Difference between revisions of "Investiture"

The term '''Investiture'''{{qawob ref|977|51072}} has only seen in-world use in or by the [[Seventeenth Shard]], [[Scadrial]], [[Vasher]], [[Riino]], and [[spren]]. Most who refer to Investiture use terminology specific to the world in which they reside; Feruchemists refer to the process of Investing a [[Metalmind]] as 'charging', and [[Windrunner]]s refer to the process by which they create [[Lashing]]s as 'infusing'.{{qawob ref|691|185528}} Most characters using this term understand more cogently that the [[Cosmerecosmere]] encompasses worlds and systems of magic other than their own.

Investiture transcends the three realms: Physical, Cognitive, and Spiritual that comprise most of the Cosmerecosmere. In the Physical Realm, Investiture is known to exist in solid, (i.e. Atium[[atium]] and Lerasium[[lerasium]]), liquid ([[Perpendicularity|Shardpools]]), and gaseous material forms (Preservation's Mists, Stormlight, BioChromatic Breath). For some reason, all solid Investiture is metallic, the result of one of the laws governing the cosmere.{{wob ref|9291}} Most often these appear due to influence by a [[Shard]] holder, however some formations occur in a more natural way. Investiture works in a similar fashion to energy in that it follows its own laws of thermodynamics. It is not possible to destroy Investiture; it can only be redistributed.{{qawob ref|1116|31649}} Large amounts of investiture concentrated in a specific location tend to pierce a hole in the three realms (Spiritual, Cognitive, and Physical) and create a Perpendicularity.

Many methods of accessing Shardic power have been observed throughout the Cosmerecosmere, but all share certain cardinal similarities; an established connection or ability to create a connection to a source of power and a way of directing that power. Methods of accessing Investiture can be broadly divided into two types: physical and mechanical; the source of the Investiture (end-positive, end-neutral, or end-negative) also plays a role in the way the power is accessed.

Several end-positive magics share the trait of requiring a Spiritual shift of some kind; Elantrians are more closely attuned to the Spiritual Realm (incidentally, this is why [[Hemalurgy]] gets more from them),{{citewob ref|6218}}), Allomancers, in Classical Scadrial, had to Snap to access power, and Surgebinders "plug" spren into themselves. This is related to [[Nightblood]]'s nausea--a bond must be created in order for Nightblood to drain Investiture from its holder to power itself. Once a conduit has been established, a key, such as an Aon, metal, or Command, is used to tell it how to act.

While a key is generally used, [[Shard]]s can also choose to use their Investiture to power magic: [[Endowment]] breaks pieces off itself to resurrect the [[Returned]], and [[Preservation]] powers Vin's Allomancy with the Mists; some magics, such as [[BioChroma]] and [[Feruchemy]], deal with the use of power that already exists within a human (be that naturally or by Shardic intervention). Others lack an explicit key; instead of pulling power directly from a Shard, Surgebinders draw from the Investiture of highstorms, and direct it through their bond with their spren, similarly to [[fabrial]]s.

The intent of a user is very important to several magic systems, these magic systems require a mental component to function. Some, like Hemalurgy, simply require that someone intend to make a spike when they do it, and others, like Awakening, require complex images created in your mind with the spoken command to function. Hemalurgy has only one known Mental component and that is that athe user or [[Shard]] [[Ruin]] must be trying to do Hemalurgy (thoughIt's this doesnRuin'ts seem to be the caseintent when Spook temporarily gains the ability to burn pewter). This mental component if not present renders the spike to a normal metal spike and simply harms the victim. When present it controls what is stolen when used in conjunction to the correct binding point. HoweverAwakening is almost as much mental as spoken. If the personvisualizing doingof the spikingcommand doesis not needfirm to bethen the oneAwakened intendingobject tocan createbehave in a Hemalurgicunknown Spikemanner or not at all. The more complex the command the more important that mental component is. In Surgebinding, the holdermental component has varying degrees of necessity depending on the [[ShardSurge]] used. [[RuinLightweaving]] isrequires ablean extremely clear image in a user's mind to providecreate thisan intentillusion forwith the personappropriate doingappearance, thebut Spiking.with Awakening[[Surge]]s islike almostGravitation asthe muchuser mentaldoes asnot spoken.have Ifto thehave imageany idea of what youthey wishare andoing; objectthe toSurge will do isthe notsame firmthing thenregardless. theSome Awakened[[Surge]]s objectdo canrequire behavesimply inthat athe unknownuser mannerwish orit notto at allhappen. TheOften morewith complex[[Surgebinding]] thethis commandcan thebe moreaccomplished importantby thatinstinctively mentalpushing component[[Stormlight]] isinto something. Surgebinding

