Stargazer

 

== Properties and Forces ==

=== Realms ===

{{for|Realmatic Theory}}

The [[Spiritual Realm]] exists beyond space and time.{{wob ref|6129}} As such, it is not truly a place, but rather is the Realm of concepts like [[Intention|Intent]], [[Identity]], [[Connection]], and [[Fortune]].{{wob ref|77}}{{tes ref|12}}{{wob ref|10298}} Everything exists in the Spiritual Realm in its ideal form.{{tes ref|12}}{{book ref|sa3|103}}

 

'''Intent''' is the Spiritual property that expresses a person's considered will or purpose. Intent cannot be formed accidentally; if Intent is required to do something, then the person attempting to do it must not only do it, but ''mean'' to do it.{{book ref|sa3|57}}{{epigraph ref|sa4|72}} Many Invested Arts require their user to act with Intent in order to properly use their magic.{{book ref|elantris|part=ars}}{{book ref|sa3.5|19}} Invested entities, like [[spren]], [[Cognitive Shadow]]s, and even [[Shard]]s have a fundamental Intent that describes the purpose of the Investiture that constitutes their essence. Indeed, the longer they exist, the more they will become bound by their Intent, unable to act against it.{{book ref|sa4|15}}{{epigraph ref|sa4|40}}{{epigraph ref|sa4|42}} An extreme example of this is [[Ati]], the original Vessel of the Shard [[Ruin]], who was initially a "kind and generous" man,{{epigraph ref|sa1|18}} but became so consumed by his Shard's Intent that he sought the complete destruction of [[Scadrial]] and even viewed it as necessary.{{book ref|mb3|57}}

 

Along with Intent, there is also the associated concept of '''Command'''. [[Command]]s are more limited than Intent, but they help to focus the Intent so that Investiture can respond appropriately.{{wob ref|14636}} While most Commands are related to a certain Invested Art or some other specific method of manipulating Investiture, there are also the [[Dawnshard]]s, four fundamental Commands that were involved in both the creation of the cosmere and the [[Shattering]] of [[Adonalsium]].{{book ref|sa3.5|19}}

 

 

=== Investiture ===

{{quote

|[I]t seemed you were Soulcasting to give your illusions weight. But then, concentrated Stormlight has a faint mass to it.

|This is a powerful magic, and one where humans themselves have often had access to grand bursts of strength. I would challenge one to identify another planet, save only Roshar, where one can find such strength of Investiture so commonly in the hands of mortals.

|[[Khriss]] on [[Allomancy]] and [[Feruchemy]]{{au ref|Scadrial}}

}}

Investiture can be divided into two categories: '''kinetic Investiture''' and '''static''' or '''innate Investiture'''.{{book ref|sa4|89}}{{wob ref|5715}} Kinetic Investiture refers to Investiture actively doing something. When Investiture is kinetic, it can often be detected by various methods, such as [[Allomancy|Allomantic]] [[bronze]] or [[sand (Taldain)|sand from the Dayside of Taldain]].{{wob ref|5715}}{{wob ref|9521}} Static or innate Investiture refers to all Investiture not actively doing something, from the piece of [[Preservation]] in all [[Scadrial|Scadrians]] to [[Feruchemy|Feruchemical]] charge in a metalmind.{{wob ref|5715}}{{wob ref|1072}}{{wob ref|6927}} At least some forms of static Investiture, including [[Lights]] not actively powering anything, can also be detected by [[Taldain]]'s sand, though they affect the sand much more slowly than kinetic Investiture does.{{book ref|sa4|89}}

{{image|I am Unity.jpg|[[Dalinar Kholin]] summoning [[Honor's Perpendicularity]]|side=left|width=200px}}

{{quote

}}

When a sufficient amount of Investiture coalesces in one place in the Physical and Cognitive Realms, it creates a junction between all three Realms known as a [[perpendicularity]]. Most stable perpendicularities form from the presence of a [[Shard]] on a planet and the massive amount of Investiture they bring with them.{{au ref|Drominad}}{{wob ref|9665}} Sentient beings can use perpendicularities to travel between the Physical and Cognitive Realms, which in turn facilitates easier travel on and off a planet for those with the knowledge to use them.{{au ref|Drominad}}

Despite these restrictions, however, the Shards are generally capable of both subtle and incredible changes. Among other things, they can change the orbit of entire planets, make changes to individuals and entire species on a genetic level, and alter some of the mechanics of an Invested Art resulting from their presence on a planet.{{book ref|mb3|82}}{{wob ref|5971}} Since Shards exist primarily in the Spiritual Realm, they also have some ability to look into the future, though not all Shards are equally good at this and it fragments into more and more possibilities the further they look.{{wob ref|8147}}{{book ref|sa3|75}}

 

Shards can also create '''avatars''', beings with access to a portion of the Shard's power who can act autonomously from their Shard, but remain part of the Shard and ultimately cannot act against the Shard's instructions. Avatars stand in contrast to [[Splinter]]s, who are pieces of a Shard's power that have or could develop free will.{{wob ref|14744}} Avatars often seem to be used when a Shard wants to influence events on a planet other than the one they are primarily Invested in; for example, [[Autonomy]], who is Invested in [[Taldain]],{{au ref|Taldain}} has avatars on [[First of the Sun]] and [[Obrodai]].{{wob ref|13220}}{{epigraph ref|sa3|50}}