Editing Svorden

|occupied=Fjorden

|books=[[Elantris (book)|Elantris]]

|...the new aristocracy of Arelon, even more insecure than most nobles, felt a desire to prove its level of cultured refinement by associating with kingdoms such as Svorden, the cultural epicenter of the East.

|[[Hrathen]]'s thoughts on post-Reod Arelon{{book ref|elantris|9}}

'''Svorden''' is a culturally significant nation on [[Sel]].{{map ref|Sycla}} Its capital is [[Seraven]].{{book ref|Elantris|32}}

==Geography==

Svorden is located on a peninsula at the northeastern tip of [[Sycla]] (Opelon). The country has many miles of coastline and presumably controls an archipelago off its eastern shore. Most of its land border to the southwest is with [[Fjorden]], with Fjordell fortifications just across the border. To the south, Svorden has a small river border with the nation of [[Geant]] that includes their capital city of [[Velf]]. The Svordish capital, [[Seraven]], is at the northeastern tip of the country.{{map ref|Sycla}} According to [[Adien]], Svorden is two million one hundred six thousand two hundred and thirty-eight steps from [[Elantris (city)|Elantris]].{{book ref|elantris|5}}{{ref|group=fn|text=Earlier versions of ''Elantris'' noted this distance at over sixteen million steps, but this was later revised.}}

==History==

Little is known of Svorden's history, but it was occupied and annexed by the new [[Fjordell Empire]] at least a century prior to the [[Reod]].{{book ref|elantris|5}} Since being annexed, Svorden has operated as a vassal state of Fjorden; they adopted the state religion of the Empire, [[Shu-Dereth]], and [[Wyrn (title)|Wyrn]] [[Wulfden the Fourth]] is in direct control of their government and military.{{book ref|elantris|9}}{{book ref|elantris|20}} Svorden's status as a center of culture and academics allowed the nation to maintain its way of life more than other Fjordell vassal states; they have continued to make scientific discoveries,{{book ref|elantris|33}} and they have maintained diplomatic and trade relations with many other nations.{{glossary ref|elantris|S}}{{book ref|elantris|32}} Their most notable involvement in the ongoing conflict between the Empire and the [[Aonic]] nations of [[Arelon]] and [[Teod]] was the addition of their formidable navy to Wyrn's military resources.{{book ref|elantris|20}}

==Politics==

===Government===

Svorden is politically the second most important nation in the east, after Fjorden. Although Svorden is still referred to as a "kingdom", it is considered a de facto province of Fjorden.{{book ref|elantris|5}} Positions of power in the government are given to devout followers of Shu-Dereth, as determined by the chain of command within the church.{{book ref|elantris|9}}

Unlike other nations in the Empire, Svorden has maintained a strong national identity, including its own language.{{glossary ref|elantris|S}} They also seem to have some control over their own diplomatic relations with other nations. [[Sarene]] served as a [[Teo]] envoy in Seraven.{{book ref|elantris|32}} Svorden once sent gifts, including a table, to the [[Rose Empire]], but the relationship between the countries later became strained.{{tes ref|12}} Despite the ongoing hostility between Fjorden and Arelon, people of Aonic descent such as [[Lukel]] are allowed to travel to Svorden for schooling.{{glossary ref|elantris|L}}{{book ref|elantris|5}}

===Military===

They are known for the strength of their navy. It was gladly commandeered by Wyrn Wulfden the Fourth after he annexed the country, since Fjorden itself lacked maritime strength.{{glossary ref|elantris|S}}{{book ref|elantris|20}} The navy is powerful enough to pose a serious threat to the [[Teo]] armada.{{book ref|elantris|2}}{{book ref|elantris|62}} Svorden also has soldiers, although Wyrn has generally not utilized them.{{book ref|elantris|15}}

==Culture==

{{sidequote|side=right|size=300px

|Even with my training at the university in Svorden, I still couldn't follow half of his theories.

|Lukel, on [[Raoden]]{{book ref|elantris|8}}

}}

Svorden is the center of culture and learning in eastern Sycla,{{book ref|Elantris|8}}{{book ref|Elantris|9}} and the [[Svordish university]] is well respected across the continent.{{book ref|elantris|5}} Svordish scientists and philosophers are leaders in numerous academic fields, including anatomy, art, and astronomy. Theories espoused by Svordish scientists generally gain traction across Sycla, including the idea that humans can only retain six languages and that eclipses occur when the moon falls into the planet's shadow.{{book ref|elantris|8}}{{book ref|elantris|33}} Embalmed bodies are kept at the university for study.{{book ref|elantris|18}} Svordish literature is well known on Sel and includes heroic epics.{{book ref|elantris|42}} [[Shai]], a citizen of the distant Rose Empire, is able to read books written in Svordish.{{tes ref|2}}

The Svordish game of [[leky stick]] is popular in a number of nations.{{glossary ref|elantris|L}} Shark fights are held in Svorden as a form of entertainment.{{book ref|elantris|24}}

It is not known if Svorden has a regional [[Sel#Invested_Arts|Invested Art]] that allows its residents to access the [[Dor]].

===Religion===

As part of the Fjordell Empire, the Svordish people are required to follow the [[Derethi]] religion. The concept of [[Svrakiss]] originated in Svorden, implying that they once had their own religion that included a heaven. Svrakiss have been integrated into Shu-Dereth as a representation of pure evil, although it's unclear how closely the Derethi version adheres to the original Svordish beliefs.{{glossary ref|elantris|S}}

===Language===

Svorden has its own language; because of their rich literary tradition, it is read by educated people in other parts of Sel despite the fact that some people find it difficult to learn.{{book ref|elantris|42}}{{tes ref|2}} [[Jalla]], who hails from Svorden, speaks the [[Aonic]] language with a thick accent.{{book ref|elantris|8}}

===Economy===

{{quote

|That is why you lack the riches and blessings found in nations like JinDo and Svorden.

|[[Hrathen]]{{book ref|elantris|18}}

}}

Svorden's people are are relatively wealthy.{{glossary ref|elantris|S}}{{book ref|elantris|18}} They have highly skilled tradespeople, including the finest locksmiths in the Empire.{{book ref|elantris|12}} Svorden is therefore a lucrative market for trade; despite the long distance to Svorden, merchants in the west utilize trade routes in order to sell goods there.{{book ref|elantris|32}}

==Notable Citizens==

Jalla is the only person known to hail from Svorden. Notable visitors to Svorden include Lukel,{{book ref|elantris|5}} [[Hrathen]],{{book ref|elantris|18}} and [[Sarene]].{{book ref|elantris|32}}

;Footnotes

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;References

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{{complete|[[User:Big Smooth|Big Smooth]] ([[User talk:Big Smooth|talk]]) 19:23, 31 August 2021 (UTC)}}