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== Mechanics ==
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.{{wob ref|1265}}{{wob ref|2801}} [[Intent]] is important, but the way Hemalurgy interacts with the [[Cognitive Realm]], if it does so at all, is unknown.
Since Hemalurgy involves the transfer of Investiture from one person to another, if the donor is killed, they will enter the Cognitive Realm in a damaged state and leave faster. Likewise, if a recipient dies, they will take longer to leave, since they are more invested.{{wob ref|1528}}
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. Thus, when the [[Steel Ministry]] created an [[Inquisitor]], the spikes were outside of a person for as little time as possible. 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}}
Coating a spike with blood can reduce the Hemalurgic decay significantly similar to having it placed inside a body. It is unknown how much blood is necessary to make that effect happen or, for how long blood will maintain this effect before needing to be renewed with a fresh batch.{{book ref|mb5|6}} It is possible that encasing spikes in [[aluminum]] may prevent decay.{{wob ref|5060}} Even outside of blood, a spike will never completely lose its charge..{{wob ref|9534}}
It is currently thought not possible in-world for multiple attributes to be stolen from the same person.{{wob ref|9463}} There is a maximum number of spikes a person can have before causing issues of mental or physical limitations.{{wob ref|11327}}
Four types of Hemalugic Construct are known on Scadrial:
* [[Steel Inquisitor]]s are former humans with nine to eleven spikes, each charged with an Allomantic or Feruchemical power. Their characteristic eye-spikes grant them Allomantic [[iron]] and [[steel]] to "see" in lieu of eyes. A linchpin spike, placed in the lower back, holds their fraying [[spiritweb]]s together; removal results in death. [[Seeker]]s are preferred candidates to become Inquisitors, due to their ability stacking with spikes granting Allomantic bronze, allowing Inquisitors to pierce [[Coppercloud]]s.{{book ref|mb3|37}}{{book ref|mb3|45}}
* [[Koloss]] are brutish monstrous beings, are created with four iron spikes, each charged with human strength. They lose their intelligence, but gain immense strength. They continue to grow until they die. After the [[Final Ascension]] Harmony changed them into a breeding race.{{wob ref|1381}}
The points which can be used for Hemalurgy are known as "Bind points" and there are between 200 and 300 in the human body which can be pierced depending on the effect needed.{{book ref|mb3|42}}
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 commonly 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}}{{wob ref|12292}}
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When an Allomancer can sense Allomantic pulses through a [[Copper|coppercloud]] (known as piercing a coppercloud), it is most usually due to a Hemalurgic spike. It's simply a matter of Allomantic strength to pierce copperclouds, so if a [[Bronze|Seeker]] has a spike charged with Allomantic bronze, that essentially makes them twice as powerful, allowing them to overpower a coppercloud.
Hemalurgy is a destructive art. It twists the body into something almost inhuman. This twisting is how Inquisitors survive with spikes through their eyes and other vital places, and explains the physical deformation of the Koloss.{{epigraph ref|mb3|41}} In the case of the Inquisitors, it is known that their heart is in a different place and their brain is shaped around their eyes' spikes. Extracting the spikes of an inquisitor at such important places would invert the transformation, causing their death.{{book ref|mb1|38}} The more spikes a person has, the higher the chance that there could be issues of mental or physical limitations.{{wob ref|11327}}
[[Ruin]] constructed Hemalurgy with a flaw: each spike creates holes in the mind, making them easier to manipulate. Through powerful emotional Allomancy, one can Push or Pull on a spiked creature's emotions so hard that they literally come under the Allomancer's control.{{book ref|mb3|3}}{{epigraph ref|mb3|21}} Indeed, the spikes in the koloss were what allowed [[Rashek]] to control them. Kandra also can be controlled in this way, but as Allomancers decreased in power, this knowledge was forgotten.{{book ref|mb2|54}}
== Other Uses ==
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