Difference between revisions of "Initiation"

'''Initiation''' is the process by which a person is chosen to gain the ability to access a manifestation of [[Investiture]] (and/or the process of actually gaining such access).{{book ref|elantris|part=ars}} [[Vessel]]s can choose to alter how Initiation for their Shard's magic works to some extent, subject to some limitations determined by the underlying mechanics.{{wob ref|2716}} The method of Initiation varies between different manifestations, but there are [[cosmere]]-wide principles underlying the different methods: in order for a person to be Initiated, it is generally necessary for their soul to have some degree of "damage", creating cracks in their [[Spiritwebspiritweb]] that Investiture can rush into and fill, thereby linking them to the magic.{{wob ref|4597}} Some magic systems make it much easier than others to achieve this.{{wob ref|2716}}

The method of Initiation for [[Allomancy]] is known as [[Snapping]].{{book ref|mb1|17}} A [[Scadrian]]'s potential for Allomancy is set at birth according to their [[Physical Realm|Physical]], [[Cognitive Realm|Cognitive]], and [[Spiritual Realm|Spiritual]] aspects;{{wob ref|1351}}; sufficient trauma during life (or even during birth itself){{book ref|mb3|epilogue}}) can then provide the necessary damage to the soul to release this latent potential. A large part of the potential is determined genetically, and Allomancy is known in-universe to run through family lines.{{epigraph ref|mb3|81}}{{book ref|elantris|part=ars}}

After [[Sazed]] [[Catacendre|Ascends]], creating the new Shard [[Harmony]], he becomes bothered by how Snapping works and alters it somehow,{{wob ref|4242}}, making it much easier to reach the necessary threshold of Spiritual damage; however, he is unable to remove the need for the process entirely.{{wob ref|1076}}

Initiation for [[Feruchemy]] also has a genetic component;{{epigraph ref|mb3|68}}; whether it has any further requirements analogous to Snapping is unknown.

[[Surgebinding]] on [[Roshar]] differs from Snapping in that the determination of who is granted access is made on a case-by-case basis by conscious entities (the [[spren]] of the [[Nahel bond]]) depending on the behavior of the person. They are looking for people with broken spirits, as with Snapping,{{wob ref|5182}}, but each kind of spren also applies to its own specific requirements. Also, perhaps uniquely among magic users, Surgebinders gain access to additional power by swearing [[Immortal Words|oaths]],{{book ref|sa1|67}}{{book ref|sa2|84}}, and can lose power or break the bond entirely by violating their oaths or acting contrary to their spirit.{{book ref|sa2|18}}{{book ref|sa2|74}}{{book ref|sa4|115}}

[[Awakening]] has the easiest prerequisites of all: anyone who is given [[BioChromatic Breath]] can use it for Awakening (even, hypothetically, real-world humans),{{wob ref|1473}}, and Endowment provides each Nalthian with a Breath automatically.{{book ref|wb|prologue}}

The moment of a [[Selish]] person turning into an [[Elantrian]] and gaining access to the [[AonDor]] is called the [[Shaod]]. It is distinctive in that it only affects those with sufficient [[Connection]] to certain geographical areas on [[Sel]], primarily [[Arelon]],{{book ref|elantris|1}}{{wob ref|411}}, which happens because the Investiture of [[Devotion]] and [[Dominion]] is trapped in the Cognitive Realm rather than the [[Spiritual Realm]].{{wob ref|1473}} [[Khriss]] considers it one of the more mysterious forms of Initiation, as she is unable to find out anything about how Elantrians are chosen beyond the geographical restriction; she guesses that there may simply be an element of randomness involved.{{book ref|elantris|part=ars}}

The precise method of Initiation for [[sand mastery]] on [[Taldain]] is unknown, but it differs from that of AonDor.{{book ref|elantris|part=ars}} Sand mastery must be taught and does not appear spontaneously.{{book ref|ws|part=ars}}