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{{magic system
|image=Navani1.jpg
|world=Roshar
|universe=[[Cosmere]]
|books=[[The Stormlight Archive]], [[Yumi and the Nightmare Painter]]
}}
{{update|sa4|yumi}}
A '''fabrial''' is a [[Light]]-powered mechanical device from [[Roshar]] that uses [[spren]] to perform a particular supernatural task. Modern fabrials typically use spren captured in gemstones, while older fabrials like Soulcasters typically have the spren manifest as metal touching (replaceable) gemstones.{{book ref|sa4|46}} The magical properties of modern fabrials can usually be activated by anyone who knows how to use them.{{book ref|sa2|86}} A person who creates or designs fabrials is called an '''artifabrian'''.{{book ref|sa4|part=ars}} The term "fabrial" is often used colloquially to refer to the entire device. Artifabrians, however, call that a "machine", and use the word fabrial to refer specifically to a gem with a captured spren.
{{file ref|Navani1.jpg|text=Navani's Notebook: One}}
== History ==
Pre-Shattering, [[Adonalsium]] prevented fabrials from existing.{{wob ref|13333}}
During the [[Heraldic Epochs]], the [[Knights Radiant]] knew how to create [[Surge]] fabrials, replicating all Radiant abilities except those of a [[Bondsmith]], using the [[Oathgate]]s as a guide.{{wob ref|15347}} Their knowledge of non-Surge fabrials, which the modern fabrial science concerns itself with, was far less advanced than that of the current scholars.{{book ref|sa3|96}} Some principles, however, were known even then: among others, the lifts in [[Urithiru]] were created with conjoining fabrials.{{book ref|sa3|24}} With the fall of the Radiants, knowledge of most fabrials was lost, with Soulcasters as the major exception. Over time, the stories of Radiant fabrials became vastly exaggerated, with many people believing that they were far more numerous, and much more advanced, than what modern science has created.{{book ref|sa3|96}}
According to [[Nikli]], the original Aimians used devices to terraform Aimia to make it habitable, equating those devices with early fabrials. [[Nikli]] insinuates that the [[scouring of Aimia]] was caused by destruction of these fabrials during a number of wars, perhaps the Desolations, because the islands of Aimia could not sustain life without them.{{book ref|sa3.5|9}}
While the fabrials were known for centuries, it was only recently that the pace of fabrial inventions picked up, with creations such as the heating fabrials and [[spanreed]]s being only a few decades old at most. Most research occurs in the eastern nations of [[Alethkar]] and [[Jah Keved]], with [[Navani Kholin]] as a particularly important patron. [[Half-shard]]s, an important breakthrough in fabrial research that attempts to mimic [[Shardplate]], were only perfected in 1173, at the tail end of the [[Era of Solitude]].{{book ref|sa1|22}}
==
Creating modern fabrials requires trapping the proper type of [[spren]] in a gemstone cut for that purpose.{{book ref|sa3|33}} To trap the spren, artifabrians lure it to a gemstone with something it loves and knows well.{{epigraph ref|sa4|1}} The gemstone must not be fully infused, but needs to have some Light inside of it. Around seventy percent of the maximum capacity works best.{{epigraph ref|sa4|2}}
Once it is lured into examining the gemstone, artifabrians drain the Light from the gemstone, using the Arnist Method, which involves placing some larger gemstones around the gemstone to drain the Light, using a [[larkin]], or using tuning forks.{{epigraph ref|sa4|3}}{{epigraph ref|sa4|4}}{{book ref|sa4|42}} If the Light is sucked out of the gem quickly enough, the spren will be sucked into the gemstone. After the spren is stuck, the spren can be manipulated to the artifabrian’s content.{{epigraph ref|sa4|5}} The types of spren that can be captured in a [[polestone]] depend on the gem's type and color, implying that there are thousands of possible combinations.{{file ref|Navani1.jpg|text=Navani's Notebook: One}}{{book ref|sa4|42}} These fabrial-gems are encased in a metal wire frame, which determines the effect of the fabrial, along with the type of spren.{{epigraph ref|sa4|6}} Their power can be determined by the pattern of Light that gets filtered through the gemstone, although it cannot be seen with the naked eye.{{file ref|Navani2.jpg|text=Navani's Notebook: Two}} Spren corrupted by [[Sja-anat]] will behave differently in a fabrial.{{wob ref|11659}} It is possible for synthetic gemstones to be used in fabrials.{{wob ref|2702}}
In contrast to [[Surgebinding]] or [[Old Magic]], most fabrials can be operated by anyone, as long as they know how to do so (the only exception being the [[Oathgate]]s, which require a Radiant to activate, although that might be a security measure rather than a crucial design element).{{book ref|sa2|86}} Some, like heatrials, are even capable of functioning without human input.{{book ref|sa2|4}} The self-contained nature of fabrials sets them apart from most manifestations of [[Investiture]] in the [[cosmere]], wherein the magic is accessed and directed by the user (often with specific requirements or limitations).{{wob ref|10311}}{{wob ref|3488}}{{wob ref|6247}}
It appears that fabrials are affected by the frame of reference of their user. For example: a spanreed being used on a ship at sea will also transfer the motion of the ship to the conjoined spanreed unless the user can conceive of both spanreeds as belonging to the same frame of reference.{{book ref|sa3.5|5}} The exact cause of this is unknown, but suspected to be related to spren response to human perception.
