⬤

Difference between revisions of "Feruchemy"

From The Coppermind
Jump to navigation Jump to search
m
(added clarification to the article itself, hopefully people won't keep messing this up)
 
(137 intermediate revisions by 58 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
−
{{magic
 +
{{magic system
  +
|image=Feruchemical_table.jpg
−
|system=Feruchemy
  
−
|world=Scadrial
  
 
|related=[[Preservation]], [[Ruin]]
  
|related=[[Preservation]], [[Ruin]]
−
|focus=Metal
  
 
|prereq=Genetic ability
  
|prereq=Genetic ability
 
|type=End-Neutral
  
|type=End-Neutral
  +
|world=Scadrial
−
|books=[[Mistborn (series)]]
  
  +
|universe=[[Cosmere]]
−
}}
  
  +
|books=[[Mistborn (series)]], [[The Stormlight Archive]], [[The Sunlit Man]]
  +
}}{{exemplary|date=2018-04-07}}
  +
{{update|tsm}}
  +
{{spoilers|tsm}}
 
'''Feruchemy''' is one of the three prime manifestations of [[Investiture]] on [[Scadrial]]. The natives of that world consider it one of the three [[Metallic Arts]].
  
'''Feruchemy''' is one of the three prime manifestations of [[Investiture]] on [[Scadrial]]. The natives of that world consider it one of the three [[Metallic Arts]].
   
−
== Lore & Background ==
 +
== Mechanics ==
  +
Feruchemy is an end-neutral manifestation of Investiture that allows the user to convert certain attributes into Investiture and store them in metal that they are in physical contact with, and to later retrieve them from the metal. Although it is generally inherited or obtained through Hemalurgy, there are other ways to become a Feruchemist,{{wob ref|12776}} involving the Scadrian [[God Metal]]s, [[atium]] and [[lerasium]].{{wob ref|14146}} As an end-neutral art, Investiture is not gained from an outside source (as it is in end-positive arts) and Investiture is not permanently lost (as it is in end-negative arts).{{book ref|mb4|part=ars}} Ordinarily, when a Feruchemist is tapping an attribute at the same rate it was stored, they are able to get out exactly what they put in, for example, if they store 50% of their strength for one hour they can tap that and be at 150% of their strength for one hour. However, if the Feruchemist taps at a greater rate, then some of the attribute is lost, to facilitate the compression of the Investiture. This means that a Feruchemist who stores 50% of their strength for one hour might only be able to stay at 200% for 25 minutes, rather than a full half hour. The more a Feruchemist compresses the attribute, the more is lost.{{wob ref|6126}} While a Feruchemist can only store attributes at a reasonable rate, there isn't an upper limit of how much they are able to tap at any given time.
−
'''Feruchemy''' is the only one of the Metallic Arts that was in widespread use before the [[Ascension of the Lord Ruler]]. It is a genetic ability found in the ancient people of [[Terris]], but as during the time of the [[Final Empire]] most Terrismen were eunuchs because of the [[Lord Ruler]]'s breeding programs, Feruchemists became exceedingly rare.
  
   
  +
The type of metal determines what attribute can be stored within it. Pieces of metal that have been charged by Feruchemists are referred to as '''metalminds''' in general, or more specifically as the type of metal with an added "-mind" suffix. The act of charging, or Investing, a metalmind is referred to as '''storing''' and the act of retrieving the stored attribute is referred to as '''tapping'''.{{book ref|mb4|part=ars}} Feruchemists are capable of innately knowing how much of an attribute is stored within a metalmind at any time, as long as they are physically touching the metal mind, in the same way an individual can know how tired they are.{{wob ref|15868}}
−
A '''Feruchemist''' can use metals to store particular attributes in metal, somewhat like a battery. The larger the piece of metal is (and the closer it is to Allomantic purity), the more of that particular attribute can be stored. A Feruchemist can draw upon their metals in increased, compounded qualities, but the faster they do this, the lesser returns they receive. Only the Feruchemist who stored those attributes can draw upon them later, however.
 
   
  +
A larger piece of metal will be able to store more of an attribute, but the scaling is not linear; there are certain thresholds of size where the amount of attribute that can be stored increases.{{wob ref|234}} If a metalmind is broken, the stored attribute will be split among the pieces.{{wob ref|4087}} This is because the power inside the metal acts like a gas acts inside a jar.{{wob ref|13238}} It is possible to store and tap using molten metal (setting aside the conventional hazards of touching molten metal) which would have some effect on the stored Investiture.{{wob ref|6217}} If the molten metal is mixed to form an alloy, however, the Investiture will become inaccessible, even if the alloy in question is Feruchemically viable. If the alloy is Feruchemically viable, a Feruchemist will not be able to store as much of an attribute as they could in an identically-sized metalmind: while the original Investiture is inaccessible, it does still take up "space" in the metalmind.{{wob ref|3969}}
−
Like Mistborn and Mistings, there are Feruchemists that can utilize one or all of the metals. The former are known as '''"Ferrings"'''.{{17s ref|topic|712|Q&A with Peter Orullian|date=8/20/11}} Ferrings are a result of the genes for Feruchemy mixing with those for Allomancy following the [[Final Ascension]].{{qa ref|632|1| Were Ferrings always part of the system and we just didn't meet them in Mistborn?|date=Nov 11th, 2011}}
  
   
  +
Ordinarily, a Feruchemist's stores are keyed to their [[Identity]] and are inaccessible to another Feruchemist. However, other Feruchemists can sense the presence of the original Feruchemist's stores.{{book ref|mb1|epilogue}}
−
== Terminology ==
  
   
  +
In order to get the most storage out of a metalmind of an alloy, the metal has to be alloyed in a specific combination of metals. If the metal does not have the right mixture, it is considered impure. This is likened to how Allomancers require these 'pure' metals as well. If a metalmind is not pure, it will not hold as much charge as one that is alloyed correctly with the same size.{{wob ref|13244}}
−
A [[metalmind]] is what Feruchemists' call a piece of metal they can store human attributes in. Each metalmind is named after the type of metal it is made of, such as ironmind, pewtermind, coppermind, or goldmind.
  
   
  +
=== Savantism ===
−
When a Feruchemist places something in the metal, it is known as '''storing'''. A Feruchemist's power comes from his or her own body, so if a Feruchemist is storing strength, that Feruchemist must remain weak during that time. When a Feruchemist draws upon his or her metalminds, it is called '''tapping'''.
  
