Difference between revisions of "Rosharan subastral"

|books=[[The Stormlight Archive]]

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{{for|Cognitive Realm|the Cognitive Realm in general|pre=This article is about the Cognitive Realm region specific to [[Roshar]]}}

 

{{quote

|You and the others, refer to Shadesmar as the world of the spren, and the Physical Realm as '''your''' world. Or the '''real''' world. That is not true. We are not two worlds, but one. And we are not two peoples, but one. Humans. Spren. Two halves. Neither complete.

}}

 

 

Shadesmar is the colloquial name{{wob ref|7199}} of the Rosharan subastral{{wob ref|5814}} and also the Rosharan translation of "Cognitive Realm".{{wob ref|3010}} Although other worlds have their own words for "Cognitive Realm", when these get magically translated to another language, it results in the name "Shadesmar", even if not in reference to the Rosharan subastral.{{wob ref|10305}} Shadesmar, as coined and used by Rosharans, is also used in [[Silverlight]] as the [[cosmere]] standard.{{wob ref|10305}}

 

{{for|/Gallery|more images}}

The Rosharan subastral is part of a single infinite plane{{wob ref|8594}} that connects to the other subastrals in the [[cosmere]] by regions that are locally known as ''Expanses''.{{map ref|Shadesmar}} Moving far enough in the direction of an Expanse, will take you to another world in the cosmere.{{wob ref|1392}}{{wob ref|1540}} The four Expanses at the edge of the Rosharan subastral are;

It is possible{{wob ref|13234}} to cross between diametrical points on [[Roshar]] by utilizing the Cognitive Realm, however, it would be difficult.{{wob ref|12721}}

 

 

{{columns|count=1|

*[[Nameless]] - a small trading village in the Sea of Souls

}}

== Geography and Ecology ==

=== Environment ===

It is possible to gain impressions from beads of what object they represent{{book ref|sa2|prologue}}{{wob ref|6642}} - this is more easily done by those who are [[Investiture#Investiture_of_Humans|Invested]],{{book ref|sa3|89}}{{book ref|sa3|93}} however, there is still an element of natural talent with some people being better suited to the task than others.{{book ref|sa4|26}} [[Investiture]] is not needed to get impressions or visualize the souls of the beads,{{book ref|sa3|108}} although the beads are attracted to Investiture and will swarm someone who holds it if they are able to sense it.{{book ref|sa2|prologue}} Impressions will match the magnitude of the object, with larger, older, and/or grander objects threatening to overwhelm the person holding the bead.{{book ref|sa3|89}} As well as this, the weight of each bead is related, but not equal, to the physical object it represents, with souls for larger objects being deceptively heavier than they appear.{{book ref|sa2|7}}

 

 

 

Like with water, it is possible to drown if pulled under the beads, as they will swarm beings if they make contact and will attempt to force their way into a person's mouth and throat,{{book ref|sa2|prologue}} causing them to suffocate.{{book ref|sa1|70}} It is not possible to swim through the beads as they provide no buoyancy, and instead people will sink into what feels like a viscous liquid.{{book ref|sa2|prologue}} There is an underwater current that moves the beads,{{book ref|sa3|93}}{{book ref|sa3|99}} that is stronger than what would normally be found in Physical Realm oceans.{{book ref|sa4|26}}

}}

 

 

The three realms blend together within the Highstorm, and an Invested person can briefly see into the Spiritual Realm if they are able to access the storm via Shadesmar. However, it does not appear possible to access the Physical Realm using this method.{{book ref|sa3|97}} The Stormfather is able to sense someone accessing the realms through the Highstorm in the Cognitive Realm, however, this is not a common occurrence.{{book ref|sa3|107}} This connection is not two ways, however, and the person in the storm cannot sense the Stormfather.{{book ref|sa3|97}}

When the perpendicularity is summoned, Shadesmar is visible to the summoner{{epigraph ref|sa3|5}} and certain individuals in their proximity,{{book ref|sa4|3}} although not everyone who is a passive witness can see through to the other realm.{{book ref|sa4|6}}{{book ref|sa4|5}} The rhythms and tones of Roshar, can be heard when the perpendicularity is opened.{{book ref|sa4|3}}{{book ref|sa4|6}}

 

 

It is potentially possible to open Honor’s Perpendicularity at Urithiru, however, it requires strong magical abilities, and may not be possible if a [[Bondsmith]] is below the Fourth Ideal. There is both a measure of strength and a measure of skill required.{{book ref|sa4|101}}

[[File:Jasnah_by_Audrey_Hotte.png|thumb|left|280px|[[Jasnah]] returning from Shadesmar by {{a|Audrey Hotte}}]]

 

[[Jasnah]] first became aware of Shadesmar as a real place in 1167 when she was pulled through by [[Ivory]] when he attempted to kill her.{{book ref|sa2|prologue}} After bonding Ivory and becoming an Elsecaller, Jasnah began to research Shadesmar, along with [[Urithiru]] and the [[Voidbringers]].{{book ref|sa2|1}}

 

Her experience of being trapped in the Cognitive Realm left Jasnah with a heightened sense of paranoia, leading to her having an increased level of preparedness in the case that she might have to escape into Shadesmar at a future point.{{book ref|sa4|47}}{{book ref|sa4|99}}

 

[[Azure]] first traveled to Shadesmar in 1173, in pursuit of [[Nightblood]] and [[Vasher]], and crossed into the Physical Realm using [[Cultivation's Perpendicularity]].{{book ref|sa3|93}} After being unintentionally brought back during the battle at [[Kholinar Palace]],{{book ref|sa3|87}} she travelled with [[Adolin]] and his companions, before parting ways when they jumped off ''[[Honor's Path]]'' in an attempt to escape the [[Fused]].{{book ref|sa3|110}} Azure had already made a bargain with the honorspren prior to the appearance of [[Odium]]’s forces, where they would allow her to travel with them and enter Lasting Integrity. Once there, the spren would exchange information about Nightblood, who had passed through their fortress, for information on [[Vivenna's Blade|Azure's Blade]].{{book ref|sa3|108}}

