hemalurgical

Hemalurgical is the adjective used to describe hemalurgy, a fictional form of magic in Brandon Sanderson's Mistborn series. Hemalurgy centers on the use of metal spikes and the transmission of Investiture—supernatural power—between individuals. The term derives from haema, the series’ word for blood, and -urgy, meaning work or practice.

In practice, a hemalurgical act typically begins with the creation of a spike from a metal. A donor is harmed or killed as a spike is driven through their heart to harvest Investiture carried within them. The spike is then implanted in a recipient, where it draws on the donor's power and bestows a portion of that ability upon the recipient. The exact effects depend on the metal type and the spike’s history. The process is considered dangerous and morally dubious, often leaving lasting psychological or physical consequences for both donor and recipient and sometimes creating unstable hemalurgic remnants.

Within the Mistborn world, hemalurgy is controversial and feared for its blood-based methods and potential for manipulation. It is typically practiced in secret by specialized groups and is cited in accounts for its ability to alter power dynamics. It interacts with the related magic systems of allomancy and feruchemy, and can produce unusual or unstable effects depending on the spike and the donor’s traits.

Historically, hemalurgy figures in tales of political intrigue and power struggles, illustrating the costs and hazards of wielding stolen power. The discipline functions as a stark counterpoint to more benign forms of magical exchange within the series’ lore.