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|Scadrians]], [[Vasher]], [[Riino]], the [[Herald]]s, and [[spren]]. Most who refer to investitureInvestiture use magic-terminology specific terminologyto the world in which they reside; Feruchemists refer to the process of investingInvesting a [[Metalmind]] as 'chargingfilling', and [[Windrunner]]s refer to the process by which they create [[Lashing]]s as 'infusing'.{{qawob ref|691|185528}} Most characters using this term haveunderstand somemore levelcogently ofthat understanding ofthe [[Cosmerecosmere]] thatencompasses isworlds notand limitedsystems toof amagic singleother magicthan system.their own.

Investiture transcends the three realms: (Physical, Cognitive, and Spiritual) that comprise most of the Cosmerecosmere. However, it is more Spiritual than anything.{{wob ref|5610}} 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 ([[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.{{qawob ref|11161649}} There are at least four laws that govern Investiture, with the fourth one relating to Adonalsium.{{wob ref|33544}} 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}}

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 to a source of power, and a way of directing that power. Methods of accessing investitureInvestiture can be broadly divided into two types: physical and mechanical; the source of the investitureInvestiture (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 snapSnap 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 allomancyAllomancy 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 shardShard, Surgebinders draw from the Investiture of Highstormshighstorms, 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 isthe thatuser aor user[[Shard]] must be trying to do Hemalurgy (this 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. HoweverAwakening is almost as much mental as spoken. If the personvisualizing doingof the spikingcommand doesis not needfirm, tothe beAwakened object can behave in a unknown manner or not at all. The more complex the onecommand intendingthe tomore createimportant athat Hemalergicmental Spikecomponent is. In [[Surgebinding]], the holdermental component has varying degrees of necessity depending on the [[ShardSurge]] used. [[RuinSurgebinding#Illumination|Lightweaving]] isrequires ablean extremely clear image in a user's mind to providecreate thisan intentillusion forwith the personappropriate doingappearance, thebut Spiking.with AwakeningSurges 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 awakenedSurges objectdo canrequire behavesimply inthat athe unknownuser mannerwish orit notto at allhappen. TheOften morewith complexSurgebinding 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. {{urlwob ref|url= http://www.reddit.com/r/books/comments/2ytg2h/im_novelist_brandon_sanderson_ama/cscqe8l|text=All bonds are basically the same |site= reddit3488}} Shardworlds[[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.{{qawob ref|1076|276881}} Bonds are not limited to connections of entities with greater-than-normal [[Investiture]] to innately investedInvested 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 Bondbond]] 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 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 Sprenspren. Doing so grants the Listenersinger a Formform (a specific physical and mental change). Not all Sprenspren grant a unique Formform; most Sprenspren give the listenerssingers Dullformdullform. Without a Sprenspren, [[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 cannotcan become [[Surgebinder]]s, but Formsforms of power exist that grant them abnormal abilities. See [[Listenersinger]] for more information on the various Formsforms.

'''Shard bladeShardblade''': [[Shardblade]]s are able to bond with people through the use of charged gemstones. The gem is placed in the hilt of the bladeBlade and after a week of constant contact, the bladeBlade is bonded and can be dismissed from and recalled to the [[Physical Realm]]. Once bonded the blade can be dismissed and recalled by syncing with the user's heart to the blade. Ten heartbeats are required. A person's iris will lighten during the bonding process. [[Surgebinding]] is not granted by this bond.

'''Seons''': A [[Seonseon]] can create Bondsbonds with humans and [[Elantrian]]s. Little is known of this Bondbond other than that the [[Seonseon]] follows and helps the person it is bonded tooto, functioning as a servant to the owner of the bond. This Bondbond 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]] Bondedbonded to a [[Elantrian]] lost its mind and would float around the city, often near their master.{{book ref|elantris|4}} This Bondbond grants new unknown powers to the members of the Bondbond while on [[Roshar]] and is very similar to a [[Nahel Bondbond]]. {{qawob ref|1037|113035}} {{qawob ref|1048|256928}}

'''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''': OnlyAlso known entityas Type IV BioChromatic Entities. The only known entities 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. {{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, Bondsbonds 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.{{qawob ref|1076|346892}}

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.{{17swob ref|post|421171084}}

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.{{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|aolmb4|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|aolmb4|part=ars}} End-negative Investiture is very rare.{{17swob ref|post|421171084}}

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

Generally, humans are not considered to have '''Innateinnate Investiture'''. However, on some worlds, a Shard has investedInvested 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'''.{{qawob ref|977|51072}} For example, Onon [[Nalthis]] every person is born with a breath and havehas innate Investiture, how everbut a person who has given up histheir breath is no longer innately investedInvested while still maintaining histheir Sparkspark of Lifelife.

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 the a pool of liquid Investiture like the [[Well of Ascension]]. A human who is holding a [[Shard]] is basically pure Investiture and can notcannot really be considered human while holding a [[Shard]].

Objects are not Invested in their original state. They can become investedInvested by a Shard or by a human having met the above-mentioned requirements. An Invested object gains magical properties. The more investedInvested an object is, the more power it has. Examples for investedInvested objects include:

* filled [[Metalmindmetalmind]]s of a [[Feruchemist]]

== Investiture of Natural PhenomenonPhenomena ==

It is possible for a natural force to become Invested. On [[Roshar]], [[Zahel]] states that the [[Highstorm|Highstormshighstorm]]s are Invested.{{book Whetherref|sa2|i|6}} this is the result of purposeful design by aThe [[ShardholderStormfather]], oralso thestates continuedthat maintainenceduring ofa another entity such as thehighstorm, [[StormfatherHonor]],’s has not been revealed. 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}}

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