Difference between revisions of "Roshar"

|books=[[The Stormlight Archive]]

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{{quote

|It is difficult not to feel very small, at times, on this domineering, majestic tempest of a planet.

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== Geography and Ecology ==

 

 

<!-- Calculations and more data:

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The rainwater in highstorms is laced with a sort of slurry called [[crem]]. When crem dries, it hardens into rock. Since the highstorms always sweep from east to west, crem builds up on the eastern side of anything that stays still and isn't regularly cleaned. Over time, the continent is very slowly shifting across the planet as the highstorms cause erosion of the eastern part and a build up on the western part.{{wob ref|4422}}

 

=== Climate ===

With the exception of [[Shinovar]] and the occasional well-sheltered [[lait]], all of Roshar is frequently ravaged by powerful [[highstorm]]s, massive hurricanes travelling from east to west. These storms come frequently and, though they do not appear to follow a simple pattern, [[stormwarden]]s are able to accurately predict their schedule through complex mathematics.{{book ref|WoR|31}} As a result, Shinovar is the only place on Roshar that has soil.{{book ref|WoK|i|4}}

 

===Spren===

{{for|Spren|more information about spren}}

 

 

Three main groups of spren can be recognized. The nature spren correspond to various natural phenomena, such as [[Spren#Windspren|windspren]] or [[Spren#Flamespren|flamespren]], which appear in the presence of wind and fire respectively. Emotion spren are attracted to emotions, such as [[Spren#Fearspren|fearspren]] appearing when one is afraid or [[Spren#Gloryspren|gloryspren]] for people who feel intense pride.{{book ref|sa2|1}} However, a natural phenomenon or an emotion will not necessarily summon a spren, as they may not be present in the physical place's Cognitive equivalent.

The third group of spren are so-called true spren. Those spren are all sentient, and have an organized society in the Cognitive Realm.{{book ref|sa2|1}} They transition to the Physical Realm only when searching for a prospective [[Knight Radiant]] to bond, as the shift robs them of most of their higher functions, which they reclaim through forming a [[Nahel bond]].{{book ref|sa1|4}} The Radiant spren seem to represent higher concepts, such as honor for the [[honorspren]] or truth and lies for [[Cryptic]]s. This being said, only some true spren are Radiant spren.{{wob ref|9539}}

 

 

=== Ecology ===

==== Flora ====

Rosharan flora had to adapt to several conditions not found on Earth or Earth-like worlds, such as the severe weather and scarcity of soil.

 

The largest family of plants on Roshar are the [[rockbud]]s. They are characterized by having a thick outer shell from which they take their name, and tendrils, which retract into the shell upon detecting danger. The Rosharan grass, which acts in this way, is likely another subspecies of rockbud, albeit close enough in appearance to Shin grass to retain the name. Similar mechanism has been developed by [[vinebud]]s, which grow from a sturdy, yet elastic stem and, rather than spreading their tendrils along the ground, waft them in the air, akin to anemones.{{file ref|Rockbuds.jpg|Shallan's sketchbook: Rockbuds}}

By contrast, several species of plant are noted to have detrimental effect on humans. Firemoss is known to be highly addictive, and [[blackbane]]'s leaves, once dried, are extremely poisonous. Eating shells of rockbuds is similarly known to be unhealthy, although the [[Unkalaki]] are capable of eating them without problems, likely thanks to their [[singer]] ancestry.{{wob ref|930}} While not all plants are edible, some, like [[breachtree]] and [[narbin]], are grown to make fabrics.{{book ref|sa1|25}}{{book ref|sa1|45}}

 

 

==== Fauna ====

* Larger animals on Roshar utilize bonds with [[mandra]]s, or luckspren, to decrease the pull of gravity on them, allowing creatures such as [[chasmfiend]]s to exist without collapsing upon themselves. In the case of [[skyeel]]s, the same bond, coupled with smaller size, permits them to fly.

* The native sentient species, the [[Singer]]s, bond with a variety of spren to attain a number of forms, which alter their mental state, biological functions and appearance. While bonded, the spren remain within the gemheart.

