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During the [[Heraldic Epochs]], the islands that now compose Thaylenah were part of the Kingdom of [[Thalath]].{{map ref|Silver Kingdoms}} The current capital, Thaylen City, was likely also the capital of Thalath, as it possesses that state's [[Oathgate]].{{map ref|Thaylen City}} It's unclear when the country broke apart.
Within the past few
This age of prosperity ended with the coming of the [[True Desolation]]. The [[Everstorm]] dealt massive damage to the country's economy as Thaylen City was devasted, first by the storm itself, and then by the local [[Parshmen]] stealing the ships and leaving.{{book ref|sa3|12}} Having no other choice, the Thaylen allied with [[Urithiru]], remaining even after the alliance with other countries broke up.{{book ref|sa3|113}}
Most recently, the country was the site of one of the [[True Desolation]]'s first major engagements, the [[Battle of Thaylen Field]].{{book ref|sa3|119}}
=== People ===
Thaylen people
The eyebrows are often styled in various ways, such as spikes, bangs or ringlets.{{book ref|sa2|1}}{{book ref|sa1|8}}{{book ref|sa3|62}} To keep them in the desired shape, the eyebrows are either waxed or starched.{{book ref|sa3|50}}{{book ref|sa3|59}} Some people shave them altogether, although this seems to be rare.{{book ref|sa2|i|14}} They seem to be of great cultural importance to the Thaylens. Even one of their suits of [[Shardplate]], [[Cvaderln]], is decorated with them.{{book ref|sa3|120}}
Silk patterned vests, shirts, and skirts with removable hems are fashionable for Thaylen women to wear.{{file ref|Contemporary Thaylen Female Fashion.jpg|Contemporary Thaylen Female Fashion}} An older fashion -- though still apparently present in some form -- includes knee-lenght trousers tucked into socks and jackets with rolled-up sleeves.{{book ref|sa3|101}} Parasols to protect oneself from sun have also been popular for some time, a fashion that doesn't seem to have crossed over to the mainland.{{book ref|sa2|i|3}} Their architecture is flowery and decorative, unlike the more utilitarian [[Alethi]] structures.{{book ref|sa3|100}}▼
Thaylens can be found not only in their native country but also elsewhere in the world. While many of them are travelling merchants, some Thaylen settle in other countries, such as [[Reshi Isles]] or [[Alethkar]], permanently.{{book ref|sa2|i|3}}{{book ref|sa3|62}}
=== Clothes and accessories ===
The people of Thaylenah seem particularly resistant to the low temperatures of their homeland, often going shirtless in even the coldest weather.{{book ref|sa2|1}} They do, however, have heavy winter clothes, although they only use it high in the mountains.{{book ref|sa2|i|3}}
▲Silk patterned vests, shirts, and skirts with removable hems are fashionable for Thaylen women to wear.{{file ref|Contemporary Thaylen Female Fashion.jpg|Contemporary Thaylen Female Fashion}} One specifically Thaylen article of clothing is a [[tlmko]], although what it looks like is unknown.{{book ref|sa3|102}} Women's fashion includes leggings under a skirt, with thick boots.{{book ref|sa3|107}} An older
Thaylen architecture is flowery and decorative, unlike the more utilitarian [[Alethi]] structures.{{book ref|sa3|100}} They also have a traditional weapon called the [[gtet]], notable for its wedge-shaped blade and a grip that forces the user to hold it like a fist.{{book ref|sa2|i|3}} Thaylen sailors use sabers instead.{{book ref|sa3|107}}
=== Language and writing===
| "The winds have brought us safely", a Thaylen thanks{{book ref|sa1|3}}
}}
Thaylen words can be recognized by clusters of consonants (''babsk'', Cvaderln, Kdralk). Fittingly, their own writing system, the [[Thaylen script]], is an abjad -- it contains no vowels. In contrast to most other Vorin countries, Thaylen men seem to be permitted to learn how to read or write the script, although it's not a skill shown off publicly.{{book ref|sa1|8}}
Known full phrases in Thaylen include the thank you quoted above and ''Mkai bade fortenthis'', an exclamation with unknown meaning.{{book ref|sa1|3}} Thaylens have a distinctive accent; they give emphasis to unusual syllables and run words together. They seem to have a habit of ending sentences with "you see."{{book ref|sa1|2}}{{book ref|sa1|3}}
