Editing Highstorm

{{magic
|image=The Highstorm by Sakina Minnis.jpg
|related=[[Honor]]
|type= Invested weather phenomenon
|world=Roshar
|universe=Cosmere
|books=[[The Stormlight Archive]]
}}
{{update|sa4}}
A '''highstorm''' (Alethi: [[File: Kecheh.svg|19px]][[File: Modern zeras.svg|22px]], romanization: ''Kezeras''){{file ref|Alethi_Glyphs_Page_1.jpg|Alethi Glyphs Page 1}} is a massively [[Investiture|Invested]] hurricane on the planet of [[Roshar]]. They occur once every few days, or at the command of [[Stormfather]], and move from stormward to leeward (East to West), starting at the [[Origin]].{{book ref|twok|12}} East of Roshar, the highstorms are incredibly destructive. They progress across the continent, though they weaken gradually as they cross, and are mostly broken by the mountains east of [[Shinovar]].{{book ref|twok|i|4}} This weakness is caused by a combination of being over land instead of water, and infusing spheres with [[Stormlight]].{{wob ref|2839}}

== Description ==
{{image|Highstorm by Noah Bradley.jpg|A stormwall|side=left|width=240px}}
{{for|/Gallery|more images}}
A highstorm has three general stages. The leading edge, or stormwall, is the most dangerous part of the storm. Immensely powerful winds generate a wall of dust, water, and larger debris.{{book ref|twok|34}} It is shown that it is powerful enough to carry large trees long distances into the [[Shattered Plains]].{{book ref|sa2|69}} The main body of the highstorm carries less debris, although the winds are still strong enough to hurl boulders. The trailing edge of the storm, known as the riddens, consists of light rains mixed with relatively mild gusts of wind.{{book ref|twok|35}} On average, a highstorm travels at roughly 370 miles per hour,{{wob ref|10231}} and weakens as it moves across the continent; the [[Purelake]], for example, experiences less intense highstorms than areas to the east.{{book ref|twok|i|1}}

There is natural cyclical variation in the height of highstorms. At times it barely reaches Urithiru in the mountains, and at other times it is taller than the tower.{{book ref|sa4|71}}{{book ref|sa4|102}}

When a highstorm and the [[Everstorm]] hits a location at the same time, the combined power of the storms can cause even greater destruction than normal, destroying the land below them with enough force to send boulders flying hundreds of feet up in the air.{{book ref|sa2|86}}

On the Rosharan subastral of the [[Cognitive Realm]], highstorms manifest in a non-violent manner, in contrast to its form in the Physical Realm. Instead of powerful winds and rain, the sky would simply light up,{{book ref|sa3|97}} the clouds shimmering with a mother-of-pearl iridescence.{{book ref|sa3|101}}

=== Centerbeat ===
{{quote
|There was no lightning, no wind, no rain. The silence was unnatural.
|[[Kaladin]]'s experience in the highstorm{{book ref|sa1|35}}
}}
Some unlucky travelers who have been caught in a highstorm have spoken of a moment that occurs within the heart of the storm when the winds suddenly die away and everything becomes still for a brief moment, defying explanation. Termed the "centerbeat" by multiple cultures, scholars seem to lack scientific evidence of its existence.{{book ref|sa3.5|11}}{{book ref|sa4|42}} [[Kaladin]] experiences an unnatural stillness in the middle of the highstorm when he first sees the [[Stormfather]].{{book ref|sa1|35}} He experiences a similar sensation when he is stuck in the chasms of the Shattered Plains with [[Shallan]].{{book ref|sa2|74}}

This is caused by the bringing to bear of large enough quantities of Stormlight that time and space distorts and the [[Realmatic Theory|three realms]] are brought closer, and the Stormfather can appear and speak to people through this mechanism.{{book ref|sa4|107}}

== Causes ==
{{image|Nature Blushing by Marie Seeberger.jpg|side=right|width=200px|Many plants flourish only in the short period after the highstorm}}

[[Stormwarden]]s try to predict when highstorms occur,{{book ref|twok|44}} and have become somewhat accurate, though not always.{{book ref|twok|18}} The Stormwardens have poor reputations since predicting the future is forbidden under [[Vorin]] doctrine.

Vorin mythology claims that each storm is born in the east at the Origin before traveling west across Roshar, but modern Stormwardens believe there exists a single highstorm that travels around the planet, with the length between storms decided by the speed it travels during that time of year.{{book ref|sa2|87}}

== Ecology ==
Highstorms are the single most important force in Roshar's ecology, and life on the planet has adapted to them. Some plants, like lavis polyps, enclose themselves against the highstorm's fury; others retract or fold their relatively fragile leaves, vines, or roots away. The east side of hills is more barren since it directly faces the blow of a highstorm. Contrarily, life flourishes on the west side of hills or landscapes such as valleys, where they are shielded from the powerful winds. 

Another effect of a highstorm is the [[crem]] in the storm water. This substance is deposited onto the land, accumulating over the millennia, even prior to the [[Shattering]].{{wob ref|8491}} It is currently unknown where crem comes from, but it partly contains minerals and nutrients that are useful for plant life. Plants fed highstorm water do better than those given lake or river water, as discovered by farmers and Stormwardens.{{book ref|sa1|11}} Many plants have outer coverings infused with highstorm [[crem]], forming protective shells.{{wob ref|169}}

Rosharan fauna has adapted as well; many species like [[axehound]]s, [[whitespine]]s, and [[greatshell]]s are covered in protective carapace. They also have [[gemheart]]s that glow with [[Stormlight]], enabling their symbiotic relationship with [[spren]].

