Bondsmiths

The order's two Surges: Tension (top left), Adhesion (bottom left) and Ideal/Essence.

Bondsmiths are one of the ten orders of Knights Radiant. Bondsmiths share Surges with the orders of Stonewards (Tension) and Windrunners (Adhesion). Ishar is the patron of this order.

History

“	But as for the Bondsmiths, they had members only three, which number was not uncommon for them; nor did they seek to increase this by great bounds, for during the times of Madasa, only one of their order was in continual accompaniment of Urithiru and its thrones. Their spren was understood to be specific, and to persuade them to grow to the magnitude of the other orders was seen as seditious.	”
–From Words of Radiance, chapter 16, page 14

“	So Melishi retired to his tent, and resolved to destroy the Voidbringers upon the next day, but that night did present a different stratagem, related to the unique abilities of the Bondsmiths; and being hurried, he could make no specific account of his process; it was related to the very nature of the Heralds and their divine duties, an attribute the Bondsmiths alone could address.	”
–From Words of Radiance, chapter 30, page 18

The last Bondsmith disappeared before the Recreance. The Sibling ended their bond before that event. That is why nobody knows what happens if Bondsmiths betray their superspren, and they die.

Characteristics

Bondsmiths
Artwork by Steve Argyle[1][2]

As indicated above, the Bondsmiths numbered up to only three at any time. Due to the specifics of their spren, they had unique abilities. Only these three spren can create Bondsmiths (i.e., the Stormfather, representing Honor; the Nightwatcher, representing Cultivation; and the Sibling, a child of both Honor and Cultivation).

Those Bondsmiths bonded to the Stormfather are forbidden the use of those Shardblades that are actually dead spren.

The Shardplate of the Bondsmiths is likely made up of lesser spren than the above-named super spren.

Theoretically, with enough Investiture a Bondsmith could bond a Shard to something.

Bondsmiths can use their powers to learn any language instantly.

Known Bondsmiths

• Melishi - a historical figure - belonged to this order.
• Dalinar Kholin, through the Stormfather, belongs to this order.
• Navani Kholin, through the Sibling, belongs to this order.
• Ishar, one of the heralds, is the patron of all Bondsmiths and has similar powers.

Motto

Oaths

Bondsmith oaths are focused on unity, unification, and bringing others together. However, this is a loose theme, as there are so few Bondsmiths - and the three sources of their powers are so different in personality - that the oaths can end up taking a variety of different shapes, depending on the situation.

Anyone can become a Bondsmith, subject to persuading one of the three spren who grant Bondsmith powers. Those powers tend to work differently for one Bondsmith than another, and even those Surges they share with other orders tend to work differently for Bondsmiths.

Bondsmith
Fan art by Petar Penev[3]

The Bondsmiths are unusual in that there are never more than three full members. Historically, they worked to resolve disputes and help set up functioning governments. Even though there can only be three full members, there were times that some Bondsmiths did take squires. Beyond that, many of the retinues that protected the Bondsmiths were considered members of the order - going so far as to swear oaths, even though they didn't have a spren and never would. Some even called this the most pure form of being a Radiant, because these were oaths sworn not in the name of gaining powers, but simply for the good of the oaths themselves.

Bondsmiths are generally the heart and soul of the Radiants, the most protected and highly regarded of the orders, capable of doing incredible things with the nature of oaths, bonds, and power. The order, including their squires and attendants, tends to attract the peacemakers of the world, those who want to bring people together rather than divide them.

Immortal Words

All Bondsmiths must speak the Immortal Words of the Knights Radiant, which are a set of rules by which Radiants live. The First Ideal, identical for all orders of Radiants, is used as their motto. Each of the Radiant orders then had an additional number of Ideals that were unique to each order. For the Bondsmiths, these Ideals are as follows:

The First Ideal

Also known as the Ideal of Radiance.

“

"Life before death, strength before weakness, journey before destination."

”

The Second Ideal

The specific Ideals of the order of Bondsmiths are tied to uniting men, and possibly Surgebinders. They seem to be the Ideals closest connected to governance.

“

"I will unite instead of divide. I will bring men together."

”

The Third Ideal

The main focus of this oath is about becoming a better person over time.

“

"I will take responsibility for what I have done. If I must fall, I will rise each time a better man."

”

Epigraphs

“	This generation has had only one Bondsmith, and some blame the divisions among us upon this fact. The true problem is far deeper. I believe that Honor himself is changing.	”
–From drawer 24-18, smokestone

Notes

According to Brandon, Gavilar was on the path toward becoming a Bondsmith longer than Dalinar.

Also according to Brandon, the order of Bondsmiths is probably his favorite order of Knights Radiant.

Q&A with Brandon

Bondsmith
Fan art by Petar Penev[4]

Q. Before the Recreance there were three Bondsmiths. Did they all bond supersprens, or is Dalinar an exception?

A. They did something similar.

Q. Could an unchained Bondsmith steal other stuff from a person? Strength, Breaths, ability to use Allomancy, etc.?

A. Among those are things that they could steal.