Difference between revisions of "Cultivation"

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{{shard info
 
{{shard info
|image=Cultivation and the Nightwatcher 2.jpg
+
|image=Koravellium Avast by Connor Chamberlain.jpg
  +
|vessel=[[Koravellium Avast]]
|status=Alive and whole{{wob ref|2785}}{{wob ref|1555}}
 
|shard=Cultivation
 
 
|splinters=[[Spren]]
 
|splinters=[[Spren]]
 
|status=Alive and whole{{wob ref|2785}}{{wob ref|1555}}
 
|perpendicularity=[[Cultivation's Perpendicularity]]
 
|perpendicularity=[[Cultivation's Perpendicularity]]
 
|magic=[[Surgebinding]]{{wob ref|1640}}, [[Old Magic]]
 
|magic=[[Surgebinding]]{{wob ref|1640}}, [[Old Magic]]
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|books=[[The Stormlight Archive]]
 
|books=[[The Stormlight Archive]]
 
}}
 
}}
  +
{{update|sa4}}
 
{{quote
 
{{quote
|1=<span style='font-variant: small-caps'> I control all things that can be grown, nurtured. <br />
+
|1=<span style='font-variant: small-caps'>I control all things that can be grown, nurtured.<br />
That includes the thorns. </span> |multiline=y
+
That includes the thorns.</span>
 
|2=Cultivation to [[Dalinar]]{{book ref|sa3|114}}
 
|2=Cultivation to [[Dalinar]]{{book ref|sa3|114}}
 
}}
 
}}
   
'''Cultivation''' is one of the sixteen [[Shard|Shards of Adonalsium]].{{book ref|sa1|75}} She resides on [[Roshar]], having originally come there with [[Honor]] before [[Odium]]'s arrival.{{wob ref|1169}} Its Vessel's name is unknown, although [[Hoid]] calls her '''Slammer'''.{{wob ref|9472}} Cultivation’s [[Investiture]] is typically associated with the color green.{{wob ref|13074}}
+
'''Cultivation''' is one of the sixteen [[Shard|Shards of Adonalsium]].{{book ref|sa1|75}} Her Vessel is a [[dragon (cosmere)|dragon]] named [[Koravellium Avast]],{{file ref|Alethi Glyphs Page 2.jpg}}{{wob ref|14441}} though [[Hoid]] has referred to her as '''Slammer'''.{{wob ref|9472}} Cultivation resides on [[Roshar]], having originally come there with [[Honor]] before [[Odium]]'s arrival.{{wob ref|1169}} Cultivation's [[Investiture]] is typically associated with the color green.{{wob ref|13074}}
   
  +
== Intent ==
== Appearance and Personality ==
 
 
Cultivation's intent as a Shard appears to be related to transformation. According to Odium, all she wishes to see is change, regardless of where it leads.{{book ref|sa3|57}} In her own view, on the other hand, she wishes to grow things and people, and prune them if need be, to shape them in a desired form, even if she accepts that there will always be a degree of uncertainty.{{book ref|sa3|114}}
{{image|Cultivation and the Nightwatcher 1.jpg|side=left|width=150px|Cultivation and the [[Nightwatcher]]}}
 
{{quote
 
|This woman extended into eternity.
 
|[[Dalinar]]{{book ref|sa3|114}}
 
}}
 
 
Cultivation's Vessel's true appearance is unknown. When speaking with [[Dalinar]], she creates a "puppet" shaped like a dark-skinned woman with a matronly build. She wears a sweeping brown dress that seems to meld into the undergrowth, and has a voice described as sounding like tumbling stones.{{book ref|sa3|114}}
 
 
She appears to be rather calculating and cautious, preferring to set things up from the background than taking action directly, likely thanks to having front-row view of what happens to Shards that do fight Odium head-on.{{book ref|sa3|114}} She is deeply private and secretive, retreating from people and hiding her plans and thoughts from them. This leads to many thinking that she has given up on humanity at large, while in reality she is hiding and planning.{{book ref|sa2|i|9}}{{wob ref|8669}} When she does interact with people, she is rather curt and self-assured, leaving no room for discussion or doubts, though she can be considerate when need be.{{book ref|sa3|114}}
 
