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|related=[[Shard]]s, [[Realmatic Theory]]
|universe=[[Cosmere]]
}}{{spoilers|sa3.5sa4}}{{update|sa3sa4}}
'''Investiture''' is a "Cosmere aware" term describing the energy that infuses the [[cosmere]] and on which all [[cosmere]] magic systems are based.
 
== Terminology ==
 
== The Nature of Investiture ==
Investiture transcends the three realms: Physical, Cognitive, and Spiritual that comprise most of the cosmere. However, it is more Spiritual than anything.{{wob ref|5610}} In the Physical Realm, Investiture is known to exist in solid, (i.e. [[atium]] and [[lerasium]]), liquid ([[Perpendicularity|Shardpools]]), and gaseous material forms ([[Mist|Preservation's Mists]], Stormlight[[Light]], [[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. AlthoughSome itsolid isInvestiture, hard to Invest Investedlike itemsatium, materialbreaks Investiturethe (referredgeneral torules onregarding [[Scadrial]]how asInvested godobjects metals)interact doesn'twith count as InvestedInvestiture.{{wob ref|8929}} Investiture works in a similar fashion to energy in that it follows its own version of the laws of thermodynamics. It is not possible to destroy Investiture; it can only be redistributed.{{wob ref|1649}} There isare at least four lawlaws that govern Investiture, with the fourth one relating to Adonalsium.{{wob ref|3544}} 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. This effect is similar to the gravity generated by large amounts of matter.{{wob ref|8920}} Large amounts of Investiture can also create a time dilation.{{wob ref|13425}}{{wob ref|13453}}
 
An interesting thing to note is that the color red has a tendency to manifest when a Shard is "co-opting or corrupting another Shard's magic".{{wob ref|8340}}{{book ref|sa3|117}} All Investiture creates some type of emotional reaction in users.{{wob ref|13392}}
 
=== Anti-Investiture ===
Physical matter is known to have a counterpart called antimatter - matter composed of antiparticles that share many properties with the particles of ordinary matter, but manifest some of them in an opposite way (e.g. a proton and an antiproton have the same mass, but opposite electric charges and magnetic moments). Raboniel describes this in terms of axi with opposite polarities.{{book ref|sa4|97}} A similar relationship exists between Investiture and anti-Investiture in the cosmere. When Investiture combines with its corresponding anti-Investiture, they are both annihilated, resulting in the release of a large amount of energy.{{book ref|sa4|97}} The reaction seems to be more violent when the two are brought together under pressure.{{book ref|sa4|97}}
 
The only known forms of anti-Investiture are [[anti-Stormlight]] and [[anti-Voidlight]]. It is unknown whether hybrid Lights and Shards outside of the Rosharan system have anti-Investitures of their own. [[Khriss]] states in the Ars Arcanum that, though long theorized, the anti-Lights are her first evidence of an anti-Investiture.{{book ref|sa4|part=ars}}
 
== Accessing Investiture ==
Many methods of accessing Shardic power have been observed throughout the cosmere, 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),{{wob ref|6218}} Allomancers, in Classical Scadrial, had to Snap to access power, and Surgebinders "plug" spren into themselves. 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.
 
== Intent of use ==
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 Mentalmental component and: that is the user or [[Shard]] [[Ruin]] must be trying to do Hemalurgy (It'sthis is [[Ruin]]'s intent 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 towith the correct binding point. Awakening is almost as much mental as spoken. If the visualizing of the command is not firm, the Awakened object can behave in a unknown manner or not at all. The more complex the command the more important that mental component is. In [[Surgebinding]], the mental component has varying degrees of necessity depending on the [[Surge]] used. [[Surgebinding#Illumination|Lightweaving]] requires an extremely clear image in a user's mind to create an illusion with the appropriate appearance, but with [[Surge]]sSurges like Gravitation the user does not have to have any idea of what they are doing; the Surge will do the same thing regardless. Some [[Surge]]sSurges do require simply that the user wish it to happen. Often with [[Surgebinding]] this can be accomplished by instinctively pushing [[Stormlight]] into something.
 
