Difference between revisions of "Alethkar"

'''Alethkar''' is a country in eastern [[Roshar]]. It borders [[Jah Keved]] to the west, the [[Unclaimed Hills]] to the east, and the [[Frostlands]] to the south. Alethkar is the largest country on Roshar, and is the largest and most prominent of the five [[Vorinism|Vorin]] nations, with a population in the hundreds of thousands.{{book ref|sa4|50}} People from Alethkar are known as '''Alethi''', and their royal colors are blue and gold.{{book ref|sa1|69}} In [[Azir]], they are known as the '''Tagarut'''.{{book ref|tsm|26}}

The [[singer]]s' name for Alethkar is '''Avendla''', meaning Land of the Second Advance.{{book ref|sa4|14}} Prior to the [[True Desolation]], the Alethi were engaged in the [[War of Reckoning]] against the [[listeners]].{{book ref|sa1|23}} AtAs of {{rosharan date|1175}} on the presentVorin Calander, the vast majority of their territory is under the control of the [[Voidbringer]]s.{{book ref|sa3|120}}

Due to how far east it is, Alethkar is buffeted by particularly heavy highstorms. This forces settlements to primarily be built on the leeward sides of laits.{{book ref|sa1|16}}{{cite}} These leeward sides are also far more lush with plant life, due to the protection the liats provide from powerful highstorm winds.{{file ref|Lait.jpeg|Lait study}}

Alethkar was founded as [[Alethela]] in the [[Silver Kingdoms]] Epoch, settled by Ashynite emigrants who arrived on Roshar in Shinovar, before eventually expanding outward and settlingconquering allthe acrossrest of Roshar. They were an extremely militaristic nation which remembered and studied the arts of war so that they would be able to teach it to new generations whenever a Desolation comes.{{book ref|sa1|19}} Due to this, the Knight's Radiant primarily lived in Alethela, even if their operations were based in [[Urithiru]].{{book ref|sa1|19}} This militarism laid the foundation for modern Alethi militarism and military strength.

Its territorialterritory during this era was larger than its current territory, including the [[Unclaimed Hills]] in the Rosharan far east.{{map ref|Silver Kingdoms}}{{map ref|Roshar}}

On {{Rosharan date|1173|9|6|4}}, Highprince SadaesSadeas set up a battle on the [[Tower (Roshar)|Tower]] as a trap to murder Dalinar Kholin. The motivation for this was a part of his desire to protect Elhokar from Dalinar's ideals.{{book ref|sa1|69}}{{expand}}

The battle led to the decimation of Dalinar Kholin's army, he arrived at the battle with 8000 men, but returned with only 2,653 men, coming out at 5347 fatalities.{{book ref|sa1|69}} It also led to Dalinar successfully attempting to gain the title of Highprince of War in order to insure more authority to manage the war directly, in response to SadaesSadeas' betrayal.{{book ref|sa1|69}}

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}} SomethimesSometimes 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 food is known for its spiceinessspiciness.{{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}}

As a Vorin nation, reading and writing is restricted for use by the female part of the populace. and to ardents.{{book ref|sa1|8}} Due to this, men are typically illiterate, regardless of their class.

Wealthy lighteyes tend to have their bodies soulcast into stone or metal statues.{{book ref|sa1|41}}{{book ref|sa2|2}}{{book ref|sa3|29}}{{book ref|sa4|114}} They are positioned by mortuary sculptors before being soulcast into stone, leaving them suitable for display.{{book ref|sa3|105}}

As a Vorin nation, they believe that people go to assist the Heralds in accordance with their Calling, with warriors being believed to fight in the battle to reclaim the [[Tranquiline HillsHalls]] from the Voidbringers.{{book ref|sa1|3}}{{book ref|sa1|i|8}}{{book ref|sa1|16}}{{book ref|sa1|18}}{{book ref|sa1|28}} They believe that those who do not achieve their Calling are put into a dreamless sleep until the HillsHalls are reconquered, whilst the sinful are cast down into Damnation.{{book ref|sa1|59}}

Darkeyed soldiers are primarily trained in spears and axes,{{book ref|sa1|26}} with swords being used only by higher-ranking lighteyes.{{book ref|sa1|prologue}} Axes, however, are a nonstandard weapon usually only given to squadleaders and above.{{book ref|sa1|47}} Some soldiers use halberds, although how common they are is unclear.{{book ref|sa4|77}}

Soulcasting is central to the economy of Alethkar, used to feed mobile armies and augment local urban food stores.{{book ref|sa3|part=ars}} They hold a near monopoly on food-creating Soulcasters, and they are a vital part of their military infrastructure.{{book ref|sa3.5|epilogue}}

Taxation is levied upon darkeyes and landless lighteyes over rights to live on the territory of wealthier lighteyes.{{book ref|sa3|106}} If a citylord fails to pay his taxes to the highlord, people are sent to collect it from him, often violently.{{book ref|sa3|26}}{{book ref|sa3|106}} The higlordhighlord answers to the highprince;{{book ref|sa3|116}} and highprinces themselves are taxed by the king for the right to use soulcasters, which were an important resource in waging prolonged, large-scale conflicts. This is the primary form of taxation levied upon the highprinces by the king.{{book ref|sa1|15}}

=== InfastructureInfrastructure ===

Alethkar has poor transport infastructureinfrastructure, making travel and resource movement between distant cities slow and cumbersome.{{cite}} This increases the important of soulcasters to their economy and military.{{cite}}