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Difference between revisions of "Highstorm"

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A '''highstorm''' is a particularly fierce weather system on the planet of [[Roshar]].{{cite}} They happen every few days and move from east to west, starting at the [[Origin]] and continuing across the entire continent, though they weaken gradually as they cross,and are mostly broken by the mountains east of [[Shinovar]]. A highstorm has three general stages, the leading edge is called the stormwall and is the most dangerous part of the storm, being a wall of water, dust and other debris picked up by the storm, and extremely high winds, the main section of the storm has less debris although the powerful gusts of winds can still pick up large rocks on occasion, as the storm passes by it gradually calms until the trailing edge, called the riddens is simply light rain mixed with occasional relatively mild gusts of wind. At some point during the main part of the storm gemstones left outside, usually in baskets secured to the undersides of roofs, are infused with [[Stormlight]]. The [[Purelake]] experiences less intense highstorms.
 
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|image=The Highstorm by Sakina Minnis.jpg
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|related=[[Honor]]
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|type=Weather phenomenon
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|world=Roshar
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|universe=Cosmere
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|books=[[The Stormlight Archive]]
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}}
   
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A '''highstorm''' is a fierce weather system on the planet of [[Roshar]]. They occur once every few days, or at the command of [[Stormfather]], and move from stormward to leeward (East to West), starting at the [[Origin]].{{book ref|twok|12}} East of Roshar, the highstorms are incredibly destructive. They progress across the continent, though they weaken gradually as they cross, and are mostly broken by the mountains east of [[Shinovar]].{{book ref|twok|i|4}}
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Highstorms have a vast effect on the ecology of Roshar. Many plants, such as rockbuds, close themselves to not be damaged by the intensity of the storm. Much of the landscape has no soil, whereas Shinovar does, presumably because the highstorms cannot blow away the soil in Shinovar. Stormwater is better for plants than regular water. Many cities had protection against the storms. [[Kholinar]] has its windblades--large stone formations--and [[Sesemalex Dar]] has troughs prevents the city from flooding.
  
   
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== Description ==
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Many curses are related to the highstorms, such as "storm you."
  
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[[File:Highstorm by Noah Bradley.jpg|thumb|left|250px|<small>By [[Coppermind:Artists/Noah Bradley |Noah Bradley]]</small> The stormwall]]
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A highstorm has three general stages. The leading edge, or stormwall, is the most dangerous part of the storm. Immensely powerful winds generate a wall of dust, water, and larger debris.{{book ref|twok|34}} It is shown that it is powerful enough to carry large trees long distances into the [[Shattered Plains]].{{book ref|sa2|69}} The main body of the highstorm carries less debris, although the winds are still strong enough to hurl boulders. The trailing edge of the storm, known as the riddens, consists of light rains mixed with relatively mild gusts of wind. {{book ref|twok|35}} The [[Purelake]] experiences less intense highstorms.{{book ref|twok|i|1}}
   
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When a highstorm and the [[Everstorm]] hits a location at the same time, the combined power of the storms can cause even greater destruction than normal, destroying the land below them with enough force to send boulders flying hundreds of feet up in the air.{{book ref|sa2|86}}
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[[Stormwarden]]s try and predict when highstorms occur, and have become somewhat accurate, though not always. The Stormwardens have negative connotations since predicting the future is culturally associated with [[Voidbinding]].
  
