Difference between revisions of "Sleepless"

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 also form multiple humanoid bodies at once, but it is difficult and risks making the split permanent, creating a new Sleepless. This is made easier if the bodies are not engaged in intelligent tasks at the same time.{{wob ref|14314}}

Sleepless are able to reproduce, but "reproduction" for them has a variety of connotations. They can breed specific hordelings for specialized purposes over time and can also exchange hordelings if needed in order to improve their genetic diversity. They can even crossbreed hordelings with other species such as the [[lancer]].{{book ref|sa3.5|19}} Creating a new Sleepless involves splitting off a subsection of an existing swarm, which subsequently gains independence over time; the Sleepless term for this process is becoming "Separated".{{book ref|sa3.5|6}} A swarm becoming Separated is not always intentional.{{wob ref|14314}} Newly independent swarms retain the genetic adaptations of their "parent" swarm and are able to fine-tune the evolutions of their hordelings to even greater effect.{{book ref|sa3|19}} Arclo refers to the other swarms on Roshar as its "siblings".{{book ref|sa2.5|18}}

In addition to their ability to mentally link their hordelings, each Sleepless can also directly communicate with other swarms. This is achieved through buzzing that each swarm can emanate from its scattered hordelings. Each swarm has a distinct buzz, and specially bred hordelings receive and interpret the vibrations. It is possible to exclude certain swarms from these communications.{{book ref|sa3.5|6}}

The Sleepless are exceptionally [[cosmere]]-aware. At least some Sleepless have had the power of [[Worldhopper|Worldhopping]];{{wob ref|12222}} Arclo tells Lift hethat it once traveled to a land she will never visit.{{book ref|sa2.5|18}} They have some relationship to the [[shard]] [[Cultivation]] and another unnamed group in the cosmere.{{wob ref|9476}} They are aware that some [[Unkalaki]] are [[Sighted]] and that they guard [[Cultivation's Perpendicularity]].{{book ref|sa3.5|15}} They hold secrets about the power of the [[Dawnshard]]s and the [[Shattering of Adonalsium]], and they have passed this information down to their "younger" members.{{book ref|sa3.5|19}} They refer to [[lancer]]yn and [[larkin]] as "Ancient Guardians" and believed that protecting the [[Akinah Dawnshard mural]] was important to the fate of the entire cosmere.{{book ref|sa3.5|18}}

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

Of the twenty-four known Sleepless on Roshar, twenty accept the authority of [[Yelamaiszin]], the First swarm, including Yelamaiszin himself. They vote on important matters using the rapid communication provided by their hive minds.{{book ref|sa3.5|6}} [[Arclomedarian]] 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 the other 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 Sleepless 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 the Radiants' insistence on making honorable choices is highly dangerous.{{book ref|sa3.5|6}} Despite a willingness to kill in order to protect the [[Dawnshard]] 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}}

By the time of the [[True Desolation]], there were twenty-four Sleepless on Roshar.{{book ref|sa3.5|6}}{{wob ref|1784}}{{book ref|sa1|i|5}} As both Siah Aimians and Sleepless were immortal, the remaining individuals seemed to be aware of each other.{{book ref|sa2.5|18}} Most Rosharans do not know that the Sleepless exist, with the notable exception of the [[Unkalaki]], who call them the "Gods Who Sleep Not".{{book ref|sa3.5|9}} Neither [[Dalinar]] nor [[Lift]] seem to have even heard of beings with the powers of the Sleepless.{{book ref|sa1|54}}{{book ref|sa2.5|18}}

The Sleepless were able to monitor events on Roshar using their hordelings, and they were particularly interested in Dalinar, [[Kaladin]], [[Shallan]], [[Szeth]], [[Navani]], [[Eshonai]], and [[Venli]], believing them to be crucial to the future of Roshar.{{ref|text=[[The Way of Kings#Cover Synopsis|''The Way of Kings'' cover synopsis]]}}{{ref|text=[[Words of Radiance#Cover Synopsis|''Words of Radiance'' cover synopsis]]}}{{ref|text=[[Oathbringer#Cover Synopsis|''Oathbringer'' cover synopsis]]}}{{book ref|sa3.5|18}} Arclo believed that [[Lift]] should also be included in that group, and that the other Sleepless should not ignore her.{{book ref|sa2.5|18}} Despite its general disinterest in Radiants, Arclo was also aware that the [[Stump]] ishad bonded a Radiantspren{{book ref|sa2.5|16}} and that [[Nale]] was alive, referring to him as a "madman".{{book ref|sa2.5|18}}

[[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.

* The blurbs on the back covers of the ''[[Stormlight Archive]]'' books are written from an in-universe perspective and are authored by Dysiana Aimians;Sleepless,{{wob ref|1500}} thealthough authorit of the blurb on ''[[The Way of Kings]]'' hasis not otherwiseconfirmed appearedwhich in the booksone.{{wob ref|12611}}