Surge powers, the essences, and unique Order combinations

[Ixthos Luke/Luke]

Surgebinding is a fascinating system, with a link to real physics mixed with a mythic view of the physics of the real world, a scientific magic with a mystic approach, or a mystic magic with a scientific approach. The fact that the surges also pair with one another to form balanced relations with essences likewise is fascinating, and suggestive of something else - the surges, interacting with their pairs, form a new manifestation of the combined abilities, independent of the resonances. What I mean is that resonances seem to be passive abilities, not requiring stormlight, while the combined surges would function as a single power which uses both its component surges, and could be considered their combination. This might mean that using [other methods] to gain two surges that are not paired would not result in a combined surge, but it might be that any surge could combine with another to produce a shared power, or some surges can combine but not others. In essence, I propose that most or all orders of knight radiant have access to:

1. one or more powers through one of their surges (some of which might be shared with another order),
2. one or more powers through the other,
3. one or more powers from the combined surge unique to that order, and
4. their resonance, only the later of which works without stormlight.

And further, I propose the logic of the essences relates to the nature of the two surges which are associated with it, just as surge combinations serve ideals.

Some of this might relate to voidbinding - maybe some of the proposals are things which only voidbinding can achieve, or maybe a mixture of both. Either way, the main aim of this is to explore the applications of the surges, what they might be able to do both on their own and with their pairs, their orders of knights, and the ideals and essences they pair up with.

 

This is an outline of both the known abilities - those directly shown as well as stated to be functions - as well as some speculation, including assuming certain properties to belong to pairs of or singlular surges. It begins with examining each surge individually, including the order of knights that it is linked to, and their essence, before moving on to the next surge. This is mainly assumptions, so please excuse any assumptions that I state as fact :-)

 

Surges and their links to Essences and Orders:

Spoiler

Adhesion, The Surge of Pressure and Vacuum

Adhesion is a slight misnomer according to the standard understanding of things adhering to one another. Its description gives a more accurate idea, namely it is related to pressure and vacuum, properties of gasses - though pressure might also apply to physical objects. I think, therefore, that there are two primary functions of this surge, each based on the two parts of its name.

• Vacuum, manifesting as full lashings and spiritual adhesion, allowing for pulling. At least the full lashing manifestation of the surge is shared by both Windrunners and Bondsmiths
• Pressure, manifesting as a pushing "shockwave" or continuous flow, likely only available to Windrunners, allowing for pushing

The vacuum surge differs from gravitation in that it lets a knight - or someone using the surge via other methods - bind objects together which are currently in contact, or at least close, as opposed to drawing objects together that are distant. Physically this forms a type of glue, and temporarily fuses objects, while Dalinar demonstrated that spiritually it connects one to a people, touching someone letting him temporarily connect to them spiritually, something shown in other Cosmere writings to be necessary to speak a language one doesn't know offhand.

The Pressure manifestation has only been seen once, used by Kaladin to push back the storm, creating a wave that Syl hadn't expected. Her not expecting it, however, does not mean it isn't something they should be able to do - Syl doesn't know all the capabilities they should have, and it might be something which is uncommon even for Windrunners.

Bondsmiths need to bind people together, not leading but guiding, which is something you offer to those already near you and willing to listen. A leader draws people to them, but a guide leads those near. Thus I think Bondsmiths only have access to the vacuum manifestation, able to use both physical and spiritual to draw things which are near or have already gathered together and unite them. Thus Bondsmiths having access to spiritual adhesion lets them better connect with others, and help them connect with each other and their goal. This likely fits with their resonance and combined surge, which will be outlined below for tension.

