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{{lifeform
|image=PatternShallan's bySketchbook Joshua- CarrencaCryptics.jpg
|abilities=[[Nahel bond]], [[Order of Lightweavers|Lightweaver]] magic, {{tag+|Splinter}}s
|type={{cat tag|Spren}}
|world=Roshar
|universe=[[Cosmere]]
|books=[[The Stormlight Archive]], [[Yumi and the Nightmare Painter]]
}}
}}{{update|book=sa3sa4|yumi}}
{{quote
| One does not war with Cryptics, as one does honorspren. Cryptics have but one city, and do not wish to rule more. Only to listen.
| [[Ivory]]{{book ref|sa3|47}}
}}
'''Cryptics''' are a race of sapient [[spren]] that dwell primarily in the [[Cognitive Realm]] of [[Roshar]]. They are sometimes referred to as '''liespren'''.{{book ref|sa2|3}}
 
Cryptics are the personification of the underlying mathematical truths that govern Roshar and the Cosmerecosmere.{{book ref|sa3|97}} They are also one of the spren capable of forming [[Nahel Bondbond]], granting the abilities of the [[Order of Lightweavers]].{{book ref|sa2|1}}
 
== Appearance ==
=== Physical Realm ===
In the [[Physical Realm]], Cryptics manifest as complex, symmetrical geometric blackfractal patterns that are constantly shifting, slightly raised off a surface or object.{{book ref|sa2|3}} On occasion, they can also manifest as a floating three-dimensional mass of twisting lines.{{book ref|sa2|42}} Their voice has a buzzing quality, and they vibrate when they speak.{{book ref|sa2|6}} They also tend to hum a lot.{{book ref|sa2|6}}
 
When their cognitive bodies are forced into the Physical Realm and they die, Cryptics appear as elongated bodies with a black shell, with their heads looking like a soggy mess of black flesh, similar to intestines.{{book ref|sa4|111}} However, there is a way to make them take on a physical form in the Physical Realm, by using a complex Lightweaving wireframe attached to their Cognitive aspect as they take form in the Physical Realm.{{book ref|yumi|5}} This allows them to essentially take on any form the Lightweaver desires, though it is essentially only an imitative shell.{{book ref|yumi|17}}
In [[Shadesmar]], Cryptics take the form of tall, willowy figures in too-stiff robes that hang off them as if made from glass rather than fabric. Above their collars, where a human's head and face would be, they have a floating symbol full of impossible angles and geometries.{{book ref|sa1|29}} Different individuals have slightly different head patterns.{{book ref|sa3|102}}
 
=== Cognitive Realm ===
In the [[Cognitive Realm]], Cryptics take the form of tall, willowy figures in too-stiff robes that hang off them as if made from glass rather than fabric.{{file ref|Shallan's Sketchbook - Cryptics.jpg|text=Shallan's Sketchbook - Cryptics}} Above their collars, where a human's head and face would be, they have a floating symbol full of impossible angles and geometries.{{book ref|sa1|29}} Different individuals have slightly different head patterns.{{book ref|sa3|102}} These patterns are constantly changing at varying speeds, seemingly never repeating, though individual patterns will always maintain the same general "feel".{{book ref|sa4|22}} The way a pattern changes reflects the Cryptic's mood, such as speeding up for confusion,{{book ref|sa4|26}} and slowing down for shame.{{book ref|sa4|93}} Despite not having any apparent means to do so, they are capable of hearing, seeing and speaking as well as any other spren.{{book ref|sa3|97}}{{book ref|sa4|75}} Their hands appear boney and as if chiseled from black obsidian or white marble.{{file ref|Shallan's Sketchbook - Cryptics.jpg|text=Shallan's Sketchbook - Cryptics}}
 
Trying to analyze their patterns is known to drive people to insanity due to the way they warp space and time around themselves.{{book ref|yumi|5}}
 
== Abilities ==▼
{{image|Pattern by Caio Santos.jpg|A Cryptic in [[Shadesmar]]|side=right|width=250px}}
 
Cryptics are also able to let the Lightweaver peer into the [[Cognitive Realm]]. For inexperienced Lightweavers, they act as intermediaries in [[Soulcasting]], relaying the words of souls to the Lightweaver.{{book ref|sa2|7}} In fact, Cryptics have prodigious translation abilities, and seem capable of understanding any language, human onor spren, with enough exposure.{{book ref|sa3|102}}{{book ref|sa2|47}} They are also adept codebreakers, a talent stemming from their in-depth understanding of mathematical patterns.{{book ref|sa2|42}} Using vibrations, they can also perfectly mimic voices and sounds.{{book ref|sa2|15}}{{book ref|sa2|54}} Cryptics are not able to inherently tell if something is a lie.{{book ref|sa4|29}}▼
 
