Difference between revisions of "Compounding"

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'''Compounding''' is a technique for using [[Allomancy]] to enhance [[Feruchemy]]. A person capable of Compounding is referred to as a '''Compounder'''.
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[[Sazed]]{{book ref|mb1|epilogue}} and [[Waxillium Ladrian]]{{book ref|mb4|11}} suggest that the Feruchemical power withdrawn is multiplied tenfold, but it is unclear how accurate this number is.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.{{citebook 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}}
 
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.
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 CompundersCompounders ==
Any metal which can affect the world around the user has the potential for catastrophes of global significance when compounded:
*Physical: [[Iron]], [[pewter]], and [[steel]] can produce arbitrary amounts of physical force (which equals mass times acceleration) because [[iron]] allows arbitrarily high amounts of mass, [[steel]] allows arbitrarily high amounts of acceleration, and [[pewter]] directly allows arbitrarily high amounts of force. [[Iron]] could also be used to induce gravitational forces.
*Cognitive: A [[brass]] compounder has a theoretical heat limit{{wob ref|5025}}, but unless that limit is substantially lower than the books (and Brandon Sanderson himself when asked) have indicated, a brass compounder with a mind to do so could get hot enough to end all life on their planet (being as hot as even a relatively cold star would suffice).
*Spiritual: While it is not entirely clear how [[chromium]] feruchemy works, truly infinite luck for the user would cause potentially severe problems for anyone and everyone, ''including the user'', as the user's luck might disagree with the user over which benefits to prefer over others, as the luck will functionally have access to more information than the user does in making these choices; some benefits will necessitate hurting others. The problems inherent in infinite luck are potentially identical to summoning an omnipotent, omniscient genie and wishing that it do what is best for you and you alone.
 
By contrast, the following compounders should be relatively safe:
*[[Tin]], [[Zinc]], [[Bronze]], ''probably'' [[Copper]], [[Bendalloy]], [[Cadmium]], [[Electrum]], [[Gold]], [[Aluminum]], and [[Nicrosil]] only really affect the user and hence should be relatively safe.
**The primary significant danger across them is that compounding them with ''other'' forms of [[Investiture]] that are limited by something the compounding "fixes" might result in infinite power loops with that other power. For example, [[Bendalloy]] compounding would allow infinite use of [[Aether]] and [[sand mastery|Sand Mastery]], while [[Nicrosil]] compounding would allow infinite [[BioChromatic Breath]] and [[Surgebinding]].
*[[Duralumin]] compounding fundamentally does affect others, but generally not in a way that is immediately dangerous; for example, such a compounder could also use [[Hemalurgy]] to create an army of slaves incapable of disobeying them, or they could use [[AonDor]] at infinite distance from the [[Dor]],
 
== Notable Compunders ==
* [[Rashek]]{{book ref|mb1|epilogue}}
* [[Marsh]]{{wob ref|5264}}{{book ref|tlm|28}}{{book ref|tlm|epilogue|7}} (an Atiumatium Compounder)
* [[Miles Dagouter]]{{book ref|mb4|11}} (a gold Compounder)
 
== Notes ==
<references />
{{completepartial}}
{{Mistborn|metals}}
[[category: Metallic Arts]]
[[category: Allomancy]]
[[category: Feruchemy]]
[[es:Composición]]
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