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Difference between revisions of "Taishin"

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|universe=[[Cosmere]]
  
|universe=[[Cosmere]]
 
|books=[[White Sand]]
  
|books=[[White Sand]]
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}}{{spoilers|book=ws3}}
  
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The '''Taishin''', or the council of guilds, form the ruling body of [[Lossand]]. It is composed of eight members who represent the eight Professions of Lossand. In the first vote on the [[Diem]] all of the Taishin, with the exception of Lord Admiral [[Delius]], voted to disband the Diem.
 +
The '''Taishin''', or the council of guilds, form the ruling body of [[Lossand]]. It is composed of eight members who represent the eight Professions of Lossand. A member of the Taishin Council is known by the singular "Taisha." Most of the Profession Guilds have many "sub-professions," such as the Draft of Artisans which represents professions such as traditional painting, as well as disparate professions like carpentry, cobblery, and medicine.{{book ref|ws|part=ars}}
   
−
== Composition ==
 +
== The Council ==
−
The Taishin are composed of the following people:{{book ref|ws1|6}}
 +
Each Taisha's title is preceded by "Lord" or "Lady" (as gender dictates), and the current leader of the Taishin Council also bears the honorific "High." The current leader of the Taishin is The High Judge. The Taishin are composed of the following positions:{{book ref|ws|part=ars}}
   
  +
{{columns|
−
* The '''Lord Mastrell'''
  
−
* The '''Lady Judge'''
 +
* The '''Mastrell'''
−
* The '''Lord General'''
 +
* The '''Judge'''
−
* The '''Lord Admiral'''
 +
* The '''General'''
−
* The '''Lord Merchant'''
 +
* The '''Admiral'''
−
* The '''Lord Farmer'''
+
* The '''Merchant'''
−
* The '''Lord Artisan'''
 +
* The '''Farmer'''
−
* The '''Lord Mason'''
 +
* The '''Artisan'''
  +
* The '''Mason'''
  +
}}
   
−
Though [[Nilto]] is referred to as the "'''Lord Beggar'''", he is not an official member of the Taishin; but is as influential as any of the other Taishin even though he has no vote.{{book ref|ws1|2}}
 +
Though [[Nilto]] is referred to as the "'''Lord Beggar'''", he is not an official member of the Taishin and he has no vote; but is as influential as any of the other Taishin because of his activities on behalf of the professionless poor and working class.{{book ref|ws|8}}
   
  +
The Taishin meet in the Meeting Chamber, located in the Hall of Judgement, a triangular chamber with each Taisha on a raised dias along the back wall and seating for [[Kelzin]] and other parties along the other two walls and the entranceway directly across from the Taishin (at the "peak"). A steward logs in all parties and announces those who will address the Council. New parties may only be announced when the floor to address the Taishin has been yielded.{{book ref|ws|4}}
−
== The Lord Mastrell ==
  
−
The Lord Mastrell is the Taisha in charge of the Diem and its [[sand masters]]. The current Lord Mastrell is [[Kenton]]. It appears that in the absence of a Lord Mastrell, the position defaults to the most senior Mastrell in the Diem.{{book ref|ws1|4}}
 
   
 
=== History ===
  
=== History ===
  +
Following the massacre of the [[Diem]] in the [[Kerla]],{{book ref|ws|2}} the Taishin council met to disband the Profession of the Sand Masters.{{book ref|ws|4}} Many council members had personal reasons to want the Diem disbanded. In the first vote on the [[Diem]] all of the Taishin, with the exception of Lord Admiral [[Delius]], voted to disband the Diem.{{book ref|ws|5}}
−
When Lord Mastrell [[Praxton]] died at the hands of [[Kerztian]] assassins along with most of the Diem, the other Taishin voted to Disband the Diem. Kenton arrived in middle of the council's meeting and interrupted, demanding that the vote be declared void, saying that he, the default acting Lord Mastrell, wasn't given enough notice before the vote. The Lady Judge reluctantly agrees that Kenton has a valid point. She says that he is indeed the acting Lord Mastrell and that he has two weeks to convince all of the Taishin to vote for the Diem.
 
   
  +
Acting Lord Mastrell [[Kenton]] demanded the proceeding be declared void due to an interaction of two laws of the Taishin Council charter. High Judge Heelis confirmed the laws, as quoted, but classified the vote as a preliminary decision. She further ruled that because the vote was six-to-one (with the Lord Mastrell unable to vote due to being an "acting" Lord Mastrell, not ratified by the Taishin to the position), Kenton would require a unanimous decision to overturn the prelimary vote.{{book ref|ws|5}}
−
Kenton also had a rival for the position, [[Drile]], who was a much more powerful sand master than Kenton was. Kenton challenges Drile to a duel to settle their disagreement. Drile accepts on the condition that the duel takes place before the council makes their decision. [[Elorin]], in a plot to ensure that the Diem has a weak leader, poisons the water Drile drinks before the duel and so Kenton defeats the more powerful Drile. Kenton asks the Lady Judge for the Taishin to vote on the spot in the Diem and she agrees. The Taishin all vote for the retention of the Diem, and Heelis ratifies Kenton as the official Lord Mastrell. Afterwards Kenton realizes that something was wrong during the duel and confronts Elorin. Elorin confesses, and in the ensuing fight Kenton kills him. Afterwards Kenton, with Drile at his side, leads the Diem in a new direction, different from how it was led in the past.
 
   
  +
Following the duel at the Diem, Kenton called for the final vote on the Diem's future. This time the Taishin Council voted unanimously to retain the Profession of Sand Masters.{{book ref|ws|18}}
−
== The Lady Judge ==
  
−
The Lady Judge is the Taisha in charge of the [[Hall of Judgement]]. The current Lady Judge is [[Heelis]]. She is the leader of the [[trackt]]s and judges of Lossand and is the final arbiter of the law. She presides over meetings of the Taishin which take place in the Taisha Meeting Hall.{{book ref|ws1|4}} In the final vote regarding the Diem, Heelis, saying she is partial towards the Diem, gives her vote to [[Ais]]. Ais, with the sight of Kenton stopping [[Sharezan]] to save her family in mind, puts aside her [[Kerztian]] bias against sand mastery, and votes in favor of the Diem.{{book ref|ws3|6}}
  
   
−
== The Lord General ==
 +
== Council Composition ==
−
The Lord General is the Taisha in charge of the [[Tower (Taldain)|Tower]]. The current Lord General is [[Aarik]]. He resides at the Tower Barracks.{{book ref|ws1|6}} He is the leader of the soldiers of Lossand. It appears that the position is hereditary. After [[Raagent]]'s death at the hands of Sharezan, Kenton asks Aarik to take his father's position and vote for the Diem.{{book ref|ws3|4}} Aarik reluctantly agrees, and votes for the Diem in the final vote of the Taishin.
  
