Roshar

**Roshar** is the world in which *The Stormlight Archive* series takes place.

## Magic System

The Stormlight Archive has many magic systems. For information see Stormlight Archive Magic Systems.

## Countries & Races

The world of Roshan was made up of 10 different regions in the Heraldic Epochs known as the Silver Kingdoms, however during the Era of Solitude the Kingdoms broke apart into smaller ones. *The Stormlight Archive* has several different races most of which don't resemble human ones.

### Nations & Regions

* Alethkar
* Frostlands
* Jah Keved
* Herdaz
* Thaylenah
* Tu Bayla
* Triax
* Tu Fallia
* Greater Hexi
* Marat
* Tukar
* Emul
* Azir
* Yulay
* Marabethia
* Babatharnam
* Desh
* Yezier
* Alm
* Tashikk
* Liafor
* Steen
* Aimia
* Shinovar
* Iri
* Rira
* Reshi Isles

### Races

* **Thaylens** – Renowned traders and merchants native to an island nation. They possess long eyebrows that can be styled to either droop or curve behind their ears.
* **Alethi** – Native to the nation of Alethkar, the Alethi are members of one of the four Vorin nations. They have a famed military heritage and are possessed of tan skin and dark hair.
* **Veden** – Native to the Vorin nation of Jah Keved, the Vedens are characterized by pale skin and black hair. Some have red hair, indicating Unkalaki ancestry.
* **Natanatani** – Native to the Vorin nation inhabiting New Natanan, the Natanatani often wear gloves and have faintly bluish skin.
* **Unkalaki (Horneaters)** – A relatively rare race, the Horneaters are called thus by other races because the Unkalaki consider animal horns, shells, and claws to be a delicacy. They possess reddish hair and dark skin, and stand well over seven feet (2.1 m) tall. The Unkalaki homeland is in the mountains of Jah Keved. Their culture is very different from the other Vorin cultures.
* **Parshendi (Singers/Listeners)** – A proud nonhuman race, living on Shattered Plains with a strong warrior culture. The Parshendi are viewed by many other races as savages because of their culture and past deeds. They have marbled red and white or red and black skin that forms patterns unique to each individual, and are at war with the Alethi during the novels' main timeline. They use spren to morph into many different forms, each with a unique function and set of abilities. These forms also change the appearance of the Parshendi who use them, for example taking warform makes them more physically able and grants them the mindset of a soldier. The workform allows them to be sturdier to perform physical labor. They also communicate through songs and rhythms in their heads.
* **Shin** – A race native to the region of Shinovar, Shin have white skin and lack epicanthic folds (unlike the other races). They stand shorter than most others, averaging five feet tall. They also have bigger and rounder eyes.
* **Azish** – Native to the nation of Azir, the Azish have dark skin and hair.
* **Reshi** – A people native to the Reshi Isles
* **Dysian Aimians** – otherwise known as the Sleepless. A non-human race native to Aimia.
* **Siah Aimians** – a non-human race also native to Aimia.

## Religion

There are a few different religions throughout Roshar but the most common one is Vorinism, which become less common the further west. Vorinism believes in a god, the creator of all men simply called The Almighty. Vorinism tells a story about the struggle between humanity and the voidbringers. According to Vorinism the voidbringers forced all of humanity out of the Tranquil Halls which is like heaven. Once you die, the afterlife a great war against the voidbringers. Not all people will fight though, because people are to continue there callings in their current life.

Symmetry is very important in Vorinism, which there poems and art follows. The Vorin communicate with the Almighty by burning prayers, by writing glyphs onto any burnable material. This is used to ask for assistance or as a thanks. The religion is run by ardents and devotories.