I'm Confused About Yumi...

[Honor is Wayne]

What exactly is Yumi? Is she a spren, or what?

[Treamayne]

3 hours ago, Honor is Wayne said:

What exactly is Yumi? Is she a spren, or what?

Since you still do not have an Intro Post ( let us know what you have or have-not read - whichever list is shorter), I am guessing you are asking because you have finished the book and are still confused. However, I will Spoiler Tag just in case. Spoilers for YatNP, Warbreaker, and Stormlight Archive:

Spoiler

We know that Yumi is a Cognitive Shadow - like all the other Torio residents killed by the Father Machine's activation, It is heavily implied, but not definitively confirmed that she and the other Yoki-Hijo are also Splinters of Virtuosity (Likely similar to how Splinters of Endowmwnt create Returned) - which is why they are so heavily invested and were able to break free from Father Machine's Control.

So, while Returned are a Cognitive Shadow Stapled to their own body in the Physical Realm by the Divine Breath (Splinter) - YH were Splinters before they were killed by Father Machine; and they remained so heavily invested that, like Heralds, they are able to create a body in the Physical Realm (M:SH Spoilers - something Kelsier was unable to do because he was not heavily invested as a Cognitive Shadow). That's why Nikaro looked like yumi in her world (it was her investiture making her body), but Yumi changed his body in Kilahito because her Investiture was strong enough to rewrite things while she was inhabiting the body. 

 Hope that helps.

[Honor is Wayne]

1 hour ago, Treamayne said:

Since you still do not have an Intro Post ( let us know what you have or have-not read - whichever list is shorter), I am guessing you are asking because you have finished the book and are still confused. However, I will Spoiler Tag just in case. Spoilers for YatNP, Warbreaker, and Stormlight Archive:

  Hide contents

We know that Yumi is a Cognitive Shadow - like all the other Torio residents killed by the Father Machine's activation, It is heavily implied, but not definitively confirmed that she and the other Yoki-Hijo are also Splinters of Virtuosity (Likely similar to how Splinters of Endowmwnt create Returned) - which is why they are so heavily invested and were able to break free from Father Machine's Control.

So, while Returned are a Cognitive Shadow Stapled to their own body in the Physical Realm by the Divine Breath (Splinter) - YH were Splinters before they were killed by Father Machine; and they remained so heavily invested that, like Heralds, they are able to create a body in the Physical Realm (M:SH Spoilers - something Kelsier was unable to do because he was not heavily invested as a Cognitive Shadow). That's why Nikaro looked like yumi in her world (it was her investiture making her body), but Yumi changed his body in Kilahito because her Investiture was strong enough to rewrite things while she was inhabiting the body. 

 Hope that helps.

You are answering all of my questions, and I appreciate that so much. Thanks!

[Treamayne]

3 minutes ago, Honor is Wayne said:

You are answering all of my questions, and I appreciate that so much. Thanks!

No worries I'm only getting these first because @alder24 is likely asleep (another Sharder who enjoys answering questions and providing sources - usually much better than me)