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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}}
=== 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 viewed extremely poorly in Shin culture. To a Shin, since warriors exist only to destroy, they are far below the farmers and craftsmen who live to create, and even merchants, who trade in other's goods. All warriors are required to obey totally the person who holds their stone, voluntarily subjecting themselves into a state not unlike slavery. While a Shin warrior is able to distinguish his stone, it does not appear to be remarkable in any other way--their subjugation appears to be entirely voluntary. As a rule, Shin warriors cannot be given to outsiders, and the rules regarding the trading of warriors inside Shinovar are unknown. What is known, however, is that any person who picks up a weapon is required to take an stone and live the rest of their life as a warrior. Warriors are recognizable by the simple brown clothing they wear.{{book ref|sa1|i|4}}
{{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, an animal unique to this region of Roshar. They also commonly trade horses, cloth, and dried meats.{{book ref|sa1|i|4}} They are famed for their horses, and many varieties of fruit, such as strawberries, can only grow in the soil of Shinovar.{{book ref|sa1|48}} In exchange, the Shin want metal, particularly [[Soulcast]] metal that does not require mining stones to get.{{book ref|sa1|i|4}}
=== 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 ==
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