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|universe=[[Cosmere]]
|books=[[The Stormlight Archive]]
}}{{exemplary|date=2019-12-08}}
{{quote
| You underestimate your importance. Azir's Oathgate will be vital, and you are the strongest kingdom of the west. With Azir at our side, many other countries will join with us.
| [[Dalinar]] to [[Yanagawn]]{{book ref|sa3|56}}
}}
'''Azir''' is a kingdom in
== Geography ==
[[FILE:Azir and Client States.jpg|thumb|right|400px|Azir and the states of the Azish Empire on the world map]]
Azir is a land-locked state in
Like most of Makabak, Azir is rather dry and warm compared to the rest of the continent, though it is still cooler than [[Iri]].{{book ref|sa1|i|5}}{{book ref|sa3|65}} There are broad plains
; Notable locations
=== Origins and Sadees' occupation ===
{{quote
Not much is known about the ancient history of Azir. During the [[Silver Kingdoms]] era, it was part of [[Makabakam]], the largest of the Silver Kingdoms, with [[Azimir]] likely being Makabakam's capital.{{map ref|Silver Kingdoms}} At some point, that country splintered into dozens of states that comprise modern [[Makabak]], among them Azir.{{map ref|Roshar}}▼
| They say that when the Sunmaker rode out of the passes and into Azir, he had one unexpected problem. He conquered my people too quickly, and didn't know what to do with all of his captives.
| [[Yanagawn]]{{book ref|sa3|42}}
}}
▲Not much is known about the ancient history of Azir. During the [[Silver Kingdoms]] era, it was part of [[Makabakam]], the largest of the Silver Kingdoms
[[Sadees]] the Sunmaker, the infamous [[Alethkar|Alethi]] warrior, conquered Azir as part of his bid to take over the entire continent during the reign of [[Prime Aqasix]] [[Snoxil]]. The occupation was extremely violent: up to ten percent of the country's population died, many of them due to Sadees seemingly seeking to
Following
=== Era of Solitude ===
In the centuries since Sadees's conquest, Azir rose to the position of the cultural and political
The peace of the empire was broken in the final year of the [[Era of Solitude]], as the [[Assassin in White]] killed two Primes in a row, leaving the country in a succession crisis as all prospective candidates attempted to avoid the position. This ended the night that a group of thieves, including [[Lift]] and [[Gawx]], attempted to rob the [[Bronze Palace]]. After Gawx was seemingly killed, Lift
=== True Desolation ===
At the same time,
When the coalition leaders assumed that the [[Voidbringer]]s would attack [[Jah Keved]], the Azish agreed to send five
After the [[Battle of Thaylen Field]], Dalinar explained to them via [[spanreed]] what truly happened. The Azish were willing to renegotiate their participation in the alliance
==Politics==
=== Member states ===
The Azish Empire, despite its name, is closer in nature to a confederacy of states. It
=== Government ===
The Azish government is a bureaucracy, composed of several levels of scribes. One may join the public servant caste by passing a written exam
The highest-ranking members of the government, other than the Prime Aqasix, are the [[wikipedia: vizier|viziers]]. They serve as advisors to the Prime, with enough political pull to force their decisions on them, and are responsible for selecting a new Prime following the death of the previous
[[File:Gawx Portrait by Marie Seeberger.jpg|thumb|right|200px|<center><small>by {{a|Marie Seeberger}}</small></center> [[Yanagawn]] the First, the current [[Prime Aqasix]] ]]
=== The Prime Aqasix ===
The elected ruler of the Azish Empire bears the title of the Prime Aqasix. Their symbol of power is a traditional hat with sweeping sides called the [[Yuanazixin|Imperial Yuanazixin]].{{book ref|sa3|116}}
The Azish believe that they are never without a Prime. When a Prime dies, the election of a new one is considered as a search for the person who is, and always has been, a Prime. Any person, except for
The Prime is considered to belong to the public. Citizens can enter a lottery to watch the Prime sleep, eat, and perform other daily tasks. They can also collect and keep relics from the Prime, such as a nail clipping or a strand of hair.{{book ref|sa2|I|9}}
=== Military ===
