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{{update|book=sa3}}{{quote
| The Desolations had happened during the near-mythical shadowdays, before real history began. Before mankind had defeated the Voidbringers and taken the war to heaven.▼
| [[Dalinar]]'s thoughts{{book ref|wok|19}}▼
}}▼
'''Desolations''' are cataclysmic events on [[Roshar]].{{book ref|wok|61}}
==
=== The Heraldic Epochs ===
Little is known about them except legends. Desolations came in regular cycles.{{book ref|sa|part=prelude}}{{book ref|wok|42}}{{book ref|wok|60}} During Desolations, the inhabitants of Roshar were attacked by an enemy force, generally called [[Voidbringers]].{{book ref|wok|3}}{{book ref|wok|19}}{{book ref|wok|45}}{{book ref|wok|60}} The cycle of Desolations seems somehow attached to the [[Oathpact]].{{book ref|sa|part=prelude}} According to
It is the duty of the [[Knights Radiant]] to stay vigilant and prepare themselves and mankind for Desolations, and to fight the Voidbringers when it arrives.{{book ref|wok|19}} The coming of a Desolation was announced by the appearance of the Ten [[Herald|Heralds]].{{book ref|sa|part=prelude}}{{book ref|wok|60}}{{book ref|wok|epilogue}} The appearance of [[Midnight Essence]] was also a sign of an upcoming Desolation.{{book ref|wok|19}} One of the Desolations lasted eleven years.{{book ref|wok|60}}
{{quote| In the aftermath of each one, mankind was broken. Great cities in ashes, industry smashed. Each time, knowledge and growth were reduced to an almost prehistoric state.| [[Jasnah]]{{book ref|wor|6}}}}▼
Mankind was devastated in the aftermath of each desolation. Around ninety percent of the population was destroyed each time. This level of cataclysmic event pushed men to a technology level equivalent to that of the stone age. Although society would sometimes progress beyond that before the next Desolation began, the Heralds would often be forced to push technology forward thousands of years in the single year after their return.{{wob ref|1430|Words of Radiance Portland signing|date=2014-03-07}}
At the end of what is called the [[Last Desolation]], nine of ten Heralds abandoned the Oathpact leaving only [[Talenel]] to return to ''damnation'', the place where the Heralds go between the Desolations. This leads to a period of about 4,500 years without a Desolation.
[[Dalinar]] has [[Dalinar's visions|visions]] sent from the [[Honor|Almighty]] that often depict ancient Desolations.
=== The True Desolation ===
When Talenel appears at the gates of [[Kholinar]], he announces the coming of the [[True Desolation]].{{book ref|wok|epilogue}} At the [[Battle of Narak]] Stormform [[Listener|Listeners]] summon the [[Everstorm]], which appears to be referenced as the True Desolation.{{book ref|sa2|83}}
== Modern Lore ==
According to Vorinism, mankind fought the Voidbringers during Desolations ninety and nine times, before mankind finally won and drove them back to the [[Tranquiline Halls]].{{book ref|wok|45}} That victory was later referred to as the [[Last Desolation]].
▲| The Desolations had happened during the near-mythical shadowdays, before real history began. Before mankind had defeated the Voidbringers and taken the war to heaven.
▲| [[Dalinar]]'s thoughts{{book ref|wok|19}}
▲}}
▲| In the aftermath of each one, mankind was broken. Great cities in ashes, industry smashed. Each time, knowledge and growth were reduced to an almost prehistoric state.
== Notes ==
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