 
She and [[Tanavast]] were once romantically involved, and she seems to feel similarly about [[Stormfather]], likely due to his nature as [[Honor]]'s [[Cognitive Shadow]]. Whether what she feels is still love is unknown.{{wob ref|2786}}{{wob ref|6436}}
 
 
Her intent as a Shard appears to be related to transformation. According to Odium, all she wishes to see is change, regardless of where it leads.{{book ref|sa3|57}} In her own view, on the other hand, she wishes to grow things and people, and prune them if need be, to shape them in a desired form, even if she accepts that there will always be a degree of uncertainty.{{book ref|sa3|114}}
 
   
 
== Associated Magics ==
 
== Associated Magics ==
{{image|Cultivation and Honor by ML Malandrino.jpg|side=right|width=250px|With [[Honor]]}}
+
{{image|Koravellium Avast by paintweaver.jpg|side=right|width=250px}}
 
=== Surgebinding ===
 
=== Surgebinding ===
 
{{for|Surgebinding}}
 
{{for|Surgebinding}}
Line 48: Line 37:
 
There is more to Old Magic than just boons and banes; however, there is no person currently known to make use of that.{{wob ref|10819}}
 
There is more to Old Magic than just boons and banes; however, there is no person currently known to make use of that.{{wob ref|10819}}
   
=== "Cultivationlight" ===
+
=== Lifelight ===
Cultivation has her own form of gaseous Investiture, comparable to the Scadrian [[Mist]]s{{wob ref|12207}} and likely equivalent to [[Stormlight]] and [[Voidlight]].{{wob ref|10578}} When visiting the [[Nightwatcher]], Dalinar sees Cultivation surrounded by green mist,{{book ref|sa3|114}} which is likely that.{{wob ref|12207}} It is unknown if "Cultivationlight" can fuel any magic system or power.
+
Cultivation has her own form of gaseous Investiture, Lifelight, that is comparable to the Scadrian [[mist]]s{{wob ref|12207}}, [[Stormlight]], and [[Voidlight]].{{wob ref|10578}} When visiting the [[Nightwatcher]], Dalinar sees Cultivation surrounded by green mist,{{book ref|sa3|114}} which is likely Lifelight.{{wob ref|12207}} It can both be captured in gems and serve as a power source much like the other two Lights. In fact, [[Lift]]'s Investiture that she generates by transmuting consumed food is Lifelight and not Stormlight. The power that the [[Sibling]] uses, [[Towerlight]], is a mixture of Lifelight and Stormlight.{{book ref|sa4|69}}
  +
  +
Lifelight takes up the middle note on the Rosharan [[wikipedia:Tritonic scale|tritonic scale]].{{book ref|sa4|69}}
   
 
=== Other ===
 
=== Other ===
Cultivation is capable of seeing the future, with [[Honor]] mentioning that she is much better at it than he ever was.{{book ref|sa1|75}} While certainly one of the better users of futuresight in [[cosmere]], she herself admits that she cannot truly predict everything.{{book ref|sa3|114}}
+
Cultivation is capable of seeing the future, with [[Honor]] mentioning that she is much better at it than he ever was.{{book ref|sa1|75}} While certainly one of the better users of future sight in the [[cosmere]], she herself admits that she cannot truly predict everything.{{book ref|sa3|114}}
   
She is capable of creating [[spren]] of herself, the chief example of this being the [[Nightwatcher]].{{wob ref|9207}} This being said, Nightwatcher is not very humanlike, and so Cultivation keeps her in the [[Valley]] to hold court, and grants her the use of Old Magic.{{book ref|sa3|114}} [[Cultivationspren]] are also likely tied to Cultivation herself, as they refer to her as "Mother".{{book ref|sa2|i|9}}{{book ref|sa3|118}}
+
She is capable of creating [[spren]] of herself, the chief example of this being the [[Nightwatcher]].{{wob ref|9207}} This being said, the Nightwatcher is not very humanlike, and so Cultivation keeps her in the [[Valley]] to hold court, and grants her the use of the Old Magic.{{book ref|sa3|114}} [[Cultivationspren]] are also likely tied to Cultivation herself, as they refer to her as "Mother".{{book ref|sa2|i|9}}{{book ref|sa3|118}}
   