The Azish Empire has access to foot soldiers, cavalry and fleet. Their army, though smaller than that of [[Alethkar]] or [[Jah Keved]], is still fairly impressive, and their fortifications are noted as difficult to breach.{{book ref|sa3|107}} Azish soldiers are equipped with bows, spears or poleaxes, and greatshields.{{book ref|sa1|46}}{{book ref|sa3|65}} They are armored with plated mail and
Little is known about their cavalry. Units are led by officers called cavalrylords, who wear uniforms with vivid red trousers.{{book ref|sa3|i|8}}
The effectiveness of Azish soldiers in battle against the [[Voidbringer]]s is yet to be seen.▼
The Azish do not maintain a fleet of ships, as they are a land-locked country. However, [[Tashikk]] has a number of ships that are staffed partially by Azish troops and thus serve the Empire as a whole. There seem to be no battalions dedicated wholly to ship-side service; rather, select battalions rotate some of their soldiers in and out of the navy.{{book ref|sa3|107}}
=== Fabrials and Shards ===▼
In times of peace, the fleet's duty is to patrol "the grand waterway" — an unspecified body of water that may correspond to the river between Azir and [[Emul]] — but they are capable of further excursions, all the way to [[Thaylenah]].{{book ref|sa3|107}} The fleet possesses both smaller outriders, called scouts, and bigger warships, among them troop carriers.{{book ref|sa3|111}} The [[Prime Aqasix]] has his own dedicated vessel, smaller than the navy units.{{book ref|sa3|116}}
[[Azimir]] is the site of ancient [[Makabakam]]'s [[Oathgate]]. Presently, the gate's platform serves as the city's Grand Market, though it has been reopened by [[Lift]] during [[Dalinar Kholin]]'s visit and returned to its prior function.{{book ref|sa3|65}}▼
Azish generals wear robes and typical Western hats. The position requires passing a number of tests, and [[Dalinar]] theorizes that the officers with practical expertise tend to fail them on purpose so that they may retain field command. Azish military leaders have a poor reputation in [[Alethkar]] and are considered little more than military historians and theorists. However, the generals are actually highly practical people, and their advice is usually astute.{{book ref|sa3|42}}{{book ref|sa3|107}}
▲The effectiveness of the Azish
▲=== Fabrials and Shards ===
Azir is known to have very few [[Soulcaster]]s, the most famous of which has the ability to Soulcast bronze.{{book ref|sa3|65}} Many buildings in [[Azimir]] have bronze domes, and the Prime's palace even has decorative Soulcast bronze trees.{{book ref|sa2|i|9}} The country also has several [[Shardblade]]s, known as the Imperial Shardblades. It
▲
▲Azir has several [[Shardblade]]s, known as the Imperial Shardblades. It's unknown how many of them are there or who wields them, but they can be loaned out to Empire's member states for various services. The city of [[Yeddaw]] in [[Tashikk]] was created by them.{{book ref|sa2.5|2}} Though it can be presumed that [[Azish]] have [[Shardplate]], it's unknown how many sets of it are in their hands.
== Culture ==
=== Social Order ===
The Azish do not divide their population into [[lighteyes]] and [[darkeyes]]. In the [[Vorin]] countries, it is speculated that this is because there aren't enough pale-eyed Azish to form a self-sustainable social caste.{{book ref|sa3|42}} Rather, the Azish social hierarchy is based on education and elevation through the bureaucratic governmental system. Viziers and scribes are among the highest
Order in the country is kept by travelling lawkeepers called '''constables'''. Constables typically wear black uniforms
▲Order in the country is kept by travelling lawkeepers called '''constables'''. Constables typically wear black uniforms, with a double row of silver buttons in the front, and thick gloves with long collars. They seem to have the authority to capture, try and even execute criminals. However, they cannot act against the viziers, and aren't allowed to requisition the Imperial [[Shardblade]]s.{{book ref|sa3|i|9}}
=== People ===
[[File: Azish Public Servant Designs.jpeg|thumb|right|200px|<center><small>by [[Dan dos Santos]]</small></center> A folio page of Azish male public servant fashion from [[Liafor]]
{{quote
| Alethi liked to joke about them—insult one of their soldiers, it was said, and he'd submit a form requesting an opportunity to swear at you.