== Color ==
 
=== Shards ===
Every Shard is associate with certain colors.{{wob ref|13074}}{{wob ref|1210}} Their perpendicularities are also associateassociated with their colors.{{wob ref|8910}}
 
;'''Cultivation''': Cultivation’s Investiture is typically associated with the color green.{{wob ref|13074}}
;'''Heightening''': The Third Heightening grants Perfect Color Recognition, the ability to instantly and instinctively determine exact shades of colors and their hue harmonics.{{book ref|wb|3}} The Tenth Heightening grants Color Distortion, the natural and intrinsic ability to bend light around white objects within their BioChroma, creating colors from them as if from a prism.{{book ref|wb|15}} The Tenth Heightening also grants Perfect Invocation, the ability to draw more color from the objects Awakeners use to fuel their art. This leaves objects drained to white, rather than grey.{{book ref|wb|58}}
 
;'''Royal Locks''': Members of the Royalroyal Housefamily of Idris can change their hair color. Normally the color of the Royal Locks reflects the person's emotional state by default but this can be controlled through training and discipline.{{book ref|wb|2}} They can also change their hair color to unnatural colors.{{wob ref|12651}} Which particular color that will match up with which particular emotion is based on associations that people in the culture give them and the user's own perspective.{{wob ref|13043}}
 
==== Rosharan system ====
;'''Knights Radiant''': Each Knights Radiant Order is associated with a color. When a Surgebinder summons their Shardblade, their eyes will change to match their Order's color.{{wob ref|6848}}{{wob ref|8628}}
 
;'''Soulcasting''': When Soulcasting, both Surgebinders and fabrial users are limited by the types of gems available to them.{{wob ref|2784}} While the chemical composition of the gemstone is important, its color is paramount, with every color of a polestone corresponding to one of the [[Ten Essences]].{{book ref|sa3|part=ars}} Some polestones are the same type of crystal but with different color and chemical signatures, such as sapphires and rubies both being types of corundum. Much like how [[iron]] and [[steel]], despite being very similar chemically, are different metals in the Metallic Arts, the exact color and chemical signatures are enough to differentiate the polestones. As a result, an off-color polestone acts much like an impure alloy in Allomancy.{{wob ref|4080}} If a polestone was drained of its color by an Awakener, it would still hold Stormlight but would have the properties of a dusty or cloudy quartz.{{wob ref|3203}}{{wob ref|295}} If a spren was trapped inside, thethey would be released.{{wob ref|292}} Although the type of polestone Stormlight is stored in is irrelevant for most [[Surgebinding]], polestones do have an important impact on Soulcasting. Namely, they determine what kind of substances a Soulcaster can transmute objects into.{{wob ref|2784}}
 
'''Fabrials''': The color of a gemstone determines its flavor to a spren, and can be used to attract certain types of spren. {{cite}}
 
==== Other ====
;'''Metallic Arts''': Color is involved with the Metallic Arts in some unknown way.{{wob ref|9439}}
 
;'''AonDor''': When combined with different colors, AonDor has interesting combinations.{{wob ref|11772}}
 
 
=== Healing the soul ===
When healing the soul, such as a missing piece cut off from a [[Shardblade]], a new patch of soul will be created.{{wob ref|126}}{{wob ref|983}} Healing wounds to the soul is much more [[Spiritual Realm]] based.{{wob ref|6435}} If a magic is strong enough to heal from pieces of a body, it will try to heal from the biggest piece.{{wob ref|4128}} If the body was perfectly cut in half, a random half would be chosen to heal from. Not every magic system is capable of healing soul wounds.{{wob ref|6435}} If the soul leaves the body and is then healed, the soul will not return and the physical body will be the only thing healed, leaving the person dead.{{wob ref|9623}}{{book ref|mb3|82}}{{book ref|mb3|epilogue}} If a soul is healed but not reattached properly, the person will leave a glowing afterimage when they move.,{{book ref|sa3|90}} though it is only visible to those who are highly Invested or connected to the [[Cognitive Realm]].{{wob ref|2563}}
 