Bonds are connections between entities in the [[Cosmere]] that exist outside the [[Physical Realm]]. All bonds are basically the same, with the powers and functions depending on the holders of the bond. {{redditwob ref|books|2ytg2h|cscqe8l3488}} [[Shardworld]]s can also have an effect on what the bond does. Bonds are typically formed between entities with greater-than-normal [[Investiture]] (i.e. [[Spren]]) and other entities, allowing them to gain enhancements. It is unknown if a person with only innate [[Investiture]] is able to create a Bond.{{qawob ref|1076|276881}} Bonds are not limited to connections of entities with greater-than-normal [[Investiture]] to innately Invested entities; they can also be made between two entities with greater-than-normal [[Investiture]].{{qawob ref|1113|22862}}

'''Sapient Awakened Entities in an Inorganic Host[[Seon]]s''': Intelligent inorganic entities created through thewith useconnections ofto [[BreathAonDor]].

'''Seons[[Aviar]]''': IntelligentBirds entitiesinfected with connectionssymbiotic worms native to the [[AonDorPantheon]]

'''The Nahel Bond''': This Bond is between a human and acertain types of intelligent [[Spren]]. The [[Nahel Bond]] gives a human access to the system of magic known as [[Surgebinding]], while granting intelligencethe spren the ability to maintain their cognition in the sprenPhysical Realm. There are ten known forms the [[Nahel Bond]] can take, each giving access to two different [[Surge]]s. See [[Surgebinding]] and [[Nahel Bond]] for more information.

'''Lesser Spren Bonds''': Non-intelligent spren are able to form bonds with humans.{{qawob ref|1044|124783}} This Bond does not grant [[Surgebinding]].

'''Honorblades''': Honorblades grantsgrant surgebinding abilites to humans who touch itthem, but this requires dangerous levels of stormlight.{{qawob ref|1086|265822}}

'''Seons''': A [[Seonseon]] can create bonds with humans and [[Elantrian]]s. Little is known of this bond other than that the [[Seonseon]] follows and helps the person it is bonded to, functioning as a servant to the owner of the bond. This bond does not give the [[Seonseon]] an innate ability to find the human to whom it is bonded. [[Seon]]s will automatically seek out a new person to bond with following the death of its master; often the new master has been prearranged. During the time of the [[Reod]], while the [[Shaod]] was unable to finish transforming a human into an [[Elantrian]], any [[Seonseon]] bonded to a [[Elantrian]] lost its mind and would float around the city, often near their master.{{book ref|elantris|4}} This bond grants new unknown powers to the members of the bond while on [[Roshar]] and is very similar to a [[Nahel Bond]]. {{qawob ref|1037|113035}} {{qawob ref|1048|256928}}

'''Sentient Awakened Entities in an Inorganic Host''': OnlyAlso known as Type IV BioChromatic Entities. The only known entity of this kind is [[Nightblood]]. [[Nightblood]] is a sentient sword made using 1000 breaths and the command to destroy evil. It makes a bond with anyone with whom it wishes to communicate, and it is able to read and speak with minds directly. {{qawob ref|1037|86928}} Distance appears to be a factor, but this may be a limitation of the mind of [[Nightblood]] and not its ability. While idle, [[Nightblood]], while idle, reaches out to other people, either repulsingtempting them withto greatdraw nausea,the evenblade. inducing"Pure" vomitingpeople ifwho theycannot attemptbe totempted drawwould thefeel bladegreat nausea, oreven creatinginduce a desire to use the bladevomiting. Anyone who is able to wield [[Nightblood]] and survive, bonds with the blade to a greater degree and is no longer repelled by or abnormally drawn to use it.{{annotation ref|wb|chapter=45}} Those unable to control [[Nightblood]] are controlled by it, in effect [[Nightblood]] wields them killing everyone around and absorbing all of the [[Investiture]] from the victim including the spark of life (i.e. the soul). This bond may grant additional powers on Roshar.{{qawob ref|1076|346892}}

Of note is that by using [[Hemalurgy]], bonds may be stolen and given to a new person.{{qawob ref|1076|196876}}{{qawob ref|977|421153}}

Bonds on some Shardworlds provide the Holders of the Bonds with additional powers.{{redditwob ref|books|2ytg2h|cscqe8l3488}}

It has been confirmed that at least one Bond other than the [[Nahel Bond]] will provide powers to the constituent entities of that Bond,. whatWhat these powers are is unknown, and will not be of the ten [[Surge]]s. At this time only the Seonseon Bondbond is confirmed to do this, as the Nahel bond and the Seonseon bond are very similar. {{qawob ref|1048|256928}}

