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Difference between revisions of "Thaylenah"
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| [[Lirin]]{{book ref|sa1|10}}
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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}} There seems to be no upper limit on how long they can grow, other than sheer practicality.{{wob ref|6410}} 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, they are either waxed or starched.{{book ref|sa3|50}}{{book ref|sa3|59}} Some people shave them altogether, although this is rare.{{book ref|sa2|i|14}} The 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}} The eyebrows of a child of a Thaylen and non-Thaylen wouldn't be this long, although they would have streaks of white in them.{{wob ref|10335}}
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 known to be of high quality.{{book ref|sa3|i|10}}
| "The winds have brought us safely", a Thaylen thanks{{book ref|sa1|3}}
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The Thaylen language belongs to the Vorin family, alongside Alethi and Veden, although it is only distantly related to others from that group.{{wob ref|3977}} 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}}
| [[Hrdalm]]{{book ref|sa3|120}}
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The dominant cultural tradition in Thaylenah is [[Alethi]] [[Vorinism]], albeit mixed heavily with local culture and native beliefs. Despite discouragement from the [[ardentia]],
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 ardentia 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}}
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