Editing Roshar

{{Shardworld
|map=Roshar.jpg
|shards=[[Honor]], [[Cultivation]], [[Odium]]{{book ref|sa4|83}}
|perpendicularity=[[Honor's Perpendicularity]], [[Cultivation's Perpendicularity]]
|magic=[[Surgebinding]], [[Old Magic]], [[Voidbinding]]
|gravity=0.7 [[cosmere standard]]{{au ref|roshar}}
|radius=0.9 cosmere standard{{au ref|roshar}}
|system=[[Rosharan system]]{{map ref|Roshar system}}
|universe=[[Cosmere]]
|books=[[The Stormlight Archive]]
}}
{{spoiler|tsm}}
{{update|sa4|tsm}}
{{quote
|It is difficult not to feel very small, at times, on this domineering, majestic tempest of a planet.
|[[Khriss]]{{au ref|Rosharan}}
}}

'''Roshar''' is a planet in the [[cosmere]] and one of thirteen planets in the [[Rosharan system]]. It is also the name of the supercontinent that contains all of the planet's known inhabitants.{{au ref|roshar}} It is the second planet from the system's sun, orbiting between [[Ashyn]] and [[Braize]], and it has three moons.{{map ref|Roshar system}} People from Roshar are called Rosharans.{{wob ref|1075}} The planet is particularly notable due to the activity of several [[Shard]]s of [[Adonalsium]] in the area and the various forms of magic used by its residents, including [[Surgebinding]] through the use of [[Stormlight]].{{au ref|roshar}}{{book ref|sa2|41}}

== Geography and Ecology ==
{{image|OB Roshar.jpg|Map of Roshar|side=right|width=400px}}

At one point in Roshar's past there were no large landmasses.{{wob ref|3556}} The supercontinent was designed by [[Adonalsium]], following the shape of a Julia set.{{wob ref|3953}} It is the only continent on the planet, though not necessarily the only landmass.{{wob ref|6248}}

Gravitational acceleration on Roshar is notably lower than usual, at 6.86 m/s<sup>2</sup>, or 70% of the cosmere standard.{{au ref|roshar}} Though it is still in common ranges.{{book ref|tsm|19}} This is due, in part, to the planet's small size; Roshar has a circumference of approximately 22110 miles (35583 km), giving a radius of 3519 miles (5663 km), and comes in just under 90% of the cosmere standard size.{{au ref|roshar}}{{wob ref|10231}} These yield a planetary mass of 3.296&times;10<sup>24</sup> kilograms, and an average density of 4.33 g/cm<sup>3</sup>.

The main continent lies primarily in the southern hemisphere, spanning from just a few degrees north of the equator to about 55&deg; south of the equator, and extends approximately 120&deg; longitude.{{map ref|Roshar}}{{wob ref|7116}}{{wob ref|13208}}{{wob ref|13629}} It covers roughly 4&times;10<sup>7</sup> square kilometers.
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Roshar has 0° of axial tilt.{{wob ref|11448}} Due to having no axial tilt, the sun runs along the equator. Rosharans can easily geolocate themselves and tell time by the path and location of the sun.{{book ref|sa2|87}}{{book ref|sa3|57}}{{epigraph ref|sa3|84}}{{book ref|sa1|i|5}}{{book ref|sa4|64}}{{book ref|yumi|4}} The orbital period of Roshar is around 1.1 standard years.{{book ref|tsm|11}}{{wob ref|8928}}{{wob ref|3781}}{{wob ref|5569}}{{wob ref|10572}} The solar day of Roshar is around 20 rosharan hours, and there are around 500 solar days in a year.{{wob ref|248}}

The partial pressure of oxygen in the atmosphere of Roshar is higher than standard cosmere.{{au ref|roshar}}{{wob ref|1806}} There are no oil deposits from mass extinction events on Roshar.{{wob ref|15003}}

Roshar does not have plate tectonics.{{wob ref|8508}}{{wob ref|4422}}{{wob ref|7237}}{{wob ref|10280}}{{wob ref|15320}}{{ref|group=fn|text=Despite this, Earthquakes are referenced on numerous occasions.{{book ref|sa1|60}}{{book ref|sa1|75}}{{book ref|sa2|60}}{{book ref|sa2|71}}{{book ref|sa3|116}} It is currently unclear if this is an oversight, or if there is an explanation for this that has not yet been revealed.}} Roshar produces enough of a magnetic field to protect it from its sun, allowing it to be inhabited by life.{{wob ref|5294}}

The rainwater in highstorms is laced with a sort of slurry called [[crem]]. When crem dries, it hardens into rock.  Since the highstorms always sweep from east to west, crem builds up on the eastern side of anything that stays still and isn't regularly cleaned.  Over time, the continent is very slowly shifting across the planet as the highstorms cause erosion of the western part and a build up on the eastern part.{{wob ref|4422}} This rainwater is full of nutrients, and plants given it fare better than those given water from other sources, such as lake or river water. Various cremlings search out and eat plants as they lap up the stormwater.{{book ref|sa4|11}}

=== Climate ===
With the exception of [[Shinovar]] and the occasional well-sheltered [[lait]], all of Roshar is frequently ravaged by powerful [[highstorm]]s, massive hurricanes travelling from east to west. These storms come frequently and, though they do not appear to follow a simple pattern, [[stormwarden]]s are able to accurately predict their schedule through complex mathematics.{{book ref|WoR|31}} As a result, Shinovar is the only place on Roshar that has soil.{{book ref|WoK|i|4}} A highstorm consists of a high altitude, wide-spread [[wikipedia:Cumulonimbus cloud|cumulonimbus]], scraping the top of Roshar's troposphere; they can be [[wikipedia:derecho|derecho]]-like storms bringing heavy rain and strong winds. 

The one consistent aspect of the Rosharan climate is the [[Weeping]]. The Weeping occurs every five hundred days and consists of four weeks of steady crem-free rain. The middle day of those four weeks is known as the Lightday and alternates between being one clear day in the midst of the rain and being a high storm.{{book ref|WoR|46}} There are typically fewer highstorms in the weeks leading up to the Weeping.{{book ref|WoK|25}} The seasons following the weeping typically have weaker storms, making them good for farming.{{book ref|WoK|4}} Due to having zero obliquity, Roshar does not experience true seasons, with them instead simply being defined by current temperature, climate, and storms, unrelated to irradiance.{{wob ref|11448}} These seasons are relatively random, and are often quite short, usually lasting only a few weeks.{{book ref|sa1|25}}{{book ref|sa1|64}} They can be roughly predicted by stormwardens. Seasons are primarily defined by changes in the storms.{{wob ref|11448}} Due to not being caused by axial tilt, they can vary greatly even between relatively nearby nations on the same hemisphere.{{book ref|sa3|64}}

The equatorial regions of Roshar, particularly the Reshi Isles, are notable for their intense heat and humidity compared with the rest of the planet.{{book ref|sa3.5|16}}{{book ref|yumi|4}}{{book ref|sa4|50}}

===Spren===
{{image|Syl_caravan.jpg|side=right|width=250px|An [[honorspren]] in the Physical Realm.}}
{{for|Spren|more information about spren}}

Among many factors that make Roshar unique among other [[cosmere]] worlds is the overabundance of [[spren]]. Spren are small pieces of [[Investiture]] that have acquired sentience - and, in some cases, sapience - through the influence of Roshar's living creatures.{{book ref|sa2|3}} They are a mix of different [[Shard]]ic Investiture, mainly [[Honor]] and [[Cultivation]], and exist mostly in the [[Cognitive Realm]].{{wob ref|11949}}{{book ref|sa2|1}} However, they can and will often become partially visible in the [[Physical Realm]], and some transition there entirely.