Something about her presence on Roshar, whether intentional or otherwise, makes it easier for animal life there to attain a degree of sentience, with both [[Ryshadium]] and [[santhid]]s being far more intelligent than their peers for this reason.{{wob ref|2792}}
+
Something about her presence on Roshar, whether intentional or otherwise, makes it easier for animal life there to attain a degree of sentience, with both [[Ryshadium]] and [[santhid]]yn being far more intelligent than their peers for this reason.{{wob ref|2792}}
   
 
[[Cultivation's Perpendicularity]] is located in the [[Horneater Peaks]], and forms either one or all of the [[Horneater Oceans]], the giant lakes at the top of the mountains. Until the [[True Desolation]], where it was overtaken by the [[Fused]], it was the main way for [[worldhopper]]s to travel to and from Roshar.{{book ref|sa3|93}}{{book ref|sa3|102}}
 
[[Cultivation's Perpendicularity]] is located in the [[Horneater Peaks]], and forms either one or all of the [[Horneater Oceans]], the giant lakes at the top of the mountains. Until the [[True Desolation]], where it was overtaken by the [[Fused]], it was the main way for [[worldhopper]]s to travel to and from Roshar.{{book ref|sa3|93}}{{book ref|sa3|102}}
   
Cultivation appears to have the ability to kill or at least seriously wound [[Odium]], as he refrained from killing [[Stormfather]] out of fear of what she could do to him.{{book ref|sa3|111}}
+
Cultivation appears to have the ability to kill or at least seriously wound [[Odium]], as he refrained from killing the [[Stormfather]] out of fear of leaving himself exposed to her counterattack.{{book ref|sa3|111}}
   
 
== History ==
 
== History ==
 
{{image|The Roshards by jurassicpencil.jpg|side=left|width=200px|Cultivation, [[Honor]] and [[Odium]]}}
 
{{image|The Roshards by jurassicpencil.jpg|side=left|width=200px|Cultivation, [[Honor]] and [[Odium]]}}
  +
{{for|Koravellium Avast#History|the history of the original Vessel}}
   
 
=== Shattering and ancient Roshar ===
 
=== Shattering and ancient Roshar ===
 
{{quote
It's unknown who Cultivation's Vessel is, only that she dates back to the [[Shattering of Adonalsium]] and that she greatly dislikes [[Hoid]].{{book ref|sa2|55}} The Shard itself was created during the Shattering, and was subsequently taken up by the Vessel. She and [[Honor]], with whom she was romantically involved, departed the site of the Shattering, [[Yolen]], and ended up on Roshar.{{wob ref|2786}} There, they became the gods of a local sentient species known as the [[singer]]s. However, following [[Odium]]'s arrival in the [[Rosharan system]], the two Shards ended up siding with human newcomers instead.{{book ref|sa3|111}}
 
  +
|I think there's only one [woman of my age] around these parts, and she and I never did get along.
 
|Hoid{{book ref|sa2|55}}
 
}}
 
The Shard of Cultivation was created during the Shattering, and was subsequently taken up by [[Koravellium Avast]]. She and [[Honor]], with whom she was romantically involved, departed the site of the Shattering, [[Yolen]], and ended up on Roshar.{{wob ref|2786}} There, they became the gods of a local sentient species known as the [[singer]]s. However, following [[Odium]]'s arrival in the [[Rosharan system]], the two Shards ended up siding with human newcomers instead.{{book ref|sa3|111}}
   
 
Although Cultivation assisted Honor in fighting Odium, Honor still perished.{{wob ref|2729}} Following his death, Cultivation withdrew in grief, and appeared to have lost all interest in aiding mankind any longer.{{book ref|sa2|i|9}} This was not entirely correct, however -- rather than hiding, she was planning.{{wob ref|8669}}
 
Although Cultivation assisted Honor in fighting Odium, Honor still perished.{{wob ref|2729}} Following his death, Cultivation withdrew in grief, and appeared to have lost all interest in aiding mankind any longer.{{book ref|sa2|i|9}} This was not entirely correct, however -- rather than hiding, she was planning.{{wob ref|8669}}
   
