Difference between revisions of "Spren"

{{magical entities

|magic=[[Surgebinding]], [[Fabrial]]s, [[Singer]] forms

|world=Roshar

Spren are far more extensive and numerous than the closest comparable entities, [[seon]]s and [[skaze]], Splinters of [[Devotion]] and [[Dominion]] respectively. This is one of the reasons Roshar does not have the same problem with travelling to the Cognitive Realm as [[Sel]] -- even though Honor is [[Splintering|Splintered]] just like the other two Shards, on Roshar, spren act as a "release valve" for the uncontrolled power of Honor.{{wob ref|4129}}

 

== Characteristics ==

{{quote

}}

 

 

=== Definition ===

Some spren predate the arrival of Honor and Cultivation to Roshar, and perhaps even the [[Shattering]]. These are Splinters of [[Adonalsium]] itself that it left behind intentionally and that have attained sentience on their own since then.{{wob ref|10563}} This tendency towards sentience, which can be seen both in Shard-derived spren and Adonalsium-derived spren, is a result of [[cosmere]]-wise phenomenon of Investiture attaining sentience when left on its own.{{wob ref|1473}} However, while comparable entities exist on other worlds -- most notably, seons and skaze -- the sheer amount of spren created is unique to Roshar.

 

 

=== Functioning ===

{{for|Deadeye|more information about spren death}}

 

 

By contrast, a spren that has been killed after their Radiant acquires a [[Shardblade]] leaves behind a dead Shardblade, and while in Shadesmar, they take the form of a [[deadeye]].{{book ref|sa2|87}}{{book ref|sa3|101}} A deadeye is a zombie-like figure with scratched-out eyes, constantly striving to mindlessly reach the location of its Blade.{{book ref|sa3|101}} Whether it can be brought back to life is uncertain, although it has never happened before.{{book ref|sa3|28}}

 

=== Nature and Emotion Spren ===

 

While the lesser spren are often invisible, they are said to be ever present and will pop up around the phenomenon they are named for.{{book ref|sa1|7}} Some spren are easier to find than others, though even the most common will, at times, fail to appear.{{book ref|sa1|i|5}} In [[Shinovar]] in particular, all types of spren are exceptionally rare.{{book ref|sa1|i|4}}{{wob ref|8714}}

{{quote

|There are no foolish oaths. All are the mark of men and true spren over beasts and subspren. The mark of intelligence, free will, and choice.

}}

 

In contrast, spren that do possess sapience are referred to as true spren.{{book ref|sa3|4}} They seem to all represent higher concepts, such as honor for [[honorspren]] and truth and lies for [[Cryptic]]s. Nine types of true spren bond with humans to grant them [[Nahel Bond]]s and thus, the power of [[Surgebinding]]; however, more types of sapient spren exist.{{wob ref|9539}}

 

 

Once the true spren make the transition, they cannot affect the Physical Realm in any but the most minor ways.{{book ref|sa2|i|9}} While in Shadesmar, most sapient spren have a humanoid shape and size, in the Physical Realm they usually take on a smaller and simpler form.{{book ref|sa2|3}}

=== Odium's Influence ===

{{for|#Corrupted Spren|a list of known spren corruptions}}

 

Separately, there exist '''[[voidspren]]''', spren made up of the essence of [[Odium]]. The lesser voidspren are, like their native Rosharan counterparts, non-sentient. They can, however, form bonds with [[singer]]s, granting them [[Regal]] forms, which often include supernatural powers and a change in mindset in the singer.{{book ref|sa3|i|7}}

Some spren of Odium are also sapient, making them true spren. Unlike their Honor- and Cultivation-aligned kin, sapient voidspren are capable of retaining their higher functions in the Physical Realm without bonding a person.{{book ref|sa3|31}} Those spren are usually imprisoned on [[Braize]], along with the rest of Odium's forces, but they are capable of escaping and traveling to Roshar.{{book ref|sa3|i|3}} They tend to look like small [[Shin]] humans, and have colors such as yellow or red.{{book ref|sa3|31}}{{book ref|sa3|i|3}} Whether sapient voidspren are capable of granting powers to other creatures is uncertain.

 

 

=== Unique Spren ===

 

=== Singer Forms ===

 

Such bonds are formed only with non-sentient spren, and once the singer changes a form, the spren is released from the gemheart, unharmed.{{wob ref|136}} When the bond is formed with a lesser [[voidspren]], the singer gains a [[Regal]] form.{{book ref|sa3|i|7}}

* [[Highspren]] ([[Skybreakers]])

* [[Ashspren]] ([[Dustbringers]])

* [[Cryptic]]s ([[Order of Lightweavers|Lightweavers]])

* [[Inkspren]] ([[Elsecallers]])

}}

 

 

The streamer that appears in the Physical Realm is actually the tongue of the anticipationspren. The spren itself has a round bulbous body and is about the size of a human toddler. It will open its mouth and stick its tongue in the air when near feelings of anticipation.{{book ref|sa3|97}}

}}

 

 

It's possible that rather than being attracted to the state of being imprisoned, captivityspren are attracted to the feelings of being trapped. This would explain why Axies, who sees being in prison as an opportunity, never witnesses any, while Kaladin's degrading mental state in prison summons several.