Three main groups of spren can be recognized. The nature spren correspond to various natural phenomena, such as [[Spren#Windspren|windspren]] or [[Spren#Flamespren|flamespren]], which appear in the presence of wind and fire respectively. Emotion spren are attracted to emotions, such as [[Spren#Fearspren|fearspren]] appearing when one is afraid or [[Spren#Gloryspren|gloryspren]] for people who feel intense pride.{{book ref|sa2|1}} However, a natural phenomenon or an emotion will not necessarily summon a spren, as they may not be present in the physical place's Cognitive equivalent.

The third group of spren are so-called true spren. Those spren are all sentient, and have an organized society in the Cognitive Realm.{{book ref|sa2|1}} They transition to the Physical Realm only when searching for a prospective [[Knight Radiant]] to bond, as the shift robs them of most of their higher functions, which they reclaim through forming a [[Nahel bond]].{{book ref|sa1|4}} The Radiant spren seem to represent higher concepts, such as honor for the [[honorspren]] or truth and lies for [[Cryptic]]s. This being said, only some true spren are Radiant spren.{{wob ref|9539}}

In addition to those, there is a number of unique spren who are far more powerful than others. Among those is the [[Nightwatcher]], who can grant boons and curses; the [[Stormfather]], who controls the [[highstorm]]s; the [[Sibling]], who controls the tower-city of [[Urithiru]]; and [[Cusicesh]], whose exact nature is currently unclear.

=== Ecology ===

{{for|:Category:Rosharan lifeforms|a list of Rosharan flora and fauna}}

The shape and form of Rosharan ecology is influenced by four major factors: lower gravity, higher oxygen content, highstorms, and spren. The higher oxygen content and the lower gravity permit the existence of megafauna comparable only to the largest [[sandling]]s on [[Taldain]], while several species of animals are capable of forming spren bonds, further augmenting their capabilities.{{wob ref|10243}} However, the most visually notable feature of Rosharan ecology is the way vast majority of them adapted to highstorms. Multiple species of both flora and fauna have developed shells to protect themselves from extreme weather, withdrawing into them whenever any danger approaches.

Several species are noted as having body parts made of stone, such as the bark of [[dalewillow]] or hooves of [[Ryshadium]]s.{{book ref|sa3|10}} As stone doesn't grow naturally, three possibilities must be considered:
* The substance is actually stone, somehow either grown or gathered by the creatures,
* The substance is organic, but highly similar in appearance and texture to stone,
* The substance is hardened crem, deliberately cultivated by those creatures.

==== Flora ====
Rosharan flora had to adapt to several conditions not found on other worlds, such as the severe weather and scarcity of soil.
{{image|Lait.jpeg|side=left|width=250px|In highstorm-heavy regions, laits like this are the oases of plant life.}}

The largest family of plants on Roshar are the [[rockbud]]s. They are characterized by having a thick outer shell from which they take their name, and tendrils, which retract into the shell upon detecting danger. The Rosharan grass, which acts in this way, is likely another subspecies of rockbud, albeit close enough in appearance to Shin grass to retain the name. Similar mechanism has been developed by [[vinebud]]s, which grow from a sturdy, yet elastic stem and, rather than spreading their tendrils along the ground, waft them in the air, akin to anemones.{{file ref|Rockbuds.jpg|Shallan's sketchbook: Rockbuds}} [[Rocklily]] leaves are an essential component of the diet of chull larvae.{{file ref|Chull_Life_Cycle.jpeg|Chull Life Cycle}}

Further to the east, where the highstorms are the strongest, even such measures are not enough. There, plants grow mostly in sheltered areas, such as the [[Shattered Plains|chasms]] and [[lait]]s, while remaining sparse in the open air.{{file ref|Lait.jpeg|Shallan's sketchbook: Lait}} More fragile flora, such as vines and weeds, grow and flourish in such terrain, though some, like [[knobweed]], seem to prefer flatlands, utilizing highstorms deliberately to spread.

Contrarily, in the west where highstorms are weakened by the mountain ranges, plants are much less sensitive to stimulation and retract their leaves more slowly.

Roshar does have larger flora. Some trees, including the aforementioned [[dalewillow]], have trunks made of stone while others, such as the [[jella]], augment their wooden bark by accumulating crem. Like rockbuds, they withdraw their fronds into the trunks when sensing danger. There are also species such as [[makam]] and [[cobwood]], which appear to be sturdy enough to sustain highstorms without added protection.{{book ref|sa1|33}}{{book ref|sa2|66}}

Rosharan grass is known to move away from disruptions or vibrations, often fully retracting to protect itself.{{wob ref|13363}}{{cite}} It is type of shallowly burrowed seed pod that has enough room to hold moisture and contain the coiled up leaf. They at most grow to around three feet tall. Seeds emerge from the leaf tip to either be consumed and redeposited as faeces, or carried and redesposited by the wind.{{wob ref|13363}}

;Human uses

Some species of native Rosharan flora are edible for humans. This includes a number of fruits as well as a rice-like plant called [[tallew]], and [[lavis]], a type of rockbud that produces grain. Tallew, lavis, and longroot appear to be the major ingredients of Rosharan diet, with massive farmlands devoted to them throughout the continent.{{book ref|sa1|4}} In the West, the same niche appears to be filled by [[clema]].{{book ref|Edgedancer|6}}

Additionally, there exist a number of plants with known healing properties. This includes antiseptics, such as the sap of [[knobweed]] and [[fourleaf]], as well as [[lister's oil]]; treatments for specific diseases, such as [[bitterleaf]] for epilepsy and [[bloodivy]] for the [[grindings]]; anesthetics like [[winterwort]] and [[firemoss]]; and other, more specific medicines, such as [[denocax salve|denocax]], which encourages skin healing.

By contrast, several species of plant are noted to have detrimental effect on humans. Firemoss is known to be highly addictive, and [[blackbane]]'s leaves, once dried, are extremely poisonous. Eating shells of rockbuds is similarly known to be unhealthy, although the [[Unkalaki]] are capable of eating them without problems, likely thanks to their [[singer]] ancestry.{{wob ref|930}} While not all plants are edible, some, like [[breachtree]] and [[narbin]], are grown to make fabrics.{{book ref|sa1|25}}{{book ref|sa1|45}}

{{image|Chasmfiend.jpeg|side=right|width=250px|A Chasmfiend, with gleaming [[mandra]]s surrounding it. They allow the greatshell to exist despite its enormous size.}}

==== Fauna ====

Roshar contains a wide variety of fauna, most of which appears to be shelled. While most creatures are native to the world, some have been introduced into Roshar during human exodus from [[Ashyn]], among them mammals and birds.

Like Rosharan flora, the animals of Roshar have also adapted to their unusual circumstances. Several species, including the largest, grow massive shells which can protect them from highstorms. Others hide in dens or, in case of small [[sarpenthyn]], ooze between the cracks in the rock. 

;Spren symbiosis
Multiple native species, as well as at least one imported animal, have formed symbiotic relationships with [[spren]]. This appears to be faciliated by gemhearts, crystals that grow naturally within the bodies of those creatures. 

