Invested Squires

[Trusk'our he/him]

We have an example of the Nahel bond being used by Aviar to not only share their powers with a human, but a human being able to sharing innate power back with those Aviar.

Naturally, this got me thinking about Roshar's Nahel bonds. I'm sure their would be some weirdness if a Spren bonded a Metalborn or other Invested person, maybe granting them some slight difference in their innate abilities (though this would be small given that they can barely use their own Surges- presumably because, like Kelsier stuck in the CR, they lack a tie to the PR).

What I think would be far more interesting is if a Radiant squired another Invested person. I'm assuming that it is the same kind of mechanism as the bond between the Radiant and Spren (though I personally think it's more a bond directly with the Radiant, which in turn gives lesser access to the Spren's power). If so, then I think it's quite reasonable that the Radiant gets some access to that other Investiture, as Nahel bonds are two-way streets.

 

It does make me wonder what Metalborn powers would prove especially effective for Radiants.

Gold Feruchemy might make a nice backup reserve for healing and Pewter Allomancy would synergize well with Radiants who haven't earned Plate yet. Steel Allomancy might be good for those that lack Gravitation, granting way more mobility (I'm looking at you, Dustbringers and Edgedancers). Copperclouds are of less use to Lightweavers than other Orders for sneaking around, but the cognitive defenses might be nice, especially when dealing with Unmade. Tin is just amazing for Lightweaver spies. Gold Allomancy might be a useful ability for Elsecallers as they specifically must self-improve, and what better way to do that than to see another version of what you could be? Iron Feruchemy would be nice for Stonewards in particular for holding the line. Steelrunning is busted in nearly any way you look at it, especially after being handed to people who can regenerate from great injury.

 

It would also be interesting to consider just what are the limitations of sharing your powers via Nahel bond. I'm assuming there must be some limit, as the Investiture itself is limited.

 

[Nitpicking]

Or you could just give a Radiant an unkeyed medallion?

[Trusk'our he/him]

3 hours ago, Nitpicking said:

Or you could just give a Radiant an unkeyed medallion?

Yeah, you could just do that.

But for some reason it seems like there's been a restriction on Unsealed Metalmind use (though that might just be the meta getting in the way in all the secret projects).

There are also time periods where that might be harder to do. For example, if Sazed had lent Metalborn to Roshar during the True Desolation there's a good chance medallion tech wouldn't have been up to spec yet.

 

But yeah, artificial powers will probably make many things redundant in the future.