Difference between revisions of "Perpendicularity"

|books=[[Elantris (book)|Elantris]], [[Mistborn (series)|Mistborn]], [[The Stormlight Archive]], [[Sixth of the Dusk]]

A '''perpendicularity''' is a stable junction between the [[Physical Realm|Physical]], [[Cognitive Realm|Cognitive]], and [[Spiritual Realm]]s. They are used by [[worldhoppers]] such as [[Hoid]] to go from planet to planet. They are formed through the concentration of [[Investiture]]. Because of this, they are most commonly found at places where a Shard's power is focused, often in the form of a pool of liquid. A Shard can control where their perpendicularity manifests.{{wob ref|11322}}

Perpendicularities are formed at locations with a large concentration of Investiture. The concentration of Investiture brings the three realms closer together and allows travel between them.{{au ref|drominad}} The proximity of the realms also makes [[Soulcasting]] easier.{{book ref|sa3|120}} They occur naturally when a [[Shard]] spends lots of time on a world.{{wob ref|3504}} Generally, leaving a planet would cause the Shard's perpendicularity to disappear. As a result, their presence is often used to indicate the presence of a Shard. Special circumstances, however, can prevent the perpendicularity from disappearing, and there is at least one Shard that fits these circumstances.{{wob ref|2570}}{{wob ref|4740}} [[Aluminum]] can be used to take liquid from a perpendicularity, and it will stay Invested.{{wob ref|9233}} They can be used to see into the Spiritual Realm.{{wob ref|10945}} [[Nightblood]] is able to collapse a perpendicularity.{{wob ref|12915}} Some perpendicularities are more Invested than others.{{wob ref|5914}} The enormous concentration of Investiture in a perpendicularity makes it possible to become a Cognitive Shadow by entering one.{{wob ref|8324}}

* '''Harmony''': Whether [[Harmony]] has a perpendicularity, andsomewhere whetherin the south, it's oneis orknown twoto perpendicularities,be hasunder notcareful beenwatch revealedby the Malwish.{{wobbook ref|11311}}{{wob refmb7|562850}} An article in ''[[The House Record]]'' mentions a woman coming across a perfectly blue pool somewhere in the mountains in the Southern [[Roughs]], and a sudden appearance of a strange figure by the pool. It's possible, though not confirmed, that this could be Harmony's perpendicularity.{{file ref|House_Record_broadsheet.jpg|''The House Record'' Broadsheet}}

* Threnody does not have a stable perpendicularity, but rather a number of unstable, unpredictable ones of a morbid origin.{{au ref|threnodite}} They may possibly have something to do with the creation of [[Shade]]s, although the fact that the Shard of [[Ambition]] has died near the system has far greater influence on their creation.{{wob ref|12922}} It is more of a circumstance than a location.{{wob ref|14992}}

* '''Honor''': [[Honor's Perpendicularity]] is well-known among worldhoppers and [[spren]] to be unstable and dangerous.{{book ref|sa3|93}} The exact pattern of its appearance is uncertain, although [[Dalinar]] manages to open it upon swearing the Third Ideal of the [[Bondsmiths]]. The perpendicularity closes on its own within a few minutes.{{book ref|sa3|119}}

* The [[Surge]] of [[Transportation]] temporarily creates a miniature perpendicularity, allowing an [[Elsecaller]] or [[Willshaper]] to travel into Shadesmar from anywhere.{{wob ref|1525}} However, returning back to the [[Physical Realm]] presents a far greater challenge, and can only be performed in some places.{{book ref|sa2|epilogue}} It is unclear if this allows travel to the Spiritual Realm.

* '''Endowment''': The location of [[Endowment]]'s perpendicularity is unspecified. It is, however, located somewhere in the jungles of [[Hallandren]]. The [[Tears of Edgli]] owe their existence and their unusual properties as dye material to soaking up the [[Investiture]] flowing up from the perpendicularity.{{wob ref|9833}} There are enough cosmere-aware people on Nalthis for there to be customs at this perpendicularity,{{wob ref|9501}} and it is used for trade.{{book ref|mb7|39}}