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Difference between revisions of "Polestone"

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m (→‎Perfect Gemstones: oh sorry weiry, that's what I meant heh)
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The '''Polestones''' are the ten varieties of gemstone that naturally hold [[Stormlight]]. They also serve as the basis of [[spheres]], the basic Rosharan money system.{{book ref|sa1|3}} In addition to the ability to hold Stormlight, polestones are able to trap [[spren]]. The type of spren that can be trapped depends on the polestone used and its cut. This quality serves as the basis for [[fabrial]]s.{{ref|name=Navani1}}
  
The '''Polestones''' are the ten varieties of gemstone that naturally hold [[Stormlight]]. They also serve as the basis of [[spheres]], the basic Rosharan money system.{{book ref|sa1|3}} In addition to the ability to hold Stormlight, polestones are able to trap [[spren]]. The type of spren that can be trapped depends on the polestone used and its cut. This quality serves as the basis for [[fabrial]]s.{{ref|name=Navani1}}
   
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Some polestones are the same type of crystal but with different color and chemical signatures. Sapphire and ruby are both types of corundum. Smokestone and amethyst are both types of quartz. Emerald and heliodor are both types of beryl. Much like how [[iron]] and [[steel]], despite being very similar chemically, are different metals in the [[Metallic Arts]], the exact color and chemical signatures are enough to differentiate the polestones. As a result, an off-color polestone acts much like an impure alloy in [[Allomancy]].{{qa ref|979|97}}
 +
Some polestones are the same type of crystal but with different color and chemical signatures. Sapphire and ruby are both types of corundum. Smokestone and amethyst are both types of quartz. Emerald and heliodor are both types of beryl. Much like how [[iron]] and [[steel]], despite being very similar chemically, are different metals in the [[Metallic Arts]], the exact color and chemical signatures are enough to differentiate the polestones. As a result, an off-color polestone acts much like an impure alloy in [[Allomancy]].{{wob ref|4080}}
   
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Although the type of polestone Stormlight is stored in is irrelevant for most [[Surgebinding]], polestones do have an important impact on Soulcasting. Namely, they determine what kind of substances a Soulcaster can transmute objects into.{{qa ref|985|4}}
 +
Although the type of polestone Stormlight is stored in is irrelevant for most [[Surgebinding]], polestones do have an important impact on Soulcasting. Namely, they determine what kind of substances a Soulcaster can transmute objects into.{{wob ref|2784}}
   
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While polestones are produced via mining, a significant source of them on Roshar is the harvesting of the [[gemheart]]s that grow inside [[greatshell]]s. Larger species of greathshell, like [[chasmfiend]]s, produce gemhearts of great size, which are incredibly useful in Soulcasting as a larger stone is less likely to break from the strain.{{book ref|sa1|13}} This trait however has led to many species of greatshells, such as the [[lanceryn]], to go extinct.{{book ref|sa1|36}} The exact method by which gemhearts are grown is not understood, though it is known to be caused by a leak from the [[Spiritual Realm]] into the [[Physical Realm|Physical]], and is analogous, though not identical, to the production of [[atium]] in the [[Pits of Hathsin]] on [[Scadrial]].{{qa ref|949|4}} Although they may have flaws, gemheart polestones have virtually no impurities, unlike their conventionally mined counterparts.{{qa ref|1088|18}}
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While polestones are produced via mining, a significant source of them on Roshar is the harvesting of the [[gemheart]]s that grow inside [[greatshell]]s. Larger species of greathshell, like [[chasmfiend]]s, produce gemhearts of great size, which are incredibly useful in Soulcasting as a larger stone is less likely to break from the strain.{{book ref|sa1|13}} This trait however has led to many species of greatshells, such as the [[lanceryn]], to go extinct.{{book ref|sa1|36}} The exact method by which gemhearts are grown is not understood, though it is known to be caused by a leak from the [[Spiritual Realm]] into the [[Physical Realm|Physical]], and is analogous, though not identical, to the production of [[atium]] in the [[Pits of Hathsin]] on [[Scadrial]].{{wob ref|4678}} Although they may have flaws, gemheart polestones have virtually no impurities, unlike their conventionally mined counterparts.{{wob ref|6625}}
   
 
It is believed to be impossible to create polestones via Soulcasting.{{book ref|sa1|33}}
  
