Questioner 1
Do all Soulcasters risk turning into the element or is it only those using the device?
Brandon Sanderson
All Soulcasters have an affinity but the ones using the device are locked down much more than the Soulcasters who are Knights Radiant.
Questioner 1
So they are protected from being turned into--
Brandon Sanderson
Oh no they-- I wouldn't say protected... *clarification* Protected is the wrong term but that event, the savanthood and how it affects them and things like that is much less pronounced if you are a [Knight].
Questioner 1
Or is that counteracted by the healing as well?
Brandon Sanderson
Healing doesn't have to do with it because-- in cosmere terms there's nothing wrong with your body, your spirit is actually drifting, and so it's not hurting you physically by what's happening with the magics. So it's not the healing but if you have an active bond with a spren it takes a little different path. Let's just say, in simple terms--
Questioner 1
You are not losing body parts to smoke.
Brandon Sanderson
Yes, you are not losing body parts to smoke.
Questioner 1
What timeframe does it happen for the normal Soulcasters then?
Brandon Sanderson
For normal Soulcasters? It takes-- I mean, you've seen it happening in the books. We are talking [about] a process of years even decades, depending on the person. It happens to some--
Questioner 2
Depending on how often they Soulcast?
Brandon Sanderson
It depends on how often they Soulcast, and it depends on the person.