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|world=Roshar
|related=[[Honor]], [[Cultivation]]
|prereq=Forming a [[Nahel Bondbond]] with a [[spren]] or possessing an [[Honorblade]]
|type=End-Positive
|universe=[[Cosmere]]
|books=[[The Stormlight Archive]]
}}{{spoilers|sa4}}
{{quote|True Surges are of both Honor and Cultivation{{ref|text=Note that Adhesion is of Honor alone and thus is not considered a True Surge by singers.|group=note}}—Cultivation for life, Honor to make the Surge into natural law. Things must fall to the ground, so they created Surges to make it happen.
|[[Raboniel]], lecturing [[Venli]] {{book ref|sa4|31}}
}}
{{quote
'''Surgebinding''' is a prime manifestation of [[Investiture]] on [[Roshar]]. Surgebinders can manipulate ten fundamental forces locally known as Surges, with each Surgebinder having access to two of the Surges with overlap between them, by infusing objects or beings with [[Stormlight]].{{wob ref|4515}}{{wob ref|7663}} Each Surgebinder's Surges come in a set combination, for example, it is possible to have the Surges of Progression and Illumination or Progression and Abrasion, but not Progression and Gravitation.
{{quote|True Surges are of both Honor and Cultivation{{ref|text=Note that Adhesion is of Honor alone and thus is not considered a True Surge by singers.|group=note}}—Cultivation—Cultivation for life, Honor to make the Surge into natural law. Things must fall to the ground, so they created Surges to make it happen.
|[[Raboniel]], lecturing [[Venli]]{{book ref|sa4|31}}{{ref|group=fn|text=Adhesion is of Honor alone and thus is not considered a True Surge by the Fused.}}
}}
'''Surgebinding''' is a prime manifestation of [[Investiture]] on [[Roshar]]. Surgebinders can manipulate ten fundamental forces locally known as Surges, with each Surgebinder having access to two of the Surges with overlap between them, by infusing objects or beings with [[Stormlight]].{{wob ref|4515}}{{wob ref|7663}} Each Surgebinder's Surges come in a set combination, for example, it is possible to have the Surges of Progression and Illumination or Progression and Abrasion, but not Progression and Gravitation. It is often considered one of the most powerful Invested Arts in the cosmere,{{au ref|Scadrial}} so much so that [[Rayse]] believes that there would be a war when Shards of other worlds find out about its power.{{book ref|sa4|112}}
 
Rosharans will often refer to any Invested Art as "Surgebinding,"{{wob ref|14347}} though most cosmere scholars, like [[Khriss]], would not consider such usage to be correct.{{wob ref|14537}}{{wob ref|14640}}
 
A few of the Surges, such as Illumination, are variations on [[Yolish]] Invested Arts.{{wob ref|15144}}
 
== Prerequisites ==
A group of powerful [[singers]] known as the Fused are able to Surgebind; however, they differ from the Knights Radiant in several ways. As their power is granted by Odium, they are powered by [[Voidlight]] instead of Stormlight. There are only nine orders of them, rather than ten,{{book ref|sa3|121}} and each has access to only a single Surge; Adhesion is considered to be "of Honor" and not accessible to Odium.{{book ref|sa4|31}} Fused are not ordinary singers; they are [[cognitive shadow|souls of ancient singers]] who reincarnate into the bodies of willing, living singers and displace that soul.{{book ref|sa3|121}} Each group of Fused, distinguished by its access to a unique Surge, is known as a brand.{{book ref|sa4|11}}
 
