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'''Kharbranth''', City of Bells, is an independent city-state on [[Roshar]], ruled by
== Geography ==
Kharbranth is located on the western coast of the [[Frostlands]], within a natural harbor that opens onto the [[Tarat Sea]].{{map ref|Roshar}} One of the most sheltered cities on Roshar, Kharbranth is naturally protected on both its eastern and western fronts.{{book ref|sa3|58}}{{book ref|sa1|3}}
Residing within a natural wedge shaped lait that opens onto the sea, Kharbranth is built on unbroken stone and extends down the side of and into the surrounding mountain.{{book ref|sa1|3}} It is believed by some in the [[ardentia]] that Kharbranth was built upon a cymatic pattern, however, it is currently unknown as to whether this claim is true.{{book ref|sa1|45}} While the city itself is well protected from the [[highstorm]], the mountain shielding it from the east bears the full force of the storm, leading to occasional cave-
[[File:View_of_Kharbranth.jpg|450px|thumb|left|
Bells can be found in large numbers throughout the city, supposedly to warn of the passing highstorm, which as story tells it, is too gentle to notice otherwise.{{book ref|sa1|3}}{{book ref|sa1|7}} The ringing of these bells can be heard even deep within the Conclave.{{book ref|sa1|7}} The regularity and presence of these bells has earned Kharbranth the nickname of the City of Bells.{{book ref|sa1|3}} Clock bells are rung on the hour, through the day.{{book ref|sa1|3}}
== History ==
=== Origins and Early History ===
Kharbranth was formerly a pirate town in its early years, before becoming a real city over the course of decades.{{annotation ref|sa1|chapter=3}} It is rumored to be older than the [[Last Desolation]], with at least one source claiming that it was built during the [[shadowdays]].{{book ref|sa1|3}} During the time of the [[Silver Kingdoms]], the area in which Kharbranth is situated would have been considered part of Thalath.{{map ref|Silver Kingdoms}} Kharbranth has been a [[Vorin]] nation since at least the [[Hierocracy]], and maintained a strong alliance with many of the other Vorin nations following the [[War of Loss]].
The two chambers that make up the [[Palanaeum]] predate the founding of the city,{{book ref|sa1|7}} with the rooms that house the Palanaeum's collection of manuscripts, books, and tomes having been added after people settled in the region.{{book ref|sa1|45}} How the caverns were created is unknown, however, some believe that it was the work of the [[dawnsingers]].{{book ref|sa1|7}} At some point between the creation of the Palanaeum and present day, a fire occurred that destroyed parts of the library's collection.
=== Tales of Surgeons ===
|[[Lirin]]'s warning to [[Kaladin]]{{book ref|Sa1|31}}
}}
As a youth, [[Lirin]] travelled to Kharbranth as a courier, where he was introduced to different cultures and societies.{{book ref|sa1|10}} Later in his life, Lirin studied medicine under [[Vathe]], who had been trained as a surgeon at the [[Great Concourse of Kharbranth]].{{book ref|sa1|10}}{{book ref|sa1|17}}
Lirin desired to send his son [[Kaladin]] to Kharbranth to train as a surgeon when he turned sixteen.{{book ref|sa1|10}}{{book ref|sa1|17}} Lirin and his wife [[Hesina]] stole a large number of spheres, claiming to have been given them by Brightlord [[Wistiow]] on his deathbed, in order to fund Kaladin's study in Kharbranth. After the arrival of [[Roshone]] in [[Hearthstone]], Lirin and Hesina wrote to the surgeons in Kharbranth with a plea to let their son take the entry tests early, however, their request was denied.{{book ref|sa1|31}} Lirin considered escaping Hearthstone and taking his family to Kharbranth after Roshone cut off all their means of income, however, decided instead to stay and continue to oppose the Brightlord.{{book ref|sa1|37
=== The Diagram and the Death Rattles ===
[[File:Taravangian_as_the_Wheel_of_Fortune_Orientation_1.jpg|250px|thumb|right|Taravangian, by [[Coppermind: Artists/taratjah|Taratjah]]]]
On the night of his death, [[Gavilar Kholin]] confided in [[Taravangian]] about the visions he had received regarding the [[True Desolation]].{{book ref|sa2|i|14}} Believing the visions had come from the [[Almighty]], Gavilar insisted to Taravangian that for the world to survive the True Desolation, it would have to be united.{{book ref|sa2|i|14}} Taking the kings warning to heart, Taravangian travelled to The [[Valley]] to visit the [[Nightwatcher]] and beg her for the ability to save Roshar.{{book ref|sa2|i|14}}{{wob ref|2892}} The Nightwatcher bestowed Kharbranth's king with a boon and a curse; the boon being extreme intelligence and compassion. The curse, constant fluctuation of these traits and the inability to have both at the same time.
