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'''Nightblood''' is a powerful sentient sword originally from [[Nalthis]]. It was created through the experiments ofby [[VasherShashara]] andwith hisassistance associates, thefrom [[Five ScholarsVasher]].
 
== Creation ==
Nightblood was created in a collaboration between [[Vasher]] and [[Shashara]], [[Returned]] lovers and two of the [[Five Scholars]]. AShashara, a very talented [[Awakener]], has some feelings of envy after [[Yesteel]] invents [[ichor-alcohol]], so she begins experimenting with steel.{{book ref|wb|51}} She eventually discovers a method to Awaken steel and give it sentience, although she and Vasher do not fully understand how this is possible.{{book ref|wb|51}} She reaches the Ninth [[Heightening]] and uses a thousand [[BioChromatic_Breath|Breaths]] were required, and a very difficult visualization needed to Awaken steel.a Nightblood was Awakenedsword with the command[[Command]] "Destroy Evil." TheHowever, the sword had no concept of evil, and so the Breaths it inherited decided "evil was someone who would try to take the sword and use it for evil purposes, selling it, manipulating and extorting others, that sort of thing."{{annotation ref|wb|chapter=35}}
 
Upon being Awakened, the entire sword turns black{{wob ref|8245}} and begins leaking black smoke.{{annotation ref|wb|chapter=51}}
The first hours of Nightblood’s life are imprinted into its memory, and it cannot overwrite its initial experiences and memories, such as [[Denth]] being fond of it and Shashara being alive. It is, however, very capable in some ways, able to grow and learn.{{annotation ref|wb|chapter=54}}▼
 
== Powers and Characteristics ==▼
Vasher decided the knowledge of how to Awaken Type IV Entities was far too dangerous and killed Shashara to keep her from spreading it as she had done with the ability to make Lifeless from a single breath.
{{missing gallery}}▼
 
=== Physical Description ===
▲== Powers and Characteristics ==
[[File:Szeth and Nightblood.png|thumb|leftright|200px|Held by [[Szeth]] by [[Coppermind: Artist/LittleGreyDragon|LittleGreyDragon]]]]▼
Nightblood is sentient but lacks a human context for its intelligence (sapience). Time has no meaning for it, nor can it well understand the dynamic aspect of human personalities. It can speak into Vasher's mind as well as Vivenna's, and it reads their surface thoughts whether they want it to or not. Though he thinks otherwise, Nightblood doesn't need to sleep.{{wob ref|3021}} Nightblood can more easily influence and is better able to communicate with people who are mentally unhinged.{{annotation ref|wb|chapter=53}}▼
Nightblood is completely black, both blade and hilt. The blade is thin,{{book ref|wb|prologue}} long, and straight, with cutting edges on both sides.{{wob ref|9065}} The cross guard is referred to as being hooked. The hilt has a pommel.{{book ref|edgedancer|9}} Its overall size is noted as large; most likely, Nightblood was made to fit the proportions of a [[Returned]]. It is surprisingly heavy when sheathed.{{book ref|wb|prologue}} Nightblood was originally made of steel before being Awakened.{{book ref|wb|53}} It has an aluminum sheath{{wob ref|8162}} with a clasp on it to prevent easy release of Nightblood. The swordsheath itselfwas isnot madedirectly ofinvolved ain materialNightblood's differentAwakening fromand thatit ofis thehas sheath,not meaningbeen thatrevealed Nightbloodwhen isit notwas madecreated, ofor aluminumby whom.{{wob ref|87068410}}▼
 
Based on Vasher and Vivenna's statements, Nightblood could be around 53 all the way to 60 inches long overall, with a blade of around 43-46 inches long.▼
When its clasp is undone and even a bit of its blade shows, it leaks an inky smoke. The smoke is the Breaths that it has absorbed from its victims, twisted and fouled, leaking back out.{{annotation ref|wb|chapter=51}} Those it defines as "evil" feel drawn to possess it; once an "evil" person picks Nightblood up, the sword amplifies the wielder's bloodlust causing him or her to slaughter anyone nearby and then commit suicide with the blade. Even while still in its scabbard Nightblood is very powerful and enhances the person holding him, once Nightblood is unclasped every part of it is a deadly weapon that--literally--yearns to kill evil-doers, it can smash bones and even run a man through. Nightblood in effect "wields" the person holding the sword and always kills its holder by driving itself through their chest.
 
