Difference between revisions of "Thaylenah"

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 largelymostly mountainous, with a tall range rising in the middle.{{map ref|Roshar}} The mountains reach all the way to the shore, with itstowering northerncliffs coast mademaking up ofthe toweringislands cliffsnorthern coast. The climate is cold and frigid, although the locals find it pleasantly chill.{{book ref|sa2|1}}

To the north, Thaylenah is separated from the [[Frostlands]] by the [[Longbrow's Straits]]. The nearest countries to it are the city-states of [[Kharbranth]] to the north and [[Shallow Crypts]] to the east.{{map ref|Roshar}} Within Thaylenah itself, there are only two known major cities -- the capital, [[Thaylen City |Thaylen]], in a large [[lait]] on the nothwestern coast, and [[Klna City|Klna]], a shipbuilding centre further east.{{book ref|sa3|i|13}} The port city of [[Amydlatn]] may belong to Thaylenah, although this is uncertain.{{book ref|sa2|1}}

In [[Shadesmar]], Thaylenah's larget island manifests as a vast lake known locally as the [[Thaylen Sea]], south of the [[Sea of Lost Lights]]. The shores of Thaylen Sea are unoccupied, with the nearest [[spren]] settlement being [[Salumon]] in the foothills of the mountains to the east.{{map ref|Sea of Lost Lights}}

WithinIn the past[[Era fewof centuriesSolitude]], Thaylenah became a titan of commerce, with their ships and caravans trading goods around the world.{{book ref|sa1|i|4}} The country was largely peaceful, with no conflict or war within the past generation.{{book ref|sa3|120}} In the pastlast few decades, [[Fen Rnamdi]] was elected Queen.{{book ref|sa3|12}}

The 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 the [[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}}

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 eyebrowsthey are either waxed or starched.{{book ref|sa3|50}}{{book ref|sa3|59}} Some people shave them altogether, although this seems to beis rare.{{book ref|sa2|i|14}} TheyThe eyebrows 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}}

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}} Thaylen businesses, like tailors and banks, can also be found across the continent.{{book ref|sa3|67}} The people have a reputation for swindling, but they are not considered particularly warlike.{{book ref|sa1|10}} Thaylen locks are consideredknown to be superiorof tohigh othersquality.{{book ref|sa3|i|10}}

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}} TheyWhile they do, however, have heavy winter clothes, although they only use it high in the mountains, where the temperatures are the lowest.{{book ref|sa2|i|3}}

SilkPatterned patternedsilk 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}} Another popular style includes leggings under a skirt, with thick boots.{{book ref|sa3|107}} 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 stylefashion -- though still apparently present in some form -- includes knee-lenght trousers tucked into socks andalong with jackets with rolled-up sleeves for men, and knee-length aprons with shirts underneath for women.{{book ref|sa3|101}}{{book ref|sa3|112}} Parasols to protect oneself from the sun have also been popular for some time, athough fashionthey thathave doesn't seemyet to have crossedcross over to the mainland.{{book ref|sa2|i|3}}

The dominant cultural tradition in Thaylenah is [[Alethi]] [[Vorinism]], albeit mixed heavily with local culture and native beliefs. Despite discouragement from the [[Ardentiaardentia]], belief in the [[Passions]] is common. Even beyond the Passionsthat, 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}}

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]]iaardentia 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}}

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 areleave leftthem 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}}

Little is known about Thaylen food, although it follows the [[Vorin]] tradition of separatinggender it by genderseparation, with spicy fooddishes for men and sweet fooddishes 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}}