First, we want to start off with races, but to do that, we need to familiarize ourselves with the general geography of Roshar. tinyurl.com/kdtflu6 The landscape of Roshar varies across its regions. Along the eastern coast, near the oceans where the highstorms originate, the land is beaten harshly by the highstorms, eroding away any soil, leaving rough, rock formations. Almost all types of life have some type of protective shell or encasing into which they can retreat for protection. The lands in Shinovar, farthest west on the main continent of Roshar, have soil and grass that does not retract(in most other regions, the grass sinks into the ground during highstorms). This region is mostly protected from the highstorms by the high peaks of the Misted Mountains. Most plants that grow in Shinovar can not grow in other parts of Roshar.
A highstorm is a fierce weather system that traverses the entire continent of Roshar from east to west, starting at the Origin. While highstorms have meteorological significance, they also provide stormlight, an energy which can be stored within gemstones and power a range of devices and magical abilities. Highstorms are the fiercest in the stormlands of the east, but gradually subside as they progress westward toward more timid lands. The Purelakers, located in the center of the continent, experience weakened storms; Shinovar in the west is spared completely due to the added protection of the Misted Mountains. The life of a highstorm can be broken down into two stages. The first stage is the most dangerous part of a highstorm, the stormwall. A massive wave of water, reaching several hundred feet in height, casts dirt and debris high into the air; occasional gusts can pick up and toss large objects (such as boulders), hurling them hundreds of feet. As the storm passes by, it gradually grows weaker. The trailing edge, called the riddens, is simply a light rain. A fascinating aspect of highstorms comes at some point during the stormwall: gemstones left outside are infused with Stormlight, bringing them out of their dun state for the span of a week (or until the next Highstorm). Highstorms are more or less regular in their coming. In general, they frequent Roshar every few days, with the exception of four weeks at the end of the year known as the Weeping. Stormwardens study highstorms and try to predict their coming. Their service is valued by highprinces and common merchants; a list of highstorm dates can be purchased from a roving stormwarden even in the most remote locations. Highstorms have a myriad of effects on Roshar. They allow gemstones to be infused with Stormlight, which "fuels" most magical abilities and contraptions.
The weathering winds leave behind crumbling cliffs and jagged edges in rock formations; unprepared or ill-placed towns and cities can be decimated by a single storm. However, the seemingly desolate landscape comes to life during the riddens; the time immediately following a highstorm is when plants and animals come out of hiding to soak up the water and precious nutrients left behind by the storm. This gives an interesting insight into Roshar's plant life and creatures, which have adapted in order to not only withstand, but also thrive on the effects of the highstorm.
Though the chances of survival are minute, it is possible to weather a highstorm beneath impromptu shelters. Those who seek to use highstorms as punishment (allowing the Almighty to judge their fate) bank on the unlikelihood of their victim's survival. Caravans that are forced to weather a highstorm in the open chain their wagons to nearby boulders and use them for protection. Settlements have more permanent solutions.
Roshar has three moons - Salas, Nomon and Mishim, each of which waxes and wanes separately from the other. Its seasons generally last only a few weeks and its surface gravity, at 0.7g, is significantly weaker than that of Earth. This is, in part, responsible for the exceptional growth of native creatures such as the Greatshell.
During the Heraldic Epochs, Roshar was ruled by a coalition of Ten nations known as the Silver Kingdoms. In the Era of Solitude, following the Heralds' departure and the demise of the Knights Radiant orders, those kingdoms crumbled into smaller ones:
Alethkar:
The Alethi are native to Alethkar. They possess tan skin and dark hair. They follow the Vorin religion and are famous for their military heritage. The Alethi class system is based on the color of their eyes. Lighteyes (A lighteyes is a person with lightly colored eyes, such as blue or green. According to Vorin teachings, lighteyes are chosen at birth by the Heralds, marked for rule. In the Vorin legal code of citizenship, lighteyes are classified by dahn; the lower the dahn, the higher one is ranked. For example, tenth dahn classifies one as being almost as low as a darkeyes. Thaylenah has its own system of ranks. Lighteyes can see Spren, while darkeyes cannot.) are the noble, ruling class and Darkeyes are the peasant, worker class.Alethkar was founded as Alethela in the Silver Kingdoms Epoch. It survived the Desolations, but at an unknown point was fractured into the Princedoms.
For centuries, Alethkar was divided into ten self-governed Princedoms until King Gavilar Kholin conquered and united them. He was crowned first king since the Sunmaker, who cast down the Hierocracy. When King Gavilar was assassinated by the Parshendi in 1167, his son Elhokar became King and declared war on the Parshendi.
