Difference between revisions of "Warbreaker"

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=== Magic System ===
{{for|BioChromatic Breath}}
The system of magic on Nalthis is reliant on the presence of color and verbal Commands given by the magic user. Magic users are known as Awakeners and their power comes from the number of BioChromatic [[Breath]]s they have stored. A Breath can be thought of as a soul, or as the manifestation of the 'sixth sense'. Once robbed of the Breath, a person is called a [[Drab]]. Drabs find it difficult to perceive color and do not experience the 'sixth sense' or the odd sensation resulting from someone watching one unobserved. The more Breaths a person obtains, the more dramatic their abilities become. There are ten levels or 'Heightenings' of this magic.▼
 
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Any amount of Breath allows [[Awakening]]: the ability to, through specific Commands, call inanimate objects to life by investing Breath in them and draining the color from another object (Awakeners usually carry a few pieces of coloured cloth, such as handkerchiefs, for this purpose). Commands must be done in the Awakener's native language, and be spoken clearly without mumbling, otherwise it will not work. The closer the object's resemblance to a human (anthropomorphic shape), the easier it is to Awaken. This is due to the fact that [[Breath]] is akin to a human 'soul,' so even if an object does not physically look anything like a human, it will try to look like one (usually this manifests in Awakened objects appearing to have and use muscles, even though they don't actually need them). Objects of a greater size require more Breath, as do objects directed to carry out complicated Commands. More complicated Commands also need to be properly visualized, although this is more a skill thing and does not require a certain amount of Breath. Breath can be regained from objects by the person who invested them, with the Command "Your Breath to mine." Breath can also be given from one person to another, with the Command "My Breath to yours; my life become yours." This transfers a person's entire wealth of Breath from that person to the other, but other than that is it just like all other Awakenings.
 
There are several manifestations of BioChromatic magic:
The following is a list--pulled mostly from the [[Ars Arcanum]] of Warbreaker--of the Heightenings, the approximate number of Breaths required to attain them, and known abilities they grant:
*'''[[Heightening]]''': A person that holds multiple breaths gains certain innate abilities, such as perfect pitch, the ability to sense life, and a resistance to disease. The various amounts of Breath required to obtain these abilities are referred to as Heightenings.
*'''[[Awakening]]''': The use of Breaths to bring inanimate objects to life, draining color from nearby objects. The actions of the Awakened object are dependent on the [[Command]] used at the time of Awakening. Breaths used to Awaken an object can usually be recovered by the Awakener, returning the object to normal.
*'''[[Lifeless]]''': Corpses (usually human) that have been Awakened. A technique discovered during the [[Manywar]] allowed for the creation of Lifeless with only a single Breath. Since then, Lifeless have been used extensively as laborers and soldiers.
*'''[[Returned]]''': Individuals that return to life after dying, but without any memories of their previous life. Returned have a single [[Deific Breath]], which grants them all the innate powers of the Fifth Heightening, as well as other unique powers such as the ability to change their form. A Returned must consume one of their held breaths every week. If they are forced to consume their Deific Breath, they will die. In [[Hallandren]], Returned are worshipped as gods.
 
It is important to note that all use or transfer of Breath in order to Awaken is considered heresy in [[Idris]].▼
*First - 50 Breaths - Aura Recognition (The ability to determine how many Breaths another person has)
*Second - 200 Breaths - Perfect Pitch (The ability to determine musical notes)
*Third - 600 Breaths - Perfect Color Recognition (Similar to Perfect Pitch, but with the ability to determine precise hues and harmonies of colors)
*Fourth - 1,000 Breaths - Perfect Life Sense
*Fifth - 2,000 Breaths - Agelessness (Also, immunity to some toxins and most physical ailments, although death is still possible from outside influences)
*Sixth - 3,500 Breaths - Instinctive Awakening (Ability to use basic Awakening Commands without training or practice. Difficult Commands become easier to practice and discover)
*Seventh - 5,000 Breaths - Breath Recognition (Similar to Aura recognition, but for objects that have been invested with Breath)
*Eighth - 10,000 Breaths - Command Breaking (Ability to override Commands of another Awakener's Awakened object)
*Ninth - 20,000 Breaths - Greater Awakening (Ability to Awaken stone and steel, though it takes large amounts of Breath and specialized Commands)
*Tenth - 50,000 Breaths - Audible Command (Ability to Awaken objects the Awakener is not physically touching) , Color Distortion (Creates colors from a white object by bending the light around it), Perfect Invocation (Awakener is able to draw more color when Awakening leaving objects white rather than grey)
 
Specialized forms of this magic that are pertinent to Warbreaker include the [[Lifeless]] and the [[Returned]]. The Lifeless are reanimated human bodies that require only one Breath to Awaken. They are sustained with a specialized liquid called ichor-alcohol. Lifeless feel little or no pain and are able to follow a series of complex Commands given after Awakening.
 
The Returned are the gods of the Hallandren religion. They are people who are said to have died in such an exemplary manner as to be given the chance to return to this world from the afterlife. They lose their memories during the return trip but are guided by their own inherent prophetic powers. The Returned must consume one Breath every week or they die. They each contain a single powerful Breath that alone allows them to reach Fifth Heightening; granting them, among other things, agelessness. The Returned also may spend this one Breath once in their lives to perform a miracle and ending their own lives. These Breaths are often referred to as "Deific Breaths"
 
The God King is believed to be an especially powerful Returned, who consumes many breaths a week. It is considered a privilege by the citizens of Hallandren to donate their Breath to one of the Returned, even though it leaves them as a Drab.
 
▲It is important to note that all use of Breath in order to Awaken is considered heresy in Idris.
 
== Development ==
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