Difference between revisions of "Sleepless"

|sapient=yyes

Dysian AimiansSleepless have a unique physiology, as their "bodies" are actually composed of thousands{{book ref|sa2.5|18}} of small [[cremling]]-like creatures called "hordelings" that are able to function as a single consciousness.{{wob ref|11484}}{{wob ref|1543}} The hordelings are not limited in how they assemble themselves; with practice, a Sleepless can mimic the shape of other creatures, including humans.{{book ref|sa2.5|18}} However,Sleepless manynot Sleeplesson areRoshar barelywould humanoid.{{wobnot ref|2902}}be Theypracticed referin toimitating themselvesthe ashuman form, "Sleepless"and would look completely different.{{wob ref|211314312}} because at least some part of the horde is always awake.{{bookwob ref|sa2.5|182902}} Unlike [[Siah Aimian]]s, Dysian Aimians cannot mate with humans.{{wob ref|10842}}

Hordelings are usually about the size of a finger,{{book ref|sa2.5|18}} andbut they can be as large as a fist.{{wob ref|11672}} or sometimes as large as a building.{{book ref|sa3.5|19}} Hordelings on Roshar often resemble native creatures known as cremlings[[cremling]]s simply to make them less noticeable to casual observers; they can take other forms.{{wob ref|3346}} The [[Yelamaiszin|first swarm]] to come to Roshar originally had spiderlike hordelings; the swarms breed their hordelings to resemble local fauna in order to blend in.{{wob ref|14317}} The hordelings of each Sleepless are not all identical, and often serve specific purposes.{{wob ref|1543}} For example, because [[Arclo]] tries to pass as a human, many of his hordelings have protrusions on their backs that resemble human parts such as skin or eyeballs; he is also able to speak with a passably human voice.{{book ref|sa2.5|18}} However, individual hordelings cannot actually shapeshift, so the nature of a Sleepless body is alwaysusually visible upon close inspection.{{book ref|sa2.5|18}} Sleepless therefore tend to cover their "skin" when possible, or use the appearance of older skin or tattoos to obscure their true nature.{{book ref|sa2.5|18}} or tattoos{{book ref|sa3|i|4}} to obscure their true nature.

In practice, hordelings function as a "hive mind",{{wob ref|1543}} but they are not technically one entity.{{wob ref|11869}} Hordelings have the ability to separate from the main body to act as remote agents while maintaining their mental link with the rest of the horde.{{book ref|sa2.5|18}} Certain circumstances could lead to a hordeling being split off from the group and forced to act independently.{{wob ref|11869}} For example, a hordeling that is physically too distant from the others can lose contact with the main mind, and this would affect its [[Cognitive Realm|Cognitive]] aspect.{{wob ref|11603}} A hordeling could be affected by a [[Hemalurgic]] spike, but it would disconnect a hordelingit from the hivemind.{{wob ref|3319}} The Sleepless are not able to split their consciousness between the Cognitive Realm and the [[Physical Realm]].{{wob ref|11869}} They can form multiple sapient bodies at once (for example, imitating two humans at the same time), but it is difficult and risks making the split permanent, unintentionally creating a new Sleepless. This is made easier if the bodies are not engaged in intelligent tasks at the same time.{{wob ref|14314}}

=== HistoryReproduction ===

=== HeraldicAttributes Epochsand Abilities ===

TheAll Sleepless have athe longabilities historygranted withby thetheir [[Herald]]sunusual andphysiology, [[Knightsincluding Radiant]].{{ref|text=[[Theshapeshifting, Wayadaptive ofevolution, Kings#Coverand Synopsis|''Theeffective Wayimmortality. ofIt Kings''is coveralso synopsis]]}}impossible Someto Sleeplessimprison werea onceSleepless ablethrough toconventional usemeans.{{book theref|sa3.5|10}} powerSleepless ofhave used [[Surgebinding]] in the past and may use it again in the future.{{ref|text=[[Oathbringer#Cover Synopsis|''Oathbringer'' cover synopsis]]}} At least some of the Sleepless, including Arclo,{{bookwob ref|sa2.5|1814336}} wereArclo alliesis ofable theto Heraldseasily andkill Knightstwo Radiant during theof [[HeraldicNale]]'s Epochs[[Skybreaker]]. Arcloapprentices and tells [[Lift]] that othersit ofwould hisnot kindhave arebeen particularlypossible interestedfor inthem Radiantsto kill it.{{book ref|sa2.5|18}} AtSleepless leastwould onehave Dysiannothing Aimianto mayfear haveeven foughtfrom during [[Aharietiam]],someone as [[Dalinarpowerful Kholin]] noticesas a heapHerald, ofand burned,the strangeHeralds cremlingsknew into oneleave oftheir [[Dalinar'skind visionsalone.{{book ref|hissa2.5|18}} visionsSleepless have more resistance to [[Soulcasting]]; compared to humans for various reasons.{{bookwob ref|sa3|4213201}} itThey isare notalso clearfluent whichin sidemost, theyif foughtnot onall, human languages.{{book ref|sa3.5|19}}