=== StormlightLight ===
Surgebinding uses the [[Lights]] of Roshar as its fuel source. Most Surgebinders use Stormlight as their fuel, though the Fused used Voidlight. Additionally, Venli—and likely any [[Regal]] with a Nahel bond—can use both Stormlight and Voidlight;{{book ref|sa4|67}} [[Navani Kholin]]—and likely any Bondsmith bonded to the [[Sibling]]—can use [[Towerlight]];{{book ref|sa4|111}} and, as a result of the [[Old Magic]], [[Lift]] metabolizes food directly into [[Lifelight]],{{book ref|sa4|60}}{{wob ref|14560}} but is incapable of drawing in Stormlight.{{wob ref|8073}}
Surgebinding uses Stormlight as its fuel source that the Surgebinder can draw by breathing in.{{book ref|sa2|59}} While it is possible to draw the Stormlight from any source infused with it, including directly from the [[highstorm]]s themselves, the common practice is to use [[spheres|gemstone]]s that have already been infused by the highstorms. It is possible to fuel Surgebinding with other sources of [[Investiture]], like [[BioChromatic Breath]].{{wob ref|3233}} Human bodies are imperfect containers for Stormlight, so it leaves the Surgebinder's body over time, giving the Surgebinder a glowing effect with luminescent white vapor rising from the skin. Breathing out accelerates the leaking, but Stormlight substitutes for oxygen, so the Surgebinder does not need to breathe.{{book ref|sa1|prologue}} The more Stormlight the Surgebinder holds, the faster it leaks out of the body.{{book ref|sa2|2}} If holding a small amount of Stormlight, Surgebinders are able to breathe in and suppress the glowing effect.{{book ref|sa3|21}} While doing this, they are able to talk without puffing out Stormlight.{{book ref|sa3|25}}
 
SurgebindingSurgebinders uses Stormlight as its fuel source thataccess the SurgebinderLights can drawsimply by breathing them in.{{book ref|sa2|59}} While it is possible to draw the Stormlight from any source infused with it, including directly from the [[highstorm]]s themselves, the common practice is to use [[spheres|gemstone]]s that have already been infused by the highstorms. It is possible to fuel Surgebinding with other sources of [[Investiture]], like [[BioChromatic Breath]].{{wob ref|3233}} Human bodies are imperfect containers for Stormlight, so it leaves the Surgebinder's body over time, giving the Surgebinder a glowing effect with luminescent white vapor rising from the skin. Breathing out accelerates the leaking, but Stormlight substitutes for oxygen, so the Surgebinder does not need to breathe.{{book ref|sa1|prologue}} The more Stormlight the Surgebinder holds, the faster it leaks out of the body.{{book ref|sa2|2}} If holding a small amount of Stormlight, Surgebinders are able to breathe in and suppress the glowing effect.{{book ref|sa3|21}} While doing this, they are able to talk without puffing out Stormlight.{{book ref|sa3|25}}
 
In addition to fueling Surgebinding, Stormlight also greatly increases the physical capabilities of the Surgebinder, who gains superhuman strength, speed, endurance, stamina, and healing of both body and soul. Surgebinders can survive falling hundreds of feet and walk away, the damage being quickly healed by Stormlight. Almost any kind of injury can be healed, including bad eyesight, scar tissues, severed limbs, or Spiritual damage done by a Shardblade.{{book ref|sa2|33}} This healing is based upon the Cognitive identity of the Surgebinder. For example, if a soldier sees the scars on his body as a part of his self, Stormlight would not heal the scars.{{wob ref|6640}}
 
While inside the body, the Stormlight produces an intense adrenaline-like effect, urging the Surgebinder to action and motion, which may result in recklessness if the Surgebinder is not careful. It gives great energy, but when the Surgebinder runs out of Stormlight, they isare left exhausted and feeling deflated, similar to after a pewter drag by a [[Pewterarm]].{{book ref|sa1|66}} Voidlight, on the other hand, causes a feeling of enhanced passion and emotions feel more vibrant.{{book ref|sa4|67}}
 
== Surges ==
|}
</div>
 
* The Surges, as well as their names, far predatespredate the Knights Radiant.{{book ref|sa4|i|1}} Surges existed on Ashyn prior to humans' arrival on Roshar, albeit without being restricted by Honor.{{book ref|sa4|111}} Back then the [[Nahel bond]] wasn'thad not yet been discovered and humans could Surgebind without Oathsfreely.{{book ref|sa4|76}} [[Ishar]] was the first person that Odium tricked into experimenting with Surges.{{book ref|sa4|111}} After Ashyn was destroyed by over-powerfulunrestricted Surgebinding and humans fled to Roshar, Honor started to put certain restrictionslimits on itthe Surges, but with Honor Splintered, at least some of these restrictions are starting to waneloosen.{{book ref|sa4|111}}
 