   
−
== The Lord Admiral ==
 +
=== The Lord Mastrell ===
  +
{| class=wikitable style="text-align: center; width:50%; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border: none;"
−
The Lord Admiral is the Taisha at the head of the [[Helm]]. The current Lord Admiral is [[Lokkall]]. He resides at Helm's Rest.{{book ref|ws1|6}} The Lord Admiral is ostensibly in charge of the Helm's sailors and shipowners, but in fact the position of Lord Admiral is merely a figurehead position without any actual power. In fact, it is often viewed as a punishment rather than an honor. The true leadership of the Helm belongs to its leading council, the Shipowners' Circle. When the Shipowners' Circle selects a new Lord Admiral all of his property become forfeit and he is forbidden from owning property. All he is given is: a ship when he needs it, a house to live in, and any food and drink he asks for. The Lord Admiralship is the means by which the Circle keeps power over its members, anyone who becomes too successful can be taken off the playing field by "honoring" them with the position of Lord Admiral.{{book ref|ws3|3}}
  
  +
| rowspan=4 style="border: none; width:20%;" | [[File: Professions_Diem.jpg|80px|center]]
  +
! style="border: none; | The Diem of the Sand Masters
  +
|-
  +
<!-- Imagespan row -->
  +
| style="border: none; |Leader: Lord Mastrell
  +
|-
  +
<!-- Imagespan row -->
  +
| style="border: none; |Headquarters: The Diem
  +
|-
  +
<!-- Imagespan row -->
  +
| style="border: none; |Sand Mastery
  +
|}
  +
The Lord Mastrell is the Taisha in charge of the [[Diem]] and its [[sand mastery|sand masters]]. The current Lord Mastrell is [[Kenton]].{{book ref|ws|part=ars}}{{book ref|ws|18}} The Lord Mastrell's approval is required before a sand master can advance to any rank in the Diem except [[Acolent]].{{book ref|ws|1}}
   
  +
:'''Taisha Selection'''
−
=== History ===
  
  +
It appears that in the absence of a Lord Mastrell, the position defaults to the most senior Mastrell in the Diem.{{book ref|ws|4}} Normally a new Lord Mastrell would be chosen by a vote of the Diem's Mastrells.{{ref|group=fn|text=The selection process was detailed in the [[White_Sand_(prose)|Prose]] version and is alluded to in the Omnibus, but not explicitly stated.}}
−
[[Delius]], after being betrayed by Vey and losing his trust in the Guild, quit the Guild in disgust and joined the Helm. Within a decade he had amassed a large a fleet of mercantile ships. However while doing so he had ignored the politics of the Helm and was "honored" with the Lord Admiralship. For five years Delius plotted his revenge, all the while drinking expensive wine at the Helm's expense. He had his steward, who was his son, secretly buy up a new fleet of ships for him under his own name to get around the Helm's restriction on property. Delius then had his steward carry with him documents that, when signed, would transfer ownership of the fleet to Delius.
  
   
  +
It is unknown if this process was changed in Kenton's adjustments to the Diem's charter.
−
When Kenton was being prevented from traveling to [[Lraezare]] by dockmaster [[Naimeer]], Delius pulled rank on Naimeer and commandeered a ship for himself, ostensibly to visit the Shipowners' Circle, and invited Kenton along. When they arrive at the Shipowners' Circle in Lraezare at the house of Lokkal its leader, Lokkall says that the Circle had "need" of his ship and that it has departed, leaving Delius and Kenton stranded in Lraezare. Delius says that he will just commandeer another ship, and Lokkall declares that the Circle has had enough of Delius' drunkenness and they have unanimously decided to strip him of his title. Delius immediately asks his steward for the documents and signs them, transferring ownership of the fleet of ships to himself. He then announces that he is commanding his ships to monopolize access to the port of Kezare for the next month. Upon hearing this the Circle goes into a panic and when Delius nominates Lokkall to be Lord Admiral, saying that if they vote for him he will not block Kezare, they unanimously agree, and Lokkall becomes the new Lord Admiral. Delius then tells Lokkall that he will hold all of the possessions that he just lost, and if he votes in favor of the Diem he will nominate a new Lord Admiral and return his possessions to him. Lokkall agrees, and votes in favor of the Diem.{{book ref|ws3|3}}
  
   
  +
:'''History'''
−
== The Lord Merchant ==
  
−
The Lord Merchant is the Taisha at the head of the Guild. The current Lord Merchant is [[Vey]]. He resides at the Golden Market of the Guild.{{book ref|ws1|6}} He leads the bankers and moneylenders of Lossand. The position of Lord Merchant goes to the member of the Guild with the most wealth. When the position changes hands the new Lord Merchant acquires all of his predecessor's wealth and debts.{{book ref|ws3|3}}
 +
About a century before [[Praxton]], the Lord Mastrell of the time started an account with then Lord Merchant [[Hennin]]. The Lord Mastrell had Hennin put the Diem's tribute money in the account, but Hennin lost the money on bad investments. Over the years the tributes, combined with the interest, grew to become an insurmountable debt. The Lords Mastrell used this debt as a lever over the Lords Merchant to blackmail them into doing their bidding until Kenton, in a fit of conscience, forgave it.{{book ref|ws|15}}
   
  +
When Lord Mastrell Praxton died at the hands of [[Kerztian]] assassins, along with most of the Diem, the other Taishin voted to disband the Diem. Kenton arrived in middle of the council's meeting and interrupted, demanding that the vote be declared void, saying that he, the default acting Lord Mastrell, wasn't given enough notice before the vote. The Lady Judge reluctantly agreed that Kenton has a valid point. She said that he is indeed the acting Lord Mastrell and that he had two weeks to convince all of the Taishin to vote for the Diem.
−
=== History ===
  
