Difference between revisions of "Purelake"

|image=Ishikk Purelake 1by Connor Chamberlain.jpegjpg

The '''Purelake''' is a shallow inland lake located in north central [[Roshar]].{{map ref|Roshar}} The people of the region are known as '''Purelakers''' and are ethnically [[Selay]].{{book ref|sa1|i|1}}

The Purelake is influenced, in some way, by [[Cultivation]], although it predates her.{{wob ref|460}} It is unknown if she has a secondary [[perpendicularity]] in the Purelake.{{wob ref|11987}}

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, withthough itsat greatestsome depthspots beingit reaches depths of around six feet,. notThese includingdeepest spots likely coincide with the sinkholes in the lake.{{book ref|sa1|i|1}}{{book ref|sa3|9298}} The lake bottom has 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.{{book ref|sa1|i|1}}

It is unknown what type of, if any, mineral deposits can be found around the lake.{{wob ref|8514}}

[[File:{{image|Map_Purelake.png|width=500px|thumb|side=left|Map of the Purelake by [[User:Otto didact|Otto didact]]]]}}

Villages that can be found on the Purelake include;:

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]], howeverbut it is believed to have been destroyed. Modern -day Purelakers still speak of large structures existing on the lake, although this is dismissed by those outside the region as mythology.{{book ref|sa2|4}} This fortress is not related to the geography of the Purelake in the Cognitive Realm.{{wob ref|2889}}

A [[Order of Skybreakers|Skybreaker]] compound sits along the northern edge of the Purelake, in [[Marabethia]].{{book ref|sa3|90}}

|Like an endless bay, mere feet deep. Warm water. Calm breezes.

The Purelake has a tropical climate, beingthat bothis consistently both warm{{book ref|sa1|i|1}} and humid,{{book ref|sa3|90}} with calm breezes.{{book ref|sa2|81}} The passing of the [[highstorm]] is the only time the temperature drops and the lake's climate turns cold.{{book ref|sa1|i|1}} The Purelake's weather is similar to that of [[Hallandren]], on the planet [[Nalthis]].{{book ref|sa2|81}}

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 breakwindbreak to ride out the storm. {{book ref|sa1|i|1}}

The fish in the Purelake have magical properties{{book ref|sa3|90}} and form symbiotic bonds with [[spren]].{{wob ref|2109}} This [[Investiture]] does not come from [[Honor]],{{wob ref|11986}}, but may come from [[Cultivation]].{{wob ref|460}} The magical nature of these fish is similar to that of [[Aviar]]'s from the island [[Patji (island)|Patji]], on the planet [[First of the Sun]].{{wob ref|8201}}

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.{{book ref|sa1|i|1}}

==== Known Types of Lifeforms ====

The Purelake existed prior to the arrival of [[Shards]] on [[Roshar]],{{wob ref|460}} likely created by [[Adonalsium]] when he createcreated the system.

During the time of the [[Silver Kingdoms]], the Purelake was controlled by [[Sela Tales]].{{book ref|sa1|i|1}} When the kingdom disintegrated, the region splintedsplintered, with the Purelake seeming to become its own country.

In the year {{Rosharan date|1173}} three members of the [[Seventeenth Shard]], [[Galladon]], [[Demoux]], and [[Baon]], traveled to the Purelake, believing it to be the current location of [[Hoid]].{{book ref|sa1|i|1}} 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. Unbeknownst 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.{{epigraph ref|sa1|26}} As such, Ishikk was ultimately unsuccessful and unable to find any evidence of Hoid having been in the area.{{book ref|sa1|i|1}}

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|912}} Kharbranth studied the plague, releasing information on their findings, in the end they declared that the plague was ultimately not deadly.{{book ref|sa4|23}}

In {{Rosharan date|1174}}, a group of criminals escaped from a jail on the northern edge of the Purelake. The [[Order of Skybreakers|Skybreakers]] were called in to catch the escapees, who had broken out of the jail and fled. The Skybreaker acolytes were tasked with finding the criminals and bringing them to justice, with the exercise also testing their understanding of the law.{{book ref|sa3|92}}

