Books by Brandon Sanderson

This chapter is an appendix containing Ars Arcanum—an in-world scholarly compilation of historical and technical knowledge about Roshar's magical systems, including the Ten Essences, the Ten Surges, fabrials, Windrunning abilities, Lightweaving, Soulcasting, and Stoneshaping.

The chapter presents detailed scholarly notes on Roshar's magical framework. It describes the Ten Essences and their symbolic associations with the Knights Radiant and Heralds, and the Ten Surges as the fundamental forces underlying Surgebinding abilities. The text documents five categories of fabrials—magical devices powered by Stormlight that enhance, diminish, pair, or warn—each requiring specific gemstones and enslaved spren. It explains Windrunning techniques in detail: Basic Lashings manipulate gravitational bonds to allow movement on walls or weightlessness; Full Lashings use Adhesion to bind objects together with nearly unbreakable bonds; Reverse Lashings create gravitational pull around objects. Lightweaving is described as illusory manipulation of light and sound requiring mental clarity and spiritual Connection. Soulcasting transforms matter by altering its spiritual nature using Soulcasters (devices) and specific gemstones, creating an economy based on transformation value rather than rarity. Stoneshaping, practiced by Stonewards and Willshapers, manipulates cohesion to mold stone through Intent rather than heat, with reports suggesting stone responds to willingness, Connection to past events, and Commands. The scholar notes mysteries about relationships between these systems and mentions recent discoveries from Ur of anti-Investiture creation.