  +
  +
Kenton also had a rival for the position. [[Drile]], a demoted former-Mastrell who was a much more powerful sand master than Kenton was. Kenton challenged Drile to a duel to settle their disagreement. Drile accepted on the condition that the duel would take place before the council made their decision. [[Elorin]], in a plot to ensure that the Diem would have a weak leader, poisoned the water they drank before the duel with [[KaDo]]. Kenton, having felt the effects before, was less affected that the more powerful Drile who did not realize he was affected by anything or how quickly he would dehydrate under those effects. Kenton asked the High Judge for the Taishin to vote on the spot, in the Diem, and she agreed. The Taishin all voted for the retention of the Diem, and Heelis ratified Kenton as the official Lord Mastrell. Afterward Kenton met with Drile, discussing the effects they felt and realized they had each blamed the other, but the real traitor must be Elorin, who proffered water in both occasions. Kenton confronted Elorin in his chambers, where Elorin confessed, and in the ensuing fight Kenton killed him.{{book ref|ws|17}}{{book ref|ws|18}}
  +
  +
Afterward Kenton, working with Drile at his side, led the Diem in a new direction; different from how it had been led in the past.{{book ref|ws|epilogue}}
  +
  +
=== The Lady Judge ===
  +
{| class=wikitable style="text-align: center; width:50%; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border: none;"
  +
| rowspan=4 style="border: none; width:20%;" | [[File: Professions_Hall.jpg|100px|center]]
  +
! style="border: none; | The Hall of Judges, Trackts, and Scribes
  +
|-
  +
<!-- Imagespan row -->
  +
| style="border: none; |Leader: Lady Judge
  +
|-
  +
<!-- Imagespan row -->
  +
| style="border: none; |Headquarters: The Hall of Judgement
  +
|-
  +
<!-- Imagespan row -->
  +
| style="border: none; |Writing, Law, Keeping the Peace
  +
|}
  +
The Lady Judge is the Taisha in charge of the [[Hall of Judgement]]. The current Lady Judge is [[Heelis]]. She is the leader of the [[trackt]]s and judges of Lossand and is the final arbiter of the law.{{book ref|ws|4}}{{book ref|ws|part=ars}}
  +
  +
:'''Taisha Selection'''
  +
It is unknown how the Taisha of the Hall is selected.
  +
  +
:'''History'''
  +
Because the Lady Judge is also the current head of the Taishin Council, as High Judge she presides over meetings of the Taishin.{{book ref|ws|4|}}
  +
  +
In the final vote regarding the Diem, Heelis, citing that the vote should be impartial but that she is biased in favor the Diem, gives her vote to [[Ais]] so that the vote will be cast by somebody biased against the Diem. Ais, with the sight of Kenton stopping [[Sharezan]] to save her family in mind, puts aside her [[Kerztian]] bias against sand mastery, and votes in favor of the Diem.{{book ref|ws|18}}
  +
  +
=== The Lord General ===
  +
{| class=wikitable style="text-align: center; width:50%; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border: none;"
  +
| rowspan=4 style="border: none; width:20%;" | [[File: Professions_Tower.jpg|100px|center]]
  +
! style="border: none; | The Tower of Soldiers
  +
|-
  +
<!-- Imagespan row -->
  +
| style="border: none; |Leader: Lord General
  +
|-
  +
<!-- Imagespan row -->
  +
| style="border: none; |Headquarters: The Tower Garrison
  +
|-
  +
<!-- Imagespan row -->
  +
| style="border: none; |Lossand's Military
  +
|}
  +
The Lord General is the Taisha in charge of the [[Tower (Taldain)|Tower]]. The current Lord General is [[Aarik]].{{book ref|ws|16}} He resides at the Tower Garrison.{{book ref|ws|6}} He is the leader of the soldiers of Lossand.{{book ref|ws|part=ars}}
  +
  +
:'''Taisha Selection'''
  +
It appears that the position is hereditary.{{book ref|ws|16}}{{ref|group=fn|text=The selection process was explicitly stated to be hereditary in the [[White_Sand_(prose)|Prose]] version.}}
  +
  +
:'''History'''
  +
Lord General [[Raagent]] had somehow come to be under the control of Sharezan, but attempted to contact Senior Trackt Ais for aid in freeing himself from Sharezan's organization. His meeting with the Trackt was discovered and turned into a trap for them both. They escaped, but Sharezan somehow gained access to the Tower and killed him with his fear of darkness in the Tower's wine cellar.{{book ref|ws|16}}
  +
  +
After Raagent's death at the hands of Sharezan, Kenton asks Aarik to take his father's position and vote for the Diem. Aarik reluctantly agrees.{{book ref|ws|16}} Lord General Aarik votes for the Diem in the final vote of the Taishin.{{book ref|ws|18}}
  +
  +
=== The Lord Admiral ===
  +
{| class=wikitable style="text-align: center; width:50%; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border: none;"
  +
| rowspan=4 style="border: none; width:20%;" | [[File: Professions_Helm.jpg|100px|center]]
  +
! style="border: none; | The Helm of Shipowners
  +
|-
  +
<!-- Imagespan row -->
  +
| style="border: none; |Leader: The Lord Admiral
  +
|-
  +
<!-- Imagespan row -->
  +
| style="border: none; |Headquarters: Helm's Rest
  +
|-
  +
<!-- Imagespan row -->
  +
| style="border: none; |Despite the use of "Admiral," not military, but mercantile in purpose<br/>Closely related to Merchants, with whom they often feud<br/>Governed by the Shipowners' Circle
  +
|}
  +
The Lord Admiral is the Taisha at the head of the [[Helm]]. The current Lord Admiral is [[Lokkall]].{{book ref|ws|15}} He resides at Helm's Rest.{{book ref|ws|6}} The Lord Admiral is ostensibly in charge of the shipping industry of Lossand, but in fact the position of Lord Admiral is merely a figurehead position without any actual power. In fact, it is often viewed as a punishment rather than an honor. The true leadership of the Helm belongs to its leading council, the Shipowners' Circle.{{book ref|ws|15}}
  +
  +
:'''Taisha Selection'''
 
{{quote
  
{{quote
  +
|Theft by bestowal of a Grand Honor—Go against the will of the Circle, and you can lose everything.
−
|His name was Hennin. An idiot of a Lord Merchant who acquired the position unearned after two relatives died and left him separate fortunes.
  