}}
Azish people belong to the Makabaki ethnic group, members of which can be found across the entire [[Makabak]] region.{{book ref|sa1|53}} They are described as being short and having dark skin
The stereotype of the Azish is that they are peaceful, prefer education to war, and adore their bureaucracy and paperwork.{{book ref|sa2|89}}{{book ref|sa3|12}} The Azish themselves consider the latter a point of pride, as the structure of their government has
=== Language and Writing ===
The people of Azir speak Azish, the most widespread of the Makabaki languages, though it
The Azish have their own system
=== Religion ===
The Azish religion focuses on the worship of the [[Herald]]s, known there as the '''Kadasixes'''.{{book ref|sa1|i|7}} Chief among them is [[Jezrien]]
The Azish priests, called '''scions''', are government officials. Both men and women can become one.{{book ref|sa3|12}} Their main duty appears to be taking care of the spiritual side of the bureaucracy's day-to-day workings
Unlike [[Vorin]] [[ardent]]s, scions are free men and women. In fact, becoming a high-ranking scion, or a priest-minister, is one of the highest honors for the Azish.{{book ref|sa3|12}}
Scions typically travel across the country, blessing settlements and towns. For this reason, a scion cannot become the Prime Aqasix, although they are intimately involved in the selection process. During the holy conclave that chooses a new Prime, they are called upon to ensure the spiritual purity of the selection, provide theological viewpoint on the process, and assist the viziers in picking the best candidate.{{book ref|sa2|i|9}}
In contrast to
* [[Ethid]] - a [[Veristitalian]] and friend of [[Jasnah Kholin]], who studies the lives of powerful men and, later, the [[Knights Radiant]].{{book ref|sa3|53}} She participates in the Prime selection process, and gives the opening blessings to the meeting that results in [[Yanagawn]]'s crowning.{{book ref|sa2|i|9}}▼
* [[Unoqua]] - the religious leader of Yanagawn's court. Along with other scions and viziers, he advises against continued alliance with [[Urithiru]].{{book ref|sa3|116}}▼
=== Clothing ===
The Azish are known for wearing vibrant, colorful clothing. They are usually seen in robes or wraps, and wear large hats, making them seem
Despite their garish appearance, Azish fabrics seem to be quite popular even in the East. Among others, [[Dalinar Kholin]]'s childhood home was decorated with Azish rugs, and [[Alethkar|Alethi]] fashion folios feature Azish designs.{{book ref|sa2|89}}{{book ref|sa2|49}} A distinctive type of mineral dye from Azir is used to color their clothing, and is known in other nations.{{book ref|sa3|i|8}}
▲In contrast to [[Vorinism |Vorin]] countries of the East, the Azish do not seem to practice the division between sexes. Women do not wear [[safehand]]s, and men and women can be seen in both military and political positions without any indication that such is unusual.{{book ref|sa2.5|3}}{{book ref|sa2|i|9}} However, also in contrast to Vorin states, the Azish have somewhat stricter views on relationships. In a homosexual couple, one member is expected to apply for "social reassignment", and should thereafter behave - and be treated as - a member of the opposite gender.{{wob ref|1443}}{{book ref|sa3|35}}
=== Food ===
The best-known Azish
== Notable Azish ==
* [[Yanagawn|Prime Aqasix Yanagawn]] - the ruler of Azir and the Azish Empire.{{book ref|sa2|i|9}}
* [[Noura]] - senior vizier in Yanagawn's court.{{book ref|sa3|65}}
▲* [[Ethid]] - a scion, [[Veristitalian]], and friend of [[Jasnah Kholin]], who studies the lives of powerful men and, later, the [[Knights Radiant]].{{book ref|sa3|53}} She participates in the Prime selection process, and gives the opening blessings to the meeting that results in [[Yanagawn]]'s crowning.{{book ref|sa2|i|9}}
▲* [[Unoqua]] - the religious leader of Yanagawn's court. Along with other scions and viziers, he advises against continued alliance with [[Urithiru]].{{book ref|sa3|116}}
* [[Sigzil]] - a [[Worldsinger]] serving in [[Bridge Four]], and one of [[Kaladin]]'s [[squire]]s.{{book ref|sa1|40}}
* [[Warren]] - master [[Skybreaker]] under [[Nale]].{{book ref|sa3|92}}
== Trivia ==
* The Azish view of homosexuality is based on some middle-ages Indian
* The Azish government is partially based on the Chinese Confucian system.{{wob ref|1752}}
* The Azish script might be similar in appearance to [[wikipedia:cuneiform|cuneiform]].{{url ref|url=https://www.tor.com/2019/02/14/oathbringer-reread-chapter-sixty-five/ |text=Oathbringer Reread: Chapter Sixty-Five | site=Tor.com}}
102, 107, 111, 113, 115, 116, 117, 119, 121, 122, I-8, I-13
-->
{{complete|[[User:Rasarr|Rasarr]] ([[User talk:Rasarr|talk]]) 23:43, 2 December 2019 (UTC)}}
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