* The fish in the [[Purelake]] gain various medicinal benefits through spren bonds.{{wob ref|2109}}

 

;Non-shelled animals

 

;Shelled animals

The largest known group of animals on Roshar are crustaceans. Those can be of various sizes, from finger-long to four-stories-high. They are all noted as having violet blood and multiple stages of life, with the initial stage being called a larva and the process of switching between stages called pupation.{{file ref|Chull_Life_Cycle.jpeg|Chull Life Cycle}} The creation of shells is aided by the presence of crem in the rain, which the creatures can process into minerals.

 

 

Other than the cremlings, Roshar also features a number of larger crustaceans that are nonetheless smaller than humans. This group includes predatory species, such as the [[axehound]], herbivores like [[axehind]], and near-cremling sized creatures like [[legger]]s and [[larkin]]s, as well as species that can be found on Earth, like crabs.{{book ref|sa3|63}} The larkins in particular are unusual for their flight, as well as the ability to pull Stormlight out of other creatures and absorb it.{{book ref|sa2|i|9}}

 

 

;Sapience

 

Separately from this, Roshar is known to have developed two independent sentient species: [[Siah Aimian]]s and [[Singer]]s. Both of them are humanoid, and capable of breeding with humans.{{wob ref|457}}{{wob ref|930}} Roshar's other sentient species are humans, who immigrated there from [[Ashyn]], the Iriali, who have since fully integrated with the population of the planet,{{wob ref|9551}}{{wob ref|8901}} and the [[Sleepless]] (known also as Dysian Aimians), who may not be native to the planet.{{wob ref|9464}}{{wob ref|12657}}

|From the [[Eila Stele]]{{epigraph ref|sa3|115}}

}}

 

 

=== The Heraldic Epochs ===

During the lead up to the [[Day of Recreance]], many events occurred which demoralized the Knights Radiant. The [[Sibling]], for some unknown reason, withdrew from [[Urithiru]] and forced the Knights to abandon their ancestral home. Many Radiants blamed this on a perceived unworthiness, including increased conflicts between the [[Windrunners]] and [[Skybreakers]], but scholars of the time disagreed.{{epigraph ref|sa3|70}}{{epigraph ref|sa3|64}} This concern extended to potential infiltration by [[Unmade]].{{epigraph ref|sa3|73}} While this was occurring, the False Desolation was coming to a close. The presumed success in imprisoning Ba-Ado-Mishram leading to the singers having their Connection and Identity ripped out of them likely influenced the Radiants.{{book ref|sa3|17}} In the midst of this turmoil, the Radiants discovered the truth about the origins of humans on Roshar. The singers had been the original inhabitants of Roshar. The humans came as refugees from their [[Ashyn|homeworld]], which they had destroyed with surges. After being taken in by the singers and given [[Shinovar]], they invaded Roshar and started the Desolations. While Honor had comforted previous generations who learned this, this time he was dying. He raved about the [[Dawnshard]]s and promised the Radiants they would destroy Roshar like they had their homeworld.{{book ref|sa3|113}}

 

 

==== The Hierocracy and the War of Loss ====

 

Sadees's win in the War of Loss affected much of eastern Roshar. Sadees declared himself king of Alethkar and began a conquest of Roshar.{{book ref|sa3|34}} Although the extent of his empire is not exactly known, [[Herdaz]] and [[Azir]] were both included. He committed genocide in Azir and killed ten percent of the population.{{book ref|sa3|42}} His empire quickly collapsed after his death, however, as he did not choose an heir, and his ten sons divided the kingdom into princedoms and became [[highprince]]s.{{book ref|sa3|19}} The effects of the Hierocracy on Vorinism can still be felt in the modern time. The central leadership of the church was destroyed and split into mostly independent [[Devotaries]].{{book ref|sa1|33}}{{book ref|sa1|36}} The ardents became slaves who could not own land or property.{{book ref|sa1|45}}{{book ref|sa1|59}} Their revisions to historical texts also perpetuate, and it is difficult to find information about pre-Hierocracy history or the Knights Radiant.{{book ref|sa2|3}}

