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Remove sentence about *not* knowing how Hemalurgy interacts with the Cognitive Realm.
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Hemalurgy is the transfer of attributes, such as [[Allomancy]], [[Feruchemy]], or innate human strength via [[spiritweb]] theft and splicing. Hemalurgy can transfer almost any type of [[Investiture]].{{wob ref|3088}} In the [[Physical Realm]], a metallic spike is inserted into a bind point, such as the heart, in order to Hemalurgically charge it. The spike, now containing a fragment of stolen spiritweb, is then ripped out and embedded in the recipient, stapling the ability directly into their spiritual DNA (sDNA).{{wob ref|5552}} This causes wear and tear on the spiritweb, creating "holes" through which [[Shard]]s or a sufficiently powerful [[zinc|Rioter]] or [[brass|Soother]] can whisper to or even control a Hemalurgical subject.{{book ref|mb2|54}}{{wob ref|4961}}
Hemalurgy is named for a quirk in bind point placement: due to the interaction between the [[Spiritual Realm|Spiritual]] and Physical Realms, the spike must come in contact with moving blood in order to remove or add an attribute.{{book ref|mb3|42}}{{wob ref|1265}}{{wob ref|2801}} A spike can be charged if the Hemalurgist stabs the donor with the spike or if it is thrown at them, as long as there is [[Intention|Intent]] and it hits the right bind point.
Hemalurgy can be used anywhere in the [[cosmere]],{{au ref|Scadrian}}{{wob ref|12018}}{{wob ref|5537}} as long as there is an Intent to create a Hemalurgic spike,{{wob ref|6312}} and it has indeed shown up at least once on a different planet, though in a subtle way.{{wob ref|1716}} Hemalurgy can also steal attributes from other forms of Investiture.{{wob ref|1190}} Hemalurgy can be used on animals{{wob ref|6095}} but not on plants.{{wob ref|8173}}
=== Law of Hemalurgic Decay ===
After the spike pierces through the initial person and is Hemalurgically charged, the '''Law of Hemalurgic Decay''' states that the spike loses some of its potency.{{epigraph ref|mb3|36}} The longer a spike is outside a body, the weaker it becomes, and a spike will lose most of the power it can lose on the first day outside of a body.{{book ref|mb3|34}}{{wob ref|16299}} Thus, when the [[Steel Ministry]] created an [[Inquisitor]], the spikes were driven directly through a victim into the bindpoint of the Inquisitor below to minimize the spike's time spent outside of a person.{{book ref|mb3|prologue}} Additionally, spikes which are physically broken into several pieces will split the charge into the broken pieces, and more Hemalurgic power will be lost when spikes are split.{{wob ref|4618}}
Despite the decay, a spike will never completely lose its charge.{{wob ref|9534}}{{wob ref|16299}} As a spike loses its charge, the stolen soul will move on to the Beyond.{{wob ref|16198}}
==== Reduction of Hemalurgic Decay ====
Damage done to a person's spiritweb by Hemalurgy will have implications for said person during the transition period between physical death and passing into the Beyond. These effects are lessened after they pass to the Beyond.{{wob ref|7232}}
Some binding oaths and vows will be stolen as well.{{wob ref|16291}}
=== Hemalurgic Control ===
The level of control can range from whispers to full control.{{book ref|mb2|54}}{{wob ref|4961}} The control is exerted in the form of mental pressure, which changes the way the mind thinks, tricking the creature into doing exactly what they want.{{wob ref|8050}} Those in control are able to sense where the creature is, and must concentrate for direct orders. Otherwise, they will follow general orders.{{book ref|mb3|15}} Multiple Hemalurgic creatures can be controlled at once.{{book ref|mb3|37}}
The more spikes a creature has, the easier it is to take control.{{epigraph ref|mb3|67}} At least four spikes are needed before [[Harmony]] can take control of humans, but there are ways around this.{{book ref|mb7|25}} A kandra with one spike cannot be controlled by Ruin or Harmony.{{book ref|mb5|7}} Harmony can theoretically influence off-planet Hemalurgists, but Shards on those planets and other forms of interference can muddy this.{{wob ref|16371}}
Hemalurgic creatures can fight the control with mental fortitude.{{book ref|mb3|8}}{{book ref|mb3|72}}{{wob ref|5441}}{{wob ref|5597}} They are easier to subdue when they are feeling strong emotions.{{epigraph ref|mb3|67}} [[Sliver]]s are more resistant to being controlled.{{wob ref|15356}} The control of Hemalurgic creatures can be stolen by others, particularly if they are stronger.{{book ref|mb3|65}} When stolen, those in control will feel a powerful ripping sensation.
The points which can be used for Hemalurgy are known as "bind points" and there are between 200 and 300 in the human body with different points being useful for distinct sets of effects.{{book ref|mb3|42}} Seeing into the Spiritual Realm, perhaps by burning atium, helps with placing spikes.{{wob ref|545}}
Another important aspect of Hemalurgy is spike location. The spike must be placed in certain locations on the human body in order to steal a power or attribute, and then placed in another point on the recipient to tap into their spiritweb. Most common attributes are stolen through the heart. If a spike is placed in the wrong location it can have unforeseen effects, such as killing the recipient, granting the wrong power, or possibly not granting any power at all.{{wob ref|12283}} Beyond that, bind points may function differently if the victim has a sufficiently altered spiritweb.{{wob ref|16322}}
There are other ways to use spikes than to place them in bind points.{{wob ref|3529}}
=== Awakening ===
It is possible for a spike to be [[Awakening|Awakened]], but it would be more difficult than Awakening metal without a Hemalurgic charge.{{wob ref|1803}} It is theoretically possible to spike a [[Lifeless]], if "there was enough of the soul left for the spike to take".{{wob ref|2863}} Hemalurgy can also be used to spike a [[Divine Breath]] from a [[Returned]],{{wob ref|11389}} and the recipient would not need to consume a Breath a week.{{wob ref|14149}}
=== Surgebinding ===
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