=== Personality and interactions ===
A "good" person, someone who wouldn't want to use Nightblood for evil purposes, feels sick while looking at Nightblood and touching it can induce vomiting. This sensation of nausea is suppressed if the user has drawn Nightblood and had his or her breath drained. 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.{{annotation ref|wb|chapter=55}} Nightblood's compulsion/revulsion magic has some parallels with [[Zinc#Allomantic_Use|Rioting]].{{wob ref|9424}} This bond does not allow for access to [[Stormlight]] directly. ▼
▲The first hours of Nightblood’s life are imprinted into its memory, and it cannot overwrite its initial experiences and memories, such as [[Denth]] being fond of it and Shashara being alive. It is, however, very capable in some ways, able to grow and learn.{{annotation ref|wb|chapter=54}} Vasher tends to underestimate its capacity to change.{{annotation ref|wb|chapter=51}}
 
▲Nightblood is sentient but lacks a human context for its intelligence (sapience). Time has no meaning for it, nor can it well understand the dynamic aspect of human personalities. It can speak into Vasher'sits mindthe asminds wellof aspeople nearby, including Vasher, [[Vivenna's]], and [[Szeth]], and it reads theirthe surface thoughts of its wielder whether they want it to or not, often running into difficulty interpreting them.{{book Thoughref|wb|51}} heIt thinksis otherwiseusually cheerful, Nightbloodeager doesn'tto needhelp, and craves approval, but it is very self-centered and it does not like to sleepbe ignored.{{wobbook ref|3021sa3|90}}{{book ref|wb|51}} It can project images directly into people's minds.{{book ref|wb|55}} Nightblood can more easily influence and is better able to communicate with people who are mentally unhinged.{{annotation ref|wb|chapter=53}}
Once drawn, Nightblood becomes incredibly powerful. Its voice becomes overpowering. Lifeless that it touches disappear in a puff of smoke and stone also disappears when struck. Living humans disappear as well,{{book ref|sa3|92}} but other creatures are not confirmed to do so yet. So long as Nightblood is unsheathed, it drains Breath from its wielder, drawing it faster the longer it is held until it is all gone. If held until all available Breath (or other [[Investiture]]) is consumed, Nightblood will feed on the spark of life, killing the wielder.{{wob ref|5813}} This will also happen to non-Returned that wield Nightblood.{{wob ref|4068}} Nightblood can also feed on other forms of investiture, such as [[Stormlight]]{{wob ref|661}}{{book ref|sa3|92}}, and on Scadrial, a person would need to be actively burning a metal or tapping a [[metalmind]] to avoid being eaten very quickly.{{wob ref|8683}} Nightblood can also feed on the mists but not be able to pick up the Shard.{{wob ref|4590}} On Sel, Nightblood would be able to draw power from the Dor. For instance, if an Elantrian drew an [[Aon]] above the sword, it would be able to draw on Investiture, but the Aon would quickly be consumed due to too much energy being pulled through too small an opening.{{wob ref|8746}} Notably, it can draw Stormlight from other sources directly--not just from the wielder.{{book ref|sa3|92}}▼
 
As an Awakened object, Nightblood's goal is to fulfill its Command, "Destroy evil". It often tries to convince its wielders that they should draw it and is often bored or frustrated when sheathed.{{book ref|wb|51}}{{book ref|sa3|90}} Though he thinks otherwise, Nightblood doesn't need to sleep.{{wob ref|3021}}
Nightblood seemingly drew the color from a person who tried to wield it but was disarmed by Vasher before the sword could kill.
 
== Powers ==
===Effect on others===
Those that the sword defines as "evil" feel drawn to possess it; once an "evil" person picks Nightblood up, the sword amplifies the wielder's bloodlust causing him or her to slaughter anyone nearby and then commit suicide with the blade. Nightblood in effect "wields" the person holding the sword and the result is often suicide with Nightblood plunged through their chest.{{book ref|wb|54}}{{book ref|wb|56}} A strong-willed person or someone who has previous history with Nightblood can resist this bloodlust.{{book ref|wb|51}}
 
A "good" person, someone who wouldn't want to use Nightblood for evil purposes, feels sick while looking at Nightblood; touching it can induce vomiting.{{book ref|edgedancer|15}} Wrapping the sword in a blanket seems to help suppress these effects.{{book ref|wb|54}}
 
▲A "good" person, someone who wouldn't want to use Nightblood for evil purposes, feels sick while looking at Nightblood and touching it can induce vomiting. This sensation of nausea is suppressed if the user has drawn Nightblood and had his or her breath drained. 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.{{annotation ref|wb|chapter=55}} This bond does not allow for access to [[Stormlight]] directly.{{wob ref|8348}} Nightblood's compulsion/revulsion magic has some parallels with [[Zinc#Allomantic_Use|Rioting]].{{wob ref|9424}} This bond does not allow for access to [[Stormlight]] directly.
 
