Metalmind
| Metalmind | |
|---|---|
| World of Origin | Scadrial |
A metalmind is a piece of metal in which Feruchemists store attributes, such as strength or warmth, in order to store them up for later use.[1] The specific attribute stored depends on the type of metal, and exactly how much of that attribute can be stored is dependent on the volume and purity of the metal. A metalmind may be ingested or even embedded in the skin as well as the more traditional method of simply wearing the metal. Metalminds are typically jewellery for the convenience of being worn as well as being inconspicuous. However,any metal that is pure enough and without an existing charge from another feruchemist can be used as an improvised metalmind by a feruchemist who utilises that metal.[2]
When discussing specific kinds of metalminds they are generally referred to by the metal they are made of, for example a "coppermind" is a copper metalmind used to store memories.
The stored attribute of a metalmind can only be accessed by the feruchemist who stored it. Should another feruchemist attempt to use the metalmind they will be able to sense the stored power but not use it. Similarly, an Allomancer who burns the metalmind will be unable to use the power unless they are also a feruchemist and were the one to store the attribute. If this Allomancer is to burn their metalmind the stored attribute would be more powerful than were they to tap the metalmind.
Filling a metalmind is the work of weeks; a steel bracelet, for example, can take up to 30 days of active storage to fill up.[3] Even filling a ring can take weeks.
There seems to be no limit to how many different attributes can be stored simultaneously, although filling more than a few at once is rare. The only downside seems to be quality of life.[4]
Some feruchemists design their metalminds to have disconnecting gaps, so they'll bend as opposed to constrict in the change of size brought on by tapping pewter.[5] Some feruchemists have their metalminds connected to them with decorative piercings to prevent an allomancer manipulating them. [6]
Metal that has been used as a metalmind is more difficult to move with allomancy.[7]
A feruchemist cannnot, under most circumstances, use another feruchemist's metalminds, due to a strong Spiritual tie between the feruchemist and their metalmind. However, as discovered during the events of The Bands of Mourning, if an aluminum, or Trueself, ferring were to remove the Spiritual Identity of their metalmind, that would create an 'unkeyed' metalmind, available for access by anyone, such as the Lord Ruler's Bands of Mourning.
It was discovered in The Bands of Mourning that a feruchemist or a Soulbearer ferring could store Investiture in a metalmind lacking Identity, and give it to someone who is a Ferring for that metal, who would be able to access the stores inside. Using Feruchemical nicrosil, any and all Metalborn powers, Allomantic and Feruchemical, may be transferred to a person using the technique of "unkeyed metalminds".
List of Feruchemical metals
- Iron - Stores Physical Weight
- Steel - Stores Physical Speed
- Tin - Stores Senses
- Pewter - Stores Physical Strength
- Zinc - Stores Mental Speed
- Brass - Stores Warmth
- Copper - Stores Memories
- Bronze - Stores Wakefulness
- Cadmium - Stores Breath
- Bendalloy - Stores Energy
- Gold - Stores Health
- Electrum - Stores Determination
- Chromium - Stores Fortune
- Nicrosil - Stores Investiture
- Aluminum - Stores Identity
- Duralumin - Stores Connection
- Atium - Stores Youth