Windrunners, unlike Bondsmiths, have access to both vacuum and pressure, but likely only physically. They need to be able to push harmful things away and pull objects towards them to protect others from them. It isn't clear which of these a Windrunner would use to bind air for space travel - though they would only need stormlight to breath, keeping pressure maintained would be important in the vacuum of space, and if bringing others with who are not knights they might need to breath too. It would probably be the pressure surge, but with whatever container those travelling in also using the vacuum surge at its edges to bind any cracks. Windrunners also might have access to the spiritual components, but I think that spiritual vacuum is better explained with spiritual gravity, and spiritual pressure would only make sense if they have some way to scare off aggressors. Perhaps part of spiritual vacuum or pressure is used as part of their resonance, but more of that in gravitation.

Adhesion is associated with the essences of flesh and vapour, which makes sense in that living things breath, taking in air by lowering internal pressure ("vacuum"), and expelling it by increasing pressure. It also is logically associated with air, which is clear and can both push and pull.

 

Gravitation, The Surge of Gravity

I think that Gravitation only has a single mode, pulling objects together that are apart. The main issue then being what is doing the pulling - is the lashing done to an object making the object move - a basic lashing - or does it make the other objects nearby move - a reverse lashing? This seems to break the symmetry of the forces involved, Newton's third law, which other magic systems preserve. But it could be that when reverse lashing objects it balances out by pulling equally on the things around it, so for example if Kaladin was in deep space and reverse lashed a stone, the stone would move towards the nearest object nearby, just as the nearest object would move towards it, albeit more slowly. A basic lashing, meanwhile, is more about defining where an object thinks the net gravitational field is pointing. Gravitation, therefore, is redefining gravity either locally (for basic lashings) or globally (for reverse lashings). Now, we can get closer to examining the unique abilities of Winrunners and Skybreakers.

Windrunners have both physical and spiritual gravity, drawing distant people to themselves to turn into squires, possibly also using spiritual adhesion. Thus mainly with adhesion Windrunners protect, and mainly with gravitation they lead. Windrunners can fly using gravitation, as well as make objects attract others. I think that the resonance of Windrunners, number of squires, is combination of spiritual gravity and spiritual adhesion without Windrunners having access to deliberate spiritual adhesion, and reverse lashings are a combination of adhesion and gravity, adhesion because it requires constant contact. Also, very importantly, Windrunner spren appear to be wisps or ribbons, changing shape and moving, which resemble the idea of air, their essence, and focusing more on adhesion than on gravity.

Skybreakers also have gravitation in much the same why physically a Windrunner does, but I suspect that only Windrunners can perform a reverse lashing. The reason for this is that Windrunners are associated with drawing things together, though less so than Bondsmiths, while Skybreakers name suggests the exact opposite. I don't think they can perform a reverse lashing, but instead, using Division, they can make objects fly apart, in essence a reverse reverse lashing. As mentioned above, I will cover the resonance and combined surge in more detail in the component surge, but that in essence is the idea - reverse reverse lashings causing an object to break apart.

The essences of smoke and air are similar, associated with gravity due to being a force that acts on distant objects, moving them though nothing seems to be nearby to make them move. A wave of smoke or a breeze both can move objects very distant to the source.

Incidentally, the ability of Windrunners to fly using gravity as well as well as push and pull on objects with a mixture is suggestive of another magic, another world which uses a clear vapour as a symbol, and preserving life ... 

 

Division, The Surge of Destruction and Decay

The surge of division describes two similar but distinct processes:

• Destruction, breaking something apart
• Decay, corroding while maintaining physical structure

The distinction is subtle, but it implies that one can tear something apart - a reverse of tensions - while another can make something solid rot or decay - a reverse of progression.

Skybreakers can likely use the destruction manifestation along with gravitation to split objects apart, breaking something with a touch. They also seem to have a spiritual division, using possibly a combination of spiritual gravity and spiritual division to determine the guilty. This holds with them being about justice, which requires making a division between two things, just and unjust, as well as finding the guilty, being drawn towards them. Their spren, interestingly, look like rips in space in the physical world, something indicative of being less like smoke, and more like the result of strong gravity.

Dustbringers can likely use both forms of the surge, but any spiritual component of division used by them is hard to reconcile with obedience and curiosity. Further speculation on their abilities is covered below.

