How realmatically aware" is Roshar?

[Wyrdspren]

Just wondering how aware typical Rosharan inhabitants are aware of Realmatic Theory, excluding worldhoppers and stuff. Prompted by re-listening to the Way of Kings, when Lirin mentions Citylord Wistiow passing to the Spiritual Realm upon death. Thanks.

[Jace21 he/him]

It very much depends on time period I believe.

Pre-recreance the Radiants seem to have had a pretty good grasp of realmatics, though they may not not have known much of other worlds.

What we see in modern Roshar is very limited understanding in most areas but certain holdovers from the knowledge they used to have.

[Wyrdspren]

Yeah true, pre-recreance Rosharans would have been a lot more cosmere-aware with Elsecallers and Willshapers. 

[Calderis he/him]

The Realms are mentioned by the ardents who measure the flamespren, and some basic realmatic stuff is known in world, but the extent of it... No clue. It's definitely more scholars and nothing approaching common knowledge. 

Quote

Blightsong

How much did Super Mind Taravangian know about the Cosmere as a whole, roughly, rough estimate.

Brandon Sanderson

He had a little bit of knowledge. Not as much as... not as much conscious knowledge.

Blightsong

Did he guess about the three realms?

Brandon Sanderson

Yes, he knew about the three realms. He didn't have to guess on that, he had read philosophy and things, that knowledge is there on Roshar

source

 

[Wyrdspren]

I guess it does make some sense for Lirin to maybe know that being seemingly well-studied in things if it's documented in philosophy and other writings, thanks.

[Quantus he/him]

Realmic theory is still around within scholarly circles, especially since it's right at the center of Fabrial tech, and I think we can safely assume that the historic Radiants and Ashyn folk were all fairly aware of what was in Shadesmar. 

 

That being said, I think there's a big difference than being aware of some aspects of Realmic Theory and being aware of Worldhopping, Adonalsium, or the Cosmere as a whole.  Though it is worth noting that we do know that Hoid  is aware of some group of Cosmere-aware folk on Roshar, on the logic that he Name-dropped Adonalsium to Dalinar as a test to see if he was part of that cabal. 

[Angsos]

The Shin probably know alot considering they have at least the honorblades and maybe blades and plate too

[CrazyRioter she/her]

I'm honestly not sure the Shin actually have that much more knowledge then the rest of Roshar.  They may have access to some specific pieces of information, but I'm not sure that's evidence they are generally Cosmere aware.

[galendo]

The Ardentia is definitely aware.  One of the ardents measuring flamespren in WoK wonders whether anyone's tried eating in Shadesmar, which means that they're aware of a way to get there.  And judging by the Shadesmar scene in OB, it seems like you can't spend all that much time in Shadesmar without running into some weird and otherwise inexplicable things, including a bunch of Cosmere-aware individuals, spren and otherwise.  I'm guessing if our Radiants had asked just a few more questions at the lighthouse or the spren city, they'd be aware of other worlds by now.

[Philomath she/her]

I do agree with what people have said about scholars/ardents being at least somewhat aware. But I would also consider that knowledge of Shadesmar does not necessarily equal knowledge that it is one of THE three realms. For all some of them know, it is just A realm or alternate dimension thing. Although @galendo is right that it is pretty easy to get information if you can get to a city in Rosharan Shadesmar. 

Edit to add: I also agree that ancient radiants would obviously know more than current humans. 

Edited September 11, 2018 by Philomath

[Solarserpent]

The information was probably known to the Heralds and passed on to some scholars and such. The Desolations destroyed most of this knowledge. The Heralds didn't seem to be very helpful to society when it comes to rebuilding after they abandon the oathpact. Perhaps they hide because they were not sane or they wanted everyone to believe they were dead so people didn't ask questions. The Ardentia during the Hierocracy most likely destroyed any remaining works that didn't keep the focus on the Almighty.