  +
Feruchemists who [[Compounding|Compound]] their metals for extended periods of time may be physiologically altered by the constant influx of power. Since Feruchemy doesn't draw from an external power, it is very difficult to become a [[savant]] from just using normal Feruchemy.{{wob ref|13463}} If the Feruchemist is able to Compound and draw power from an outside source they could become a savant more easily.{{epigraph ref|mb3|32}}{{wob ref|13393}}
   
  +
=== Feruchemical Properties of Metals ===
  +
{{for|:Category:Metals|3=the individual pages for each metal}}
 
{{/table}}
  
{{/table}}
   
−
== Feruchemical Properties of Metals ==
  
   
  +
{| width=80% class=infobox style='text-align:center!;' align=center
−
=== Physical ===
  
  +
! class=title colspan=3 style='background-color:#bbf;' | God Metals{{file ref|Feruchemical table.jpg|Table of Feruchemical Metals}}
  +
|-
  +
!Metal
  +
!Shard
  +
!Effect
  +
|-
  +
| '''[[Atium]]'''
  +
| [[Ruin]]
  +
| Stores youth
  +
|-
  +
| '''[[Atium|Pure Atium]]'''
  +
| [[Ruin]]
  +
| Unknown
  +
|-
  +
| '''[[Malatium]]'''
  +
| [[Ruin]]
  +
| Unknown
  +
|-
  +
| '''[[Atium|Atium Alloys]]'''
  +
| [[Ruin]]
  +
| Unknown
  +
|-
  +
| '''[[Lerasium]]'''
  +
| [[Preservation]]
  +
| Unknown
  +
|-
  +
| '''[[Lerasium|Lerasium Alloys]]'''
  +
| [[Preservation]]
  +
| Unknown
  +
|-
  +
| '''[[Harmonium]]'''
  +
| [[Harmony]]
  +
| Unknown
  +
|-
  +
| '''[[Trellium]]'''
  +
| [[Autonomy]]
  +
| Unknown
  +
|-
  +
| '''[[Raysium]]'''
  +
| [[Odium]]
  +
| Unknown
  +
|-
  +
|}
   
−
====[[Iron]]====
  
−
Iron stores physical weight. Iron is used to store physical mass, or more accurately, density. This is accomplished by changing the Feruchemist's mass, not by changing the effect of gravity on the Feruchemist.{{qa ref|689|3|text=Does iron store mass or weight?|date=17 March 2012}} The greater density has no effect on the Feruchemist's vulnerability to penetration.{{annotation ref|aol|chapter=6}} Tapping iron grants the Feruchemist the strength required to remain standing.
  
   
  +
Apart from the regular metals, [[Scadrial]] also has access to two God Metals, formed of the [[Investiture]]s of [[Ruin]] and [[Preservation]]. While the Feruchemical properties of [[lerasium]], Preservation's God Metal, are unknown, Ruin's metal, [[atium]], allows for storing youth,{{book ref|mb7|part=ars}} letting a person appear younger or older. Ordinarily, this power has limited use outside of temporary disguise, as one must spend equal time old and young. However, it can be Compounded to greatly extend the user's lifespan.{{book ref|mb1|epilogue}} Following the [[Catacendre]], there is also [[ettmetal|harmonium]], made of [[Harmony]]'s Investiture;{{wob ref|1033}} however, its Feruchemical properties are unknown and it is difficult to experiment with as it explodes when in contact with water.{{book ref|mb6|22}} The God Metals can also form alloys with each of the sixteen lesser metals. It is hypothesized that each of these God Metal-lesser metal alloys would allow other Feruchemical abilities to be discovered.{{book ref|mb4|part=ars}}
−
An iron [[Ferring]] is known as a '''Skimmer'''.
  
   
−
====[[Steel]]====
 +
=== Special Metalminds ===
  +
Special metalminds can be created so more than the Feruchemist who filled it can access the stored attributes.{{wob ref|5506}} There are no genetic or Spiritual restrictions to using them.{{wob ref|15678}}{{wob ref|7186}} Due to the nature of [[Intention]] in the cosmere, an individual must be aware of the metalmind's nature before they can use it.{{book ref|mb6|17}}
−
Steel stores physical speed. Tapping steel will allow the Feruchemist to move at amazing rates, while storing it will cause the Feruchemist to move more slowly. Storing speed has negligible if any effect on the Feruchemist's ability to speak.{{book ref|mb2|50}}
  
   
  +
==== Unkeyed Metalminds ====
−
A steel [[Ferring]] is known as a '''Steelrunner'''.
  
  +
An '''unkeyed metalmind''' is a special kind of metalmind that anyone with the relevant Feruchemical ability can access. They are created through manipulation of Identity, such as through aluminum Feruchemy. Whereas a conventional metalmind is keyed to the Identity of the Feruchemist who created it, unkeyed metalminds are not attuned to any specific individual's Identity.{{book ref|mb6|3}}
   
−
====[[Tin]]====
 +
==== Unsealed Metalminds ====
  +
An '''unsealed metalmind''' is a special kind of metalmind that anyone can access.{{wob ref|2112}}{{ref|group=fn|text=The [[Mistborn Adventure Game]] refers to these as "universal metalminds". Due to the potentially confusing nature of that term, and the fact that "unsealed metalmind" is a term from Brandon himself, the Coppermind uses the latter.}} The exact method of their creation is unknown, but it involves Feruchemical [[nicrosil]] and [[duralumin]]{{wob ref|3345}} and something referred to as an [[Excisor]]. Unsealed metalminds are formed of nicrosil and one or more other metals. The nicrosil grants the user the ability to use the other metals.{{book ref|mb6|20}} Unsealed metalminds see widespread use among the [[Southern Peoples of Scadrial]], but perhaps the most famous example are the fabled [[Bands of Mourning]].{{book ref|mb6|3}}{{book ref|mb6|21}} Hemalurgy makes it easier to create medallions, even if one is already a full Feruchemist and Mistborn.{{wob ref|15152}} Unsealed metalminds have more of an Identity than normal metalminds, which may allow people to fill them while sleeping.{{wob ref|15930}}
−
Tin stores senses. Tapping a tinmind gives the Feruchemist enhanced sensory perception. However, this will not allow the Feruchemist to see in the dark; rather, it enhances what eyesight/senses are already there. In addition, tapping tin will not make the mists more translucent, as an Allomancer burning tin would. Tapping sight causes the edge of the Feruchemist's vision to blur, and sacrifices immediate field of vision in favor of a more distant, binocular view. Tapping too much sight can induce nausea.{{book ref|mb2|12}} Multiple tin minds are required to store multiple senses.
 
