Difference between revisions of "Spiritweb"

{{update|sa4|mb7|yumi}}

The '''spiritweb''' is the network of [[Connection]]s and [[Investiture]] which make up the soul of a creature, place, or object. Residing in the [[Spiritual Realm]], Spiritwebsspiritwebs lack any tangible shape or size, with their borders defined by their [[Identity]]. Contained within a spiritweb are various pieces, including '''Spiritual DNA''', the '''Spiritual Aspect''', and one’s '''Spiritual Ideal'''.{{wob ref|3923}}

A person’s spiritweb, closely related to Spiritual DNA,{{wob ref|115}} makes up their presence in the Spiritual Realm. Measuring and quantifying a spiritweb is possible, if difficult, to do.{{wob ref|13361}} Spiritual DNA can be passed from parent to child like regular DNA,{{wob ref|5514}} yet does not function exactly the same as identical twins can have different Spiritual DNA.{{wob ref|3037}}{{wob ref|7761}}{{wob ref|16270}} Some ways of utilizing Investiture are written into Spiritual DNA. Spiritwebs can be manufactured, though the process of how is unknown.{{wob ref|15234}}

A person's spiritweb can be damaged either through physical or emotional trauma. This creates "cracks" in the soul. It is easier for Shards to [[Invest]] in people who are damaged in this way, as Investiture can enter the soul through these "cracks". This is why [[Allomancer]]s need to undergo [[Snapping]] in order to awaken their powers, and is implied to be the reason why [[Surgebinder]]s tend to have psychological problems.{{wob ref|5469}}{{book ref|sa2|68}}{{book ref|sa4|110}} Spiritwebs can be damaged with weapons like hemalurgic spikes and Shardblades. Those wounds can then be healed with a graft of Investiture. The healing process does leave a permanent wound on a person's spiritweb.{{wob ref|126}} Investing an object or person for a long period of time will warp and change their spiritweb.{{wob ref|2690}} In humans, this process leads to [[Savant]]ism.{{wob ref|7267}}

[[AonDor]] requires some innate Spiritual DNA, but the [[Shaod]] that turns someone into an [[Elantrian]] likely involves some sort of change to the Spiritual DNA during the transition.{{citewob ref|14742}}{{wob ref|2173}}

[[Forgery]] works by overlaying an object’s or person’s history and spiritweb with an alternative one. This may indicate that it is possible to remove the effects of a [[soulstamp]], though it is currently unknown.{{wob ref|837}}

The ability to give [[Breath]], which is a part of a person's Spiritual aspect, is built into a [[Nalthis|Nalthian]]'s Spiritual DNA.{{citewob ref|12603}} The ability to [[Awakening|Awaken]] is not limited to Nalthians, as shown by [[Hoid]]'s use of it.{{book ref|sa3|epilogue}}

Multiple forms of Allomancy relate to the spiritweb. Allomantic [[zinc]] and [[brass]] will work only on creatures with a sufficient level of sapience and work better on creatures whose spiritweb has been damaged, as with Hemalurgic constructs.{{citebook ref|mb2|54}}{{book ref|mb3|3}}{{epigraph ref|mb3|21}} The ability to use Allomancy is passed down via Spiritual DNA.{{wob ref|12576}}

A [[Surgebinder]]'s [[Nahel bond]] with a [[spren]] works in a similar way, a spren becoming spiritually attached to a certain point on a person's spiritweb, merging together as the [[Surgebinder]] progresses in their [[Immortal Words|Oaths]].{{wob ref|184}}{{cite|WOB on merging more as oaths progress}}

Although it does not directly alter the spiritweb, [[Soulcasting]] can alter a spiritweb if the Cognitive aspect stays altered for long enough.{{citebook ref|sa3|part=ars}}

[[Regrowth]] allows for healing both the Physical form of a living thing and its spiritweb, as does a sufficient amount of Stormlight. This likely functions by restoring one’s physical form to the state of their Spiritual Ideal.{{citewob ref|9441}} Regrowth can even go so far as to reattach the soul of one recently deceased, as seen with [[Szeth]].{{book ref|sa2|88}}{{book ref|sa3|90}}

A [[Shardblade]] can be stolen with Hemalurgy,{{wob ref|1153}}{{wob ref|4548}} because it is Connected to a person's spiritweb. When a Shardblade cuts through living matter, its edge fuzzes, leaving the physical body uninjured, whilst cutting the being's Cognitive self - not their spiritweb.{{book ref|sa1|13}}