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On the Rosharan subastral of the [[Cognitive Realm]], highstorms manifest in a non-violent manner, in contrast to its form in the Physical Realm. Instead of powerful winds and rain, the sky would simply light up{{book ref|sa3|97}}, the clouds shimmering with a mother-of-pearl iridescence.{{book ref|sa3|101}}
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== Causes ==
  ⚫
[[Stormwarden]]s try to predict when highstorms occur,{{book ref|twok|44}} and have become somewhat accurate, though not always.{{book ref|twok|18}} The Stormwardens have negative connotations since predicting the future is forbidden under [[Vorin]] doctrine.
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Vorin mythology claims that each storm is born in the east at the Origin before traveling west across Roshar, but modern Stormwardens believe there exists a single highstorm that travels around the planet, with the length between storms decided by the speed it travels during that time of year.{{book ref|sa2|87}}
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== Ecology ==
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[[File:Eshonai by Casey Fallon.jpg|thumb|right|300px|<small>By [[Coppermind:Artists/Casey Fallon |Casey Fallon]]</small> A [[singer]] transforming in a highstorm]]
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Highstorms are the single most important force in Roshar's ecology, and life on the planet has adapted to them. Some plants, like lavis polyps, enclose themselves against the highstorm's fury; others retract or fold their relatively fragile leaves, vines, or roots away. Many plants have outer coverings infused with highstorm [[crem]], forming protective shells.{{wob ref|169}} Stormwardens have discovered that Stormwater is better for plants on Roshar than regular water, with crem providing nutrients that would otherwise be provided by soil swept away by the highstorms.{{book ref|sa1|11}} [[Stormlight]] from gemstones infused during highstorms also helps plant grow.{{wob ref|10399}}
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Rosharan fauna has adapted as well; many species like [[axehound]]s, [[whitespine]]s, and [[greatshell]]s are covered in protective carapace. They also have [[gemheart]]s that glow with [[Stormlight]], enabling their symbiotic relationship with [[spren]].
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For Roshar's native sentient species, the [[singer]]s, highstorms are crucial part of their life cycle. Entering a highstorm allows them to bond a spren, changing their body into one of the dozens of specialized forms. In the past, this was done simply by entering the storm with a specific mindset; in the current day, the singers trap a spren in a gemstone beforehand and await the storm with it at the ready.{{book ref|sa2|i|5}}
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Another effect of a highstorm is the [[crem]] in the storm water. This substance is deposited onto the land, accumulating over the millennia, even prior to the [[Shattering]],{{wob ref|8491}} It is currently unknown where crem comes from, but it partly contains minerals that are useful for plant life.
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== Cultural Significance ==
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People on Roshar live in cities and settlements that are protected from highstorms by natural or manmade structures. [[Kholinar]] has its windblades{{book ref|twok|60}}—large stone formations that divert the highstorm's force— and [[Sesemalex Dar]] has troughs that prevent the city from flooding.{{book ref|twok|55}} These structures are often city-wide and become an integral part of the city's culture.
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Humans depend on highstorms not just for water, but also for the [[Stormlight]] that they use in their [[fabrial]]s, the crem that they use as building material, and the regular weather patterns from which they base their calendars.
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Other aspects of civilization are also affected by the highstorms. For example, sanitation regulations have been developed to prevent the trash of one town from being blown by the strong winds towards the next town. These regulations, however, do not apply on the [[Shattered Plains]] due to its isolated location, and so the refuse and litter of the [[Alethi]] warcamps there are piled high to be carried away during each highstorm.{{book ref|sa2|49}}
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Many curse words and insults are related to the highstorms, but they are also a target of reverence. The Stormfather is venerated by many. Some folklore traditions equate the Stormfather with the Herald [[Jezerezeh]]. Criminals have been known to be punished by being strung up outside during a highstorm in order to be "judged" by the Stormfather, who supposedly would let them live if they deserved it.{{book ref|sa1|34}}
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== Magic ==
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[[File:Abovethestorm.png|thumb|left|250px|<small>By [[Coppermind:Artists/Ashley Coad|Ashley Coad]]</small> [[Kaladin]] floating over a highstorm]]
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Highstorms are highly [[Investiture|Invested]],{{book ref|sa2|I|6}} and are the primary source of Investiture on Roshar. Gemstones are infused with [[Stormlight]] when left outside during a highstorm.{{book ref|sa1|11}} This magical source of illumination and power is used to Invest [[fabrial]]s and fuel [[Surgebinding]]. Surgebinders can also gain Stormlight directly from a highstorm, without the gemstones to serve as the intermediary.{{book ref|sa2|86}} The strength of the storm is not tied directly to the amount of Stormlight Invested into gemstones.{{wob ref|11482}}
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Several types of [[spren]] are associated with highstorms, most notably the [[Stormfather]], who has a degree of control over them and can send one at will.{{book ref|sa2|83}} The [[honorspren]] seem to have a connection to the storms as well, as they can always predict an upcoming highstorm.{{book ref|sa3|20}}
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Because of the strong winds, [[windspren]] are especially numerous during storms. [[Rainspren]] sometimes appear during the light rains of the riddens. More recently, [[stormspren]] have also started appearing.{{book ref|sa2|I|6}}
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There have been sightings of gigantic glowing spren striding through the land during highstorms.{{wob ref|10906}}{{book ref|sa2|74}} They have been described as sleek, moving on spindly legs.{{book ref|sa3|19}}
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On the [[Cognitive Realm]], sapient spren appear to act more energetically during highstorms, and it has been speculated that they get their sustenance from it.{{book ref|sa3|101}}
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== See Also ==
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* [[Weeping]]s
   
