Difference between revisions of "Alethkar"
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− | '''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 |
+ | '''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'''. |
== Geography == |
== Geography == |
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− | Located in eastern [[Roshar]], Alethkar was more exposed to the Highstorms than many lands further |
+ | 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. |
== History == |
== History == |
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== Culture == |
== Culture == |
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− | 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 upperclass, and |
+ | 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 upperclass, and darkeyes as the working/lower class, each of these classes were further divided in rank according to their [[dahn]] (In the case of lighteyes) or their [[nahn]] (In the case of Darkeyes) there 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 as the children of mixed descent had the chance to be either. |
Children of pure light/dark-eyed parents always bred true, where as the children of mixed descent had the chance to be either. |
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− | The Alethi system of government revolved around class |
+ | 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]], who rules 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 |
+ | 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. |
− | War and honor |
+ | War and honor were considered a way of life to the Alethi. |
The word ''Mathana'' was a formal term for an older sister.{{ref|b|sa1|c|22}} |
The word ''Mathana'' was a formal term for an older sister.{{ref|b|sa1|c|22}} |
Revision as of 19:52, 19 January 2013
Alethkar | |
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200px by ERROR: page 'File:Roshar - Alethkar.jpg ' does not exist
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Capital | Kholinar |
World | Roshar |
Alethkar was the largest and most prominent of the five Vorin Nations. It was split into ten princedoms, each with its own Highprince. The Kholin family ruled over the ten Highprinces. People from Alethkar were known as Alethi.
Geography
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 and Deathbend Rivers.
History
Alethkar was founded as Alethela in the Silver Kingdoms Epoch. It survived the Desolations, but at an unknown point was fractured into the Princedoms.
Under this system, the ten Highprinces acted as Kings of their own lands, with no unifying government. In approximately 1158, Gavilar Kholin sought to conquer and unite the Highprinces, which he achieved by about 1163. He was then crowned King and his brother Dalinar Kholin became Highprince to the Kholin Princedom.
When Gavilar was assassinated 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.
Culture
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 upperclass, and darkeyes as the working/lower class, each of these classes were further divided in rank according to their dahn (In the case of lighteyes) or their nahn (In the case of Darkeyes) there 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 as 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 King, who rules over all of the Highprinces. Next in line in terms of prestige and power were any lighteyes who were also Shardbearers, 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 Callings 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.
War and honor were considered a way of life to the Alethi.
The word Mathana was a formal term for an older sister.Cite error: Invalid <ref>
tag; refs with no name must have content
Religion
Most Alethi followed the religion of Vorinism. The priests of Vorinism were called ardents and were divided into monasteries and 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 fabrials.
Princedoms
Each Princedom is synonymous with the Highprince who rules it.
- Kholin
- In the east of Alethkar
- Sadeas
- In the north-west of Alethkar
- Aladar
- In the north of Alethkar
- Roion
- In the north-east of Alethkar
- Vamah
- In the north-west of Alethkar
- Ruthar
- In the west of Alethkar
- Thanadal
- In the centre of Alethkar
- Hatham
- In the west of Alethkar
- Bethab
- In the south-west of Alethkar
- Sebarial
- In the south of Alethkar