Duladel
| Duladel | |
|---|---|
| Ethnicity | Dula |
| Region | Opelon |
| World | Sel |
| Universe | Cosmere |
Duladel is a kingdom on Opelon along the southern border of Arelon on Sel. People from Duladel are called Dula. Its people are mostly of mixed blood, generally half Aonic and half JinDo.[1] Because of their Aonic heritage, the Dula can be taken by the Shaod and become Elantrians.[2]
Geography
Geography
Location
Duladel lies on the continent of Opelon. The kingdom is bordered by Arelon, Fjorden and JinDo.[3] It has one major river running through it, the Kalomo River.[4] Duladel also contains the only safe passes through the Atad mountains.[5]
![[3]](#cite_note-Sycla-Opelon_Map.jpg-3){kind=link}
![[4]](#cite_note-Arelon_Map.jpg-4){kind=link}
Climate
Duladel is made up of a number of climates. A part of Duladel is made up of the Dula Steppes, these Steppes have many caves. Duladel also has many swamps.[6]
Capital
Duladel’s capital is a city called Fellavoo. Fellavoo is located in the north of Duladel, close to the borders of Arelon and Fjorden.[4] Due to the city’s status as the Dula capital it is likely that the Dula royal family resides in this city.
Government
Republic
Before it’s violent revolution and eventual occupation by the Fjordell Empire Duladel was a republic. This republic was ruled by a group of citizens known as the Republican class. The members of the Republican class were elected by the Dula people.[7] The people who belonged to the Republican class carried the title ‘Citizen’.[6] After the revolution the Republican class was killed in its entirety, with only a handful of survivors. This revolution was also the end of the republic.
Monarchy
After the collapse of the republic a contingent of Derethi priests, led by the gyorn Hrathen, fomented a revolution.[8] After this revolution ended a Derethi monarchy was established. This allowed the Fjordell priests to convert the Dula population on a far larger scale them previously possible. The monarchs, as Derethi, bow to the whims of Wyrn.[9] This essentially makes Duladel a Fjordell puppet.
Culture
People
The Dula are of mixed blood, with most of them being a mix of the Aonic peoples and the JinDo,[1] although there are also Dula with Fjordell ancestry.[2]
Dula aristocrats typically have creamy brown skin. Their skin color is darker then the average Aonic person, but lighter then the average JinDo. Dula of lower birth generally have darker skin then the aristocrats, most of them also tend to be massive and bulky. The Dula have round features, they tend to have a foppish, unconcerned air.[10]
The Dula are known as the "most light-hearted, easygoing people in Opelon".[11] They generally have a lack of decorum. The Dula are also notoriously slow to act.[12] It is said that the moment you invite a Dula to stay, you will never get rid of him—or his family.[12] The ideal Dula aristocrat is foolishly haughty, overdressed and overmannered.[10]
The Dula don’t just talk with their mouths, they use their entire bodies. The best way to deal with a talking Dula is to simply smile and occasionally nod.[10]
Fashion
The Dula are highly fashionable. The aristocratic segment of the population is fond of garish and bright clothing.[13][6] The common people are less fond of bright colors however.[13] The Dula are also known to wear large feathered hats.[10]
Fencing
Dula citizens are said to be the finest fencers in all of Opelon, being even better then the Jaadorians. The Dula aristocrats are extremely skilled, with on average three out of four defeating Sarene, a skilled Teo fencer.[10]
Religion
Jesker
Before the revolution the state religion was Jesker, a religion that worships the Dor as a sort of overspirit. Many people outside of Duladel call Jesker a 'primitive' religion, though saying this was considered offensive to its followers.[14] It is likely that even after the revolution many people still believe in Jesker.
