Editing Shattered Plains

{{geography
|image=Shattered Plains by Noah Bradley.jpg
|'region=[[Unclaimed Hills]] <small>([[Alethkar]])</small>
|world=Roshar
|universe=[[Cosmere]]
|books=[[The Stormlight Archive]]
}}
{{update|sa3|sa4}}
The '''Shattered Plains''' are a region of [[Roshar]] located on the border of the [[Frostlands]] and [[Unclaimed Hills]], in the former territory of the [[Silver Kingdoms|Silver Kingdom]] of [[Natanatan]].{{map ref|Alethkar}}{{book ref|sa1|19}} They are named for their topography, consisting of a huge number of plateaus of various sizes surrounded on all sides by deep chasms. It is unknown what caused the landscape to break in this way, but during one of [[Kaladin]]'s dreams in which he flew with a [[highstorm]], he saw the entire area as a symmetrical pattern, radiating outwards from the center as if something massive had struck there.{{book ref|sa1|46}}

== Topography ==
{{image|The Shattered Plains by Nick van Kleef.jpg|side=left|height=300px|A view of the Shattered Plains}}

{{for|/Gallery|more images}}

The western edge is ringed by ten circular craters.{{map ref|Shattered Plains}} Each crater's ridges have been worn away by [[highstorm]]s where they connect to the Shattered Plains themselves.{{book ref|sa1|6}} It is noted by [[Dalinar]] that from above, it is clear that the craters are the remains of large domes.{{book ref|sa3|50}}

The edge of the Plains consists of smaller plateaus with chasms ranging generally from 50 to 150 feet in depth. These westernmost plateaus can be bridged easily, and many permanent bridges have been constructed joining them together. Moving eastward, the Plains become much more varied in size and the chasms themselves can become much wider, making crossing from one to another much more challenging.{{book ref|sa1|12}} The eastern edge of the Shattered Plains is so weathered by storms that it consists mostly of spindly pillars of rock, making it impassable.{{book ref|sa1|15}}{{book ref|sa1|43}}

On the eastern side of the explored portion of the Plains is a particularly large plateau known as "the Tower". The Tower is a favored location for [[chasmfiend]]s to pupate.{{book ref|sa1|24}}

Highstorms are particularly bad on the Shattered Plains, garnering the moniker 'the Stormlands',{{book ref|sa2|35}} as there is no shelter on top of the plateaus, and the chasms often flood. The Plains are also on the eastern side of Roshar, where the highstorms are strongest. For these reasons, getting caught in a highstorm on the Plains is a death sentence.

Some accounts describe the Plains as looking as if something enormous had struck the center, causing the fracturing Plains to radiate symmetrically in all directions. Claims of lights in the center plateau were the Parshendi live have also been recorded.{{book ref|sa1|46}}

The ruins of [[Stormseat]] are in the center of the Shattered Plains. The [[Oathgate]] is located there on a circular plateau.{{book ref|sa2|83}} The Oathgate had been hidden underneath centuries of built-up [[crem]].{{book ref|sa3|12}} The city of Stormseat did not encompass the whole of the Shattered Plains, but had satellite cities and outbuildings.{{book ref|sa2|81}}

== Flora and Fauna ==
{{image|Chasm Duty by Lyraina.jpg|The rich ecosystem within the chasms.|side=right|width=200px}}
The Shattered Plains has a large variety of plants and animals, the most dangerous of which is its apex predator: the chasmfiend. However, [[Shallan  Davar]] believes the Alethi have hunted chasmfiends nearly to extinction for their enormous [[gemheart]]s.{{book ref|sa3|50}}

The climate is moister than it is the west. Plants have a tendency not to pull into their shells as swiftly after a storm.{{book ref|sa1|23}} Clouds are less frequent; alternating between sun and highstorms.{{book ref|sa3|58}} Outside the warcamps, [[rockbud]]s, [[knobweed]],{{book ref|sa1|23}} flowering [[branzah]],{{book ref|sa1|17}} [[prickletac]],{{book ref|sa1|17}} pink and purple [[fingermoss]],{{book ref|sa1|57}} and other grasses are known to grow. Due to the harsh weather, the grasses near the Shattered Plains are typically yellow in color and only grow to 6-10 inches in height.{{book ref|sa3|5}} 

During Shallan's travels to the Shattered Plains, she notices feral [[axehound]]s, small eels living in ponds, and white trees with red leaves.{{book ref|sa2|30}} There is also a small, tentacled, animal that lives in pools near the warcamps, called a [[grasper]].{{book ref|sa1|57}}

Out on the plateaus themselves, rockbuds, moss, and [[shalebark]] are the most common plants.{{book ref|sa1|6}} Shallan notes that the moss and common flowering rockbuds grow in similar patterns.{{book ref|sa2|68}}

Within the chasms is a different environment all together. The chasms are more humid and damp than the rest of the Plains, with stagnant pools where [[cremling]] larvae grow.{{book ref|sa1|43}} [[Hasper]]s,{{book ref|sa1|11}}{{book ref|sa1|64}} mosses, fungi, and [[frillbloom]]s{{book ref|sa1|49}}{{book ref|sa1|55}} all grow on the walls and in crevasses in the chasms. Translucent cremlings have been seen,{{book ref|sa1|27}} along with larger carrion animals that are sensitive to light.{{book ref|sa1|43}}