   
  +
=== Interactions with Other Investitures ===
−
A tin [[Ferring]] is known as a '''Windwhisper'''.
  
  +
==== Allomancy ====
  +
Perhaps the most dramatic interaction between Feruchemy and [[Allomancy]] is [[Compounding]], by which a Feruchemist can Allomantically burn a metalmind and dramatically increase the amount of the attribute stored. Effectively this uses the end-positive nature of Allomancy to use Preservation's power to fuel the end-neutral art of Feruchemy.{{book ref|mb1|epilogue}}
   
  +
Following the Catacendre, and the emergence of Ferrings, it is possible for individuals to be born with a single Allomantic ability and a single Feruchemical ability. These individuals are known as [[Twinborn]]. When an individual's abilities share a metal, they are capable of Compounding. Even when they do not, however, the interaction between the two abilities creates an effect, known as a [[Resonance]].{{book ref|mb5|part=ars}}
−
====[[Pewter]]====
  
−
Pewter stores physical strength. Tapping a pewtermind will cause a Feruchemist's muscles to grow far larger than they would be normally, while storing strength causes the Feruchemist to become weak and frail. It's possible for the Feruchemist to tap so much strength that their girth makes it difficult for them to maneuver properly. {{book ref|mb2|53}}
  
   
  +
Like any Invested object, a metalmind resists Allomantic Ironpulls and Steelpushes. The strength of resistance is based on the level of Investiture stored in the metalmind. A metalmind with only a small amount of stored attribute might resist only slightly, whereas a fully charged metalmind will be effectively immune.{{book ref|mb5|7}}
−
A pewter [[Ferring]] is known as a '''Brute'''.
  
   
  +
It is theoretically possible to detect the use of Feruchemy using bronze Allomancy, as it can detect any kinetic Investiture, however it requires a "tweak" that is not currently known.{{wob ref|6113}} Part of the issue is that Feruchemy is a more internal manifestation of Investiture than Allomancy.{{wob ref|3417}}
−
=== Cognitive ===
  
   
−
====[[Zinc]]====
 +
==== Hemalurgy ====
  +
A [[Hemalurgic]] spike can be used as a Feruchemical metalmind, much like how multiple Feruchemists can store in the same piece of metal, as the charges are stored in different parts of the metal.{{wob ref|4617}}{{wob ref|1143}}
−
Zinc stores mental speed. Tapping a zincmind will give the Feruchemist the ability to think much faster than a normal person, while the thoughts of a Feruchemist storing this quality will be thick and sluggish. Storing does not affect the Feruchemist's ability to process physical information, such as being able to hear when they are spoken to. {{book ref|mb2|50}}
  
   
  +
An individual who has Feruchemy as a result of a Hemalurgic spike can access the metalminds of the Feruchemist who was used to create the spike, as the spike contains enough of the original Feruchemist's Identity. If that spike is split and implanted into two different people, they would each be able to access the original Feruchemist's metalminds, but they would not be able to share metalminds as their own Identity would interfere.{{wob ref|872}}
−
A zinc [[Ferring]] is known as a '''Sparker'''.
  
   
  +
It is possible to use gold Feruchemy in order to heal the damage caused by Hemalurgy, effectively replacing the piece of the [[spiritweb]] that was stolen.{{wob ref|983}}
−
====[[Brass]]====
  
−
Brass stores warmth. Tapping brass will make the Feruchemist warmer.
  
   
  +
==== Nightblood ====
−
A brass [[Ferring]] is known as a '''Firesoul'''.
  
  +
Tapping a metalmind is enough to fuel [[Nightblood]] while it is unsheathed.{{wob ref|8683}}
   
−
====[[Copper]]====
 +
==== Awakening ====
  +
If an aluminummind is filled, then Awakened with Nightblood-level Investiture to give it sentience, the resulting object's personality would probably be influenced by the Feruchemist's Identity, but it would not be an identical copy of the Feruchemist's personality.{{wob ref|6850}}
−
Copper stores memories. When storing memories, the Feruchemist loses all recollection of that information he or she stored. Typically, Keepers (modern-day Feruchemists) would have many copperminds, keeping specific index copperminds to locate particular pieces of information. Keepers undergo extensive training on their memorization skills to make the most of this ability.{{annotation ref|mb3|chapter=49}}
  
   
  +
==== Nahel Bond ====
−
A copper [[Ferring]] is known as an '''Archivist'''.
  
  +
If a [[Surgebinder]] were to store [[Connection]] and Identity into the appropriate metalminds on a heavy basis, it would affect the [[Nahel bond]] between the Surgebinder and the [[spren]].{{wob ref|9407}}
   
−
====[[Bronze]]====
 +
==== Shardblades ====
  +
A fully charged metalmind would be enough to block, or at least resist, a blow from a [[Shardblade]].{{wob ref|3670}}
−
Bronze stores wakefulness. Tapping bronze will enable the Feruchemist to stay awake longer, while storing makes them feel drowsy.{{book ref|mb4|part=ars}} It is the only type of metalmind a Feruchemist can store into while sleeping.{{book ref|mb2|50}}
 
   
  +
It is possible to use gold Feruchemy in order to heal the damage caused by a Shardblade, restoring function to a soul-severed limb.{{wob ref|4111}}
−
A bronze [[Ferring]] is known as a '''Sentry'''.
  
