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|universe=[[Cosmere]]
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{{updatespoiler|sa4mb7}}
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{{quote
|Investiture. The essence of the gods.
|[[VenDell]] to [[Wax]]{{book ref|mb7|17}}
}}
'''Investiture''' is a term describing the energy that infuses the [[cosmere]] and on which all cosmere magic systems are based.
 
== Terminology ==
The term '''Investiture'''{{wob ref|1072}} has only seen in-world use in or by the [[Seventeenth Shard]], [[Ghostbloods]], [[Scadrial|Scadrians]], [[Vasher]], [[Riino]], [[Navani]], 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 'filling', or ‘storing’ 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.
 
== 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 (many [[Perpendicularity|Shardpoolsperpendicularities]]), and gaseous material forms ([[Mist|Preservation's Mists]], [[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.{{book ref|sa4|i|1}}{{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}} Investiture has taste, and different Investitures have different tastes.{{wob ref|15669}}{{book ref|sa4|42}}
 
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}} Following from this, Investiture can be converted directly into mass or energy, and vice versa.{{book ref|mb7|17}}{{book ref|sa4|65}}{{book ref|sa4|97}}
 
=== 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). The [[Fused]] scholar [[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]] statesnotes inthat the Arsexistence Arcanumof that,anti-Investiture thoughhas longbeen theorized for some time, but that the anti-Lights developed by [[Navani Kholin]] and Raboniel are her first evidence ofthat anit anti-Investitureactually exists.{{book ref|sa4|part=ars}}
 
== Accessing Investiture ==
 
== 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 mental component: that the user or [[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 with 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 Surges 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 Surges do require simply that the user wish it to happen. Often with Surgebinding this can be accomplished by instinctively pushing [[Stormlight]] into something.
 
Hemalurgy has only one known mental component: that the user or [[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 with the correct binding point. One can also, with proper Intent (alongside other preperations), perform Hemalurgy without killing the victim.{{book ref|mb7|47}}
 
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 Surges 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 Surges do require simply that the user wish it to happen. Often with Surgebinding this can be accomplished by instinctively pushing [[Stormlight]] into something.
 
The creation of Anti-Investiture, and replication of the Anti-Tones of Shards, requires an active Intent in order to work properly.{{book ref|sa4|97}}
 
== Color ==
 
=== Shards ===
Every Shard is associateassociated with certain colors.{{wob ref|13074}}{{wob ref|1210}} Their perpendicularities are also associated with their colors.{{wob ref|8910}}
 
;'''Cultivation''': Cultivation’s Investiture is typically associated with the color green.{{wob ref|13074}}
;'''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, they 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. {{citebook ref|sa4|42}}
 
==== Other ====
 
== Healing ==
Many magic systems in the [[cosmere]] are able to heal a person from damage. This includes physical wounds{{book ref|mb6|14}} or sprains,{{book ref|sa3|10}} and can even heal fatal damage.{{book ref|mb6|17}}{{book ref|sa3|72}} Limbs and body parts can be regrown as well.{{book ref|sa2|87}} Healing can also be used to recover from poisoning,{{book ref|sa3|18}} sickness such as a cold or cancer,{{wob ref|1009}} chronic diseases, such as poor eyesight,{{wob ref|2833}}{{book ref|wor|89}} tiredness,{{book ref|mb4|15}} and even damage to the [[Spiritwebspiritweb|soul]].{{book ref|sa3|37}} Constantly healing from wounds can leave the user invulnerable to pain.{{book ref|mb4|13}} Most forms of extreme healing don't care much about what is done to the physical body, as long as the person's spiritual template is in power at the time.{{wob ref|3535}} Some magic systems are better at healing than others.{{wob ref|6678}}
 
Memories can be restored via healing, as they are stored with the Cognitive version of a person.{{wob ref|15183}}{{epigraph ref|sa4|84}}
 
=== Healing the soul ===
 
=== 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.{{book ref|sa2|87}}{{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.{{wobbook ref|6501sa3|i|13}}{{book ref|sa3.5|i1}}{{wob ref|136501}} Perception can also have users change their body to match their identity, such as a transgender person changing their biological sex,{{book ref|sa3.5|3}}{{wob ref|10913}} or a human changing into a singer.{{wob ref|15924}} 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.{{book ref|sa2|87}}{{wob ref|14448}}
 