At some point following his visit to the Nightwatcher, Taravangian experienced a day of extreme intelligence, where he transcribed a large number of predictions on the available surfaces in his bedroom. These writings were bound together into a tome referred to as the [[Diagram (literature)|Diagram]]. A [[Diagram (group)|society by the same name]] worships the Diagram, however, it is currently unknown if this society existed before the creation of the Diagram, or whether it was formed in response to Taravangian's creation.{{book ref|sa2|i|14}}
Following its creation, the Diagram began supplementing Taravangian's predictions with the [[Death Rattle]]s provided by the Unmade [[Moelach]]. Moelach took up residence in Kharbranth in the year {{Rosharan date|1167}}, approximately around the time Gavilar began investigating the [[Shattered Plains]]. It is possible that the Unmade's arrival in Kharbranth could potentially be related to Gavilar's exploration of the eastern most part of Roshar. Why Moelach chose to settle specifically in Kharbranth at this time is unclear, however, when the Unmade began to move away from Kharbranth in 1173, Taravangian worried that the creature may return to slumber, implying that Moelach could possibly have been inactive prior to settling in Kharbranth.{{book ref|sa2|i|14}}
The [[Diagram (group)#Silent_Gatherers|Silent Gatherers]] were tasked with administrating and running the hospital where the Death Rattles were collected, however, the creation of this hospital, as well as the details surrounding the formation of this group, are currently unknown. It is also unknown when this operation began, and whether Death Rattles were collected prior to Taravangian's creation of the Diagram. Frequency in the number of Death Rattles begins to decline in late {{Rosharan date|1173}} before ceasing completely in {{Rosharan date|1174}} after Moelach departed the city and settled in the [[Horneater Peaks]].{{book ref|sa1|71}} Why the Unmade decided to leave Kharbranth is unknown, however, Taravangian postulated that it may have been drawn away by something residing to the west of the city and eventually circled back around to take up occupation within the boarders of Jah Keved.{{book ref|sa2|i|14}} Despite the decline, and eventual cessation, of the Death Rattles, the hospital continued to operate after the departure of Moelach, as the potential for more Death Rattles outweighed the continued cost of human life.
=== Scholar and Apprentice ===
}}
[[File:Jasnah_Soulcasting.jpg|250px|thumb|left|
During the year {{Rosharan date|1173}}, [[Jasnah Kholin]] travelled to Kharbranth to access to the [[Conclave]] and the [[Palanaeum]], in order to continue her research into the Voidbringers and Urithiru. [[Shallan Davar]], who had been attempting to contact the Alethi princess for six months, arrived in Kharbranth part way through the year, relieved to find that she had finally caught up to Jasnah.{{book ref|sa1|3}} Locating the woman in the Conclave, Shallan petitioned Jasnah to become her ward and, eventually, was accepted.{{book ref|sa1|5}}{{book ref|Sa1|8}} Despite Shallan's enjoyment of scholarship, her primary purpose for seeking out Jasnah, was to switch the broken Davar Soulcaster, with Jasnah's functional one.
Shallan's arrival at the Conclave coincided with Jasnah helping Taravangian rescue his granddaughter, who had become trapped in an inner room of the palace following a cave-in.{{book ref|sa1|5}}{{book ref|sa1|3}} The situation had been deliberately planned by the Kharbranthian king, who wished to view the Alethi princess use her [[Soulcasting]] abilities when removing the fallen stone blocking the rooms entrance.{{wob ref|8070}}{{wob ref|3242}} Taravangian had suspected Jasnah did not need a physical Soulcaster to be able to use Soulcasting as an ability and to test this theory, engineered a scenario where he would be able to watch the Alethi princess wield her power.{{wob ref|3243}} Jasnah Soulcast the rock into smoke, masking her abilities with the fake Soulcaster she wore on her right hand.{{book ref|sa1|5}} In return for freeing his granddaughter, Taravangian granted Jasnah entry to the Palanaeum, which she had been unable to access until this point.
