timasp he/him Posted March 9, 2016 Report Share Posted March 9, 2016 (edited) So, shapeshifting. That does not have a large position in the cosmere books. I don't think we have really seen it at all, so your curiosity should be piqued. Instead, let me walk you through healing: We know that the reason Kaladin did not heal his slave brand, but Lopen healed his arm was due to their perceptions of themselves. Kaladin saw himself with his slave brand. Basically, healing is modelled after a certain pattern defined by self perception. I think most people having read the night angel trilogy notice something here (massive night angel spoilers): Durzo blint turns into a massive bird near the end of book 3, and explains that you can shapeshift by changing the pattern rebirth is based on I should introduce the following assumption here: Healing occurs whenever someone's physique differs from the perception/pattern proposed. Basically, it amounts to this. If someone who can heal changes how they see themselves, they will shapeshift, and this could be used to powerful ends. What do you think? Please tell me if I missed something. EDIT: Added a spoiler tag Edited March 10, 2016 by timasp Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bowiespoon he/him Posted March 9, 2016 Report Share Posted March 9, 2016 I feel like there is more to it than that, but I see it as entirely possible. I can't think of an argument against it, so why not? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Metanat Posted March 9, 2016 Report Share Posted March 9, 2016 I agree that this should work at least in theory, but I think it would require a greater internal change than just viewing yourself differently. You would have to change your entire cognitive aspect to change shape which I think would be more of a permanent shape shift. But I think it could work. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeBridgeFour Posted March 9, 2016 Report Share Posted March 9, 2016 This seems somewhat supported by Warbreaker. I don't know how to do spoiler tags or if they are even necessary for this but just in case I won't mention it specifically. If you've read Warbreaker, you should know what I'm talking about, hopefully. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zathoth Posted March 9, 2016 Report Share Posted March 9, 2016 The Returned do pretty much this, but they dont seem to be able to heal... I could see there being a magic system based on shape shifting though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
timasp he/him Posted March 9, 2016 Author Report Share Posted March 9, 2016 This seems somewhat supported by Warbreaker. I don't know how to do spoiler tags or if they are even necessary for this but just in case I won't mention it specifically. If you've read Warbreaker, you should know what I'm talking about, hopefully. Yes, but I could not find a quotation specifically, so... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TwelfthOfSnackTime he/him Posted March 9, 2016 Report Share Posted March 9, 2016 So, shapeshifting. That does not have a large position in the cosmere books. I don't think we have really seen it at all, so your curiosity should be piqued. Instead, let me walk you through healing: We know that the reason Kaladin did not heal his slave brand, but Lopen healed his arm was due to their perceptions of themselves. Kaladin saw himself with his slave brand. Basically, healing is modelled after a certain pattern defined by self perception. I think most people having read the night angel trilogy notice something here. I would be more explicit below, if I knew how to make spoiler tags... I should introduce the following assumption here: Healing occurs whenever someone's physique differs from the perception/pattern proposed. Basically, it amounts to this. If someone who can heal changes how they see themselves, they will shapeshift, and this could be used to powerful ends. What do you think? Please tell me if I missed something, or if you know how to make spoilers. I take it you don't count Kandra or Shallans/Hoids illusions or Vashers ability to switch between normal and god-mode as shapeshifting. Theoretically changing your cognitive aspect would work for a Surgebinder to change his physical shape but doing so on purpose would be just about impossible. I can imagine slow changes as they grow and mature, or if they still see themselves as young even when they are old. A weird aspect of this might be if they take a head wound that makes them have amnesia. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stormgate he/him Posted March 9, 2016 Report Share Posted March 9, 2016 The kandra are shapeshifting in nearly every sense of the word. Also, to make spoiler tags, remove the spaces in the following brackets: Which makes this: This is inside a spoiler tag Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
natc Posted March 10, 2016 Report Share Posted March 10, 2016 *changing cognitive aspect to shapeshift . . . that's basically what happens to things that get soulcasted isn't it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
timasp he/him Posted March 10, 2016 Author Report Share Posted March 10, 2016 I take it you don't count Kandra or Shallans/Hoids illusions or Vashers ability to switch between normal and god-mode as shapeshifting. Theoretically changing your cognitive aspect would work for a Surgebinder to change his physical shape but doing so on purpose would be just about impossible. I can imagine slow changes as they grow and mature, or if they still see themselves as young even when they are old. A weird aspect of this might be if they take a head wound that makes them have amnesia. I think bloodmakers can do it too. I imagine hypnosis works too Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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