Eila Stele
| Eila Stele | |
|---|---|
| Language | Dawnchant |
| World of Origin | Roshar |
| Universe | Cosmere |
The Eila Stele is the oldest known text on Roshar, written in Dawnchant.[1] It contains several key pieces of information about the planet's history.
History
The Eila Stele is a carving that is believed by historians to be the oldest extant document on Roshar.[1] It is thought to predate the first Desolations, and possibly be written by the Heralds.[1] Dawnchant became a dead language over time,[2] and the meaning of the Eila Stele was lost. However, Navani Kholin realized that fragments of the Dawnchant could be recovered from Dalinar's visions.[3] This resulted in a spate of translation breakthroughs by Navani and ardents at the Palanaeum[4] and the Jokasha Monastery.[5] Jasnah and the Veristitalians also take an interest,[6] as do Taravangian and the Diagram.[7]
Through the efforts of these groups, the Dawnchant is eventually cracked, allowing the Eila Stele to be be translated.[1]
Revelations
After the Eila Stele is translated, it is revealed that the author is not a Herald but a Dawnsinger.[1] Dawnsingers are ancient ancestors of the singers native to Roshar; they are not spren, as theorized by the Vorin church.[1] The text further reveals that the first people known as Voidbringers were actually humans, who are not native to Roshar.[1] This contradicts Vorin Doctrine regarding the Expulsion, which holds that mankind fought against the Voidbringers to reclaim the Tranquiline Halls.[8]
The Eila Stele indicates that humans destroyed their own world.[9] Most of the humans fled to Roshar and were taken in out of pity by the Dawnsingers and their gods.[9][10] They were given land known as current-day Shinovar, which explains that region's unique flora and fauna.[11] They later used their Surgebinding powers to conquer most of Roshar.[11]
Cosmere Significance
The Eila Stele is currently the only in-world document that refers to the abandonment of the planet Ashyn,[12] which is the origin of the Vorin notion of the Tranquiline Halls.[13] Ashyn neighbors Roshar in its solar system,[14] and it was almost destroyed through mankind's use of the Dawnshards and Surgebinding.[11][15] The Heralds were among the humans who abandoned Ashyn.[16]
![[14]](#cite_note-Starchart_roshar_color.jpg-14){kind=link}
The Stormfather tells Dalinar that during the False Desolation, the Knights Radiant learned of Ashyn's fate, leading them to question the use of Surgebinding powers.[11] They were urged on by Honor, but after Aharietiam, Honor was dying and no longer cogent, which led to the events of the Day of Recreance.[11]
Known text
“ 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. We took them in, as commanded by the gods. What else could we do? They were a people forlorn, without a home. Our pity destroyed us. For their betrayal extended even to our gods: to spren, stone, and wind. Beware the otherworlders. The traitors. Those with tongues of sweetness, but with minds that lust for blood. Do not take them in. Do not give them succor. Well were they named Voidbringers, for they brought the void. The empty pit that sucks in emotion. A new god. Their god. These Voidbringers know no songs. They cannot hear Roshar, and where they go, they bring silence. They look soft, with no shell, but they are hard. They have but one heart, and it cannot ever live. ”
— Eila Stele[1]
Notes
- ↑ a b c d e f g h Oathbringer chapter 111#
- ↑ Words of Radiance chapter 47#
- ↑ The Way of Kings chapter 60#
- ↑ Oathbringer chapter 50#
- ↑ Oathbringer interlude I-2#
- ↑ Oathbringer chapter 53#
- ↑ Oathbringer chapter 107#
- ↑ The Way of Kings chapter 15#
- ↑ a b Oathbringer chapter 115 epigraph#
- ↑ Oathbringer chapter 116 epigraph#
- ↑ a b c d e Oathbringer chapter 113#
- ↑ Oathbringer signing Portland
— Arcanum - 2017-11-16# - ↑ Oathbringer Chicago signing
— Arcanum - 2017-11-21# - ↑ Map of Roshar system
- ↑ Well of Ascension signed copy
— Arcanum - 2018-03-08# - ↑ Skyward Denver signing
— Arcanum - 2018-11-15#
