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The name ''Alethkar'' is of unsure meaning, but it stems from the name of the Silver Kingdom of ''Alethela'', which later became what is now known as Alethkar.{{book ref|sa1|19}}{{map ref|Silver Kingdoms}} The demonym ''Alethi'' is derived from Alethkar.
The Alethi are called the ''Tagarut'' by the [[Azish]], this term means "Breakers" in Azish. This refers to their destructive nature during their invasions of Azir.{{book ref|tsm|26}}
== Geography ==
== History ==
=== Creation ===
The land that would become known as Alethkar was created at an unknown point before the [[Shattering]] by
=== Pre-Human Arrival ===
One of the many Desolations that struck the nation, along with the rest of Roshar, arrived in the year {{rosharan date|337}} of the Eighth Epoch. This Desolation was heralded by the release of [[Midnight Essence]] in a small settlement in [[Natanatan]].{{book ref|sa1|19}} The length of this Desolation is unknown.
During some of the Desolations, the Fused managed to take the capital of Alethela, though were ultimately pushed out.{{book ref|sa4|65}}
Another Desolation occurred later and ended circa -3333, during an unknown Epoch. This left society wounded and weak, forcing them into a period of recovery.{{book ref|sa1|part=prelude}}
==== Alethi-Veden Border Conflict ({{rosharan date|1155}} - ???)====
Around {{rosharan date|1155}}, a war broke out at the border between Alethkar and [[Jah Keved]]. Dalinar Kholin also acted as one of the major generals in this conflict as well.{{book ref|sa3|52}} Part of the motivation for the conflict was Jah Keved taking land from Alethkar in around {{rosharan date|1143}}.{{book ref|sa3|66}}
One of the battles during this conflict happened at a place called Slickrock. [[Battle of Slickrock|This battle]] saw the Vedens, commanded by [[Brightlord]] [[Nalanar]], and the Alethi, commanded by Dalinar Kholin, fighting. This battle ended in an Alethi victory, although the Vedens almost defeated them during at least three points in the battle.{{book ref|sa3|100}}
==== Burning of Rathalas ({{rosharan date|1163}}) ====
It is common for music to be played at lighteyed feasts.{{book ref|sa1|22}}{{book ref|sa3|19}}{{book ref|sa4|prologue}}
===
Alethi fashion varies greatly between the lighteyes and darkeyes, enforced by the division between the castes.
As of {{rosharan date|1173}}, Alethkar was going through a trend of bright colors and ornate frills.{{
[[Liafor]] and [[Yezier]] deeply influence lighteyed fashion in Alethkar, with much of their clothing being designed in these countries, based on Alethi fashion trends with their own cultural flair.{{file ref|Contemporary Male Fashion.jpg|Contemporary Male Fashion Folio Page}}{{file ref|Vorin Havah.jpg|Vorin Havah Folio Page}}{{book ref|
Alethkar and Jah Keved have closely aligned fashion styles, enough so for Liafor to market to them using the same fashion folios.{{file ref|Contemporary Male Fashion.jpg|Contemporary Male Fashion Folio Page}}
A common form of male clothing, typically worn by warriors, is the [[takama]].{{book ref|sa2|38}} The takama is a form of long, straight, calf-length skirt, typically worn with a belt and shirts specifically designed for use with a takama.{{book ref|sa1|25}}{{book ref|sa3|16}} The Takama has similarities with the Veden [[vakama]] and [[ulatu]].{{book ref|sa4|20}}{{book ref|sa2|19}}
In late {{rosharan date|1167}}, Alethi men preferred dark colours, to contrast with the brighter feminine mode of dress.{{book ref|sa1|prologue}} This changed by {{rosharan date|1173}}, with lighteyed men coming to favour bright colours.{{book ref|sa1|58}}
{{image|Vorin Havah.jpg|side=right|width=250px|The Vorin Havah}}
==== Feminine Fashion ====
Havah often have elaborate embroidery, often taking the form of multifarious designs, hatchings, and stylized glyphs.{{wob ref|6748}}{{book ref|sa1|43}}
Lighteyed women often arrange their hair high in a complex series of braids secured by four steel spikes.{{book ref|sa1|28}}{{file ref|Vorin Havah.jpg|Vorin Havah Folio Page}} These hair-spikes are considered to be traditional in Alethi culture.{{book ref|sa1|28}} Some women deign to use different metals, such as gold, to construct these spikes;{{book ref|sa1|48}} some even choose to wear a different number of spikes in their hair, such as six.{{book ref|sa1|48}} Sometimes hair-spikes are designed to resemble Shardblades.{{book ref|sa3|24}}
Darkeyed women tend to wear simpler clothing, and tend to wear gloves on their safehand rather than large sleeves. This is done so that they are able to more easily perform household duties.{{book ref|sa1|3}}{{book ref|sa1|6}}{{book ref|sa1|16}} Wearing a glove on the safehand in this manner is seen as immodest and an inherent sign of lower class, and therefore is not typically practiced by lighteyes.{{book ref|sa1|3}}