 
=== Era of Solitude ===
 
=== Era of Solitude ===
In the late [[Era of Solitude]], Cultivation used the [[Old Magic]] at least twice. She granted [[Taravangian]] the compassion and the capacity to save the world, while also making it so that the proportion of one to the other changes daily, though the exact reason why is uncertain.{{wob ref|13097}} She also intervened when [[Dalinar Kholin]] came to see the Nightwatcher and beg for forgiveness. Instead of this, she made him forget [[Evi|his wife]], which served as both a boon and a bane.{{book ref|sa3|114}}
+
In the late [[Era of Solitude]], Cultivation used the [[Old Magic]] at least thrice. She granted [[Taravangian]] fluctuating amounts of compassion and intelligence, ultimately grooming him to take up the [[Shard]] of [[Odium]], which required compassion, and to master its [[Shard|Intent]], which required the intelligence. {{wob ref|13097}} She made it so that [[Lift]]'s Surgebinding would be powered by Lifelight, rather than Stormlight, though Lift's curse and boon are not known.{{book ref|sa4|i|5}}{{book ref|sa4|60}} She also intervened when [[Dalinar Kholin]] came to see the Nightwatcher and beg for forgiveness. Instead of this, she made him forget [[Evi|his wife]], which served as both a boon and a bane.{{book ref|sa3|114}}
   
 
Unlike with all other boons and banes, Dalinar's memories gradually returned after the arrival of the [[Everstorm]].{{book ref|sa3|24}} This was deliberately engineered by Cultivation to give him time to come to terms with his past before [[Odium]] would try to use it to turn Dalinar into his champion.{{book ref|sa3|121}}
 
Unlike with all other boons and banes, Dalinar's memories gradually returned after the arrival of the [[Everstorm]].{{book ref|sa3|24}} This was deliberately engineered by Cultivation to give him time to come to terms with his past before [[Odium]] would try to use it to turn Dalinar into his champion.{{book ref|sa3|121}}
   
== Culture ==
+
== Influence ==
  +
{{image|Cultivation by Heatherly.png|side=right|width=300px}}
 
{{quote
 
{{quote
 
|Storming Mother of the World and Father of Storms above!
 
|Storming Mother of the World and Father of Storms above!
Line 86: Line 83:
   
 
== Trivia ==
 
== Trivia ==
* [[Reya]], a mythological figure on Roshar after whom the star [[Tear]] is named, is not the name of Cultivation's Vessel.{{wob ref|9226}}
 
 
* Cultivation always speaks in <span style='font-variant: small-caps'>small-caps</span>, similarly to the [[Stormfather]]. [[Honor]], by contrast, spoke in normal font in the [[Dalinar's visions|the visions he left for Bondsmiths]].
 
* Cultivation always speaks in <span style='font-variant: small-caps'>small-caps</span>, similarly to the [[Stormfather]]. [[Honor]], by contrast, spoke in normal font in the [[Dalinar's visions|the visions he left for Bondsmiths]].
  +
* In ''[[wikipedia:Magic: The Gathering|Magic:The Gathering]]'' colors, Cultivation would be green.{{wob ref|11057}}
  +
* Cultivation has never really gotten along with Hoid.{{book ref|sa2|55}}
   
 
== Notes ==
 
== Notes ==

Revision as of 18:53, 20 August 2021

Cultivation
Koravellium Avast by Connor Chamberlain.jpg
Vessel Koravellium Avast
Slivers None
Splinters Spren
Status Alive and whole[1][2]
Perpendicularity Cultivation's Perpendicularity
Magics Surgebinding[3], Old Magic
Residence Roshar
Universe Cosmere
This page or section needs to be updated with new information for Rhythm of War!
Be aware that in its current state, it may not include all additional content yet.

I control all things that can be grown, nurtured.
That includes the thorns.