−
|Vey{{book ref|ws3|3}}
 +
|Delius{{book ref|ws|15}}
 
}}
  
}}
  +
When the Shipowners' Circle selects a new Lord Admiral all of his property and wealth becomes forfeit and he is forbidden from owning property. All he is given is: a ship when he needs it, a house to live in, and any food and drink he asks for. The Lord Admiralship is the means by which the Circle keeps power over its members, anyone who becomes too successful or does not abide by the Circle's will can be "honored" them with the position of Lord Admiral.{{book ref|ws|15}}
−
Centuries before Vey took the position, a man named [[Hennin]] was the Lord Merchant. He reached the position when two of his relatives died, leaving him enough of a fortune to become Lord Merchant. The Lord Mastrell of the time started a personal account with Hennin, and Hennin would put the Diem's tribute money into the account. After Hennin's rule, when the next Lord Merchant took over he discovered that a vast sum was now owed to the Diem, the original tributes and a large amount of interest. Over the years the debt has increased to the point where it is impossible to pay back.{{book ref|ws3|3}}
  
  +
  +
:'''History'''
  +
{{sidequote
  +
|I have very few beliefs in life. One is that wine is by far the best companion a man could ask for. The other is that the Lord Merchant represents all that is evil and vile in our world. Both are philosophies that make my life easier—one keeps me happy, the other makes all of my decisions for me.
  +
|Delius{{book ref|ws|7}}
  +
|side=right|size=400px
  +
}}
  +
[[Delius]], in the initial vote on dissolving the Diem, voted to retain, but only because Lord Merchant Vey voted to dissolve.{{book ref|ws|5}} When Kenton visits him at Helm's Rest, he reassures Kenton that he will vote for the Diem in the final vote because he always votes the opposite of Vey, and the Lord Merchant, being Kerztian, will never vote in favor of the Diem.{{book ref|ws|7}}
  +
  +
Later, Lord Admiral Delius decides to hold a party to honor the new Lord Mastrell, ostensibly so he has an excuse to meet the Duchess [[Khrissalla]],{{book ref|ws|10}}{{book ref|ws|11}} but really as a ploy to offend and rile the Kelzin shipowners, who hope to disband the Diem and earn favor with the A'kar—who has offered to relax embargoes that impact the profits of the Helm if the Diem is dissolved.{{book ref|ws|12}}
  +
  +
When Kenton was being prevented from traveling to [[Lraezare]] by dockmaster [[NaiMeer]], Delius pulled rank on NaiMeer and commandeered a ship for himself, ostensibly to visit the Shipowners' Circle, and invited Kenton along. When they arrived at the Shipowners' Circle meeting at the house of Lokkal, its leader, the Circle was manipulated into removing Delius from the office of Lord Admiral because of his support for the Diem.{{book ref|ws|15}}
  +
  +
Delius immediately asked his steward for "the documents" and signed them, transferring ownership of the fleet of ships to himself. He then announced that he was commanding his ships to monopolize access to the port of Kezare for the next month. Upon hearing this the Circle went into a panic. Delius then nominated Lokkall to be the new Lord Admiral, saying that if they voted for him he would not block Kezare, they unanimously agreed, and Lokkall became the new Lord Admiral. Delius then told Lokkall that he would hold all of the possessions that he had just lost, and if he voted in favor of the Diem he would nominate a new Lord Admiral and return his possessions to him. Lokkall agreed.{{book ref|ws|15}}
  +
  +
In the final vote Lord Admiral Lokkall, with some prompting from Delius, voted to retain the Diem, wholeheartedly.{{book ref|ws|18}}
  +
  +
=== The Lord Merchant ===
  +
{| class=wikitable style="text-align: center; width:50%; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border: none;"
  +
| rowspan=4 style="border: none; width:20%;" | [[File: Professions_Guild.jpg|100px|center]]
  +
! style="border: none; | The Guild of Merchants
  +
|-
  +
<!-- Imagespan row -->
  +
| style="border: none; |Leader: Lord Merchant
  +
|-
  +
<!-- Imagespan row -->
  +
| style="border: none; |Headquarters: The Golden Market
  +
|-
  +
<!-- Imagespan row -->
  +
| style="border: none; |Moneychangers, Lenders, and Merchants
  +
|}
  +
The Lord Merchant is the Taisha at the head of the [[Guild]]. The current Lord Merchant is [[Vey]]. He resides at the Golden Market of the Guild. He leads the banking industry of Lossand.{{book ref|ws|6}}{{book ref|ws|part=ars}}
  +
  +
:'''Taisha Selection'''
  +
The position of Lord Merchant goes to the member of the Guild with the most wealth. When the position changes hands the new Lord Merchant acquires all of his predecessor's wealth and debts.{{book ref|ws|15}}
  +
  +
:'''History'''
 
{{quote
  
{{quote
  +
|Lord Merchant Hennin, to be exact. An idiot who acquired the position after inheriting two separate fortunes and no business sense.
−
|Thus each Quarter the Lord Merchant sends two thousand [[lak]] of his personal fortune to the Diem which the Lord Mastrell returns with instructions that it be deposited in the private account, adding to the blasted debt.
  
−
|Vey{{book ref|ws3|3}}
 +
|Vey{{book ref|ws|15}}
 
}}
  
}}
  +
{{sidequote
−
The Lord Mastrell was willing to keep the debt secret so long as the Lord Merchant kept paying the tribute. The Lady Judge's predecessor knew about the debt and ruled that the Lord Merchant must pay the debt in full when the Lord Mastrell asks for it. Instead of demanding that Vey pay the debt, Kenton forgave the debt, earning Vey's respect and causing him to vote for the Diem.{{book ref|ws3|3}}
  
