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The monarchy's power over the highprinces, however limited, is primarily maintained through military strength and access to soulcasters, which he taxes highprinces for their rights to use.{{book ref|sa1|15}} In part due to the limited power of the king, many people feel more connection and loyalty to their highprince or local lord than they do to the king themself, or to the institution of the monarchy.{{book ref|sa1|24}}
 
The monarchy's power over the highprinces, however limited, is primarily maintained through military strength and access to soulcasters, which he taxes highprinces for their rights to use.{{book ref|sa1|15}} In part due to the limited power of the king, many people feel more connection and loyalty to their highprince or local lord than they do to the king themself, or to the institution of the monarchy.{{book ref|sa1|24}}
   
The monarch has the right to promote individuals into the position of a classical Highprince if they deem it necessary, therefore consolidating inter-princedom national power in certain aspects of government into individuals.{{book ref|sa1|18}} This right is controversial, and only began to be put into use late into the War of Reckoning in {{rosharan date|1173}}, when King Elhokar granted highprince Torol Sadeas the position of [[Highprince of Information]] and Dalinar Kholin the position of [[Highprince of War]].{{book ref|sa1|18}}{{book ref|sa1|69}}
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The king has the right to promote individuals into the position of a classical Highprince if they deem it necessary, therefore consolidating inter-princedom national power in certain aspects of government into individuals.{{book ref|sa1|18}} This right is controversial, and only began to be put into use late into the War of Reckoning in {{rosharan date|1173}}, when King Elhokar granted highprince Torol Sadeas the position of [[Highprince of Information]].{{book ref|sa1|18}}
   
Jasnah Kholin, the current queen, has expressed an interest in disbanding the monarchy after the True Desolation is over.{{book ref|sa4|50}}
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Jasnah Kholin, the current queen, expresses an interest in disbanding the monarchy after the True Desolation is over.{{book ref|sa4|50}}
   
 
==== Rules of Succession ====
 
==== Rules of Succession ====
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Each Princedom is further divided into named regions, such as [[Akanny]] in the Sadeas Princedom.{{book ref|sa3|10}} These regions are controlled by Brightlords or Highlords that hold extensive land and property within a princedom, and collect taxes from the citylords.{{book ref|sa3|116}}
 
Each Princedom is further divided into named regions, such as [[Akanny]] in the Sadeas Princedom.{{book ref|sa3|10}} These regions are controlled by Brightlords or Highlords that hold extensive land and property within a princedom, and collect taxes from the citylords.{{book ref|sa3|116}}
   
Another level down from regions are individual settlements, which are ruled by citylords. When a citylord dies without a proper heir, a new citylord is sent to replace them. These citylords own the land and territory of a settlement, and rent it out to inhabitants.{{book ref|sa1|16}}{{book ref|sa1|25}} These inhabitants pay an income tax, which varies depending upon the size and purpose of the settlement in question, with smaller farming towns like [[Hearthstone]] primarily paying in produce such as lavis grain, while larger cities levy more financial taxes. Furthermore, the citylord only gets a portion of the collected taxes, with most going to their own local highlord, or to their Highprince.{{book ref|sa3|116}}{{wob ref|13449}}
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Another level down from regions are individual settlements, which are ruled by citylords. When a citylord dies without a proper heir, a new citylord is sent to replace them. These citylords own the land and territory of a settlement, and rent it out to inhabitants.{{book ref|sa1|16}}{{book ref|sa1|25}} These inhabitants pay an income tax, which varies depending upon the size and purpose of the settlement in question, with smaller farming towns like [[Hearthstone]] primarily paying in produce such as lavis grain, while larger cities levy more financial taxes. Furthermore, the citylord only gets a portion of the collected taxes, with most going to their own local highlord, or to their local Highprince.{{book ref|sa3|116}}{{wob ref|13449}}
   
