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Difference between revisions of "Spheres"
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{{row/kv|Books|''[[The Stormlight Archive]]''}}
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'''Spheres''' are the major units of currency used on [[Roshar]]. They come in three denominations: chips, marks, and broams. In addition to their use as currency, they are also used as a magical source of light to replace or supplement candles and lanterns.
== Appearance ==
Only nine of the ten Polestones are used in the spheres,{{ref|b|twok|c|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.
== Usage as source of light ==
If left outside during a [[highstorm]], the gemstone inside of a sphere is infused with [[Stormlight]]. Over time, all of the Stormlight will escape leaving the sphere dun, so it ceases to glow.{{ref|b|twok|c|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.{{ref|b|twok|c|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.{{ref|b|twok|c|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.{{ref|b|sa2|c|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.{{ref|b|twok|c|33}}
== Usage as currency ==▼
== Value ==
Below is a table of all currently-known spheres, with their value given in terms of a diamond chip, the lowest denomination of the lowest-valued gemstone.
▲== Usage ==
▲If left outside during a [[highstorm]], spheres are infused with [[Stormlight]]. Over time, all of the Stormlight will escape leaving the sphere dun, so it ceases to glow.{{ref|b|twok|c|44}} Dun spheres are worth the same as infused ones{{ref|b|twok|c|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.{{ref|b|twok|c|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.{{ref|b|twok|c|11}} In addition to currency, infused spheres are often used as a source of light, since they are much cheaper and more reliable then candles and lanterns.{{ref|b|twok|c|23}} For instance, all of the spheres in the treasury of [[Kharbranth]] are used in the [[Palanaeum]] as a source of light, since the Palanaeum is the most secure place in Kharbranth.{{ref|b|twok|c|33}}
{| class=infobox width=100%
{{row|Gem type|Chips|Marks|Broams|pre=!}}
{{row|Emerald|50 diamond chips|250 diamond chips|1000 diamond chips}}
|}
== Notes ==
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