User:LadyLameness/Purelake

{/{geography |image=Purelake 1.jpeg|2000px |type=Lake |world=Roshar |universe=Cosmere |books=The Stormlight Archive

}}

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“The Purelake was life itself. ”

—Ishikk

The Purelake is an area of land located in north central Roshar that is covered in a shallow lake.

While the people of the Purelake are ethnically Selay, they refer to themselves as Purelakers.

The Purelake is influenced, in some way, by Cultivation. It is unknown if she has a secondary Shardpool in the Purelake.

Geography and Environment

Map of the Purelake by User: Otto didact

Geography

The Purelake is a large, shallow lake that is hundreds of miles wide. It is separated from the Reshi Sea by the nation of Marabethia. The Purelake bordered the nations of Tu Bayla to the east, Yulay to the south, and Babatharnam to the west. In Shadesmar, the Purelake is a mountain range. The depth of the lake in the Physicial Realm is not related to how it appears in the Cognitive.

The waters of the Purelake are warm and crystal clear and the surface typically calm and smooth, despite the tides. The lake has an average depth of about midcalf, with its greatest depth being around six feet. The lake bottom had small ridges and sharp ledges of rock, which can make walking through the Purelake precarious. Purelakers are skilled at navigating such terrain, knowing to test their footing before putting their weight down.

It is unknown what type of, if any, mineral deposits can be found around the lake.

Locations

Settlements

The Purelake is sparsely populated, with local inhabitants living in small villages far removed from each other. These include;

• Fu Namir
• Fu Abra
• Fu Ralis
• Fu Albast
• Fu Moorin

Other Locations

Large structures have previously existed on the Purelake, though their continued existence is questioned by scholars. A large obsidian fortress once existed somewhere on the lake, prior to the Recreance, however it is believed to have been destroyed. Modern day Purelakers still speak of large structures existing on the lake, however, this is dismissed by those outside the region as mythology.

A Skybreaker compound sits along the northern edge of the Purelake, in Marabethia.

This fortress is not related to the geography of the Purelake in the Cognitive Realm.

Climate

The Purelake has a tropical climate, being both consistently warm and humid, with calm breezes. The passing of the highstorm is the only time the temperature drops and the lake's climate turns cold. The Purelake's weather is similar to what can be found in Halladren, on the planet Nalthis.{/{book ref|sa2|}}

The highstorm is weaker in the Purelake than it is further east, and although still a tempest, it is no longer strong enough to throw boulders or blow down exposed buildings. During a storm, the Purelake drains into holes and pits in the ground. Those outside, will lodge their raft between ridges and use them as a wind break to ride out the storm.

Ecology

The Purelake is home to an abundance of lifeforms such as fish, cremlings, and riverspren. The area is also known for having small brown flies, similar in appearance to hungerspren. Trees can be found on the shores of the Purelake, along with a type of slug used to create a clothing dye known as Mycalin red.

The fish in the Purelake have magical properties and form symbiotic bonds with spren. This Investiture does not come from Honor, but may come from Cultivation. The magical nature of these fish is similar to that of Aviar's from the island Patji, on First of the Sun.

The exact magical manifestations of these animals is unknown. The local inhabitants believe certain creatures to imbue specific supernatural gifts, however, it is yet to be seen whether the Purelakers superstitions are based in fact or fiction. While it may be the case that these fish grant the abilities specified by the native inhabitants, it is uncertain whether the Purelaker religion correlates directly with the magical properties of these lifeforms.

Types of Lifeforms

• Kolgril
• Stumpy cort
• Minnows
• Spikemane

History

By Bonnie Johnson

The Purelake existed prior to the arrival of Shards on Roshar,, likely created by Adonalsium when he create the system.

Epoch Kingdoms

During the time of the Silver Kingdoms, the Purelake was controlled by Sela Tales. When the kingdom disintegrated, the region splinted, with the Purelake seeming to become its own country.

At some point prior to the Recreance, a Sja-anat and a Thunderclast attacked a group of soldiers near an obsidian fortress assumed to be on the Purelake. Dalinar visited the battle in a vision provided to him by the Stormfather.

Era of Solitude

In his youth, Dalinar traveled to the west of Roshar and visited the border of the Purelake, but he'd never had a chance to see the center. Although he has wished to explore the region more when visiting near by countries, he has never found been able to find the time.

In the year 1173 three members of the Seventeenth Shard, Galladon, Demoux, and Baon, traveled to the Purelake, believing it to be the current location of Hoid. To try and find him, they enlisted the help of a Purelaker, Ishikk, who traveled to the different Purelake villages, over the span of five months. Unbeknown to Ishikk, the trail he was following had been falsely laid by Hoid, to distract and avoid the Seventeenth Shard members who were seeking him. As such, Ishikk was ultimately unsuccessful and unable to find any evidence of Hoid having been in the area.

Later that year, the Purelake experienced the spread of an off-world illness, the common cold, which had been transmitted to the locals by either the Seventeenth Shard members, or another worldhopper.{/{book ref|sa2|89}}{/wob ref|}}

The True Desolation

In 1174, a group of criminals escaped from a jail on the northern edge of the Purelake. The Skybreakers were called in the catch the escapees, who had broken out of the jail and fled into the lake. The Skybreaker accolytes were tasked with finding the criminals and bringing them to justice, with the exercise also testing their understanding of the law.

The Purelake may have been captured by the Iri and Fused during their annexation of the lands that surround the lake.

Politics

During the Silver Kingdoms, the Purelake was governed by the king of Sela tales. However, after the collapse of Sela Tales, no nation had claimed the Purelake. It appears that it had no centralized system of government after the fall of Epoch Kingdom, mostly acting as a series of autonomous villages. In modern day, the people of the Purelake are more likely to define themselves based off their geography, instead of country borders.