Frostlands
The Frostlands is a large landmass which makes up the south-eastern part of Roshar.
Jah Keved
Jah Keved is one of the five Vorin kingdoms, west of Alethkar. Its capital is Vedenar. During the Heraldic Epochs, the region was part of the former kingdom Valhav. Jah Keved, along with Alethkar, is said to possesses the most shardblades (around 20 each). They are also the only known nation to possess the Half shard, a fabrial-powered shield capable of deflecting a shardblade.The people native to Jah Keved are known as Veden. They are characterized by pale skin and reddish hair. It has two centrally located mountain ranges: the Horneater Peaks - home to the Unkalaki (Horneaters) .
Herdaz
Herdaz is a Kingdom on Roshar. It is located to the north of Jah Keved, and north and leeward of Alethkar. Its northern coast is on the Reshi Sea and the Steamwaster Ocean. Its inhabitants are known as Herdazians(not to be racist, but they are a lot like mexicans, as in they have dozen of cousins)
Herdaz has a single Shardblade and set of Plate that is passed down through the royal line.
Thaylenah
Thaylenah is an island nation, separated from the Roshar mainland by Longbrows Straits. Thaylen people are renowned tradesman, merchants and sailors and have very long white eyebrows and white beards.The dominant cultural tradition in Thaylenah is Alethi Vorinism. Thaylen women cover their safehands, though more of them wear gloves for practicality or to keep up appearances.
Thaylen men have the same stark white beards and long white eyebrows, regardless of their age or the color of their hair. Their eyebrows grow very long and are sometimes worn tucked back behind their ears.
Emul
Emul is a kingdom on Roshar, west of Alethkar. Its capital city is Sesemalex Dar. Its inhabitants are called Emuli.
Emul borders Tashikk to its west; Azir to its north/northwest; mountains and The Valley to its east; and Tukar to its south.
Emul and Tukar are in a constant struggle, coined the Emuli-Tukari Conflict. To date, the fighting between the two has only been happening in the last six years.
The Emuli are a certain tribe of the Askarki people, and they're ethnically Makabaki, descendants of the Silver Kingdom of Makabakam.
Emuli are dark skinned. Their women favor gowns and head-wraps and robes are favored by the men. Their way of greeting an old friend is by holding the left forefinger to the forehead and bowing in respect. To them the need to strike a man personally is crass. They wage war in the opposite way from Alethi. The sword is not a weapon for a leader. A halberd is better, then a spear, and best of all a bow and arrow.
Their legal system is very lenient toward foreigners. A man who is not of their nationality cannot own a home or shop, but when he visits, he is treated as a relative who has traveled from afar, to be shown all kindness and leniency. Emuli are known for their expert crem pottery.
Azir
Azir is a kingdom in south-western Roshar. Ethnically Makabaki, the people from Azir are known as Azish. Azir is descended of Makabakam, the largest of the Silver Kingdoms. Azish have dark brown skin and black hair and have a smooth accent.
Azir was suggested to be warmer than Alethkar, but cooler than Iri. Legends there say that those who consume Azish Truthberries speak only the truth until the next sunset.
Marabethia
The Marabethian people are known for their great fondness for debate. At each intersection in the city they have small pedestals on which a man can stand and proclaim his arguments. It is said that everyone in Marabethia carries a pouch with an overripe fruit just in case they pass a proclaimer with whom they disagree.
In Marabethia condemned criminals are offered either an execution or become bait for a week for a local species of greatshell; if they survive they can go free. None do.
"You have eyes of red and blue" is a Marabethian saying for someone who refuses to see the truth of a situation. Red for the blood dripping; blue for the water. It is said that these two things are all the condemned criminals hanged as bait see. Usually they are attacked within one day. And yet, most still wish to take that chance. They prefer the false hope.
Aimia
Aimia was one of the Silver Kingdoms that survived the Desolations and was a nation in the Era of Solitude. More recently, it has retained the same borders, though it has been scoured of most of its people, probably in warring over the valuable creatures known as lanceryn. When the last lanceryn was killed, it was assumed that there were no surviving beasts with gemhearts until the chasmfiends of the Shattered Plains were discovered.Aimians are not human. There are two races of Aimians: Siah and Dysian. They have deep blue, crystalline eyes and blue fingernails. They cast shadows the wrong way - toward light, instead of away from it. All Aimians could change the markings on their skin at will; this talent can be used to take notes
Shinovar
The lands of Shinovar are protected from most Highstorms by the Misted Mountains, which shelter the kingdom, causing the Highstorms to break apart and fade. Due to this occurrence, Shinovar is the only kingdom in Roshar to have soil. Shinovar is an exception to the predominant Rosharan landscape. Located far to the west within the continent, it benefits from the protection offered by its Mountains' ranges. Shinovar's ecosystem has evolved without the influence of the Highstorms and has a very "earth-like" feel.
