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A '''highstorm''' is a fierce weather system on the planet of [[Roshar]]. They occur once every few days, or at command of the [[Stormfather]], and move from stormward to leeward from 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
== Description ==
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
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}}
On the Rosharan subastral of the [[Cognitive Realm]], highstorms manifest in a non-violent manner, in contrast with 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}}▼
▲On the Rosharan subastral of the [[Cognitive Realm]], highstorms manifest in a non-violent manner, in contrast
== Ecology ==▼
Highstorms are the single most important force in Roshar's ecology. Some plants, like lavis polyps, enclose themselves against the highstorm's fury; others retract or fold their relatively fragile leaves, vines, or roots away. Stormwater is better for plants than regular water,{{book ref|twok|11}}, providing nutrients that would otherwise be provided by soil swept away by the highstorms. Rosharan fauna has adapted as well; species like [[axehound]]s and [[whitespine]]s are covered in carapaces, and [[chasmfiend]] gemhearts glow when extracted, hinting at a symbiotic relationship with [[spren]] that requires [[Stormlight]], and, thus, highstorms, to function.▼
Many cities have protection against the storms. [[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}} Many curses are related to the highstorms, and the Shin reverence for stone may be at least partly due to the mountain range that protects Shinovar from the brunt of the highstorm's power.▼
== Causes ==
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}}
▲== Ecology ==
▲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}} Stormwarden's have discovered that Stormwater is better for plants on Roshar than regular water,{{book ref|twok|11}}, with crem providing nutrients that would otherwise be provided by soil swept away by the highstorms.
Rosharan fauna has adapted as well; many species like [[axehound]]s, [[whitespine]]s, and [[greatshells]] are covered in protective carapace. They also have [[gemhearts]] that glow with [[Stormlight]], enabling their symbiotic relationship with [[spren]].
== Cultural Significance ==
▲
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.{{book ref|sa2|49}}
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}}
== Magic ==
Another effect of a highstorm's Investiture 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.
Several types of [[spren]] are associated with highstorms, most notably the [[Stormfather]]. As mentioned above, Parshendi can bond with spren during highstorms. This is done through a ritual that involves the Stormfather, who they call the Rider of Storms. He appears at a certain point during the storm, and somehow facilitates or enables the Parshendi bond.{{book ref|sa2|I|5}}▼
▲Several types of [[spren]] are associated with highstorms, most notably the [[Stormfather]].
Because of the strong winds, [[windspren]] are especially numerous during storms, and more recently [[stormspren]] have also started appearing.{{book ref|sa2|I|6}}▼
▲Because of the strong winds, [[windspren]] are especially numerous during storms
There have been sightings of gigantic glowing spren{{wob ref|10906}} striding through the land during highstorms.{{book ref|sa2|74}} They have been described as sleek, moving on spindly legs.{{book ref|sa3|19}}
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}}
== See Also ==
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