Difference between revisions of "Voidbinding"

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{{magic system
|image=TWoK_Rear_Endsheet.jpg
|prereq=''Unknown''
|system=Voidbinding
|prereqtype=''unknownUnknown''
|type=''unknown''
|world=Roshar
|related=[[Odium]]{{wob ref|1640}}
|world=Roshar
|universe=[[Cosmere]]
|books=[[The Stormlight Archive]]
}}
}}{{spoilers|book=sa3}}{{theory}}
{{update|sa4}}
'''Voidbinding''' is a prime manifestation of [[Investiture]] on [[Roshar]]. The Voidbinder can manipulate ten fundamental forces known as [[Surge]]s,{{wob ref|7029}} with each Voidbinder having access to one of the Surges. There are ten levels of Voidbinding, like there are ten levels of [[Surgebinding]]. However, the writer of that Ars Arcanum states that the ten levels of Voidbinding may be different.{{book ref|sa1|part=ars}}
{{theory}}
'''Voidbinding''' is a manifestation of [[Investiture]] on [[Roshar]] of which little is known. It is connected to [[Odium]] and his [[Unmade]],{{wob ref|11353}} and predicting the future is said to be of it.{{book ref|twok|18}} [[Khriss]]'s writings in the [[Ars Arcanum]] states that there are ten levels of Voidbinding and that it is cousin to the [[Old Magic]].{{book ref|sa4|part=ars}}
 
== Prerequisites ==
Not much is known about how one becomes a Voidbinder under normal circumstances. It has been said that Voidbinding usually, though not always, originates with the Unmade.{{wob ref|11353}} Parts of Voidbinding have been looked into in the past, but it likely has not been fully explored.{{wob ref|12836}}
In order to become a Voidbinder, a [[singer]], typically [[Fused]], has to bond with a [[Voidspren]].{{book ref|sa2|81}} This is done when a signer is reborn and possess a living singer during the [[Singers#Forms|Form]] bonding in the [[Everstorm]]. Typically, the voidspren resides in the singer's [[gemheart]]. When bonding, the voidspren kills the previous mindset of the body and controls it themselves.{{book ref|sa3|I-6}} Once bonded, the voidspren offer Surges. Voidbinding typically originates with the [[Unmade]].{{wob ref|1640}}
 
A possible example of a method of becoming a Voidbinder is by bonding with a [[Spren#Corrupted Spren|corrupted]] [[Nahel bond|Nahel spren]]. [[Renarin Kholin]]'s ability to see the future seems to be connected to Voidbinding,{{wob ref|8461}}{{wob ref|9541}} and it is likely he gained it through his bond to the corrupted spren [[Glys]].{{book ref|sa3|116}} How much Renarin's abilities relate to Voidbinding is currently unclear.
=== Voidlight ===
Voidbinding requires constant [[Voidlight]] as a fuel source. Singers don't appear to acquire it from physical reservoirs, like gemstones, and it is instead supplied directly to them. Little is known about the generation and storage of Voidlight. [[Ba-Ado-Mishram]] is said to have provided access to Voidlight and the Forms of Power after the [[Last Desolation]].{{book ref|sa3|prologue}} The Everstorm may deliver Voidlight to Voidbinders but it does not fill gems like [[Stormlight]] does. The Fused do not have unlimited access to Voidlight.{{wob ref|11865}}
 
It is "theoretically possible" for a [[fabrial]] to imitate at least some parts of Voidbinding.{{wob ref|7029}}
Counteracting this ease of access, however, is Voidlight's inability to heal the wounds of those Invested with it.{{book ref|sa3|43}} This is slightly confusing, however, since the Illumination Fused who first tried to steal the perfect ruby in [[Thaylen City]] obviously did heal from wounds until his Voidlight was consumed by a [[larkin]].{{book ref|sa3|i|13}} Possibly, like people with [[Honorblade]]s, they can heal from mundane wounds, but not shardwounds. How [[Moash]] was then able to kill [[Leshwi]] with a spear and knife is unclear. Similar to how Stormlight gives the user a sense of immediate urgency and movement, holding Voidlight will have an emotional impact, though different from Stormlight's.{{wob ref|11750}}
 
==Surges Mythology ==
One of the most common powers associated with Voidbinding is prophecy and foresight.{{book ref|twok|18}}{{wob ref|8904}} According to the [[ardent]]s, even the [[Herald]]s denounced its use. Whether or not this is true or a myth thatis hasyet croppedto upbe overseen, thealthough millenia[[Jasnah]] isbelieves yetthis to be seentrue. Regardless, in [[Vorin]] nations, ''any'' type of future prediction wasis fearedconsidered andto avoided because of thisbe belieftaboo.{{book ref|twok|i|6}} The ardents even worried that [[Dalinar]]'s [[Dalinar's visions| visions]] were connected to Voidbinding, although since the visions come from [[Honor]], their beliefthat was inaccuratean unfounded concern.{{book ref|twok|75}}
The Fused use powers in ways similar to the [[Knights Radiant]], but with a few notable differences. Like all Surgebinders, the Fused gain their abilities through manipulation of [[Roshar]]'s fundamental forces, the Surges, though unlike them, each one of the Fused's nine forms only grants access to a single Surge. It is unknown whether a specific Fused can change forms (and thus, powers) during their current incarnation, nor is it clear whether they can change forms between rebirths, when they posses a new singer body. The only Fused whose death and rebirth has been shown so far, Leshwi, has retained her control over the Surge of Gravitation.
 