Citylords have legal authority over those on their manor, and are allowed to press them into passing armies at will, so long as they are over the age of fifteen and aren’t vital to the community. They are also able to forbid an individual from willingly joining into service.{{book ref|sa1|16}}{{book ref|sa1|37}}{{book ref|sa1|44}}
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Citylords have legal authority over those on their manor, and are allowed to impress them into passing armies at will, so long as they are over the age of fifteen. They are also able to forbid an individual from willingly joining into service.{{book ref|sa1|16}}{{book ref|sa1|37}}{{book ref|sa1|44}}
   
 
Citylords are ultimately subservient to the lord of the territory that they inhabit, and in various ways have to pay tribute to their local lord.{{book ref|sa3|116}}{{wob ref|13449}}
 
Citylords are ultimately subservient to the lord of the territory that they inhabit, and in various ways have to pay tribute to their local lord.{{book ref|sa3|116}}{{wob ref|13449}}
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==== Listeners ====
 
==== Listeners ====
When they first met, the listeners and Alethi had a positive relationship. After a number of expeditions the Alethi wished to formalize their relationship, which led to the establishment of a treaty between the two peoples in {{Rosharan date|1167|10|missing-date=y}}.{{book ref|sa1|6}}{{book ref|sa1|prologue}} This treaty contained clauses to simplify trade between the peoples and for mutual border crossing. The treaty also prevented the listeners from trading their Shards to other kingdoms without first coming to Alethkar. Aside from these clauses the treaty also allowed for one party to legally attack the other party.{{book ref|sa4|77}}
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When they first met, the Listeners and Alethi had a positive relationship which eventually led to the formation of a treaty between the two peoples in {{Rosharan date|1167|10|missing-date=y}}.{{book ref|sa1|6}}{{book ref|sa1|prologue}} However this peace broke down once King Gavilar Kholin was assassinated under Listener orders, leading to the enactment of the Vengence Pact and the beginning of the War of Reckoning against the Listener people.{{cite}} This slaughter of their people would continue for six years, until it ended with the start of the True Desolation on {{Rosharan date|1173|10|10|3}}.{{book ref|sa2|87}}
   
 
The Alethi see the Listeners as sub-human savages barely capable of thought, and spread that supremacist ideology amongst their people and their soldiers.{{cite}}
Peace quickly broke down however when on the very night that the treaty was signed King Gavilar Kholin was assassinated under listener orders, which lead to the enactment of the Vengence Pact and the beginning of the War of Reckoning against the listener people.{{book ref|sa3|105}} This slaughter of their people would continue for six years, until it ended with the start of the True Desolation on {{Rosharan date|1173|10|10|3}}.{{book ref|sa2|87}}
 
 
The Alethi see the listeners as sub-human savages barely capable of thought, and spread that supremacist ideology amongst their people and their soldiers.{{cite}}
 
   
 
==== Marabethia ====
 
==== Marabethia ====
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==== Reshi Isles ====
 
==== Reshi Isles ====
Throughout their history, Alethkar and the [[Reshi|Reshi Isles]] have been in a state of near constant conflict, seen in conflicts such as the [[Wastescum skirmishes]].{{book ref|sa1|16}}{{book ref|sa1|18}}{{wob ref|3664}} Attacks at the northern border continued even long into the War of Reckoning.{{book ref|sa1|52}} The Alethi conquest of [[Akak]], and their extermination of the Akak Reshi, likely played a role in Reshi aggression towards Alethkar.{{book ref|sa1|56}}{{book ref|sa3|52}}
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Throughout their history, Alethkar and the [[Reshi|Reshi Isles]] have been in a state of near constant conflict, seen in conflicts such as the [[Wastescum skirmishes]].{{book ref|sa1|16}}{{book ref|sa1|18}}{{wob ref|3664}} Attacks at the northern border continued even long into the War of Reckoning.{{cite}}<!--mentioned multiple times in WoK, need to find the citations--> The Alethi conquest of [[Akak]], and their extermination of the Akak Reshi, likely played a role in Reshi aggression towards Alethkar.{{book ref|sa1|56}}{{book ref|sa3|52}}
   
