User:LadyLameness/Purelake
{/{geography |image=Purelake 1.jpeg|2000px |type=Lake |world=Roshar |universe=Cosmere |books=The Stormlight Archive
}}
“The Purelake was life itself. ”
The Purelake is an area of land located in north central Roshar[2] that is covered in a shallow lake.[1]
While the people of the Purelake are ethnically Selay, they refer to themselves as Purelakers.[1]
Geography and Environment
Geography
The Purelake is a large, shallow, lake that is hundreds of miles wide.[1] 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.[2]
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.[1]
Locations
Settlements
The Purelake contains a number of small villages. Buildings are built on stilts so they are only partially submerged, and have domed shaped roofs make them resemble rockbuds.
Other Locations
Large structures have previously existed on the Purelake, though their continued existence is questioned by scholars. A large obsidian fortress 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.[3]
A Skybreaker compound sits along the northern edge of the Purelake, in Marabethia.[4]
Climate
The Purelake has a tropical climate, being both consistently warm[1] and humid,[4] with calm breezes.[5] During a highstorm is the only time the temperature drops and the lake's climate turns cold.[1]
The highstorm is weaker in the Purelake than further east and although still a tempest, it is no longer strong enough to throw boulders or blow down exposed buildings.[1] 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. [1]
Ecology
The Purelake is home to an abundance of lifeforms such as fish, cremlings, and riverspren.[1] The area is also known for having small brown flies, similar in appearance to hungerspren.[6] Trees can be found on the shores of the Purelake,[7] along with a type of slug used to create a clothing dye known as Mycalin red.[8]
The fish in the Purelake have magical properties[4] and form symbiotic bonds with spren. The specific properties granted to the fish are unknown, as is whether these abilities can be harnessed by humans. The Investiture in the fish does not come from Honor.[9]
Types of Lifeforms
- Kolgril
- Stumpy cort
- Minnows
- Spikemane
History
![[2]](#cite_note-OB_Roshar.jpg-2){kind=link}
Epoch Kingdoms
Once, the Purelake was under the control of Sela Tales, one of the Silver Kingdoms.[1] However, after the collapse of Sela Tales, possibly due to the Hierocracy, no nation had claimed the Purelake. It appears that it had no centralized system of government after the fall of Sela Tales, mostly acting as a series of autonomous villages.
At some point before the Recreance, 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 Kholin traveled to the west of Roshar and visited the border of the Purelake,[10][3] but he'd never had a chance to see the center.[3] He had been unable to find time during his last trip to Azir. The Azish were surprised that he would want to go there, believing there to be nothing there.[3] Whether this is because they are unaware of the Purelake villages or do not acknowledge them, is unknown.
Several Worldhoppers, including Galladon and Demoux, likely members of the Seventeenth Shard, visited the Purelake while hunting for Hoid, possibly following a false trail he left for them.[11] Hunting for Hoid for about five months. Hired Ishikk to travel around to different villages to see if they had seen him.
The True Desolation
After the Battle of Narak Dalinar receives information that a plague is affecting the Purelake[12] that was brought to the region by a Worldhopper.
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 fled into the lake. The situation was used as a test for Skybreaker accolytes.[7] The Skybreaker squires later train on the lake on poles.
Szeth has previously visited the Purelake before becoming a Skybreaker.[7]
The Purelake may have been captured by the Iri and Fused during their annexation of the lands that surround the lake.[13]
Politics
During the time of the Epoch Kingdoms, the Purelake, as part of Sela Tales, was ruled by a king. In modern day, the people of the Purelake are more likely to define themselves based off their geography, instead of country borders.[1]
The Purelake is not considered especially dangerous in regards to war and fighting.[1]
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.[13] They may have wished to have control of the Purelake for several generations.
Culture
Peoples
Purelakers are known for their happy-go-lucky and relaxed attitudes.[1] 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.[1]
The Purelakers were also rather unconcerned with the notion of exact time, and did not understand why foreigners cared so much about it.[1]
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.[1] 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.[1]
One of their weekdays is known as warli-day.[1]
Purelakers generally have long limbs, leathery skin, and dark hair.[14]
Clothing
Purelakers typically wear lake sandals and knee-length pants so they can maximize their exposure to the lake. Men rarely cover their upper body, to leave their shoulders and torsos bare to the sun.[1]
whenin the Purelake, never boots or anything that kept their feet from feeling the water.[1] Their pants were also only knee-length, to keep from getting wet. The men of the Purelake also never wore shirts.[1] The fashion of the purelake is known for being rather unchanging.[15] You can buy hats from the Purelake.
Architecture
The Purelaker buildings have the appearance of rockbuds, with domed roofs. They are among the few things to break the surface of the Purelake.[1]
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, with fish swimming in and out. The buildings will drain when the tide is low.[1]
Although housing exists, some Purelakers see no point with sleeping indoors, instead opting to sleep on rafts.[1]
Economy
Purelakers use a trade system that generates favors by providing products.[1] May rely heavily on fishing trade as an economy.[1]
Many Purelakers were fisherman, who nomadically traveled the Purelake in search of rare fish. Most everyone also had a raft of some sort that they pulled behind them to carry things or sleep on.[1]
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.[1] However, they publicly blame the younger brother of Nu Ralik, Vun Makak, for their misfortunes.[1]
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. 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.[1] The only time they were free to worship Nu Ralik aloud was in one of their holy grottos.[1]
Vun Makak approves making up stories and telling lies.[1]
Nu Ralik provides the day.[1]
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.[1]
Purelakers are known to be highly religious.[14]
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.[1]
The believe that sickness can be brought about by lack of sunlight, which drives them to often move around shirtless.[1] The tides of the Purelake were also believed by some to show the lake's attitude, as well as predicting the future.[1]
The Purelakers also believed that ingesting certain types of fish would grant supernatural healing or other abilities.[1]
- 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.[1]
- Stumpy cort - Would somehow allow a person to be tracked or located. Difficult to find.[1]
Language
Purelakers speak Selay[1], which itself is part of a language family including those spoken in Iri, Reshi, and the rest of northern Roshar.[16] They have a variety of unique sayings, often related to weather, the lake, or religion:
- Nu Ralik forbid!
- by tide and sun
- to make a splash and ruckus
- Sun and tides send it!
- Vun Makak eye you.
Sayings related to the gods use Vun Makak when spoken aloud but Nu Ralik when used in one's thoughts.
Notable People
Residents
Visitors
Trivia
The Purelake has a similar feel to Halladren on Nalthis.[5]
Notes
- ↑ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj ak al am an ao ap aq ar as at The Way of Kings interlude I-1#
- ↑ a b c Map of Roshar
- ↑ a b c d Words of Radiance chapter 4#
- ↑ a b c Oathbringer chapter 90#
- ↑ a b Words of Radiance chapter 81#
- ↑ Oathbringer chapter 19#
- ↑ a b c Oathbringer chapter 92#
- ↑ Oathbringer interlude I-8#
- ↑ Skyward Seattle signing
— Arcanum - 2018-11-10# - ↑ The Way of Kings chapter 22#
- ↑ The Way of Kings chapter 26 epigraph#
- ↑ Words of Radiance chapter 89#
- ↑ a b Oathbringer chapter 122#
- ↑ a b Words of Radiance interlude I-3#
- ↑ Oathbringer chapter 49#
- ↑ /r/Stormlight_Archive
— Arcanum - 2016-11-29#
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