Like other Vorin nations, they practice a gendered division in cuisine between genders. Masculine food is often heavily spiced.{{book ref|sa2|64}}{{book ref|sa3|46}} Feminine food is made up of fruit and is often very sweet.{{book ref|sa3|68}} However, as always, ardents are immune to these gender norms and can eat whatever they wish.{{book ref|sa1|i|8}}
{{image|Types of Wine.jpeg|side=right|width=250px|The Colours of Alethi Wine}}▼
A large portion of their diet is made up of tallew and lavis, with them being used in food,{{book ref|sa2|64}}{{book ref|sa3|6}}{{book ref|sa3|67}} and alcoholic beverages.{{book ref|sa1|26}}{{book ref|sa2|46}}{{book ref|sa2|81}} Tallew is often boiled or steamed and made into soup.{{book ref|sa1|54}}{{book ref|sa2|64}}{{book ref|sa3|14}}{{book ref|sa2|i|12}} It is sometimes used as a spread on vegetables such as stagm.{{book ref|sa1|54}}▼
==== Alcohol ====▼
They make use of meat in several dishes, particularly using pork harvested from hogs.{{book ref|sa1|37}}{{book ref|sa3|19}}{{book ref|sa3|13}} Sometimes cooked in a savoury broth.{{book ref|sa3|19}} They also eat the meat of crabs and lanka.{{book ref|sa3|19}}{{book ref|sa3|37}}▼
Alethi alcohol is often made of fermented [[tallew]] or [[lavis]],{{book ref|sa1|26}}{{book ref|sa2|46}}{{book ref|sa2|81}} but are occasionally made from fruit.{{book ref|sa3|18}}▼
Their alcohol is coloured with various dyes in accordance with the strength of the beverage.{{file ref|Rosharan Wines.jpg|Rosharan Wines}} The strongest colours are not only fermented, but also distilled into spirits.{{wob ref|12920}} Parties often only make use of the weaker colours, to prevent participants from getting drunk too quickly.{{book ref|sa3|18}}▼
Alethi food is known for its spiciness.{{book ref|sa3|46}}{{book ref|sa1|37}} Which is often mixed into sauces and curry.{{book ref|sa1|37}}{{book ref|sa3|68}}{{book ref|sa3|13}}▼
There is a great variety of beverages even within the same colour,{{book ref|sa2|49}} such as [[Honu|hard honu]], a type of lavis grain liquor.{{book ref|sa2|81}} Some alcohol is spiced, giving it a spicy flavour.{{book ref|sa2|49}}
Stagm and other tubers are another common part of their diet.{{book ref|sa1|54}}▼
==== Curry ====
Various forms of curry are popular in Alethkar.{{book ref|sa1|37}}{{book ref|sa3|68}}{{book ref|sa3|13}}{{wob ref|2778}} Such as sweet curry,{{book ref|sa3|13}}{{book ref|sa4|24}} or spicy curry made with pungent peppers.{{book ref|sa2|24}} Some of their curries are mixed with different types of cream, primarily made from sow's milk.{{wob ref|2778}} Vegetables and meat are often mixed into curry.{{book ref|sa3|13}}{{book ref|sa3|65}}
In terms of texture and consistency it can vary between watery,{{book ref|sa3|13}} thick,{{book ref|sa3|78}} and creamy.{{book ref|sa3|13}}
Curry is often eaten with bread,{{book ref|sa2|24}}{{book ref|sa3|13}}{{book ref|sa4|85}} or rice and grain.{{book ref|sa3|78}}{{book ref|sa4|24}}
==== Dairy Products ====
Dairy in Alethkar is primarily produced from sows.{{wob ref|2778}} Dairy products are not in wide consumption,{{wob ref|937}}{{wob ref|14950}}{{wob ref|2778}} primarily used only in creams used in curry.{{wob ref|2778}}
==== Grain and Tubers ====
▲A large portion of their diet is made up of tallew and lavis, with them being used in food,{{book ref|sa2|64}}{{book ref|sa3|6}}{{book ref|sa3|67}} and alcoholic beverages.{{book ref|sa1|26}}{{book ref|sa2|46}}{{book ref|sa2|81}} Tallew is often boiled or steamed and made into soup.{{book ref|sa1|54}}{{book ref|sa2|64}}{{book ref|sa3|14}}{{book ref|sa2|i|12}} It is sometimes used as a spread on vegetables such as [[stagm]].{{book ref|sa1|54}}
It is common for children to eat fruited tallew rice with flatbread.{{book ref|sa1|37}}
==== Meat ====
▲They make use of meat in several dishes, particularly using pork harvested from hogs.{{book ref|sa1|23}}{{book ref|sa1|37}}{{book ref|sa3|19}}{{book ref|sa3|13}} Sometimes cooked in a savoury broth
Alethi sometimes eat cremlings such as [[skrip]], typically boiled or steamed, though they are considered a low quality dish.{{book ref|sa3|55}}{{book ref|sa3|68}} They also eat the meat of crabs and lanka.{{book ref|sa3|19}}{{book ref|sa3|37}} When they eat crustaceans, they typically dip the meat in curry or prepare the curry with the meat in it.{{wob ref|2778}} Though sometimes they simply serve it with a dish of grain.{{book ref|sa3|68}}
▲{{image|Types of Wine.jpeg|side=right|width=250px|The Colours of Alethi Wine}}