=== Surge Fabrials ===
Unlike modern fabrials, the ancient [[Surge]] fabrials were created by persuading Radiant spren to manifest in the Physical Realm.{{book ref|sa4|9}}{{book ref|sa4|46}} Their functioning is also different: for example, [[Soulcaster]]s require a request for aid, which is unnecessary in modern fabrials.{{book ref|sa3|i|4}} However, they still do involve spren being bound to gemstones in some way - two large spren can be seen guarding and controlling the [[Oathgates]] in [[Shadesmar]].{{book ref|sa3|116}} So long as the spren are not compromised, any Surge fabrial can be recreated to operate just as it used to.{{book ref|sa3|117}} Any [[Surge]] can be replicated by fabrial science.{{wob ref|3013}} However, in the present day, some fabrials that use Surges are incredibly rare, and most of them date back to the era of the [[Knights Radiant]].{{wob ref|3817}}{{wob ref|15347}}
=== Reactions to Metal ===
Once trapped in a gem, spren respond to stimuli in consistent and predictable ways. The metal frame surrounding the gem creates the stimuli the spren react to - pressing metal against a flamespren in a ruby increases and decreases heat.{{book ref|sa3|33}} Spren react to different metals in different ways, with their behavior generally paralleling the [[Allomantic]] powers for each individual metal.{{epigraph ref|sa4|7}} Multiple fabrial gems can be placed inside a single wireframe, which lets them work together to create more complex results. The [[emotion bracelet]], for example, has ten gems, with patterns in which they light up corresponding to different emotions.{{file ref|Navani2.jpg|text=Navani's Notebook: Two}} The [[God Metal]] which [[Shardblade]]s are composed of can be used in fabrials.{{wob ref|14138}}
; Zinc:
[[Zinc]] in contact with a gemstone will cause its captured spren to more strongly manifest.{{epigraph ref|sa4|7}}
; Brass:
[[Brass]] in contact with a gemstone will cause its spren to withdraw and its power to dim.{{epigraph ref|sa4|7}}
; Bronze:
[[Bronze]] in contact with a gemstone will cause it to alert someone of objects, entities, or phenomena nearby by increasing its brightness.{{book ref|sa1|i|4}}{{epigraph ref|sa4|8}} The range of this construction is determined by how much [[Stormlight]] can be infused into the gemstone.{{book ref|sa1|i|4}}
; Pewter:
[[Pewter]] in contact with a gemstone will cause it to express a certain attribute in force, correlated to the type of spren trapped in the gemstone. This also drains [[Stormlight]] faster than other types of fabrials, which might be similar to how Allomantic pewter 'burns' faster than most other metals. This metal is the one used to create augmenter fabrials.{{epigraph ref|sa4|9}}
; Tin:
[[Tin]] in contact with a gemstone will cause it to diminish nearby attributes. These are called Diminisher fabrials. Unlike other metals, this seems the opposite of its Allomantic use, to increase sensory acuteness.{{epigraph ref|sa4|10}}
; Iron:
[[Iron]] in contact with a gemstone will cause it to attract nearby substances.{{epigraph ref|sa4|11}}
; Steel:
[[Steel]] in contact with a gemstone will likely cause it to push away nearby substances, but artifabrians have not yet figured out how to make repeller fabrials.{{epigraph ref|sa4|11}}
=== Modification with aluminum ===
If a fabrial is used inside a room lined with aluminum, it is impossible to sense the use of the fabrial from outside of that room. If the fabrial requires outside connection (e.g. conjoiner, and specifically spanreed), the conjoined half outside of the room will not function properly because the pairing has been interrupted. If the fabrial can be used entirely within the room (e.g. a Soulcaster), it will operate as designed but be undetectable from outside.{{book ref|sa3|81}}
It is possible to alter the function of a conjoiner (ruby) fabrial to transfer only certain components of motion between the conjoined halves (e.g. A spanreed that can only transfer vertical motion, but not lateral) by inserting pieces of aluminum foil into the fabrial gemstone housing. It is thought that aluminum impacts a spren's ability to sense thoughts, and therefore this may function by blocking parts of the "signal" between the two gemstones.