=== Limitations ===
=== Perception of oneself ===
Healing works by using the three versions of the user's self; their Physical, Cognitive, and Spiritual version.{{wob ref|9441}} Healing typically heals the Physical version by matching it to their ideal Spiritual version, which is filtered through the lens of their minds (Cognitive version). Almost all forms of healing in the cosmere are filtered through the perception of the user.{{wob ref|7024}}{{wob ref|9623}} This applies to both internal and external forms of healing. When someone is healing someone else, both of their perceptions matter.{{wob ref|11998}} If a person hasn't accepted a wound as a part of themselves, they can still heal it regardless of how long they've had it.{{wob ref|12149}} However, even if a wound is recent, if the person has changed their mindset to see it as a part of themselves, they will not be able to heal from it.{{wob ref|6501}}{{book ref|sa3|i|13}} Perception can also have users change their body to match their identity, such as a transgender person changing their biological sex.{{wob ref|10913}} There are a few magic systems that are an exception to this rule.{{wob ref|5306}}
 
Highly Invested individuals can shift their Spiritual self to more closely match their Cognitive self, making self-perception more important in the process. This allows for the healing of old wounds if the person doesn't view them as being part of themself, something that is impossible with less Invested individuals.{{wob ref|14448}}
 
=== Types of known Investiture healing ===
;'''AonDor''': In [[AonDor]], the [[Aon]] Ien is used as the basis for healing.{{book ref|Elantris|19}} To maximize its potential, [[Elantrian]]s use specialized modifiers that can target the part of the body that needs to be healed, as well as define how the healing should take place.{{book ref|Elantris|53}}
 
;'''Elantrians''': ElantrianElantrians are able to heal themselves quickly and survive fatal injuries, such as decapitation.{{wob ref|13084}} This ability doesn't function if the massive Aon Rao of [[Elantris (city)|Elantris]] is non-functional. [[Reod]] Elantrains' wounds will refuse to heal; nonetheless, a Reod Elantrian can only be killed by decapitation or burning, while remaining immune to hunger or most fatal wounds, as the [[Dor]] keeps their bodies functioning.{{wob ref|1942}}
 
;'''Forgery''': A form of [[Forgery]] practiced by surgeons is called Resealing.{{wob ref|7759}} Resealing can effect miraculous healing, even allowing to survive otherwise fatal wounds, but it doesn't repair spiritual damage. Forgery can also be used to Forge a new soul.{{tes ref|2}}
 
==== Rosharan system ====
==== Other ====
 
;'''Returned''': Each [[Returned]] is gifted a single, powerful [[Breath]] called a Divine Breath, a [[Splinter]] of [[Endowment]].{{wob ref|4486}} A Returned may give this Breath up to heal one person, albeit at the cost of their own life.{{book ref|wb|12}} This sacrifice can cure diseases, heal almost any wound, and regrow lost body parts.{{book ref|wb|12}} The Divine Breath is one of the most powerful healing abilities in the cosmere, perhaps ''the'' most powerful available to non-Shards.{{wob ref|9623}}
 
;'''Hoid''': [[Hoid]] has access to some sort of healing factor that is capable of repairing both his body and soul.{{wob ref|5606}} He's able to regenerate any damaged body parts at will, including his head. He's also able to repress his healing factor in some way, preventing instantaneous healing, an ability that he makes use of in some of his disguises.{{book ref|sa3|epilogue}} This healing factor makes it very difficult to kill Hoid, although he is still at least somewhat vulnerable.{{wob ref|4780}}{{book ref|sa3|epilogue}} The name of the manifestation of Investiture responsible for Hoid's healing is unknown, but it is ancient, likely originating from some Pre-[[Shattering]] source.{{wob ref|8498}} It is uncertain whether or not this healing factor is at all related to Hoid's apparent agelessness, which is known to originate from a remnant of a weapon built to kill [[Adonalsium]].{{wob ref|10439}}
 
;'''Shards''': [[Shard]]s are able to heal physical and spiritual wounds of other people.{{book ref|mb3|72}}{{wob ref|184}} They can also heal those who have very recently died, and can even heal normally irreversible damage, such as [[Savant|savantism]].{{wob ref|3763}}{{book ref|mb3|epilogue}}
 
