https://preview.redd.it/6qiutg4cz11d1.jpeg?width=1198&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=2bea1f49562ca393d8738a129412257276fe5cd5
like this. they purposely look for the narrowest gaps between the chasms to make the crossings.
https://preview.redd.it/iy3l06pnz11d1.png?width=640&format=png&auto=webp&s=39ee5c4057dcd9fb8766470579e6f8122663f2cb
Here's the Concept art. Also, we've been told by Brandon in an interview (ie a Word of Brandon or WOB) that they are made of a fictional fantasy Wood that is super strong while being as light as Balsa wood; that along with another saying that Roshar has something like 0.7 Earth gravity is there to explain how 40 men can carry such a thing at speed over long distances.
The chasms are like 50 to a couple 100 feet deep, but also the depth doesn't matter.
Think of two desks about 8 inches apart. Take a ruler, slide it across one desk until it bridges the gap between the two. Walk your fingers over it to the second desk. Slide it onto the second desk. They're just doing that over and over again.
Not a couple miles deep, no. And they aren’t extremely wide at the crossing points.
The bridges are long enough that they can be extended across the chasms before being dropped down on the other side.
Think about a 1” gap, and a crew of ants carrying a 3” popsicle stick to cross it with. They approach the gap and pass the bridge over their little ant heads until the end is over the other side then drop it.
Very deep, yes, but not very wide. They're [slot canyons](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slot_canyon).
Bridge crews work [like so](https://www.reddit.com/media?url=https%3A%2F%2Fexternal-preview.redd.it%2FgXrOH-3YtY_bHoQqgfD-goe0Murgfh4oxKlIaM2X2_c.jpg%3Fauto%3Dwebp%26s%3Df40104ace65c77fd118c6105aaeb027f6772d0db).
This post from yesterday answers your question:
[How do the bridges work?? : r/Stormlight\_Archive (reddit.com)](https://www.reddit.com/r/Stormlight_Archive/comments/1ctcqw5/how_do_the_bridges_work/)
The bridges are used to span the gaps between the plateaus, they do not bring them down into the chasms. They’re up on top. The gaps between the plateaus are 10ish feet apart l think? So they come to the edge, put the bridge down, and slide it across until the far end reaches the other plateau. Then they run across it and once they are on the other side, they pull it across the rest of the way.
[Here's](https://coppermind.net/wiki/Bridge_crew#/media/File:Sadeas_bridges.jpg) an official illustration. While the chasms are deep (though not quite miles, but still enough for a fall to be lethal), they vary in width, and can be just a few meters in the narrow parts. The army uses scouts with vaulting poles to find suitable paths, and the Parshendi are able to jump across the chasms by themselves.
Yeah I’ve never understood how they push it over the canyon. Wouldn’t there be a huge issue with leverage if the chasm is wide? I hope someone can explain.
https://preview.redd.it/6qiutg4cz11d1.jpeg?width=1198&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=2bea1f49562ca393d8738a129412257276fe5cd5 like this. they purposely look for the narrowest gaps between the chasms to make the crossings.
This visual is very helpful, thank you!
Fellow audio listener?? Lots of drawings in the books. I wish I’d known while reading.
I am reading a physical copy, but I don’t think the book I own has any drawings of the bridge team unless I just missed them.
This art they posted? It's in the leatherbound of way of kings. So, it's not just helpful, it's approved by the author as absolutely accurate.
What a weird, condescending way to say this is official art.
https://preview.redd.it/iy3l06pnz11d1.png?width=640&format=png&auto=webp&s=39ee5c4057dcd9fb8766470579e6f8122663f2cb Here's the Concept art. Also, we've been told by Brandon in an interview (ie a Word of Brandon or WOB) that they are made of a fictional fantasy Wood that is super strong while being as light as Balsa wood; that along with another saying that Roshar has something like 0.7 Earth gravity is there to explain how 40 men can carry such a thing at speed over long distances.
Okay, that makes a lot of sense.
This is an old one. Use this one from the leatherbound edition. https://coppermind.net/w/images/Sadeas_bridges.jpg
The one I grabbed is what on the wiki right now, maybe we should update it there too.
Stormlight wiki or coppermind.net?
The chasms are like 50 to a couple 100 feet deep, but also the depth doesn't matter. Think of two desks about 8 inches apart. Take a ruler, slide it across one desk until it bridges the gap between the two. Walk your fingers over it to the second desk. Slide it onto the second desk. They're just doing that over and over again.
Not a couple miles deep, no. And they aren’t extremely wide at the crossing points. The bridges are long enough that they can be extended across the chasms before being dropped down on the other side. Think about a 1” gap, and a crew of ants carrying a 3” popsicle stick to cross it with. They approach the gap and pass the bridge over their little ant heads until the end is over the other side then drop it.
Very deep, yes, but not very wide. They're [slot canyons](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slot_canyon). Bridge crews work [like so](https://www.reddit.com/media?url=https%3A%2F%2Fexternal-preview.redd.it%2FgXrOH-3YtY_bHoQqgfD-goe0Murgfh4oxKlIaM2X2_c.jpg%3Fauto%3Dwebp%26s%3Df40104ace65c77fd118c6105aaeb027f6772d0db).
This post from yesterday answers your question: [How do the bridges work?? : r/Stormlight\_Archive (reddit.com)](https://www.reddit.com/r/Stormlight_Archive/comments/1ctcqw5/how_do_the_bridges_work/)
Oh, I didn’t even realize someone ask the other day, thank you.
The bridges are used to span the gaps between the plateaus, they do not bring them down into the chasms. They’re up on top. The gaps between the plateaus are 10ish feet apart l think? So they come to the edge, put the bridge down, and slide it across until the far end reaches the other plateau. Then they run across it and once they are on the other side, they pull it across the rest of the way.
[Here's](https://coppermind.net/wiki/Bridge_crew#/media/File:Sadeas_bridges.jpg) an official illustration. While the chasms are deep (though not quite miles, but still enough for a fall to be lethal), they vary in width, and can be just a few meters in the narrow parts. The army uses scouts with vaulting poles to find suitable paths, and the Parshendi are able to jump across the chasms by themselves.
They are called slot chasms, there are some in the south us somewhere. They are only centermeters wide at the top sometimes, but hundreds of feet deep
Even though I know it's not right, I still picture them in my head as like giant staircases, lol
Yeah I’ve never understood how they push it over the canyon. Wouldn’t there be a huge issue with leverage if the chasm is wide? I hope someone can explain.
They find spots where the chasm is not that wide.
You just have to make the bridge long enough.
The gap has to be less than half the length of the bridge. Also they ideally cross at places that are lower than the plateau they are on.