=== Types of known Investiture healing ===
 
==== Metallic Arts ====
 
;'''Feruchemical Gold''': In [[Feruchemy]], health is stored in [[gold]]. A goldmind can be tapped to heal at an accelerated rate, or to heal from wounds that would normally be fatal.{{book ref|mb4|part=ars}} It's hard to fill a goldmind, due to the fact that it requires the Bloodmaker to spend time sickly and weak. Gold does not heal diseases as efficiently as it heals wounds, but it can heal damage to the soul.{{book ref|mb5|5}}{{wob ref|983}} A gold [[Compounding|Compounder]] can use gold to have a nearly infinite supply of health. When Compounding, a Bloodmaker can heal very rapidly, and can survive flaying, decapitations, and point-blank explosions.{{book ref|mb4|11}}{{book ref|mb4|epilogue}} The recovery from injuries and wounds is almost instantaneous.{{book ref|mb4|13}}
 
 
==== The Dor ====
 
;'''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}}
 
 
==== Rosharan system ====
 
;'''Surgebinding''': With [[Stormlight]] as a fuel source, [[Surgebinder]]s are able to heal both their body and their soul. Almost any kind of injury can be reversed, including bad eyesight, scar tissues, or Spiritual damage done by a [[Shardblade]].{{book ref|sa2|33}}
 
 
;'''Honorblade''': An [[Honorblade]] inherently grants the ability to Surgebind.{{wob ref|4685}}{{book ref|sa2|i|1}} This allows the user to heal with Stormlight, but doesn't let them heal from a soul wound.{{book ref|sa1|prologue}}
 
;'''Regal''': There is a [[Regal]] form that grants healing.{{book ref|sa4|52}}
 
;'''Fused''': The [[Fused]] use [[Voidlight]] to heal themselves.{{book ref|sa3|79}} Precisely how they do that, and whether their ability has any similarity to Radiants', is uncertain.{{book ref|sa3|43}}{{book ref|sa3|i|13}}
 
==== 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}}
 
 
== Bonds ==
Bonds are connections between entities in the [[Cosmerecosmere]] 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}} The nature of the [[ShardworldCosmere#Planets|planet]]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 ===
'''Lesser Spren Bonds''': Non-intelligent spren are able to form bonds with humans.{{wob ref|4783}} This bond does not grant [[Surgebinding]].
 
'''Other Spren Bonds''': Certain spren bond with animals native to Roshar, enhancing those animals and granting them abilities. Animals that are confirmed to have these bonds are [[chasmfiend]]s, chulls, [[Larkin]], [[Ryshadium]],{{wob ref|2691}} and [[skyeel]]s.
 
'''Honorblades''': Honorblades grant surgebinding abilities to humans who touch them, but this requires dangerous levels of stormlight.{{wob ref|5822}}
 
==== Scadrial Bonds ====
No bonds are known of on this ShardworldScadrial.
 
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 ShardworldsPlanets ===
Bonds on some Shardworldsplanets provide the Holders of the bonds with additional powers.{{wob ref|3488}}
 
==== Roshar ====
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]] 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 Shardworldplanet to Shardworldplanet. 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.{{wob ref|7256}}
 
== Investiture of Objects ==
* a charged [[Hemalurgic]] spike ([[Vin's earring]], [[Wax's earring]])
* any [[BioChromatic Breath#Types of BioChromatic entities|Awakened object]]
* [[Nightblood]], as a Type IV BiochromaticBioChromatic Entity
* [[Shardplate]] and [[Shardblade]]s, as well as the [[Honorblade]]s
 
== Manifestations of Investiture ==
{| class='infobox' width=100%
! Investiture !! [[ShardworldCosmere#Planets|WorldPlanet]] !! [[Shard]] !! [[:Category:Books|Books]]
|-
| [[Allomancy]] || [[Scadrial]] || [[Preservation]] || [[Mistborn (series)|Mistborn]]
| [[Lightweaving]] || [[Yolen]] || ''Unknown'' || [[Dragonsteel]]
|-
| [[Aether]] || ''Unknown'' || ''Unknown''None || ''Unknown''
|}
 
{{cosmere}}
[[category: magic]]
[[es:Investidura]]
Editors, Keepers, Synod
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