Vasher and Vivenna weaponize this trait of Nightblood by allowing someone "evil" to use it, knowing they will be compelled to use the sword to kill others and then themselves.{{book ref|wb|prologue}}{{book ref|wb|51}}{{book ref|wb|55}}
 
===Use===
[[File:Szeth and Nightblood 2.png|thumb|right|200px|Szeth with Nightblood sheathed, by [[Coppermind: Artist/ShiroXIX|ShiroXIX]]]]
Even while still in its scabbard, Nightblood is very powerful and enhances the person holding him; simply unclasping it allows some of its power to manifest. When its clasp is undone and even a bit of its blade shows, it suddenly feels lighter and leaks an inky smoke. The smoke is the Breaths that it has absorbed from its victims, twisted and fouled, leaking back out.{{annotation ref|wb|chapter=51}} While the sword was simply unclasped, Szeth smashed a man in the back, seemingly breaking bones and paralyzing him.{{book ref|sa3|92}} A prison guard on Nalthis was able to run the mostly-sheathed sword through his own chest.{{book ref|wb|prologue}}
 
Once drawn, Nightblood becomes incredibly powerful. Its voice becomes overpowering and liquid smoke pours from the length of the blade. The sword becomes barely sentient because its Command takes over, and it does not usually recall what happens while it is drawn.{{annotation ref|wb|chapter=58}} The wielder feels extreme pain in the arm holding Nightblood and the hand, arm, and eventually the whole body turns black as the sword consumes Investiture.{{book ref|wb|56}}{{book ref|sa3|119}} The black veins or tendrils that appear in the wielder usually leave the skin gray after Nightblood is sheathed or otherwise satiated. This can be see in [[Lolan]]'s hand, Lift's arms, and Szeth's face.{{book ref|wb|26}}{{book ref|sa3|119}}
 
Living humans, [[Lifeless]], and inanimate objects disappear in a puff of smoke if touched by Nightblood's blade.{{book ref|sa3|92}}{{book ref|wb|56}} So long as Nightblood is unsheathed, it drains Investiture from its wielder, drawing it faster the longer it is held, until it is all gone.{{book ref|wb|56}} If held until all available Breath (or other [[Investiture]]) is consumed, Nightblood will feed on the spark of life, killing the wielder.{{book ref|sa3|119}}{{wob ref|5813}} This will also happen to non-Returned that wield Nightblood.{{wob ref|4068}}
 
▲Once drawn, Nightblood becomesis incrediblycreated powerful. Its voice becomes overpowering. Lifeless that it touches disappear in a puff ofon smokeNalthis and stoneinitially alsoconsumes disappearsBioChromatic when struck. Living humans disappear as wellBreaths,{{book ref|sa3|92}} but other creatures are not confirmed to do so yet. So long as Nightblood is unsheathed, it drains Breath from its wielder, drawing it faster the longer it is held until it is all gone. If held until all available Breath (or other [[Investiture]]) is consumed, Nightblood will feed on the spark of life, killing the wielder.{{wob ref|5813}} This will also happen to non-Returned that wield Nightblood.{{wob ref|4068}} Nightblood can also feed onconsume other forms of investitureInvestiture, such as [[Stormlight]].{{wob ref|661}}{{book ref|sa3|92}}, and onOn [[Scadrial]], a person would need to be actively [[Allomancy|burning a metal]] or tapping a [[metalmind]] to avoid being eatenconsumed very quickly.{{wob ref|8683}} Nightblood can also feed on the mists[[Mist]]s but would not be able to pick up the [[Shard]].{{wob ref|4590}} On [[Sel]], Nightblood would be able to draw power from the [[Dor]]. For instance, if an Elantrian drew an [[Aon]] above the sword, it would be able to draw on Investiture, but the Aon would quickly be consumed due to too much energy being pulled through too small an opening.{{wob ref|8746}} Notably, it can draw Stormlight from other sources directly--not just from the wielder.{{book ref|sa3|92}}
 
