Jah Keved
Jah Keved | |
---|---|
Ethnicity | Veden |
Capital | Vedenar |
World | Roshar |
Universe | Cosmere |
Jah Keved is one of the five Vorin Kingdoms on Roshar, situated in the eastern half of the continent. Its capital is Vedenar.[1]
Geography
Located in eastern Roshar, Jah Keved is the second largest state on the planet, claiming over five and a half million square kilomtres of land[2][3]. It shares its eastern border with Alethkar and Herdaz on three unnamed rivers, while in the west, it is bordered by Tu Bayla and Triax. North to south, the country stretches across the entire continent, between Reshi to Tarat Seas.
Though verdant, Jah Keved doesn't possess many major rivers. The country's most notable geographical feature are the Horneater Peaks in its eastern part.[4]
Notable Locations
Regions
- Horneater Peaks - massive mountains on the eastern side of the country, the Peaks are the home of the Unkalaki people. Their peaks house a series of hot lakes known as the Horneater Oceans, at least one of which is Cultivation's Perpendicularity.[5]
- Bavland - a small mining region, known for being dusty. Home to the Bav people. [6]
Cities
- Vedenar - the capital city of Jah Keved. Much of it was destroyed during the civil war.[7] It's the site of the country's Oathgate.[8]
- Valath - the location of the Holy Enclave, the centre of Vorin faith.
- Silnasen - the main city of the Siln people.
Other
- The Silent Mount - a mountain that is home to the Vanrial, an order of artists who have managed to preserve some of Roshar's ancient history.[9]
- Cultivation's Perpendicularity - Roshar's only stable perpendicularity, it is located somewhere in the Horneater Peaks.[5]
Politics
Much like Alethkar or Kharbranth, the population of Jah Keved is divided into darkeyes and lighteyes, with the latter holding power. A number of weaker, lower-dahn noble houses own fealty to a group of Highprinces, who in turn own fealty to a king. Prior to the civil war, known Veden Highprinces were Valam, Abrial, Boriar, Evinor and Jal Mala.
Over the past two years, most of the country's political structures have been thrown into chaos or outright disintegrated. Opening with the death of the then-king, Hanavanar at the hands of the Assassin in White, the ensuing civil war has claimed the lives of all the Veden Highprinces, either through assassination or open warfare. The nominal victor of the war, Valam, passed the Veden crown to king Taravangian of Kharbranth, who has a claim to the throne through his mother.[7]
As the largest state prior to the unification of Alethkar, Jah Keved has strong influence on the culture of other Vorin states. The centre of Vorin faith, the Holy Enclave, is located in the Veden city of Valath.[8] Valath is also the location of one of Roshar's major spanreed hubs, adding to the city's importance.[10]
Though not as militaristic, Jah Keved is thought to possess the most Shardblades of any of the Vorin kingdoms other than Alethkar.[11]
People and Culture
Jah Keved is comprised of at least four distinct ethnic groups - Veden, Siln, Bav and Unkalaki.
The Veden people are typically associated with pale skin and violet eyes.[12] They are typically more religious than average Vorins, with higher importance being placed on the trappings of Vorinism, such as the safehand and the strict division between masculine and feminine arts.[1] Their language belongs to the Vorin family, and is close enough to that of Alethkar to be mutually intelligible for both sides.[13] The Alethi are also close to Vorins in fashion.[14]
The Siln people live in and around the southern city of Silnasen. They are noted as being less technologically advanced than the rest of the country, with highly ritualized warfare.[15]
The Bav people live in Bavland, a small mining region in the south-western corner of the country. They are mostly miners, and have their own language and culture largely separate from that of the Veden.[6]
The Unkalaki - or Horneaters, as they are called by outsiders - live on top of the mountains known as Horneater Peaks. They are one of several peoples with Singer ancestry, and have some attributes different to other Rosharan humans, such as their ususually strong teeth (where the "Horneater" nickname comes from) and the ability to occassionally hear the Rhythms.[16][17] Though the Peaks are nominally part of Jah Keved, the Horneaters have their own system of government and don't seem to see themselves as Veden citizens.
History
During the Silver Kingdoms era, the territory now occupied by Jah Keved beloned to the kingdom of Valhav. Since that time, the countries of Tu Bayla and Triax have splintered off, though Jah Keved still holds vast majority of Valhav lands, including what was presumably its capital, Vedenar, along with its Oathgate.[18]
Until the Alethi Unification, Jah Keved was the largest country on Roshar, and the main oasis of stability in the region. This changed, however, in the year 1173, when Szeth assassinated the Veden king, Hanavanar, along with a number of highprinces.[19] This plunged the country into a chaotic civil war, with at least seven different factions hoping to claim Vedenar and crown themselves king. The situation was further worsened by the presence of the Unmade Nergaoul (known better as The Thrill), leading Veden soldiers to fight with unprecedented degree of brutality.
The final confrontation of the civil war was the Battle of Vedenar. Highprince Valam emerged victorious, becoming the new king. However, he quickly passed the crown to king Taravangian before ordering his illegitimate son, Redin, to kill him. Given Valam's poor health and his insinuations, it's possible he was being poisoned by the Diagram to achieve this, as it was them who instigated the civil war by sending Szeth.[7]
Under Taravangian's leadership, Jah Keved was, alongside Kharbranth, the first country to ally with Urithiru.[20] Fearing that it would be overrun by Voidbringers after they're done with Alethkar, the king requested - and was granted - aid from other members of the coalition.[21]. However, following the revelations of the Eila Stele, the country broke off from the alliance as part of Diagram's plan to undermine Dalinar.[22]
Notable citizens
- Shallan Davar, the first Lightweaver of the new generation of Knights Radiant
- The rest of the Davar household, including the father, Lin, as well as his four sons Wikim, Jushu, Balat and Helaran.
- Valam, the former Veden Highprince-turned-King
- Hanavanar, the previous Veden king, whose death caused the Jah Keved civil war.
Notes
- ↑ a b The Way of Kings chapter 33#
- ↑ Roshar Physical Characteristics And Areas
— 17th Shard # - ↑ For reference, this a little over half the size of United States.
- ↑ Map of Roshar
- ↑ a b Oathbringer chapter 110#
- ↑ a b The Way of Kings interlude I-3#
- ↑ a b c Words of Radiance interlude I-14#
- ↑ a b Oathbringer chapter 100#
- ↑ The Way of Kings chapter 45#
- ↑ Words of Radiance chapter 47#
- ↑ The Way of Kings chapter 23#
- ↑ The Way of Kings chapter 46#
- ↑ /r/Stormlight_Archive
— Arcanum - 2016-11-29# - ↑ Contemporary Male Fashion
- ↑ Words of Radiance chapter 54#
- ↑ Oathbringer chapter 37#
- ↑ Goodreads: Ask the Author Q&A
— Arcanum - 2014-08-13# - ↑ Map of Silver Kingdoms
- ↑ The Way of Kings interlude I-9#
- ↑ Oathbringer chapter 24#
- ↑ Oathbringer chapter 96#
- ↑ Oathbringer chapter 113#