* Larger animals on Roshar utilize bonds with [[mandra]]s, or luckspren, to decrease the pull of gravity on them, allowing creatures such as [[chasmfiend]]s to exist without collapsing upon themselves. In the case of [[skyeel]]s, the same bond, coupled with smaller size, permits them to fly.
* The native sentient species, the [[Singer]]s, bond with a variety of spren to attain a number of forms, which alter their mental state, biological functions and appearance. While bonded, the spren remain within the gemheart.
* [[Ryshadium]] bond with what appears to be musicspren, attaining higher intelligence and physical strength. It is, however, unclear so far whether or not they have gemhearts.{{au ref|rosharan}}
* The fish in the [[Purelake]] gain various medicinal benefits through spren bonds.{{wob ref|2109}}

;Non-shelled animals
Mammals dwell mostly in Shinovar, though a few species have been successfully exported east. Those include horses, which are widely used as far east as Alethkar, and hogs, which are the primary source of non-Soulcast meat. While most mammals are domesticated, hogs, as well as minks and rats,{{book ref|sa1|3}} can be found in the wild. Several species of birds are known to exist, although they are all known as "chickens" among Rosharans. This includes actual chickens as well as more colorful birds, such as parrots. In contrast to mammals, they do not seem to do well in the wild, as all examples observed so far are domesticated. Amphibians, such as the [[lurg]] can also be found, as well as wide variety of fish, including both fresh- and seawater ones. Cephalopods also exist, albeit with unusual properties - [[zatalef]], for example, is described as bat-like, implying the ability to fly.{{file ref|Alethi_Glyphs_Page_1.jpg}} Another category are [[sarpenthyn]], which appear to be similar to both mollusks and cephalopods, albeit without shells and with smaller number of arms.{{book ref|sa2|55}} 

;Shelled animals
The largest known group of animals on Roshar are crustaceans. Those can be of various sizes, from finger-long to four-stories-high. They are all noted as having violet blood and multiple stages of life, with the initial stage being called a larva and the process of switching between stages called pupation.{{file ref|Chull_Life_Cycle.jpeg|Chull Life Cycle}} The creation of shells is aided by the presence of crem in the rain, which the creatures can process into minerals.

One of the largest crustacean family are [[cremling]]s, a group of tiny, multi-legged scavengers preying mostly on deceased animals, although they will also feed on uncovered plants after highstorms. Cremlings come in variety of colors, with different features, numbers of legs, and behaviours. While most are individuals, some are part of the [[Sleepless]] swarms, and as such share a sentient hivemind. The [[Sleepless]] cremlings are bred for particular purposes, such as imitating human body parts.

{{image|Shallan And The Santhid.png|side=right|width=250px|A Santhid. Roshar's greatest creatures are far larger than humans.}}

Other than the cremlings, Roshar also features a number of larger crustaceans that are nonetheless smaller than humans. This group includes predatory species, such as the [[axehound]], herbivores like [[axehind]], and near-cremling sized creatures like [[legger]]s and [[larkin]], as well as species like crabs.{{book ref|sa3|63}} The larkin in particular are unusual for their flight, as well as the ability to pull Stormlight out of other creatures and absorb it.{{book ref|sa2|i|9}}

The largest family of animals on Roshar are known as [[greatshell]]s, which exist both on land and in the seas. All greatshells possess gemhearts and utilize them to attract [[mandra]]s to decrease their own weight. The land greatshells include domesticated herbivores known as [[chull]]s and two large predatory species, the [[chasmfiend]] and the extinct [[lanceryn]]. The marine greatshells include the [[yu-nerig]], which comes on land to pupate and is known to feed on humans,{{book ref|sa1|40}} and the [[Tai-na]], the largest animals known to inhabit the cosmere. Their legs are said to be sixty feet long, while the body itself stretches hundreds of feet tall. The back of Tai-na, which sticks out above water, is an ecosystem of its own, inhabited by multiple species of plants and animals, as well as humans.{{book ref|sa2|i|2}}

The [[santhid]], a massive marine species with large shell and a number of tendrils, might be considered a greatshell, and houses its own ecosystem, much like the Tai-na; however, as they were considered half-mythical until very recently, it's impossible to state so with any certainty.{{book ref|sa2|1}}

;Domestication
Large number of domesticated creatures on Roshar are the imports from Ashyn. All forms of birds are domesticated; some for food, while others as pets. Hogs are kept for meat, minks, like birds, are pets, while horses are common riding mounts. Of the local wildlife, axehounds are often kept and bred, similar to dogs, while chulls are the primary mount for hauling cargo or for riders who cannot afford to keep a horse. Another greatshell species called a [[gumfrem]] is kept for its gemhearts, which can be used to [[Soulcast]] meat.{{book ref|sa3|10}}

;Sapience
Due to the presence of the Shard [[Cultivation]], the creatures on Roshar have higher chance of developing sapience.{{wob ref|2792}} So far, behaviour indicating sapience has been observed with three species, [[Ryshadium]] horses, [[Tai-na]] and [[santhid]]yn, all of which appear to have above average understanding of humans.

Separately from this, Roshar is known to have developed two independent sapient species: [[Siah Aimian]]s and [[Singer]]s. Both of them are humanoid, and capable of breeding with humans.{{wob ref|457}}{{wob ref|930}} Roshar's other sentient species are humans, who immigrated there from [[Ashyn]], the Iriali, who have since fully integrated with the population of the planet,{{wob ref|9551}}{{wob ref|8901}} and the [[Sleepless]] (known also as Dysian Aimians), who may not be native to the planet.{{wob ref|9464}}{{wob ref|12657}}

== History ==

{{for|:Category:Rosharan events |a list of Rosharan events and eras}}

=== Pre-Desolation Roshar ===
==== Creation and Early Inhabitants ====
The planet of Roshar predates the [[Shattering]]. It had likely existed for about twelve to thirteen thousand years by the time of the True Desolation.{{wob ref|14898}}{{ref|group=fn|text=Whether this refers to standard years or Rosharan years is currently unclear.}} The continent was specifically grown by [[Adonalsium]].{{epigraph ref|sa2|66}}{{wob ref|3952}}{{wob ref|5294}} Much of the ecology of the planet existed from this time, including the [[highstorm]]s and the [[spren]].{{wob ref|167}}{{wob ref|6567}} Singers lived on Roshar prior to the [[Shattering]].{{wob ref|3779}} The [[singers]] were the primary inhabitants of Roshar at this time and are likely the [[Dawnsingers]] spoken of in modern times.{{wob ref|3922}} 

Around ten-thousand Rosharan years (11000 standard years) before the [[True Desolation]], intelligent spren were created.{{book ref|sa4|i|1}} This was presumably around the time [[Honor]] and [[Cultivation]] settled on Roshar.

==== The Expulsion and Early Interactions ====
:''Main article:'' [[Expulsion]]
{{quote
|They came from another world, using powers that we have been forbidden to touch. Dangerous powers, of spren and Surges. They destroyed their lands and have come to us begging
|From the [[Eila Stele]]{{epigraph ref|sa3|115}}
}}
Humans fled to Roshar from [[Ashyn]], another planet in the [[Rosharan system]], around seven-thousand years before the True Desolation.{{epigraph ref|sa3|115}}{{book ref|sa4|14}}{{book ref|sa4|111}}{{wob ref|9464}} They had destroyed the planet using what Honor implied to be the [[Dawnshard]]s, after Odium tricked [[Ishar]] into experimenting with Surges.{{book ref|sa3|113}}{{book ref|sa4|111}} Honor and Cultivation commanded the singers to take the humans in despite the forbidden powers they had relating to [[spren]] and [[Surge]]s,{{epigraph ref|sa3|115}}{{epigraph ref|sa3|116}} and they were given [[Shinovar]] to live in since Shinovar could support the plants and animals they brought.{{book ref|sa3|113}} With the humans came [[Odium]].{{epigraph ref|sa3|117}} The humans, possibly with Odium's influence, grew dissatisfied with what they were given. The conflict between the invading humans and the singers living on Roshar became the [[First Desolation]].{{book ref|sa3|111}}

{{image|The History of Man.jpg|side=left|width=250px|A [[Vorin]] perspective on the history of mankind.}}

=== The Heraldic Epochs ===
==== The Desolations ====
:''Main article:'' [[Desolation]]s

The [[Desolation]]s were conflicts between mankind and [[Voidbringer]]s. The first Desolation occurred when humans invaded Roshar from the land they were given.{{book ref|sa3|111}} Some of the singers were infused with Odium's [[Investiture]] and became the [[Fused]]. The Fused did not pass into the [[Beyond]] and were instead reborn into the bodies of singers. 