 

== Culture and Society ==

:''Main Article: [[Spheres]]''

 

 

Because of their ability to hold Stormlight, spheres are commonly used on Roshar as a source of light. The light from spheres is considered to be steadier and more consistent than traditional light sources such as candles.{{book ref|sa1|23}} It can be expensive, however, as spheres are also used for currency, so the use of spheres as a source of light is often a sign of wealth. Diamonds are considered the best light source because it is both the cheapest and the closest to natural light.{{book ref|sa1|8}}

 

====Wines====

 

In order from weakest to strongest, those are:

* '''Violet''', the strongest, typically with an aroma of sandalwood.{{file ref|Rosharan Wines.jpg|Rosharan Wines}}

 

 

====Other Beverages====

Apart from wines, Roshar has a number of other alcoholic drinks. Among those is beer, of which the most popular variety appears to be [[mudbeer]], often drank to warm up.{{book ref|sa1|25}} Another drink is a liquor called [[honu]], which comes in several varieties that differ in strength.{{book ref|sa2|81}} Both beer and honu are made from [[lavis]] grain.{{book ref|sa3|121}}

 

 

====Drinking Culture====

 

Beer and [[mudbeer]] are typical casual drinks, commonly served in taverns.{{book ref|sa1|47}} Among [[Unkalaki]], mudbeer is also used for duels - the winner is decided by who can drink the most without passing out.{{book ref|sa1|27}}

 

 

=== Languages ===

Following the Everstorm, the previously lost Identity and Connection were restored to the parshmen, returning them to full sentience.{{book ref|sa3|10}} The listeners, on the other hand, were all but decimated, first by the storm and then by becoming possessed by the Fused, with only a small group escaping west.{{book ref|sa3|i|7}} The current singer culture, such as it is, is mostly based around following the word of the Fused like gospel; however, the former parshmen retain some of the culture of their states of origin - for example, in [[Azir]] they attempted to sue the government for backpay, while in [[Thaylenah]], they took to the sea.{{book ref|sa3|121}}{{book ref|sa3|12}}

 

 

===Spren Society===

 

 

As the inversion of the [[Physical Realm]] and its supercontinent, Shadesmar is mostly composed of the sea of beads, with a number of narrow peninsulas and islands corresponding to Physical rivers and lakes.{{map ref|sea of lost lights}} As such, travel is done mostly by boat. Merchant and military ships, pulled by teams of harnessed [[mandra]]s, traverse the vast spaces between the cities, ferrying goods, news and travellers.{{book ref|sa3|99}} Trade with lands outside of Roshar isn't unusual - in Celebrant, one may buy canned food (presumably from [[Scadrial]] or some [[worldhopper]] settlement) and [[Nalthis |Nalthian]] artwork. The price of various items is largely based on their permanence in the Cognitive Realm, with the most persistent objects selling for thousands of broams.{{book ref|sa3|102}}

The relationship between various spren kinds appears to have its own share of political turmoil. Several years prior to the [[Everstorm]], the honorspren tried and failed to conquer the rest of Shadesmar, making the other spren unfriendly towards them. By contrast, Cryptics are generally understood to be unwilling to expand beyond their city; however, they are also widely considered to be uncomfortable company.{{book ref|sa3|47}}

 

 

== Planetary System ==

{{for|Rosharan system}}

 

 

There are two other telluric planets in the [[Rosharan system]]: [[Braize]] and [[Ashyn]].{{au ref|Roshar}} Both of them are currently inhabited. The remaining celestial bodies in the system are ten gas giants, named after Vorin numerals, which are separated from the telluric planets by an asteroid belt.{{au ref|Roshar}}

== Trivia ==

* Although the word "dozen" is often used in the ''[[The Stormlight Archive]]'', Rosharans actually would say tens instead and Brandon just translated "tens" into "dozens" to make the book easier to read.{{wob ref|14013}}

 

== Notes ==