▲==== Alcohol ====
▲Alethi alcohol is often made of fermented tallew or lavis,{{book ref|sa1|26}}{{book ref|sa2|46}}{{book ref|sa2|81}} but are occasionally made from fruit.{{book ref|sa3|18}}
==== Seasoning and Sauces ====
▲Their alcohol is coloured with various dyes in accordance with the strength of the beverage.{{file ref|Rosharan Wines.jpg|Rosharan Wines}} The strongest colours are not only fermented, but also distilled into spirits.{{wob ref|12920}} Parties often only make use of the weaker colours, to prevent participants from getting drunk too quickly.{{book ref|sa3|18}}
▲Alethi food is known for its spiciness.{{book ref|sa2|64}}{{book ref|sa3|46}}{{book ref|sa1|37}} Which is often mixed into sauces and curry.{{book ref|sa1|37}}{{book ref|sa3|68}}{{book ref|sa3|13}}
=== Architecture ===
{{for|Vorinism}}
Alethkar is one of the five great [[Vorin]] Kingdoms, with the vast majority of their populace worshipping the [[Almighty]].{{book ref|sa1|3}} The worship is mostly carried out by the priests, called the [[ardent]]s. The ardents, while influential, are not free -- rather, they are slaves to various [[lighteyes]]. Unlike most other professions, ardentia is open to both men and women, and to people from all social castes.{{book ref|sa2|11}} Ardents are considered genderless from a social standpoint, and as such, many of the Vorin taboos regarding gender and gender roles do not apply to them.{{book ref|sa2|44}} They are also the only people permitted to use [[Soulcaster]]s.
Unlike other varieties of Vorinism, the Alethi are not required to be personally devout, or to perform religious ceremonies. While each citizen is supposed to pick their [[Calling]] and Glory -- their goal in life, and the aspect of the Almighty they wish to emulate{{book ref|sa1|18}} -- the actual religious part of the religion is handled by the ardents, who perform the requisite rituals and prayers for their masters, so as to reassure them of their righteousness.{{book ref|sa3|89}} The Alethi themselves rarely interact with the Almighty, save for an occassional glyphward or prayer.{{book ref|sa3|15}}
Their conception of gender roles is deeply rooted in ''[[Arts and Majesty]]'', an ancient work of Rosharan literature that defines certain topics and practices as feminine or masculine.{{book ref|sa2|25}}{{wob ref|6245}}
=== Games, Sports, and Entertainment ===
==== Festivals ====
Alethkar practices various fairs and festivals to celebrate special occasions.
One such festival practiced in Alethkar is the [[Middlefest Fair]], which celebrates the coming of the [[Midpeace]].{{book ref|sa1|4}}{{book ref|sa2|45}}
==== Games ====
Due to Vorin precepts against predicting the future, Alethi culture has a distaste for gambling and games involving random chance. Thus their games tend to revolve around skill rather than chance.
One popular game in Alethi culture is [[Breakneck]], particularly among darkeyes.{{book ref|sa1|25}}{{book ref|sa4|12}} Other popular games include [[Pieces]],{{book ref|sa3|40}} [[Pawns]],{{book ref|sa3|11}} [[Runaround]],{{book ref|sa4|79}} [[Towers]],{{book ref|sa4|79}} and an unnamed [[Rosharan card game]].{{book ref|sa3|14}}{{book ref|sa3|17}}
==== Sports ====
[[Vehah]] is a traditional wrestling style practiced in Alethkar.{{book ref|sa3|16}}
== Politics ==
They have repeatedly fought with the neighboring [[Jah Keved]], fighting for territory at their shared border.{{book ref|sa1|16}}{{book ref|sa3|52}} These wars tend to be pushed more by western Highprinces instead of by national efforts pushed forward by the crown.{{book ref|sa1|16}} At the same time, marriage of lighteyes between nations is nothing seen as particularly out of the ordinary, nor is it forbidden by any religious tenants or national laws.{{book ref|sa2|1}}
Through trade treaties, they are able to trade with Jah
==== Kharbranth ====
The bridges used by Torol Sadeas's army are typically eight feet wide and two feet thick, with supports on both sides extending its width to sixteen feet. They are also thirty feet long, and allowed one to set up 8 men per column and 5 men per row.{{file ref|Sadeas_bridges.jpg|Bridge Run Interior Art}}
While not on bridge runs, they are typically used as cheap manpower to
Not all highprinces made use of bridge crews, with Dalinar notably refusing to make direct use of them. He instead makes use of bridges on wheels, pulled by chulls. Due to being heavier and pulled by chulls instead of people, movement is significantly slower, but Dalinar makes use of it regardless as it results in a major reduction of casualties during plateau runs.{{book ref|sa1|26}}
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