To combat this, the [[Herald]]s made a deal with Honor called the [[Oathpact]]. This deal sealed away the  Fused on Braize. However, there was a loophole. The Heralds could choose to allow the Fused to return to Roshar, so they were caught on Braize and tortured. The return of Heralds and Fused and the conflict that occurred became known as the Desolations.{{book ref|sa3|38}} The spren started to mimic the herald's [[Honorblade]]s and the [[Knights Radiant]] were formed. They helped to fight and rebuild society after a Desolation.{{book ref|sa2|4}}

Time during this period was separated into several-century long Epochs, which are further separated into years.{{book ref|sa1|19}}{{book ref|sa1|38}} The exact method for defining when an Epoch starts or ends is currently unknown.{{wob ref|11831}} One Desolation began to show signs of occurring in the Eighth Epoch, year 337, when a small village in [[Natanatan]] was attacked by the [[Midnight Essence]].{{book ref|sa1|19}}

The time between each Desolation grew shorter with each subsequent Desolation. At first there were centuries between Desolations, which eventually shortened into decades, which finally became a single year between the Last Desolation and the one directly before it.{{book ref|sa1|38}}

==== The Last Legion ====
:''See also:'' [[Listener]]s 
At some point during the Desolations, a group of singers known as the [[Last Legion]] were sent to fight in the farthest plains, most likely the ruins of [[Natanatan]] on the [[Shattered Plains]]. They followed the commands of the Fused and took whatever forms were forced upon them. Seeking freedom, they fled during a highstorm and took on dullform to escape the Fused's control. In order to avoid forgetting their knowledge, they composed songs, including [[Song of Listing]], [[Song of Secrets]] and [[Song of Histories]]. They didn't, however, know how to transform into any forms except dullform and mateform by themselves. They planned to remain living as tribes and refugees, unnoticed and forgotten, as they studied and rediscovered the forms.{{book ref|sa2|i|4}} Although it is not known exactly when this happened, it must have been prior to the [[Last Desolation]] as the Fused remained trapped on Braize from then until the [[True Desolation]].

<br style="clear:left;"/>
==== The Last Desolation ====
:''Main article:'' [[Last Desolation]] 
{{image|Oathpact Abandoned by Petar Penev.jpg|side=right|height=250px|The Last Desolation}}

{{quote
|A...a decision has been made. It is time for the Oathpact to end.
|[[Jezrien]]'s words to [[Kalak]]{{book ref|sa1|prelude}}
}}

At the end of the [[Last Desolation]], around 4500 before the True Desolation,{{book ref|sa1|prologue}} nine of the ten Heralds had survived the fighting. As usual, they were supposed to return to [[Braize]] to hold back the [[Fused]]. However, knowing they could not face more torture, they came up with an alternative plan. [[Taln]], the only Herald never to have broken during the millennia of Desolations and the only Herald who had died that time, would remain on Braize by himself.{{book ref|sa3|38}} They had been warned that lingering on Roshar could lead to the start of another Desolation, but [[Ishar]] claimed that Taln by himself would be enough to hold back the Desolations and maintain the Oathpact. Rather than tell mankind the truth, the Heralds proclaimed that they had finally won the war against the Voidbringers.{{book ref|sa1|prelude}} This deception lasted for around 4500 years, until Taln finally returned from Braize to Roshar by mechanics which are as yet unclear.{{book ref|sa3|38}}{{wob ref|14869}}

=== The Era of Solitude ===
{{quote
|The Voidbringers were cast back into the Tranquiline Halls. The Heralds followed to force them out of heaven as well, and Roshar's Heraldic Epochs ended. Mankind entered the Era of Solitude. The modern era.
|[[Kabsal]] to [[Shallan]]{{book ref|sa1|45}}
}}
==== The False Desolation ====
:''Main article:'' [[False Desolation]]
{{sidequote
|Something must be done about the remnants of Odium’s forces. The parsh, as they are now called, continue their war with zeal, even without their masters from Damnation.
|Drawer 30-20, first emerald{{epigraph ref|sa3|77}}
|side=right|size=350px
}}
The [[False Desolation]] began around 2500 years after the Last Desolation,{{book ref|sa3|56}} when [[Ba-Ado-Mishram]] learned how to [[Connection|Connect]] with the majority of the singers, giving them [[Regal|forms of power]] and access to [[Voidlight]].{{epigraph ref|sa3|80}} The Radiants, unaware of how she did this, sought a way to end the fighting for good, as the Heralds had promised them.{{epigraph ref|sa3|82}} The fighting became particularly intense at this time,{{epigraph ref|sa2|41}} as the singers made a push towards [[Feverstone Keep]], possibly as part of a plan to capture [[Rall Elorim]].{{epigraph ref|sa3|84}}

Working together, the scholars among the Radiants theorized that an [[Unmade]] could be imprisoned like a regular [[spren]].{{epigraph ref|sa3|79}} That devised a plan to trap Ba-Ado-Mishram and prevent her from Connecting with the singers and providing them with Voidlight.{{epigraph ref|sa3|78}} This plan would require [[Melishi]], the only [[Bondsmith]] of his generation,{{epigraph ref|sa3|67}} and a special prison, likely a [[perfect gemstone]].{{epigraph ref|sa3|79}} Although Melishi was confident the plan would succeed in destroying the Voidbringers, [[Naze-daughter-Kuzodo]] warned of unintended side effects.{{epigraph ref|sa3|81}} Although the plan seems to have succeeded, as Ba-Ado-Mishram has not been seen in modern times unlike other Unmade,{{epigraph ref|sa3|107}} Naze-daughter-Kuzodo's warning was correct. Because she had been Connected to all the singers, their Connection and [[Identity]] was torn out of them, creating slaveform or parshmen.{{book ref|sa3|17}} The Radiants' horror for what happened likely contributed to the Recreance.

==== The Recreance ====
:''Main article:'' [[Day of Recreance]] 

During the lead up to the [[Day of Recreance]], many events occurred which demoralized the Knights Radiant. The [[Sibling]], for some unknown reason, withdrew from [[Urithiru]] and forced the Knights to abandon their ancestral home. Many Radiants blamed this on a perceived unworthiness, including increased conflicts between the [[Windrunners]] and [[Skybreakers]], but scholars of the time disagreed.{{epigraph ref|sa3|70}}{{epigraph ref|sa3|64}} This concern extended to potential infiltration by [[Unmade]].{{epigraph ref|sa3|73}} While this was occurring, the False Desolation was coming to a close. The presumed success in imprisoning Ba-Ado-Mishram leading to the singers having their Connection and Identity ripped out of them likely influenced the Radiants.{{book ref|sa3|17}} In the midst of this turmoil, the Radiants discovered the truth about the origins of humans on Roshar. The singers had been the original inhabitants of Roshar. The humans came as refugees from their [[Ashyn|homeworld]], which they had destroyed with surges. After being taken in by the singers and given [[Shinovar]], they invaded Roshar and started the Desolations. While Honor had comforted previous generations who learned this, this time he was dying. He raved about the [[Dawnshard]]s and promised the Radiants they would destroy Roshar like they had their homeworld.{{book ref|sa3|113}}