=== Adhesion ===
{{icon|adhesion|s|link=|75px|right}}
* '''Full Lashing''': This ability creates an extremely powerful temporary bond between two objects. To use this ability, the Surgebinder infuses a surface with Stormlight, after which any object or person that comes in contact with the surface will be bound to it. Full Lashing does not necessarily require skin contact; surfaces can be infused by "spraying" the Stormlight onto them.{{book ref|sa1|prologue}} Most objects would break apart themselves before the bond holding them would.{{book ref|sa2|part=ars}} The duration of this bond is determined by the amount of Stormlight infused. The bond ends when the Stormlight runs out. Someone wearing [[Shardplate]] is immune to Lashings, but any objects that they are touching can be affected.{{book ref|twok|i|9}} The bond also attracts [[bindspren]].{{book ref|sa2|12}}
 
* '''Spiritual Adhesion''': Using the Surge of Adhesion to manipulate spiritual, rather than purely physical forces, a [[Bondsmith]] can touch another person and forge a spiritual [[Connection]] between them. This allows the Bondsmith to temporarily speak the other person's native tongue.{{book ref|sa3|65}} Whether the Bondsmith must remain physically close to this other person for the ability to be continually used is unknown. It lasts for longer than a few hours, but shorter than a few days.{{wob ref|9340}} This ability has other Connection implications, but it is unable to pick up other people's abilities.{{wob ref|11424}}
 
* ''Other Connection Abilities'': The Surge can be used for other types of Connection as well, with known uses being Connecting a Radiant to the ground and causing their Stormlight to drain into it as if it were their body, seeing the past and the Connections of a given person, and even (with the Bondsmith Honorblade) stealing a Nahel bond.{{book ref|sa4|111}}{{book ref|sa4|47}} It is unclear if these abilities extend to Bondsmiths in general or are inherently related to the Herald Ishar.
 
=== Gravitation ===
{{icon|gravitation|s|link=|75px|right}}
The Surge of Gravitation can be manipulated to change the direction and strength of an object's gravitational attraction.{{book ref|sa2|part=ars}} The two orders of Knights Radiant with access to this Surge are the Windrunners and the Skybreakers. The Fused brand with access to this Surge are the ''[[shanay-im]]'', or Heavenly Ones.
{{anchor|Basic Lashing}}
* '''Basic Lashing''': This ability alters an object's or being's spiritual gravitational bond to the planet below, instead temporarily linking it to a different object or direction. It allows the Surgebinder to run up walls, or send objects or people flying off into the air. Lashings only affects gravitational pull and not mass, so different things with different masses will still fall at the same speed.{{wob ref|5907}} Lashings can only send something in a particular direction and can not be locked into following an object.{{wob ref|3848}} Lashing can also affect liquids.{{wob ref|5140}} Surgebinders can rotate themselves in the air using wind resistance,{{wob ref|8250}} and can also lessen the force of the wind while flying.{{book ref|sa3|60}} Taking sharp turns while Lashing can cause the Surgebinder to black out.{{wob ref|10357}}{{book ref|sa3|116}} When Lashing multiple objects or beings at a time, it is possible to create a sort of channel around the group, which will keep them close together.{{book ref|sa3|60}} Basic Lashing requires skin contact if the Surgebinder is trying to infuse an external object or being.{{book ref|sa2|85}} Basic Lashing continually consumes the [[Stormlight]] with which the object is infused until the object runs out of Stormlight or the Surgebinder dismisses their Lashing; as such, the length of a Basic Lashing is dependent on the amount of Stormlight used.{{book ref|sa2|41}} Advanced users of Basic Lashing can employ partial Lashings &mdash; a half-Lashing upward, for example, would make the Surgebinder effectively weightless, while a quarter-Lashing would halve the person's weight.{{book ref|sa1|part=ars}} It is also possible to use multiple Basic Lashings simultaneously so that the infused object or being will be pulled toward different directions at once or pulled toward a single direction but stronger than gravity normally would.{{book ref|sa2|52}} It is possible to only Lash part of an object, though this requires skill.{{wob ref|12747}}
 
