Difference between revisions of "Investiture"

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

The term '''Investiture'''{{qa ref|977|5}} has only seen in-world use in or by the [[Seventeenth Shard]], [[Scadrial]], [[Vasher]] 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 'charging', and [[Windrunner]]s refer to the process by which they create [[Lashing]]s as 'infusing'.{{qa ref|691|18}} Most characters using this term understand more cogently that the [[Cosmerecosmere]] encompasses worlds and systems of magic other than their own.

Investiture transcends the three realms: Physical, Cognitive, and Spiritual that comprise most of the Cosmerecosmere. In the Physical Realm, Investiture is known to exist in solid, (i.e. [[Atiumatium]] and [[Lerasiumlerasium]]), liquid ([[Perpendicularity|Shardpools]]), and gaseous material forms (Preservation's Mists, Stormlight, BioChromatic Breath). For some reason, all solid Investiture is metallic, the result of one of the laws governing the Cosmerecosmere.{{wob ref|date=2018-3-1|9291|Emerald City Comic Con 2018}} Most often these appear due to influence by a [[Shard]] holder, however some formations occur in a more natural way. Investiture works in a similar fashion to energy in that it follows its own laws of thermodynamics. It is not possible to destroy Investiture; it can only be redistributed.{{qa ref|1116|3}} 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.

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 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.

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 and that is that a user must be trying to do Hemalurgy (though this doesn't seem to be the case 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 to the correct binding point. However the person doing the spiking does not need to be the one intending to create a Hemalurgic Spike, the holder of the [[Shard]] [[Ruin]] is able to provide this intent for the person doing the Spiking. Awakening is almost as much mental as spoken. If the image of what you wish an object to do 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. Surgebinding depending on the [[Surge]] used the mental component can be very important. [[Lightweaving]] requires an extremely clear image in a user's mind to create an illusion with the appropriate appearance, but [[Surge]]s like a Full Lashing the user does not have to have any idea of what they are doing; the Surge will do the same thing regardless. Some [[Surge]]s do require simply that the user wish it to happen. Often with [[Surgebinding]] this can be accomplished by instinctively pushing [[Stormlight]] into something.

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. {{reddit ref|books|2ytg2h|cscqe8l}} [[Shardworld]]s can also have an effect on what the bond does. Bonds are typically formed between entities with greater-than-normal [[Investiture]] (i.e. [[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.{{qa ref|1076|27}} 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]].{{qa ref|1113|2}}

'''Seons''': A [[Seonseon]] 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 [[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]] bonded to a [[Elantrian]] lost its mind and would float around the city, often near their master. This bond grants new unknown powers to the members of the bond while on [[Roshar]] and is very similar to a [[Nahel Bond]]. {{qa ref|1037|11}} {{qa ref|1048|25}}