  +
|Thus, each quarter, the Lord Merchant continues to send the tribute which the Lord Mastrell deposits into the savings account, which continues to accrue more interest, adding to the blasted debt.
  +
|Vey{{book ref|ws|15}}
  +
|side=right|size=350px
  +
}}
  +
About a hundred years before Vey took the position, a man named [[Hennin]] was the Lord Merchant. He reached the position when two of his relatives died, leaving him enough of a fortune to become Lord Merchant. The Lord Mastrell of the time started a personal account with Hennin, who lost the entire principal on bad investments. Hennin and future Lord Merchants would put the Diem's tribute money into the account, increasing the balance, and therefore the interest.{{book ref|ws|15}}
  +
  +
After Hennin's rule, when the next Lord Merchant took over he discovered that a vast sum was now owed to the Diem, the original tributes and a large amount of interest. Over the years the debt has increased to the point where it became impossible to pay back.{{book ref|ws|15}}
  +
  +
The Lord Mastrell was willing to keep the debt secret so long as the Lord Merchant voted in concordance with the Diem. The Lady Judge's predecessor knew about the debt and ruled that the Lord Merchant must pay the debt in full when the Lord Mastrell asks for it. Instead of demanding that Vey pay the debt, Kenton forgave the debt, earning Vey's respect and causing him to vote for the Diem.{{book ref|ws|15}}{{book ref|ws|18}}
  +
  +
=== The Lord Farmer ===
  +
{| class=wikitable style="text-align: center; width:50%; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border: none;"
  +
| rowspan=4 style="border: none; width:20%;" | [[File: Professions_Field.jpg|100px|center]]
  +
! style="border: none; | The Field of Farmers
  +
|-
  +
<!-- Imagespan row -->
  +
| style="border: none; |Leader: Lord Farmer
  +
|-
  +
<!-- Imagespan row -->
  +
| style="border: none; |Headquarters: The Farmers Congress
  +
|-
  +
<!-- Imagespan row -->
  +
| style="border: none; |Those who own the land (Kelzin) and those who work it
  +
|}
  +
The Lord Farmer is the Taisha in charge of the [[Field]]. The current Lord Farmer is [[Gennel]]. He resides at the Farmers Congress. He leads the farming industry of Lossand, the Kelzin landowners of farmland, and oversees farming quotas.{{book ref|ws|6}}{{book ref|ws|part=ars}}
  +
  +
:'''Taisha Selection'''
  +
It is unknown how the Taisha of the Field is selected.
  +
  +
:'''History'''
  +
In the initial vote, the Lord Farmer voted to dissolve the Diem.{{book ref|ws|5}} It is implied that since Lord Merchant Vey and Lord Farmer Gennel are both Kerztian, they are friends and Gennel tends to follow Vey's lead in most things{{book ref|ws|14}}{{ref|group=fn|text=This aspect of their relationship was explicitly stated in the [[White_Sand_(prose)|Prose]] version.}}
  +
  +
He votes in favor of the Diem in the final vote of the Taishin without explaining why he changed his mind. However, it is implied that he always listens to and follows Vey, and that this is why he voted for the Diem.{{book ref|ws|18}}
  +
  +
=== The Lord Artisan ===
  +
{| class=wikitable style="text-align: center; width:50%; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border: none;"
  +
| rowspan=4 style="border: none; width:20%;" | [[File: Professions_Draft.jpg|100px|center]]
  +
! style="border: none; | The Draft of Artisans
  +
|-
  +
<!-- Imagespan row -->
  +
| style="border: none; |Leader: The Lord Artisan
  +
|-
  +
<!-- Imagespan row -->
  +
| style="border: none; |Headquarters: The Artisan Central Studio
  +
|-
  +
<!-- Imagespan row -->
  +
| style="border: none; |Artisans and Craftpersons
  +
|}
  +
The Lord Artisan is the Taisha in charge of the [[Draft (profession)|Draft]]. The current Lord Artisan is [[Rite]]. He resides at the Artisan Central Studio.{{book ref|ws|6}}{{book ref|ws|7}} He leads the manufactured goods industry of Lossand.{{book ref|ws|part=ars}}
  +
  +
:'''Taisha Selection'''
  +
The Lord Artisan is selected by a vote of his Professions' members.{{book ref|ws|7}}
  +
  +
:'''History'''
  +
In the initial vote, the Lord Artisan voted to dissolve the Diem.{{book ref|ws|5}}
  +
  +
When Kenton meets with him, Rite explained that he was biased against the Diem because of the law allowing mastrell's to take goods and services without payment. After Kenton, on Khrissalla's advice, promises the services of sand masters to the Draft; and, with the help of a loan from the Guild, promises to repay the Diem's 1,500,000 [[lak]] debt; the Lord Artisan agrees to vote for the Diem.{{book ref|ws|7}}
  +
  +
In the final vote, Lord Artisan Rite cites that his terms for the Diem have been met and the debt repaid, and does vote to retain the Diem.{{book ref|ws|18}}
  +
  +
=== The Lady Mason ===
  +
{| class=wikitable style="text-align: center; width:50%; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border: none;"
  +
| rowspan=4 style="border: none; width:20%;" | [[File: Professions_Company.jpg|100px|center]]
  +
! style="border: none; | The Company of Masons
  +
|-
  +
<!-- Imagespan row -->
  +
| style="border: none; |Leader: Lady Mason
  +
|-
  +
<!-- Imagespan row -->
  +
| style="border: none; |Headquarters: The Mason Headquarters
  +
|-
  +
<!-- Imagespan row -->
  +
| style="border: none; |Stone Masons, Builders, Miners
  +
|}
  +
The Lady Mason is the Taisha in charge of the [[Company]].{{book ref|ws|part=ars}} The canonical name of the current Lady Mason is unknown. She resides at the Mason Headquarters.{{book ref|ws|6}} She leads the construction industry of Lossand.{{book ref|ws|17}}
   
  +
:'''Taisha Selection'''
−
== The Lord Farmer ==
  
  +
It is unknown how the Taisha of the Company is selected.
−
The Lord Farmer is the Taisha in charge of the Farmer's Guild. The current Lord Farmer is [[Gennel]]. He resides at the Farmers Congress. He leads the farmers of Lossand and oversees farming quotas.{{book ref|ws1|6}} He votes in favor of the Diem in the final vote of the Taishin without explaining why he changed his mind. However, it is implied that he always listens to and follows Vey,{{book ref|ws3|3}} and that this is why he voted for the Diem.
  
