Soulcasting
Soulcasting is a form of magic on Roshar in Brandon Sanderson's The Stormlight Archive by which one substance is transformed into another, or matter is created seemingly from air. It is one of the most important and widely used powers in Vorin society.
Mechanics
Soulcasting works by changing an object's nature in the Cognitive Realm, persuading or compelling its soul to become something else, after which the change manifests in the Physical Realm. The ten Essences, such as smoke, flame, blood, and stone, define the categories of transformation possible. Through Soulcasting, food can be created, the dead can be turned to stone, rock can be made into grain or smoke, and other transmutations achieved.
Methods
There are two principal means of Soulcasting:
- Soulcaster fabrials — devices set with gemstones that allow a non-Radiant user to perform transformations. These are valuable and closely guarded, often used by ardents to produce food and provisions for armies and cities. Prolonged use can cause the user's body to slowly take on the properties of the Essences they channel.
- Surgebinding — Knights Radiant of the orders that wield the Surge of Transformation can Soulcast directly, drawing on Stormlight and their bond rather than a fabrial.
Role in society
Because Soulcasting can produce food and emergency stone fortifications, it is central to the logistics of Vorin kingdoms and their armies. Soulcasters are treated as state assets, and the ability to feed an army on campaign through Soulcasting is a significant military advantage.