Difference between revisions of "Investiture"

From The Coppermind
Jump to navigation Jump to search
m
Line 3: Line 3:
   
 
== Terminology ==
  
== Terminology ==
−
An official definition of the term has not been given yet.
 +
An official definition of the term has not yet been given.
   
 
Meanwhile, the term '''Investiture''' is a generalized term used by the [[Seventeenth Shard]] and [[spren]]. In the Cosmere, so far, they are the only ones with knowledge of the term '''Investiture'''. On the Cosmere worlds different terms are used to describe the application of magic, depending on its appearance. For example, the [[Feruchemist]]s of [[Scadrial]] -- who are able to invest [[metalmind]]s -- refer to the process as 'charging' the metalmind. A [[Surgebinder]] with access to the Three [[Lashing]]s refers to the Investiture as 'infusing' a person or an object.{{qa ref|619|18|Can we change charge to imbue?}}
  
Meanwhile, the term '''Investiture''' is a generalized term used by the [[Seventeenth Shard]] and [[spren]]. In the Cosmere, so far, they are the only ones with knowledge of the term '''Investiture'''. On the Cosmere worlds different terms are used to describe the application of magic, depending on its appearance. For example, the [[Feruchemist]]s of [[Scadrial]] -- who are able to invest [[metalmind]]s -- refer to the process as 'charging' the metalmind. A [[Surgebinder]] with access to the Three [[Lashing]]s refers to the Investiture as 'infusing' a person or an object.{{qa ref|619|18|Can we change charge to imbue?}}
Line 26: Line 26:
   
 
[[Hemalurgy]] is end-negative.
  
[[Hemalurgy]] is end-negative.
  +
  +
== Forms of Investiture ==
  +
Investiture is known to exist in solid, (ie Atium and Lerasium), liquid (Shardpools), and gaseous physical forms (Preservation's Mists, Stormlight, BioChromatic Breath).
  +
  +
== Accessing Investiture ==
  +
Several ways to access Investiture exist. Investiture can be directly given by a Shard to fuel magic (Preservation's Mists, the explosion of Stormlight that comes with each oath of the Knights Radiant), innately extant (Scadrian potential for Allomancy and Feruchemy, the initial BioChromatic Breath) or artificial ("Cracks in the soul" are required for a Nahel Bond, Hemalurgy steals Spiritweb fragments), or used without "flowing" through the user (Forging, Rosharan Fabrials, Hemalurgical theft).
   
 
== Investiture of people ==
  
== Investiture of people ==
 
Generally, humans are not Invested. However, on some worlds, a Shard has invested humans. For example, [[Preservation]] gave part of his power to humans to make them sentient. On [[Nalthis]], people are born with [[Breath]]. Both cases are called '''Innate Investiture'''.{{qa ref|839|4|What do we call a Shard's power inside someone?}}
  
Generally, humans are not Invested. However, on some worlds, a Shard has invested humans. For example, [[Preservation]] gave part of his power to humans to make them sentient. On [[Nalthis]], people are born with [[Breath]]. Both cases are called '''Innate Investiture'''.{{qa ref|839|4|What do we call a Shard's power inside someone?}}
   
−
Under specific conditions, some humans are Invested with more power than others. This bigger amount of power usually enables these humans to perform an Investiture themselves. In general one can say that the bigger the amount of power a human has, the more powerful an Investiture they can perform. For example, a [[Allomancer#Mistborn|Mistborn]] has a very big amount of power, enabling them to use all Allomantic metals. A [[Misting]] has a lesser amount of power, but still more than anyone with Innate Investiture. That's why they are only able to use one Allomantic metal.
 +
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 than a [[Misting]], who snapped (chose Preservation) at some point but is less powerful than a [[Allomancer#Mistborn|Mistborn]], who either consumed Lerasium (the direct Physical essence of Preservation) or has the proper Spiritweb needed to access all the Allomantic Abilites who is weaker than a Sliver during the time they held the power of Preservation.
   
 
The conditions required to getting invested with a bigger amount of power differ from [[Shardworld]] to Shardworld. It is assumed that the intent of the respective Shard influences these conditions.
  
The conditions required to getting invested with a bigger amount of power differ from [[Shardworld]] to Shardworld. It is assumed that the intent of the respective Shard influences these conditions.
−
On [[Scadrial]] you get the bigger amount of power by genetics. On [[Sel]] it's the [[Shaod]] (among other things), on [[Roshar]] it depends on how you act.{{qa ref|608|15|A discussion on investiture}}
 +
On [[Scadrial]] connection to a Shard is determined by genetics and Snapping, or choosing to live, following Preservation. On [[Sel]] it's the [[Shaod]] comes to those who live in the correct area and are Devoted to something, and on [[Roshar]] acting with Honor allows a Surgebinder greater strength.{{qa ref|608|15|A discussion on investiture}}
   
−
A human with enough power can invest other people or themselves. A Surgebinder can Lash people to the ceiling or himself to a wall.
  
   
 
== Investiture of Objects ==
  
== Investiture of Objects ==
−
Objects are not Invested in their original state. They can get invested through an Investiture performed by a Shard or by a human having met the above-mentioned requirements. An Invested object gains magical properties. Examples for invested objects are:
 +
Objects are not Invested in their original state. They can become invested by a Shard or by a human having met the above-mentioned requirements. An Invested object gains magical properties. The more invested an object is, the more power it has. Examples for invested objects include:
  +
 
* filled metalminds of a Feruchemist
  
* filled metalminds of a Feruchemist
 
* a charged Hemalurgic spike ([[Vin's earring]], [[Wax's earring]])
  
* a charged Hemalurgic spike ([[Vin's earring]], [[Wax's earring]])
−
* any Awakened object, especially [[Nightblood]]
 +
* any Awakened object. [[Nightblood]], as a Type IV Biochromatic Entity, is an extreme case.
−
* [[Shardplate]] and [[Shardblade]]
 +
* [[Shardplate]] and [[Shardblade]], as well as the Honorblades
 
* a Forger's Seal
  
* a Forger's Seal
   

Revision as of 19:08, 9 October 2014

This page or section deals with theories or speculation.
Please read carefully and note that this is not necessarily canonical.

