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Difference between revisions of "Stormlight"
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{{magic
|image=Zeradoreh_glyph.svg
|related=[[
|type=[[Investiture]]
|world=Roshar
|books=[[The Stormlight Archive]]
}}
{{update|
{{quote
'''Stormlight''' is a form of gaseous [[Investiture]] brought by the [[Highstorm]]s of [[Roshar]].▼
|If you looked deeply into a stone, you could see the Light shifting with the chaotic pattern of a blowing storm. It was not calm inside. Not by a wind or a whisper.
|Kaladin{{book ref|sa2|22}}
}}
▲'''Stormlight''' (Alethi: ''Zeradoreh''){{file ref|Alethi_Glyphs_Page_2.jpg|Alethi Glyphs Page 2}} is a form of gaseous [[Investiture]] brought by the [[
== Origin ==
{{image|Dalinar by horizonproblems.jpg|[[Dalinar]] bringing the Realms together, summoning Stormlight|side=right|width=200px}}
{{quote
|Honor's power, during a storm, is concentrated in one place. It pierces all three realms and brings Physical, Cognitive, and Spiritual together momentarily in one. The gemstones, exposed to the wonder of the Spiritual Realm, are lit by the infinite power there.
|The Stormfather{{book ref|sa3|64}}
}}
Stormlight comes directly from the [[Spiritual Realm]], leaking into the [[Physical Realm|Physical]] and the [[Cognitive Realm|Cognitive]] as the three are brought closer together.{{book ref|sa3|64}} This typically happens on Roshar during a [[highstorm]]. As the storm passes, any spheres exposed to it are infused with Stormlight near its end.{{book ref|sa2|74}} At the same time, it arrives in [[Shadesmar]] as a wave of light high in the sky. There, [[spren]] absorb it directly.{{book ref|sa3|101}}
[[Bondsmith]]s of third Oath or higher can likewise infuse spheres and people with Stormlight, though with significant effort.{{book ref|sa3|122}}{{wob ref|12295}} [[Dalinar]] is also able to open [[Honor's Perpendicularity]] to release functionally-infinite amounts of Stormlight over a vast area for a limited amount of time. This is, however, unusual, and possibly a consequence of Stormfather's particular nature as [[Honor]]'s [[Cognitive Shadow]].
In the present, it appears that the [[Stormfather]] -- and, by extension, [[Honor]] -- is the primary force enabling Stormlight to cross over into other Realms. However, it has existed prior to the [[Shattering]]. Back then, it had slightly different properties.{{wob ref|9266}}
== Appearance and Properties ==
Stormlight appears as luminescent white vapor with a faint blue tint. When free, it behaves similarly to smoke, dissipating in puffs and leaving trails when its source moves.{{book ref|sa2|85}} [[Gemstone]]s left outside during a [[highstorm]] absorb it, becoming infused, which manifests as the gems glowing.{{book ref|sa1|11}} The amount of Stormlight collected is not directly proportional to the strength of the highstorm.{{wob ref|11482}}
Absorbed Stormlight, if unused, will eventually begin leaking out through miniscule cracks in the gemstones.{{wob ref|15131}} The speed at which it leaks varies depending on its current vessel. A person can only hold Stormlight for a few minutes at most, while a gemstone will hold it for several days -- the ones used as currency glow for about a week, while bigger gems last a while longer.{{book ref|sa1|prologue}}{{book ref|sa1|17}}{{book ref|sa2|83}} [[Perfect gemstone]]s, like the [[King's Drop]], can hold it for centuries, if not forever.{{book ref|sa3|i|13}} When leaking from gems, Stormlight assumes their color.{{book ref|sa1|56}} It can be transferred from one gemstone to another through various means, such as using tuning forks that resonate to Honor's pure tone.{{book ref|sa4|42}}
Stormlight is stored in gemstones similar to [[Voidlight]], but these two types of light cannot be stored in the same gemstone.{{book ref|sa4|69}} Stormlight leaks significantly faster than Voidlight.{{book ref|sa4|16}}
== Uses ==
{{image|Shallan - I. The Magician .jpg|[[Shallan]] using Stormlight for [[Illumination]]|side=left|width=200px}}
=== Magic fuel ===
{{for|Surgebinding}}
