Fabrial

Fabrial
by Isaac Stewart
World of Origin	Roshar

A Fabrial is a type of mechanical device that uses spren captured in gemstones to perform a variety of tasks. The types of spren that can be captured in a gem depend on the gem's type and color, implying that there are "thousands of possible combinations." A fabrial-gem's power can be determined by the, invisible, pattern of stormlight that gets filtered through the gem. These fabrial-gems are encased in a wire frame, it is not known whether this has an effect on the fabrial.

The term "fabrial" is often used colloquially to refer to the entire device. Artifabrians however use it to refer specifically to a gem with a captured spren, calling the entire device a machine.

Modern fabrials

For a full listing of known fabrial-machine designs, see :Category: Fabrials.

Modern artifabrians divide the fabrials they design among five groups across three categories. The fabrials they create are all the result of scientific research.

Altering fabrials

Altering fabrials changed something in some way, such as making something hotter or colder, increasing something durability, or eliminating pain. Artifabrians believe there is potential for greater types of fabrials in this category.

Augmenters

Augumenters enhance or increase something, they worked best with forces, emotions or sensations. Half-shards and Grandbows are examples of augmenters that increase durability. There are also heating fabrials that generate heat.

Diminishers

Diminishers act as opposites of augmenters, decreasing something as opposed to increasing it. diminished something. In general they operate in a similar manner to augmenters, with similar restrictions. Painrials are an example of a diminisher that decrease pain.

Pairing fabrials

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. Force is conserved between each pair of fabrials. The force required to move one is equivalent to moving both. Despite limitations in how far the fabrials can be separated and still work, which is affected by certain processes during their manufacture, conjectures about possible applications are being discussed.

Conjoiners

Conjoiners are created from infused rubies which are split in half. The two halves would then be able to exhibit parallel movements over large distances. Spanreeds are the most widespread example of conjoiner, linking two pens and allowing for long-distance comunications.

Reverses

Reverses are created in a similar manner to conjoiners, using an amethyst instead of a ruby. The two halves will then be able to exhibit equal but opposite reactions; lifting one would cause the other to be lowered.

Warning fabrials

An excerpt from Navani's Notebook depicting an Emotion Bracelet and examples of stormlight patterns

Warning fabrials detect things and give notice to the user. Their range depends on the the amount of Stormlight infused into its fabrial-gem.

Alerters

Alerters are able to detect the presence of objects, feelings, sensations, or phenomenon and warn the user. Alerters utilize heliodors in their design. There are alerters which can detect approaching people, which is able to exclude certain people from detection. The Emotion bracelet is an alerter able to detect different emotions.

Ancient fabrials

In addition to the various fabrials artifabrians have developed over the years, there are a few that derive from the the Heraldic Epochs.

Surge Fabrials

These are fabrials that are able to manipulate Surges, replicating the effects of Surgebinding.

Soulcasters

These fabrials mimic the the Radiant ability of Soulcasting. 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. About one in ten can effect any change. They can be activated by tapping one of the three gemstones when holding the hand against what is to be changed. They manipulate the Surge of Transformation.

Regrowth

A female Stoneward possessed what appears to be a fabrial constructed from a large topaz and heliodor that was able to "regrow" and repair injuries. It manipulated the Surge of Growth.

Possible Fabrials

Shardplate

Shardplate is occasionally referred to as a fabrial, it is not known if this is accurate since shardplate appears to operate in a different manner.

Oathgates

These are possibly fabrials that would manipulate the Surge of Transportation. It is believed the Oathgates were responsible for the near-instantaneous travel possible during the Heraldic Epochs and were one of the only ways to reach Urithiru.