Smoke and fire, as essences, match the idea of division well, with smoke being the byproduct of something burning - the most effective type of rapped decay - and fire the active component of something burning.

Also, another interesting parallel, decay is a form of ruin, and Skybreakers are associated with a dark smoke. And Nale sounds like Nalthis, smoke is associated with breathing out, and is opaque, though not shimmering ... 

 

Abrasion, The Surge of Friction

I think this surge has two components, which are the increasing and decreasing of friction. Logically, this would be similar to adhesion, but as adhesion is about pressure - or seen to be about pressure, which affects the property of the different surges - this instead is relates to how well materials slide against one another. While decreasing friction has been shown, and seems to be the most useful part

• Increasing, allowing them to make objects harder to slide or abrade one another
• Decreasing, allowing for smooth movement

So, Dustbringers can probably use both fire and lightning, both possible products of friction, one from heat and the other the buildup of static. Combined with division, this likely means they can set objects on fire - we have already seen one use their abilities to carve into wood as though burning it - as well as throw through the air either fire or lightning, or cast it along something they are in contact with. Spiritually, they might have an involuntarily aggressive or hard to get along with nature, maybe they can use this to force others to obey them by cutting into them spiritually, though they themselves are obedient. Bravery could also be something they can encourage in others spiritually, to go and do something they want by spiritually decreasing friction, making it easier to act even though scared. Their spren are called ashpren, and that paints a clear picture of how they likely look, matching both parts of the surge but possibly leaning more towards division, as ash flakes.

Edgedancers, likely use both physical and spiritual abrasion. We have seen Lift slide, but we haven't seen her ride a rope - this likely is either using a combination of the two manifestations, increasing friction along part of the rope to prevent sliding off of it, or just increased balance due to stormlight. Possibly this is something both Edgedancers and Dustbringers can do, assuming they are both able to use the decreasing manifestation.

The essence of crystals and fire are both associated with abrasion, but in opposite ways. Crystals are usually smooth, though they can be jagged, and fire can be made from a few materials rubbing against one another to heat them.

 

Progression, The Surge of Growth and Healing, or Regrowth

This surge has at least two, and possibly three manifestations:

• Growth, making plants or immature things grow
• Healing / Regrowth, fixing wounds according to cognitive understanding or perception
• Mutation - what the fused did to grow weapons

Based on what the fused can do, it looks like progression can not only heal, but also mutate, growing something off of something else.

Edgedancers can heal others - I think that is the standard ability of the surge that all share - as well as make things grow. However, their main ability is to make others reach their potential, to hear the ignored, to be comforting, and to listen. They are the order for the common folk, those who think they are ignored, and by being able to fit in with them - fit in anywhere - they use both progression and abrasion, spiritually, to make social connections. With the rich or poor they can fit in, and they make the people know the knights care. Their spren, cultivationspren, resemble vines with crystals growing on them, matching both surges.

Truthwatchers can also heal, but I think they are also able to heal the soul, removing harmful investiture or damage. More of that below.

The essence of crystal and the essence of plants match the surge of progression, both able to grow.

 

Illumination, The Surge of Light, Sound, and Various Waveforms

Light, sound, and various wave forms. This can mean two things.

• Lights, camera, action! Illusions, both visual and auditory, as Shallan has shown
• Lasers. I don't think this is even a question. Both pulses of light as well as beams, both sound and radio, Illumination should be able to produce ranged attacks, even if they are only strong enough to blind, as well as ranged communication

It is hard to think of Truthwatchers as being able to fire bolts of damaging light or pulses of sound to hurt people, but it might be that they can use those to attack hostile enemies and thus drive them away in order to heal. It might however be that together with progression, they can heal at a distance using a pulse of light to healing everyone. A spiritual laser, then, could attack the enemy while healing or sparing allies and friends, possibly also removing harmful investiture, with the physical progression and illumination healing physically. Their spren also look like shimmering lights, or plants made of shimmering light.