Here, there is soil; grass that does not retract and which grows in abundance. The plains are dotted with branched, straight-trunked trees that are full of leaves which do not withdraw from the wind.
Here there are all sorts of animals which are regarded as weird by most of Roshar: horses, chickens, and pigs ... amongst others. These are raised and traded outside of Shinovar, as is the feed for them. There are also shorter, heavier, horse-like animals that pull Shin wagons.
Spren do not appear to be found in Shinovar. An expensive and rare treat out of Shinovar are strawberries. Shin are a race of humans. They have pale skin, large round eyes, short statures, and a tendency toward baldness. These features give them a wide-eyed look that, to outsiders from the east, makes them appear to resemble young children. Most in the East also think that the Shin are docile and harmless. They are not entirely wrong.
Iri
The Iriali have golden hair, a trait that breeds true like the black Alethi hair; the purer the Iriali, the more locks of gold in the hair. The climate in Iri is warm, so the Iriali often wear scant clothing like waist wraps, however, they have strict chastity laws. Iriali weren’t nearly as prudish as the Vorin peoples to the east, and were rarely inclined to bickering or fighting
Reshi Islands
The Reshi Isles are a group of islands located on Roshar. They are the world's northernmost land masses, separated from the mainland continent by the Reshi Sea. To their north/northeast, they are bordered by the Steamwater Ocean; to their east, by the Sea and Herdaz; to their south, by the Sea; to their southwest, by the Sea and Rira; to their west, by the Sea and Iri; and to their northwest, by the Endless Ocean.
The water of the Reshi Sea is remarkably warm, like that of The Purelake. People from the Reshi Isles are known simply as Reshi. (It is unclear as yet if the Isles are individual kingdoms or a combined country.)
Kadrix is the largest in a group of several islands, including Abri, Arak, Sumi and Quili.
The inhabitants of Kadrix rode greatshells.
The landscape of Roshar varies across its regions. Along the eastern coast, near the oceans where the highstorms originate, the land is beaten harshly by the highstorms, eroding away any soil, leaving rough, rock formations. Almost all types of life have some type of protective shell or encasing into which they can retreat for protection. The lands in Shinovar, farthest west on the main continent of Roshar, have soil and grass that does not retract(in most other regions, the grass sinks into the ground during highstorms). This region is mostly protected from the highstorms by the high peaks of the Misted Mountains. Most plants that grow in Shinovar can not grow in other parts of Roshar.
A highstorm is a fierce weather system that traverses the entire continent of Roshar from east to west, starting at the Origin. While highstorms have meteorological significance, they also provide stormlight, an energy which can be stored within gemstones and power a range of devices and magical abilities. Highstorms are the fiercest in the stormlands of the east, but gradually subside as they progress westward toward more timid lands. The Purelakers, located in the center of the continent, experience weakened storms; Shinovar in the west is spared completely due to the added protection of the Misted Mountains. The life of a highstorm can be broken down into two stages. The first stage is the most dangerous part of a highstorm, the stormwall. A massive wave of water, reaching several hundred feet in height, casts dirt and debris high into the air; occasional gusts can pick up and toss large objects (such as boulders), hurling them hundreds of feet. As the storm passes by, it gradually grows weaker. The trailing edge, called the riddens, is simply a light rain. A fascinating aspect of highstorms comes at some point during the stormwall: gemstones left outside are infused with Stormlight, bringing them out of their dun state for the span of a week (or until the next Highstorm). Highstorms are more or less regular in their coming. In general, they frequent Roshar every few days, with the exception of four weeks at the end of the year known as the Weeping. Stormwardens study highstorms and try to predict their coming. Their service is valued by highprinces and common merchants; a list of highstorm dates can be purchased from a roving stormwarden even in the most remote locations. Highstorms have a myriad of effects on Roshar. They allow gemstones to be infused with Stormlight, which "fuels" most magical abilities and contraptions.