As a result of these revelations, the nine of the ten orders decided to abandon their oaths, and in agreement with their spren, kill them. They believed that this would prevent the destruction of Roshar Honor warned them about.{{book ref|sa3|113}} At the locations they left their [[Shardplate|Plate]] and [[Shardblade|Blades]], men quickly began fighting over the weapons, leading to much death and destruction.{{book ref|sa1|52}} The Radiants, other than the Skybreakers, were quickly turned on and killed because of the sense of betrayal felt.{{epigraph ref|sa2|41}} Society for both spren and humans drastically changed in the aftermath. Those with Shardblades quickly consolidated their power, including using ''[[Arts and Majesty]]'' to justify women not wielding them.{{wob ref|6245}} It is likely that this is when [[lighteyes]] truly came to power. The genocide decimated the populations of spren societies. Most of the survivors were children forced to spend centuries without nurture or guidance. Some societies took two thousand years to fully recover.{{book ref|sa3|47}}

==== The Scouring of Aimia ====
:''Main article:'' [[Scouring of Aimia]] 
What exactly occurred during the [[Scouring of Aimia]] is unknown but it appears that the vast majority of Aimia's ecosystem collapsed, leading to the extinction of the [[lanceryn]]{{book ref|twok|36}} and the near extinction of the [[larkin]]. Most creatures there are quite rare since the scouring.{{wob ref|1080}} The island of [[Akinah]], however, was not destroyed and is still protected from outsiders by the [[Sleepless]].{{book ref|sa3|i|4}} [[Hessi]] indicates in [[Mythica]] that [[Dai-Gonarthis]] may have been responsible for the scouring.{{epigraph ref|sa3|113}}

==== The Hierocracy and the War of Loss ====
:''Main articles:'' [[Hierocracy]] and [[War of Loss]]
The [[Hierocracy]] began when the [[Vorinism|Vorin Church]] decided to conquer the world and run the government rather than just provide spiritual guidance.{{book ref|sa1|36}} They claimed their conquering was for the good of the people. Some of the most powerful ardents claimed to have visions from the [[Almighty]], which they used to solidify their rule and obfuscate their religion. One of their main goals was to destroy knowledge of the failures of Vorinism, including [[Shadesmar]], the Knights Radiant, and the Recreance.{{book ref|sa2|3}}{{book ref|sa1|45}} They were primarily successful, as even the major libraries on Roshar are missing this information. Before the Hierocracy could spread to the west, [[Sadees]], the Sunmaker, united the princedoms of [[Alethkar]] to drive out the Hierocracy five centuries before the True Desolation.{{book ref|sa1|18}}{{book ref|sa1|24}}{{book ref|sa1|26}} They fought in various large battles in what came to be known as the [[War of Loss]].{{book ref|sa1|52}} The Sunmaker successfully cast down the Hierocracy and stated the visions were a fraud. 

Sadees's win in the War of Loss affected much of eastern Roshar. Sadees declared himself king of Alethkar and began a conquest of Roshar.{{book ref|sa3|34}} Although the extent of his empire is not exactly known, [[Herdaz]] and [[Azir]] were both included. He committed genocide in Azir and killed ten percent of the population.{{book ref|sa3|42}} His empire quickly collapsed after his death, however, as he did not choose an heir, and his ten sons divided the kingdom into princedoms and became [[highprince]]s.{{book ref|sa3|19}} The effects of the Hierocracy on Vorinism can still be felt centuries later. The central leadership of the church was destroyed and split into mostly independent [[Devotaries]].{{book ref|sa1|33}}{{book ref|sa1|36}} The ardents became slaves who could not own land or property.{{book ref|sa1|45}}{{book ref|sa1|59}} Their revisions to historical texts also perpetuate, and it is difficult to find information about pre-Hierocracy history or the Knights Radiant.{{book ref|sa2|3}}

==== Reunification of Alethkar ====
{{expand}}
In the year {{rosharan date|1158}}, House Kholin, led by [[Gavilar Kholin]], led a war in order to reunify Alethkar like Sadees did before him. This conquest was successful, subjugating all ten Alethi princedoms under a singular crown for the first time since the times of the Sunmaker.

==== Singer-Human Relations ====
{{expand}}

===== Assassination of Gavilar Kholin =====
{{for|Assassination of Gavilar}}
In {{rosharan date|1167}}, during the signing celebration of the Alethi-Listener treaty, Gavilar revealed his plans to return the Fused to Roshar to Eshonai. This led her to warning the Five. Together, the Five decided that he had to be killed before he could go through with his plans. Coming to this decision, they sent [[Szeth]] as an assassin, and successfully killed the king.{{book ref|sa1|prologue}}{{book ref|sa3|prologue}}

This assassination was traced back to the Listeners, as three Listeners remained to take credit for ordering the assassination,{{book ref|sa2|prologue}} leading to [[Elhokar Kholin]] and the Ten Highprinces to declare war upon them in the [[Vengeance Pact]], beginning the [[War of Reckoning]].

==== The Eighties War ====
{{for|Eighty's War}}

Meanwhile, in the Makabakam region, Emul and Tukar began to engage in a protracted war over ownership of the Dawncity of [[Sesemalex Dar]]. The Emul had the city situated as their capital, and claimed it was their ancestral homeland, granted to them by the Heralds themselves.{{book ref|sa1|54}}{{book ref|sa2|i|14}} On the other side, the Tukari, led by the Herald Ishar, also claimed rightful ownership of the city for unknown reasons.{{book ref|sa2|i|14}}

This conflict was not something new, with various wars over Sesemalex Dar occurring over the history of the two nations, with the Eighty's War only being the most recent iteration of these conflicts.{{book ref|sa2.5|2}}

==== The War of Reckoning ====
{{for|War of Reckoning}}
{{expand}}

=== The True Desolation ===
On {{Rosharan date|1173|10|10|3}}, during the [[Battle of Narak]], the [[Everstorm]] was summoned by Odium and a collection of [[Listeners]]. This brought an end to the Era of Solitude, and brought forth the True Desolation.{{article ref|Words of Radiance/Timeline|Words of Radiance timeline}} Following the True Desolation, the Alethi side of the Battle of Narak came across an oathgate leading to Urithiru, which they promptly occupied as their base of operations.{{book ref|sa2|87}}

==== Battle of Thaylen Field ====
{{for|Battle of Thaylen Field}}
{{expand}}

At the end of the battle, the Unmade Nergaoul was sealed away in the [[King's Drop]]. The Unmade was studied for a period following his being sealed away, but he was eventually locked in an aluminum box and hidden away at the bottom of the ocean to keep him out of enemy hands.{{book ref|sa3|120}}{{book ref|sa3|121}}{{book ref|sa4|16}}{{wob ref|14613}}

==== Expedition to Aimia ====
{{for|Expedition to Akinah}}
At some point long before the True Desolation, the Dawnshard of Change was brought to Aimia, and the [[Sleepless]] became its guardians.{{book ref|sa3.5|19}} 

During the expedition to Aimia, [[Rsyn]] took on the Dawnshard of Change.{{book ref|sa3.5|16}}{{book ref|sa3.5|19}}{{expand}}

==== Singer Occupation of Urithiru ====
{{expand}}

During the Occupation, Navani and Raboniel worked together to discover [[Anti-Voidlight]], through which they were able to bring permanent death to the Fused. Following this discover, Raboniel was able to discover [[Anti-Stormlight]], to be used as a weapon against Spren and the Knights Radiant.{{book ref|sa4|97}}

==== Expedition to Emul and Ascension of Taravangian ====
{{expand}}

Taravangian was assassinated by Szeth while being met by Odium. On his transition to the Cognitive Realm, he managed to kill Odium's Vessel with the Cognitive Aspect of Nightblood, and took the Shard for himself. Thus, he ascended as the new Vessel of Odium.{{book ref|sa4|113}}