   
  +
:'''History'''
−
== The Lord Artisan ==
  
  +
In the initial vote, the Lady Mason voted to dissolve the Diem.{{book ref|ws|5}}
−
The Lord Artisan is the Taisha in charge of the Artisan's Guild. The current Lord Artisan is [[Rite]]. He resides at the Artisan Conference Center.{{book ref|ws1|6}} He leads the artisans and craftsmen of Lossand. The Lord Artisan is selected by a vote of the guild's members. After Kenton, at the advising of [[Khriss]], promises the services of sand masters to the Artisans Guild, and with the help of a loan from the Guild, promises to repay the Diem's 150,000 [[lak]] debt; the Lord Artisan agrees to vote for the Diem.{{book ref|ws2|1}}{{book ref|ws3|6}}
  
   
  +
In the final vote of the Taishin the Lady Mason voted for the Diem, saying that it has proven that it can be beneficial and flexible. This was largely due to the incident with the construction collapse, where Kenton used his sand to save the lives of several of the Guild's workers.{{book ref|ws|14}}{{book ref|ws|18}}
−
== The Lord Mason ==
  
−
The Lord Mason is the Taisha in charge of the Mason's Guild. The canonical name of the current Lord Mason is unknown. He resides at the Mason Center.{{book ref|ws1|6}} He leads the masons and construction workers of Lossand. The Lord Mason sometimes sends a representative in his place to meetings of the Taishin.{{book ref|ws3|6}}{{ref|text=In the voting scene the "Lord Mason" says that "we vote in favor..." not "I vote..." as the other Taishin do. This implies that the woman present at the meeting is in fact only a representative of the Lord Mason and not the Lord Mason himself. Furthermore in the prose it is stated that the Lord Mason usually sends a representative to council meetings.}} In the final vote of the Taishin the Lord Mason's representative voted for the Diem, saying that it has proved that it can be beneficial and flexible. This was largely due to the incident with the construction collapse, where Kenton used his sand to save the lives of several of the Mason's Guild's workers.{{book ref|ws2|6}}{{book ref|ws3|2}}
  
   
 
== Trivia ==
  
== Trivia ==
−
* In the [[White Sand (prose)|prose]] the Lord Mason was named Selcomb.
 +
* In the [[White Sand (prose)|prose]] the Taisha of the Mason's guild was male and was named Selcomb. He used representatives to attend the Taishin meetings so that he would not need to leave Nor'Tallon.
−
* In the [[White Sand (prose)|prose]] the Farmer's Guild is called the Field.
  
−
* In the prose the Artisan's Guild is called the Draft.
  
   
 
== Notes ==
  
== Notes ==
  +
;Footnotes
  +
<references group=fn />
  +
;References
 
<references />
  
<references />
 
{{complete}}
  
{{complete}}

Latest revision as of 23:18, 7 January 2024

Taishin
Headquarters Kezare
Type Council
World of Origin Taldain
Universe Cosmere

The Taishin, or the council of guilds, form the ruling body of Lossand. It is composed of eight members who represent the eight Professions of Lossand. A member of the Taishin Council is known by the singular "Taisha." Most of the Profession Guilds have many "sub-professions," such as the Draft of Artisans which represents professions such as traditional painting, as well as disparate professions like carpentry, cobblery, and medicine.[1]

The Council[edit]

Each Taisha's title is preceded by "Lord" or "Lady" (as gender dictates), and the current leader of the Taishin Council also bears the honorific "High." The current leader of the Taishin is The High Judge. The Taishin are composed of the following positions:[1]

  • The Mastrell
  • The Judge
  • The General
  • The Admiral
  • The Merchant
  • The Farmer
  • The Artisan
  • The Mason

Though Nilto is referred to as the "Lord Beggar", he is not an official member of the Taishin and he has no vote; but is as influential as any of the other Taishin because of his activities on behalf of the professionless poor and working class.[2]

The Taishin meet in the Meeting Chamber, located in the Hall of Judgement, a triangular chamber with each Taisha on a raised dias along the back wall and seating for Kelzin and other parties along the other two walls and the entranceway directly across from the Taishin (at the "peak"). A steward logs in all parties and announces those who will address the Council. New parties may only be announced when the floor to address the Taishin has been yielded.[3]

History[edit]

Following the massacre of the Diem in the Kerla,[4] the Taishin council met to disband the Profession of the Sand Masters.[3] Many council members had personal reasons to want the Diem disbanded. In the first vote on the Diem all of the Taishin, with the exception of Lord Admiral Delius, voted to disband the Diem.[5]

Acting Lord Mastrell Kenton demanded the proceeding be declared void due to an interaction of two laws of the Taishin Council charter. High Judge Heelis confirmed the laws, as quoted, but classified the vote as a preliminary decision. She further ruled that because the vote was six-to-one (with the Lord Mastrell unable to vote due to being an "acting" Lord Mastrell, not ratified by the Taishin to the position), Kenton would require a unanimous decision to overturn the prelimary vote.[5]

Following the duel at the Diem, Kenton called for the final vote on the Diem's future. This time the Taishin Council voted unanimously to retain the Profession of Sand Masters.[6]

Council Composition[edit]

The Lord Mastrell[edit]

Professions Diem.jpg
 The Diem of the Sand Masters
Leader: Lord Mastrell
Headquarters: The Diem
Sand Mastery

The Lord Mastrell is the Taisha in charge of the Diem and its sand masters. The current Lord Mastrell is Kenton.[1][6] The Lord Mastrell's approval is required before a sand master can advance to any rank in the Diem except Acolent.[7]

Taisha Selection

It appears that in the absence of a Lord Mastrell, the position defaults to the most senior Mastrell in the Diem.[3] Normally a new Lord Mastrell would be chosen by a vote of the Diem's Mastrells.[fn 1]

It is unknown if this process was changed in Kenton's adjustments to the Diem's charter.

History

About a century before Praxton, the Lord Mastrell of the time started an account with then Lord Merchant Hennin. The Lord Mastrell had Hennin put the Diem's tribute money in the account, but Hennin lost the money on bad investments. Over the years the tributes, combined with the interest, grew to become an insurmountable debt. The Lords Mastrell used this debt as a lever over the Lords Merchant to blackmail them into doing their bidding until Kenton, in a fit of conscience, forgave it.[8]

When Lord Mastrell Praxton died at the hands of Kerztian assassins, along with most of the Diem, the other Taishin voted to disband the Diem. Kenton arrived in middle of the council's meeting and interrupted, demanding that the vote be declared void, saying that he, the default acting Lord Mastrell, wasn't given enough notice before the vote. The Lady Judge reluctantly agreed that Kenton has a valid point. She said that he is indeed the acting Lord Mastrell and that he had two weeks to convince all of the Taishin to vote for the Diem.

