Difference between revisions of "Investiture"

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'''Investiture''' is a "Cosmere aware" term describing the energy that infuses the [[cosmere]] and on which all [[cosmere]] magic systems are based.

The term '''Investiture'''{{wob ref|1072}} has only seen in-world use in or by the [[Seventeenth Shard]], [[Scadrial|Scadrians]], [[Vasher]], [[Riino]], the [[Herald]]s, 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 'chargingfilling', and [[Windrunner]]s refer to the process by which they create [[Lashing]]s as 'infusing'.{{wob ref|5528}} Most characters using this term understand more cogently that the [[cosmere]] encompasses worlds and systems of magic other than their own.

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. Some solid Investiture, like atium, breaks the general rules regarding how Invested objects interact with Investiture.{{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 are at least four laws 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}}

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. 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 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 then, 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.

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}}

While a number of things can be healed, there are certain limitations. Disorders like depression that are a part of a person's personality will not be cured.{{wob ref|688}}{{wob ref|1914}} Electrical stimulation of muscles, such as being electrocuted, will not be healed as it's not doing any harm and it's how muscles normally work.{{wob ref|10870}} Aging and certain genetic diseases can also not be healed.{{wob ref|3885}} Many, if not all, healing processes are stopped by [[aluminum]]. If aluminum is in the body where wounds are, it makes it impossible for wounds to heal around the aluminum until it is removed from the body.{{wob ref|6365}}

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 of the one being healed mattersmatter.{{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]]identity, such as a transgender person changing genderstheir biological sex.{{wob ref|10913}} There are a few magic systems that are an exception to this rule.{{wob ref|5306}}

;'''Allomantic PewterAluminum''': In [[Allomancy]], burning aluminum would be able to heal the withering inflicted by a [[pewterShade]].{{wob grantsref|6374}} theIf usersomeone were able to burn the abilityamount of aluminum needed to healbecome froman otherwiseAllomantic deadlysavant woundswith the metal, andit may be possible to recovercleanse muchtheir quickerspirit of unwanted effects of Investiture.{{bookwob ref|mb1|151247}}

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]] (ie.eg. [[Spren]]) and other entities, allowing them to gain enhancements. It is unknown if a person with only innate [[Investiture]] is able to create a Bondbond.{{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}}

'''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.

'''ListenerSinger Bond''': The Listeners ([[Parshendisinger]])s can bond with a spren. Doing so grants the Listenersinger a Formform (a specific physical and mental change). Not all spren grant a unique Formform; most spren give the listenerssingers Dullformdullform. Without a spren, [[Listener]]ssingers exist in what is known as Slaveformslaveform ([[Parshmen]]). [[Listener]]sSingers in Slaveformslaveform have very little mental capacity and are extremely docile. Dullform gives more free will and a small increase in mental capacity. Slaveform and Dullformdullform are physically similar. [[Listener]]sSingers can become [[Surgebinder]]s, but Formsforms of power exist that grant them abnormal abilities. See [[Listenersinger]] for more information on the various Formsforms.

'''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}}

'''Aviar''': [[Aviar]]s create a bond with a person and grant a specific power based of the type of Aviar bonded. Aviar are granted their ability if raised on one of the pantheon islands and consume a worm native to the island. See [[Aviar]] for more information. Has no known effect on Roshar.

'''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.{{annotationwob ref|wb|chapter=457404}} 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}}

No Bondsbonds are known of on this Shardworld.

=== The Known effect of Bonds while on other Shardworlds ===

Bonds on some Shardworlds provide the Holders of the Bondsbonds with additional powers.{{wob ref|3488}}

==== Roshar ====

It has been confirmed that at least one Bondbonds other than the [[Nahel Bondbond]] will provide powers to the constituent entities of that Bondbond while on Roshar. What these powers are is unknown, and will not be of the ten [[Surge]]s. At this time only theThe seon bond is confirmed to do this, as the Nahel bond and the seon bond are very similar.{{wob ref|6928}}

In the ''[[Alloy of Law]]'' Ars Arcanum, the [[Khriss|author]] categorizes the three [[Metallic Arts]].{{book ref|aolmb4|part=ars}} Every type of Investiture can be classified along these categories.{{wob ref|1084}}

When practicing an end-positive Investiture, the practitioner draws in power from an external source.{{book ref|aolmb4|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.{{wob ref|1084}}

For an act of Investiture to be considered end-neutral, power is neither gained nor lost{{book ref|aolmb4|part=ars}}. A practitioner manipulates power that already exists or power that comes from themselves.

In the practice of an end-negative Investiture, some power is lost.{{book ref|aolmb4|part=ars}} End-negative Investiture is very rare.{{wob ref|1084}}

All living creatures on some level have Investiture. This is called the Sparkspark of Lifelife. All sentient creatures have a slightly greater amount of Investiture than non-intelligent ones. The Sparkspark of Lifelife 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 Sparkspark of Lifelife.{{wob ref|6881}}

Generally, humans are not considered to have '''Innateinnate 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 '''Innateinnate Investiture'''.{{wob ref|1072}} 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 Sparkspark of Lifelife.

Invested objects are harder to affect with any magic system, the more Investiture the more difficult to affect.{{wob ref|4207}}{{wob ref|4074}} Once an object has been Invested it is very hard to Invest it with a different kind of Investiture as well.{{wob ref|10416}} 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.{{book 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.ref|sa2|i|6}} The [[Stormfather]] also states that during a central point of Honor’s power is located in the highstorm. This has been theorized to be Honor’s, [[perpendicularityHonor]].’s Itpower is alsoconcentrated not clear whetherin the storm isas Investedit inmoves andacross ofthe itselfland, ortemporarily ifjoining itall housesthree another form of Investiture[[Realms]].{{book ref|sa3|64}}