Stormlight is the primary fuel of [[Surgebinding]] abilities. To absorb it, a Surgebinder breathes it in from sources such as gemstones or the [[highstorm]] itself. When inhaled, Stormlight gives the user a sensation of increased energy, restlessness and desire to move, with several people comparing it to a storm raging inside them.{{book ref|sa2|42}}{{book ref|sa2|89}} While held, it will automatically heal wounds, exhaustion and even conditions such as poisoning or drunkenness.{{book ref|sa1|38}}{{book ref|sa3|18}} If the Surgebinder is pregnant, then the child can also be healed by Stormlight.{{wob ref|14919}} Stormlight doesn't give the Surgebinder much additional raw strength.{{book ref|sa4|39}} It can also be consumed to power the use of [[Surge]]s.{{book ref|sa2|7}}
There are other methods of obtaining Stormlight, such as the method used by [[Vasher]], which can be used by others.{{wob ref|5727}} Stormlight can serve as replacement for other forms of [[Investiture]], most notably [[Breath]]. A [[Returned]] can survive off consuming it.{{wob ref|4553}} Likewise, [[Nightblood]] can be fuelled by Stormlight, and when unsheathed, will begin to absorb it from its environment before going for living beings.{{book ref|sa3|119}} It's possible to transform Stormlight into Breath and use it in [[Awakening]], though that is noted as extremely difficult, with neither [[Vasher]], [[Vivenna]], or [[Hoid]] having figured out how to achieve this so far.{{wob ref|12667}}
[[Fabrial]]s will not function unless the gems comprising them are infused with Stormlight.{{book ref|sa1|part=ars}}
=== Healing and sustenance ===
Even for non-Surgebinders, Stormlight has minor healing properties. Rosharans are notably healthier than people from other planets, and fall sick less often because there is generally more Investiture around.{{wob ref|912}} Plants can also be encouraged to grow more quickly by placing Stormlight-infused gems nearby.{{book ref|sa2|i|1}}
Stormlight is also important to Roshar's native beings. Creatures with [[gemheart]]s require it, presumably to fuel their spren bonds, and large quantities of it are necessary for them to transform. Among others, [[chasmfiend]]s pupate in areas that are highly exposed to highstorms, and [[singer]]s need highstorm levels of Stormlight to change [[Singer#Forms|form]].{{book ref|sa1|15}}{{book ref|sa2|i|5}} In Shadesmar, [[spren]] derive sustenance from Stormlight, and tend to become more lively and energetic in its presence.{{book ref|sa3|101}}
=== Farming ===
Stormlight can be used to fuel the growth of plants directly. This farming technique involves beating drums to a certain rhythm next to emeralds infused with Stormlight.{{book ref|sa4|15}} This attracts lifespren which will in turn carry Stormlight back and forth to nearby crops, boosting their growth. The emeralds used will periodically crack and it is currently unknown whether Soulcasting can produce more grains using the same amount of emerald. The Parshendi used to do gemheart hunts on the shattered plains for this specific purpose. This method was unknown to humans until Rlain revealed it.{{book ref|sa4|15}}
{{image|Emerald sphere.jpg|side=right|width=200px|An infused [[sphere]]}}
=== Currency ===
The [[sphere]]s used as money across Roshar are generally considered more valuable when infused. While nominally they're worth the same whether dun or glowing, merchants will often find dun spheres suspicious, and will call an expert to verify if a dun sphere isn't counterfeit.{{book ref|sa1|3}} Moneychangers capitalize on this, exchanging dun spheres for infused ones or taking spheres to be infused in their secured nets -- for a fee.{{book ref|sa1|11}} The value of infused spheres rises even higher with the return of [[Surgebinding]], with some people making a tidy profit off trading spheres with [[Urithiru]].{{book ref|sa3|8}}
Stormlight is directly used as a currency in Roshar's [[Cognitive Realm]], with moneychangers in [[Celebrant]] storing it in perfect gemstones
== See also ==
▲Stormlight is used as a currency in Roshar's [[Cognitive Realm]], with moneychangers in [[Celebrant]] storing it in perfect gemstones which never go dun.{{book ref|sa3|97}}{{book ref|sa3|99}} A device is used to transfer stormlight from smaller gemstones into the perfect gemstones, and in exchange one receives credit which can be spent in the city.{{book ref|sa3|99}}
* [[Voidlight]] - gaseous form of Investiture associated with [[Odium]]
* [[Breath]] - gaseous form of Investiture associated with [[Endowment]]
* [[Mists]] - gaseous form of Investiture associated with [[Preservation]]
* [[Lifelight]] - gaseous form of Investiture associated with [[Cultivation]]
== Notes ==
{{partial}}
{{Stormlight}}
[[category: currencies]]
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