Lightweaves likewise can possibly use the laser manifestation, and can definitely use illusions. They can possibly serve as both scouts and relay stations, hearing radio waves - cryptics like patterns - and spiritually use a combination of illumination and transformation to build up their allies, but more of that below.

Plants and non-oils, essences, match illumination, with plants growing towards light, and water - a non-oil, even though usually blood - can refract it.

 

Transformation, The Surge of Soulcasting

There is a lot I want to say on this topic, but there are limitations. Read the Bridge Four chapters on the website set on Yolen chapters and then think about this surge. And the last two surges. Either way, this surge seems to affect the physical and cognitive directly, and likewise the spiritual indirectly. Mainly, I think this is about convincing the cognitive component something has changed, and the physical by manipulating atoms and molecules. Maybe only fluids can be affected, but it seems like sections can also be specifically selected to be shaped, and so specific "blocks" of air or smoke, water or oil can be changed from the whole, or maybe this can apply to parts of a single cognitive whole as well, though using more power, such as making only part of a table change to glass.

Lightweavers in addition to the standard use of the surge, carefully coaxing the transformation by appealing to how something can or should change, can use spiritual transformation on people to make them better, making them match what has been drawn - though this also implies something very horrifying - and transforming something can also be a way of recording something, so together with lightweaving means having a better memory than others, as sculpting something is transformative as is carving a message. Cryptics, liespren, are changing patterns, closely matching both light and transformation, illusion and shifting, and like blood flow under the surface of things, a pattern imposed.

Elsecallers can also transform materials, and using transportation affect them at greater distances. Unlike Lightweavers, however, Elsecallers treat transformation intellectually, demanding change because it is what they want.

The two liquid essences, oil and water, or blood, match in that they can change shape based on their container.

 

Transportation, The Surge of Motion and Realmatic Transition

This surges name indicates it has two functions:

• Motion, including ones own and others
• Realmatic transition, both into the cognitive realm and teleportation via oathgates

I originally had only thought of this surge as being teleportation, but I think it now covers more than just that, but rather all movement, which does put it at odds with the idea of Windrunners having pushing and pulling powers. Elsecallers and Willshapers are hard to directly. Some of this covers speculation on what one can do that the other might also be able to.

Elsecallers likely can use this surge to impart extra momentum to something pushed physically, as well as transmitting any soulcast property from the moved object to what it hits, as Jasnah showed on both counts in Oathbringer - this is likely the combined surge and unique to them, along with the ability to soulcast at a distance. Also, spiritually, they likely can sense familiar places more easily, finding their way towards them. Also, and this is possibly shared with Willshapers, they can probably teleport both long distances and short, short distances useful in battle, as well as open portals to Shadesmar, and thus travel the cognitive realm. Inkspren resemble oil - and ink is useful for writing things down, an intellectual task for intellectual radiants - and matching the idea of oil, and the idea of being able to access the cognitive realm, matching transportation, and oil being able to swirl, matching transformation.

Willshapers use of this surge will be covered with cohesion, but in brief I think they mainly use for long range teleportation as well as making Oathgates. Spiritually, it likely makes them more prone to want to explore, to travel to unfamiliar places and other areas they have only heard of, and maybe find their way there from where they are.

Essences match with oil and metal both together being used to make travel easier, whether lubricating with oil or riding in a vehicle made of metal, or a metal gear with oil lubrication.

 

Cohesion, The Surge of Strong Axial Interconnection

Axi are atoms or molecules. I don't think this can be disputed, especially considering Jasnah making solid objects and thinking of them as aligning. This means that at least three surges link to one another. It looks like it has only a single form, but a very important type.

• Weakening strong bonds,

This means that something solid can be made soft, easier to shape.

