Difference between revisions of "Rosharan subastral"

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== Locations ==

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;

 

 

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The Cognitive Realm is an inverse reflection of the [[Physical Realm]], with Shadesmar's bodies of "water" mirroring land in the Physical Realm, and Cognitive Realm land being the reflection of oceans, rivers, and lakes. In the Rosharan subastral, "water" is made up of small beads that represent the cognitive aspects of physical world objects, while the land is created out of obsidian.{{book ref|sa2|7}}{{book ref|sa3|87}}{{book ref|sa3|89}}

 

 

Shadesmar overlays the Physical Realm,{{book ref|sa2|1}} however, as the Cognitive Realm is more compact,{{book ref|sa4|i|2}} locations do not map one to one between the two realms.{{wob ref|13234}} As the realm forms based on people’s perception of objects and space, the vertical dimension,{{book ref|sa4|22}} space between planets,{{wob ref|5671}}{{wob ref|1392}} and unknown locations in the Physical Realm,{{wob ref|4132}}{{wob ref|5671}} are particularly compressed. Shadesmar geography does not need to be based off naturally occurring Physical Realm geology, and can also form as a reflection of man-made land or water sources.{{wob ref|11870}}

Investiture, such as [[Stormlight]], can be detected by the beads if contained in a gemstone, or held by a [[Knights Radiant|Radiant]]. The degree that the beads can sense Investiture from a Knights Radiant is dependent on the Order, with some being less "detectable" than others.{{book ref|sa3|89}} Because of the reaction of the Shademar ocean beads, it can be dangerous for [[Surgebinder]]s to use their powers while in the Realm, lest they draw the beads - and dangerous spren - to themselves and their companions.{{book ref|sa3|89}} Despite these issues, traveling Shadesmar without sufficient Stormlight is unwise as it is the currency of the realm and can be used by the spren to heal if required.{{book ref|sa4|36}}{{book ref|sa3|97}} It is unclear if the Shadesmar beads can be infused with Stormlight.{{wob ref|10295}}{{wob ref|10290}}

 

 

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}}

Shadesmar is predominantly populated by spren, with [[Spren#True_Spren|true spren]] organized in civilizations and [[Spren#Lesser_Spren|lesser spren]] roaming wild, similar to animals as they would be found in the Physical Realm.{{book ref|sa4|22}} Many of these lesser spren live within the bead ocean{{book ref|sa3|89}} as they are drawn to human populations that are in the equivalent location in the other realm.{{book ref|sa3|101}} There is a regionality to the spread of spren types and certain spren may be more commonly found in different areas.{{wob ref|14430}} The number of spren in Shadesmar help to act as "release valves" for Honor’s splintered power, due to their nature as [[Splinter]]s.{{wob ref|4129}}

 

 

Many of the spren that live in the oceans are emotion spren, with several types considered quite dangerous.{{book ref|sa3|89}} Lesser spren, such as [[mandras]] can only travel so far away from human population centers in the Physical Realm before they will begin to die.{{book ref|sa3|99}} The specific types of lesser spren that can be found in Shadesmar are tied into the natures of the two [[Shards]] on [[Roshar]], [[Cultivation]] and [[Honor]].{{wob ref|6134}}

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=== Perpendicularity ===

==== Honor's Perpendicularity ====

 

[[Honor's Perpendicularity]], also referred to as Honor’s path,{{book ref|sa4|111}} is an unstable portal{{book ref|sa3|93}} that can allow for transport between the Physical and Cognitive Realm. It moves around Shadesmar randomly, however, can be summoned by both Dalinar and [[Ishar]].{{book ref|sa3|119}}{{book ref|sa4|111|Ishar}} The Stormfather can feel when the perpendicularity is opened, except when done by Ishar.{{book ref|sa4|111}} The [[Fused]] also appear to be negatively affected by the perpendicularity.{{book ref|sa3|119}}

[[Cryptic]]s began, at some point, to flock to the Shadesmar location equivalent to [[Kharbranth]].{{book ref|sa1|29}}{{book ref|sa1|42}}{{book ref|sa1|45}}{{book ref|sa1|48}}

