Shattered Plains

Lore & Background

The Plains are a biome of vast chasms created by ancient geological shifts, forcing armies to traverse between plateaus using massive portable bridges. This geography dictates the conflict's structure: highprinces compete for assignments to claim gemhearts from Parshendi chasmfiends found on the plateau floors. The terrain birthed the Bridgemen caste, slaves forced to carry these bridges under fire, often treated as expendable bait for enemy archers by commanders like Highprince Sadeas. Life here revolves around the highstorms, which come from the eastern ocean and travel west, meaning all flora and fauna are found on the western sides of rocks and mountains to survive the wind.

In Their Own Story

Six years into the war, Kaladin volunteers to follow his brother Tien, only for Tien to be killed in a third battle. After killing an enemy Shardbearer and refusing to claim the prize, Kaladin is betrayed by Lord Amaram, branded a slave, and forced into Bridge Four under Sadeas. He struggles with depression until an amnesiac spren named Sylphrena convinces him to protect his crew. In Part Three, after being beaten and left outside during a highstorm to die, Kaladin survives and heals rapidly using Stormlight. During the Battle of the Tower, Sadeas betrays Dalinar by retreating with his bridges. Kaladin and Bridge Four remain behind; Syl pleads with him to save Dalinar's army. Infused with stormlight, Kaladin unleashes a surge of power to defend against Parshendi archers, allowing Adolin to cut a path for the Kholin army to retreat. Following this, Dalinar trades his Shardblade, Oathbringer, for the two thousand bridgemen under Sadeas's control.

Reader's Guide

To understand the Shattered Plains in The Way of Kings, note that they are where the Parshendi war takes place and where King Gavilar was assassinated by Szeth-son-son-Vallano six years prior to the main events. The location is critical for character arcs: Kaladin's transformation occurs here through his leadership of Bridge Four, while Dalinar Kholin experiences visions of ancient Knights Radiant during highstorms that urge him to unite his allies. The terrain creates a strict military hierarchy where bridgemen are bait, but also allows for the discovery of new powers; Kaladin learns he can consume Stormlight to gain enhanced strength and healing. Key moments include the betrayal at the Battle of the Tower, where Sadeas abandons Dalinar, leading to Kaladin's first major display of Surgebinding abilities to save the army.

Did You Know?

• The Shattered Plains are a biome of vast chasms where plant and animal life only survives on the western sides of rocks due to highstorms coming from the eastern ocean.
• Highprince Sadeas used bridgemen as bait for enemy archers, forcing them to carry massive bridges across deadly gaps under fire.
• During the Battle of the Tower, Kaladin survived being beaten and left outside during a highstorm, then healed rapidly using Stormlight.
• Dalinar Kholin traded his Shardblade, Oathbringer, in exchange for two thousand bridgemen after Sadeas betrayed him at the Battle of the Tower.