Difference between revisions of "Relu-na"

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|world=Roshar
|universe=[[Cosmere]]
|first appeared=[[Words of Radiance]]
|books=[[The Stormlight Archive]]
}}
'''Relu-na''' is a [[Tai-na]] in the [[Reshi Sea]] on [[Roshar]]. A [[greatshell]] the size of an island, she is worshiped as a god by her inhabitants.
 
{{for|Tai-na}}
Like other [[Tai-na]], Relu-na has grown to extraordinary size due to a [[spren]] bond{{wob ref|2684}} related to her [[gemheart]]{{wob ref|756}} that allows her body to defy the laws of physics.{{wob ref|6498}}{{book ref|sa3|99}} [[Rysn]] believes that Relu-na is as large as a town.{{book ref|sa3|i|13}} One of Relu-na's eyes is described as a "the size of a house" and it is situated more than fifty feet from the top of her head. She has a massive mouth with huge mandibles. She is referred to as female by [[Gu]].{{book ref|sa2|i|3}}
 
Relu-na's shell has the appearance of a mountainous island jutting out from the ocean with no beach. She is not immediately identifiable as a living being, but when she moves it becomes easier to see that she has legs. She has a stony carapace covered with an array of plant life including moss, trees, [[shalebark]], and [[rockbud]]s. The plants grow as thick as a jungle or forest over most of the shell, but relatively few plants grow on the head. The shell has protrusions near the waterline that are used as docks by the residents of the island; stairs have also been cut into the shell. The sea is unusually warm near Relu-na and Rysn compares the water to that of the [[Purelake]].{{book ref|sa2|i|3}}
 
Relu-na appears to be ancient,{{book ref|sa2|i|3}} as Tai-na are very long-lived.{{wob ref|3423}} The natives feed Relu-na fruit, but only as a treat; they do not divulge her primary food source. The Tai-na are sentient, and the [[Reshi]] people believe that they are also sapient and capable of decision-making. [[Gu]] mentions that when two Tai-na approach each other, they decide what will happen next—a war, or something "good".{{book ref|sa2|i|3}}
 
== History ==
{{image|Rysn and Relu-Na by Botanicaxu.jpeg|side=right|height=300px|[[Rysn]] swinging in front of Relu-na's head}}
[[Rysn]] and [[Vstim]] visited Relu-na hoping to trade for a [[larkin]] corpse. Rysn was shocked by the existence of [[Tai-na]] and was unfamiliar with the island's culture. She and her guards were led on a long hike up to Relu-na's head to meet the king, [[Ral-na]].{{book ref|sa2|i|3}} On the way, they encountered [[Axies the Collector]], who had been visiting Relu-na as part of his ongoing [[spren]] research.{{book ref|sa1|i|5}} Axies had tried to investigate the Tai-na spren, possibly [[mandra]]s, but the natives refused to discuss it and instead bound his feet and hung him upside-down.{{book ref|sa2|i|3}}
 
Upon reaching Relu-na's head, Rysn attempted to trade with the natives. Unbeknownst to Rysn, Vstim had actually trained the king's son, [[Talik]], and had covertly arranged for him to be tough on Rysn as a training exercise. However, Rysn became so frustrated by the negotiation that she made a bold attempt to gain the trust of the natives. She climbed down a rope suspended hundreds of feet over the ocean and attempted to address Relu-na directly, but fell when the rope snapped. She survived the fall, and Vstim later told her that the island's spren somehow saved her life. Rysn says she was trying to gain respect after Vstim and Talik repeatedly insisted that Relu-na placed a great deal of value on boldness; after her bold yet reckless act, the island somehow gifted her a living larkin.{{book ref|sa2|i|3}}
 
== Inhabitants ==
Relu-na's residents are typical for a [[Tai-na]], and include both native Reshi and expatriates from other parts of [[Roshar]]. The residents generally lead a relaxed lifestyle and often spend their time swimming and diving. The island is ruled by a king, who has authority over the soldiers and would lead them in battle if necessary.{{book ref|sa2|i|3}}
 
== Notes ==
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