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|universe=[[Cosmere]]
|books=[[The Stormlight Archive]]
}}
{{quote
| One does not war with Cryptics, as one does honorspren. Cryptics have but one city, and do not wish to rule more. Only to listen.
| [[Ivory]]{{book ref|sa3|47}}
}}
'''Cryptics''' are a race of sapient [[spren]] that dwell primarily in the [[Cognitive Realm]] of [[Roshar]]. They are sometimes referred to as '''liespren'''.{{book ref|sa2|3}}
Cryptics are the personification of the underlying mathematical truths that govern Roshar and the Cosmere.{{book ref|sa3|97}} They are also one of the spren capable of forming [[Nahel Bond]], granting the abilities of the [[Order of Lightweavers]].{{book ref|sa2|1}}
== Appearance ==
In the [[Physical Realm]], Cryptics manifest as complex
In [[Shadesmar]], Cryptics take the form of tall, willowy figures in too-stiff robes that hang off them as if made from glass rather than fabric. Above their collars, where a human's head and face would be, they have a floating symbol full of impossible angles and geometries.{{book ref|sa1|29}} Different individuals have slightly different head patterns.{{book ref|sa3|102}} Despite not having any apparent means to do so, they are capable of hearing, seeing and speaking as well as any other spren.{{book ref|sa3|97}}
== History ==
[[File:
{{quote
| There were very few survivors. The one you call Stormfather lived. Some others. The rest, thousands of us, were killed when the '''event''' happened.
}}
It's unknown whether the Cryptics were created deliberately by a [[Shard]], or if they arose naturally from [[Roshar]]'s loose
Cryptics were one of the first spren groups to begin bonding humans again in anticipation of the [[True Desolation]]. Among others, they sent [[Pattern]] to bond with [[Shallan]] when she was only a child, as well as another Cryptic to bond with [[Tien]], although only the former managed to bring the Bond to fruition, after long setbacks.{{book ref|sa2|60}}{{wob ref|10278}}
A group of them have been following Shallan for some time prior to her re-bonding Pattern.{{book ref|sa1|29}} They also watched over [[Elhokar]], unwittingly feeding his paranoia.{{book ref|sa1|58}} They eventually sent another of their kind to bond with the king; however, Elhokar was killed before he could finish saying the First Ideal, and that Cryptic ended up bonding [[Hoid]] instead.{{book ref|sa3|84}}{{book ref|sa3|epilogue}}▼
▲A group of them have been following Shallan for some time prior to her re-bonding Pattern.{{book ref|sa1|29}} They also watched over [[Elhokar]], unwittingly feeding his paranoia.{{book ref|sa1|58}} They eventually sent another of their kind to bond with the king; however, Elhokar was killed before he could finish saying the [[Immortal Words#The First Ideal|First Ideal]], and that Cryptic ended up bonding [[Hoid]] instead.{{book ref|sa3|84}}{{book ref|sa3|epilogue}}
== Culture ==
{{quote
The Cryptics rule a city in Shadesmar, one that enjoys some renown.{{book ref|sa2|3}} Unlike the [[honorspren]], Cryptics do not have any inclination to conquer more territory, so other types of sapient spren do not war with them. They are content with listening and learning, but are seen as weird and discomforting even by other spren because of their fascination with lies{{book ref|sa3|47}} and their mathematical approach to everything.{{book ref|sa3|97}}▼
| Cryptics like to plan. They debate and watch and never '''do''' anything.
| [[Syl]]{{book ref|sa2|62}}
}}
▲
[[File:Elhokar mirror.jpg|thumb|right|280px|<center><small>by [[User:Sheep]]</small></center> Cryptics watching over [[Elhokar]] ]]
Cryptics as a whole are supportive of their members bonding with humans. One of the first Cryptics to do this in recent times is [[Pattern]]{{wob ref|5899}}, who did so with the approval of his peers.{{wob ref|3166}} Because of the [[Recreance]], many of them believe that such a bond is a death sentence, but they also believe that the things they could learn from humans are worth it.{{book ref|sa2|17}}▼
Nonetheless, many other spren find Cryptics weird and discomforting due to their fascination with lies and their mathematical approach to everything.{{book ref|sa3|47}}{{book ref|sa3|97}} They are also known for their fondness for planning, as well as being largely passive and inactive. Once they put their mind to something, however, they commit to it.{{book ref|sa2|62}} They seem to have a significant influence on the Shadesmar politics, as when they began to bond humans again, others, like [[cultivationspren]], swiftly followed suit.{{book ref|sa2.5|2}}
They are known for enjoying lies, gathering around and humming among themselves wherever a falsehood is uttered, although they don't like being called "liespren".{{book ref|sa3|47}}{{book ref|sa2|3}} They are exceedingly honest, and it seems as though only through bonding with a human can they learn to use less straightforward ways of communication, such as sarcasm and humor.{{book ref|sa2|60}} They seem to prefer keeping together in groups rather than going off on their own.{{book ref|sa3|102}}
▲Cryptics as a whole are supportive of their members bonding with humans
== Abilities ==
Cryptics are one of the few spren types capable of forming a [[Nahel Bond]] with humans. They grant their partner the power of [[Surgebinding]] with the Surges of [[Illumination]] and [[Transformation]], making
Unlike most Nahel Bonds, a Cryptic bond is progressed by uttering deep, personal truths about oneself by the bond holder, with the more powerful, impactful truths deepening the bond further.{{book ref|sa1|70}} In fact, Cryptics seem to have a particular affinity for truths, being able to sense when somebody's lying.{{book ref|sa3|47}}
Cryptics are also able to let
While in the [[Physical Realm]], they can affect it in minor ways, allowing them to pick locks.{{book ref|sa2|63}} Unlike other types of sapient spren, like [[honorspren]] or [[ashspren]], Cryptics seem unable to turn invisible, meaning they have to hide in their environment to remain unnoticed.{{book ref|sa3|62}}
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