
== Notes ==
<references />
{{partial}}
{{Mistborn|metals}}
[[category: Metallic Arts]]
[[category: Allomancy]]
[[category: Feruchemy]]
[[es:Composición]]
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