—Cultivation to Dalinar[4]

Cultivation is one of the sixteen Shards of Adonalsium.[5] Her Vessel is a dragon named Koravellium Avast,[6][7] though Hoid has referred to her as Slammer.[8] Cultivation resides on Roshar, having originally come there with Honor before Odium's arrival.[9] Cultivation's Investiture is typically associated with the color green.[10]

Intent

Cultivation's intent as a Shard appears to be related to transformation. According to Odium, all she wishes to see is change, regardless of where it leads.[11] In her own view, on the other hand, she wishes to grow things and people, and prune them if need be, to shape them in a desired form, even if she accepts that there will always be a degree of uncertainty.[4]

Associated Magics

Surgebinding

Surgebinding is a magic system derived from both Cultivation and Honor.[3] To Surgebind, a person must bond a spren, which grants them the ability to inhale Stormlight and use it for various purposes, chief among them self-healing and manipulating Surges, the fundamental forces of Roshar.[12] Some Surges are more inclined towards Cultivation, while others are closer to Honor. Additionally, some of the Radiant spren appear to be closer to Cultivation than others.[13]

The spren capable of forming the Radiant bonds are likewise a mix of Cultivation and Honor's Investitures; as such, a Shardblade is a mix of her and his metals.[14]

Old Magic

Old Magic is a magic "system" that appears to be usable only by Cultivation and Nightwatcher.[4] It allows for granting another person a boon and a bane based on their request. The boons and banes can range from physical objects, such as money or swords, to mental alterations, such as making a person see upside-down for the rest of their life, or erasing memories.[4][15] It even permits Realmatic changes, such as granting a new and unique way of acquiring Investiture.[16]

There is more to Old Magic than just boons and banes; however, there is no person currently known to make use of that.[17]

Lifelight

Cultivation has her own form of gaseous Investiture, Lifelight, that is comparable to the Scadrian mists[18], Stormlight, and Voidlight.[19] When visiting the Nightwatcher, Dalinar sees Cultivation surrounded by green mist,[4] which is likely Lifelight.[18] It can both be captured in gems and serve as a power source much like the other two Lights. In fact, Lift's Investiture that she generates by transmuting consumed food is Lifelight and not Stormlight. The power that the Sibling uses, Towerlight, is a mixture of Lifelight and Stormlight.[20]

Lifelight takes up the middle note on the Rosharan tritonic scale.[20]

Other

Cultivation is capable of seeing the future, with Honor mentioning that she is much better at it than he ever was.[5] While certainly one of the better users of future sight in the cosmere, she herself admits that she cannot truly predict everything.[4]

She is capable of creating spren of herself, the chief example of this being the Nightwatcher.[21] This being said, the Nightwatcher is not very humanlike, and so Cultivation keeps her in the Valley to hold court, and grants her the use of the Old Magic.[4] Cultivationspren are also likely tied to Cultivation herself, as they refer to her as "Mother".[16][22]

Something about her presence on Roshar, whether intentional or otherwise, makes it easier for animal life there to attain a degree of sentience, with both Ryshadium and santhidyn being far more intelligent than their peers for this reason.[23]

Cultivation's Perpendicularity is located in the Horneater Peaks, and forms either one or all of the Horneater Oceans, the giant lakes at the top of the mountains. Until the True Desolation, where it was overtaken by the Fused, it was the main way for worldhoppers to travel to and from Roshar.[24][25]

Cultivation appears to have the ability to kill or at least seriously wound Odium, as he refrained from killing the Stormfather out of fear of leaving himself exposed to her counterattack.[26]

History

Cultivation, Honor and Odium

Shattering and ancient Roshar

I think there's only one [woman of my age] around these parts, and she and I never did get along.

—Hoid[27]

The Shard of Cultivation was created during the Shattering, and was subsequently taken up by Koravellium Avast. She and Honor, with whom she was romantically involved, departed the site of the Shattering, Yolen, and ended up on Roshar.[28] There, they became the gods of a local sentient species known as the singers. However, following Odium's arrival in the Rosharan system, the two Shards ended up siding with human newcomers instead.[26]

Although Cultivation assisted Honor in fighting Odium, Honor still perished.[29] Following his death, Cultivation withdrew in grief, and appeared to have lost all interest in aiding mankind any longer.[16] This was not entirely correct, however -- rather than hiding, she was planning.[30]