 
== Notes ==
  
== Notes ==
 
<references />
  
<references />
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{{partial}}
 
{{Stormlight}}
  
{{Stormlight}}
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[[category: magic]]

Revision as of 07:44, 28 August 2019

Highstorm
The Highstorm by Sakina Minnis.jpg
by Sakina Minnis
Related to Honor
Type Weather phenomenon
World of Origin Roshar
Universe Cosmere

A highstorm is a fierce weather system on the planet of Roshar. They occur once every few days, or at the command of Stormfather, and move from stormward to leeward (East to West), starting at the Origin.[1] East of Roshar, the highstorms are incredibly destructive. They progress across the continent, though they weaken gradually as they cross, and are mostly broken by the mountains east of Shinovar.[2]

Description

By Noah Bradley The stormwall

A highstorm has three general stages. The leading edge, or stormwall, is the most dangerous part of the storm. Immensely powerful winds generate a wall of dust, water, and larger debris.[3] It is shown that it is powerful enough to carry large trees long distances into the Shattered Plains.[4] The main body of the highstorm carries less debris, although the winds are still strong enough to hurl boulders. The trailing edge of the storm, known as the riddens, consists of light rains mixed with relatively mild gusts of wind. [5] The Purelake experiences less intense highstorms.[6]

When a highstorm and the Everstorm hits a location at the same time, the combined power of the storms can cause even greater destruction than normal, destroying the land below them with enough force to send boulders flying hundreds of feet up in the air.[7]

On the Rosharan subastral of the Cognitive Realm, highstorms manifest in a non-violent manner, in contrast to its form in the Physical Realm. Instead of powerful winds and rain, the sky would simply light up[8], the clouds shimmering with a mother-of-pearl iridescence.[9]

Causes

Stormwardens try to predict when highstorms occur,[10] and have become somewhat accurate, though not always.[11] The Stormwardens have negative connotations since predicting the future is forbidden under Vorin doctrine.

Vorin mythology claims that each storm is born in the east at the Origin before traveling west across Roshar, but modern Stormwardens believe there exists a single highstorm that travels around the planet, with the length between storms decided by the speed it travels during that time of year.[12]

Ecology

By Casey Fallon A singer transforming in a highstorm

Highstorms are the single most important force in Roshar's ecology, and life on the planet has adapted to them. Some plants, like lavis polyps, enclose themselves against the highstorm's fury; others retract or fold their relatively fragile leaves, vines, or roots away. Many plants have outer coverings infused with highstorm crem, forming protective shells.[13] Stormwardens have discovered that Stormwater is better for plants on Roshar than regular water, with crem providing nutrients that would otherwise be provided by soil swept away by the highstorms.[14] Stormlight from gemstones infused during highstorms also helps plant grow.[15]

Rosharan fauna has adapted as well; many species like axehounds, whitespines, and greatshells are covered in protective carapace. They also have gemhearts that glow with Stormlight, enabling their symbiotic relationship with spren.

For Roshar's native sentient species, the singers, highstorms are crucial part of their life cycle. Entering a highstorm allows them to bond a spren, changing their body into one of the dozens of specialized forms. In the past, this was done simply by entering the storm with a specific mindset; in the current day, the singers trap a spren in a gemstone beforehand and await the storm with it at the ready.[16]

Another effect of a highstorm is the crem in the storm water. This substance is deposited onto the land, accumulating over the millennia, even prior to the Shattering,[17] It is currently unknown where crem comes from, but it partly contains minerals that are useful for plant life.

