Hemalurgic Spikes And Communication

[Themasterhunter]

So. In the 2nd mistborn age, we see wax speaking to harmony. I was wondering if there was a way to communicate through hemalurgic spikes. This could be a way that southern scadrialans communicate, whether they're actually spiked or do it though their tech. I think this is a viable thing and I'm pretty sure that Brandon said something about vin and tensoon being able to communicate. Idk tho. Just wondering 

[The One Who Connects he/him]

Well, Ruin was able to speak to Spiked individuals. Preservation was able to "hear them" or something to that effect. It's why Harmony can do both, and the point of the Pathian earring IIRC.

I believe that the Vin/Tensoon thing was more Vin could be able to speak to Tensoon via his spikes while in the cognitive realm. In Secret History,

Spoiler

we see another character do just that, although that may have been because they held preservation at one point.

As for the Southerners, I don't think it's something they can do. I don't remember anything directly saying that they can or can't however, so its possible

[+Extesian he/him]

Here's a WoB that may interest you

Quote

CADMIUM

Well, yes. hmm. We... we've seen someone with a hemallurgic spike communicate or under the control of Ruin or Harmony. Can other spikes communi, sorry no people, well Shards... ugh so nervous." (Trying to get it accurate.) Brandon looks a little confused at me, but smiles. "Can other *Shards* communicate or control those individuals?"

BRANDON SANDERSON

Yes. Good Question. Yes... *scribbles* They can certainly communicate...

QUESTION

(I excitedly, but rudely, interrupt a bit) To what extent?

BRANDON SANDERSON

not to the extent that Ruin did. The others could communicate but it'd be vague or faint, not as direct as Ruin was. He connects to us, well, them through the little bit of Preservation that he had or could touch. Because the spike pierces the soul.

QUESTION

What about on other planets than Scadrial?

BRANDON SANDERSON

It'd work the same way. but again probably vaguer or fainter. Might go unnoticed

 

[Landis963 he/him]

Preservation can hear everyone, and is only barred from speaking because his power instinctively moves to fix the cracks that he would normally speak to the person through.  W/r/t to Vin and TenSoon talking, it's probably because Vin and TenSoon had the strong relationship that they had (judging from the aforementioned spoilers from SH).  

[Spoolofwhool]

An interesting idea. Probably the closest I think we've seen to this is Bleeder talking to spiked individuals. This could be potentially viable then, though I think that standard individuals do not have the ability to access to cracks in the spiritwebs that the spikes cause.

[Reborn radiant]

Ruin gets the ability to talk to people who have hemalurgic spikes because of the cracks in their souls, and both ruin and preservation, and that aforementioned individual in secret history could detect those cracks and get into their minds. But secret history spoilers:
 

Spoiler

Remember that the person in Secret history spent most of a year in the well of ascension itself. Probably soaking up in its investiture. What is more fascinating is that, iirc, he could sense thoughts as well send forth thoughts to people who have cracks in their minds, that is, he displayed affinity to do what ruin and preservation did. I assume it is because of his connection to both the shards, albeit a stronger connection to ruin.

So, so I think it is the amount of investiture you have that matters. I do not know, nor can I imagine how bleeder talked to spiked individuals. But, I don't think southerners could do it because they would need large amounts of investiture for that. More over, all the individuals who did this so far were in cognitive realm (the realm of mind, and hence I assume easy to force their way into the minds of cracked individuals) and that is the reason why Lord Ruler couldn't read peoples' minds (It was explicitly mentioned in the final empire.), he was always in physical realm.

Another possibility I could see happening is this: What if all the southerners have very strong connection between themselves? I find it implausible because it would make them a sort of semi hive mentality thingy. I don't think that is happening here.