The Everstorm

The Everstorm is a terrible new storm that arises during the events of The Stormlight Archive, a dark counterpart to the natural highstorm and a herald of the return of Odium's forces to Roshar. Unlike the highstorm, which blows from east to west, the Everstorm travels from west to east, and its coming marks the transformation of the docile parshmen into the Voidbringers.

Description

The Everstorm is a vast, red-lightning tempest that rolls across Roshar against the prevailing direction of the highstorms. It is a thing of Odium rather than Honor, and it carries a malevolent, unnatural character. Where the highstorm brings life-giving Stormlight, the Everstorm brings Voidlight and awakens the enemy.

Origin

The Everstorm was summoned through the actions of the listeners (Parshendi) who adopted a form of power, calling the new storm into being as the old prophecies warned. Its arrival fulfilled the long-feared return of the Desolations and the reawakening of Odium's forces after centuries of dormancy.

Effects

The most devastating effect of the Everstorm is the transformation of the parshmen -- the enslaved, docile singers used as laborers across Roshar -- into the awakened, hostile forms of the Voidbringers. When the Everstorm passes over them, the parshmen gain new forms, intelligence, and in some cases the spirits of the Fused. The storm also clashes destructively with the highstorms when the two meet.

Significance

The coming of the Everstorm is the central catastrophe that opens the true Desolation of the Archive, ending the long age of false peace and unleashing Odium's war upon Roshar.