While in the [[Physical Realm]], they can affect it in minor ways, allowing them to pick locks.{{book ref|sa2|63}} Unlike other types of sapient spren, like [[honorspren]] or [[ashspren]], Cryptics seem unable to turn invisible, meaning they have to hide in their environment to remain unnoticed.{{book ref|sa3|62}}▼
 
=== Nahel bond ===
Cryptics are one of the few spren types capable of forming a [[Nahel Bondbond]] with humans. They grant their partner the power of [[Surgebinding]] with the Surges of [[Illumination]] and [[Transformation]], making themthe person a [[Order of Lightweavers|Lightweaver]].{{file ref| TWoK Front Endsheet.jpg | Surgebinding Table}} UnlikePast witha most Nahelcertain Bondspoint, a bonded Cryptic bondgains isthe progressedability byto utteringtransform deep,into personala truthsshape-shifting about[[Shardblade]].{{book oneselfref|sa2|34}} byCryptics theare bondable holder,to withsense thewhere moretheir powerful,Surgebinder impactfulis truthsonce deepeningthey thestart bondsummoning their furtherblade.{{book ref|sa1sa4|707}} PastWith a certainpowerful enough pointbond, theCryptics Crypticare gainsable theto abilityfeel tothe transformimpressions intoof atheir shape-shiftingSurgebinder's [[Shardblade]]thoughts.{{book ref|sa2sa3|3463}}▼
 
Unlike most Nahel bonds, a Cryptic bond is progressed by uttering deep, personal truths about oneself by the bond holder, with the more powerful, impactful truths deepening the bond further.{{book ref|sa1|70}} The Cryptics' particular affinity for truths extends further than that, as they are able to sense when a person is lying.{{book ref|sa3|47}}
 
Cryptics are also able to let their Lightweavers peer into the [[Cognitive Realm]]. For inexperienced Surgebinders, they act as intermediaries in [[Soulcasting]], relaying the words of souls to them.{{book ref|sa2|7}}
 
== History ==
{{image|Shallan and Cryptic.jpg|[[Pattern]] following [[Shallan]] in the [[Palanaeum]]|side=right|width=250px}}
[[File:Elhokar mirror.jpg|thumb|right|250px|<center><small>by [[User:Sheep]]</small></center> Cryptics watching over [[Elhokar]] ]]
{{quote
| There were very few survivors. The one you call Stormfather lived. Some others. The rest, thousands of us, were killed when the '''event''' happened.
| [[Pattern]]{{book ref|sa2|75}}
}}
 
Cryptics arose around ten-thousand Rosharan years before the True Desolation.{{book ref|sa4|i|1}} It's unknown whether the Cryptics were created deliberately by a [[Shard]], or if they arose naturally from [[Roshar]]'s loose investiture[[Investiture]]. At some point in the past, there were some very intelligent, dangerous Cryptics, which resulted in the creation of many negative stereotypes about Cryptics.{{wob ref|15652}} During the [[Heraldic Epochs]], the they, like many other sapient spren, began forming [[Nahel Bondbond]]s with humans to mimic [[Honorblade]]s, leading to the creation of the [[Order of Lightweavers]].{{book ref|sa2|87}} During the [[Recreance]], the vast majority of the older Cryptics died, leaving none alive to remember how the Nahel Bondbond worked.{{book ref|sa2|75}}
 
NonethelessOver time, the Cryptics managed to recover somewhat, and by the late [[Era of Solitude]], they ruled over one of the largest cities in [[Shadesmar]], although they did not stray far from it often.{{book ref|sa2|3}}{{book ref|sa3|47}} TheyAt weresome onepoint, ofthey thewere firstengaged sprenin groupssome tosort beginof bondingpolitical humansdisagreement again in anticipation ofwith the [[True Desolationhonorspren]]. Among others, theypossibly sent [[Pattern]]related to bondthe withlatter's [[Shallan]] when she was only a child, as well as another Crypticattempt to bond withconquer [[TienShadesmar]], although only the former managed to bring the Bond to fruition, after long setbacks.{{book ref|sa2|602}}{{wobbook ref|10278sa3|47}}
 
Cryptics were one of the first spren groups to begin bonding humans again in anticipation of the [[True Desolation]]. Among others, they sent [[Testament]] to bond with [[Shallan]] when she was only a child in {{rosharan date|1167}}, as well as another Cryptic to bond with [[Tien]], although only the former managed to bring the Bond to fruition, after long setbacks.{{book ref|sa2|60}}{{wob ref|10278}}
A group of them have been following Shallan for some time prior to her re-bonding Pattern.{{book ref|sa1|29}} They also watched over [[Elhokar]], unwittingly feeding his paranoia.{{book ref|sa1|58}} They eventually sent another of their kind to bond with the king; however, Elhokar was killed before he could finish saying the First Ideal, and that Cryptic ended up bonding [[Hoid]] instead.{{book ref|sa3|84}}{{book ref|sa3|epilogue}}▼
 
