Editing Aimia

{{nation
|map=Locator_Aimia.png
|ethnicity=Aimian
|era=Heraldic Epochs
|world=Roshar
|universe=[[Cosmere]]
|books=[[The Stormlight Archive]]
}}
{{update|sa3.5|sa4}}

'''Aimia''' is a group of islands on [[Roshar]] that is separated from the main continent by the [[Aimian Sea]].{{map ref|Roshar}} Aimia is also the name of the largest island in the chain.{{book ref|sa3.5|10}} The islands contained one of the [[Silver Kingdoms]] of [[Roshar]] that survived the [[Desolation]]s.{{map ref|Silver Kingdoms}} The Kingdom of Aimia existed for part, if not most, of the [[Era of Solitude]], but at some point it was decimated in the [[scouring of Aimia]].{{book ref|sa1|36}}{{book ref|sa3|8}}

== Geography ==
{{image|Roshar - Aimia.jpg|side=right|width=300px|Map of Aimia}}
Aimia is an island chain that consists of one large island and numerous smaller islands situated off the west coast of [[Shinovar]]. It is bordered on the east by the Aimian Sea and on the west by the [[Endless Ocean]].{{map ref|Roshar}} Aimia is subject to [[highstorm]]s.{{wob ref|7328}}

One of the smaller islands at the north end of the chain is called [[Akinah]].{{book ref|sa3|i|4}} This island has undersea caverns, and it is possible some other islands do as well.{{epigraph ref|sa3|63}}{{book ref|sa3.5|16}} It is well protected from outsiders, due to a [[Dawnshard]] having been present on the island until [[Rysn]] became it and left.{{wob ref|13040}}{{book ref|sa3.5|19}}

Aimia is a desolate and barren place, too cold for anything to grow.{{book ref|sa3.5|9}} The reason for this inhospitable climate is unclear.

== Culture ==
=== People ===
Aimia was inhabited by humans for most of it’s history. Although it appears that since the scouring they have been killed or have fled, some of them to [[Alm]]. These people did their beards in the same corded way as those from [[Steen]]. Little else is known about them.{{book ref|sa3.5|9}}

=== Aimian Races ===
{{for|Sleepless}}{{for|Siah Aimian}}
In addition to the human Aimians, there are two distinct races of Aimians: '''Dysian Aimians''' (or '''Sleepless'''){{book ref|sa1|54}} and '''Siah Aimians'''.{{book ref|sa1|i|5}} They are both non-human{{wob ref|1250}} sentient beings. Although they are not related,{{wob ref|5479}} they each possess numerous unusual traits including a form of immortality{{wob ref|1784}}{{book ref|edgedancer|18}} and the ability to magically modify their bodies.{{book ref|sa3|i|5}}{{book ref|edgedancer|18}} Humans are able to mate with Siah Aimians{{wob ref|457}} but not Dysian Aimians.{{wob ref|10842}} Although the Aimians have no shared ancestry with humans or singers, they were created by the same person, presumably [[Adonalsium]].{{wob ref|9235}}{{wob ref|3711}} This implies that, like humans and singers, they existed before the [[Shattering]]. However, it is unknown whether or not either are native to Roshar.{{wob ref|10464}}

The relationship between the two races is not known, but they coexisted on the islands for thousands of years. The Sleepless [[Arclo]] refers to the Siah [[Axies the Collector]] in a familiar manner.{{book ref|edgedancer|18}}

== Fauna ==
Aimia was a desolate and barren place, too cold for anything to grow. In order to become habitiable, some sort of device or devices, likely [[fabrial]]s, were employed during the [[Heraldic Epochs]] to change its climate.{{book ref|sa3.5|9}}