== Inhabitants ==
Prior to the [[War of Reckoning]], the only known permanent inhabitants of the Shattered Plains were the [[listener]]s, who occupied the ten craters on the western edge of the Plains.{{book ref|sa2|i|1}} During the war, the craters were occupied by various [[Alethi]] armies fighting the Parshendi under the [[Vengeance Pact]]. The Plains and the surrounding area are so barren that the warcamps are perhaps the only places where it is acceptable to pile refuse up high and allow the highstorm to carry it away, as there is no danger of the trash being carried into another city.{{book ref|sa2|49}}

=== Listeners ===
{{for|:Category:Residents of Narak|a list of residents}}
During the War of Reckoning, the listeners resided in the ruins of Stormseat, which they call Narak. After the [[Battle of Narak]], the Alethi claimed the city for themselves. The homes of the listeners are now barracks, and a watchtower has been erected on the tower where 'the five' met.{{book ref|sa3|55}}

{{image|Warcamps.jpg|The Alethi warcamps on the verge of the Plains|side=left|width=350px}}
=== Warcamps ===
{{for|:Category:Residents of the Alethi warcamps|a list of residents}}
The Alethi have occupied the crater-like areas of the Plains and constructed ten warcamps, a royal palace, and a market. The palace complex includes the royal residence, Gallery of Maps, feasting basin, and a dueling arena.{{book ref|sa1|21}}

The warcamps are each a mixture of Soulcast buildings, shanties, and tents that are taken down before each highstorm.{{book ref|sa1|17}} Each camp is self sufficient, with their own markets, taverns, brothels,{{book ref|sa1|26}} and [[spanreed]] information stations to [[Tashikk]].{{book ref|sa1|47}} Most of the buildings are Soulcast using topaz.{{book ref|sa3|109}} The bunkers and barracks are typically long and narrow with a smaller end facing the highstorms to the east.{{book ref|sa3|23}}

The Outer Market was a collection of buildings outside the warcamps, near the king's palace. The buildings here were mostly constructed of stone quarried from near the Plains. It expanded in a sprawling way, without plan or order. It became a place where people from all warcamps mingled and shopped from the Thaylen merchants. The market was largely unregulated but was patrolled and administered by Kholin scribes.{{book ref|sa1|58}}

While the warcamps weathered the [[Everstorm]] quite well, eight of the ten warcamps were evacuated and abandoned after the Battle of Narak--their occupants either moving to [[Urithiru]] or disappearing into the [[Unclaimed Hills]].{{book ref|sa3|50}}

The princedoms from north to south:
{{image|Kholin Warcamp by Oliwia 'Sfaira' Białek.jpg|side=right|height=300px|A street in the Kholin warcamp}}

; Roion
; Sadeas
:It is known as one of the least ordered and respectable warcamps, as opposed to the well-maintained and designed Kholin warcamp. Prior to the evacuation to Urithiru, Sadeas controlled the forests north of the warcamps.{{book ref|sa1|23}}
; Aladar
; Kholin
:The barracks of this warcamp are organized into radials, with meeting areas and mess halls at the center of each battalion.{{book ref|sa1|26}} These battalions then circle Dalinar's stone bunker complex and the living quarters of other ranking lighteyes and generals.{{book ref|sa2|5}} The Kholin warcamp has more bunker-like construction than other warcamps, as Dalinar wanted his soldiers to remember they were at war.{{book ref|sa3|50}}
:After moving most of the camp to Urithiru, Dalinar left a few platoons and some workers in this warcamp under the leadership and administration of Brightness [[Jasalai]].{{book ref|sa3|50}}
:Location of the [[Ornery Chull]].
; Vamah
; Ruthar
; Thanadal
; Hatham
; Bethab
; Sebarial
:It is a very technologically advanced camp for the area. It has running water, although muddy water will run for the first few seconds.{{book ref|sa2|40}} Highprince [[Sebarial]]'s goal is to become the only camp that produces food and utilities and have a monopoly. His camp is dedicated less to the training of military and more to the production of resources. After the evacuation to Urithiru, Sebarial claimed the nearby forests{{book ref|sa3|50}} and is transporting lumber across the Plains to Urithiru.{{book ref|sa3|37}}
:[[Shallan Davar]] stays with Highprince Sebarial.{{book ref|sa2|63}} She is very impressed by the situation of the camp, as it does not reflect what [[Jasnah]] reported.

== Politics ==
Since the relocation from the Shattered Plains warcamps to Urithiru, ownership of the Plains and the Oathgate has become extremely important and strategic to the success and survival of the inhabitants of Urithiru. Urithiru is not self-supporting yet, and resources are required from the warcamps to supply the city. Farming operations have begun in the Unclaimed Hills,{{book ref|sa3|17}} but due to the climate, rockbuds grow smaller and crops are less productive than in [[Alethkar]].{{book ref|sa3|50}} The [[Fused]] are harrying caravans traveling to the Oathgate.{{book ref|sa3|37}} 

The Natans want ownership of the Shattered Plains and the Oathgate.{{book ref|sa3|122}} [[Elhokar]] proposed that Dalinar be made High King of Urithiru and the Shattered Plains.{{book ref|sa3|12}} 

== Trivia ==
* The Shattered Plains was originally envisioned as existing on the world of [[Yolen]], [[Hoid]]'s homeworld and the site of the [[Shattering of Adonalsium]], until Brandon moved it to Roshar in the redrafting of the Way of Kings.{{wob ref|8601}}
* The Listener [[Song of Wars]] claims that the Shattered Plains were not shattered by the [[Fused]].{{epigraph ref|sa2|26}}

== Notes ==
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