==== Contest of Champions ====
The Contest of Champions between Odium and Dalinar, wherein the fate of Roshar and the Oathpact was to be decided, was planned to occur on {{rosharan date|1175|5|2|5}}.{{book ref|sa4|112}}

==== Post-Contest ====
Even several years after the Contest of Champions, in {{date|348|fa}} in the Scadrian reckoning, travel to and from Roshar in Shadesmar was still considered extremely dangerous. This made interplanetary trade infeasible.{{book ref|mb7|39}}

==== Space Age ====
Long after the True Desolation, Roshar became involved in interplanetary conflicts.{{book ref|tsm|44}} They are considered uncivilized by the [[Scadrial|Scadrian]] [[TimeTellers]].{{book ref|tsm|44}}

== Culture and Society ==

{{for|:Category:Rosharan culture|a list of Rosharan cultural topics}}

=== Nations ===
Roshar's population categorizes their history into a number of epochs. Most notable is the [[Silver Kingdoms]] Epoch, or the Heraldic Epoch, when the [[Knights Radiant]] kept the peace. They protected Roshar from their home, the great city of [[Urithiru]]. The ten Silver Kingdoms are:
{{columns|
*[[Iri]]
*[[Shin Kak Nish]]
*[[Sela Tales]]
*[[Aimia]]
*[[Makabakam]]
*[[Valhav]]
*[[Rishir]]
*[[Alethela]]
*[[Natanatan]]
*[[Thalath]] 
}}

Various nations rose and fall over Rosharan history, outside of the Silver Kingdoms, and thus no longer stand in the modern day:

{{columns|
*[[Bayala]]
*[[Eiliz]]
*[[Revv]]
*[[Sur]]
*[[Tarma]]
*[[Akak]]
}}


In the modern era, the Era of Solitude, the current division of thirty-two known countries and regions in Roshar are: 
{{columns|
*[[Thaylenah]]
*[[Frostlands]]
*[[Alethkar]]
*[[Herdaz]]
*[[Jah Keved]]
*[[Tu Bayla]]
*[[Triax]]
*[[Tu Fallia]]
*[[Greater Hexi]]
*[[Marat]]
*[[Tukar]]
*[[Emul]]
*[[Azir]]
*[[Yulay]]
*[[Marabethia]]
*[[Babatharnam]]
*[[Desh]]
*[[Yezier]]
*[[Alm]]
*[[Tashikk]]
*[[Liafor]]
*[[Steen]]
*[[Aimia]]
*[[Shinovar]]
*[[Iri]]
*[[Rira (country)|Rira]]
*[[Kharbranth]]
*[[Kadrix]] 
*[[Quili]] 
*[[Abri]] 
*[[Arak]] 
*[[Sumi]]
}}

=== Calendar ===
The Vorin calendar is divided up into ten months, with ten weeks each. Both the months and the weeks are named after the Vorin numerals (which, in turn, are derived from the names of the [[Herald]]s), and are sometimes combined into abbreviations. Such abbreviations have the full name of the month and two suffixes, for week and day. As an example Chachel means it's the third day of the week.{{book ref|sa1|46}} Interestingly, Kaladin, who gets paid once a week, refers to payday as "third pass".{{book ref|sa1|14}} Presumably, this means that another way to talk about days of the week is by saying first, second, third, fourth or fifth pass.

Each week is made up of five days,{{book ref|sa1|14}} with a month being made of ten weeks or fifty days,{{book ref|sa1|27}} and a year on Roshar is 500 days long, ultimately defined by the time between two [[Weeping]]s.{{book ref|sa2|46}} 

Although the Rosharan year is 500 days long, these days are shorter than usual, coming in at 20 Rosharan hours, which are themselves cut down into 50 Rosharan minutes.{{ref|text=A Rosharan hour is slightly shorter than an Earth hour, roughly 0.964 hours.{{wob ref|8086}}|group=fn}}{{wob ref|8928}} Consequently, a Rosharan year is only 10% longer than the cosmere standard.{{wob ref|8086}}{{au ref|Rosharan}}{{book ref|tsm|11}}

Other cultures across Roshar have different calendars, which consequently leads to differences in recorded year between nations and cultures. One culture known to make use of a different calendar are the Unkalaki. The Tukari and Emuli, and potentially the Azish in general, in which whose reckoning deems the period from Vorin year {{rosharan date|1167}} and {{rosharan date|1174}} to be in the eighties of an unclear century and millennium.{{book ref|sa2|i|14}}{{book ref|sa3.5|16}}{{wob ref|14531}} 

<center>Abbreviation Examples
{| class="infobox" 
!Abbreviation
!Month
!Week
!Day
|-
|Chachanan
|Chach
|Nan
|Nan
|-
|Jesachev
|Jes
|Chach
|Vev
|-
|Kaktach
|Kak
|Tanat
|Chach

|}
</center>

=== Currency ===
:''Main Article: [[Spheres]]''

The primary form of currency found on Roshar are spheres, pieces of gemstone encased in a sphere of glass with one side flattened to prevent rolling.{{book ref|sa1|27}} The gemstones can be any of the ten [[Polestone]]s and there are three denominations: chip, mark, and broam. The ten gemstones are organized into five value levels with some gem types having equivalent values.{{wob ref|10402}} These value levels are determined by [[Soulcasting]] properties, so diamonds, which can create quartz, crystal, and glass, have the lowest value, and emeralds, which can create grain, have the highest.{{book ref|sa1|3}} Spheres, like all gems on Roshar, have the ability to hold and leak Stormlight. Spheres with light are referred to as infused and those without are referred to as dun. Although dun spheres can be used as currency, people are suspicious of them because light is the easiest way to determine a sphere is real.{{book ref|sa1|17}}

Because of their ability to hold Stormlight, spheres are commonly used on Roshar as a source of light. The light from spheres is considered to be steadier and more consistent than traditional light sources such as candles.{{book ref|sa1|23}} It can be expensive, however, as spheres are also used for currency, so the use of spheres as a source of light is often a sign of wealth. Diamonds are considered the best light source because it is both the cheapest and the closest to natural light.{{book ref|sa1|8}}

The denomination of spheres in eastern Roshar is weaker than in the west, with some people drilling holes in spheres to carry them on strings or using chunks of gemstone instead.{{book ref|sa2.5|6}}

Glass beads without gemstones inside are called 'Ends', and are mainly used as gambling tokens.{{book ref|sa3|40}}

===Food and Drink===
A wide variety of alcoholic drinks can be found on Roshar.

====Wines====
{{image|Types of Wine.jpeg|width=250px|side=right|Types of Rosharan wine}}
On Roshar the term Wine refers to a number of alcoholic drinks, only a small subset of which are made of fermented fruit. The use of the term "wine" is the result of linguistic shift, much in the same way that all birds became [[chicken]]s and all small crustaceans became [[cremling]]s.{{wob ref|3978}} The alcohols that fall under the term "wine" are categorized by strength and color, with different colors denoting different alcohol content. Additionally, the stronger "wines" are actually distilled spirits.{{wob ref|12920}}

In order from weakest to strongest, those are:
* '''Pink''', which typically has a distinct floral taste. It's said to assist alertness. This wine is actually a juice and has no alcoholic content.{{wob ref|12920}}
* '''Orange''', fruity and with notes of ginger, although apparently it's not made of fruit.
* '''Yellow''', which has a deep, "bold" taste while being weak enough to drink casually.
* '''Auburn''', spicy and with a tasty aroma - this could be closest to red wine, as it's made of fermented fruit.
* '''Red''', said to be "flavourful with a pleasant burn".
* '''Sapphire''', with a taste of nuts and honey, made of [[lavis]] grain. It's usually infused, and the closest equivalent to whiskey.
* '''Blue''', tasting of berry and lemon.
* '''Violet''', the strongest, typically with an aroma of sandalwood.{{file ref|Rosharan Wines.jpg|Rosharan Wines}}

Within those colors, a number of different wines exist - for example, among the sapphire varieties are {{anchor|kimik}}'''kimik''', {{anchor|vari}}'''vari''' and {{anchor|Veden saph}}'''Veden saph'''.{{book ref|sa3|18}} While generally the wine colors are standardized, they gain their color by intentional colored infusions, and are occasionally made without them.