Kenton also had a rival for the position. Drile, a demoted former-Mastrell who was a much more powerful sand master than Kenton was. Kenton challenged Drile to a duel to settle their disagreement. Drile accepted on the condition that the duel would take place before the council made their decision. Elorin, in a plot to ensure that the Diem would have a weak leader, poisoned the water they drank before the duel with KaDo. Kenton, having felt the effects before, was less affected that the more powerful Drile who did not realize he was affected by anything or how quickly he would dehydrate under those effects. Kenton asked the High Judge for the Taishin to vote on the spot, in the Diem, and she agreed. The Taishin all voted for the retention of the Diem, and Heelis ratified Kenton as the official Lord Mastrell. Afterward Kenton met with Drile, discussing the effects they felt and realized they had each blamed the other, but the real traitor must be Elorin, who proffered water in both occasions. Kenton confronted Elorin in his chambers, where Elorin confessed, and in the ensuing fight Kenton killed him.[9][6]

Afterward Kenton, working with Drile at his side, led the Diem in a new direction; different from how it had been led in the past.[10]

The Lady Judge[edit]

Professions Hall.jpg
 The Hall of Judges, Trackts, and Scribes
Leader: Lady Judge
Headquarters: The Hall of Judgement
Writing, Law, Keeping the Peace

The Lady Judge is the Taisha in charge of the Hall of Judgement. The current Lady Judge is Heelis. She is the leader of the trackts and judges of Lossand and is the final arbiter of the law.[3][1]

Taisha Selection

It is unknown how the Taisha of the Hall is selected.

History

Because the Lady Judge is also the current head of the Taishin Council, as High Judge she presides over meetings of the Taishin.[11]

In the final vote regarding the Diem, Heelis, citing that the vote should be impartial but that she is biased in favor the Diem, gives her vote to Ais so that the vote will be cast by somebody biased against the Diem. Ais, with the sight of Kenton stopping Sharezan to save her family in mind, puts aside her Kerztian bias against sand mastery, and votes in favor of the Diem.[6]

The Lord General[edit]

Professions Tower.jpg
 The Tower of Soldiers
Leader: Lord General
Headquarters: The Tower Garrison
Lossand's Military

The Lord General is the Taisha in charge of the Tower. The current Lord General is Aarik.[12] He resides at the Tower Garrison.[13] He is the leader of the soldiers of Lossand.[1]

Taisha Selection

It appears that the position is hereditary.[12][fn 2]

History

Lord General Raagent had somehow come to be under the control of Sharezan, but attempted to contact Senior Trackt Ais for aid in freeing himself from Sharezan's organization. His meeting with the Trackt was discovered and turned into a trap for them both. They escaped, but Sharezan somehow gained access to the Tower and killed him with his fear of darkness in the Tower's wine cellar.[12]

After Raagent's death at the hands of Sharezan, Kenton asks Aarik to take his father's position and vote for the Diem. Aarik reluctantly agrees.[12] Lord General Aarik votes for the Diem in the final vote of the Taishin.[6]

The Lord Admiral[edit]

Professions Helm.jpg
 The Helm of Shipowners
Leader: The Lord Admiral
Headquarters: Helm's Rest
Despite the use of "Admiral," not military, but mercantile in purpose
Closely related to Merchants, with whom they often feud
Governed by the Shipowners' Circle

The Lord Admiral is the Taisha at the head of the Helm. The current Lord Admiral is Lokkall.[8] He resides at Helm's Rest.[13] The Lord Admiral is ostensibly in charge of the shipping industry of Lossand, but in fact the position of Lord Admiral is merely a figurehead position without any actual power. In fact, it is often viewed as a punishment rather than an honor. The true leadership of the Helm belongs to its leading council, the Shipowners' Circle.[8]

Taisha Selection

“Theft by bestowal of a Grand Honor—Go against the will of the Circle, and you can lose everything. ”

—Delius[8]

When the Shipowners' Circle selects a new Lord Admiral all of his property and wealth becomes forfeit and he is forbidden from owning property. All he is given is: a ship when he needs it, a house to live in, and any food and drink he asks for. The Lord Admiralship is the means by which the Circle keeps power over its members, anyone who becomes too successful or does not abide by the Circle's will can be "honored" them with the position of Lord Admiral.[8]

History

“I have very few beliefs in life. One is that wine is by far the best companion a man could ask for. The other is that the Lord Merchant represents all that is evil and vile in our world. Both are philosophies that make my life easier—one keeps me happy, the other makes all of my decisions for me.”

—Delius[14]

Delius, in the initial vote on dissolving the Diem, voted to retain, but only because Lord Merchant Vey voted to dissolve.[5] When Kenton visits him at Helm's Rest, he reassures Kenton that he will vote for the Diem in the final vote because he always votes the opposite of Vey, and the Lord Merchant, being Kerztian, will never vote in favor of the Diem.[14]

Later, Lord Admiral Delius decides to hold a party to honor the new Lord Mastrell, ostensibly so he has an excuse to meet the Duchess Khrissalla,[15][16] but really as a ploy to offend and rile the Kelzin shipowners, who hope to disband the Diem and earn favor with the A'kar—who has offered to relax embargoes that impact the profits of the Helm if the Diem is dissolved.[17]

When Kenton was being prevented from traveling to Lraezare by dockmaster NaiMeer, Delius pulled rank on NaiMeer and commandeered a ship for himself, ostensibly to visit the Shipowners' Circle, and invited Kenton along. When they arrived at the Shipowners' Circle meeting at the house of Lokkal, its leader, the Circle was manipulated into removing Delius from the office of Lord Admiral because of his support for the Diem.[8]

Delius immediately asked his steward for "the documents" and signed them, transferring ownership of the fleet of ships to himself. He then announced that he was commanding his ships to monopolize access to the port of Kezare for the next month. Upon hearing this the Circle went into a panic. Delius then nominated Lokkall to be the new Lord Admiral, saying that if they voted for him he would not block Kezare, they unanimously agreed, and Lokkall became the new Lord Admiral. Delius then told Lokkall that he would hold all of the possessions that he had just lost, and if he voted in favor of the Diem he would nominate a new Lord Admiral and return his possessions to him. Lokkall agreed.[8]