The ardent [[Rushu]]'s experimentation with this behavior results in a mobile chair for [[Rysn]] which hovers by being vertically reverse coupled to a heavy object (an anchor which is allowed to fall a short distance) but remains laterally uncoupled allowing for free motion when pushed. Rushu notes that the chair's rotational motion remains coupled, but believes it would be possible to fix that upon further refinement.{{book ref|sa3.5|8}}
There are no confirmed instances of other types of fabrial being modified by aluminum in the same way. Reverser fabrials are stated to operate similarly to conjoiners and therefore likely behave similarly under aluminum modification.{{book ref|sa3.5|5}} It is unclear what effect aluminum would have on fabrials that do not rely on two paired gemstones. Attractor fabrials would have a "shadow" if partially blocked by aluminum. Though the attraction will bend round the edges, in the same way as light would bend.{{wob ref|16021}}
=== Special Interactions ===
==== Raysium ====
[[Raysium]] conducts Investiture, allowing it to flow from one gemstone to another.{{book ref|sa2|84}} It is used by the [[Fused]] to combat [[Knights Radiant]], pulling their [[Stormlight]] away from them, and leaving them vulnerable to attack.{{book ref|sa4|5}} It appears that the orientation of the metal, rather than the pressure differential, determines which way that Investiture flows through the metal, much like a magnetic polarity.{{book ref|sa4|113}}
== Types ==
{{for|:Category: Fabrials|a full listing of known fabrial machine designs}}
Modern artifabrians divide the fabrials they design into five groups across three categories.{{book ref|sa4|part=ars}} Ancient fabrials, including Surge fabrials, do not fit into these categories and are grouped separately.
=== Altering fabrials ===
Appropriately named, altering fabrials qualitatively alter the property or attribute they target. Well-known examples include altering the temperature of an object or an area and enhancing or dampening the sensation of pain, though artifabrians believe there is potential for even greater types of fabrials in this category.{{book ref|sa4|part=ars}}
==== Augmenters ====
Altering fabrials that increase or enhance an attribute are known as augmenters. They work best with forces, emotions or sensations.{{book ref|sa4|part=ars}} [[Half-shard]]s and [[Grandbow]]s are examples of augmenters that increase durability.{{book ref|sa4|part=ars}}{{book ref|sa1|12}} There are also heating fabrials that generate heat, sometimes called warmers or heatrials.{{book ref|sa1|15}}{{book ref|sa3|62}}{{book ref|sa3|100}} Heatrials were first developed just before [[Assassination of Gavilar|Gavilar's feast]], though earlier models were much less effective.{{book ref|sa3|prologue}} Painrials that enhance the feeling of pain also fall under this category.{{book ref|sa3|118}} Pewter is used for augmenters.{{epigraph ref|sa4|9}}
==== Diminishers ====
Diminishers act as opposites of augmenters, decreasing the magnitude of their targeted trait. In general, they operate in a similar manner to augmenters, with similar restrictions.{{book ref|sa4|part=ars}} [[Painrial]]s that decrease pain are a type of diminisher.{{book ref|sa1|60}} Tin is used to make diminishers.{{epigraph ref|sa4|10}}
=== Pairing fabrials ===
{{image|Navani flying fabrial by Marie Seeberger.jpg|side=right|height=250px|[[Navani]] using a conjoiner fabrial}}
Pairing fabrials are, as the name suggests, created in pairs that can move in parallel, or the opposite, over great distances. This category was a recent discovery during the [[War of Reckoning]].{{book ref|sa4|part=ars}} Force is conserved between each pair of fabrials, and the force required to move one is equivalent to one required for moving both. The farther apart the two halves are, the more resistance is felt when moving them.{{book ref|sa4|3}} Despite limitations in how far the fabrials can be separated and still work (dictated by certain processes during manufacture), conjectures about possible applications are being discussed.{{book ref|sa4|part=ars}}
