Editing Inkspren

{{lifeform
|image=Shallan's Sketchbook - Inkspren.jpg
|abilities=[[Nahel bond]], [[Elsecaller]] magic, {{tag+|Splinter}}s
|type={{cat tag|Spren}} 
|world=Roshar
|universe=[[Cosmere]]
|books= [[The Stormlight Archive]] 
}}
{{update|sa4}}
{{quote
| You think by facts. You change not on simple whims. You are as you '''are'''.
| [[Ivory]]{{book ref|sa3|47}}
}}
'''Inkspren''' are a race of sapient [[spren]] that dwell primarily in the [[Cognitive Realm]] of Roshar.{{book ref|sa3|37}} 

They tend to be attracted to those who are logical and willing to think through their decisions, as opposed to acting on instinct.{{wob ref|1603}} They can form [[Nahel bond]]s, giving people the powers of the [[Order of Elsecallers]].{{wob ref|2575}}

== Appearance ==
{{image|Inkspren by ms-marz.jpg|side=left|width=300px}}
=== Physical Realm ===
In the [[Physical Realm]], inkspren look exactly like their cognitive form, but are able to change their size.{{file ref|Shallan's Sketchbook - Inkspren.jpg|text=Shallan's Sketchbook - Inkspren}}

=== Cognitive Realm ===
In the [[Cognitive Realm]], Inkspren are humanoid, and their form does not change. They have angular features, more reminiscent of an unfinished statue than a real person.{{book ref|sa3|47}} They are entirely black, as if made of shadows, and have marble-like skin with a prismatic quality as though it has been coated in a thin layer of oil.{{book ref|sa2|prologue}} Their skin shimmers and gleams in a variety of colors depending on how the light hits it.{{book ref|sa3|102}}{{file ref|Shallan's Sketchbook - Inkspren.jpg|text=Shallan's Sketchbook - Inkspren}}

They wear stiff, fashionable clothing that matches their shade and texture; the clothing is part of their essence.{{book ref|sa2|3}}{{book ref|sa3|102}} They sometimes carry weapons like swords, which may or may not be sheathed, and sometimes hang in the air besides them.{{book ref|sa2|prologue}}{{file ref|Shallan's Sketchbook - Inkspren.jpg|text=Shallan's Sketchbook - Inkspren}} They have armor as part of their form, similar to carapace.

== Abilities ==
Unlike other sapient spren, inkspren cannot shape-shift or make themselves invisible to humans while in the Physical Realm; they are, however, capable of drastically changing their size. They can become as large as a person and as small as a speck of dust, letting them move about unseen if they so wish.{{file ref|Shallan's Sketchbook - Inkspren.jpg|text=Shallan's Sketchbook - Inkspren}}{{book ref|sa3|47}}{{book ref|sa3|53}} They are also capable of blending into shadows.{{book ref|sa2|prologue}}{{book ref|sa2|3}}

=== Nahel bond ===
Inkspren are one of the spren types capable of forming [[Nahel bond]]s with humans. The bond makes a person a [[Surgebinder]], and grants the powers of [[Transformation]] and [[Transportation]].{{file ref| TWoK Front Endsheet.jpg | Surgebinding Table}}

== Culture ==
{{image|Ivory by Jove.jpg|side=right|width=200px|[[Ivory]]}}
{{quote
| You think all humans are unstable.
| [[Jasnah]] to [[Ivory]]{{book ref|sa3|47}}
}}

Inkspren have a particular way of speaking, using "be" instead of phrases like "be here" or "exist" -- for example, "a spren is" rather than "there's a spren here", or "a traitor is" instead of "a traitor exists".{{book ref|sa3|116}}{{book ref|sa3|115}} They prefer simple, limited body language.{{book ref|sa3|47}}

They dislike humans for their irrational and changing nature, and admire those among them who are willing to be cautious, logical and unemotional. Their society as a whole is hostile to the idea of reforming the [[Knights Radiant]], believing that death is the only option for a bonded spren. It's implied they'd be willing to kill a bonded human to "rescue" their kinsmen from such a fate, even if the inkspren entered the bond willingly. There are very few of them interested in attempting the Nahel Bond again, with [[Ivory]] seemingly the only one to dare to do so.{{book ref|sa3|47}} It seems he is not entirely alone in his views, however, as several other inkspren accompany him to watch the beginnings of his bond with [[Jasnah]].{{book ref|sa2|prologue}}

It's uncertain if inkspren have their own nation in Shadesmar, although they are very common in cities like [[Celebrant]].{{book ref|sa3|102}}

== Notable Inkspren ==
* [[Ivory]] (bonded to [[Jasnah]])
* [[Blended]]

== Notes ==
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[[es:tintaspren]]