   
−
===Hybrid===
 +
== History ==
  +
Feruchemy came into existence contemporaneously with the other Metallic Arts, [[Allomancy]] and [[Hemalurgy]], as a result of the interactions between the planet [[Scadrial]] and its [[Shard]]s, [[Preservation]] and [[Ruin]].{{wob ref|5269}} Unlike Allomancy and Hemalurgy, which are each closely attuned with one of the Shards, Feruchemy is equally attuned to both and represents the balance between them. Feruchemy was also the only art in widespread use prior to the [[Ascension of the Lord Ruler]].{{epigraph ref|mb3|34}} The ability to use Feruchemy emerged among the [[Terris]] people, but, due to their insular nature and reluctance to interbreed, never spread to the general population of [[Classical Scadrial]].{{wob ref|5514}} Although Ferrings (Feruchemists who could only use the ability associated with a single metal) did exist during this time, they were extremely rare.{{wob ref|5514}} During this time, there was a holy order of Feruchemist scholars, known as the [[Worldbringers]], who served as teachers and bearers of knowledge throughout the world.{{book ref|mb2|30}} Not every Feruchemist was a member, however; many had much more mundane vocations, such as being herders or mountain guides.{{book ref|mb1|22}}
   
  +
During the Ascension of the Lord Ruler, all living Feruchemists—with the notable exception of [[Kwaan]]—were transformed into [[mistwraith]]s by the Feruchemist [[Rashek]].{{epigraph ref|mb3|68}}{{wob ref|5764}} Rashek transformed himself into a Mistborn and claimed himself to be the [[Hero of Ages]]. He declared himself a god and launched a campaign to consolidate the world under his control. However, during his ascension, Rashek overlooked the recessive Feruchemical genes hidden in the Terris people, which can still allow new Feruchemists to be born. Therefore, Rashek instituted policies to heavily restrict the Terris people, which eventually grew into a breeding program designed to exterminate all genetic traces of Feruchemy. He did this specifically because he feared the prospect of the genes for Feruchemy intermixing with those of Allomancy and potentially creating a rival of comparable power to himself.{{book ref|mb1|epilogue}} Despite this, the Terris resistance worked tirelessly to thwart the efforts of Rashek in a variety of ways, primarily by tricking the breeders into including people with hidden Feruchemical talents, in order to ensure their continuation in the population. They also founded the [[Keeper]]s, an order of Feruchemists dedicated to finding and securing knowledge from before the Lord Ruler's rise to power.{{book ref|mb1|22}}{{book ref|mb2|30}}
−
Note that the Table of Feruchemical Metals, an in-world document, lists this quadrant as "Hybrid," but it is stated that, essentially, there are two Physical quadrants.{{qa ref|689|26}}
  
   
  +
Following the death of the Lord Ruler and the [[Collapse]] of the [[Final Empire]], the [[Synod]], who were the leaders of the Keepers and ''de facto'' ruling council of Terris, emerged from secrecy and the Keepers were dispatched across the Empire to teach the people about the knowledge they had preserved.{{book ref|mb2|7}} Unfortunately, this "victory" was relatively short-lived as about a year later, the [[Steel Inquisitor]]s, under the influence of Ruin, attacked and slaughtered the Synod as well as all but [[Sazed|one of the Keepers]], creating [[Hemalurgic]] spikes from them in the process to increase their own powers.{{book ref|mb2|56}}
−
====[[Gold]]====
 
−
Gold stores health. Tapping a goldmind will rapidly heal wounds, but the expense of gold, combined with the difficulty of storing health, means that most Feruchemists do not have massive goldminds to tap from.
  
   
  +
After the [[Catacendre]], the surviving Terris began to interbreed with the general population. The genes for Feruchemy began to break apart, as a result of mixing with those for Allomancy. Whereas before people had either the ability to use all of the Feruchemical abilities or none of them, Ferrings, who could use only one (analogously to [[Misting]]s), began to appear.{{wob ref|4696}} Conversely, Feruchemists with all of the Feruchemical abilities, now referred to as "Full Feruchemists", have disappeared, though the Terris community began to work on creating one through careful breeding of Feruchemical lineages.{{book ref|mb6|3}} This dilution of power eventually caps and cannot decrease any further, and has reached that point by [[Mistborn_(series)#Era_3|Era 3]].{{wob ref|10873}} This period also saw an explosion of Feruchemical and Allomantic research; a number of new metals and their Feruchemical attributes were discovered, with the Spiritual abilities being of particular interest to the Terris community.{{book ref|mb4|part=ars}}
−
A gold [[Ferring]] is known as a '''Bloodmaker'''.
  
   
  +
After the [[Catacendre]], the [[Southern Scadrian]]s developed [[#Unsealed Metalminds|Unsealed Metalminds]] and advanced technology based on Feruchemy.{{book ref|mb6|21}}
−
====[[Electrum]]====
  
−
Electrum stores determination. Storing determination makes people enter a depressed state during active storage, and while tapping it later can make them enter a determined, manic state.
  
   
  +
== Notable Feruchemists ==
−
An electrum [[Ferring]] is known as a '''Pinnacle'''.
  
  +
{{for|:Category:Feruchemists|a complete list of Feruchemists|Category:Feruchemists}}
−  
  +
{{columns|
−
====[[Bendalloy]]====
  
  +
*[[Sazed]]
−
Bendalloy can store nutrition and calories. Users can eat large amounts of food during active storage without feeling full or gaining weight, and then can go without the need to eat while tapping their metalmind. A separate bendalloy metalmind is used for fluids intake.
  
  +
*[[Tindwyl]]
−  
  +
*[[Waxillium Ladrian]]
−
A bendalloy [[Ferring]] is known as a '''Subsumer'''.
  
  +
*[[Wayne]]
−  
−
====[[Cadmium]]====
 +
*[[Rashek]]
  +
*[[Miles Dagouter]]
−
A cadmium metalmind can store breath. During active storage they must hyperventilate in order for their bodies to get enough air. The breath can be retrieved at a later time, eliminating or reducing the need to breathe using the lungs while tapping the metalmind. They can also highly oxygenate their blood.
  
  +
*[[Handerwym]]
−  
  +
}}
−
A cadmium [[Ferring]] is known as a '''Gasper'''.
  
−  
−
=== Spiritual ===
  
−  
−
====[[Duralumin]]====
  
−
Duralumin stores spiritual connection. Reducing other people's awareness and friendship with them during active storage. Tapping it can help speedily forming trust relationships with others.
  
−  
−
A duralumin [[Ferring]] is known as a '''Connector'''.
  
−  
−
====[[Aluminum]]====
  
−
Aluminum stores a spiritual sense of identity. This is an art rarely spoken of outside of Terris communities, and even among them it is not yet well understood.
 
−  
−
An aluminum [[Ferring]] is known as a '''Trueself'''.
  
−  
−
====[[Chromium]]====
  
−
Chromium metalminds allows the user to store fortune. Making themselves unlucky during active storage, and tapping it at later times to increase their luck.
  