=== Comparison to Shardblades ===
Nightblood is very similar to a [[Shardblade]];{{wob ref|6892}}{{wob ref|5152}}: Vasher and Shashara actually made it in imitation of Shardblades, with which they had prior experience.{{wob ref|3586}} However, since they didn't know how Shardblades were originally made and were trying to imitate a magic system different from the one they had access to, they had to do some "hacking" in order to get it to work, resulting in something akin to a Frankenstein{{wob ref|2650}} or "robot spren".{{wob ref|3586}} Nightblood, while ultimately built around the same principles as other Shardblades, is much more powerful than normal, and is, in some ways, broken and opposite from them (e.g., in requiring constant input of Investiture to function, emitting black smoke that falls instead of white smoke that rises).{{wob ref|7134}} It is effectively a "third generation" Blade, where [[Honorblade]]s are "first generation" and spren Blades are "second generation".{{wob ref|3623}}
 
When used, its effects are somewhat similar to those of Shardblades, but much more powerful. It can destroy non-living material, but not just what it touches, as Shardblades do: Vasher clears a hole ten feet wide by ramming Nightblood into a ceiling.{{book ref|wb|56}} When it inflicts a wound, it vaporizes and destroys on all three realms[[Realms]] (Cognitive, Physical, and Spiritual).{{wob ref|3393}} So far, everything Nightblood has touched has been destroyed, except for its own sheath, which was used by a [[Fused]] to block a blow from Nightblood during the [[Battle of Thaylen Field]]. Nightblood would be able to stop a Shardblade that hit it, but it seems to be unclear what would happen to the Shardblade.{{wob ref|5555}}
 
== Physical DescriptionHistory ==
===Nalthis===
▲[[File:Szeth and Nightblood.png|thumb|left|200px|Held by [[Szeth]] by [[Coppermind: Artist/LittleGreyDragon|LittleGreyDragon]]]]
Nightblood is wielded by Shashara at the Battle of Twilight Falls during the [[Manywar]], with devastating effects.{{annotation ref|wb|chapter=26}} Vasher decided that the knowledge of how to Awaken [[BioChromatic_Breath#Type_IV|Type IV Entities]] was extremely dangerous and has a falling out with Shashara, ultimately using Nightblood to kill her in order to keep her from spreading this information; she had previously leaked knowledge of how to make [[Lifeless]] from a single breath.{{book ref|wb|53}} Another of the [[Five Scholars]], [[Yesteel]], somehow learned the secret of creating Type IV Entities but is not known to have actually done so.{{annotation ref|wb|chapter=55}}
▲Nightblood is completely black, both blade and hilt. The blade is thin,{{book ref|wb|prologue}} long, and straight, with cutting edges on both sides.{{wob ref|9065}} The cross guard is referred to as being hooked. Its overall size is noted as large; most likely, Nightblood was made to fit the proportions of a [[Returned]]. It has an aluminum sheath{{wob ref|8162}} with a clasp on it to prevent easy release of Nightblood. The sword itself is made of a material different from that of the sheath, meaning that Nightblood is not made of aluminum.{{wob ref|8706}}
 
The sword had another name when it was created, but Vasher renames it "Nightblood" after killing Shashara.{{annotation ref|wb|chapter=53}} Nightblood knows that Shashara is his creator, but has no recollection of killing her.{{book ref|wb|29}}
▲Based on Vasher and Vivenna's statements, Nightblood could be around 53 all the way to 60 inches long overall, with a blade of around 43-46 inches long.
 
Vasher is in possession of Nightblood during the events of ''Warbreaker'' and warns [[Vivenna]] against asking questions about Type IV objects.{{book ref|wb|53}} At one point [[Denth]] takes the sword from Vasher and throws it into a shallow bay (although Nightblood thinks it is "the ocean").{{annotation ref|wb|chapter=53}}{{book ref|wb|54}} Nightblood is able to get the attention of [[Chapps]] who takes it out of the water{{book ref|wb|53}} but later kills four people and himself.{{book ref|wb|54}} Vivenna retrieves it and gives it to some soldiers who also all die.{{book ref|wb|55}} Vasher finally finds it and uses it to destroy a large number of Lifeless in pursuit of Denth.{{book ref|wb|56}}
▲{{missing gallery}}
 