By using raysium, a half-spren trapped in one half of a conjoined pair of gems can be transferred to another gem, not part of the original pairing. This can lead to an asymmetry between the movements of the two spren halves, as moving a larger gem a certain distance will now make its smaller paired counterpart move a larger distance. This does not, however, allow for force multiplication.{{book ref|sa4|84}}
==== Conjoiners ====
Conjoiners are created from infused rubies which are split in half after the spren is already captured.{{book ref|sa4|84}} The two halves are then able to exhibit parallel movements over large distances. [[Spanreed]]s are the most widespread example of conjoiner, linking two pens and allowing for long-distance communication.{{book ref|sa1|28}}{{book ref|sa4|part=ars}} Conjoined rubies don't drain much Light to maintain their connection.{{book ref|sa4|63}}
==== Reversers ====
Reversers are created in a similar manner to conjoiners, using an amethyst instead of a ruby. The two halves are then able to exhibit equal, but opposite reactions; lifting one would cause the other to be lowered.{{book ref|sa4|part=ars}}
=== Warning fabrials ===
Warning fabrials detect things and give notice to the user. Their range depends on the amount of Stormlight infused into its fabrial-gem.{{book ref|sa4|part=ars}}
==== Alerters ====
Alerters use a heliodor to detect the presence of objects, feelings, sensations, or phenomena, and warn the user. There are alerters which can detect approaching people while excluding certain persons from detection.{{book ref|sa4|part=ars}} The [[Emotion bracelet]] is an alerter able to detect different emotions.{{file ref|Navani2.jpg|text=Navani's Notebook: Two}} Bronze is the metal used to stimulate these types of fabrials.{{book ref|sa4|8}} Theoretically, a fabrial could be used to detect emotional [[Allomancy]].{{wob ref|11576}}
{{image|Oathgate_Spren.jpg|An Oathgate as seen from [[Shadesmar]]|side=left|width=200px}}
===Surge Fabrials===
These are fabrials that are able to manipulate Surges, replicating the effects of [[Surgebinding]] and [[Voidbinding]].{{
==== Soulcasters ====
{{for|Soulcasting}}
These fabrials mimic the Radiant ability of [[Soulcasting]]. {{book ref|sa1|72}} A Soulcaster fabrial consists of two rings and a bracelet connected by chains which hold a group of three gemstones across the back of the hand. Most are only able to effect small, singular changes, such as turning stone into water, while about one in ten can effect any change.{{book ref|sa1|5}} They can be activated by tapping one of the three gemstones when holding the hand against what is to be changed.{{book ref|sa1|42}} They manipulate the Surge of Transformation.
==== Regrowth fabrial ====
Ancient Radiants possessed fabrials constructed from a large topaz and heliodor that were able to "regrow" and repair injuries through manipulating the Surge of [[Progression]].{{book ref|sa1|19}} In the present day, they have been lost; however, the [[Herald]] [[Nale]] possesses one capable of bringing someone back even from the brink of death.{{book ref|sa2|88}}
==== Oathgates ====
{{for|Oathgate}}
These fabrials manipulate the Surge of [[Transportation]], and allow the user to transport anything on top of the platform and in the control chamber between Oathgates in an instant. However, as far as is known, they function in pairs - an Oathgate in [[Urithiru]] only connects to one Oathgate outside, and the Oathgate outside only connects to one Oathgate in Urithiru. They can only be activated by living [[Shardblade]]s, as wielded by the [[Knights Radiant]], or an [[Honorblade]].{{book ref|sa2|86}} Transportation of more than one person through them requires use of more Stormlight.{{book ref|sa2|87}}
=== Unknown types ===
{{image|Fabrial Watch.jpg|A fabrial wristwatch|side=right|width=300}}
==== Clock ====
Rosharan clocks are fabrials, with their mechanisms powered in some fashion by an infused smokestone in their center, holding a captured [[logicspren]].{{epigraph ref|sa4|15}}{{book ref|sa1|10}} They are noted as being rather expensive, although in recent years they have become more and more common.{{book ref|sa2|12}}{{book ref|sa2|49}} Dozens of them can be found in [[Kharbranth]]. Many have bells hanging from them to announce the hour.{{book ref|sa1|3}} In the past, they came only in standing and hanging varieties.{{book ref|sa1|10}}{{book ref|sa1|8}} Recently, Navani has managed to create a design small enough to wear on one's hand.{{book ref|sa3|16}}