It is believed to be impossible to create polestones via Soulcasting.{{book ref|sa1|33}}
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If a polestone is set in the pommel of a deceased [[Shardblade]] it allows the blade to be bonded, whereby it can be summoned and dismissed.{{book ref|sa2|67}}
  
If a polestone is set in the pommel of a deceased [[Shardblade]] it allows the blade to be bonded, whereby it can be summoned and dismissed.{{book ref|sa2|67}}
   
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Synthetic versions of the polestones could also be used in fabrials.{{qa ref|1093|1}}
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Synthetic versions of the polestones could also be used in fabrials.{{wob ref|2702}}
   
 
<div style="float:right; padding-left:1em">__TOC__</div>
  
<div style="float:right; padding-left:1em">__TOC__</div>
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{{file ref|name=Navani1|Navani1.jpg|text=Navani's Notebook: One}}
  
{{file ref|name=Navani1|Navani1.jpg|text=Navani's Notebook: One}}
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{{qa ref|date=2013-02-16|949|4|The gemhearts that are grown inside the beasts in The Way of Kings... is that the same as the way atium is grown inside geodes in the Pits of Hathsin?}}
  
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{{qa ref|date=2013-04-15|979|97|What is the dividing line between gemstones?}}
  
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{{qa ref|date=2013-05-22|985|4|Why Can Kaladin Surgebind with any gem type but Jasnah and Shallan need specific types?}}
  
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{{qa ref|date=2014-03-22|1088|18|Are gemhearts, the gems in those chemically identical to mined gemstones?}}
  
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{{qa ref|date=2014-08-20|1093|1|Do synthetic gemstones work in fabrials too?}}
  
   
 
</references>
  
</references>

Revision as of 03:54, 27 June 2018

Polestone
Related to Spheres
Soulcasting
Fabrials
World of Origin Roshar
This page or section contains spoilers for Oathbringer!
This information has the ability to potentially ruin elements of the plot for the reader. Proceed with caution if you have not read this book.
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The Polestones are the ten varieties of gemstone that naturally hold Stormlight. They also serve as the basis of spheres, the basic Rosharan money system.[1] In addition to the ability to hold Stormlight, polestones are able to trap spren. The type of spren that can be trapped depends on the polestone used and its cut. This quality serves as the basis for fabrials.[2]

Some polestones are the same type of crystal but with different color and chemical signatures. Sapphire and ruby are both types of corundum. Smokestone and amethyst are both types of quartz. Emerald and heliodor are both types of beryl. Much like how iron and steel, despite being very similar chemically, are different metals in the Metallic Arts, the exact color and chemical signatures are enough to differentiate the polestones. As a result, an off-color polestone acts much like an impure alloy in Allomancy.[3]

Although the type of polestone Stormlight is stored in is irrelevant for most Surgebinding, polestones do have an important impact on Soulcasting. Namely, they determine what kind of substances a Soulcaster can transmute objects into.[4]

While polestones are produced via mining, a significant source of them on Roshar is the harvesting of the gemhearts that grow inside greatshells. Larger species of greathshell, like chasmfiends, produce gemhearts of great size, which are incredibly useful in Soulcasting as a larger stone is less likely to break from the strain.[5] This trait however has led to many species of greatshells, such as the lanceryn, to go extinct.[6] The exact method by which gemhearts are grown is not understood, though it is known to be caused by a leak from the Spiritual Realm into the Physical, and is analogous, though not identical, to the production of atium in the Pits of Hathsin on Scadrial.[7] Although they may have flaws, gemheart polestones have virtually no impurities, unlike their conventionally mined counterparts.[8]

It is believed to be impossible to create polestones via Soulcasting.[9]

If a polestone is set in the pommel of a deceased Shardblade it allows the blade to be bonded, whereby it can be summoned and dismissed.[10]

Synthetic versions of the polestones could also be used in fabrials.[11]

The Ten Polestones

Sapphire

Sapphire is associated with the Essence of Zephyr. They are used to Soulcast translucent gases, like air.[12]

Sapphire spheres are given the "sky-" prefix.[13]

Smokestone

Smokestone is associated with the Essence of Vapor. They are used to Soulcast opaque gases, like smoke and fog.[12]

Smokestones are used in a type of fabrial clock.[14]

Ruby

Ruby is associated with the Essence of Spark. They are used to Soulcast fire.[12]