Out late one night in the city, Shallan and Jasnah were attacked by a group of criminals while in an alley near the theatre district. Jasnah had deliberately taken them to a specific street where the criminals had been attacking, robbing, and killing people. She had planned to dispatch of the men as a service to Taravangian who she felt had put himself in a more precarious position than he realised when he allied with her and allowed her access to the Palanaeum. Jasnah killed the four men during the encounter, turning them into a variety of other substances using Soulcasting, and in doing so, saving both her own, and Shallan's life. Shallan, angry at Jasnah for the situation she had deliberately put them in, switched her broken Soulcaster, with Jasnah's device shortly after the pair returned to the Conclave.{{book ref|sa1|36}}
}}
As the months passed, Shallan began to grow more and more aware of [[Pattern]] and the other Cryptics who watched her from the [[Cognitive Realm]]. Several times, Shallan unconsciously included them in portraits she created, first while sketching king Taravangian, and later in a sketch of herself and the ardent [[Kabsal]].{{book ref|sa1|29}}{{book ref|sa1|45}} She also began hearing the Cryptics whispers, convincing herself that she was mishearing sounds made by the Conclave staff as they worked.{{book ref|sa1|42}} Eventually Shallan was unable to ignore the spren, leading her to accidentally Soulcast a goblet into blood.{{book ref|sa1|45}} To hide what she had done, Shallan cut open her arm, pretending that the blood was hers and was taken to one of the city's many hospitals.
In the hospital, Shallan was visited by Jasnah, who had been studying outside the hospital room. While Jasnah was with Shallan, the pair were joined by Kabsal, whom Shallan had struck up a friendship with during her time in the city. In an attempt to kill Jasnah, Kabsal offered both women poisoned bread, knowing that Jasnah would not eat the jam that contained the antidote. Jasnah, suspecting that Kabsal was trying to assassinate her, Soulcast the jam when she inspected the jar, believing that it was the item that contained the poison. Unfortunately, she removed the antidote, leading to the poisoning of Shallan and Kabsal. Jasnah saved Shallan's life by Soulcasting her blood to remove the poison, learning at the same time that Shallan had stolen her Soulcaster.{{book ref|sa1|48}}
Jasnah eventually forgave Shallan for the theft and agreed to take her back on as her ward.{{book ref|sa1|70}} Deciding that she had found all the information she could within the Palanaeum, Jasnah, along with Shallan, departed Kharbranth for the Shattered Plains in {{Rosharan date|1173}} upon the ship, ''[[Wind's Pleasure]]''.
=== Expansion of Kharbranth's Alliances ===
During {{Rosharan date|1173}}, Taravangian acquired [[Szeth]]'s oathstone and tasked him with murdering a large number of high ranking officials in several foreign nations.{{book ref|sa1|i|6}} These murders, dictated by the Diagram, aimed to cause chaos in several foreign nations including [[Jah Keved]] and [[Azir]].
{{sidequote
By using Szeth to causing mayhem and destruction across Roshar, Taravangian was able to further the goals of the Diagram and created a situation where he could take control of the [[Veden]] empire without creating suspicion. Towards the end of the [[Jah Keved#War of Succession|War of Succession]] ({{Rosharan date|1173}}), Taravangian sent food, medical supplies, and healers to the country to help the wounded on all sides of the fighting. In doing so, he secured a new ally for Kharbranth with whichever side was victorious. In the case that the country fell to ruin, Taravangian, through a distance connection to Veden royalty, could engineer a situation that would end with the king of Kharbranth on the Veden throne. When the war ended later that year, Taravangian was named as king by the previous monarch, [[Valam]], shortly before he died, securing Jah Keved as an ally for Kharbranth.{{book ref|sa2|i|14}}
Taravangian entered both Jah Keved and Kharbranth into an alliance with [[Alethkar]] in {{Rosharan date|1174}}, after Dalinar Kholin contacted the leaders of Roshar's nations seeking aid in the fight against the [[Voidbringers]].{{book ref|sa3|12}} Taravangian was the only leader to initially respond to Dalinar's request.{{book ref|sa3|12}} The council of Kharbranth were suspicious of Dalinar's initial request, as well as his intentions with refounding the [[Knights Radiant]].{{book ref|sa3|4}} Mistrust of Dalinar increased amongst the council members after Dalinar pronounced the death of Honor, which those within the [[Vorin]] church conflate with the Almighty.{{book ref|sa3|4}} [[Kadash]], one of Dalinar's ardents, did what he could to try and calm the council and allay their fears.{{book ref|sa3|4}} It is unknown whether Kadash was successful, leading to the council agreeing with Taravangian to enter into an alliance with Alethkar, or whether the king of Kharbranth has executive power over foreign affairs.
{{sidequote
}}
Entering into an alliance with Dalinar, allowed Taravangian and the Diagram access to [[Urithiru]] and the inner workings of the Alethi government. Unimpeded from joining political assemblies with other foreign nations, or scholarly meetings, the Kharbranthian cohort were able to gather intelligence on the coalition, and several other nations of Roshar, and their research into Urithiru, the Voidbringers, as well as other matters.{{book ref|sa3|24}}{{book ref|sa3|44}} As part of the coalition, Taravangian was able to manipulate other world leaders, as well as spread misinformation that threatened the breakdown of the alliance, with the hope that Dalinar Kholin would fail, leaving Alethkar open to be secured under Taravangian's rule.{{book ref|Sa3|107}}{{book ref|sa3|122}} Shortly before the [[Battle of Thaylen Field]], Taravangian attempted to undermine Dalinar's authority, anonymously releasing information about Dalinar's meeting [[Odium]], the highking proposal, and the translation of the [[Eila Stele]].
