So are Aethers the same thing as Spren?

[shadowwisp]

Similar to how Seons are analogs to Spren? 

[Auger he/him]

It seems like a similar comparison, but they seem to have less cognitive function in the physical realm.

[skaa he/him]

To be fair, there are lots of spren with limited cognitive ability in the Physical Realm. But yeah, it's possible that Aethers in Aether of Night are more like the non-sentient god metals than actual Splinters. Aethers in Liar of Partinel, on the other hand, seem much more Splinter-like.

[Emerald101 he/him]

To be fair, there are lots of spren with limited cognitive ability in the Physical Realm. But yeah, it's possible that Aethers in Aether of Night are more like the non-sentient god metals than actual Splinters. Aethers in Liar of Partinel, on the other hand, seem much more Splinter-like.

 

I think the difference may be one of evolution (with respect to brandon's writing rather than time in the cosmere), Similar to who the shadow-warriors seem like the original form of night essence. I expect that Aethers as they are canonically (IIRC peter said something about them being canonical) will be analogous to spren and seons.

[Lilamal he/him]

It might not be anything like a spren or a Seon. We don't know if this was before or after Adonalsium's Shattering, and they had Aethers in the Liar of Partinel, which was before.

[Emerald101 he/him]

It might not be anything like a spren or a Seon. We don't know if this was before or after Adonalsium's Shattering, and they had Aethers in the Liar of Partinel, which was before.

 

There are Adonalsiums-splinters too though, so before/after the shattering might not be a deciding factor. Source

WETLANDER

So is that like the mists and the Well? Are they [splinters]?

BRANDON SANDERSON

They are not, because they have not attained self-awareness. But, the Seons are self-aware. So, any piece, for instance there were some spren on Roshar before Honor and Cultivation got there. Those were already Splinters of Adonalsium where he had left power which attained sentience on its own. So, it can be intentional is what I am saying, does that make sense? You have seen other splinters.

(edited for relevancy, ephasis mine.) 

 

The mention of splinters makes me wonder if divine breath are spren-analogs too. . .

 

Edit: spacing

Edited April 19, 2016 by Emerald101

[Stormgate he/him]

This magic system is probably not going to be very close to the canon version.