====Other Beverages====
{{image|Rosharan Alcohol by Yen Shu Liao.jpg|side=left|width=200px|Rosharan drinks}}
Apart from wines, Roshar has a number of other alcoholic drinks. Among those is beer, of which the most popular variety appears to be [[mudbeer]], often drunk to warm up.{{book ref|sa1|25}} Another drink is a liquor called [[honu]], which comes in several varieties that differ in strength.{{book ref|sa2|81}} Both beer and honu are made from [[lavis]] grain.{{book ref|sa3|121}}

The [[Unkalaki]] people have a number of their own alcoholic beverages. This includes a brownish drink called [[shiki]], which has to be chilled overnight, and the infamous Horneater lager, which is far stronger than regular beers, with one bartender claiming it melts their cups. Strongest among the Horneater beverages is the {{anchor|Horneater white}} '''Horneater white'''. A clear, distilled moonshine, it is the strongest known alcohol on Roshar (with the possible exception of some violet wines). It is known to strip paint, and can apparently be deadly to non-Unkalaki.{{book ref|sa3|37}}{{book ref|sa3|18}} It is comparable to [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Everclear Everclear].{{wob ref|12920}}

Other, unspecified alcohols drank across Roshar include a variety of ciders, juices and lagers.{{file ref|Rosharan Wines.jpg|Rosharan Wines}}

====Drinking Culture====
[[Vorinism|Vorin]] parties typically involve wine of the weakest colors, watered down to prevent the participants from getting drunk too quickly.{{book ref|sa3|18}} Sapphire appears to be the strongest color imbibed casually, and the phrase "to be in (someone)'s violets" refers to a person being heavily, perhaps dangerously drunk.

Beer and [[mudbeer]] are typical casual drinks, commonly served in taverns.{{book ref|sa1|47}} Among [[Unkalaki]], mudbeer is also used for duels - the winner is decided by who can drink the most without passing out.{{book ref|sa1|27}} 

Like most processes on Roshar, the act of drinking has its own dedicated [[spren]]. Winespren, or [[Spren#Alespren|alespren]], appear near people who are heavily intoxicated, taking form of small bubbles clinging to nearby objects. They are considered quite rare or even nonexistent, as they require a person to be deeply drunk before they appear, which can also lead to the assumption that an alespren sighting was simply a drunken hallucination; however, both [[Axies]] and [[Nazh]] attest to their existence.{{book ref|sa1|i|5}}{{file ref|Rosharan Wines.jpg|Rosharan Wines}}

=== Languages ===
The languages on Roshar can be grouped into five main language families. The [[Vorin]] language family primarily contains languages spoken in the east. [[Alethi]], [[Veden]], and [[Herdazian]] are the most closely related{{book ref|sa1|5}}{{wob ref|7125}}, with [[Thaylen]] a bit more distant. [[Natan]], another Vorin language, is nearly dead. This family does include some minor languages like [[Bavland|Bav]]. [[Kharbranthian]] is not considered its own language and is instead a dialect.{{wob ref|3977}}
 
The next language family, [[Makabaki]], contains around thirty languages, most of which are split off from [[Azish]].{{wob ref|3977}}

The [[Iri]] language family contains Iriali, [[Riran]], [[Reshi]], [[Selay]]{{book ref|sa1|5}}{{book ref|sa1|i|1}} and various [[Purelake]] dialects, and other surrounding languages.{{wob ref|3977}}

The Dawnate language family are languages with roots in the [[Dawnchant]]. These include [[Shin]], [[Listener]], and [[Unkalaki]]. They share similar grammar, but the vocabulary is quite different.{{wob ref|3977}}
 
The Aimian language family has two very different languages that get lumped together. Presumably the two languages are related to the [[Siah Aimian|Siah]] and [[Dysian Aimian|Dysian]] Aimians.{{wob ref|3977}}

Spren in Shadesmar speak their own languages, of which we have little information on.{{wob ref|3977}}

Rosharan phrases and curses often have distinct connotations specific to Roshar, such as mentioning Stormfather or storms in some way. [[Alethi]] and other [[Vorin]] cultures are also likely to use [[Almighty]] or [[Heralds]] in their phrases, while [[Singer]] / [[Listener]] phrases would often use rhythms or tones.

==== Writing ====

There are at least three Rosharan writing systems, the Alethi [[Women's script]], [[Thaylen script]] and the [[Glyphs]].{{file ref|Alethi Glyphs Page 1.jpg|Alethi Glyphs, Page 1}}{{book ref|sa1|28}}{{book ref|sa1|8}}

Vorinism teaches that it is unnatural and not masculine for men to read and write in the Alethi script.{{book ref|sa1|3}}

Although men being able to read Glyphs is permitted, people have a heavy prejudice towards [[Stormwarden|Stormwardens]], who have adapted glyphs into a full writing system, although this prejudice is largely due to the Vorin teachings about those who claim to see the future.{{book ref|sa1|60}}{{book ref|sa2|52}}

[[Glyphs]] are largely logographic, meaning writing symbols or pictures to convey ideas, rather than an alphabet like The Women's script.{{file ref|Alethi Glyphs Page 1.jpg|Alethi Glyphs, Page 1}}

Thaylen is an abjad, meaning it has little to no written vowels, instead, vowels are inferred. An example of this is the name of the slaver [[Tvlakv]].{{ref|name=decryption}}

Thaylen is typically written vertically, but is sometimes written left to right {{ref|name=decryption}}

[[Dalinar]] describes the Azish writing system as looking like the tracks cremlings make.

===Singer Society===
{{for|Singer|more information about the Singers}}

Though once the planet's dominant species, in the [[Era of Solitude]], the [[singer]]s have been subdued by humans. The majority of their species are [[parshmen]], singers whose [[Identity]] and [[Connection]] have been stripped from them by the capture of [[Ba-Ado-Mishram]], rendering them mostly docile and wordlessly obedient.{{book ref|sa1|44}}{{epigraph ref|sa3|80}} The singer culture of old has only been preserved by the [[Last Legion]], or listeners, on the [[Shattered Plains]] - the last enclave of non-[[parshmen]] singers on Roshar - and the [[Fused]], spirits of long-dead singers, on [[Braize]].