 

Azure was one of the last humans to enter Lasting Integrity before it implemented its isolationist policy. She moved on approximately five months after her arrival.{{book ref|sa4|75}}{{book ref|sa4|78}}

 

The [[Everstorm]] started building and approaching the planet Roshar’s subastral many generations before it was transferred to the Physical Realm.{{book ref|sa4|86}} Initially broken off from the storm that surrounds [[Braize]], Odium gradually moved it until it reached the edge of the local Shadesmar{{book ref|sa4|86}}{{book ref|sa4|89}}{{book ref|sa4|57}} where it remained brewing for a long period of time,{{book ref|sa4|i|2}} somewhere in the southern banks.{{book ref|sa4|73}} Because of its remote location in Shadesmar, Odium’s forces had to contend with traveling far out to sea in the Physical Realm to be able to reach the storm so they could draw through Voidspren to begin the process of transferring the storm to the Physical Realm.{{book ref|sa4|73}}

 

Travel and trade further decreased into 1175 with fewer ships willing to travel, lest they encounter Odium’s forces. They were further disincentivized to travel due to strange occurrences in [[Shinovar]], as well as a general preference against encountering traveling honorspren.{{book ref|sa4|22}}

 

{{quote

|Azure looked up at the sky. “Damnation,” she said softly. “I hate this place.”

}}

 

 

Eventually, the travelers came upon [[Wind's Pleasure]];{{book ref|sa3|95}} while Kaladin went to investigate the building and find out more about the occupants, Shallan and the others were contacted by [[Sja-anat]]. When the group had first transitioned to Shadesmar, Sja-anat had falsely reported back to [[Odium]] that the group had been transported to an unknown point, far from the Kholinar Oathgate. Odium ordered Sja-anat to search for the Radiants, however, once she located them she used the opportunity to warn them about Odium’s hunt and that they should avoid his forces.{{book ref|sa3|97}}

Following the Battle of Thaylen Field, at least some of the Oathgates agreed to allow for passage between realms again.{{book ref|sa4|22}}

 

{{quote

|I’ve come by order of the Bondsmith, my father, to visit your lands and deliver a message on his behalf. I bring with me Knights Radiant of four different orders, all of whom work in concert against the rising Everstorm. Proof that men and spren once again need their bonds of old

Held as the honorspren’s captive, Adolin prepared for his trial with the help of the [[inkspren]] emissary, [[Blended]]. After [[Kalak]], the High Judge, returned to the fortress from patrolling, the trial began and lasted for three days. On the first day, three witnesses - [[Amuna]], Blended, and Notum - gave testimony against Adolin. Notum, having clearly been coerced into testifying, broke from his script half way through his statement, to stand with Adolin and promote the bond between humans and spren. The second day of the trial Adolin was free to give his own testimony to the judge and audience, however, this quickly went sour and the day ended in chaos. The third day of trial was held by the honorspren [[Sekeir]], due to Kalak’s absence, and Maya was brought forth as the final witness. Due to her inability to speak, Sekeir used this as an opportunity to promote his own agenda under the guise he was speaking on her behalf. Drawing strength from Adolin, Maya addressed the crowd herself, proclaiming that the deadeyes had willingly chosen to give up their bonds during the Recreance. Shocked, the honorspren left the room and the trial was dismissed. Following the trial, Blended returned to the inkspren to spread the news about the role of spren in the Recreance and Maya’s growing consciousness.{{book ref|sa4|94}}

 

{{quote

|Iyatil has reported to Master Thaidakar, and he has accepted—after some initial anger—that we will not be able to control the Oathgates.

}}

 

 

=== Food and Drink ===

 

Human rations are available for purchase in Shadesmar cities and are sometimes carried by spren sailors, even when they do not currently have human passengers.{{book ref|sa3|99}} Rations are most easily found in port cities which see a steady trade of the goods to help accommodate for humans that live in the area.{{book ref|sa3|93}} Tinned food is commonly found in Shadesmar, and may originate from [[Scadrial]] due to their canning processes.{{book ref|sa3|97}}{{book ref|sa3|102}}{{wob ref|8650}}{{wob ref|10807}} Water can be created using a [[hydrator]]; these devices are carried on ships in the case that humans are granted passage by the captain.{{book ref|sa3|99}}

 

==== Surgebinding ====

 

During times where the realms are closer, or combined, it is easier to access Shadesmar and an overlay effect can occur with the [[Physical Realm]]. [[Soulcast]]ing also becomes much easier to perform.{{book ref|sa3|120}} When in Shadesmar, Soulcasting can be performed on any physical material that is in the Cognitive Realm, however, if performed on the beads then only the object in the Physical Realm is affected. Items that fully exists in Shadesmar, however, can be changed into other substances as would normally occur.{{book ref|sa3|93}}{{book ref|sa4|26}} Soulcasting items that are in the Cognitive Realm is easier than changing the souls of the beads.{{book ref|sa4|93}}

* Although Brandon plans to use Shadesmar more widely in the cosmere, there may shift to being ‘Cognitive Realm’ as Brandon reaches Era 4 so that a more scientific term is being used.{{wob ref|10305}}

* There is a specific reason that the Rosharan subastral is full of spheres.{{wob ref|2742}}

 

== Notes ==

<references />

{{stormlight}}

{{cosmere}}