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}} InThe [[Azir]], theyAlethi are known asworld-wide thefor '''Tagarut'''.{{bookmilitarism ref|tsm|26}}and fighting nature.

The [[singer]]s' name for Alethkar is '''Avendla'''.{{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}} As of {{rosharan date|1175}} on the Vorin CalanderCalender, the vast majority of their territory is under the control of the [[Voidbringer]]s.{{book ref|sa3|120}}

The termAlethi are called the ''Tagarut'', referring toby the Alethi[[Azish]], this term means "Breakers" in Azish. This refers to their destructive nature during their invasions of Azir.{{book ref|tsm|26}} Singers refer to Alethkar as ''Avendla'', this is ancient [[Singer]] for ''Land of the Second Advance''.{{book ref|sa4|14}}

Alethkar lies in eastern [[Roshar]], stretching across the entire continent, from the [[Steamwater Ocean]] in the North to the [[Tarat Sea]] in the South-West. To the East, it leans on the [[Unclaimed Hills]], while to the South, it reaches the nationless [[Frostlands]] and the [[Shattered Plains]], the latter of which it has recently claimed for itself. InTo the West, Alethkar has a long and long-disputed border with [[Jah Keved]], which currently follows two rivers and the bend of the [[Sunmaker Mountains]]. InTo the North-West, Alethkar borders [[Herdaz]] across a stretch of land decided through many years of border conflicts.{{map ref|Roshar}}{{book ref|sa3|52}}

Late into the War of Reckoning, after [[Navani Kholin]] left [[Aesudan]] to rule for herself after deeming her fit to do so without her advisement, Kholinar was infiltrated by [[Ashertmarn]], [[Sja-anat]], and [[Yelig-nar]]. These Unmade caused Aesudan to fall into an abyss of decadence, throwing lavish feasts as Kholinar society collapsed around her, while Sja-anat corrupted the spren of the city; and Yelig-nar bonded with Aesudan. After a number of years, butwell sheinto ultimatelythe couldn'tTrue handleDesolation, itAesudan andfailed to control Yelig-nar, itwhich led to her death.{{book ref|sa2|i|12}}{{book ref|sa3|84}}

The events that took place in Kholinar before Aesudan’s death served as the basis of the [[Siege of Kholinar]], and its eventual fall and occupation by Fused forces.{{book ref|sa3|epilogue}}

The Alethi people are generally tan -- darker-skinned than the [[Veden]] and [[Shin]] peoples, but not as dark as the [[Makabak]]i -- with dark, typically black hair.{{book ref|sa1|3}} They are typically extremely tall, standing on average at least a foot taller than people living further West.{{book ref|sa2.5|10}} Like most Rosharan people, they possess Epicanthic folds and see those without such folds as wide-eyed and childish.{{wob ref|4079}} They are a racially-mixed people due to their history of conquest.{{book ref|sa3|122}}{{book ref|sa2|38}}{{wob ref|15116}}

Music is seen as a feminine art, and is thus primarily only persuedpursued by women and ardents.{{book ref|sa1|3}}{{book ref|sa1|57}}{{book ref|sa2|55}} Alethi music makes a heavy use of flutes and string instruments made of a fine wood,{{book ref|sa1|57}}{{book ref|sa1|33}}{{book ref|sa3|84}} and tend to dislike percussion.{{book ref|sa1|prologue}}{{book ref|sa4|prologue}}{{wob ref|12290}} Battle hymns make use of brass-like instruments.{{wob ref|12290}}

[[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|sa3sa2|49}} Azish fashion also has a degree of influence over Alethi fashion.{{book ref|sa2|49}}

ThereThey ismake use of a greatwide varietyrange of beveragessauces evenof withina thevariety sameof colourdifferent flavours, ranging from spicy,{{book ref|sa2sa1|4937}}{{book suchref|sa3|68}} asto hard honusweet,{{book aref|sa3|68}} typeto ofpeppery,{{book lavisref|sa3|19}} grainto liquorsalty.{{book ref|sa2|8159}}{{book Some alcohol is spiced, giving it a spicy flavour.ref|sa1|i|8}}{{book ref|sa2sa1|4922}}

The kingmonarch 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}}

Jasnah Kholin, the current queen, expresseshas expressed an interest in disbanding the monarchy after the True Desolation is over.{{book ref|sa4|50}}

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 impresspress 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}}

When they first met, the Listenerslisteners and Alethi had a positive relationship. whichAfter a number of expeditions the Alethi wished to formalize their relationship, eventuallywhich led to the formationestablishment of a treaty between the two peoples in {{Rosharan date|1167|10|missing-date=y}}.{{book ref|sa1|6}}{{book ref|sa1|prologue}} HoweverThis thistreaty peacecontained brokeclauses downto oncesimplify Kingtrade Gavilarbetween Kholinthe waspeoples assassinatedand underfor Listenermutual orders,border leadingcrossing. toThe thetreaty enactmentalso ofprevented the Vengencelisteners Pactfrom andtrading thetheir beginningShards ofto theother Warkingdoms ofwithout Reckoningfirst againstcoming the Listenerto peopleAlethkar.{{cite}} ThisAside slaughterfrom ofthese theirclauses peoplethe wouldtreaty continuealso allowed for sixone years,party untilto itlegally ended withattack the startother of the True Desolation on {{Rosharan date|1173|10|10|3}}party.{{book ref|sa2sa4|8777}}

The Alethi see the Listenerslisteners as sub-human savages barely capable of thought, and spread that supremacist ideology amongst their people and their soldiers.{{cite}}

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.{{citebook ref|sa1|52}}<!--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]].{{citebook ref|sa3.5|3}}

The modern Alethi armymilitary is one of the strongest militaryarmed 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}}