Parshmen - The Enslaved Singers of Roshar

Who Are the Parshmen?

Parshmen are a seemingly docile and enslaved race in Brandon Sanderson's Stormlight Archive, widely used as laborers across the continent of Roshar. To most humans, they are little more than mindless tools—quiet, obedient, and devoid of ambition. But beneath this facade lies a tragic history of cultural genocide and stolen identity.

"They were once our enemies. Now they are our slaves. And we tell ourselves it is justified."
—Dalinar Kholin, Oathbringer

Key Facts:

True Name: Singers (or Listeners), reflecting their deep connection to Roshar’s rhythms and spren.
Origins: The original inhabitants of Roshar, predating human arrival by millennia.
Slaveform: A dormant state (dullform) induced by the capture of the spren Ba-Ado-Mishram, stripping them of autonomy.
Connection to Parshendi: Parshmen are the same species as the Parshendi, who escaped slavery by bonding mateform and other forms.

Biology and Forms

Parshmen are a shape-shifting species whose physiology changes based on the spren they bond. In their enslaved state, they lack these bonds, rendering them passive. However, their true potential is vast:

Known Forms:

Slaveform (Dullform):
- No spren bond; minimal intelligence or will.
- Used for manual labor across human kingdoms.
- Easily controlled, leading humans to assume they are "naturally servile."
Workform:
- A slightly elevated state with limited problem-solving skills.
- Rarely seen outside of Parshendi communities.
Warform:
- Agile, strong, and combat-ready (used by Parshendi warriors).
- Bonds a warspren, enhancing physical prowess.
Stormform:
- Corrupted by Odium’s influence, granting destructive powers.
- First seen in Words of Radiance during the Parshendi betrayal.
- Associated with the Everstorm and the return of the Voidbringers.

"The Parshendi changed forms to something new. Something terrible. And they called it Stormform."
—Eshonai, Words of Radiance

History: From Dominance to Enslavement

The Parshmen’s fall from power is one of Roshar’s greatest tragedies—and its most carefully buried secret.

The Ancient Past

Before humans arrived from Ashyn, the Singers lived in harmony with Roshar’s ecosystems. They:

Communed with spren and worshipped the Dawnsingers (mythical ancestors).
Built cities aligned with the planet’s natural rhythms.
Shared the land with greatshells and other native species.

The Human Invasion

When humans fled to Roshar after destroying Ashyn, they were initially granted refuge by the Singers. However:

Betrayal: Humans eventually seized land, sparking conflicts like the Heraldic Epochs.
False Desolation: A Singer rebellion led to their demonization as "Voidbringers."
Ba-Ado-Mishram’s Capture: The imprisonment of this key spren by the Knights Radiant severed most Singers from their forms, creating the Parshmen.

"We stole their souls. We told ourselves it was necessary."
—Shallan Davar, Oathbringer

The Awakening and Its Consequences

In the Stormlight Archive, the Parshmen begin to reclaim their identity—with catastrophic results for human society.

The Everstorm’s Return

The cyclical Desolation begins anew when:

The Parshendi summon the Everstorm, restoring Parshmen to sentience.
The Fused (ancient Singer souls) possess awakened bodies, creating an army.
Human kingdoms collapse as their labor force vanishes overnight.

Ethical Dilemmas

The awakening forces humans to confront uncomfortable truths:

Guilt: Many humans, like Dalinar, acknowledge their complicity in slavery.
Fear: Parshmen are now seen as Voidbringers, justifying further oppression.
Redemption: Some, like Venli, seek to unite Singers and humans against Odium.