=== Religion ===
The dominant cultural tradition in Thaylenah is [[Alethi]] [[Vorinism]], albeit mixed heavily with local culture and native beliefs. Despite discouragement from the [[Ardentia]], belief in the [[Passions]] is common. Even beyond the Passions, the Thaylen stray slightly from the Vorin doctrine. Men are permitted to learn to read, and women
Although this makes them half-pagan in the eyes of other Vorin countries, the Thaylen are nonetheless considered one of the five Vorin Kingdoms, and their religious authorities are taken into account when the [[Ardent]]ia as a whole debates.{{book ref|sa3|12}}{{book ref|sa3|50}} However, there has always been some friction between the Thaylens and the church authorities, with the Thaylen monarchs often having to go the extra mile to reassure the ardents of their piety.{{book ref|sa3|59}} In the present, this has led to some voices in Thaylenah to call for breaking ties with Vorinism altogether.{{book ref|sa3|107}}
Local lore connects [[Oathgate]]s to the Passions, calling them "portals of worlds" and claiming that only the most Passionate will be able to reopen them. The legend seems to suggest that only women would be capable of such a feat, possibly because of the Vorin division between masculine and feminine arts.{{book ref|sa3|12}}
[[File:Wandersail (1174 ship).jpg|thumb|right|
=== Trade ===
Thaylenah is well known for its merchants. Thaylen traders can be found across the entire continent, as far West as [[Shinovar]] and as far North as the [[Reshi Isles]].{{book ref|sa1|i|4}}{{book ref|sa2|i|3}} On land, they typically travel in caravans of wagons, while on sea, they have their own ships. The goods they carry range from [[Soulcast]] metals to slaves.{{book ref|sa1|i|4}}{{book ref|sa1|2}}{{book ref|sa3|i|13}}
Merchants in Thaylenah are ranked, from apprentice to master merchant. The position is equally open to both men and women, and even to non-Thaylens.{{book ref|sa2|i|3}} One can become a merchant by being taken in as an apprentice by a master, whereupon the latter becomes their legal parent, or ''[[babsk]]''. Traditional clothing, consisting of a flat-topped conical hat and starched robes, identifies master merchant from their servants and guards.{{book ref|sa1|i|4}}
Ship captains -- who are often merchants themselves -- can be additionally identified by an item known as the '''captain's cord'''. The cord is a twenty-feet-long white rope, which the captain wraps in their own colors and strings on the ship's rigging to mark their ownership.{{book ref|sa3|i|13}} Traders without ships can rent barges to ferry them a short distance to and from Thaylenah, connecting them to the mainland.{{book ref|sa2|11}}
Trade forms the backbone of Thaylen economy, leading to merchant councils holding significant power over the reigning monarch, including participating in the election alongside the navy officers.{{wob ref|4006}}{{book ref|sa3|59}} The position of a master merchant can serve as a path to a high rank in the Thaylen government.{{book ref|sa3|i|13}}
=== Banking ===
The Thaylen have a system of underwriting trades based around the [[Thaylen Gemstone Reserve]] in the capital. Each sphere stored there has an owner and an identifying number. People trade the gemstones among themselves using the number; however, rather than taking the spheres in and out of the vaults, they are left inside. The system functions properly so long as people trust the Reserve that the money is there, allowing merchants to trade large sums without the usual dangers associated with it.{{book ref|sa3|i|13}}
A notable gem in the Thaylen Reserve is the [[King's Drop]], a [[perfect gemstone]] eventually used to trap [[Nergaoul]].{{book ref|sa3|120}}
=== Food ===
Little is known about Thaylen food, although it follows the [[Vorin]] tradition of separating it by gender, with spicy food for men and sweet food for women. One product of Thaylen cousine known beyond its borders is the bread, notable for being puffy like cake and dark, with a characteristic long and rounded shape.{{book ref|sa1|42}}{{book ref|sa1|33}}{{book ref|sa1|24}} Thaylen also have their own type of beer, made from [[lavis]].{{book ref|sa3|121}}
== Notable Thaylen ==
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