Era of Solitude

In the late Era of Solitude, Cultivation used the Old Magic at least thrice. She granted Taravangian fluctuating amounts of compassion and intelligence, ultimately grooming him to take up the Shard of Odium, which required compassion, and to master its Intent, which required the intelligence. [31] She made it so that Lift's Surgebinding would be powered by Lifelight, rather than Stormlight, though Lift's curse and boon are not known.[32][33] She also intervened when Dalinar Kholin came to see the Nightwatcher and beg for forgiveness. Instead of this, she made him forget his wife, which served as both a boon and a bane.[4]

Unlike with all other boons and banes, Dalinar's memories gradually returned after the arrival of the Everstorm.[34] This was deliberately engineered by Cultivation to give him time to come to terms with his past before Odium would try to use it to turn Dalinar into his champion.[35]

Influence

Storming Mother of the World and Father of Storms above!

Cultivation has been honored on Roshar for a long time, at least since the era of the Knights Radiant.[37] In the present day, however, her worship is limited to the western part of the continent, where she is considered an embodiment of nature and nature spren.[38] There, she is sometimes referred to as Mother of the World.[36] Even in the east, people sometimes make references to Mother Cultivation, though typically as a joke.[39] In Vorinism, belief in her and her cohorts, such as the Nightwatcher, is considered pagan superstition and usually dismissed.[4][37]

Cultivation is also highly revered by cultivationspren. Though the precise relation between them and her is unclear, they often call her Mother or Blessed Mother, and only sometimes by her proper name.[22][40][41] "Mother's vines" appears to be a particular curse related to Cultivation.[42]

Trivia

Notes

  1. Rithmatist Albuquerque signing
    Arcanum - 2013-05-22#
  2. Arcanum Unbounded Chicago signing
    Arcanum - 2016-12-06#
  3. a b Boskone 54
    Arcanum - 2017-02-18#
  4. a b c d e f g h i Oathbringer chapter 114#
  5. a b The Way of Kings chapter 75#
  6. Alethi Glyphs Page 2.jpg
  7. General Reddit 2020
    Arcanum - 2020-11-22#
  8. General Signed Books 2016
    Arcanum - 2016-01-01#
  9. 17th Shard Forum Q&A
    Arcanum - 2012-09-26#
  10. ICon 2019
    Arcanum - 2019-10-15#
  11. Oathbringer chapter 57#
  12. Stormblessed.com interview with Brandon Sanderson
    Arcanum - 2010-12-25#
  13. FanX 2018
    Arcanum - 2018-09-06#
  14. Skyward Denver signing
    Arcanum - 2018-11-15#
  15. The Way of Kings interlude I-7#
  16. a b c Words of Radiance interlude I-9#
  17. Legion Release Party
    Arcanum - 2018-09-19#
  18. a b Idaho Falls signing
    Arcanum - 2018-12-29#
  19. Read For Pixels 2018
    Arcanum - 2018-09-01#
  20. a b Rhythm of War chapter 69#
  21. JordanCon 2016
    Arcanum - 2016-04-23#
  22. a b Oathbringer chapter 118#
  23. Shadows of Self Denver signing
    Arcanum - 2015-10-06#
  24. Oathbringer chapter 93#
  25. Oathbringer chapter 102#
  26. a b Oathbringer chapter 111#
  27. a b Words of Radiance chapter 55#
  28. Rithmatist Albuquerque signing
    Arcanum - 2013-05-22#
  29. Idaho Falls Signing
    Arcanum - 2015-11-28#
  30. Oathbringer London signing
    Arcanum - 2017-11-28#
  31. Tel Aviv Signing
    Arcanum - 2019-10-18#
  32. Rhythm of War interlude I-5#
  33. Rhythm of War chapter 60#
  34. Oathbringer chapter 24#
  35. Oathbringer chapter 121#
  36. a b Edgedancer chapter 15#
  37. a b Oathbringer chapter 29#
  38. Words of Radiance chapter 3#
  39. Oathbringer chapter 21#
  40. Edgedancer chapter 4#
  41. Edgedancer chapter 13#
  42. Edgedancer chapter 11#
  43. Skyward Pre-Release AMA
    Arcanum - 2018-10-05#
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