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{{quote
| The world is changing outside, but the Shin seem determined to remain the same.
| [[Vstim]] to [[Rysn]] about the Shin{{book ref|sa1|i|4}}
}}
'''Shinovar''' is a nation on the western mainland of [[Roshar]].{{map ref|Roshar}} Due to the [[Misted Mountains|mountains]] separating it from the rest of the continent, Shinovar is distinct both ecologically and culturally from the rest of Roshar. Shinovar natives are known as the '''Shin'''.
== Geography and Ecology ==
[[File:Jeksonofnone.png|thumb|left|200px|
{{quote
| The entire landscape had an eerie feel to it, as if it were dead. Nothing moved.
| [[Rysn]]'s opinion of Shinovar{{book ref|sa1|i|4}}
}}
Lying on the western side of continental Roshar, Shinovar is bordered to the east by the [[Misted Mountains]] and to the west by an unnamed mountain range. Multiple rivers flow through Shinovar from the bodies of water to both the north and the south. The Misted Mountains prevent Shinovar from bordering any other nations.{{map ref|Roshar}} The mountains also protect Shinovar from the worst of the [[highstorm]]s, so Shinovar experiences far more mild highstorms than the rest of Roshar. Regular storms also occur in Shinovar, particularly during the summer, and it can be difficult to tell the two apart based on strength.{{wob ref|5701}} The highstorm still recharges gems with the same amount of [[Stormlight]] despite its lower strength.{{wob ref|11482}} [[Spren]] rarely manifest in Shinovar, though that is unrelated to highstorm strength.{{wob ref|8714}}
== History ==
When humans first arrived on Roshar from [[Ashyn]], the [[singer]]s gave them the land of Shinovar to settle in. Because it is sheltered from highstorms, humans were able to grow the plants and animals they had brought with them there. Humans, however, decided to expand
After the [[Last Desolation]], the Shin took control of the [[Honorblade]]s and brought them to Shinovar.{{book ref|sa3|106}} Because of this history, they consider themselves the only ones who remember the truth about Rosharan history, though what they remember might not be entirely accurate.{{wob ref|5964}} [[Nale]] came back and retrieved his at some point without informing the Shin leaders.{{book ref|sa3|106}} Members of the Shin use and train with the Honorblades and [[surge]]s.{{wob ref|5090}} During the [[Era of Solitude]], the Shin tried multiple times to conquer all of Roshar, but they did not succeed any time.{{book ref|sa3|2}} They used Honorblades, Surges,{{wob ref|12700}} and cavalry, a fighting technique unfamiliar to the rest of the continent.{{book ref|sa3|75}} [[Shubreth-son-Mashalan]] was likely a leader during one of the invasions.{{book ref|sa3|19}} Approximately seven years before the [[True Desolation]], [[Szeth]] announced that the [[Voidbringers]] were returning.{{book ref|sa2|i|10}} He was told by the Shin leaders that this was false, given [[Jezrien]]'s Honorblade, and made [[Truthless]].{{book ref|sa2|33}} He was traded to [[Vstim]], a [[Thaylen]] merchant who often traded successfully with the Shin, and exiled from Shinovar.{{book ref|sa1|i|4}}
After the [[Everstorm]] hit the first time, the Shin sent warnings to other countries, including [[Tashikk]], to prepare them.{{book ref|sa2.5|14}} [[Dalinar]] sent word to them through a Thaylen merchant asking them to cooperate with his planned coalition.{{book ref|sa3|12}} The Shin were considered particularly important allies to gain because they controlled the
== Politics ==
== Culture ==
=== Peoples ===
The Shin, natives of Shinovar, have round faces and are one of few ethnicities on Roshar whose eyes lack [[wikipedia:Epicanthic fold|epicanthic fold]]s. These features give them a wide-eyed look that, to outsiders, makes them appear to resemble young children.{{wob ref|4079}} The Shin also have lighter skin than people in other parts of Roshar and are often
The Shin have a distinct naming scheme, seemingly unique to their culture. A person is identified first by their given name, then as either son or daughter, and finally their parent -- father for men, possibly mother for women.{{book ref|sa1|i|6}}{{book ref|sa1|5}} As such, a Shin would have a name like [[Thresh-son-Esan]] (Thresh, son of Esan) or [[Ali-daughter-Hasweth]] (Ali, daughter of Hasweth). In extraordinary circumstances, one can use the name of their grandparent instead, so as to avoid dishonoring their parent. One example of such a case is [[Szeth]]-son-son-[[Vallano]], meaning "Szeth, son of the son of Vallano".{{book ref|sa1|i|6}} The same pattern is applied to the names of [[Herald]]s in the Shin culture, with [[Honor]] being considered their parent -- [[Nale]] is known as Nin-son-God.{{book ref|sa2|88}}
=== Class Structure ===
The Shin have an extremely strict social structure based on profession.
Traders and merchants are lower in status than farmers, and are required to be supervised by the latter during certain transactions, as when trading with foreigners. They wear colorful capes to signify their status, and they may also ride on horseback.{{book ref|sa1|i|4}}
{{sidequote
|Here, warriors are the lowliest of men—kind of like slaves.
|[[Vstim]] to [[Rysn]] on Shin culture
|side=right|size=300px|
}}
Warriors are all
Only the [[Truthless]] are considered lower than warriors in the Shin culture. At present, there is only one Shin Truthless, and there are not likely to be more in the foreseeable future. Truthless are exiled from Shinovar, and required to live the life of a Shin warrior outside of Shinovar. They are required to have a master, but are not allowed to seek or avoid a particular master, freely sharing information about their servitude to any who asks (assuming that a current master has not given contradictory orders). The precise nature of the offense that makes one Truthless is unknown.
{{for|Stone Shamanism}}
The Shin follow [[Stone Shamanism]]. They believe stone to be sacred and that their soul is given to the stones upon their death, where they continue to exist.{{book ref|sa1|i|6}} They consider walking upon stones to be a heresy, and derogatorily refer to those who do as Stonewalkers. The stones of [[Urithiru]] are the one exception to this, as Urithiru is a holy site.{{book ref|sa2|i|10}} Similarly, mining in stone is considered to be a heresy. Because of this, metal is very valuable in Shin territory, with the Shin preferring [[Soulcast]] metal above mined metal because of the inherent blasphemy in obtaining
=== Economy ===
{{quote
| Never try to cheat the Shin. Be forthright, tell them the truth, and—if anything—undervalue your goods. They will love you for it. And they’ll pay you for it too.
| [[Vstim]]'s lesson to [[Rysn]]{{book ref|sa1|i|4}}
}}
When it comes to trading, and as a result of their humble nature, haggling with the Shin usually involves both parties devaluing their wares to the other, until an agreement can be reached. The Shin value and reward honesty in negotiations. This unique attitude towards trading means it can be difficult for merchants to understand how to get a good deal from them. [[Vstim]] is one of the few [[Thaylen]] merchants to understand them, so he often gets good deals. Shin are known for raising and trading [[chicken]]s,
=== Language ===
{{quote
| Tan balo ken tala,
| A presumably Shin greeting [[Vstim]] gives [[Thresh|Thresh-son-Esan]]{{book ref|sa1|i|4}}
}}
The Shin have their own language
== Notable Shin ==
|