◒

Difference between revisions of "Heraldic Epochs"

From The Coppermind
Jump to navigation Jump to search
Line 1: Line 1:
 
{{update|book=sa3}}
  
{{update|book=sa3}}
−
The '''Heraldic Epochs''' is a period of history of [[Roshar]] that preceded the [[Era of Solitude]].
 +
The '''Heraldic Epochs''' is a period of history of [[Roshar]] that preceded the [[Era of Solitude]].{{book ref|sa1|45}}
   
  +
== History ==
−
It was during that time that the [[Herald]]s and [[Knights Radiant]] battled the [[Voidbringers]] in [[Desolation]]s.{{book ref|twok|45}} It came to an end when [[Aharietiam]], the Last Desolation, was finished and the Heralds abandoned the [[Oathpact]].{{book ref|sa|part=prelude}}
  
  +
The Heraldic Epochs began with the conflict between humans and [[Singers]], when the latter decided to ally with [[Odium]].{{book ref|sa3|111}} To combat this, [[Honor]] chose ten [[Herald]]s, thus forming the [[Oathpact]].{{book ref|sa|part=prelude}} In short, the Oathpact stated that as long as the Heralds were on [[Braize]], Odium could not start another [[Desolation]]; to combat this, he tortured the Heralds until at least one of them broke. A single such cycle - a period of peace punctuated by a Desolation - was a single Heraldic Epoch. As each time, the Heralds broke faster, the Epochs grew shorter and shorter, with the intial ones being centuries apart, with the initial ones separated by over a century, while the very last were only years apart.{{book ref|sa3|38}}
  +
  +
Though initially only the Heralds had the access to [[Surgebinding]], eventually the [[spren]] sought to mimic those powers and began bonding humans.{{book ref|sa2|4}} Initially, those new Surgebinders were unorganized and uncoordinated, with some even turning on fellow men.{{book ref|sa1|60}} Sometime during the reign of [[Nohadon]], the Herald [[Ishar]] imposed order on them, leading to the formation of [[Knights Radiant]].{{epigraph ref|sa2|42}} Henceforth, the Knights would battle the [[Desolation]]s alongside the Heralds.
  +
  +
The city of [[Stormseat]] was destroyed by unknown means during one of the Desolations, leading to the formation of the [[Shattered Plains]].{{epigraph ref|sa2|26}} Sometime after, a legion of [[Singer]]s was sent there for unknown reasons and chose to defect, becoming the [[Listener]]s.{{book ref|sa2|i|4}}
  +
  +
The Heraldic Epochs came to an end with the [[Last Desolation]], or the [[Aharietiam]]. At the end of that Desolation, only the Herald [[Taln]] was dead. The other Heralds decided to leave the Oathpact, theorizing that one of them would be enough to keep it functioning, and abandoned their [[Honorblade]]s, then told mankind that this day marked the final victory over the [[Voidbringer]]s.{{book ref|sa|part=prelude}} With them vanishing - supposedly to battle in the [[Tranquiline Halls]], while in fact they simply went into hiding - Roshar entered the [[Era of Solitude]].{{book ref|sa1|45}}
  +
  +
== Culture ==
   
 
Humanity had very little technology during most of the Heraldic Epochs, they did not even know how to forge steel.{{book ref|twok|45}} If they had not been granted Shardblades by the Nahel bond with spren, they would have had to fight the Voidbringers with simple weapons, such as clubs.
  
Humanity had very little technology during most of the Heraldic Epochs, they did not even know how to forge steel.{{book ref|twok|45}} If they had not been granted Shardblades by the Nahel bond with spren, they would have had to fight the Voidbringers with simple weapons, such as clubs.

Revision as of 20:46, 5 July 2019

This page or section needs to be updated with new information for Oathbringer!
Be aware that in its current state, it may not include all additional content yet.

The Heraldic Epochs is a period of history of Roshar that preceded the Era of Solitude.[1]

History

The Heraldic Epochs began with the conflict between humans and Singers, when the latter decided to ally with Odium.[2] To combat this, Honor chose ten Heralds, thus forming the Oathpact.[3] In short, the Oathpact stated that as long as the Heralds were on Braize, Odium could not start another Desolation; to combat this, he tortured the Heralds until at least one of them broke. A single such cycle - a period of peace punctuated by a Desolation - was a single Heraldic Epoch. As each time, the Heralds broke faster, the Epochs grew shorter and shorter, with the intial ones being centuries apart, with the initial ones separated by over a century, while the very last were only years apart.[4]

Though initially only the Heralds had the access to Surgebinding, eventually the spren sought to mimic those powers and began bonding humans.[5] Initially, those new Surgebinders were unorganized and uncoordinated, with some even turning on fellow men.[6] Sometime during the reign of Nohadon, the Herald Ishar imposed order on them, leading to the formation of Knights Radiant.[7] Henceforth, the Knights would battle the Desolations alongside the Heralds.

The city of Stormseat was destroyed by unknown means during one of the Desolations, leading to the formation of the Shattered Plains.[8] Sometime after, a legion of Singers was sent there for unknown reasons and chose to defect, becoming the Listeners.[9]

The Heraldic Epochs came to an end with the Last Desolation, or the Aharietiam. At the end of that Desolation, only the Herald Taln was dead. The other Heralds decided to leave the Oathpact, theorizing that one of them would be enough to keep it functioning, and abandoned their Honorblades, then told mankind that this day marked the final victory over the Voidbringers.[3] With them vanishing - supposedly to battle in the Tranquiline Halls, while in fact they simply went into hiding - Roshar entered the Era of Solitude.[1]

Culture

Humanity had very little technology during most of the Heraldic Epochs, they did not even know how to forge steel.[1] If they had not been granted Shardblades by the Nahel bond with spren, they would have had to fight the Voidbringers with simple weapons, such as clubs.

According to legend, the Heraldic Epochs were a golden time for Roshar. The Silver Kingdoms were built and led by the Heralds,[1] and men were bound by honor.[10]

Contrary the Era of Solitude, during the Heraldic Epochs writing and reading wasn't restricted to women as literate wordsmen existed.[6]

In Vorinism

The Vorin religion is based on the lie that at the end of the Heraldic Epochs, the Heralds had pushed the Voidbringers back to the Tranquiline Halls and were fighting to force them out of there as well. According to Vorinism, there were one hundred Desolations, including Aharietiam; however, the real number was somewhere between fifteen and fifty.[1][11]

Notes

  1. ↑ a b c d e The Way of Kings chapter 45#
  2. ↑ Oathbringer chapter 111#
  3. ↑ a b Prelude to the Stormlight Archive#
  4. ↑ Oathbringer chapter 38#
  5. ↑ Words of Radiance chapter 4#
  6. ↑ a b The Way of Kings chapter 60#
  7. ↑ Words of Radiance chapter 42 epigraph#
  8. ↑ Words of Radiance chapter 26 epigraph#
  9. ↑ Words of Radiance interlude I-4#
  10. ↑ The Way of Kings chapter 21#
  11. ↑ Legion Release Party
    — Arcanum - 2018-09-19#
This article is still missing information. Please help The Coppermind by expanding it.
Retrieved from "https://coppermind.net/wiki/?title=Heraldic_Epochs&oldid=105988"