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== Ecology ==
Highstorms are the single most important force in Roshar's ecology, and life on the planet has adapted to them. Some plants, like lavis polyps, enclose themselves against the highstorm's fury; others retract or fold their relatively fragile leaves, vines, or roots away. The east side of hills is more barren since it directly faces the blow of a highstorm. Contrarily, life flourishes on the west side of hills or landscapes such as valleys, where they are shielded from the powerful winds.
Another effect of a highstorm is the [[crem]] in the storm water. This substance is deposited onto the land, accumulating over the millennia, even prior to the [[Shattering]].{{wob ref|8491}} It is currently unknown where crem comes from, but it partly contains minerals and nutrients that are useful for plant life. Plants fed highstorm water do better than those given lake or river water, as discovered by farmers and Stormwardens.{{book ref|sa1|11}} Many plants have outer coverings infused with highstorm [[crem]], forming protective shells.{{wob ref|169}}
Rosharan fauna has adapted as well; many species like [[axehound]]s, [[whitespine]]s, and [[greatshell]]s are covered in protective carapace. They also have [[gemheart]]s that glow with [[Stormlight]], enabling their symbiotic relationship with [[spren]].
== Invested Arts ==
{{image|Abovethestorm.png|[[Kaladin]] floating over a highstorm|side=left|width=300px}}
Highstorms are highly [[Investiture|Invested]],{{book ref|sa2|i|6}} and are the primary source of Investiture on Roshar. Gemstones are infused with [[Stormlight]] when left outside during a highstorm, though this only happens in the [[Physical Realm]].{{book ref|sa1|11}}{{book ref|sa4|29}} This magical source of illumination and power is used to Invest [[fabrial]]s and fuel [[Surgebinding]]. If they are within about a hundred feet of a highstorm,{{book ref|sa3|60}} Surgebinders can gain Stormlight directly from the storm, instead of using gemstones as an intermediary.{{book ref|sa2|86}} The Investiture provided by the storm only functions when it is "whole", and it cannot split pieces off to reach into sheltered places, such as inside buildings.{{book ref|sa4|71
The storms are a physical manifestation of the [[Stormfather]], who has a degree of control over them and can send one at will, with his bonded [[Knights Radiant|Radiant]] sharing his abilities.{{book ref|sa2|83}}{{book ref|sa3|28}}{{book ref|sa4|110}} The [[Highstorm#Centerbeat|center of the storm]] is unnaturally dark and quiet.{{book ref|sa1|35}} In the center, the Investiture of the Stormfather is at its most potent, and the large amount of power can warp time and create bridges between [[Realmatic theory|realms]].{{book ref|sa4|i|1}} The [[Spiritual Realm]] can be accessed via the highstorm through the Cognitive Realm.{{book ref|sa3|97}} The relationship between the highstorm and [[Honor's Perpendicularity]] is unclear.{{book ref|sa3|64}}{{wob ref|1525}} The center of the storm is where the Stormfather can reveal himself to humans other than his [[Bondsmith]].{{book ref|sa3|28}} [[Honorspren]] also have a connection to the highstorms, as they can always predict their arrival{{book ref|sa3|20}} and the Stormfather can also speak directly to [[honorspren]] in the center of the storm.{{book ref|sa4|i|1}}
In the [[Cognitive Realm]], sapient spren appear to act more energetically during highstorms, and it has been speculated that they get their sustenance from it.{{book ref|sa3|101}}
== Development ==
In ''[[The Way of Kings Prime]]'', highstorms were much different.
* They varied in strength and duration based upon the seasons; a spring highstorm occurs during the battle in which Merin (proto-Kaladin) wins his Shards, which lasts for only a hour and is only windy enough to make fighting "inefficient", appearing to be little different from a regular storm from the real world. Summer highstorms are noted to be much fiercer, more in line with how they later appeared.
* The Stormfather was also absent from this draft.
* Crem was instead called crom.
== See Also ==
{{Stormlight}}
[[category: magic]]
[[es:Alta tormenta]]
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