==== Attractor ====
Used to attract certain substances,{{book ref|sa2|67}} possibly determined by the gemstone used. They use iron in their metal lattices.{{epigraph ref|sa4|11}} During the [[Battle of Narak]], Navani unveils one capable of drawing moisture from the air, pooling the water into a globe around the garnet that powers it.{{book ref|sa2|82}} [[Shallan]] spots one that gathers smoke from a fire in the [[Ghostbloods]]'s hideout at the [[Shattered Plains]].{{book ref|sa2|43}} The ''[[Wandersail (1174 ship)|Wandersail]]'' is said to have stabilizers made from attractor fabrials that move weights inside the hull to prevent capsizing.{{book ref|sa3.5|11}}
It is possible to create a repeller fabrial, possibly using steel.{{epigraph ref|sa4|11}}
==== Stabilizer ====
Thaylen engineered fabrials that help to stabilize ships during the highstorm. [[Rysn]]'s ship, ''[[Wandersail (1174 ship)|Wandersail]]'', has been equipped with these fabrials.{{book ref|sa3|i|13}}
==== Drainer ====
Though their name is unknown, these fabrials can partially drain Stormlight from gems to diminish their glow, for aesthetic purposes.{{book ref|sa1|55}}
==== Urithiru lifts====
The lifts in Urithiru are related to conjoined fabrials working together with sets of gears.{{book ref|sa3|24}} There are empty slots on the railings on which infused gemstones can be inserted, from which the lift will draw Stormlight and begin to move. The lift draws enough power to reach the next floor, and upon reaching the first destination the platform will keep drawing Stormlight from the gemstone to perpetuate the operation of the fabrial. If at any point during the rise or descend the gemstone is removed, the lift will continue to travel until the following floor, stopping at that position. A lever on the platform can be switched to determine the direction of motion.{{book ref|sa3|27}}
==== Suppressor ====
{{for|suppression fabrial}}
These fabrials can suppress Surgebinding and Invested entities, such as Fused and Radiant spren.{{book ref|sa4|39}}{{book ref|sa4|49}}
==== Aura ====
{{for|aura fabrial}}
These fabrials can analyze the [[spiritweb]] and [[Connection]]s of a subject.{{book ref|yumi|32}}
===Possible Fabrials===
==== Stormclock ====
The wristwatch that [[Dalinar]] receives from [[Navani]] includes a [[stormclock]], which might be a fabrial, although it might as well operate purely mechanically. The vambrace is also equipped with a clock and a diminisher painrial, while Navani's own version has a switch that allows it to turn into an augmenter, for self-defense.{{book ref|sa3|16}}{{book ref|sa3|117}}
==== Gemstone Column ====
There is a column of gemstones in [[Urithiru]]'s lower levels which serves as the main residence for the [[Sibling]] and an access point for all of the fabrials found in Urithiru. A certain pattern of gems control the Tower's defenses against the [[Fused]]. [[Raboniel]] used it to corrupt and disable these defenses. The column also has a defense mechanism designed by [[Melishi]] in the form of a glowing barrier that can be activated by four nodes found throughout the tower.
==== Stormlight transfer device ====
These devices can move Stormlight between gems, and are used by the moneychangers of [[Celebrant]] to transfer Stormlight into [[Polestone#Perfect_Gemstones|perfect gemstones]].{{book ref|sa3|99}}
==== Threnodite shadow detector ====
The [[Ire]] have a device capable of detecting [[cognitive shadows]] from [[Threnody]], which may be similar to a Rosharan alerter fabrial.{{msh ref|5|2}}
== Trivia ==
* Fabrials originated in the uncompleted book ''[[Mythwalker]]''.{{wob ref|16115}}
* It is possible to create an analog computer using fabrials.{{wob ref|12568}}
* The term "fabrial" will, eventually, come to be used for all magic-based mechanical devices in the [[cosmere]], such as the mechanism that picks [[Elantrian]]s.{{wob ref|8621}}
== Notes ==
<references />
{{
{{Stormlight}}
[[Category: Fabrials| ]]
[[es:Fabrial]]
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