Heraldic Epochs
The Heraldic Epochs is a period of history of Roshar that preceded the Era of Solitude.
It was during that time that the Heralds and Knights Radiant battled the Voidbringers in Desolations.[1] It came to an end when Aharietiam, the Last Desolation, was finished and the Heralds abandoned the Oathpact.[2]
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.[3]
Contrary the Era of Solitude, during the Heraldic Epochs writing and reading wasn't restricted to women as literate wordsmen existed.[4]
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][5]