 

 

=== A Scholar's Interest and Journey (1167-Present) ===

Following their escape from the [[Kholinar Palace]] through the corrupted [[Oathgate]], [[Kaladin]], [[Shallan]], [[Adolin]], [[Azure]], along with the [[spren]] of the [[Knights Radiant|Radiant]]’s and [[Maya|Adolin’s Shardblade]], found themselves trapped in Shadesmar.{{book ref|sa3|87}} Unable to return through the Oathgate, and to escape [[Ashertmarn]], the group made their way to the [[Windrunner River]],{{book ref|sa3|89}}{{map ref|Alethkar}}{{map ref|Sea of Lost Lights}} before making their way up the peninsula and away from [[Kholinar]].{{book ref|sa3|89}}

 

 

Kaladin, deeming Riino’s Lighthouse to be safe, returned to fetch the other members of his party then convened at the lighthouse to enquire about travel and supplies.{{book ref|sa3|97}} A ship, captained by the [[Reacher]] [[Ico]], reached the lighthouse not long after the group arrived,{{book ref|sa3|97}}{{book ref|sa3|99}} and ferried them to [[Celebrant]], a trade city, found in the south east on the [[Sea of Spears]]. The party was unable to agree on a destination, with Azure wanting to go west to [[Cultivation's Perpendicularity]] as she had previously used it to reach the Physical Realm,{{book ref|sa3|93}}{{book ref|sa3|99}} while Kaladin was strongly insistent about traveling south to [[Thaylenah]], due to a vision he had when he touched Riino’s magic globe.{{book ref|sa3|99}}{{book ref|sa3|101}}

In 1175, a delegation from [[Urithiru]] headed by [[Adolin]] and [[Shallan]], set out to visit [[Lasting Integrity]] and try to convince the [[honorspren]] to re-bond humans and join their war efforts against [[Odium]] and the [[Fused]].{{book ref|sa4|19}} Setting out from Urithiru, the group travelled on a [[peakspren]] ship captained by [[Unativi]], then by caravan from [[Nameless]] to Lasting Integrity. During this time, Shallan began taking notes for her eventual book on Shadesmar’s natural history.{{book ref|sa4|26}} During the second half of their journey, they were followed by a [[Tukari caravaneers|Tukari mercenary group]] that eventually broke away from their path to head south, while the Urithiru delegates continued west. Unfortunately, the Tukari had continued in the same direction of [[Notum]], who had also been traveling along the route, and he had been their target all along. Racing to save him, Adolin and [[Maya]] fought off the Tukari, long enough for the other soldiers in their party to arrive and provide backup.{{book ref|sa4|35}}

 

 

With an injured Notum in tow, the group pressed on quickly to reach Lasting Integrity, wary that the Tukari were still in the area and could circle back around to attack them again. Reaching the honorspren stronghold however, the group was not warmly welcomed; the honorspren did not respond kindly to the diplomatic efforts of Adolin, destroying his correspondence from the coalition monarchs and refusing to engage his pleas and arguments. With all of his other plans having failed, Adolin surrendered himself into the custody of the honorspren, after giving them the opportunity to put him on for the [[Recreance]]. The honorspren allowed for two others to remain with Adolin, and Shallan and [[Pattern]] joined the Highprince inside the fortress where Adolin was taken into custody.{{book ref|sa4|36}}

== Culture and Society ==

==== True Spren Societies ====

 

The longstanding presence of one type of spren in a given area, can affect the fundamental forces in that section of Shadesmar, and although this may mimic [[Surgebinding]], these environmental changes are caused by another mechanism.{{book ref|sa4|78}} Some spren choose to build their cities in particular parts of Shadesmar for specific reasons, that may be related to these realmatic changes, however, this is rare and the different spren types mostly choose areas where they can assert political control.{{wob ref|12889}} The [[Lasting_Integrity|honorspren capital]], however, is one such place where the environment has been altered and the spren of this keep have utilized and integrated these changes into their lifestyles.{{book ref|sa4|78}} Most, if not all, spren cities utilize manifested objects to create their buildings.{{book ref|sa3|102}}