The Vorin reluctance to guess the future led to the rise of games like [[breakneck]], that don't require directly guessing the future.{{book ref|twok|i|6}} SomeMany areVorins evenare distrustful of [[stormwarden]]s as well, since they predict when [[highstorm]]s are going to occur.{{book ref|twok|60}}
=== Gravitation ===
Fused who can manipulate the Surge of Gravitation do so very similarly to how the [[Order of Windrunners|Windrunners]] makes use of the Basic Lashing. Fused of this form are often seen manipulating the gravitation vector of both themselves and other bodies and objects, resulting in abilities such as flight, reduced weight, and sending their enemies flying off into the air.{{book ref|sa3|54}}{{book ref|sa3|121}} Different from a Surgebinder, a Voidbinder's Lashing is less powerful in the short term and takes more time to gain speed and change directions.{{book ref|sa3|116}}
 
=== IlluminationAbilities ===
Very little is known about the abilities of Voidbinding. While Khriss says that there are ten levels to Voidbinding and refers to "Voidbindings",{{book ref|sa1|part=ars}} it is unknown what this means.
Fused who interact with the Surge of Illumination appear to mimic the [[Order of Lightweavers|Lightweavers]]' ability to change their own appearance by creating illusions. The most notable example of this is seen during the attempt to steal the King's Drop from the [[Thaylen Gemstone Reserve]].{{book ref|sa3|I-13}}
 
[[Renarin Kholin|Renarin]]'s ability to see the future is related to the [[:File:TWoK Rear Endsheet.jpg|Voidbinding chart]],{{wob ref|8461}} though the precise relationship between his powers and Voidbinding remains unclear.{{wob ref|9541}}
=== Abrasion ===
Fused who control the Surge of Abrasion have the ability to change the force of friction between objects and bodies, resulting in effects not dissimilar to the skate-like gliding the [[Order of Edgedancers|Edgedancers]] can do.
 
While details on the ability are sparse, Renarin's future sight is shown to be imperfect, as the events he foresaw during the [[Battle of Thaylen Field]] did not come to pass.{{book ref|oathbringer|118}} It seems to also in some way be fueled by [[Stormlight]].{{wob ref|8461}}
=== Foresight ===
One of the most common powers associated with Voidbinding is prophecy and foresight.{{book ref|twok|18}}{{wob ref|8904}} According to the [[ardent]]s even the [[Herald]]s denounced its use. Whether or not this is true or a myth that has cropped up over the millenia is yet to be seen. Regardless, in [[Vorin]] nations any type of future prediction was feared and avoided because of this belief.{{book ref|twok|i|6}} The ardents even worried that [[Dalinar]]'s [[Dalinar's visions| visions]] were connected to Voidbinding, although since the visions come from [[Honor]], their belief was inaccurate.{{book ref|twok|75}}
 
=== OtherVoidish Surges ===
There are glyphs on the Voidbinding chart that share position with and are variations of the Surge glyphs on the [[Surgebinding]] chart. Instead of the axial symmetry of the Surge glyphs, the glyphs on the Voidbinding chart exhibit rotational symmetry.{{file ref|TWoK Front Endsheet.jpg|Surgebinding Chart}}{{file ref|TWoK Rear Endsheet.jpg|Voidbinding Chart}} It may be that these glyphs represent either alternatives to, or variant expressions of, the Surges in Surgebinding.
There is at least one additional ability which has yet to be confirmed to any one Surge. A Fused in the siege around [[Kholinar]] was able to grow his carapace into a saw-blade at the lumberyard, while another at the Battle of Thaylen City grew weapons and armor. It is believed that this power is either Progression or Cohesion.
 
As Renarin Kholin is apparently unable to use the Surge of [[Illumination]] in the manner normal [[Order of Truthwatchers|Truthwatchers]] do,{{book ref|sa4|6}} it is possible that his visions of the future come from this hypothetical "Voidish" expression of the Surge of Illumination.
Some speculate the [[Black sphere|sphere]] [[Szeth]] takes from [[Gavilar]] in the prologue is related to Voidbinding.
 
=== CultureRegals ===
[[Regal#Nightform|Nightform]], one of the [[Regal]] forms of power, was said to allow for foreseeing the future.{{epigraph ref|sa2|23}}{{epigraph ref|sa2|34}} This suggests a possible relation to Voidbinding, and may have implications about the other forms of power.
The Vorin reluctance to guess the future led to the rise of games like breakneck, that don't require directly guessing the future.{{book ref|twok|i|6}} Some are even distrustful of [[stormwarden]]s as well, since they predict when [[highstorm]]s are going to occur.{{book ref|twok|60}}
 
== Known and Likely Voidbinders ==
{{for|:Category: Voidbinders}}
*[[Renarin Kholin]] (bonded to [[Glys]])
{{columns|
*[[Rlain]] (bonded to [[Tumi]])
* [[Leshwi]]
* [[Hnanan]]
* [[Vatwha]]
* [[Abaray]]
* [[Aharat]]
* [[Hariel]]
}}
 
== Notes ==
{{partial}}
{{Stormlight}}
[[category: magic systems]]
[[category: Voidbinding| ]]
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