During the [[Silver Kingdoms]], the Purelake was governed by the king of [[Sela Tales]]. After the fall of the [[Epoch Kingdoms]], it appears that the Purelake broke away from the surrounding lands and established sovereignty, with local inhabitants forming autonomous villages. In modern Modern-day, the people of the PurelakePurelakers are more likely to define themselves based offon their geography, instead ofthan country borders.{{book ref|sa1|i|1}}

People who live outside of the Purelake find the inhabitants to be strange, and do not understand 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 are baffled why anyone would want to visit the area.{{book ref|sa2|4}}{{book ref|sa2sa3|92}}

The Purelake is sparsely populated, with inhabitants living in small remote villages.{{wob ref|5081}} These settlements are most likely connected through trade, as many Purelakers work as fishermen who will travel around in order to sell their stock. Most Purelakers own a raft that they use for sleep and to transport itemitems.{{book ref|sa1|i|1}}

[[File:{{image|Skybreakers_Purelake.jpeg|400pxwidth=300px|side=right|thumb|[[Order of Skybreakers|Skybreaker]] acolyteacolytes during a test at their stronghold in [[Marabethia]] By {{a|botanicaxu}}]]

AThe [[Order of Skybreakers|SkybreakerSkybreakers]] strongholdhave sitsa stronghold alongon the northern edge of the Purelake in [[Marabethia]], andthat is used by the Order to train acolytes. They will often utilizeuse their surroundings for this training, including by placing items in the lake, to be used by the squires.{{book ref|sa3|90}}{{book ref|sa3|98}}

The Marabethian government is aware they are in the region and will contact the Skybreakers if they require assistance with enforcement.{{book ref|sa3|92}} It is unknown if the Purelakers are aware of the Orderorder's presence along their northern shore and how much contact they have with the Skybreakers.

Szeth has previously visitedvisits the Purelake at some point before becoming a Skybreaker.{{book ref|sa3|92}}

Purelakers speak [[Selay]],{{book ref|sa1|i|1}} which is derived fromin the same language group as thatthe languages of [[Iri]], the [[Reshi]] Islands, and other north-westnorthwestern parts of Roshar.{{wob ref|3977}} 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.{{book ref|sa1|i|1}}

Purelaker buildings have the appearance of [[rockbud]]s, with domed roofs. They are among the few things to break the surface of the Purelake.{{book ref|sa1|i|1}} The buildings of Purelakers are typically built on blocks or stilts. However, they are still set a few inches below surface level, keeping the floor covered in water. The buildings will drain when the tide is low.{{book ref|sa1|i|1}} Although housing exists, some Purelakers see no point within sleeping indoors, instead opting to sleep on rafts.{{book ref|sa1|i|1}}

Due to the regionsregion's low population density and their pre-industrial society, waste accumulation does not pose any major concerns. Human waste is naturally broken down by the surrounding ecosystem and then removed by the [[highstorm]], while man-made trash will either naturally breakbreaks down on its own, if possible, or is removed by passing travelers.{{wob ref|5081}}

Purelakers are known to be highly religious;{{book ref|sa2|i|3}} with their religion madeis upbased ofon two gods;, [[Nu Ralik]] and his younger brother [[Vun Makak]], and seemingly focused around the bestowment of suffering. Although the Purelakers consider Nu Ralik to be their true god, they must hide their worship of him, lest they anger his brother. According to mythology, Vun Makak wasis a spiteful god, prone to jealousy over the attention that wasis paid to his sibling. In order to deceive Vun Makak, the Purelakers only vocalize praises about the younger god and keep the name of their true god hidden.{{book ref|sa1|i|1}} It is unclear whether the Purelakers have been successful in their trickery of Vun Makak.{{wob ref|3250}}

TheHoly holygrottos grotto isare the only placeplaces thatwhere Purelakers can voice their worship for Nu Ralik freely.{{book ref|sa1|i|1}} It is unknown where these holy grottos are located and why the Purelakers believe them to be safe from Vun Makak's observation.

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. These superstitions influence many aspects of the Purelaker lifestyle; inhabitants tend towards exposing a large amount of skin, as the sun is believed to bring good health, while the magical properties of area's fauna affects the value of trade goods. Purelakers also believe that the tide of the lake can be used to predict the future.{{book ref|sa1|i|1}}

== Notable PurelakesPurelakers ==