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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, as it contains an [[Oathgate]].{{map ref|Silver Kingdoms}}{{book ref|sa3|65}} 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 eradicate the Azish. In some areas, Sadees ordered a certain number of executions a day. In others, he declared all men with hair at a certain length to be killed.{{book ref|sa3|42}} Sadees rationalized this by claiming that the Azish were uncivilized
Following
=== Era of Solitude ===
In the centuries since Sadees's conquest, Azir rose to the position of the cultural and political center of [[Makabak]]. Many of
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, Azimir was exchanging messages with [[Dalinar Kholin]]'s
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==
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=== 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. Though the test is nominally open to all citizens,
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 ===
{{for|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 colorful caps.{{book ref|sa3|65}} Their army is divided into battalions, which have both numbers and name designations, such as Red and Gold for the Thirteenth Battalion. A single
Little is known about their cavalry. Units
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}}
Azish generals wear robes and typical Western hats
The effectiveness of the Azish military in battle against the [[Voidbringer]]s is yet to be seen.
=== 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
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}}
=== Social Order ===
The Azish do not divide their population into [[lighteyes]] and [[darkeyes]]. In the [[Vorin]] countries, it
Order in the country is kept by travelling lawkeepers called '''constables'''. Constables typically wear black uniforms
=== 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]]
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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 — deep brown, but not true black like some [[parshmen]].{{book ref|sa1|46}}{{book ref|sa1|53}}{{book ref|sa1|40}} They have a smooth accent, like the [[Emuli]].{{book ref|sa1|14}} Very few are light-eyed.{{book ref|sa3|42}}
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 for many centuries prevented any major internal crisis.{{book ref|sa2|i|9}} They are, however, focused on being respectful and polite. In Azir, one should not raise their voice when talking, and should always remain calm, even when angry.{{book ref|sa3|107}} Particular care is taken never to offend a guest, though this does not mean the Azish can be pushed around.{{book ref|sa3|65}} As a result, they are known for talking around the matter a lot when disagreeing with something, and never saying "no"
=== Language and Writing ===
{{quote
The people of Azir speak Azish, the most widespread of the Makabaki languages, though it's possible that other languages from this family are also present.{{wob ref|3977}} Azish or Azish-adjacent words can be recognized by the letters "x" (Kadasix, [[Snoxil]]) and "q" ([[Prime Aqasix]], [[Unoqua]]), which are far rarer outside of [[Makabak]].▼
|Azish, a funny language made of little markings that looked like cremling tracks.
|[[Dalinar]] on the Azish language.{{book ref|sa3|65}}
}}
▲The people of Azir speak Azish, the most widespread of the Makabaki languages, though it
The Azish have their own system of writing, separate from the various [[Vorin]] scripts. It
=== 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]] — Yaezir in local parlance — who bears the title of the Kadasix of Kings. He
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 — they are seen blessing formal meetings and interpreting omens and events to discern the will of the Kadasixes.{{book ref|sa2|i|9}} They also serve as clerks and scribes. Scions can be found in all ranks of the bureaucracy, with the most influential ones serving as the members of the Prime's circle of advisors along with the [[vizier]]s.{{book ref|sa3|53}}{{book ref|sa3|116}}
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}}
=== Morality ===
In contrast to
=== 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}}
=== Food ===
The best-known Azish produce is [[truthberry]], which can be made into jam. According to a local legend, those who consume the berries speak only the truth until the next sunset. The fruits themselves are harmless, but the leaves and stalks of truthberry plants can be burned, which makes people intoxicated and euphoric. [[Shallan Davar]]
== Notable Azish ==
== 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}}
- sa1: I-5, 71
- sa2: 2, 4, 46, 49, 59, 60, 71, 89, I-9, folio art
-
- sa3: 1, 8, 12, 15, 24, 27, 28, 35, 38, 43, 46, 53, 56, 59, 64, 65, 88, 96,
100, 104, 111, 116, 117, 121, 122, I-8
- sa1: prologue, 5, 14, 18, 27, 40, 42, 43, 46, 43, 63, 68
- sa2: prologue, 4, 22, 31, 35, 46, 40, 44, 63, 71, I-2, I-9, folio art
-
- sa3: 4, 8, 12, 16, 35, 42, 44, 53, 56, 57, 59, 64, 65, 81, 86, 90, 92, 96, 98,
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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