Shattered Plains
A graveyard of ambition where bridges span the abyss of endless war.
The Shattered Plains stand as a jagged scar across eastern Alethkar, an archipelago of floating stone plateaus drifting above bottomless chasms. Once a unified landmass, this fractured terrain now serves as Roshar’s most brutal theater of war, where thousands of islets shift on tectonic currents and armies bleed out in the gaps between them.
- Current Status
- Active Warzone
Lore & Background
Political intrigue dominates the highprinces' competition for lucrative war assignments and favor with King Elhokar. The battlefield operates under a strict hierarchy: the safe rear encampments, the contested middle slopes where skirmishes flare, and the dangerous chasm floors where Parshendi ambushes are common. This brutal geography birthed the Bridgemen caste—soldiers treated as expendable cannon fodder, tasked with hauling massive bridges across deadly gaps to enable their commanders' advancement.
In Their Own Story
The Plains anchor the early arcs of The Way of Kings and Words of Radiance, serving as the crucible for Kaladin's transformation from a broken surgeon into the leader of Bridge Four. Amidst the chaos of shifting plateaus, Dalinar Kholin wrestles with visions of unity while navigating the treacherous politics of Alethi war assignments. The bridge assaults become a microcosm of the conflict itself—brutal and repetitive—until the true nature of the Parshendi threat begins to unravel.
Reader's Guide
The Shattered Plains serve as the central stage for the early books of The Stormlight Archive, specifically The Way of Kings and Words of Radiance. This location is critical to the plot because it is where the protagonist, Kaladin, begins his journey from a surgeon to a slave to a leader of the Bridgemen. It is also where Dalinar Kholin struggles with visions of a unified Roshar while trying to maintain order among squabbling highprinces.
The setting functions as more than just a backdrop; it represents the fractured state of Alethi society and the futility of their endless war. The geography dictates the tactics of warfare, forcing armies to rely on bridges and creating a unique military hierarchy based on who can survive the chasms. The pursuit of gemhearts drives the economy and the conflict, highlighting themes of greed and the cost of power.
Understanding the Shattered Plains is essential for grasping the political dynamics of Alethkar and the true nature of the Parshendi threat. The location eventually reveals deep secrets about the history of Roshar, the nature of the Heralds, and the origin of the conflict that has ravaged the continent for centuries.
Did You Know?
- The chasms plunge so deep their bottoms are rarely visible, often hidden by mist or inhabited by dangerous fauna like chasmfiends.
- Bridgemen bear specific numerical designations and face high mortality rates when attacked during highstorms while transporting commanders.
- The Parshendi fight fiercely to defend their homeland against Alethi invasion, viewing the conflict as a desperate struggle for territory rather than mere defense of gemhearts.
- While Highstorms batter the landscape, the floating plateaus drift due to magical currents from the Shattering, not because wind pressure pushes them closer together.
Gallery
Frequently Asked Questions
What exactly are the Shattered Plains?
The Shattered Plains are a jagged archipelago of floating stone islands located on the eastern coast of Alethkar. These landmasses drift over bottomless chasms, creating a treacherous environment for travel and combat.
Why is this location significant in the series?
This region serves as the primary battlefield for the War of Reckoning between the Alethi and the Parshendi. It is where Kaladin discovers his leadership abilities and Dalinar receives crucial revelations about Honor.
How do the islands move or shift?
The plateaus float on currents of gas that rise from the deep chasms beneath them. This constant motion forces armies to maintain bridge crews who constantly rebuild spans across widening gaps.
What is the current status of the Shattered Plains?
As of the latest books, it remains an active warzone where tensions between opposing factions continue to escalate. The terrain itself poses a deadly threat alongside the enemy soldiers fighting for control.
Can civilians survive in this area?
Survival is extremely difficult due to the harsh weather and constant warfare threatening every settlement. Most inhabitants are soldiers or refugees seeking protection within the military camps scattered across the rocks.