What role do the Parshendi play in the conflict?

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Role of the Parshendi in the Conflict

1. They’re the catalyst for war — The Parshendi assassinate King Gavilar at the treaty celebration, sparking the Vengeance Pact and launching the War of Reckoning with Alethkar.

2. They develop a powerful supernatural ability — Through Venli’s research, the Parshendi acquire a new “Stormform” that allows them to call storms (like the highstorms) and greatly enhance their combat power.

3. Their use of Stormform has deep consequences — When Eshonai, their war leader, assumes Stormform and begins imposing it on others, some Parshendi resist, while their enemies fear effects like the return of the Voidbringers.

4. They push the plot toward escalation — The Parshendi summon the Everstorm, a strange looming storm that promises to transform more of their kind into this terrifying new form and deepen the war.

5. They represent a blended threat and tragedy — The Parshendi are caught between their own cultures, fears, and supernatural forces; they’re not just villains, but a society pushed toward drastic change with heavy stakes for all sides.

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If you want, I can map out specific Parshendi characters (Venli, Eshonai, etc.) and how their internal conflicts affect the larger war.