Cultural Significance

People on Roshar live in cities and settlements that are protected from highstorms by natural or manmade structures. Kholinar has its windblades[18]—large stone formations that divert the highstorm's force— and Sesemalex Dar has troughs that prevent the city from flooding.[19] These structures are often city-wide and become an integral part of the city's culture.

Humans depend on highstorms not just for water, but also for the Stormlight that they use in their fabrials, the crem that they use as building material, and the regular weather patterns from which they base their calendars.

Other aspects of civilization are also affected by the highstorms. For example, sanitation regulations have been developed to prevent the trash of one town from being blown by the strong winds towards the next town. These regulations, however, do not apply on the Shattered Plains due to its isolated location, and so the refuse and litter of the Alethi warcamps there are piled high to be carried away during each highstorm.[20]

Many curse words and insults are related to the highstorms, but they are also a target of reverence. The Stormfather is venerated by many. Some folklore traditions equate the Stormfather with the Herald Jezerezeh. Criminals have been known to be punished by being strung up outside during a highstorm in order to be "judged" by the Stormfather, who supposedly would let them live if they deserved it.[3]

Magic

By Ashley Coad Kaladin floating over a highstorm

Highstorms are highly Invested,[21] and are the primary source of Investiture on Roshar. Gemstones are infused with Stormlight when left outside during a highstorm.[14] This magical source of illumination and power is used to Invest fabrials and fuel Surgebinding. Surgebinders can also gain Stormlight directly from a highstorm, without the gemstones to serve as the intermediary.[7] The strength of the storm is not tied directly to the amount of Stormlight Invested into gemstones.[22]

Several types of spren are associated with highstorms, most notably the Stormfather, who has a degree of control over them and can send one at will.[23] The honorspren seem to have a connection to the storms as well, as they can always predict an upcoming highstorm.[24]

Because of the strong winds, windspren are especially numerous during storms. Rainspren sometimes appear during the light rains of the riddens. More recently, stormspren have also started appearing.[21]

There have been sightings of gigantic glowing spren striding through the land during highstorms.[25][26] They have been described as sleek, moving on spindly legs.[27]

On the Cognitive Realm, sapient spren appear to act more energetically during highstorms, and it has been speculated that they get their sustenance from it.[9]

See Also

Notes

  1. ↑ The Way of Kings chapter 12#
  2. ↑ The Way of Kings interlude I-4#
  3. ↑ a b The Way of Kings chapter 34#
  4. ↑ Words of Radiance chapter 69#
  5. ↑ The Way of Kings chapter 35#
  6. ↑ The Way of Kings interlude I-1#
  7. ↑ a b Words of Radiance chapter 86#
  8. ↑ Oathbringer chapter 97#
  9. ↑ a b Oathbringer chapter 101#
  10. ↑ The Way of Kings chapter 44#
  11. ↑ The Way of Kings chapter 18#
  12. ↑ Words of Radiance chapter 87#
  13. ↑ JordanCon 2016
    — Arcanum - 2016-04-23#
  14. ↑ a b The Way of Kings chapter 11#
  15. ↑ Words of Radiance Chicago signing
    — Arcanum - 2014-03-22#
  16. ↑ Words of Radiance interlude I-5#
  17. ↑ Oathbringer Chicago signing
    — Arcanum - 2017-11-21#
  18. ↑ The Way of Kings chapter 60#
  19. ↑ The Way of Kings chapter 55#
  20. ↑ Words of Radiance chapter 49#
  21. ↑ a b Words of Radiance interlude I-6#
  22. ↑ Skyward pre-release AMA
    — Arcanum - 2018-10-29#
  23. ↑ Words of Radiance chapter 83#
  24. ↑ Oathbringer chapter 20#
  25. ↑ Legion Release Party
    — Arcanum - 2018-09-19#
  26. ↑ Words of Radiance chapter 74#
  27. ↑ Oathbringer chapter 19#
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