== GovernmentSocial Structure and Purpose ==

|Arclomedarian is dangerous, Nikli sent. I can see this. But it is not as dangerous as the true traitors.

|Nikli , on Arclo{{book ref|sa3.5|6}}

Of the twenty -four known sleeplessSleepless on Roshar, twenty exceptaccept the authority of [[Yelamaiszin]], the firstFirst swarm., including Yelamaiszin himself. They vote on important matters using the rapid communication givenprovided by their hive minds.{{book ref|sa3.5|6}} [[ArcloArclomedarian]] does not accept their authority, although heit is not considered one of the "true traitors." and is still liked.{{wob ref|14310}}{{book ref|sa2.5|18}} It is unknown if twothe or three of theother three dissident Sleepless are in this category, though all four of the Sleepless who do not accept Yelamaiszin's authority (including Arclo) are still alive.{{wob ref|14310}} The Sleepless defend life, although they are willing to kill in order to preserve it. Nikli states that the sleeplessSleepless have chosen to do this after seeing the destruction of worlds and have vowed to never let it happen again. {{book ref|sa3.5|18}} Paradoxically, while the Sleepless tend to like the Knights Radiant, with Yelamaiszin even stating a personal admiration for Dalinar, they worry that Radiantthe Radiants' insistence on making honorable choices is highly dangerous.{{book ref|sa3.5|6}} Despite a willingness to kill in order to protect the [[dawnshardDawnshard]] from outside knowledge, the Sleepless are also open to reason. Rysn managed to convince them to spare the crew of the ''[[Wandersail (1174 ship)|Wandersail]]'' in exchange for her help in safeguarding it.{{book ref|sa3.5|19}}

|LiftArclo, onto ArcloLift{{book ref|sa2.5|18}}

AllThe DysianSleepless Aimianshad havea thelong abilitieshistory grantedwith bythe their unusual physiology, including shapeshifting, adaptive evolution,[[Herald]]s and effective[[Knights immortalityRadiant]].{{ref|text=[[The AtWay leastof someKings#Cover DysianSynopsis|''The AimiansWay haveof hadKings'' thecover power of [[Worldhopper|Worldhoppingsynopsis]];{{wob ref|12222}} ArcloSome tellsSleepless Lift hewere once traveledable to ause landthe shepower will never visit.{{book ref|sa2.5|18}} Sleepless have usedof [[Surgebinding]] in the past and may use it again in the future.{{ref|text=[[Oathbringer#Cover Synopsis|''Oathbringer'' cover synopsis]]}} TheyAt haveleast some relationship toof the [[shard]]Sleepless, [[Cultivation]]including and another unnamed group in the cosmere.Arclo,{{wobbook ref|9476sa2.5|18}} Arclowere isallies ableof tothe easilyHeralds killand twoKnights ofRadiant during the [[Nale]]'sHeraldic [[SkybreakerEpochs]]. apprenticesArclo and tellstold [[Lift]] that itothers wouldof nothis havekind beenwere possibleparticularly forinterested them to killin himRadiants.{{book ref|sa2.5|18}} HeAt notesleast thatone DysianSleepless Aimians wouldmay have nothingfought toduring fear[[Aharietiam]], evenas from[[Dalinar someoneKholin]] asnoticed powerfula asheap aof Heraldburned, andstrange thatcremlings theyin knowone toof leave[[Dalinar's visions|his kind alone.visions]];{{book ref|sa2.5sa3|1842}} Dysianit Aimiansis havenot moreclear resistancewhich toside [[Soulcasting]]they comparedfought toon, humansalthough forat variousleast reasonssome Sleepless were allied with the Knights Radiant.{{wobbook ref|13201sa2.5|18}}

== KnownNotable Dysian AimiansSleepless ==

* [[ArcloArclomedarian]]

* [[YelamaiszinAlalhawithador]], firstthird oldest and oldestangriest of the swarms on Roshar

* [[AlalhawithadorNikliasorm]], third oldesttwenty-fourth and angriestyoungest ofswarm theon swarms.Roshar

* [[NikliasormZyardil]]

=== Confirmed sightingsSightings ===

[[Brandon Sanderson]] has indicated that conspicuous appearances of cremlings may indicate the presence of a Dysian AimianSleepless;{{wob ref|13377}} some such sightings have been directly confirmed by him.

* [[Hoid]] delivers a monologue to a hordeling while waiting for [[Jasnah]] to [[Transportation|Elsecall]] after her time in [[Shadesmar]].{{book ref|sa2|epilogue}}{{wob ref|1523}}

=== Unconfirmed sightingsSightings ===

* TheBrandon first included Sleepless-like werebeings inspiredin byhis theearly Tinessci-fi innovel ''[[wikipedia:AStar's FireEnd]]''. UponHe thelater Deep|Amigrated Firethem Uponinto the Deep]],cosmere butas canhe spreadwanted theira members"truly fartheralien" apartspecies.{{wob ref|1543}}{{wob ref|934814301}}