▲A group of them havehad been following Shallan for some time prior to her re-bonding Pattern.{{book ref|sa1|29}} They also watched over [[Elhokar]], unwittingly feeding his paranoia.{{book ref|sa1|58}} They eventually sent another of their kind to bond with the king; however, Elhokar was killed before he could finish saying the [[Immortal Words#The First Ideal|First Ideal]], and that Cryptic, [[Design]], ended up bonding with [[Hoid]] instead.{{book ref|sa3|84}}{{book ref|sa3|epilogue}}
 
== Culture ==
{{quote
The Cryptics rule a city in Shadesmar, one that enjoys some renown.{{book ref|sa2|3}} Unlike the [[honorspren]], Cryptics do not have any inclination to conquer more territory, so other types of sapient spren do not war with them. They are content with listening and learning, but are seen as weird and discomforting even by other spren because of their fascination with lies{{book ref|sa3|47}} and their mathematical approach to everything.{{book ref|sa3|97}}▼
|Cryptics like to plan. They debate and watch and never '''do''' anything.
|[[Syl]]{{book ref|sa2|62}}
}}
 
▲The Cryptics ruleare anot cityvery common in Shadesmar, with the vast majority of their population living in a single unnamed city, one that enjoys some renown.{{book ref|sa2|3}}{{wob ref|16227}} Unlike the [[honorspren]], Cryptics do not have any inclination to conquer more territory, so other types of sapient spren do not war with them.{{book Theyref|sa3|97}} areAlthough contentthey withhave listeninga andfearful learning,reputation but are seen as weird and discomforting even byamong other spren becausetypes of their fascination with liesspren,{{book ref|sa3sa2|473}} andthey theirthemselves mathematicalare approachcontent towith everythinglistening and learning.{{book ref|sa3|9747}}
They are known to gather in groups wherever a falsehood is uttered.{{book ref|sa3|47}} However, they do not like being called "liespren"{{book ref|sa2|3}}. A [[Nahel bond]] between a Cryptic and a human requires understanding truths as well as lies,{{book ref|sa2|75}} and Cryptics themselves appear to be exceedingly honest. In fact, it is only through bonding with a human that a Cryptic could incorporate less straightforward ways to communicate like sarcasm and humor into his speech.{{book ref|sa2|60}}
 
{{image|Elhokar mirror.jpg|Cryptics watching over [[Elhokar]]|side=right|width=280px}}
Cryptics as a whole are supportive of their members bonding with humans. One of the first Cryptics to do this in recent times is [[Pattern]]{{wob ref|5899}}, who did so with the approval of his peers.{{wob ref|3166}} Because of the [[Recreance]], many of them believe that such a bond is a death sentence, but they also believe that the things they could learn from humans are worth it.{{book ref|sa2|17}}▼
 
Nonetheless, many other spren find Cryptics weird and discomforting due to their fascination with lies and their mathematical approach to everything.{{book ref|sa3|47}}{{book ref|sa3|97}} They are also known for their fondness for planning, as well as being largely passive and inactive. Once they put their mind to something, however, they commit to it.{{book ref|sa2|62}} They seem to have a significant influence on the Shadesmar politics, as when they began to bond humans again, others, like [[cultivationspren]], swiftly followed suit.{{book ref|sa2.5|2}}
▲== Abilities ==
▲Cryptics are one of the spren types capable of forming a [[Nahel Bond]] with humans. They grant their partner the power of [[Surgebinding]] with the Surges of [[Illumination]] and [[Transformation]], making them a [[Order of Lightweavers|Lightweaver]].{{file ref| TWoK Front Endsheet.jpg | Surgebinding Table}} Unlike with most Nahel Bonds, a Cryptic bond is progressed by uttering deep, personal truths about oneself by the bond holder, with the more powerful, impactful truths deepening the bond further.{{book ref|sa1|70}} Past a certain point, the Cryptic gains the ability to transform into a shape-shifting [[Shardblade]].{{book ref|sa2|34}}
 
