Difference between revisions of "Alethkar"

'''Alethkar''' was the largest and most prominent of the five [[Vorinism|Vorin]] Nations. It was split into ten princedoms, each with its own [[Highprince]]. The [[House Kholin|Kholin]] family ruled over the ten Highprinces. People from Alethkar were known as '''Alethi'''.

Located in eastern [[Roshar]], Alethkar was more exposed to the Highstorms than many lands further west. Important geographical features included the [[Sunmaker Mountains]], the [[Sea of Spears]], and the [[Windrunner River|Windrunner]] and [[Deathbend River]]s.{{ref|[[:File:Roshar.jpg|Map of Roshar]]}}

When Gavilar was assassinated{{ref|b|sa1|prologue}} by the [[Parshendi]] in 1167, his son [[Elhokar Kholin]] became King and declared war on the Parshendi. Each of the Highprinces joined the [[Vengeance Pact]], and they went to the [[Shattered Plains]] to besiege the Parshendi in the [[War of Reckoning]]. The siege took much longer than was expected, and was still active by 1173.

The Alethi culture was divided into two major castes, the [[lighteyes]] and [[darkeyes]]. The distinction between the two was the coloring of the person's eyes, the lighteyes standing as the upperclassupper class, and darkeyes as the working/lower class, each of these classes were further divided in rank according to their [[dahn]] (Inin the case of lighteyes) or their [[nahn]] (Inin the case of Darkeyes). thereThere were many ways in which you could improve your ranking and it was hereditary. Many darkeyes volunteered to become soldiers due for the chance to increase their rank and that of their children.

Children of pure light/dark-eyed parents always bred true, where aswhereas the children of mixed descent had the chance to be either.

The Alethi system of government revolved around class. The lighteyes composed the ruling upper caste, which also had a ranking system (dahn). The highest ranked lighteyes was [[Elhokar|King Elhokar]], who rulesruled over all of the [[Highprince]]s. Next in line in terms of prestige and power were any lighteyes who were also [[Shardbearer]]s, with significant overlap into the princedom (i.e. many highprinces are generally Shardbearers as well).

The darkeyes made up the working class. The majority of darkeyes were either farmers or soldiers, both of which were considered to be high [[Calling]]s in Vorinism, and admirable professions. Many darkeyed soldiers who went to war hoped to defeat a Shardbearer in combat to gain ownership over their [[Shardblade]] as it was believed that this would change the color of their eyes and they would become a lighteyes themselves.

Most Alethi followed the religion of [[Vorinism]]. The priests of Vorinism were called [[ardentArdent]]s and were divided into monasteries and [[Devotary|Devotaries]]. Vorinism had a large impact on the culture of Alethkar. Alethi each chose a profession and an attribute of the [[Almighty]] to emulate: a Calling and a Glory. These could be changed during your life but it was generally frowned upon culturally. [[Soulcasting]] was considered sacred to the Alethi and so only the Ardents were permitted to use Soulcasting [[fabrial]]s.