Editors, Interface administrators, Keepers
4,115
edits
Difference between revisions of "Spheres"
m
no edit summary
m |
m |
||
|
Only nine of the ten Polestones are used in the spheres,{{book ref|twok|8}} but it is as of yet unknown whether smokestones or heliodor are the gem not used, or the reason for the tenth gem's absence.
If left outside during a [[highstorm]], the gemstone inside of a sphere is infused with [[Stormlight]]. Over time, usually around a week,{{book ref|sa3|99}} all of the Stormlight will escape leaving the sphere dun, so it ceases to glow.{{book ref|twok|44}} The amount of light a sphere gives off varies with the denomination: chips barely have any glow at all, marks glow almost as bright as a candle, and broams glow with the light of several candles.{{book ref|twok|3}} ▼
Due to this property of gemstones, infused spheres are often used as a source of light, since the light is renewable and more consistent than candles and lanterns.{{book ref|twok|23}} Though the light given off by a gemstone is reputed to be steady and calm, this is only in comparison to the even more flickering candlelight; [[Kaladin]] observes that the Stormlight inside of a gemstone is actually shifting like a chaotic blowing storm.{{book ref|sa2|22}}▼
Although spheres are generally a superior source of light, many people, especially those less well-off or living in poorer districts, still use candles or lanterns. Using candles and lanterns is often cheaper than using spheres, since a sphere's dual status as currency makes it liable to be stolen. This problem does not exist for wealthy or noble [[lighteyes]] who may use all-sphere lighting either as a practical matter or to show off their wealth. For example, the entirety of [[Kharbranth]]'s royal treasury is stored in the [[Palanaeum]] to be used as a source of light for the visitors and staff.{{book ref|twok|33}}▼
Zircon spheres give off a pale-blue light.{{book ref|twok|37}}▼
Dun spheres are worth the same as infused ones{{book ref|twok|17}} but since their glow is what proves that they aren't counterfeit, people are often suspicious of those spending dun spheres. They will call in a moneylender to judge their authenticity.{{book ref|twok|3}} Instead of just leaving their spheres out in a highstorm, people often exchange their dun spheres with moneylenders for infused ones or pay a fee to have their spheres infused in the moneychanger's secure baskets.{{book ref|twok|11}} It is possible that spheres are used as currency because of their use by Surgebinders, before the Knights Radiant abandoned the people of Roshar.
=== Value ===
A newly discovered usage of spheres is as a source of [[Stormlight]] for [[Surgebinder]]s, such as the members of the newly reforming [[Knights Radiant]] and [[Honorblade]] wielders like [[Szeth]]. Surgebinders draw their powers from Stormlight; in the absence of a [[highstorm]], Surgebinders must find other sources of Stormlight. Due to the ubiquity and inconspicuousness of spheres, they are an excellent source for power for Surgebinders to draw upon. Surgebinders make it a priority to keep a stockpile of infused spheres available to them at all times, whether it be carrying a pouch of spheres on their person, having subordinates or accomplices carry them, or using spheres found in the environment.▼
▲== Value ==
There are five chips to a mark and four marks to a broam.{{17s ref|post|18839|Peter says five chips per mark, four marks per broam, and that others are of equal value|date=10 November 2011}} A higher denomination has a larger gemstone inside of it. However, the kind of gemstone set inside the sphere also determines the value of the sphere. This is related to the fact that magic such as [[Soulcasting]] uses gemstones in the process; emerald, the most highly valued sphere, can be used to Soulcast food.{{book ref|twok|3}} There are currently five known values of spheres (and by extension, five known gemstones used in spheres), with some combinations of denomination and gemstone overlapping in value.{{17s ref|post|18839|Peter says five chips per mark, four marks per broam, and that others are of equal value|date=10 November 2011}}
Towards the end of the [[War of Reckoning]], one diamond chip was enough to buy a loaf of bread in the Alethi warcamps on the [[Shattered Plains]].{{book ref|sa1|14}}
== Spheres as Light ==
▲If left outside during a [[highstorm]], the gemstone inside of a sphere is infused with [[Stormlight]]. Over time, usually around a week,{{book ref|sa3|99}} all of the Stormlight will escape leaving the sphere dun, so it ceases to glow.{{book ref|twok|44}} The amount of light a sphere gives off varies with the denomination: chips barely have any glow at all, marks glow almost as bright as a candle, and broams glow with the light of several candles.{{book ref|twok|3}}
▲Due to this property of gemstones, infused spheres are often used as a source of light, since the light is renewable and more consistent than candles and lanterns.{{book ref|twok|23}} Though the light given off by a gemstone is reputed to be steady and calm, this is only in comparison to the even more flickering candlelight; [[Kaladin]] observes that the Stormlight inside of a gemstone is actually shifting like a chaotic blowing storm.{{book ref|sa2|22}}
▲Although spheres are generally a superior source of light, many people, especially those less well-off or living in poorer districts, still use candles or lanterns. Using candles and lanterns is often cheaper than using spheres, since a sphere's dual status as currency makes it liable to be stolen. This problem does not exist for wealthy or noble [[lighteyes]] who may use all-sphere lighting either as a practical matter or to show off their wealth. For example, the entirety of [[Kharbranth]]'s royal treasury is stored in the [[Palanaeum]] to be used as a source of light for the visitors and staff.{{book ref|twok|33}}
▲Zircon spheres give off a pale-blue light.{{book ref|twok|37}}
== Spheres as Investiture ==
▲A newly discovered usage of spheres is as a source of [[Stormlight]] for [[Surgebinder]]s, such as the members of the newly reforming [[Knights Radiant]] and [[Honorblade]] wielders like [[Szeth]]. Surgebinders draw their powers from Stormlight; in the absence of a [[highstorm]], Surgebinders must find other sources of Stormlight. Due to the ubiquity and inconspicuousness of spheres, they are an excellent source for power for Surgebinders to draw upon. Surgebinders make it a priority to keep a stockpile of infused spheres available to them at all times, whether it be carrying a pouch of spheres on their person, having subordinates or accomplices carry them, or using spheres found in the environment.
=== Fabrials ===
Magitech, whoo!
=== Surgebinders ===
Magi, whoo!
=== Shadesmar Currency ===
Whoo!
== Informal Names ==
Spheres are normally described by their gemstone and denomination. However, instead of the gemstone, spheres are sometimes referred to by color. For example, a ruby mark may be referred to as a "firemark" while a diamond chip may be referred to as a "clearchip." Below is the list of known alternate names.
| |||