The Fundamental Natures of the 16 Allomantic Metals Summarized

[MischiefIsMe He/They]

Hi everyone! Just as a preface this is my first ever post on any forum so I'm not entirely sure what I'm doing.  But I've been thinking on some theories for a while now and needed to put it up for discussion now that I feel they're as far as I can get them currently.  So, I'm starting with a smaller one that leads into the big one that's been on my mind (which I'll post next).

I think it's clear the metals have fundamental natures when it comes to how they interact with Investiture.  We have instances of the metals acting in similar capacities on two different planets: Scadrial and Roshar.  Analyzing the uses for the metals in the metallic arts as well as in fabrial science (the ones we know at least), some basic natures become clear.  You can see the uses for each metal in the graphic below (uses in parentheses are my best guess for how they would work in fabrials) as well as what I believe to be the base nature of each metal in italics.  I'll admit I'm not completely confident in some of these.  Steel, Copper, and Gold in particular were difficult to try and reduce to a fundamental concept.  Others, such as the spiritual/enhancement metals, were much easier to find the common thread for.  My conclusions are also shaped by everything I've seen throughout the Cosmere and certain phrases, concepts, and patterns I've noticed.

I hope you've enjoyed my first ever post!  Hoping posting this will lead me to discussion that can help fine tune my theories. Would love to hear your thoughts!

Edited November 25, 2024 by MischiefIsMe

[Through the Living Wrath he/him]

6 minutes ago, MischiefIsMe said:

Hi everyone! Just as a preface this is my first ever post on any forum so I'm not entirely sure what I'm doing.  But I've been thinking on some theories for a while now and needed to put it up for discussion now that I feel they're as far as I can get them currently.  So, I'm starting with a smaller one that leads into the big one that's been on my mind (which I'll post next).

I think it's clear the metals have fundamental natures when it comes to how they interact with Investiture.  We have instances of the metals acting in similar capacities on two different planets: Scadrial and Roshar.  Analyzing the uses for the metals in the metallic arts as well as in fabrial science (the ones we know at least), some basic natures become clear.  You can see the uses for each metal in the graphic below (uses in parentheses are my best guess for how they would work in fabrials) as well as what I believe to be the base nature of each metal in italics.  I'll admit I'm not completely confident in some of these.  Steel, Copper, and Gold in particular were difficult to try and reduce to a fundamental concept.  Others, such as the spiritual/enhancement metals, were much easier to find the common thread for.  My conclusions are also shaped by everything I've seen throughout the Cosmere and certain phrases, concepts, and patterns I've noticed.

I hope you've enjoyed my first ever post!  Hoping posting this will lead me to discussion that can help fine tune my theories. Would love to hear your thoughts!

Ooohhhhhh yes…

i cudda used this for my topic… I was flipping between coppermind pages

Although, interestingly, it seems fabrials match more with allomancer than feruchemy and hemalurgy… although it does make sense

@MischiefIsMe

I forgot, u shud probably make a intro page.

Edited November 25, 2024 by SpiritOfWrath

[MischiefIsMe He/They]

An intro page?

[Through the Living Wrath he/him]

1 minute ago, MischiefIsMe said:

An intro page?

Here ya go: 

Click HERE for enlightenment

Basically ya introduce yourself, and say which books you have or have not read, stuff like that. Protection against spoilers, ya know.

You don’t need to (I didn’t, [until like a month after I joined]). It’s completely optional.  

[MischiefIsMe He/They]

Thank you so much for sharing that!  As a complete forum newbie I really appreciate it.