In the ''[[Alloy of Law]]'' Ars Arcanum, the author categorizes the three [[Metallic Arts]].{{book ref|aol|part=ars}} Every type of Investiture can be classified along these categories.{{17swob ref|post|421171084}}

When practicing an end-positive Investiture, the practitioner draws in power from an external source.{{book ref|aol|part=ars}} The practitioner gains power from the external source. The Investiture is positive in that it adds -- in most cases temporarily -- power to the practitioner. Most types of Investiture are end-positive.{{17swob ref|post|421171084}}

Allomancy draws Investiture from [[Preservation]] in a similar way to [[AonDor]] pulling power from the [[Dor]]; both are considered End-Positive since they add power to the Allomancer or Elantrian. Allomantic [[Atium]] draws power from [[Ruin]]'s concentrated Physical form, but is still considered End-Positive as the power comes from an outside source. [[Stormlight]] acts as an external source to the [[Surge]]s, so the system is also end-positive.

For an act of Investiture to be considered end-neutral, power is neither gained nor lost{{book ref|aol|part=ars}}. A practitioner manipulates power that already exists or power that comes from themselves..

[[Feruchemy]] is end-neutral, since the amount of Investiture remains constant. Awakening is also considered end-neutral, even though color is lost.{{17swob ref|post|1168186738}}

In the practice of an end-negative Investiture, some power is lost.{{book ref|aol|part=ars}} End-negative Investiture is very rare.{{17swob ref|post|421171084}}

All living creatures on some level have Investiture. This is called the Spark of Life. All sentient creatures have a slightly greater amount of Investiture than non-intelligent ones. The Spark of Life or soul of a person creates a kind of interference when working with other forms of Investiture. This interference is the reason that metal inside of a person's body is highly resistant to Allomantic steel or iron. To affect something like metal inside a person's body takes a much greater degree of Investiture than most humans are capable of wielding. This is of note because a human's soul does not count as a highly Invested object and a person is not even counted as being innately Invested if they only have the Spark of Life. {{qawob ref|1076|276881}}

Generally, humans are not considered to have '''Innate Investiture'''. However, on some worlds, a Shard has Invested humans. For example, [[Preservation]] gave part of his power to make sentient humans with the ability to develop Allomancy. On [[Nalthis]], people are born with [[Breath]]. Both cases are known as '''Innate Investiture'''.{{qawob ref|977|51072}} For example, on [[Nalthis]] every person is born with a breath and has innate Investiture, but a person who has given up their breath is no longer innately Invested while still maintaining their Spark of Life.

Under specific conditions, some humans can become Invested with more power than others. In general, the closer the connection between a human and a Shard, the more powerful the human becomes. A normal human on Scadrial is less connected to [[Preservation]]'s Investiture than a [[Misting]], who is less connected than a [[Allomancer#Mistborn|Mistborn]], who is less connected than [[Allomancer#Mistborn|Mistborn]] who has consumed [[Lerasium]] (the direct Physical essence of [[Preservation]]), who is less connected than a person using a pool of liquid Investiture like the [[Well of Ascension]]. A human who is holding a [[Shard]] is basically pure Investiture and cannot really be considered human while holding a [[Shard]].

The conditions required for becoming Invested with a larger amount of power differ from Shardworld to Shardworld. It is assumed that the intent of the respective Shard influences these conditions. On [[Scadrial]] Connection to a Shard is determined by genetics. On [[Sel]] it's the [[Shaod]] that comes to those who live in the correct area and are devoted to something, and on [[Roshar]] it has to do with a person's actions and how they live their life.{{qawob ref|608|157256}}

* any [[BioChromatic Breath#Types of BioChromatic entities|Awakened object]]

* [[Shardplate]] and [[Shardblade]]s, as well as the Honorblades[[Honorblade]]s

Invested objects are harder to affect with any magic system, the more Investiture the more difficult to affect.{{qawob ref|715|14207}}{{qawob ref|979|514074}} Once an object has been Invested it is very hard to Invest it with a different kind of Investiture as well.{{qawob ref|1034|2810416}} Sometimes when an object in one of the Realms has a large amount of Investiture it can gain sentience (see, for example, [[spren]] and [[Nightblood]]).

It is possible for a natural force to become Invested. On [[Roshar]], [[Zahel]] states that the [[highstorm]]s are Invested. Whether this is the result of purposeful design by a [[Shard]], or the continued maintainence of another entity such as the [[Stormfather]], has not been revealed. The [[Stormfather]] also states that a central point of Honor’s power is located in the highstorm. This has been theorized to be Honor’s [[perpendicularity]]. It is also not clear whether the storm is Invested in and of itself, or if it houses another form of Investiture.

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