Editing Initiation

{{Magic
|related=[[Investiture]], [[Shard]]s
|universe=[[Cosmere]]
}}

'''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 [[spiritweb]] 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}}

== Scadrial ==
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.

[[Hemalurgy]] grants powers which have first been stolen from another person via a metal spike.{{epigraph ref|mb3|33}}{{epigraph ref|mb3|36}}{{epigraph ref|mb3|38}}

== Roshar ==
[[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}}

== Nalthis ==
The [[Returned]] are individually chosen by [[Endowment]]; after a [[Nalthian]] dies, she may choose to grant them a [[Divine Breath]], bringing them back as a Returned. She is looking for "certain things" when choosing who should Return, but can be erratic in her decisions.{{wob ref|3443}}{{wob ref|9589}}

[[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}}

== Sel ==
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}}

In order for a person to become a [[Forger]] a few things have to occur. One generally has to be born in [[MaiPon]];{{wob ref|8516}} ancestry there does not seem to be required,{{wob ref|14908}} though it is possible that some combination of being of MaiPon descent or being born nearby and living in MaiPon at the time one gains the ability may also fill this prerequisite. However, not everyone who meets the geographical requirements can use the magic system,{{wob ref|6563}} despite what some believe.{{tes ref|5}}

Little is known about [[Dakhor]], but it may only be available to those from [[Fjordell]], and training in [[Dakhor Monastery]] somehow enables monks to access it.{{wob ref|14908}}

And even less is known about [[ChayShan]] and [[Bloodsealing]] with the only known perquisite is that the person must be [[JinDo]] or [[Dzhamarian]].{{wob ref|8617}}{{wob ref|14908}}

== Taldain ==
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}}

It is unknown how someone gains [[starmarks]], but only a few are chosen to access the power.{{book ref|ws|part=ars}}

== Vax ==
Initiation on [[Vax]] works differently than it does on Sel, Scadrial, Nalthis, or Taldain.{{book ref|elantris|part=ars}}

== Trivia ==
* An out-of-universe reason that the magic systems often target broken people is that "characters in pain are the most interesting to write about".{{wob ref|4597}}

== Notes ==
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[[category: Magic systems]]
[[es:Iniciación]]