In an attempt to gain favor with Odium, Taravangian interfered with the redeployment of troops from Urithiru to Thaylenah during the Battle of Thaylen City by having a member of the Diagram, Malata, unlock the Kholinar Oathgate in secret, allowing Odium's forces to invade the ancient city.{{book ref|sa3|122}}{{book ref|sa3|120}}
After receiving news that the Bridge Four members who had been left in Kholinar might still be alive, Kaladin flew towards Alethkar, stopping to stay the night in Kharbranth. Before moving on from the city, he requisitioned a number of infused gemstones from the Kharbranthian royal treasury to aid him on his travels.{{book ref|Sa3|122}}
Following the battle, Taravangian revealed to Dalinar that Kharbranth had been behind Szeth's murderous spree across Roshar.{{book ref|sa3|121}} He told Dalinar that he had sought out Szeth after Dova had approached Taravangian and warned him that the Desolation was approaching.{{book ref|sa3|121}} He also told Dalinar that he believed Dova to be the [[Herald]] [[Battah]]'Elin.{{book ref|sa3|121}} It is unclear as to whether Taravangian truely believes this or if he is feeding Dalinar misinformation. Later, Odium met with Taravangian during the Everstorm agreeing to spare Kharbranth and its citizens during the imminent war in exchange for the Diagram's loyalty.
== Culture ==
=== Military ===
Kharbranth has only a small standing army so as to not affect its cultivated image of being unassuming and unthreatening.{{book ref|sa2|i|14}}{{book ref|sa3|24}} It is known that Kharbranth does not wage war and has previously offered foreign aid to both sides of the same conflict.{{book ref|sa2|i|14}}{{book ref|Sa3|24}} The city-state does not have a true navy, however, has a number of merchant ships that can be commandeered in times of need.{{book ref|sa3|107}} Kharbranthian soldiers wear burnt orange livery.{{book ref|sa2|i|14}}
=== Foreign Relations ===
[[File:
In the past, Kharbranth has had strong alliances with other Vorin nations, due to their shared religion.{{book ref|sa1|8}} Taravangian was a close friend and confidant of [[Gavilar Kholin]] before his death; however, it is unknown if there was a formal alliance between Alethkar and Kharbranth during Gavilar's time as king.{{book ref|sa3|24}}
Kharbranth is currently allied with both [[Dalinar Kholin]]'s coalition, which includes [[Alethkar]], [[Jah Keved]], [[Thaylenah]], and [[Azir]], as well as [[Odium]]'s forces. In exchange for loyalty from the [[Diagram (group)|Diagram]], Odium has agreed to spare Kharbranth, its native citizens, and their spouses in his war against [[Roshar]].{{book ref|sa3|122}}
When Taravangian and his closest advisors are away from Kharbranth as part of Dalinar Kholin's alliance, a scribe is assigned to manage Taravangian's kingly duties.{{book ref|sa3|24}} It is rumored throughout foreign nations that Taravangian is a figurehead for the city of Kharbranth, and that the true power behind the throne is either the scribe left in charge of the city or Taravangian's head scribe, [[Adrotagia]].{{book ref|sa3|24}} Dalinar notes that the perception of Taravangian as a figurehead lends credence to Kharbranth's reputation as an unthreatening, peaceable city-state.{{book ref|sa3|24}}
=== The Diagram ===
{{for|Diagram (group)|more information
{{for|Diagram (literature)|more information
The [[Diagram (group)|Diagram]] is a secret society on [[Roshar]] that is headed by Taravangian and based around a book of predictions, that goes by the same name. The [[Diagram (literature)|Diagram]] (literature) is a recollection of writings by Taravangian that was created on a day of extreme intelligence. These predictions, initially written over many surfaces within the kings bedroom, have been transcribed as written and form the basis of the secret society.{{book ref|sa2|i|14}} Different sects exist within the society and interpret the Diagram differently to Taravangian.{{wob ref|4968}} The society heavily influences the governing of Kharbranth, dictating the size of the city-states military as well as how Kharbranth should present itself to foreign nations.{{book ref|sa2|i|14}}
== See Also ==
*[[Taravangian]]
*[[Diagram (literature)]] and [[Diagram (group)]]
*[[Palanaeum]]
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