−  
−
A chromium [[Ferring]] is known as a '''Spinner'''.
  
−  
−
====[[Nicrosil]]====
  
−
Nicrosil allows one to store [[Investiture]]. This is a power that very few know anything about, and the people of Terris do not truly know what they are doing when they use this power.
  
−  
−
A nicrosil [[Ferring]] is known as a '''Soulbearer'''.
  
−  
−
=== God Metals ===
  
−  
−
====[[Atium]]====
  
−
Atium stores age, or more specifically, youth. Storing age is usually a fairly useless endeavor: in order to be young for a time, a Feruchemist needs to stay older for a time as they fill their metalminds. It can, however, be useful for disguising a Feruchemist's identity.
  
−  
−
Of particular interest however, is that--since Compounding provides a greater burst of the attribute store than was initially stored in the metalmind--it is possible for a person capable of both Allomancy and Feruchemy, to "gain" more youth then they store. Essentially, they become effectively immortal, able to repetitively retrieve youth. The disadvantage of this is of course, the fact that the since atium is burned up in the process, a permanent supply of the metal is necessary. Also, while able to extend their life greatly, someone Compounding atium is not ''truly'' immortal; over time, the amount of youth that they would need to consume (and the amount of atium necessary to allow them to do so) would increase beyond their ability to generate and store it, besides outstripping their physical ability to ingest and burn it.{{17s ref|post|30533|Compounding and Allomancy|date=17 March 2012}}
  
   
  +
==Development==
−
This, in addition to the fact that atium Twinborns (or Allomancer-Feruchemists) are almost non-existent, makes the practice incredibly rare.
  
  +
The earliest inspiration for Feruchemy dates to when Brandon was a teenager and had insomnia. He would lie awake at night and be really tired during the day, so he wished that he could store up his sleepiness so that he could be sleepy when he wanted to be sleepy.{{wob ref|8974}}
   
  +
An early version of Feruchemy appeared in [[Final Empire Prime|''Final Empire'' Prime]]. During the development of ''[[Mistborn: The Final Empire]]'', Brandon realized that Feruchemy would work very well as the magic system for Sazed and the Keepers, so he imported it into that novel and added the restriction of storing attributes in metal.{{wob ref|2377}}{{wob ref|7815}} In an early draft of Mistborn: The Final Empire, it was named 'Hemalurgy', but this was changed because the connotation with blood fit better with the magic system now named 'hemalurgy'.
−
So far it has only been used by [[Lord Ruler|The Lord Ruler]] and [[Marsh|Ironeyes]], although atium Twinborn (if they exist) and a number of the [[Steel Inquisitors]] under [[Ruin]]'s control might have been capable of duplicating the feat.
  
   
  +
The attributes stored in brass (warmth) and electrum (determination) were originally supposed to be reversed. By the time Brandon realized his mistake, brass storing warmth had already been canonized in released books. Brandon decided not to retcon this, citing the fact that Feruchemy operates on different principles than Allomancy.{{wob ref|5508}} Brandon also notes that the organization of the metals in the Feruchemical chart is of human invention.{{wob ref|1090}} Isaac Stewart also confirmed that the Feruchemical symbols for chromium and nicrosil were mistakenly swapped on the Feruchemical table (i.e. the symbols are in the correct position on the table itself, but the wrong metals were assigned to them). This may be corrected in the future.{{wob ref|11030}}
−
The name for an atium [[Ferring]] is, as of yet, unknown, due to the fact none have been discovered to the knowledge of the world at large.
  
   
  +
Other names considered in development include Sangrimancy, Ferruchemy, Auronomy, Ferramy, Ferrochemy, Ferrichemy, and Ferrachemy.{{wob ref|7815}}
−
===[[Lerasium]]===
  
−
The Feruchemical use of lerasium is yet unknown.
  
   
−
==Notes==
 +
== Notes ==
  +
;Footnotes
−
{{columns|<references />}}
  
  +
<references group=fn />
−
{{partial}}
  
  +
;References
  +
<references/>
  +
{{complete|--[[User:WeiryWriter|WeiryWriter]] ([[User talk:WeiryWriter|talk]]) 09:12, 9 March 2018 (MST)}}
 
{{Mistborn|metals}}
  
{{Mistborn|metals}}
  +
[[category: Metallic Arts]]
 
[[category: Feruchemy| ]]
  
[[category: Feruchemy| ]]
  +
[[es:Feruquimia]]
−
[[category: notable articles]]
  

Latest revision as of 19:01, 26 January 2024

Feruchemy
Feruchemical table.jpg
by Isaac Stewart
Related to Preservation, Ruin
Prerequisites Genetic ability
Type End-Neutral
World of Origin Scadrial
Universe Cosmere
This page or section needs to be updated with new information for The Sunlit Man!
Be aware that in its current state, it may not include all additional content yet.
This page or section contains spoilers for The Sunlit Man!
This information has the ability to potentially ruin elements of the plot for the reader. Proceed with caution if you have not read this book.

Feruchemy is one of the three prime manifestations of Investiture on Scadrial. The natives of that world consider it one of the three Metallic Arts.

Mechanics[edit]

Feruchemy is an end-neutral manifestation of Investiture that allows the user to convert certain attributes into Investiture and store them in metal that they are in physical contact with, and to later retrieve them from the metal. Although it is generally inherited or obtained through Hemalurgy, there are other ways to become a Feruchemist,[1] involving the Scadrian God Metals, atium and lerasium.[2] As an end-neutral art, Investiture is not gained from an outside source (as it is in end-positive arts) and Investiture is not permanently lost (as it is in end-negative arts).[3] Ordinarily, when a Feruchemist is tapping an attribute at the same rate it was stored, they are able to get out exactly what they put in, for example, if they store 50% of their strength for one hour they can tap that and be at 150% of their strength for one hour. However, if the Feruchemist taps at a greater rate, then some of the attribute is lost, to facilitate the compression of the Investiture. This means that a Feruchemist who stores 50% of their strength for one hour might only be able to stay at 200% for 25 minutes, rather than a full half hour. The more a Feruchemist compresses the attribute, the more is lost.[4] While a Feruchemist can only store attributes at a reasonable rate, there isn't an upper limit of how much they are able to tap at any given time.