The weathering winds leave behind crumbling cliffs and jagged edges in rock formations; unprepared or ill-placed towns and cities can be decimated by a single storm. However, the seemingly desolate landscape comes to life during the riddens; the time immediately following a highstorm is when plants and animals come out of hiding to soak up the water and precious nutrients left behind by the storm. This gives an interesting insight into Roshar's plant life and creatures, which have adapted in order to not only withstand, but also thrive on the effects of the highstorm.
Though the chances of survival are minute, it is possible to weather a highstorm beneath impromptu shelters. Those who seek to use highstorms as punishment (allowing the Almighty to judge their fate) bank on the unlikelihood of their victim's survival. Caravans that are forced to weather a highstorm in the open chain their wagons to nearby boulders and use them for protection. Settlements have more permanent solutions.
Roshar has three moons - Salas, Nomon and Mishim, each of which waxes and wanes separately from the other. Its seasons generally last only a few weeks and its surface gravity, at 0.7g, is significantly weaker than that of Earth. This is, in part, responsible for the exceptional growth of native creatures such as the Greatshell.
During the Heraldic Epochs, Roshar was ruled by a coalition of Ten nations known as the Silver Kingdoms. In the Era of Solitude, following the Heralds' departure and the demise of the Knights Radiant orders, those kingdoms crumbled into smaller ones:
Alethkar:
The Alethi are native to Alethkar. They possess tan skin and dark hair. They follow the Vorin religion and are famous for their military heritage. The Alethi class system is based on the color of their eyes. Lighteyes (A lighteyes is a person with lightly colored eyes, such as blue or green. According to Vorin teachings, lighteyes are chosen at birth by the Heralds, marked for rule. In the Vorin legal code of citizenship, lighteyes are classified by dahn; the lower the dahn, the higher one is ranked. For example, tenth dahn classifies one as being almost as low as a darkeyes. Thaylenah has its own system of ranks. Lighteyes can see Spren, while darkeyes cannot.) are the noble, ruling class and Darkeyes are the peasant, worker class.Alethkar was founded as Alethela in the Silver Kingdoms Epoch. It survived the Desolations, but at an unknown point was fractured into the Princedoms.
For centuries, Alethkar was divided into ten self-governed Princedoms until King Gavilar Kholin conquered and united them. He was crowned first king since the Sunmaker, who cast down the Hierocracy. When King Gavilar was assassinated by the Parshendi in 1167, his son Elhokar became King and declared war on the Parshendi.
Frostlands
The Frostlands is a large landmass which makes up the south-eastern part of Roshar.
Jah Keved
Jah Keved is one of the five Vorin kingdoms, west of Alethkar. Its capital is Vedenar. During the Heraldic Epochs, the region was part of the former kingdom Valhav. Jah Keved, along with Alethkar, is said to possesses the most shardblades (around 20 each). They are also the only known nation to possess the Half shard, a fabrial-powered shield capable of deflecting a shardblade.The people native to Jah Keved are known as Veden. They are characterized by pale skin and reddish hair. It has two centrally located mountain ranges: the Horneater Peaks - home to the Unkalaki (Horneaters) .
Herdaz
Herdaz is a Kingdom on Roshar. It is located to the north of Jah Keved, and north and leeward of Alethkar. Its northern coast is on the Reshi Sea and the Steamwaster Ocean. Its inhabitants are known as Herdazians(not to be racist, but they are a lot like mexicans, as in they have dozen of cousins)
Herdaz has a single Shardblade and set of Plate that is passed down through the royal line.
Thaylenah
Thaylenah is an island nation, separated from the Roshar mainland by Longbrows Straits. Thaylen people are renowned tradesman, merchants and sailors and have very long white eyebrows and white beards.The dominant cultural tradition in Thaylenah is Alethi Vorinism. Thaylen women cover their safehands, though more of them wear gloves for practicality or to keep up appearances.
Thaylen men have the same stark white beards and long white eyebrows, regardless of their age or the color of their hair. Their eyebrows grow very long and are sometimes worn tucked back behind their ears.
Emul
Emul is a kingdom on Roshar, west of Alethkar. Its capital city is Sesemalex Dar. Its inhabitants are called Emuli.
Emul borders Tashikk to its west; Azir to its north/northwest; mountains and The Valley to its east; and Tukar to its south.
Emul and Tukar are in a constant struggle, coined the Emuli-Tukari Conflict. To date, the fighting between the two has only been happening in the last six years.
The Emuli are a certain tribe of the Askarki people, and they're ethnically Makabaki, descendants of the Silver Kingdom of Makabakam.