Among the listeners, the Fused are considered gods - however, they are highly dangerous to interact with, and the listeners fled to what became the [[Shattered Plains]] to escape their influence. In the present day, but prior to the [[Everstorm]], they were ruled by the Five, a council composed of representatives of each form the listeners could assume. History and knowledge are passed down among them mostly in form of songs, set to the [[Rhythm]]s that all singers can attune to.{{book ref|sa2|i|4}}

Following the Everstorm, the previously lost Identity and Connection were restored to the parshmen, returning them to full sentience.{{book ref|sa3|10}} The listeners, on the other hand, were all but decimated, first by the storm and then by becoming possessed by the Fused, with only a small group escaping west.{{book ref|sa3|i|7}} The current singer culture, such as it is, is mostly based around following the word of the Fused like gospel; however, the former parshmen retain some of the culture of their states of origin - for example, in [[Azir]] they attempted to sue the government for backpay, while in [[Thaylenah]], they took to the sea.{{book ref|sa3|121}}{{book ref|sa3|12}}

{{image|Sea_of_Lost_Lights.jpg|side=right|width=200px|A map showing some of the spren cities in [[Shadesmar]].}}

===Spren Society===

Within [[Shadesmar]], the sentient [[spren]] have their own countries.{{book ref|sa2|1}} Among those is a [[honorspren]] state, with its capital in the city of [[Lasting Integrity]] and a number of strongholds, as well as a [[Highspren]] country, and a city-state of the [[Cryptic]]s.{{book ref|sa3|102}}{{book ref|sa2|epilogue}}{{book ref|sa2|3}} There are also free cities, such as [[Celebrant]], where various spren intermingle. This includes [[cultivationspren]], which, though ruled by a council called the [[Ring]], do not have holdings of their own.{{book ref|sa3|102}}{{book ref|sa2.5|2}}{{book ref|sa2.5|1}} However, even the "ethnic" spren states do not appear to be strictly isolationist - for example, honorspren military ships are partially crewed by [[Spren#Mistspren|mistspren]].{{book ref|sa3|108}}

As the inversion of the [[Physical Realm]] and its supercontinent, Shadesmar is mostly composed of the sea of beads, with a number of narrow peninsulas and islands corresponding to Physical rivers and lakes.{{map ref|sea of lost lights}} As such, travel is done mostly by boat. Merchant and military ships, pulled by teams of harnessed [[mandra]]s, traverse the vast spaces between the cities, ferrying goods, news and travellers.{{book ref|sa3|99}} Trade with lands outside of Roshar isn't unusual - in Celebrant, one may buy canned food (presumably from [[Scadrial]] or some [[worldhopper]] settlement) and [[Nalthis |Nalthian]] artwork. The price of various items is largely based on their permanence in the Cognitive Realm, with the most persistent objects selling for thousands of broams.{{book ref|sa3|102}}

The relationship between various spren kinds appears to have its own share of political turmoil. Several years prior to the [[Everstorm]], the honorspren tried and failed to conquer the rest of Shadesmar, making the other spren unfriendly towards them. By contrast, Cryptics are generally understood to be unwilling to expand beyond their city; however, they are also widely considered to be uncomfortable company.{{book ref|sa3|47}}

After the events of the [[Recreance]], spren have mixed opinions of humans. [[Reachers]], [[inkspren]], and older honorspren are generally opposed to any attempt to restore contact, while cultivationspren, Cryptics, and younger honorspren are supportive of new [[Nahel bond]]s, albeit cautiously so.

===Secret Organizations===
There are many secret organizations on Roshar, potentially nine.{{wob ref|9473}} These include worldhopping organizations with a strong presence on Roshar, such as the [[Ghostbloods]],{{book ref|sa4|13}} the [[Ire]],{{book ref|sa4|87}} the [[Seventeenth Shard]],{{book ref|sa1|i|1}}{{wob ref|1735}} and the [[Sleepless]];{{wob ref|12657}}{{wob ref|14312}} as well as strictly Rosharan organizations such as the [[Skybreakers]],{{book ref|sa3|40}} the [[Sons of Honor]],{{book ref|sa3|40}} the [[Diagram (group)|Diagram]],{{book ref|sa3|i|5}} and the [[Envisagers]].{{book ref|sa2|71}}

The Ire are a [[Selish]] group with unknown motivations, although they sell things on Roshar.{{book ref|sa4|87}} The Ghostbloods are a group led by [[Thaidakar]] who are trying to establish an Investiture monopoly by using the [[Oathgates]] and Stormlight.{{book ref|sa4|13}} The Seventeeth Shard is an anti-interventionist worldhopping organization.{{book ref|sa1|i|1}}{{wob ref|1735}}  Meanwhile, the Sleepless on Roshar are focused on protecting the Dawnshard underneath Akinah.{{book ref|sa3.5|18}}

As for the Rosharan organizations, most of them have goals that in some way relate to [[Surgebinder]]s and/or the True Desolation. For example, the Sons of Honor want to start the True Desolation to bring back the Heralds,{{book ref|sa3|40}} while their splinter group{{wob ref|14534}} the Envisagers want to bring back Surgebinders.{{book ref|sa2|71}} Counter to that, the Skybreakers want to kill the Radiants in order to stop the True Desolation.{{book ref|sa3|40}} The Diagram focuses on saving people from what they see as the inevitable True Desolation.{{book ref|sa3|i|5}}

===Prejudices===
Rosharans would be distrustful of albinos, partially due to their reddish eyes.{{wob ref|3898}}

== Planetary System ==
{{image|Roshar_and_Surroundings.jpeg|side=right|width=250px|Roshar and its surrounding celestial bodies}}
{{for|Rosharan system}}
Roshar is the second planet from its sun.{{au ref|Roshar}} It has several notable heavenly bodies, including three moons. The first and smallest moon is violet '''Salas'''. The middle moon is '''Nomon''', which is a bright, pale blue. The final moon is '''Mishim''', which is smaller than Nomon and green. The Shin refer to the moons as the Three Sisters, and call each moon by its order, with Salas being the First Sister, Nomon the Second Sister and Mishim the Third Sister, while in [[Natanatan]], Nomon is considered to be male.{{book ref|sa3|67}} The [[singer]]s call Nomon Honor's Moon.{{book ref|sa4|31}} All three moons rise and fall in the same order every night and have highly unstable orbits on an astronomical timescale, suggesting they were placed artificially. They complete two orbits per day.{{wob ref|16058}} These moons are relatively small,{{book ref|sa1|19}}{{ref|group=fn|text= They are comparable to [[wikipedia:Phobos_(moon)|Phobos]] in size (about 11 kilometers in radius).{{wob ref|9202}}{{wob ref|8096}}}} They orbit relatively close to the surface, and during the night they come closer than their geosynchronous orbit altitude.{{wob ref|9202}}{{wob ref|8096}}

Other notable features of Rosharan sky are [[Taln's Scar]] and [[Tear|Reya's Tear]]. The Scar is a great swath of red stars that stand out against the white ones.{{book ref|sa1|2}} It is important in Rosharan astrology, particularly its position on one's seventh birthday.{{book ref|sa1|33}} The [[Tear]] is a particularly bright star, named after a single tear shed by a woman named [[Reya]] from Rosharan mythology.{{book ref|sa2|31}}

There are two other telluric planets in the [[Rosharan system]]: [[Braize]] and [[Ashyn]].{{au ref|Roshar}} Both of them are currently inhabited. The remaining celestial bodies in the system are ten gas giants, named after Vorin numerals, which are separated from the telluric planets by an asteroid belt.{{au ref|Roshar}}

== Trivia ==
* Although the word "dozen" is often used in the [[The Stormlight Archive]], Rosharans actually would say tens instead and Brandon just translated "tens" into "dozens" to make the book easier to read.{{wob ref|14013}}
* At some point, the Rosharan supercontinent was originally planned to be shaped like a cymatic pattern, but this idea was scrapped in favor of a Julia Set. In [[The Way of Kings Prime]], it was laid out in a three-pronged shape.{{wob ref|7116}}
* There is no chocolate on Roshar.{{wob ref|14605}}
* Roshar is of interest to several powers in the cosmere, as it is a world where pure Investiture is incredibly easy to come by.

== Notes ==
;Footnotes
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{{17s ref
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|date=2014-3-14
|topic|6487|Thaylen and Alethi Glyph Translation
}}

;References
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{{Stormlight}}
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[[category: Roshar| ]]
[[category: list articles]]