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Nightblood is sentient but lacks a human context for its intelligence (sapience). Time has no meaning for it, nor can it understand the dynamic aspect of human personalities. The first hours of its life are imprinted into its memory, and it cannot overwrite the initial experiences, such as [[Denth]] being fond of it and Shashara being alive. It is, however, very capable in some ways, able to grow and learn.{{wob ref|7395}} Vasher tends to underestimate its capacity to change.{{wob ref|7373}}
It can speak into the minds of people nearby,
As an Awakened object, Nightblood's goal is to fulfill its Command, "Destroy evil".{{book ref|wb|51}} It often tries to convince its wielders that they should draw it and is often bored or frustrated when sheathed.{{book ref|wb|51}}{{book ref|sa3|90}} Though it thinks otherwise, Nightblood doesn't need to sleep.{{wob ref|3021}}
Anyone who is able to wield Nightblood and survive forms a bond or connection with the blade to a greater degree and is no longer repelled by or abnormally drawn to use it.{{wob ref|7404}} This bond does not allow for access to [[Stormlight]] directly.{{wob ref|8348}} Nightblood's compulsion/revulsion effect has some parallels with [[Zinc#Allomantic_Use|Rioting]].{{wob ref|9424}}
Nightblood is able to better sense where those are that have bonded more with deeply with it.{{book ref|wb|55}}{{wob ref|7404}} This is normally done by having it absorb a large amount of their Investiture.
Vasher and Vivenna weaponize this trait of Nightblood by allowing someone "evil" to use it, knowing they will be compelled to use the sword to kill others and then themselves.{{book ref|wb|prologue}}{{book ref|wb|51}}{{book ref|wb|55}}
{{image|Vasher by ToastSamurai.jpg|side=right|width=250px|[[Vasher]] wielding unsheathed Nightblood}}
Even while still in its scabbard, Nightblood is very powerful and enhances the person holding it; simply unclasping it allows some of its power to manifest. It will deepen colors around it, similar to how a person with many Breaths will brighten colors, even on worlds without Breaths.{{book ref|wb|15}} When its clasp is undone and even a bit of its blade shows, it suddenly feels lighter and leaks an inky smoke. The smoke is the Breaths that it has absorbed from its victims, twisted and fouled, leaking back out.{{wob ref|7374}} While the sword was simply unclasped, Szeth smashed a man in the back, seemingly breaking bones and paralyzing him.{{book ref|sa3|92}} A prison guard on Nalthis was able to run the mostly-sheathed sword through his own chest.{{book ref|wb|prologue}} If Nightblood kills while still in its scabbard, it will leave a blackness around the wound.{{book ref|wb|19}}
Once drawn, Nightblood becomes incredibly powerful. Its voice becomes overpowering and liquid smoke pours from the length of the blade. The sword becomes barely sentient as its Command takes over, and it does not usually recall what happens while it is drawn.{{wob ref|7474}} The wielder feels extreme pain in the arm holding Nightblood and the hand, arm, and eventually the whole body turns black as the sword consumes Investiture.{{book ref|wb|56}}{{book ref|sa3|119}} The black veins or tendrils that appear in the wielder usually leave the skin gray after Nightblood is sheathed or otherwise satiated. This can be seen in [[Lolan]]'s hand, Lift's arms, and Szeth's face.{{book ref|wb|26}}{{book ref|sa3|119}} Nightblood is strong enough that an Awakener of the tenth Heightening cannot break its command.{{wob ref|13095}}
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