Difference between revisions of "Thaylenah"

|universe=[[Cosmere]]

|books=[[The Stormlight Archive]]

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'''Thaylenah''' is an island kingdom in the South of [[Roshar]], with capital in [[Thaylen City]]. The people and language of Thaylenah are called the Thaylen.{{book ref|sa1|3}}

Thaylenah encompasses a trio of islands, as well as a small number of islets, in the South-East of Roshar, on the ocean known as the [[Southern Depths]]. The largest of the three is several times bigger than the other two, and appears to be the country's population center. It's largely mountainous, with a tall range rising in the middle.{{map ref|Roshar}} The mountains reach all the way to the shore, with its northern coast made up of towering cliffs. The climate is cold and frigid, although the locals find it pleasantly chill.{{book ref|sa2|1}}

 

 

 

== History ==

 

== Politics ==

Thaylenah is an elective monarchy. Following the death of a king or queen, an assembly of merchant councils and high-ranking naval officers elects the new ruler, with the current one being queen [[Fen Rnamdi]].{{book ref|sa3|59}} While the kingdom follows the [[Vorin]] division between [[lighteyes]] and [[darkeyes]], there doesn't appear to exist a formalized noble caste analogous to [[Alethi]] or [[Veden]] [[highprince]]s and highlords. Rather than [[nahn]]s and [[dahn]]s, the Thaylen utilize their own system of ranks.{{book ref|sa1|8}} The Thaylen monarch, however, still claims the first dahn.{{wob ref|4006}}

 

 

=== People ===

Thaylen people are tanned, thought not as dark as the [[Reshi]], and, like most Rosharans, have [[wikipedia:Epicanthic fold|epicanthic folds]].{{book ref|sa2|i|3}}{{file ref|Contemporary Thaylen Female Fashion.jpg|Contemporary Thaylen Female Fashion}} They are typically short, although some can grow as tall as Alethi.{{book ref|sa3|i|4}} Their most recognizable, distinguishing feature are their long white eyebrows, which they tuck behind their ears as a sign of respect.{{book ref|sa1|2}} The Thaylen men additionally have white beards, regardless of their age or the color of their hair.{{book ref|sa1|2}}

 

 

=== 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 eschew the traditional full-sleeve [[safehand]], instead covering their left hands with long gloves.{{book ref|sa1|8}}{{file ref|Contemporary Thaylen Female Fashion.jpg|Contemporary Thaylen Female Fashion}} Some younger women don't wear the safehand altogether, although this is frowned upon by the more traditional segment of the Thaylen society.{{book ref|sa1|i|4}}

 

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}}

 

=== 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}}