 

=== Travel ===

==== Local Travel ====

Travel is largely conducted by [[Reachers]] and [[peakspren]], who can be hired for travel over both land and sea.{{book ref|sa3|99}}{{book ref|sa4|26}} They utilize [[mandras]] for sea travel in lieu of standard sailing equipment to offset the lack of wind in Shadesmar.{{book ref|sa3|97}} Multiple mandras have to be used at the same time on all ships, as these spren will occasionally be pulled into the [[Physical Realm]] and vanish -- a phenomenon known as "dropping."{{book ref|sa3|99}} Ships in Shadesmar move faster than an average ship in the Physical Realm, largely because they are not dependent on wind direction and can use the most efficient path to reach their destination.{{book ref|sa3|99}} Some ships will keep rations and a water making fabrial aboard in case they take on human passengers.{{book ref|sa3|99}}

=== Economy ===

==== Currency ====

 

==== Trade ====

Items that are imported from the [[Physical Realm]] are considered much more valuable than manifested items because they will not eventually disappear. However, these are much harder to obtain as they have to be brought through a perpendicularity or [[Oathgate]].{{book ref|sa4|29}} This has been historically unattainable since the [[Recreance]], as the Oathgates had been sealed and abandoned{{book ref|sa3|116}}{{book ref|sa4|22}} and the [[Horneater]]s that guard [[Cultivation's Perpendicularity]] were not receptive to travelers using the waypoint.{{book ref|sa4|13}} Non-manifested weapons, in particular, are worth a lot of money in Shadesmar.{{book ref|sa4|75}} Following the [[True Desolation]], traders from outside of the Rosharan system increased in traffic, with people being drawn to the subastral by stories of [[Shardblade]]s, and a desire to purchase them. [[Roshar#Wines|Rosharan wines]] are also popular off-world.{{book ref|sa4|30}}

 

 

The demand for Stormlight as a commodity, both in Shadesmar and off-world, has led the [[Ghostbloods]] to attempt to set up a trade route that will transport the [[Investiture]] from the Physical Realm and through Shadesmar, using the Oathgates. They eventually plan to trade Stormlight on other planets, and although they are aware of how to transport the Investiture off of Roshar, they have run into issues implementing their plan.{{book ref|sa4|13}}

 

=== Leisure Activities ===

==== Gardening ====

Gardening appears to be an art form in Shadesmar, that is enjoyed particularly by [[cultivationspren]]. It differs from Physical Realm gardening, with the cultivation of plants being considered mundane and pedestrian. Instead, Shadesmar gardening involves growing items out of crystals, based on the souls of objects, though this method is distinctly different from manifesting souls. Cultivationspren are known to create gardens of chairs. Like with Physical Realm artwork, these garden creations are put on display in exhibitions where they can be viewed by other spren.{{book ref|sa2.5|1}}

 

=== Languages ===

 

There appears to be some languages that are specific for different types of spren.{{book ref|sa3|108}}{{book ref|sa4|26}} Not all languages are verbal, with some spren, such as [[Reachers]], being able to communicate using vibrations passed through metal plates.{{book ref|sa3|99}}

=== Religion ===

==== Mythology ====

 

=== Magic ===

 

==== Surgebinding ====

*[[Expanse of Vibrance]]: This expanse's name was hidden behind the Shadesmar's map's title.{{wob ref|4805}} It is believed to be Nalthis.

* An uncanonical scene from [[Words of Radiance]] was released in 2014 about [[Jasnah]] transitioning to Shadesmar from the ''[[Wind's Pleasure]]'' when it was attacked.{{wob ref |12304}} It was excluded from the book so as to not lessen the epilogue reveal that Jasnah survived.{{wob ref|4576}}

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

* The idea of Shadesmar can be tied back to Brandon’s love of Tel’aran’rhiod from the Wheel of Time and some ideas from ancient Greek philosophy.{{wob ref|12616}}

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