Willshapers likely can use this together with transportation to make standing portals, weakening reality to make shortcuts that others can use. I think that Willshapers are important in making Oathgates, possibly with Elsecallers helping, Willshapers weakening reality and Elsecallers transmuting the space around it into a portal. As they are also associated with building, it can likely be used to better shape existing materials, or to help gather materials with which to build. If it can be used socially, it might also spiritually allow for melting the hearts of others, making them more willing to help, something an explorer might find useful. Their spren look like comets, more closely matching transportation as comets wonder and explore, but also match metal in that meteors can carry metal in them, and when a meteorite hits, hard things become soft very quickly ...

Stonewards likely use this along with tension when reshaping material, and can thus probably use it to break apart fortifications or weapons used against them, or to help carve holes to hide people in while standing firm themselves.

Metal and stone match the surge, the essence for stone matching in that stone can be made into sand, and metal can be heated and shaped.

 

Tension, The Surge of Soft Axial Interconnection

Like Cohesion I think this surge is associated with making atoms and molecules interact, binding things to make them hard

• Hardening weak bonds, allowing something made of soft material to become solid and hard.

Using the two axial interconnections, I think Stonewards can perform the power that Brandon originally based them around, to reshape matter through touch, by using cohesion to make matter soft and move into a new shape, and tension to make it hard again once it has been shaped. If cohesion is temporary, however, it might be the only one needed. Spiritually, I think they can make those who are near them stronger or less willing to budge, making them harder and more able to stand. It is likely that the non-spiritual aspect of tension is also shared with Bondsmiths, outlined below. Their spren haven't been shown, but likely resemble stones, matching the essence.

Bondsmiths can use tension to fix materials, making weak material strong and whole again, a parallel to Truthwatchers. Also, tension and adhesion together form either the resonance of Bondsmiths or their combined surge, that of making other surgebinders powers stronger or more vast, like with Shallan's map. Their spren are strange, with the two shown ones being very different from one another, one seemingly like a large windspren, the other like smoke or plant, like a truthwatcher spren. I originally thought - and actually still think might be the case - that there are nine of them, each matching the other essences and types, as flesh is something of people, and people thinking of the surges as alive shaped the spren. That would be how they link to the essences of the different spren, but it also could be because the shards present are best associated with Honourspren and Truthwatcherspren that the two of the three which have been said to be Bondsmith spren are shaped as they are, people - flesh - thinking of them as this. They are shaped by the perception of other spren of shards.

The essences of stone and flesh make sense in that stone is hard, and "soft" sand can be made into stone, while flesh is best thought of as muscle - the muscle of an animal is usually thought of when mentioning flesh - and together with tendons they bind the body and can become hard when worked.

 

[Eris she/her]

I proposed something about spren being related to each surge they are connected with and all that but after reading your thing, other questions popped up in my head.

Why are certain orders able to only access two surges, why not one, three or more?

Why are they connected in a set order? eg. lightweaver share illumination with truthwatcher while the next order, edgedancers share progression with the truthwatchers. Or was this intentionally done? Along with your Honour/ Cultivation scale which has been proven to be the case (unless my sources were all lies  )

Further, why are these surges? Are there only a few surges in existence or are there more?

[Ixthos Luke/Luke]

@Eris Brandon has said that the parings are natural thing on the planet - link here - likely tied to how people perceive them, so the essences and surges pairing is due to how people think of the properties and relationships between various materials. So those surges exist because they are seen to be fundamental, and seem to cover a broad range. If you've read any of his other writing you might recognise similar principles in other systems he wrote - they use the same base rules, applied differently. There is probably going to be more complex interactions later in the series as well.

Also, Brandon recently said that he had to restrain himself to make sure that he didn't go overboard with possibilities - link - One of the rules for writing magic systems he uses is that what it can't do is more important and interesting than what it can.

The surges likely are more complex than they initially appear, and as they are supposed to be based on fundamental forces of the real world, if someone were able to completely control just gravity - which is both a surge in the setting and a real world fundamental force - they would have amazing power.

Now, without going too much into spoilers for other series, it is possible to gain magic from one system using another, and Fabrials can also be used, so it isn't impossible to gain access to more than two surges, and surges further apart than usual ... I think there is a lot of potential complexity in surgebinding.