The followers of the Jesker religion strive to bring themselves in harmony with the Dor, the overspirit, and subsequently with nature,[15] they also taught that everything knew of the Dor, except humans, who could be oblivious to it.[1] Jesker ascribed importance to the heaven's movements, and according to Hrathen, worshipped the moon.[16]
Shu-Dereth
After the Fjordell occupation of Duladel the state religion was changed into Shu-Dereth. This is a monotheistic religion, worshipping a deity called Jaddeth.[17]
Shu-Dereth has a strict chain of command, with Wyrn at the top. Due to this chain of command the Dula, regardless of social rank, are subjected to the whims of the Fjordell priesthood.[9] Wyrn uses this to further expand his empire across Opelon.
Language and script
“ Alavanta kamaloo kayana. ”
— Galladon to himself[18]
The Dula people speak Duladen. This language reflects the "laid back, loose culture" of Duladel.[19] Many Dula, including the Republic citizens, speak Aonic fluently, especially if they live near the country’s border with Arelon. Some of these people don’t even have accents.[10] Unlike the aristocrats however, most of the low-born Dula have strong accents when speaking Arelene.[2]
Known words
- Alavanta
- Unknown[18]
- Sule
- Friend
- Kamaloo
- Unknown[18]
- Kolo
- A dialogue tag, analogous to "Understand?"[20]
- Rulo
- Fool
- Kayana
- Crazy[2]
- Doloken
- Hell
- Hama
- Grandmother[21]
- Dor
- Overspirit
Script
When Sarene discovers a group of practitioners of the Jeskeri Mysteries, she notes that many of them wear robes emblazoned with "Duladen runes".[22]
History
Duladel Republic
The Duladel Republic was one of the major nations on Opelon during the time before the Reod. Duladel was on good terms with Arelon, the Elantrians and Teod, they were on worse terms with the Fjordell.[7][13]
Occupation by the Fjordell Empire
About six months prior to the restoration of Elantris, the Duladel Republic collapsed. During a chaotic period a contingent of Derethi priests, led by the gyorn Hrathen, fomented a revolution.[8] The Duladel Revolution was even more violent than the Arelene Revolution following the Fall of Elantris; the Republican Class was killed in its entirety, leaving only a handful of survivors. A monarchy was then instituted and Shu-Dereth replaced Jesker as the state religion. A few men, mostly republicans who survived the massacre, continued to fight against the Fjordell, although the only reason that they were still alive is because Fjorden was to lazy to destroy them. These rebels hid in the Dula swamps and in the caves of the Dula Steppes.[6] The collapse of Duladel prompted the engagement of Prince Raoden of Arelon to Princess Sarene of Teod; their marriage would signify unity between the two remaining non-Derethi nations south of the Rose Empire.[7]
Notable Dula
Trivia
- Although a Duladel-specific magic system has not been introduced, it is possible that one exists.[23]
- Due to the JinDo heritage of the Dula they might be able to practice ChayShan, although this has not been confirmed.
Notes
- ↑ a b c Elantris chapter 19#
- ↑ a b c d Elantris chapter 1#
- ↑ Map of Sycla
- ↑ a b Map of Arelon
- ↑ Elantris (book) glossary section D
- ↑ a b c d Elantris chapter 53#
- ↑ a b c Elantris chapter 16#
- ↑ a b Elantris chapter 6#
- ↑ a b Elantris chapter 12#
- ↑ a b c d e f Elantris chapter 50#
- ↑ Elantris chapter 10#
- ↑ a b Elantris chapter 52#
- ↑ a b c Elantris chapter 25#
- ↑ Elantris chapter 22#
- ↑ Elantris (book) glossary section J
- ↑ Elantris chapter 33#
- ↑ Elantris chapter 3#
- ↑ a b c The Way of Kings interlude I-1#
- ↑ Languages of Elantris
— Brandon's website - ?# - ↑ Elantris Annotations
— Arcanum - 2005-06-10# - ↑ Elantris (book) glossary section H
- ↑ Elantris chapter 32#
- ↑ The Rithmatist signing Omaha
— Arcanum - 2013-05-17#
