Editing Stormwarden

|type=Scholars

|universe=[[Cosmere]]

{{update|sa4}}

{{quote

|The stormwarden's promises were always filled with caveats. The Almighty’s will was mysterious, and the signs couldn’t always be trusted.

|[[Dalinar]]{{book ref|sa1|60}}

}}

A '''stormwarden''' is a type of scholar on [[Roshar]] who specializes in the prediction of [[highstorm]]s. Stormwardens can often be recognized by their glyph-covered robes.{{book ref|sa2|i|14}}{{book ref|sa3|i|5}}

== Occupation ==

{{quote

|They seek to predict the future.

|[[Kaladin]]{{book ref|sa1|44}}

}}

Stormwardens primarily focus on predicting when highstorms will arrive, hence the name. The process involves complex mathematics{{book ref|sa2|31}} done using a custom [[stormwarden script|glyph-based script]]{{book ref|sa2|52}} and is based on a variety of inputs, including the times of recent highstorms, the times of previous years' highstorms, and when the last highstorm left the western edge of Roshar.{{wob ref|7943}} Although the results are not perfect, they are very useful; even a hobbyist like [[Lirin]] can predict the right date 80% of the time.{{book ref|sa1|4}} Contrary to mythology, which states that each highstorm is a separate storm starting at the [[Origin]], modern stormwardens and other scholars believe that there is only one highstorm that circles the planet repeatedly.{{book ref|sa2|87}}

Stormwardens study a variety of scholarly topics besides highstorm prediction, often ones relating to highstorms. They predict Rosharan seasons,{{book ref|sa1|22}} which are affected by highstorms,{{wob ref|3777}} and have found that growing plants using storm water is better than using lake or river water due to the nutrients it contains.{{book ref|sa1|11}} They are sometimes included in other scientific experiments;{{book ref|sa2|35}} notably, stormwardens are part of the expedition by [[Gavilar Kholin]] that makes first contact with the [[listener]]s and are the ones who come up with the name "Parshendi".{{book ref|sa1|45}}

They also dabble in some practices that appear to be less scientific. [[Elthebar]] attempts to apply [[digitology]], which supposedly finds out things about people using the widths of their fingers, to the ratios of gears in [[Urithiru]] machinery,{{book ref|sa3|44}} and others think dismissively of their attempts to predict the future using the winds{{book ref|sa2|35}} or smoke from a candle.{{book ref|sa3|53}}

Many stormwardens work for governments or high-ranked officials; for example, some are employed by [[Azimir]],{{book ref|sa3|12}}, [[Yezier]],{{book ref|sa3|96}} [[Elhokar]],{{book ref|sa1|18}}[[Amaram]],{{book ref|sa1|51}} and [[Taravangian]]{{book ref|sa2|i|14}} (the [[King's Testers]]{{book ref|sa3|i|5}}). Their employers use highstorm predictions to plan events{{book ref|sa1|22}} and military actions{{book ref|sa2|51}} and sometimes perform other tasks.{{book ref|sa1|51}}{{book ref|sa3|12}} There are also roving stormwardens who travel around and sell lists of predicted highstorm dates.{{book ref|sa1|4}}

== Perception ==

{{quote

|No man should try to know the future, nor lay claim to it, for it belonged only to the Almighty himself.

|[[Dalinar]]{{book ref|sa1|60}}

}}

[[Vorinism|Vorins]] tend to find stormwardens strange and distasteful, since their work brushes up against two distinct Vorin taboos: predicting the future (which they do for storms and seasons) and men being able to read and write (which they do with their glyph-based script). Because accurate highstorm predictions are so useful, however, people generally put up with them.{{book ref|sa1|60}} In order to skirt the latter taboo, stormwardens have adapted [[glyphs]] into a kind of script for use in their calculations and studies. They claim that doing so is different from true reading and writing, but many others remain skeptical.{{book ref|sa2|52}}

When [[Hesina]] suggests to a young [[Kaladin]] that he could become a stormwarden, he instinctively reacts with disgust, having already internalized the prohibition on predicting the future. However, he does find a certain appeal in understanding more about mysteries of the world -- and in studying the winds in particular, perhaps befitting his later role as a [[Windrunner]]. Hesina herself doesn't seem to have any particular aversion to stormwardens.{{book ref|sa1|44}}

[[Renarin]] also has an initial negative reaction to the idea of being a stormwarden, though his is based on a desire to please [[Dalinar Kholin|his father]], who he thinks wants him to be a fighter.{{book ref|sa3|37}} He later expresses an interest in the stormwardens and asks them about their work. [[Jasnah]] wishes to discourage him, however, since she sees them as charlatans.{{book ref|sa3|53}}

== Known Stormwardens ==

* [[Elthebar]]

* [[Matain]]

* [[Dukar]] and the other [[King's Testers]]

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