Emuli are dark skinned. Their women favor gowns and head-wraps and robes are favored by the men. Their way of greeting an old friend is by holding the left forefinger to the forehead and bowing in respect. To them the need to strike a man personally is crass. They wage war in the opposite way from Alethi. The sword is not a weapon for a leader. A halberd is better, then a spear, and best of all a bow and arrow.
Their legal system is very lenient toward foreigners. A man who is not of their nationality cannot own a home or shop, but when he visits, he is treated as a relative who has traveled from afar, to be shown all kindness and leniency. Emuli are known for their expert crem pottery.
Azir
Azir is a kingdom in south-western Roshar. Ethnically Makabaki, the people from Azir are known as Azish. Azir is descended of Makabakam, the largest of the Silver Kingdoms. Azish have dark brown skin and black hair and have a smooth accent.
Azir was suggested to be warmer than Alethkar, but cooler than Iri. Legends there say that those who consume Azish Truthberries speak only the truth until the next sunset.
Marabethia
The Marabethian people are known for their great fondness for debate. At each intersection in the city they have small pedestals on which a man can stand and proclaim his arguments. It is said that everyone in Marabethia carries a pouch with an overripe fruit just in case they pass a proclaimer with whom they disagree.
In Marabethia condemned criminals are offered either an execution or become bait for a week for a local species of greatshell; if they survive they can go free. None do.
"You have eyes of red and blue" is a Marabethian saying for someone who refuses to see the truth of a situation. Red for the blood dripping; blue for the water. It is said that these two things are all the condemned criminals hanged as bait see. Usually they are attacked within one day. And yet, most still wish to take that chance. They prefer the false hope.
Aimia
Aimia was one of the Silver Kingdoms that survived the Desolations and was a nation in the Era of Solitude. More recently, it has retained the same borders, though it has been scoured of most of its people, probably in warring over the valuable creatures known as lanceryn. When the last lanceryn was killed, it was assumed that there were no surviving beasts with gemhearts until the chasmfiends of the Shattered Plains were discovered.Aimians are not human. There are two races of Aimians: Siah and Dysian. They have deep blue, crystalline eyes and blue fingernails. They cast shadows the wrong way - toward light, instead of away from it. All Aimians could change the markings on their skin at will; this talent can be used to take notes
Shinovar
The lands of Shinovar are protected from most Highstorms by the Misted Mountains, which shelter the kingdom, causing the Highstorms to break apart and fade. Due to this occurrence, Shinovar is the only kingdom in Roshar to have soil. Shinovar is an exception to the predominant Rosharan landscape. Located far to the west within the continent, it benefits from the protection offered by its Mountains' ranges. Shinovar's ecosystem has evolved without the influence of the Highstorms and has a very "earth-like" feel.
Here, there is soil; grass that does not retract and which grows in abundance. The plains are dotted with branched, straight-trunked trees that are full of leaves which do not withdraw from the wind.
Here there are all sorts of animals which are regarded as weird by most of Roshar: horses, chickens, and pigs ... amongst others. These are raised and traded outside of Shinovar, as is the feed for them. There are also shorter, heavier, horse-like animals that pull Shin wagons.
Spren do not appear to be found in Shinovar. An expensive and rare treat out of Shinovar are strawberries. Shin are a race of humans. They have pale skin, large round eyes, short statures, and a tendency toward baldness. These features give them a wide-eyed look that, to outsiders from the east, makes them appear to resemble young children. Most in the East also think that the Shin are docile and harmless. They are not entirely wrong.
Iri
The Iriali have golden hair, a trait that breeds true like the black Alethi hair; the purer the Iriali, the more locks of gold in the hair. The climate in Iri is warm, so the Iriali often wear scant clothing like waist wraps, however, they have strict chastity laws. Iriali weren’t nearly as prudish as the Vorin peoples to the east, and were rarely inclined to bickering or fighting
Reshi Islands
The Reshi Isles are a group of islands located on Roshar. They are the world's northernmost land masses, separated from the mainland continent by the Reshi Sea. To their north/northeast, they are bordered by the Steamwater Ocean; to their east, by the Sea and Herdaz; to their south, by the Sea; to their southwest, by the Sea and Rira; to their west, by the Sea and Iri; and to their northwest, by the Endless Ocean.
The water of the Reshi Sea is remarkably warm, like that of The Purelake. People from the Reshi Isles are known simply as Reshi. (It is unclear as yet if the Isles are individual kingdoms or a combined country.)
Kadrix is the largest in a group of several islands, including Abri, Arak, Sumi and Quili.
The inhabitants of Kadrix rode greatshells.