The type of metal determines what attribute can be stored within it. Pieces of metal that have been charged by Feruchemists are referred to as metalminds in general, or more specifically as the type of metal with an added "-mind" suffix. The act of charging, or Investing, a metalmind is referred to as storing and the act of retrieving the stored attribute is referred to as tapping.[3] Feruchemists are capable of innately knowing how much of an attribute is stored within a metalmind at any time, as long as they are physically touching the metal mind, in the same way an individual can know how tired they are.[5]

A larger piece of metal will be able to store more of an attribute, but the scaling is not linear; there are certain thresholds of size where the amount of attribute that can be stored increases.[6] If a metalmind is broken, the stored attribute will be split among the pieces.[7] This is because the power inside the metal acts like a gas acts inside a jar.[8] It is possible to store and tap using molten metal (setting aside the conventional hazards of touching molten metal) which would have some effect on the stored Investiture.[9] If the molten metal is mixed to form an alloy, however, the Investiture will become inaccessible, even if the alloy in question is Feruchemically viable. If the alloy is Feruchemically viable, a Feruchemist will not be able to store as much of an attribute as they could in an identically-sized metalmind: while the original Investiture is inaccessible, it does still take up "space" in the metalmind.[10]

Ordinarily, a Feruchemist's stores are keyed to their Identity and are inaccessible to another Feruchemist. However, other Feruchemists can sense the presence of the original Feruchemist's stores.[11]

In order to get the most storage out of a metalmind of an alloy, the metal has to be alloyed in a specific combination of metals. If the metal does not have the right mixture, it is considered impure. This is likened to how Allomancers require these 'pure' metals as well. If a metalmind is not pure, it will not hold as much charge as one that is alloyed correctly with the same size.[12]

Savantism[edit]

Feruchemists who Compound their metals for extended periods of time may be physiologically altered by the constant influx of power. Since Feruchemy doesn't draw from an external power, it is very difficult to become a savant from just using normal Feruchemy.[13] If the Feruchemist is able to Compound and draw power from an outside source they could become a savant more easily.[14][15]

Feruchemical Properties of Metals[edit]

For more information, see the individual pages for each metal.
Table of Feruchemical Metals[16]
PHYSICAL COGNITIVE
Iron Iron (Skimmer)
Stores Physical Weight 		Steel Steel (Steelrunner)
Stores Physical Speed 		Zinc Zinc (Sparker)
Stores Mental Speed 		Brass Brass (Firesoul)
Stores Warmth
Tin Tin (Windwhisperer)
Stores Senses 		Pewter Pewter (Brute)
Stores Physical Strength 		Copper Copper (Archivist)
Stores Memories 		Bronze Bronze (Sentry)
Stores Wakefulness
Chromium Chromium (Spinner)
Stores Fortune 		Nicrosil Nicrosil (Soulbearer)
Stores Investiture 		Cadmium Cadmium (Gasper)
Stores Breath 		Bendalloy Bendalloy (Subsumer)
Stores Energy
Aluminum Aluminum (Trueself)
Stores Identity 		Duralumin Duralumin (Connector)
Stores Connection 		Gold Gold (Bloodmaker)
Stores Health 		Electrum Electrum (Pinnacle)
Stores Determination
SPIRITUAL HYBRID[fn 1]


God Metals[18]
Metal Shard Effect
Atium Ruin Stores youth
Pure Atium Ruin Unknown
Malatium Ruin Unknown
Atium Alloys Ruin Unknown
Lerasium Preservation Unknown
Lerasium Alloys Preservation Unknown
Harmonium Harmony Unknown
Trellium Autonomy Unknown
Raysium Odium Unknown


Apart from the regular metals, Scadrial also has access to two God Metals, formed of the Investitures of Ruin and Preservation. While the Feruchemical properties of lerasium, Preservation's God Metal, are unknown, Ruin's metal, atium, allows for storing youth,[19] letting a person appear younger or older. Ordinarily, this power has limited use outside of temporary disguise, as one must spend equal time old and young. However, it can be Compounded to greatly extend the user's lifespan.[11] Following the Catacendre, there is also harmonium, made of Harmony's Investiture;[20] however, its Feruchemical properties are unknown and it is difficult to experiment with as it explodes when in contact with water.[21] The God Metals can also form alloys with each of the sixteen lesser metals. It is hypothesized that each of these God Metal-lesser metal alloys would allow other Feruchemical abilities to be discovered.[3]

Special Metalminds[edit]

Special metalminds can be created so more than the Feruchemist who filled it can access the stored attributes.[22] There are no genetic or Spiritual restrictions to using them.[23][24] Due to the nature of Intention in the cosmere, an individual must be aware of the metalmind's nature before they can use it.[25]

Unkeyed Metalminds[edit]

An unkeyed metalmind is a special kind of metalmind that anyone with the relevant Feruchemical ability can access. They are created through manipulation of Identity, such as through aluminum Feruchemy. Whereas a conventional metalmind is keyed to the Identity of the Feruchemist who created it, unkeyed metalminds are not attuned to any specific individual's Identity.[26]

Unsealed Metalminds[edit]

An unsealed metalmind is a special kind of metalmind that anyone can access.[27][fn 2] The exact method of their creation is unknown, but it involves Feruchemical nicrosil and duralumin[28] and something referred to as an Excisor. Unsealed metalminds are formed of nicrosil and one or more other metals. The nicrosil grants the user the ability to use the other metals.[29] Unsealed metalminds see widespread use among the Southern Peoples of Scadrial, but perhaps the most famous example are the fabled Bands of Mourning.[26][30] Hemalurgy makes it easier to create medallions, even if one is already a full Feruchemist and Mistborn.[31] Unsealed metalminds have more of an Identity than normal metalminds, which may allow people to fill them while sleeping.[32]

Interactions with Other Investitures[edit]

Allomancy[edit]

Perhaps the most dramatic interaction between Feruchemy and Allomancy is Compounding, by which a Feruchemist can Allomantically burn a metalmind and dramatically increase the amount of the attribute stored. Effectively this uses the end-positive nature of Allomancy to use Preservation's power to fuel the end-neutral art of Feruchemy.[11]

Following the Catacendre, and the emergence of Ferrings, it is possible for individuals to be born with a single Allomantic ability and a single Feruchemical ability. These individuals are known as Twinborn. When an individual's abilities share a metal, they are capable of Compounding. Even when they do not, however, the interaction between the two abilities creates an effect, known as a Resonance.[33]