=== Roshar ===
TheSome time later, Vasher travels to Roshar but is eventually separated from Nightblood{{wob ref|1714}} after some kind of falling out.{{wob ref|651}} We next see the sword after the [[Battle of Narak]] when it is given to [[Szeth]] after his death and Restoration by [[Nale]].{{book ref|sa2|88}} Szeth, who calls Nightblood 'sword-nimi', carries it during and after his training with Nale and the [[Order of Skybreakers|Skybreakers]]. He is warned not to draw it except in case of extreme emergency and only if he carries much Stormlight, lest it feed upon his soul. {{book ref|sa3|90}}
 
He is seen by [[Lift]] carrying Nightblood in [[Yeddaw]] and later in Thaylena. Nightblood likes Lift.{{book ref|sa3|119}}{{book ref|edgedancer|16}}
 
The first time Szeth draws Nightblood is during his Skybreaker test at the Purelake. Colors appear to become darker and more vibrant around him, and he manages to resheathere-sheath the sword after killing a corrupt nobleman.{{book ref|sa3|92} Szeth then draws Nightblood during the [[Battle of Thaylen Field]] and kills hundreds of enemies, but also nearly kills both himself and [[Lift]], draining their Stormlight.{{book ref|sa3|118}}
 
During the events of ''[[The Stormlight Archive]]'' Vasher remains on Roshar and has been there for quite some time.{{wob ref|6267}} Vivenna subsequently appears on Roshar under the identity of [[Azure]], searching for Vasher and Nightblood.{{wob ref|1892}} As Azure, Vivenna carries a sword of unknown origin that shares some characteristics with Nightblood.{{book ref|sa3|108}}{{wob ref|10477}} [[Borea]], an [[honorspren]] in [[Shadesmar]], wants to know more about the sword; she recalls Nightblood passing through several years ago and agrees to trade information with Vivenna.{{book ref|sa3|108}}
Szeth then unsheathes Nightblood during the [[Battle of Thaylen Field]] and kills hundreds of enemies, but also nearly kills both himself and [[Lift]], draining their Stormlight.{{book ref|sa3|118}}
 
==Cosmere significance==
[[Vivenna]] appears on [[Roshar]] under the identity of [[Azure]], searching for Vasher and Nightblood.{{wob ref|1892}}
Both Shashara and Vasher had been to other planets before creating Nightblood and have relatively significant amounts of knowledge regarding the cosmere and Investiture.{{wob ref|1548}} Nightblood is one of the most heavily Invested things in the [[cosmere]].{{wob ref|5170}}{{wob ref|8662}} It is far more Invested than other powerful magical objects like Shardblades or the [[Bands of Mourning]].{{wob ref|7668}} It retains its power in any location as it can feed on any kind of Investiture available, including souls and even physical matter.{{wob ref|5879}}{{wob ref|8662}} It consumes Investiture at an an incredibly high rate.{{book ref|wb|56}}{{book ref|sa3|90}} It is one of very few things known to affect all three [[Realms]]; it has been described as "attacking directly at the spirit".{{wob ref|8404}} [[Odium]] is well aware of Nightblood{{wob ref|8741}} and [[Hoid]], who is very difficult to kill,{{wob ref|4780}} is afraid of it.{{wob ref|8588}}
 
== Quotes ==
 
== Trivia ==
* Nightblood has no sense of gender assigned to itself. Vasher is responsible for originally assigning it male pronouns, while Lift refers to it using female pronouns. It is fascinated by gender, and is still attempting to figure it out.{{wob ref|3372}}
* It is of note that Szeth makes no mention of any sensation of nausea or lust for Nightblood upon encountering it.
* Nightblood can be fueled by other means of [[Investiture]] besides Breath. This includes [[Allomancy]] and [[Feruchemy]].
* Assuming that Nightblood is not Allomantically inert, an attempt to burn it would be similar to an attempt to burn someone else's metalmind.{{wob ref|2901}}
* TheWhen [[Dalinar]] visits the [[Nightwatcher]] seeking a boon before the events of ''The Stormlight Archive'', she offers Nightbloodhim tovarious Dalinarpossessions including "a Blade that afterbleeds hedarkness asksand hercannot forbe forgivenessdefeated".{{book ref|sa3|114}}
* Brandon intended to write a full sequel to ''Warbreaker'' called ''Nightblood'' that would have helped explain how Vasher and Nightblood ended up on Roshar, but other projects have taken precedence and it is on indefinite hiatus. Some clues may be given in other books, and ''Nightblood'' may be written as a novella instead.{{wob ref|2901}}
* Nightblood was not black-colored before being Awakened.{{wob ref|8245}}
 
== Notes ==
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