2,352
edits
Difference between revisions of "Fabrial"
no edit summary
|
|universe=[[Cosmere]]
|books=[[The Stormlight Archive]]
}}
A '''fabrial''' is a type of mechanical device, powered by [[Stormlight]] that uses [[spren]] captured in gemstones to perform a variety of tasks.{{book ref|sa1|part=ars}} The types of spren that can be captured in a gem depend on the gem's type and color, implying that there are "thousands of possible combinations" of fabrials that can be made.{{file ref|Navani1.jpg|text=Navani's Notebook: One}} A fabrial-gem's power can be determined by the invisible pattern of Stormlight that gets filtered through the gemstone.{{file ref|Navani2.jpg|text=Navani's Notebook: Two}} These fabrial-gems are encased in a wire frame, but it is not known whether this has an effect on the fabrial. Any surge can be replicated by fabrial science.{{wob ref|3013}}
The term "fabrial" is often used colloquially to refer to the entire device. Artifabrians, however, use it to refer specifically to a gem with a captured spren, calling the entire device a machine.{{file ref|Navani1.jpg|text=Navani's Notebook: One}}
==
During the [[Heraldic Epochs]], the Radiants had access to knowledge of Surge fabrials, including [[Soulcaster]]s, healing fabrials, and [[Oathgate]]s. They're knowledge of modern fabrial science was not as advanced as modern scholars,{{book ref|sa3|96}} though they did have some knowledge. The lifts in [[Urithiru]] were created with conjoining fabrials and gears.{{book ref|sa3|24}} With the fall of the Radiants, knowledge of most fabrials was lost, with Soulcasters as the major exception. These stories eventually got exaggerated into people believing the Radiants had more fabrial technology than they did.{{book ref|sa3|96}} Modern advances in fabrial technology only picked up fairly recently, with [[Navani]] as a particularly important patron of research. Most research occurs in the eastern nations of [[Alethkar]] and [[Jah Keved]]. [[Half-shard]]s, an important breakthrough in fabrial research, were perfected in 1173.{{book ref|sa1|22}}
== Creation ==
Creating modern fabrials requires trapping the proper type of spren in a gemstone cut for that purpose.{{book ref|sa3|33}} To trap the spren, artifabrians lure it into a gemstone with something it loves and knows well. Once it is lured into the gem, the spren cannot easily escape.{{book ref|sa3}} Once trapped in a gem, spren respond to stimuli in consistent and predictable ways. The metal frame surrounding the gem creates the stimuli the spren react to. For example, pressing metal against a flamespren in a ruby increases and decreases heat.{{book ref|sa3|33}} Multiple fabrial gems can be placed inside a single wire frame, which lets them work together in creating results. The [[emotion bracelet]], for example, has ten gems.{{file ref|Navani2.jpg|text=Navani's Notebook: Two}}
How the ancient surge fabrials were created is not known, but it is likely a different method from modern fabrials. Ancient Soulcasters require a request for aid not seen in modern fabrials.{{book ref|sa3|i|4}} They still do involve spren being bound to gemstones in some way. Two large spren can be seen guarding and controlling the Oathgates in Shadesmar.{{book ref|sa3|116}} [[Odium]] tells the [[Fused that the Oathgate can be rebuilt if the building is destroyed but the gemstones are recovered and the spren are not compromised.{{book ref|sa3|117}}
== Types ==
{{for|:Category: Fabrials| a full listing of known fabrial-machine designs}}
Modern artifabrians divide the fabrials they design among five groups across three categories. The fabrials they create are all the result of scientific research.{{book ref|sa1|part=ars}} Ancient fabrials, including Surge fabrials, do not fit into these categories and are categorized seperately.
=== Altering fabrials ===
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|sa1|part=ars}}
;Augmenters: Altering fabrials that increase or enhance an attribute are known as augmenters. They work best with forces, emotions or sensations.{{book ref|sa1|part=ars}} [[Half-shard]]s and [[Grandbow]]s are examples of augmenters that increase durability.{{book ref|sa1|part=ars}}{{book ref|sa1|12}} There are also heating fabrials that generate heat,{{book ref|sa1|15}} sometimes called warmers{{book ref|sa3|62}} or heatrials.{{book ref|sa3|100}} Painrials that enhance the feeling of pain also fall under this category.
;Diminishers: 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|sa1|part=ars}} [[Painrial]]s that decrease pain are a type of diminisher,{{book ref|sa1|60}} though the term can also be used to describe a pain augmenter.{{book ref|sa3|118}}
=== Pairing fabrials ===
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|sa1|part=ars}} Force is conserved between each pair of fabrials. The force required to move one is equivalent to moving both. Despite limitations in how far the fabrials can be separated and still work, which is affected by certain processes during their manufacture, conjectures about possible applications are being discussed.{{book ref|sa1|part=ars}}
;Conjoiners: Conjoiners are created from infused rubies which are split in half. The two halves would then be 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 comunications.{{book ref|sa1|28}}{{book ref|sa1|part=ars}}
;Reversers: Reversers are created in a similar manner to conjoiners, using an amethyst instead of a ruby. The two halves will then be able to exhibit equal but opposite reactions; lifting one would cause the other to be lowered.{{book ref|sa1|part=ars}}
=== Warning fabrials ===
[[File: Navani2.jpg|thumb|An excerpt from Navani's Notebook depicting an Emotion Bracelet and examples of stormlight patterns]]
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|sa1|part=ars}}
;Alerters: Alerters are able to detect the presence of objects, feelings, sensations, or phenomenon and warn the user. Alerters utilize heliodors in their design. There are alerters which can detect approaching people, which are able to exclude certain people from detection.{{book ref|sa1|part=ars}} The [[Emotion bracelet]] is an alerter able to detect different emotions.{{file ref|Navani2.jpg|text=Navani's Notebook: Two}}
===Surge Fabrials===
;Shardplate: [[Shardplate]] is occasionally referred to as a fabrial, it is not known if this is accurate since Shardplate appears to operate in a different manner.
Theoretically a fabrial could be used to detect emotional [[Allomancy]].{{wob ref|11576}}
== Trivia ==
* It is possible for synthetic gemstones to be used in fabrials.{{wob ref|2702}}
| |||