Like any Invested object, a metalmind resists Allomantic Ironpulls and Steelpushes. The strength of resistance is based on the level of Investiture stored in the metalmind. A metalmind with only a small amount of stored attribute might resist only slightly, whereas a fully charged metalmind will be effectively immune.[34]

It is theoretically possible to detect the use of Feruchemy using bronze Allomancy, as it can detect any kinetic Investiture, however it requires a "tweak" that is not currently known.[35] Part of the issue is that Feruchemy is a more internal manifestation of Investiture than Allomancy.[36]

Hemalurgy[edit]

A Hemalurgic spike can be used as a Feruchemical metalmind, much like how multiple Feruchemists can store in the same piece of metal, as the charges are stored in different parts of the metal.[37][38]

An individual who has Feruchemy as a result of a Hemalurgic spike can access the metalminds of the Feruchemist who was used to create the spike, as the spike contains enough of the original Feruchemist's Identity. If that spike is split and implanted into two different people, they would each be able to access the original Feruchemist's metalminds, but they would not be able to share metalminds as their own Identity would interfere.[39]

It is possible to use gold Feruchemy in order to heal the damage caused by Hemalurgy, effectively replacing the piece of the spiritweb that was stolen.[40]

Nightblood[edit]

Tapping a metalmind is enough to fuel Nightblood while it is unsheathed.[41]

Awakening[edit]

If an aluminummind is filled, then Awakened with Nightblood-level Investiture to give it sentience, the resulting object's personality would probably be influenced by the Feruchemist's Identity, but it would not be an identical copy of the Feruchemist's personality.[42]

Nahel Bond[edit]

If a Surgebinder were to store Connection and Identity into the appropriate metalminds on a heavy basis, it would affect the Nahel bond between the Surgebinder and the spren.[43]

Shardblades[edit]

A fully charged metalmind would be enough to block, or at least resist, a blow from a Shardblade.[44]

It is possible to use gold Feruchemy in order to heal the damage caused by a Shardblade, restoring function to a soul-severed limb.[45]

History[edit]

Feruchemy came into existence contemporaneously with the other Metallic Arts, Allomancy and Hemalurgy, as a result of the interactions between the planet Scadrial and its Shards, Preservation and Ruin.[46] Unlike Allomancy and Hemalurgy, which are each closely attuned with one of the Shards, Feruchemy is equally attuned to both and represents the balance between them. Feruchemy was also the only art in widespread use prior to the Ascension of the Lord Ruler.[47] The ability to use Feruchemy emerged among the Terris people, but, due to their insular nature and reluctance to interbreed, never spread to the general population of Classical Scadrial.[48] Although Ferrings (Feruchemists who could only use the ability associated with a single metal) did exist during this time, they were extremely rare.[48] During this time, there was a holy order of Feruchemist scholars, known as the Worldbringers, who served as teachers and bearers of knowledge throughout the world.[49] Not every Feruchemist was a member, however; many had much more mundane vocations, such as being herders or mountain guides.[50]

During the Ascension of the Lord Ruler, all living Feruchemists—with the notable exception of Kwaan—were transformed into mistwraiths by the Feruchemist Rashek.[51][52] Rashek transformed himself into a Mistborn and claimed himself to be the Hero of Ages. He declared himself a god and launched a campaign to consolidate the world under his control. However, during his ascension, Rashek overlooked the recessive Feruchemical genes hidden in the Terris people, which can still allow new Feruchemists to be born. Therefore, Rashek instituted policies to heavily restrict the Terris people, which eventually grew into a breeding program designed to exterminate all genetic traces of Feruchemy. He did this specifically because he feared the prospect of the genes for Feruchemy intermixing with those of Allomancy and potentially creating a rival of comparable power to himself.[11] Despite this, the Terris resistance worked tirelessly to thwart the efforts of Rashek in a variety of ways, primarily by tricking the breeders into including people with hidden Feruchemical talents, in order to ensure their continuation in the population. They also founded the Keepers, an order of Feruchemists dedicated to finding and securing knowledge from before the Lord Ruler's rise to power.[50][49]

Following the death of the Lord Ruler and the Collapse of the Final Empire, the Synod, who were the leaders of the Keepers and de facto ruling council of Terris, emerged from secrecy and the Keepers were dispatched across the Empire to teach the people about the knowledge they had preserved.[53] Unfortunately, this "victory" was relatively short-lived as about a year later, the Steel Inquisitors, under the influence of Ruin, attacked and slaughtered the Synod as well as all but one of the Keepers, creating Hemalurgic spikes from them in the process to increase their own powers.[54]

After the Catacendre, the surviving Terris began to interbreed with the general population. The genes for Feruchemy began to break apart, as a result of mixing with those for Allomancy. Whereas before people had either the ability to use all of the Feruchemical abilities or none of them, Ferrings, who could use only one (analogously to Mistings), began to appear.[55] Conversely, Feruchemists with all of the Feruchemical abilities, now referred to as "Full Feruchemists", have disappeared, though the Terris community began to work on creating one through careful breeding of Feruchemical lineages.[26] This dilution of power eventually caps and cannot decrease any further, and has reached that point by Era 3.[56] This period also saw an explosion of Feruchemical and Allomantic research; a number of new metals and their Feruchemical attributes were discovered, with the Spiritual abilities being of particular interest to the Terris community.[3]

After the Catacendre, the Southern Scadrians developed Unsealed Metalminds and advanced technology based on Feruchemy.[30]

Notable Feruchemists[edit]

For a complete list of Feruchemists, see Category:Feruchemists.

Development[edit]

The earliest inspiration for Feruchemy dates to when Brandon was a teenager and had insomnia. He would lie awake at night and be really tired during the day, so he wished that he could store up his sleepiness so that he could be sleepy when he wanted to be sleepy.[57]

An early version of Feruchemy appeared in Final Empire Prime. During the development of Mistborn: The Final Empire, Brandon realized that Feruchemy would work very well as the magic system for Sazed and the Keepers, so he imported it into that novel and added the restriction of storing attributes in metal.[58][59] In an early draft of Mistborn: The Final Empire, it was named 'Hemalurgy', but this was changed because the connotation with blood fit better with the magic system now named 'hemalurgy'.