{{quote
|"How?" [[Shallan]] asked. "You'll fly the entire distance?"<br />"Fall," [[Kaladin]] said. "But yes"
|{{book ref|sa2|89}}
}}
 
{{anchor|Reverse Lashing}}
{{anchor|Decay}}<!-- let it stay Decay until we know the correct name -->
* '''Decay''': Using the Surge of Division, the Surgebinder can touch an object and cause it to burn, turn to dust, or decay in other ways. The Surgebinder can exercise significant control, such as to burn a pattern into a piece of wood. It can also be used on humans.{{book ref|sa3|107}} This splits the molecular bonds of the object the Surge is used on, but not the atoms themselves.{{wob ref|3308}} It is likely to have the ability to ignite objects.{{book ref|sa1|part=prelude}} Decay can be used to create types of sculptures, such as adding color when burning objects or grayscaling them.{{wob ref|12226}}
<divbr style='"clear: both'><;" /div>
 
<div style='clear: both'></div>
 
=== Abrasion ===
 
{{anchor|Lightweaving}}
* '''Lightweaving''': This ability creates visual and auditory illusions. The illusion is based upon not just what the Surgebinder imagines, but also desires to create, requiring both a mental picturing of and a Spiritual connection to the intended creation.{{book ref|sa2|part=ars}} Once the creation is shaped, the Surgebinder breathes out a cloud of [[Stormlight]] to form the illusion.{{book ref|sa2|7}} The illusion can be created anywhere, but requires a constant source of Stormlight, so the Surgebinder &mdash; or a being the Surgebinder is Spiritually linked to &mdash; needs to keep in proximity to it. Because the illusion automatically feeds off the Surgebinder, the glowing effect common to the Surgebinders as the Stormlight leaks out of their bodies does not happen, as excess Stormlight is instead fed to the illusion. Unless the Surgebinder intentionally dissolves the apparition, it will stay active until they runsrun out of Stormlight or leaves its proximity. It can even stay active while the Surgebinder is unconscious.{{book ref|sa4|4}} It's possible for the Surgebinder to attach the illusion to themself, as well as a being they are Spiritually linked to such as the [[spren]] that forms the [[Nahel bond]], so that the illusion automatically follows their movements. This way, an illusion of a disguise can mimic facial expressions or adapt to the clothing or the accessories they are wearing.{{book ref|sa2|60}} Experienced practitioners of this art can also attach the illusion to an object that is infused with Stormlight, such as a [[sphere]].{{book ref|sa3|51}} The illusory image has no substance to it, and if an object physically passes through the illusion, the image fuzzes to Stormlight until the object withdraws.{{book ref|sa2|42}} Light itself does not pass through the illusion; if the Surgebinder wants to see through it, they must put in viewing holes. The amount of Stormlight the illusion requires depends on the complexity of it.{{book ref|sa2|54}} Lightweaving can manipulate all forms of electromagnetic radiation, including lasers.{{wob ref|11554}} Lightweaving would be affected by aphantasia.{{wob ref|14331}}
** Interactions with Yolish Lightweaving: Rosharan Lightweaving is much more restrictive than the earlier [[Lightweaving|Yolish variant]],{{book ref|sa2|45}} as it requires a spren and Stormlight to function.{{wob ref|8909}} Yolish Lightweaving, however, seems to function imperfectly in the current day,{{wob ref|9346}} and its users may need help from Rosharan Lightweavers to fully craft an illusion.{{book ref|sa3|82}} A Yolish Lightweaver is able to guide a Rosharan Lightweaver's power.{{wob ref|9346}} Gaining Rosharan Lightweaving allows for some supplemental ability with Yolish Lightweaving,{{wob ref|8473}} and could allow Yolish Lightweavers to overcome their difficulties, although further impacts or [[resonance]]s between the two are unknown.{{wob ref|8664}}{{wob ref|8473}} Access to both Lightweaving Investitures brings the user close to something related to the [[Dawnshard]]s.{{wob ref|15140}}
<divbr style='"clear: both'><;" /div>
 