Many of the animals native to Aimia differ from other animals on Roshar. Unlike Shin animals, Aimian animals fit into the ecosystem of Roshar but have exceptional features that make them distinct, including the [[lanceryn|lancer]], known for their large [[gemheart]]s,{{book ref|twok|36}} and [[larkin]], known for ingesting [[Investiture]] such as [[Stormlight]].{{book ref|sa3|i|13}} Lanceryn and larkin are directly related in some way.{{wob ref|6497}}{{book ref|sa3.5|19}} Aimian animals are now exceptionally rare and modern Rosharans incorrectly believe that larkin are extinct.{{book ref|sa1|36}}{{book ref|sa2|i|3}} The few larkin remaining appear to have been taken in by the [[Na-Alind]], and [[Rysn]] was given [[Chiri-Chiri|one of these]] in the [[Reshi Isles]].{{book ref|sa2|i|2}}{{book ref|sa3.5|1}}

At least one ancient text alludes to delicacies that come from Aimia,{{book ref|sa3|53}} possibly from endemic plants or animals.

== History ==
=== Arrival of the Dawnshard ===
At some unknown point in the distant past, a Dawnshard was taken or came to Aimia and was trapped in the [[Akinah Dawnshard mural]].{{book ref|sa3.5|19}} This Dawnshard was protected by the lanceryn.{{book ref|sa3.5|19}}

=== Silver Kingdom ===
Aimia was one of the Silver Kingdoms during the Heraldic Epochs. It contained an [[Oathgate]] connecting it to [[Urithiru]].{{book ref|sa3|8}}{{book ref|sa3|107}} As one of the ten kingdoms and a holder of an Oathgate, it likely held one of the ten thrones in Urithiru.{{book ref|sa1|45}} Akinah was the capital of the kingdom, and it was once a grand city built on a natural rock formation with tenfold symmetry.{{File ref|Four_Cities.jpg|Kabsal's Cymatics notes}}{{book ref|sa3|i|4}} It was also known as the location to obtain [[Soulcaster]]s.{{book ref|sa3|i|4}} Siah Aimians were integrated into larger Rosharan society to the point that they are partial ancestors of some ethnic groups on the main continent.{{wob ref|457}} At least some of the Aimians were close allies of the Knights Radiant.{{book ref|sa3.5|9}}

===  Scouring of Aimia ===
{{for|Scouring of Aimia}}
At some point, a scouring occurred at Aimia, however, what exactly occurred, and why, is unknown. While the exact time is uncertain, it occurred after the [[Recreance]]{{book ref|sa1|36}}{{book ref|sa3.5|9}} but longer than four hundred years before the [[Everstorm]]'s arrival.{{ref|text=Nikli was Separated after the scouring{{book ref|sa3.5|6}} and is known to have sailed with [[Longbrow]] who has been dead at least four hundred years.{{book ref|sa3.5|17}}}} Axies the Collector recalls it being fairly recent,{{book ref|twok|i|5}} while [[Nikli]] -- in its human guise -- describes it as having occurred many generations ago.{{book ref|sa3.5|9}} Nikli believes that Aimia's fall was due to its extreme riches being too tempting to the rest of the world.{{book ref|sa3.5|9}}

{{sidequote
|They assumed their secrets would protect them, but then their allies fell. And secrets can't hold swords.
|[[Nikli]] to [[Rysn]] on the Scouring
|side=right|size=500px
}}

The fabrials or other devices regulating Aimia's climate were destroyed, leaving the islands desolate and barren.{{book ref|sa3.5|9}} The scouring decimated life on the islands. Native animals nearly went extinct,{{book ref|sa2|i|3}} and members of both of the immortal races are now rare.{{book ref|twok|i|5}} The surviving humans fled to other nations.{{book ref|sa3.5|9}} The last few larkin were taken in by their cousins, the [[Na-Alind]].{{book ref|sa3.5|1}} The Oathgate in Akinah fell into disuse, isolating the islands.{{book ref|sa3|8}}{{book ref|sa3|107}}

With the fall of the lanceryn and dispersal of the larkin, the Dawnshard was left unprotected. The Sleepless residing there decided to take up the role of its guardians because they did not want the power to fall into the wrong hands, as it was capable of destroying billions of people.{{book ref|sa3.5|18}}

