Difference between revisions of "Fabrial"

A '''fabrial''' is a [[Light]]-powered mechanical device from [[Roshar]] that uses [[spren]] captured in gemstones to perform a particular supernatural task. The magical properties of modern fabrials can usually be activated by anyone who knows how to use them.{{book ref|sa2|86}} A person who creates or designs fabrials is called an '''artifabrian'''.{{book ref|sa1sa4|part=ars}} The term "fabrial" is often used colloquially to refer to the entire device. Artifabrians, however, call that a "machine", and use the word fabrial to refer specifically to a gem with a captured spren.

Modern artifabrians divide the fabrials they design into five groups across three categories.{{book ref|sa1sa4|part=ars}} Ancient fabrials, including Surge fabrials, do not fit into these categories and are grouped separately.

Appropriately named, altering fabrials qualitatively alter the property or attribute they target. Well-known examples include altering the temperature of an object or an area and enhancing or dampening the sensation of pain, though artifabrians believe there is potential for even greater types of fabrials in this category.{{book ref|sa1sa4|part=ars}}

Altering fabrials that increase or enhance an attribute are known as augmenters. They work best with forces, emotions or sensations.{{book ref|sa1sa4|part=ars}} [[Half-shard]]s and [[Grandbow]]s are examples of augmenters that increase durability.{{book ref|sa1sa4|part=ars}}{{book ref|sa1|12}} There are also heating fabrials that generate heat, sometimes called warmers or heatrials.{{book ref|sa1|15}}{{book ref|sa3|62}}{{book ref|sa3|100}} Heatrials were first developed just before [[Assassination of Gavilar|Gavilar's feast]], though earlier models were much less effective.{{book ref|sa3|prologue}} Painrials that enhance the feeling of pain also fall under this category.{{book ref|sa3|118}} Pewter is generally used for augmenters.{{epigraph ref|sa4|9}}

Diminishers act as opposites of augmenters, decreasing the magnitude of their targeted trait. In general, they operate in a similar manner to augmenters, with similar restrictions.{{book ref|sa1sa4|part=ars}} [[Painrial]]s that decrease pain are a type of diminisher.{{book ref|sa1|60}} Tin is used to make diminishers.{{epigraph ref|sa4|10}}

Pairing fabrials are, as the name suggests, created in pairs that can move in parallel, or the opposite, over great distances. This category was a recent discovery during the [[War of Reckoning]].{{book ref|sa1sa4|part=ars}} Force is conserved between each pair of fabrials, and the force required to move one is equivalent to one required for moving both. Despite limitations in how far the fabrials can be separated and still work (dictated by certain processes during manufacture), conjectures about possible applications are being discussed.{{book ref|sa1sa4|part=ars}}

Conjoiners are created from infused rubies which are split in half after the spren is already captured.{{book ref|sa4|84}} The two halves are then able to exhibit parallel movements over large distances. [[Spanreed]]s are the most widespread example of conjoiner, linking two pens and allowing for long-distance communication.{{book ref|sa1|28}}{{book ref|sa1sa4|part=ars}} Conjoined rubies don't drain much Light to maintain their connection.{{book ref|sa4|63}}

Reversers are created in a similar manner to conjoiners, using an amethyst instead of a ruby. The two halves are then able to exhibit equal, but opposite reactions; lifting one would cause the other to be lowered.{{book ref|sa1sa4|part=ars}}

Warning fabrials detect things and give notice to the user. Their range depends on the the amount of Stormlight infused into its fabrial-gem.{{book ref|sa1sa4|part=ars}}

Alerters use a heliodor to detect the presence of objects, feelings, sensations, or phenomena, and warn the user. There are alerters which can detect approaching people while excluding certain persons from detection.{{book ref|sa1sa4|part=ars}} The [[Emotion bracelet]] is an alerter able to detect different emotions.{{file ref|Navani2.jpg|text=Navani's Notebook: Two}} Bronze is the metal used to stimulate these types of fabrials.{{book ref|sa4|8}} Theoretically, a fabrial could be used to detect emotional [[Allomancy]].{{wob ref|11576}}