In the final vote Lord Admiral Lokkall, with some prompting from Delius, voted to retain the Diem, wholeheartedly.[6]

The Lord Merchant[edit]

Professions Guild.jpg
 The Guild of Merchants
Leader: Lord Merchant
Headquarters: The Golden Market
Moneychangers, Lenders, and Merchants

The Lord Merchant is the Taisha at the head of the Guild. The current Lord Merchant is Vey. He resides at the Golden Market of the Guild. He leads the banking industry of Lossand.[13][1]

Taisha Selection

The position of Lord Merchant goes to the member of the Guild with the most wealth. When the position changes hands the new Lord Merchant acquires all of his predecessor's wealth and debts.[8]

History

“Lord Merchant Hennin, to be exact. An idiot who acquired the position after inheriting two separate fortunes and no business sense. ”

—Vey[8]

“Thus, each quarter, the Lord Merchant continues to send the tribute which the Lord Mastrell deposits into the savings account, which continues to accrue more interest, adding to the blasted debt.”

—Vey[8]

About a hundred years before Vey took the position, a man named Hennin was the Lord Merchant. He reached the position when two of his relatives died, leaving him enough of a fortune to become Lord Merchant. The Lord Mastrell of the time started a personal account with Hennin, who lost the entire principal on bad investments. Hennin and future Lord Merchants would put the Diem's tribute money into the account, increasing the balance, and therefore the interest.[8]

After Hennin's rule, when the next Lord Merchant took over he discovered that a vast sum was now owed to the Diem, the original tributes and a large amount of interest. Over the years the debt has increased to the point where it became impossible to pay back.[8]

The Lord Mastrell was willing to keep the debt secret so long as the Lord Merchant voted in concordance with the Diem. The Lady Judge's predecessor knew about the debt and ruled that the Lord Merchant must pay the debt in full when the Lord Mastrell asks for it. Instead of demanding that Vey pay the debt, Kenton forgave the debt, earning Vey's respect and causing him to vote for the Diem.[8][6]

The Lord Farmer[edit]

Professions Field.jpg
 The Field of Farmers
Leader: Lord Farmer
Headquarters: The Farmers Congress
Those who own the land (Kelzin) and those who work it

The Lord Farmer is the Taisha in charge of the Field. The current Lord Farmer is Gennel. He resides at the Farmers Congress. He leads the farming industry of Lossand, the Kelzin landowners of farmland, and oversees farming quotas.[13][1]

Taisha Selection

It is unknown how the Taisha of the Field is selected.

History

In the initial vote, the Lord Farmer voted to dissolve the Diem.[5] It is implied that since Lord Merchant Vey and Lord Farmer Gennel are both Kerztian, they are friends and Gennel tends to follow Vey's lead in most things[18][fn 3]

He votes in favor of the Diem in the final vote of the Taishin without explaining why he changed his mind. However, it is implied that he always listens to and follows Vey, and that this is why he voted for the Diem.[6]

The Lord Artisan[edit]

Professions Draft.jpg
 The Draft of Artisans
Leader: The Lord Artisan
Headquarters: The Artisan Central Studio
Artisans and Craftpersons

The Lord Artisan is the Taisha in charge of the Draft. The current Lord Artisan is Rite. He resides at the Artisan Central Studio.[13][14] He leads the manufactured goods industry of Lossand.[1]

Taisha Selection

The Lord Artisan is selected by a vote of his Professions' members.[14]

History

In the initial vote, the Lord Artisan voted to dissolve the Diem.[5]

When Kenton meets with him, Rite explained that he was biased against the Diem because of the law allowing mastrell's to take goods and services without payment. After Kenton, on Khrissalla's advice, promises the services of sand masters to the Draft; and, with the help of a loan from the Guild, promises to repay the Diem's 1,500,000 lak debt; the Lord Artisan agrees to vote for the Diem.[14]

In the final vote, Lord Artisan Rite cites that his terms for the Diem have been met and the debt repaid, and does vote to retain the Diem.[6]

The Lady Mason[edit]

Professions Company.jpg
 The Company of Masons
Leader: Lady Mason
Headquarters: The Mason Headquarters
Stone Masons, Builders, Miners

The Lady Mason is the Taisha in charge of the Company.[1] The canonical name of the current Lady Mason is unknown. She resides at the Mason Headquarters.[13] She leads the construction industry of Lossand.[9]

Taisha Selection

It is unknown how the Taisha of the Company is selected.

History

In the initial vote, the Lady Mason voted to dissolve the Diem.[5]

In the final vote of the Taishin the Lady Mason voted for the Diem, saying that it has proven that it can be beneficial and flexible. This was largely due to the incident with the construction collapse, where Kenton used his sand to save the lives of several of the Guild's workers.[18][6]

Trivia[edit]

  • In the prose the Taisha of the Mason's guild was male and was named Selcomb. He used representatives to attend the Taishin meetings so that he would not need to leave Nor'Tallon.

Notes[edit]

Footnotes
  1. ↑ The selection process was detailed in the Prose version and is alluded to in the Omnibus, but not explicitly stated.
  2. ↑ The selection process was explicitly stated to be hereditary in the Prose version.
  3. ↑ This aspect of their relationship was explicitly stated in the Prose version.
References
  1. ↑ a b c d e f g h i White Sand Ars Arcanum#
  2. ↑ White Sand chapter 8#
  3. ↑ a b c d White Sand chapter 4#
  4. ↑ White Sand chapter 2#
  5. ↑ a b c d e f White Sand chapter 5#
  6. ↑ a b c d e f g h i j White Sand chapter 18#
  7. ↑ White Sand chapter 1#
  8. ↑ a b c d e f g h i j k l m White Sand chapter 15#
  9. ↑ a b White Sand chapter 17#
  10. ↑ White Sand epilogue#
  11. ↑ White Sand chapter 4#
  12. ↑ a b c d White Sand chapter 16#
  13. ↑ a b c d e f White Sand chapter 6#
  14. ↑ a b c d e White Sand chapter 7#
  15. ↑ White Sand chapter 10#
  16. ↑ White Sand chapter 11#
  17. ↑ White Sand chapter 12#
  18. ↑ a b White Sand chapter 14#
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