The attributes stored in brass (warmth) and electrum (determination) were originally supposed to be reversed. By the time Brandon realized his mistake, brass storing warmth had already been canonized in released books. Brandon decided not to retcon this, citing the fact that Feruchemy operates on different principles than Allomancy.[60] Brandon also notes that the organization of the metals in the Feruchemical chart is of human invention.[61] Isaac Stewart also confirmed that the Feruchemical symbols for chromium and nicrosil were mistakenly swapped on the Feruchemical table (i.e. the symbols are in the correct position on the table itself, but the wrong metals were assigned to them). This may be corrected in the future.[62]

Other names considered in development include Sangrimancy, Ferruchemy, Auronomy, Ferramy, Ferrochemy, Ferrichemy, and Ferrachemy.[59]

Notes[edit]

Footnotes
  1. ↑ Note that the Table of Feruchemical Metals, an in-world document, lists this quadrant as "Hybrid," but it is stated that, essentially, there are two Physical quadrants.[17]
  2. ↑ The Mistborn Adventure Game refers to these as "universal metalminds". Due to the potentially confusing nature of that term, and the fact that "unsealed metalmind" is a term from Brandon himself, the Coppermind uses the latter.
References
  1. ↑ General Signed Books 2019
    — Arcanum - 2019-07-02#
  2. ↑ General Reddit 2020
    — Arcanum - 2020-09-30#
  3. ↑ a b c d The Alloy of Law Ars Arcanum#
  4. ↑ Hero of Ages Q&A - Time Waster's Guide
    — Arcanum - 2008-10-15#
  5. ↑ Dragonsteel 2022
    — Arcanum - 2022-11-14#
  6. ↑ JordanCon 2016
    — Arcanum - 2016-04-23#
  7. ↑ /r/fantasy AMA 2013
    — Arcanum - 2013-04-15#
  8. ↑ Prague Signing
    — Arcanum - 2019-10-26#
  9. ↑ Shadows of Self release party
    — Arcanum - 2015-10-05#
  10. ↑ General Reddit 2016
    — Arcanum - 2016-11-11#
  11. ↑ a b c d The Final Empire epilogue#
  12. ↑ Prague Signing
    — Arcanum - 2019-10-26#
  13. ↑ Starsight Release Party
    — Arcanum - 2019-11-26#
  14. ↑ The Hero of Ages chapter 32 epigraph#
  15. ↑ Starsight Release Party
    — Arcanum - 2019-11-26#
  16. ↑ Table of Feruchemical Metals
  17. ↑ Alloy of Law release party
    — Arcanum - 2011-11-07#
  18. ↑ Table of Feruchemical Metals
  19. ↑ The Lost Metal Ars Arcanum#
  20. ↑ Salt Lake City Comic-Con 2014
    — Arcanum - 2014-09-04#
  21. ↑ The Bands of Mourning chapter 22#
  22. ↑ Alloy of Law 17th Shard Q&A
    — Arcanum - 2011-11-05#
  23. ↑ YouTube Spoiler Stream 4
    — Arcanum - 2022-06-16#
  24. ↑ Leipzig Book Fair
    — Arcanum - 2017-03-24#
  25. ↑ The Bands of Mourning chapter 17#
  26. ↑ a b c The Bands of Mourning chapter 3#
  27. ↑ General Signed Books 2016
    — Arcanum - 2016-01-26#
  28. ↑ Leipzig Book Fair
    — Arcanum - 2017-03-24#
  29. ↑ The Bands of Mourning chapter 20#
  30. ↑ a b The Bands of Mourning chapter 21#
  31. ↑ Mini-Con 2021
    — Arcanum - 2021-11-22#
  32. ↑ YouTube Spoiler Stream 5
    — Arcanum - 2022-12-02#
  33. ↑ Shadows of Self Ars Arcanum#
  34. ↑ Shadows of Self chapter 7#
  35. ↑ Shadows of Self release party
    — Arcanum - 2015-10-05#
  36. ↑ /r/books AMA 2015
    — Arcanum - 2015-05-25#
  37. ↑ Tor.com Q&A with Brandon Sanderson
    — Arcanum - 2011-01-10#
  38. ↑ 17th Shard Forum Q&A
    — Arcanum - 2012-09-26#
  39. ↑ Worldbuilders AMA
    — Arcanum - 2015-12-07#
  40. ↑ Goodreads: Ask the Author Q&A
    — Arcanum - 2014-08-13#
  41. ↑ Oathbringer London signing
    — Arcanum - 2017-11-28#
  42. ↑ Shadows of Self Lansing signing
    — Arcanum - 2015-10-13#
  43. ↑ Orem signing
    — Arcanum - 2018-03-10#
  44. ↑ /r/books AMA 2015
    — Arcanum - 2015-09-03#
  45. ↑ /r/fantasy AMA 2013
    — Arcanum - 2013-04-18#
  46. ↑ Hero of Ages Q&A - Time Waster's Guide
    — Arcanum - 2008-10-15#
  47. ↑ The Hero of Ages chapter 34 epigraph#
  48. ↑ a b Ancient 17S Q&A
    — Arcanum - 2010-05-01#
  49. ↑ a b The Well of Ascension chapter 30#
  50. ↑ a b The Final Empire chapter 22#
  51. ↑ The Hero of Ages chapter 68 epigraph#
  52. ↑ Hero of Ages Q&A - Time Waster's Guide
    — Arcanum - 2008-10-15#
  53. ↑ The Well of Ascension chapter 7#
  54. ↑ The Well of Ascension chapter 56#
  55. ↑ Alloy of Law Seattle Signing
    — Arcanum - 2011-11-11#
  56. ↑ Legion Release Party
    — Arcanum - 2018-09-19#
  57. ↑ Calamity Austin signing
    — Arcanum - 2016-02-25#
  58. ↑ Mistborn: The Final Empire Annotations
    — Arcanum - 2007-02-05#
  59. ↑ a b TWG Posts
    — Arcanum - 2005-04-09#
  60. ↑ Alloy of Law 17th Shard Q&A
    — Arcanum - 2011-11-05#
  61. ↑ 17th Shard Forum Q&A
    — Arcanum - 2012-09-26#
  62. ↑ Miscellaneous 2018
    — Arcanum - 2018-09-17#
This page is complete!
This page contains all the knowledge we have on the subject at this time.
--WeiryWriter (talk) 09:12, 9 March 2018 (MST)
Retrieved from "https://coppermind.net/wiki/Feruchemy?&oldid=189270"