For Roshar's native sentient species, the [[singer]]s, highstorms are a crucial part of their life cycles. Entering a highstorm allows them to bond a spren, changing their body into one of the dozens of specialized forms. In the past, this was done simply by entering the storm with a specific mindset; in the current day, the singers trap a spren in a gemstone beforehand and await the storm with it at the ready.{{book ref|sa2|i|5}}

== Cultural Significance ==
{{image|Eshonai by Casey Fallon.jpg|A [[singer]] transforming in a highstorm|side=right|width=300px}}

People on Roshar live in cities and settlements that are protected from highstorms by natural or manmade structures. [[Kholinar]] has its windblades{{book ref|twok|60}}—large stone formations that divert the highstorm's force— and [[Sesemalex Dar]] has troughs that prevent the city from flooding.{{book ref|twok|55}} These structures are often city-wide and become an integral part of the city's culture.

Humans depend on highstorms not just for water, but also for the [[Stormlight]] that they use in their [[fabrial]]s, the crem that they use as building material, and the regular weather patterns from which they base their calendars.

Other aspects of civilization are also affected by the highstorms. For example, sanitation regulations have been developed to prevent the trash of one town from being blown by the strong winds towards the next town. These regulations, however, do not apply on the [[Shattered Plains]] due to its isolated location, and so the refuse and litter of the [[Alethi]] warcamps there are piled high to be carried away during each highstorm.{{book ref|sa2|49}}

Many curse words and insults are related to the highstorms, but they are also a target of reverence. The Stormfather is venerated by many. Some folklore traditions equate the Stormfather with the Heralds [[Jezrien]] and [[Kelek]]. Criminals have been known to be punished by being strung up outside during a highstorm in order to be "judged" by the Stormfather, who supposedly would let them live if they deserved it.{{book ref|sa1|34}}

== Magic ==
{{image|Abovethestorm.png|[[Kaladin]] floating over a highstorm|side=left|width=300px}}
Highstorms are highly [[Investiture|Invested]],{{book ref|sa2|i|6}} and are the primary source of Investiture on Roshar. Gemstones are infused with [[Stormlight]] when left outside during a highstorm, though this only happens in the [[Physical Realm]].{{book ref|sa1|11}}{{book ref|sa4|29}} This magical source of illumination and power is used to Invest [[fabrial]]s and fuel [[Surgebinding]]. If they are within about a hundred feet of a highstorm,{{book ref|sa3|60}} Surgebinders can gain Stormlight directly from the storm, instead of using gemstones as an intermediary.{{book ref|sa2|86}} The Investiture provided by the storm only functions when it is "whole", and it cannot split pieces off to reach into sheltered places, such as inside buildings.{{book ref|sa4|71}} The strength of the storm is not tied directly to the amount of Stormlight Invested into gemstones.{{wob ref|11482}} Highstorms predate the [[Shattering of Adonalsium]],{{wob ref|12266}} though they have been significantly altered from their original form by certain events,{{wob ref|8624}} likely the Shattering itself, as well as both the arrival and [[Splinter]]ing of Honor.

The storms are a physical manifestation of the [[Stormfather]], who has a degree of control over them and can send one at will, with his bonded [[Knights Radiant|Radiant]] sharing his abilities.{{book ref|sa2|83}}{{book ref|sa3|28}}{{book ref|sa4|110}} The [[Highstorm#Centerbeat|center of the storm]] is unnaturally dark and quiet.{{book ref|sa1|35}} In the center, the Investiture of the Stormfather is at its most potent, and the large amount of power can warp time and create bridges between [[Realmatic theory|realms]].{{book ref|sa4|i|1}} The [[Spiritual Realm]] can be accessed via the highstorm through the Cognitive Realm.{{book ref|sa3|97}} The relationship between the highstorm and [[Honor's Perpendicularity]] is unclear.{{book ref|sa3|64}}{{wob ref|1525}} The center of the storm is where the Stormfather can reveal himself to humans other than his [[Bondsmith]].{{book ref|sa3|28}} [[Honorspren]] also have a connection to the highstorms, as they can always predict their arrival{{book ref|sa3|20}} and the Stormfather can also speak directly to [[honorspren]] in the center of the storm.{{book ref|sa4|i|1}}

Because of the strong winds, [[windspren]] are especially numerous during storms. [[Rainspren]] sometimes appear during the light rains of the riddens. More recently, [[stormspren]] have also started appearing.{{book ref|sa2|I|6}} There have been sightings of [[Stormstrider|gigantic glowing spren]] striding through the land during highstorms.{{wob ref|10906}}{{book ref|sa2|74}} They have been described as sleek, moving on spindly legs.{{book ref|sa3|19}}

In the [[Cognitive Realm]], sapient spren appear to act more energetically during highstorms, and it has been speculated that they get their sustenance from it.{{book ref|sa3|101}}

== Development ==
In ''[[The Way of Kings Prime]]'', highstorms were much different. 
* They varied in strength and duration based upon the seasons; a spring highstorm occurs during the battle in which Merin (proto-Kaladin) wins his Shards, which lasts for only a hour and is only windy enough to make fighting "inefficient", appearing to be little different from a regular storm from the real world. Summer highstorms are noted to be much fiercer, more in line with how they later appeared. 
* The Stormfather was also absent from this draft.
* Crem was instead called crom.

== See Also ==
* [[Weeping]]s
* [[Everstorm]]

== Notes ==
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[[category: magic]]
[[es:Alta tormenta]]