They are known for enjoying lies and irony, gathering around and humming among themselves wherever a falsehood is uttered, although they don't like being called "liespren".{{book ref|sa3|47}}{{book ref|sa2|3}}{{book ref|sa4|82}} Despite this fascination with falsehoods, Cryptics themselves are bad at lying in general.{{book ref|sa4|26}} They are exceedingly honest, and it seems as though only through bonding with a human can they learn to use less straightforward ways of communication, such as sarcasm and humor.{{book ref|sa2|60}} They seem to prefer keeping together in groups rather than going off on their own.{{book ref|sa3|102}}
▲Cryptics are also able to let the Lightweaver peer into the [[Cognitive Realm]]. For inexperienced Lightweavers, they act as intermediaries in [[Soulcasting]], relaying the words of souls to the Lightweaver.{{book ref|sa2|7}} In fact, Cryptics have prodigious translation abilities, and seem capable of understanding any language, human on spren, with enough exposure.{{book ref|sa3|102}}{{book ref|sa2|47}} They are also adept codebreakers, a talent stemming from their in-depth understanding of mathematical patterns.{{book ref|sa2|42}}
 
▲Cryptics as a whole are supportive of their members bonding with humans., One of the first Cryptics to do this in recent times iswith [[Pattern]]{{wob ref|5899}}, who diddoing so with the approval of his peers.{{wob ref|3166}} Because of the [[Recreance]], many of them believe that such a bond is a death sentence, butyet they also believethink that the things they could learn from humans are worth it.{{book ref|sa2|17}} Unlike most other spren, Cryptics do not leave their bonded kinsmen to navigate the Nahel bond entirely alone. Rather, they accompany the would-be Lightweaver from Shadesmar, observing them and their budding bond.{{book ref|sa1|29}}{{book ref|sa1|58}} It's possible that the decision of who to bond is made by a committee among them, rather than by individuals.
▲While in the [[Physical Realm]], they can affect it in minor ways, allowing them to pick locks.{{book ref|sa2|63}} Unlike other types of sapient spren, like [[honorspren]] or [[ashspren]], Cryptics seem unable to turn invisible, meaning they have to hide in their environment to remain unnoticed.{{book ref|sa3|62}}
 
Cryptics have their own language, which consists of fast clicking sounds.{{book ref|sa4|26}} They can also speak equations in intonations, though their individual names translate to the same word in human languages, namely Pattern. Because of this, the Lightweavers have had to convince them to adopt names other than Pattern (except for the Cryptic bonded with Shallan).{{book ref|sa4|20}}
 
Cryptics consider themselves to be more of Cultivation than Honor.{{wob ref|9268}}
 
== Notable Cryptics ==
* [[Pattern]] (bonded to [[Shallan]])
* '''[[Pattern]]''' - [[Shallan Davar]]'s Cryptic, who bonded to her in childhood, but remained semi-dead after she used him to kill her mother.{{book ref|sa2|60}} Even while their bond was dead, Pattern's presence allowed Shallan to see Cryptics hidden in the [[Cognitive Realm]].{{wob ref|3028}}
* [[Design]] (bonded to [[Hoid]])
* '''[[Tien]]'s Cryptic''' - a Cryptic who was attracted to Tien some time before the latter was forced to join the army.{{wob ref|10278}} As Tien was killed in battle, the bond never came to fruition.{{book ref|sa1|67}}
* [[Ornament]] (bonded to [[Beryl]])
* '''[[Elhokar]]'s and [[Hoid]]'s Cryptic''' - the Cryptic who intended to bond Elhokar Kholin. While Elhokar was seeing Cryptics in mirrors for a while, he only began saying the [[Immortal Words#The First Ideal|First Ideal]] just before he died.{{book ref|sa3|84}} Hoid later rescued the Cryptic from [[Kholinar]] and bonded it himself.{{book ref|sa3|98}}
* [[Mosaic]] (bonded to [[Vathah]])
* [[Motif]] (bonded to [[Ishnah]])
* [[Testament]] (bonded to [[Shallan]])
 
== Trivia ==
* Before their name was revealed, Brandon said "truthspren" was a reasonably accurate way to refer to the Cryptics. This is perhaps a reference to the truth they require to strengthen their bond.{{wob ref|6451}}
* If exposed to computers, Cryptics would like them very much, though they "might be offended that the computer isn't talking back to them, because they would think the computer's a pattern and should just be talking to them".{{wob ref|10458}}
* The symbols that form the CrypticCryptics's heads are not [[glyph]]s, but it is possible that readers would recognize them.{{wob ref|4133}}
* In part four of ''[[Oathbringer]]'', the group travelling through Shadesmar would originally encounter a pair of Cryptics in the lighthouse rather than [[Riino]]. This was eventually changed to give Kaladin a stronger motivation for travelling to [[Thaylen City]] rather than [[Cultivation's Perpendicularity]].{{wob ref|8649}}
 
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[[es:Críptico]]
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