 

A type of spren that appear around people when they experience pride in their accomplishments. In the Physical, they look like as golden orbs of translucent light,{{book ref|sa1|12}} while in the Cognitive, they take the form of avian-like creatures with bulbous bodies, long wings, and flowing tails, with a golden ball for a head.{{book ref|sa3|91}}

 

==== Gravityspren ====

Also known as liespren, Cryptics are a type of sapient spren that forms Nahel Bonds with the Knights Radiant [[Order of Lightweavers]], granting them their powers. {{book ref|sa2|3}} Cryptics grant the [[Surge]]s of Transformation and Illumination.{{file ref|TWoK Front Endsheet.jpg|Surgebinding Table}} They represent fundamental mathematical laws of nature, and truths that explain the fabric of existence.{{book ref|sa3|97}}

 

 

==== Cultivationspren ====

 

==== Mistspren ====

 

They seem to be affiliated with [[honorspren]], working as common sailors on their ships.{{book ref|sa3|108}}

* '''Gloryspren''': take the shape of a cube instead of a globe.{{book ref|sa3|77}} In the [[Cognitive Realm]], they are described as looking bone-white and brown, with wings extending to the sides, long tresses for a tail, and golden cubes for heads.{{book ref|sa3|97}}

* '''Hungerspren''': much more rare than their uncorrupted versions, even in [[Kholinar]].{{file ref|Kholinar Spren.jpg|Kholinar Spren}} They are black, and resemble the flies seen on rotting plants. {{book ref|sa3|72}}

* '''Painspren''': sickly green as compared to their normal orange, as well as deformed or distorted, no longer resembling human hands.{{book ref|sa3|62}}

* '''Shamespren''': resemble pieces of broken glass instead of petals.{{book ref|sa3|62}}

{{for|Cusicesh}}

 

 

Cusicesh is worshipped by the people of Kasitor, who not only set their clocks by its arrival, but have also built golden plinths at the spots where Cusicesh's feet land. However, people who are in the vicinity of Cusicesh when it appears often report a sense of fatigue after it vanishes, which may or may not be because of expectation.{{book ref|sa1|i|5}}

{{quote

|We were made, then unmade.

}}

 

* '''[[Nergaoul]]''' - an animalistic Unmade; usually doesn't have a presence in the Physical Realm, but can take the form of a cloud of red mist with various shapes within in. Its presence causes a lust for battle known as the Thrill.{{book ref|sa3|115}} At the present, it has been captured and imprisoned in the [[King's Drop]] by [[Dalinar]].{{book ref|sa3|120}}

* '''[[Re-Shephir]]''' - known as the Midnight Mother. She can create [[Midnight Essence]], monsters that mimic the creatures around them. Has been nesting in [[Urithiru]] until [[Shallan]] banishes her; her current whereabouts are unknown.{{book ref|sa3|31}}

* '''[[Yelig-Nar]]''' - sometimes called the Blightwind.{{epigraph ref|sa1|45}} He's capable of bonding with people who swallow a gemstone containing him, granting them the use of all ten [[Surge]]s. Was present at the [[Battle of Thaylen Field]], although the Fused have presumably took him back when they withdrew.{{book ref|sa3|120}}

 

Apart from the real spren, Rosharan folklore has a small number of creatures whose existence is questionable, but which are also referred to as spren. Chief among them are the '''[[Dawnsingers]]''', which the [[Vorin]] theology teaches were servants of the [[Almighty]], sent by him to care for mankind on Roshar.{{book ref|sa1|45}} In the lore, Dawnsingers are credited with bestowing numerous gifts upon humanity, including the [[Dawnchant]], humanity's original written language, and [[Dawncities]], a group of ancient settlements following [[cymatics|cymatic]] patterns.{{book ref|sa1|33}}{{book ref|sa1|54}} The [[ardent]]s of [[Palanaeum]] claim that their library was constructed by the Dawnsingers.{{book ref|sa1|7}} It's eventually revealed, however, that the Dawnsingers aren't spren, but rather the ancient [[singers]], the original inhabitants of Roshar.{{book ref|sa3|11}}

 

 

Finally, there are several types of spren that the common knowledge doesn't align with Odium, but which are considered malicious nonetheless. Those include the '''raspings''', the '''stormwhispers''', and the '''nightspren''', of which the last are considered to be the most fearsome and dangerous. Those spren are mostly believed in by the more traditional, rural followers of Vorinism. The more educated segment of the populace considers them to be ancient fabrications, created by the [[Knights Radiant]] past to support their dominance.{{book ref|sa1|42}}

* [[Kaladin]], a [[Windrunner]], attracts [[windspren]] on numerous occassions, most notably when fighting [[Szeth]] and when forming the "wind break" in [[Revolar]].{{book ref|sa2|86}}{{book ref|sa3|31}} Windspren are also called [[Syl]]'s "cousins" several times.{{book ref|sa2|9}}{{book ref|sa2|52}}

* [[Shallan]], a [[Order of Lightweavers|Lightweaver]], has been known to gather a large number of [[creationspren]] when drawing or crafting illusions. Although this might simply be a function of her being an artist, the numbers Shallan attracts are unnatural, with hundreds surrounding her at one point.{{book ref|sa3|3}}

* [[Dalinar Kholin]], a [[Bondsmith]], brings together an incredible amount of [[gloryspren]] during the [[Battle of Thaylen Field]]. Notably, people around him often draw a gloryspren or several, despite the type's supposed rarity.

 

What this means, if anything, is uncertain; it has been speculated that the lesser spren will eventually form [[Shardplate]], once the Radiants reach a high enough level.

 

=== Bondsmith spren ===

* The [[Nightwatcher]], whom Brandon has previously stated is on the same level as the Stormfather{{wob ref|174}}

* The [[Sibling]], based on their connection to [[Urithiru]] and the Stormfather's comments about how humans had harmed them before{{book ref|sa3|111}}

 

 

== Notes ==

{{Stormlight}}

[[category: magic]]

[[category: sapient beings]]

[[category: Spren| ]]