They appear to have good relationships with at least a few Reshi islands, with some providing chulls and handlers to the Alethi military during the War of Reckoning.{{book ref|sa1|28}} During the True Desolation, in the year {{rosharan date|1174}}, they allied with the Reshi isle of [[Relu-na]] and their king [[Ral-na]].{{book ref|sa3.5|3}}
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They appear to have good relationships with at least a few Reshi islands, with some providing chulls and handlers to the Alethi military during the War of Reckoning.{{book ref|sa1|28}} During the True Desolation, in the year {{rosharan date|1174}}, they allied with the Reshi isle of [[Relu-na]] and their king [[Ral-na]].{{cite}}
   
 
==== Thaylenah ====
 
==== Thaylenah ====
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The modern Alethi military is one of the strongest armed forces on Roshar with well over 100,000 troops{{book ref|sa1|6}} and over thirty [[Shardbearer]]s.{{book ref|sa2|5}} The army employs most of its troops as spearmen and archers, as well as a very small amount of cavalry due to the rarity of horses on Roshar;{{book ref|sa1|6}} only the officers wield swords because, according to Vorin traditions, the sword is regarded as a lighteyed's weapon.{{book ref|sa1|prologue}} Soldiers are usually trained in one or two additional Skills, i.e. horse grooms.{{book ref|twok|28}} Under most circumstances, military service is voluntary, though the leaders of the army has the right of conscription for darkeyes that do not provide an essential function to a community (e.g. a town's only surgeon) when they feel there is need for additional troops.{{book ref|sa1|44}} It is extremely rare for a darkeyed soldier to rise higher than the rank of squadleader.{{book ref|sa1|47}} Lighteyed officers that have the command of a branch of the army are usually referred by their duties (e.g. cavalrylord, infantrylord).{{book ref|sa1|26}}
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The modern Alethi army is one of the strongest military forces on Roshar with well over 100,000 troops{{book ref|sa1|6}} and over thirty [[Shardbearer]]s.{{book ref|sa2|5}} The army employs most of its troops as spearmen and archers, as well as a very small amount of cavalry due to the rarity of horses on Roshar;{{book ref|sa1|6}} only the officers wield swords because, according to Vorin traditions, the sword is regarded as a lighteyed's weapon.{{book ref|sa1|prologue}} Soldiers are usually trained in one or two additional Skills, i.e. horse grooms.{{book ref|twok|28}} Under most circumstances, military service is voluntary, though the leaders of the army has the right of conscription for darkeyes that do not provide an essential function to a community (e.g. a town's only surgeon) when they feel there is need for additional troops.{{book ref|sa1|44}} It is extremely rare for a darkeyed soldier to rise higher than the rank of squadleader.{{book ref|sa1|47}} Lighteyed officers that have the command of a branch of the army are usually referred by their duties (e.g. cavalrylord, infantrylord).{{book ref|sa1|26}}
   
 
Despite Alethkar being a monarchy, the king has very little actual say in how the military is run and does not directly command any force other than the 250-strong King's Guard. The troops are sworn to and led by their individual highprinces.{{book ref|sa2|5}} In that sense, Alethkar army is not truly a unified army, but a loose coalition between ten smaller armies. Indeed, even in wartime, there is constant in-fighting between the highprinces' armies,{{book ref|sa1|47}} and cooperation between the highprinces themselves is seen as a weakness;{{book ref|sa1|54}} this is bolstered by the tenets of Vorinism that say the purpose of life is to prepare in order to join the Heralds in the fight to regain the [[Tranquiline Halls]] and Alethi belief that everything is a competition in life.{{book ref|sa1|15}}
 
Despite Alethkar being a monarchy, the king has very little actual say in how the military is run and does not directly command any force other than the 250-strong King's Guard. The troops are sworn to and led by their individual highprinces.{{book ref|sa2|5}} In that sense, Alethkar army is not truly a unified army, but a loose coalition between ten smaller armies. Indeed, even in wartime, there is constant in-fighting between the highprinces' armies,{{book ref|sa1|47}} and cooperation between the highprinces themselves is seen as a weakness;{{book ref|sa1|54}} this is bolstered by the tenets of Vorinism that say the purpose of life is to prepare in order to join the Heralds in the fight to regain the [[Tranquiline Halls]] and Alethi belief that everything is a competition in life.{{book ref|sa1|15}}

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