== Bonds ==
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.{{wob ref|3488}} [[Shardworld]]s can also have an effect on what the bond does. Bonds are typically formed between entities with greater-than-normal [[Investiture]] (e.g. [[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.{{wob ref|6881}} 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]].{{wob ref|2862}}
 
=== Types of known Bonding Entities ===
=== Bonds By Shard World ===
==== Roshar Bonds ====
'''The Nahel Bond''': This Bond is between a human and certain types of intelligent [[Spren]]. The [[Nahel Bondbond]] gives a human access to the system of magic known as [[Surgebinding]], while granting the spren the ability to maintain their cognition in the Physical Realm. There are ten known forms the [[Nahel Bondbond]] can take, each giving access to two different [[Surge]]s. See [[Surgebinding]] and [[Nahel Bondbond]] for more information.
 
'''Singer Bond''': The [[singer]]s can bond with a spren. Doing so grants the singer a Form (a specific physical and mental change). Not all spren grant a unique Form; most spren give the singers Dullform. Without a spren, singers exist in what is known as Slaveform ([[Parshmen]]). Singers in Slaveform have very little mental capacity and are extremely docile. Dullform gives more free will and a small increase in mental capacity. Slaveform and Dullform are physically similar. Singers can become [[Surgebinder]]s, but Forms of power exist that grant them abnormal abilities. See [[singer]] for more information on the various Forms.
 
==== Sel Bonds ====
'''Seons''': A [[seon]] can create bonds with humans and [[Elantrian]]s. Little is known of this bond other than that the [[seon]] 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 [[seon]] 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 [[seon]] 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 Bondbond]].{{wob ref|3035}}{{wob ref|6928}}
 
==== First of the Sun Bonds ====
 
==== Nalthis Bonds ====
'''Sentient Awakened Entities in an Inorganic Host''': Also known as Type IV BioChromatic Entities. The only known entityentities of this kind is [[Nightblood]] and Azure's Sword. [[Nightblood]] is a sentient sword made using 1000a thousand breathsBreaths and the commandCommand 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.{{wob ref|6928}} Distance appears to be a factor, but this may be a limitation of the mind of [[Nightblood]] and not its ability. While idle, [[Nightblood]] reaches out to other people, tempting them to draw the blade. "Pure" people who cannot be tempted would feel great nausea, even induce vomiting. 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.{{wob ref|7404}} 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.{{wob ref|6892}}
 
==== Scadrial Bonds ====
Of note is that by using [[Hemalurgy]], bonds may be stolen and given to a new person.{{wob ref|6876}}{{wob ref|1153}}
 
=== The Known effect of Bonds while on other Shardworlds ===
Bonds on some Shardworlds provide the Holders of the Bonds with additional powers.{{wob ref|3488}}
 
==== Roshar ====
It has been confirmed that Bonds other than the [[Nahel Bondbond]] will provide powers to the constituent entities of that Bond while on Roshar. What these powers are is unknown, and will not be of the ten [[Surge]]s. The seon bond is confirmed to do this, as the Nahel bond and the seon bond are very similar.{{wob ref|6928}}
 
== Categories of Investiture ==
 
== Investiture of Natural Phenomena ==
It is possible for a natural force to become Invested. On [[Roshar]], [[Zahel]] states that the [[highstorm]]s are Invested.{{book ref|sa2|i|6}} The [[Stormfather]] also states that during a centralhighstorm, point of Honor’s[[Honor]]’s power is locatedconcentrated in the highstormstorm as it moves across the land, temporarily joining all three [[Realms]].{{citebook ref|sa3|64}}
 
== Manifestations of Investiture ==
|-
| [[Sand mastery]] || [[Taldain]] || [[Autonomy]] || [[White Sand]]
|-
| [[Microkinesis]] || [[Yolen]] || ''Unknown'' || [[Dragonsteel]]
|-
| [[Lightweaving]] || [[Yolen]] || ''Unknown'' || [[Dragonsteel]]
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