The Aimian Sea near the islands became very dangerous, with strange winds and storms that seem to originate in the islands.{{book ref|sa3|i|4}} In particular, one constant storm surrounds the island of Akinah.{{book ref|sa3|i|4}}{{book ref|sa3.5|3}}{{book ref|sa3.5|2}} Akinah is now surrounded by a wall of [[Soulcast]] stone spikes that are forty feet tall, with additional spikes underwater to deter ships.{{book ref|sa3|i|4}} [[Kaza]] believes that the spikes must have been created by multiple Soulcasters working together.{{book ref|sa3|i|4}}

[[Hessi]] theorized that an [[Unmade]], possibly [[Dai-Gonarthis]], caused the destruction of Aimia.{{epigraph ref|sa3|113}}

=== Modern Day ===
Enough time has passed since the scouring that myths and stories about the Aimian islands and their people have spread.{{book ref|twok|i|5}} Akinah has many nicknames including "The Rock of Secrets" and "The Void's Playground", and Rosharans speculate about what it contains.{{book ref|sa3|i|4}} Some individual Aimians survive, and at least some are still on the islands.{{wob ref|8743}} Other cultures on Roshar are aware that non-human Aimians still exist, but generally have negative reactions to them if discovered, referring to their reverse shadow as a "Voidbringer shadow".{{book ref|sa2|i|3}} Legends also speak of creatures that can eat Stormlight{{book ref|sa3.5|2}} and creatures that are living heaps of cremlings,{{book ref|sa3.5|9}} although the latter legend has lost its association with Aimia and its immortals.

The Sleepless have been very dedicated to protecting the Dawnshard in the time since the scouring. They have killed anyone who gets near to discovering their secrets, with a total death toll numbering in the hundreds.{{book ref|sa3.5|18}} They even built a fake version of the city of Akinah, following the same cymatic pattern as the original, in order to build a ruined Oathgate replica, in hopes of dissuading anyone who manages to get that far from returning. The real Oathgate remains functional, albeit locked, underneath the replica.{{book ref|sa3.5|15}}

Very recently, perhaps coinciding with the arrival of the Everstorm, the protective storm around Akinah has weakened somewhat.{{book ref|sa3.5|18}} As a result of this, the ship ''[[First Dreams]]'' was able to approach Akinah, but the crew was poisoned by one of the Sleepless, who was actively preventing humans from reaching the island.{{book ref|sa3|i|4}} The Sleepless said that it was protecting a secret that could lead to the "end of worlds".{{book ref|sa3|i|4}} Kaza made it to shore and saw a larkin, or perhaps a hordeling with the appearance of a larkin, and the faked ruins of Akinah before dying.{{book ref|sa3|i|4}}

Recently, scouting parties have been sent to the main island and found it quite barren. The Royal Navy of Thaylenah has set up outposts there just in case.{{book ref|sa3.5|1}}{{book ref|sa3.5|2}}{{book ref|sa3.5|10}}

==== Expedition to Akinah ====
{{for|Expedition to Akinah}}
In late {{Rosharan date|1174}}, [[Rysn Ftori]] headed an expedition to Akinah which brought back eight Soulcasters and a set of Shardplate. Rysn became the Dawnshard and the Sleepless guarding it let her return, conceding that Akinah was growing too hard to protect.{{book ref|sa3.5|19}} {{expand}}

== Notable Aimians ==
{{for|:Category: Siah Aimians|post=and [[:Category: Sleepless]]}}
* [[Axies the Collector]] (Siah)
* [[Arclomedarian]] (Dysian)
* [[Yelamaiszin]] (Dysian)
* [[Nikliasorm]] (Dysian)
* Unknown Dysian Aimian - the author of Stormlight cover blurbs.{{wob ref|12611}}

== Notes ==
;Footnotes
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;References
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{{Stormlight}}
[[category: Silver Kingdoms]]
[[es:Aimia]]