Difference between revisions of "Order of Bondsmiths"

The Bondsmiths are [[Surgebinder]]s who use the [[Surge]]s of [[Tension]] and [[Adhesion]],{{wob ref|14102}} and they are associated with the heliodor [[polestone]].{{book ref|sa2|part=ars}} They form a [[Nahel bond]] with one of three unique [[spren]]: the [[Stormfather]],{{book ref|sa2|89}} the [[Nightwatcher]],{{book ref|sa3|64}} or the [[Sibling]].{{book ref|sa4|3}} The exact nature of the [[Nahel bond]] that Bondsmiths share with their specific spren is unclear; it may or may not be similar to that of the other orders of the Knights Radiant. Historically one of the most exalted orders of Radiants,{{wob ref|14102}} the Bondsmiths are Surgebinders of extraordinary power{{book ref|sa3|64}} that were refounded following the [[Recreance]] by Dalinar Kholin.{{book ref|sa2|89}}

While each order of Radiants contains a variety of personalities within it, those who join the Bondsmiths generally subscribe to a philosophy of peace and unity.{{wob ref|13781}} They seek unity at all scales, from uniting the highprinces in a single kingdom in one purpose,{{book ref|sa1|69}} to uniting the kingdoms of the world in the face of the [[True Desolation]].{{book ref|sa3|1}} This philosophy is reflected in their Ideals, which are generally themed around unity.{{wob ref|13781}} Bringing people together is their highest calling and their most important duty as Radiants.{{wob ref|16470}} Among the other orders, the role of the Bondsmiths serve as the heart and soul of the Radiants and makes them some of the most respected and celebrated of the Knights, making their protection and safety a paramount concern.

The main focus of this Ideal is becoming a better person over time.{{wob ref|13083}} There may be other interpretationinterpretations of this Ideal that have yet to be explored.

The Bondsmiths have access to '''Tension''', the Surge of Soft Axial Interconnection, and '''Adhesion''', the Surge of Pressure and Vacuum.{{book ref|sa2|part=ars}} While this is simply stated, the powers of the Bondsmiths are many and varied and may not be easily definable as one Surge or another. Although they are capable of performing the same mundane abilities they share with their adjacent orders, the powers of the Bondsmiths are generally used in very different ways.{{book ref|sa3|64}} Their ability to manipulate Connection{{book ref|sa3|64}} gives them great influence over the nature of oaths, bonds, and power.{{wob ref|13781}} Their access to raw levels of Investiture is the greatest among the orders of Radiants.{{wob ref|11299}} Like most Knights Radiant, the Bondsmiths have squires.{{wob ref|13781}}{{wob ref|16470}}

Using the power often referred to as a Full Lashing, a Bondsmith can will a pool{{book ref|sa1|prologue}} or a spray of [[Light]] onto an object or surface.{{book ref|sa2|41}} All other objects that subsequently touch this area will be bonded to the object, sticking them there together so strongly that most materials would fail themselves before the the Lashing would fail.{{book ref|sa1|part=ars}} The bond ends when the Light runs out.{{book ref|sa1|prologue}} This Surge has some limited applications in combat, such as sticking an enemy's boots to the ground to throw them off balance and hinder their movement or sticking their spear to a shield, disarming them.{{book ref|sa2|12}} The Radiant may use this Lashing to stick objects to others, it is unable to adhere something to the Radiant making use of the Lashing though.{{book ref|sa4|55}} This specific power is rarely employed by Bondsmiths.

Once the restrictions placed on Surgebinding by Honor were lifted following the Shard's death, Bondsmiths are free to manipulate Connection much more directly than they have been able to previously.{{book ref|sa4|66}} A knowledgeable Bondsmith may be able to use these Connections offensively, Connecting enemy Surgebinders to Roshar so that the Stormlight believes the planet to be a part of the bodies and is sucked into the ground.{{book ref|sa4|111}} It is uncertain if this power was accessible before Honor's death. This power leaves the recipient feeling drained afterward, with even stormlight healing unable to lift the headaces that follow. Another power that only became available to the Bondsmiths in Honor's final days is the ability to directly see Connections that tie all people to one another and reality.{{book ref|sa4|66}} When touching another's forehead, their Connections become faintly visible as dozens of minute tiny white lines stretching off into the distance. While a Bondsmith can visualize these Connections, they are not able to be altered in any useful way. A Bondsmith may see more specialized Connections as well, such as the Connections between the Heralds that make up the Oathpact.{{book ref|sa4|47}} Under some circumstances a Bondsmith can see flashes of a Herald's past by touching them. A knowledgeable Bondsmith may directly manipulate more specialized Connections to steal something like a Nahel bond, the mantle of a champion, strength, [[Breath]]s, the ability to use [[Allomancy]], etc.{{wob ref|15348}} These were previously forbidden by Honor.{{book ref|sa4|111}}{{wob ref|15348}} With enough Investiture a Bondsmith could attach a Shard to something.{{wob ref|1514815173}}

The order of Radiants known as the Bondsmiths was founded by the Herald [[Ishar]] during the cycle of [[Desolation]]s, who also served as the order's patron.{{book ref|sa3|64}} The Bondsmiths along with the other orders helped in the fight each Desolation against the [[Voidbringer]]s. As becoming a Bondsmith is contingent on convincing one of only three unique spren to bond with a person,{{wob ref|13781}}{{wob ref|16470}} the Bondsmiths commonly had no more than three full members, making them the smallest of the orders.{{epigraph ref|sa2|44}} Additionally, this number varied over the centuries and there have been times where there was only one Bondsmith.{{epigraph ref|sa3|79}} That is not to say that there were no others who considered themselves to be Bondsmiths.{{wob ref|13781}} Bondsmiths could have squires themselves, although this may not have been the norm. Additionally, the Bondsmiths were surrounded by attendants and protectors, who were generally considered to be members of the order. Some even swore Bondsmith oaths as well, despite the fact that this would grant them no powers. Some considered this to be the purest form of Radiance, for the oaths were sworn for the love of the oaths themselves.{{wob ref|16470}} The Bondsmith's focus was generally on unity and peacemaking, presumably during and between Desolations.{{wob ref|13781}} Instead of using their powers in an active combat role,{{book ref|sa3|64}} they helped resolve disputes between nations and set up functioning governments in regions where none existed.{{wob ref|13781}}{{wob ref|16470}} Bondsmiths also helped keep the peace between the various orders of Radiants, who often clashed and squabbled with one another.{{epigraph ref|sa3|67}}