Savant

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Savant
Related to Investiture
Universe Cosmere

A savant is someone who has used an Investiture-related ability so much that it has changed their physiology; at least Allomancy, Feruchemy,[1] and Surgebinding can lead to savants. The process involves one's spirit becoming infused with Investiture, causing changes in the Physical Realm.[2] Savantism brings a person closer to the Spiritual Realm.[3]

Allomantic savant[edit]

An Allomancer who has flared their metal for a long time can become a savant. Generally, savantism gives the Allomancer more blunt power and sometimes grants additional special effects. It is dangerous and harmful to the body. The Allomancer might rely so much on or get so accustomed to the metal that when they extinguish the metal, they experience serious withdrawal effects.

With most metals, the effects are quite small. Seekers, for example, often become savants without being aware of it, granting them a boost to the range of their abilities. However, some metals warp the body of savants much more. Tin savants experience such magnification of their senses that they can become incapacitated by bright light or loud sounds. Pewter Mistings often die before becoming savants,[4] as they feel neither pain nor exhaustion to any great extent and therefore may ignore wounds that later prove fatal. Pewter savants heal quickly, though not as fast as someone tapping health from a goldmind.[5]

Spook is an Allomantic savant. He flares his tin for so long that he can sense things as minute as the wind of a sword's passing. However, his senses are so enhanced that any light is too bright for him, forcing him to wear a blindfold, and he keeps his ears stuffed with wool to block out noises.

If someone were able to burn the amount of lerasium needed to become a savant with the metal, they would Ascend and become the Vessel of Preservation, similar to what happens when one consumes the mists.[6] This is due to the nature of the metal as the condensed power of Preservation.

Feruchemical savant[edit]

Since Feruchemy doesn't draw from an external power, it is very difficult to become a savant.[7] If the Feruchemist is able to Compound and draw power from an outside source they could become one.[8][1]

Surgebinding savant[edit]

Every Surge can cause a Surgebinder to become a savant.[9]

Soulcasting savant[edit]

Soulcasting savants begin to take on the physical characteristics of the substances that they produce with Soulcasting. For example, ardents responsible for construction on the Shattered Plains begin to look like stone or crystal,[10] Kaza's body starts turning into smoke,[11] and Ithi and her sister have vines growing under their skin in part from constantly producing grain during the Siege of Kholinar.[12] Both Surgebinder Soulcasters and users of Soulcaster fabrials can become savants, though the effects are much less pronounced for Surgebinders, as the Nahel bond offers some protection.[13]

Notable Savants[edit]

Trivia[edit]

Notes[edit]

  1. a b c d Starsight Release Party
    Arcanum - 2019-11-26#
  2. a b Arcanum Unbounded signing Chicago
    Arcanum - 2016-12-06#
  3. Warsaw signing
    Arcanum - 2017-03-18#
  4. The Hero of Ages chapter 16 epigraph#
  5. The Alloy of Law chapter 17#
  6. 17th Shard Forum Q&A
    Arcanum - 2012-09-27#
  7. Starsight Release Party
    Arcanum - 2019-11-26#
  8. The Hero of Ages chapter 32 epigraph#
  9. San Diego Comic-Con@Home 2020
    Arcanum - 2020-07-23#
  10. Words of Radiance chapter 35#
  11. a b Oathbringer interlude I-4#
  12. a b Oathbringer chapter 81#
  13. Oathbringer signing Leeds
    Arcanum - 2017-12-01#
  14. The Hero of Ages chapter 14#
  15. The Hero of Ages epilogue#
  16. /r/fantasy AMA 2013
    Arcanum - 2013-04-15#
  17. OdysseyCon 2016
    Arcanum - 2016-04-08#
  18. Shadows of Self Lansing signing
    Arcanum - 2015-10-13#
  19. The Alloy of Law chapter 1#
  20. Arcanum Unbounded Chicago signing
    Arcanum - 2016-12-06#
  21. User: Argent conversation
    Arcanum - 2016-12-15#
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