Investiture describes the principle on which all of Brandon Sanderson's magic systems in the Cosmere are based. It means that people or objects are Invested with magical power.

Terminology

An official definition of the term has not yet been given.

Meanwhile, the term Investiture is a generalized term used by the Seventeenth Shard and spren. In the Cosmere, so far, they are the only ones with knowledge of the term Investiture. On the Cosmere worlds different terms are used to describe the application of magic, depending on its appearance. For example, the Feruchemists of Scadrial -- who are able to invest metalminds -- refer to the process as 'charging' the metalmind. A Surgebinder with access to the Three Lashings refers to the Investiture as 'infusing' a person or an object.[1]

The term can be used as a verb or an adjective. The Feruchemist invests his metalmind, which then becomes an invested object. By Awakening a rope, the Awakener Invests the rope, which becomes an Invested object.

Categories of Investiture

In the Alloy of Law Ars Arcanum, the author categorizes the three Metallic Arts.[2] Every type of Investiture can be classified along these categories.[3]

End-positive Investiture

When practicing an end-positive Investiture, the practitioner draws in power from an external source.[2] 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.[3]

Examples for end-positive Investiture are Allomancy and the form-based Investitures on Sel (i.e. AonDor).

End-neutral Investiture

In an end-neutral Investiture, power is neither gained nor lost[2]. The practitioner disposes about his amount of power, making it neutral in that power that is invested into an object, can be withdrawn to reinstall the original amount of power.

Feruchemy is end-neutral. Awakening is end-neutral.[4]

End-negative Investiture

In the practice of an end-negative Investiture, some power is lost.[2] It is negative in that it removes some power from someone. End-negative Investiture is very rare.[3]

Hemalurgy is end-negative.

Forms of Investiture

Investiture is known to exist in solid, (ie Atium and Lerasium), liquid (Shardpools), and gaseous physical forms (Preservation's Mists, Stormlight, BioChromatic Breath).

Accessing Investiture

Several ways to access Investiture exist. Investiture can be directly given by a Shard to fuel magic (Preservation's Mists, the explosion of Stormlight that comes with each oath of the Knights Radiant), innately extant (Scadrian potential for Allomancy and Feruchemy, the initial BioChromatic Breath) or artificial ("Cracks in the soul" are required for a Nahel Bond, Hemalurgy steals Spiritweb fragments), or used without "flowing" through the user (Forging, Rosharan Fabrials, Hemalurgical theft).

Investiture of people

Generally, humans are not Invested. However, on some worlds, a Shard has invested humans. For example, Preservation gave part of his power to humans to make them sentient. On Nalthis, people are born with Breath. Both cases are called Innate Investiture.[5]

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 than a Misting, who snapped (chose Preservation) at some point but is less powerful than a Mistborn, who either consumed Lerasium (the direct Physical essence of Preservation) or has the proper Spiritweb needed to access all the Allomantic Abilites who is weaker than a Sliver during the time they held the power of Preservation.

The conditions required to getting invested with a bigger 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 and Snapping, or choosing to live, following Preservation. On Sel it's the Shaod comes to those who live in the correct area and are Devoted to something, and on Roshar acting with Honor allows a Surgebinder greater strength.[6]


Investiture of Objects

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

An Invested object usually can't be influenced by another Investiture.[7]

Investiture of Natural Phenomenon

It is possible for a natural force to become Invested. On Roshar, Zahel states that the Highstorms are Invested. Whether this is the result of purposeful design by a Shardholder, or the continued maintainence of another entity such as the Stormfather, has not been revealed. It is also not clear whether the storm is invested in and of itself, or if it houses another form of Investiture.

Manifestations of Investiture

{{#!:! width=33% |}}Investiture {{#!:! width=33% |}}World {{#!:! width=33% |}}Books {{#!:! width=1% |}}  Investiture/rowInvestiture/rowInvestiture/rowInvestiture/rowInvestiture/rowInvestiture/rowInvestiture/rowInvestiture/rowInvestiture/rowInvestiture/rowInvestiture/row

Notes

  1. ↑ Broken reference - Missing date declaration: Can we change charge to imbue?
    — Theoryland - {{{date}}}#
  2. ↑ a b c d The Alloy of Law Ars Arcanum#
  3. ↑ a b c Broken reference - Missing date declaration: 42117
    — 17th Shard forums - {{{date}}}#
  4. ↑ Broken reference - Missing date declaration: Chicago Signing, Mar 22, 2014
    — 17th Shard forums - {{{date}}}#
  5. ↑ Broken reference - Missing date declaration: What do we call a Shard's power inside someone?
    — Theoryland - {{{date}}}#
  6. ↑ Broken reference - Missing date declaration: A discussion on investiture
    — Theoryland - {{{date}}}#
  7. ↑ Broken reference - Missing date declaration: Could Allomancy affect a Shardplate/blade?
    — Theoryland - {{{date}}}#

Template:Good

Retrieved from "https://coppermind.net/wiki/Investiture?&oldid=40361"