People who live outside of the Purelake find the inhabitants to be strange, not understanding the appeal of living within a lake. The Azish are particularly dismissive of the region, believing that there is nothing of consequence on the lake, and do not understand why anyone would want to visit the area.

Unlike the eastern countries on Roshar, the Purelake is not known to be overly confrontational or involved in internal, or external, fighting.

Following the battle of Thaylen Field, Iri captured most of the western kingdoms that border the Purelake, however, it is unclear if they consider the lake itself to be under their ownership. They may have wished to have control of the Purelake for several generations.

Culture

Peoples

The Purelake is sparsely populated with its inhabitants living in small settlements quite a distance from each other. It is a pre-industrial society.

Purelakers are known for their happy-go-lucky and relaxed attitudes. They are nonchalant and accepting of misfortunes, Any misfortunes were spoken of with happiness and amiability. They move slowly and deliberately, as to not disturb the surface of the lake, seeing no point in rushing.. thinking of their actions and enjoying the day.

The Purelakers were also rather unconcerned with the notion of exact time, and did not understand why foreigners cared so much about it.

As a whole they are rather unimpressed by foreigners, believing that they were constantly in a hurry and acted oddly due to their avoidance of nature, such as the waters of the lake and the sun. They did not understand why no foreigners would come to the Purelake to live, but they really did not want too many to come to the Purelake anyway. Outsiders seem to think the Purelakers are insane for wanting to live on the lake with some kingdoms, such as the Azish, dismissing them entirely.

They slurp their soup and their bowls are designed for easy slurping.

One of their weekdays is known as warli-day.

Purelakers generally have long limbs, leathery skin, and dark hair.

Human waste is broken down and removed by the passing highstorms.

Trash provides a dilemma, however, as the society is pre-industrial, rubbish produced is to an extent degradeable and will sometimes be taken away by traders. Due to the regions low population, this does not cause major issues.

The common cold was passed on to Purelakers at some point in 1173 by Worldhoppers and likely spread between the villages through traders. Due to the general good health of Rosharan's, this outbreak was termed a plague.{/{book ref|}}

Most everyone also had a raft of some sort that they pulled behind them to carry things or sleep on.

Clothing

Purelakers typically wear sandals and knee-length pants so they can maximize their exposure to the lake. Men rarely cover their upper body, preferring to leave their shoulders and torsos bare to the sun. Despite Purelakers preference for sun exposure, it is possible to purchase hats in the region.

The fashion of the Purelake is known for being rather unchanging.

Architecture

Purelaker buildings have the appearance of rockbuds, with domed roofs. They are among the few things to break the surface of the Purelake.

The buildings of Purelakers are typically set up on blocks or stilts. However, they are still set a few inches below the water level, keeping the floor covered in water. The buildings will drain when the tide is low.

Although housing exists, some Purelakers see no point with sleeping indoors, instead opting to sleep on rafts.

Economy

Purelakers use a trade system that generates favors by providing products. The economy is likely heavily dependent on the fishing trade, with many Purelakers nomadicaly travelling the area in search of rare fish.

Religion

The name of the Purelaker religion is as of yet unknown. They worshiped a god known as Nu Ralik who bestows misfortune on them. However, they publicly blame the younger brother of Nu Ralik, Vun Makak, for their misfortunes.

However, according to mythology, Nu Ralik had a younger brother, a jealous and spiteful god known as Vun Makak. The Purelakers felt that they had to appease Vun Makak by pretending to worship him and to prevent him becoming jealous of his older sibling. Whether this deception has been effective, is unclear. They believed he was the source of all their misfortunes, but pretended to praise him for them. They often voiced gratefulness for Vun Makak's curses. The only time they were free to worship Nu Ralik aloud was in one of their holy grottos.

Vun Makak approves making up stories and telling lies.

Nu Ralik provides the day.

It is bad to say the name of Nu Ralik out loud in case his younger brother was to discover that the Purelakers were trying to trick him.

Purelakers are known to be highly religious.

Superstitions

Purelakers hold a number of superstitious beliefs that are associated with the ecology and environment of the Purelake. Many types of fish are considered to have special abilities or provide certain powers.

The believe that sickness can be brought about by lack of sunlight, which drives them to often move around shirtless. The tides of the Purelake were also believed by some to show the lake's attitude, as well as predicting the future.

The Purelakers also believed that ingesting certain types of fish would grant supernatural healing or other abilities.

• Kolgril - Considered to be a very lucky fish, granting relief from joint pain and sometimes showing when friends would visit by looking at the shape of the clouds. A kolgril is worth two weeks worth of soup in trade.
• Stumpy cort - Would somehow allow a person to be tracked or located. Difficult to find.

Language

Purelakers speak Selay, which is derived from the same language group as that of Iri, the Reshi Islands, and other north-west parts of Roshar. The Purelake dialect is heavily influenced by the inhabitants way of life and their religious beliefs, with many sayings relating to the weather, the lake, or their gods.

Skybreakers

A Skybreaker stronghold sits along the northern edge of the Purelake, and is used by the Order to train accolytes. They will often utilize their surroundings for this training, including by placing items in the lake, to be used by the squires.

The Marabethian government is aware they are in the region and will contact the Skybreakers if they require assistance with enforcement. It is unknown if the Purelakers are aware of the Order's prescence along their northern shore and how much contact they have with the Skybreakers.

Szeth has previously visited the Purelake before becoming a Skybreaker.

Notable People

Residents

• Ishikk - Fisherman
• Maib - Cook
• Thaspic - Villager

Visitors

• Galladon - Grump
• Demoux - Thinker
• Baon - Blunt

Notes

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