<div style='clear: both'></div>
 
=== Transformation ===
{{icon|cohesion|s|link=|75px|right}}
Also called the Surge of Strong Axial Interconnection,{{book ref|sa2|part=ars}} the Surge of Cohesion can be manipulated to alter objects at a molecular level.{{wob ref|6061}} This allows the user to alter the shape of solid objects, but not human flesh, with Surgebinders able to grab matter and stretch it, altering the object as though it was soft clay. Cohesion is highly resisted by [[Investiture]], and even a small amount of [[Stormlight]] in an object would prevent it from working.{{wob ref|9422}} The two orders of Knights Radiant with access to this Surge are the Willshapers and the Stonewards. The brand of Fused with access are the ''[[Fused#Makay-im|makay-im]]'', or Deepest Ones.
<divbr style='"clear: both'><;" /div>
 
{{anchor|Stoneshaping}}
* '''Stoneshaping''': This ability manipulates the forces that bind [[axi]] together.{{book ref|sa4|part=ars}} It is considered a cousin to the[[microkinesis]], axialan manipulationInvested knownArt asfrom [[microkinesisYolen]] that also manipulated axi, though Honor placed strict limits on Stoneshaping to prevent it from enabling the level of destruction possible with microkinesis. While in use, a Surgebinder can mold stone (or other materials) as if it were clay without the use of heat. Stone is able to sense the Intent of the Surgebinder and their past. Though stone tends to be the most difficult to Soulcast, it will easily obey through Cohesion.
* '''''Makay-im''''': The Fused with this ability, while not shown to be able to mold stone, have instead used it to phase through stone,. althoughThey itcan ismove unknownthrough ifother theymaterials, canas phaselong throughas otherthey materialsare solid.{{book ref|sa4|56I|4}}
 
=== Tension ===
 
For Bondsmiths, the use of this surge is different from the [[Stonewards]], as they can couple it with their affinity for [[Connection]] to repair inanimate objects as a complement to the Surge of [[Adhesion]].{{book ref|sa3|59}}
<divbr style='"clear: both'><;" /div>
 
== Notable Surgebinders ==
* [[Lopen]] (bonded to [[Rua]])
* [[Teft]] (bonded to [[Phendorana]])
* [[Ki]] (bonded to [[Winnow (Roshar)|Winnow]])
* [[Nale]] (bonded to an unknown [[highspren]], as well as through his [[Honorblade]])
* [[Szeth]] (bonded to an [[Szeth's highspren|unnamed highspren]])
{{for|Knights Radiant}}
Knights Radiant are an organization of Surgebinders with the Nahel bond who live by the [[Immortal Words]]. They are comprised of ten different orders, with each order consisting of Surgebinders who have access to the same two Surges.
 
== Trivia ==
* "Surgebinding" is used as a catch-all term for any manifestation of Investiture by many Rosharans, and not just the ten Surges.{{wob ref|14347}}
* The Surges as well as their names, far predates the Knights Radiant.{{book ref|sa4|i|1}} Surges existed on Ashyn prior to humans' arrival on Roshar, albeit without being restricted by Honor.{{book ref|sa4|111}} Back then the [[Nahel bond]] wasn't discovered and humans could Surgebind without Oaths.{{book ref|sa4|76}} [[Ishar]] was the first person that Odium tricked into experimenting with Surges.{{book ref|sa4|111}} After Ashyn was destroyed by over-powerful Surgebinding and humans fled to Roshar, Honor started to put certain restrictions on it, but with Honor Splintered, at least some of these restrictions are starting to wane.{{book ref|sa4|111}}
* Rayse stated that the Shards of other worlds will find out about the power of Surgebinding and a war will start when this happens.{{book ref|sa4|112}} This seems to imply that Surgebinding as a manifestation of Investiture is one of the most powerful throughout the cosmere, whether through its variety of abilities or its raw applicable power.
 
== Notes ==
;Footnotes
<references group="notefn"/>
;References
<references />
{{partial}}

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