Rubies are used in the production of conjoiner fabrials, where a single infused ruby is split in two. Once activated the two halves will mirror each others movements, lift one and the other will also rise.[12] Spanreeds are a common application of this phenomenon.[15]

Rubies are also used in a kind of heat producing fabrial.[16] They are also used in the construction of a painrial, a pain reducing fabrial, designed by Longshadow and adapted by Navani Kholin.[17] A ruby was also part of the Oathgate at the center of the Shattered Plains.[18]

Ruby spheres are given the "fire-" prefix.[1]

Diamond

Diamond is associated with the Essence of Lucentia. They are used to Soulcast crystals, like quartz, and glass.[12]

Diamonds are used in a kind of light producing fabrial.[18]

Diamond spheres are given the "clear-" prefix.[19]

Emerald

Emerald is associated with the Essence of Pulp. They are used to Soulcast plant material, like wood and moss.[12]

Emeralds can be used to capture flamespren.[2]

Garnet

Garnet is associated with the Essence of Blood. They are used to Soulcast the eight types of blood and all other non-oil liquids.[12]

Garnets are used in a type of water attracting fabrial.[20]

Garnet spheres are given the "blood-" prefix.[21]

Zircon

Zircon is associated with the Essence of Tallow. They are used to Soulcast oils.[12]

Amethyst

Amethyst is associated with the Essence of Foil. They are used to Soulcast metals.[12]

Amethysts are used in the production of reverser fabrials, where a single infused amethyst is split in two. Once activated the two halves will inversely mirror each other's movements, lift one and the other will be lowered.[12]

Topaz

Topaz is associated with the Essence of Talus. They are used to Soulcast rock and stone.[12]

A topaz was observed as part of a fabrial replicating Regrowth, an application of the Surge of Progression.[22]

Heliodor

Heliodor is associated with the Essence of Sinew. They are used to Soulcast animal material, like meat and flesh.[12]

Heliodors are used in the production of alerter fabrials. These fabrials can be used to detect a variety of stimuli, such as people and emotions, and give notice to its user.[23] The larger the heliodor, and as a result the more Stormlight that can be infused in it, the wider the fabrial's range is.[12]

A heliodor was observed as part of a fabrial replicating Regrowth, an application of the Surge of Progression.[22]

Perfect Gemstones

Perfect gemstones occur when one of the polestones forms without any flaws or imperfections which allows them to hold light indefinitely.[24] Spren living in Shadesmar use perfect stones to store the Stormlight they use for currency.[25] The King's Drop is a perfect gemstone that has been held in the Thaylen Gemstone Reserve for over two hundred years without being renewed or losing stormlight.[24] The Elsecallers were tasked with protecting perfect gems, including a ruby named Honor's Drop.[26]

Notes

  1. ↑ a b The Way of Kings chapter 3#
  2. ↑ a b Navani's Notebook: One
  3. ↑ /r/fantasy AMA 2013
    — Arcanum - 2013-04-15#
  4. ↑ The Rithmatist signing Albuquerque
    — Arcanum - 2013-05-22#
  5. ↑ The Way of Kings chapter 13#
  6. ↑ The Way of Kings chapter 36#
  7. ↑ A Memory of Light signing Milford
    — Arcanum - 2013-02-16#
  8. ↑ Words of Radiance signing Chicago
    — Arcanum - 2014-03-22#
  9. ↑ The Way of Kings chapter 33#
  10. ↑ Words of Radiance chapter 67#
  11. ↑ Steel Ministry report
    — Arcanum - 2014-08-20#
  12. ↑ a b c d e f g h i j k l m The Way of Kings Ars Arcanum#
  13. ↑ The Way of Kings chapter 27#
  14. ↑ The Way of Kings chapter 10#
  15. ↑ The Way of Kings chapter 28#
  16. ↑ The Way of Kings chapter 15#
  17. ↑ The Way of Kings chapter 22#
  18. ↑ a b Words of Radiance chapter 86#
  19. ↑ The Way of Kings chapter 11#
  20. ↑ Words of Radiance chapter 82#
  21. ↑ The Way of Kings chapter 17#
  22. ↑ a b The Way of Kings chapter 19#
  23. ↑ The Way of Kings interlude I-4#
  24. ↑ a b Oathbringer interlude I-13#
  25. ↑ Oathbringer chapter 99#
  26. ↑ Oathbringer chapter 83 epigraph#
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