Difference between revisions of "Thaylenah"
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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}}
== Geography ==
{{image|Thaylenah cutout.jpg|side=right|width=350px|Thaylenah on the world map}}
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]]. Together, they cover roughly 414,000 km<sup>2</sup>, putting Thaylenah
The largest of the three islands is several times bigger than the other two, and appears to be the country's population center. It's mostly mountainous, with a tall range rising in the middle.{{map ref|Roshar}} The mountains reach all the way to the shore, with towering cliffs making up the
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
In [[Shadesmar]], Thaylenah's
* [[Thaylen City]]
* [[Klna]]
* [[Amydlatn]]
== History ==
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; however, Thaylenah itself is about four thousand years old, according to the local tradition.{{book ref|sa3|12}}
In the [[Era of Solitude]], 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 last few decades, [[Fen Rnamdi]] was elected Queen.{{book ref|sa3|12}}
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
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}}
== Politics ==
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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}}▼
=== Government ===
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}} The ruler is said to represent the guilds of Thaylenah.{{book ref|sa4|19}}
▲
=== Military and Fabrials ===
Thaylenah appears to have little in the way of a land army, but they do have a long-standing naval tradition famous the world over.{{book ref|sa3|8}} Thaylen officers are trained in naval tactics and strategy to a far greater extent than their counterparts elsewhere, and their country boasts a large fleet.{{book ref|sa3|107}} Unfortunately, many of their ships have been stolen by former [[Parshmen]] following the first [[Everstorm]], crippling their capabilities in this regard.{{book ref|sa3|53}}
The kingdom holds five [[Shardblade]]s and three suits of [[Shardplate|Plate]], each owned by a different house.{{book ref|sa1|23}}
One of Roshar's ten [[Oathgate]]s is located in Thaylen City, adding to its importance.{{map ref|Oathgates}} In the present, it's one of only four Oathgates controlled by the [[Urithiru]] alliance, alongside [[Stormseat]], [[Vedenar]] and [[Azimir]].{{book ref|sa3|122}}
=== 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 leave them 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}} This, along with the existence of [[spanreed]]s to trade over, allows Thaylen banks to have wide networks all over the continent, with branches in major cities like [[Kholinar]].{{book ref|sa3|111}}{{book ref|sa3|67}}▼
A notable gem in the Thaylen Reserve is the [[King's Drop]], a [[perfect gemstone]] eventually used to trap [[Nergaoul]].{{book ref|sa3|120}}▼
== Culture ==
=== People ===
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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 sometimes tuck behind their ears.{{book
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}}
{{image|Rysn Yalb botanicaxu.jpg|side=right|width=300px|[[Rysn]] and [[Yalb]] in traditional Thaylen dress}}
=== 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}} While they do have heavy winter clothes, they only use it high in the mountains, where the temperatures are the lowest.{{book ref|sa2|i|3}}
Patterned silk 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}} An older fashion -- though still apparently present in some form -- includes knee-
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
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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).
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}}▼
[[Kaise]] finds the language fascinating.{{book ref|mb7|39}}
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}}
==== Terms ====
* ''[[babsk]]'' - master or teacher
* ''[[rebsk]]'' - shipmaster
* ''bah'' - possibly meaning "apprentice of"{{book ref|sa3.5|2}}
* ''gthlebn'' - seemingly related to asking of someone speaks a language, possible "(do you) speak"{{book ref|sa4|30}}
* ''tyvnk'' - sullen. Also the name of [[Rysn]]'s pot of Shin [[Tyvnk|grass]].{{book ref|sa2|i|3}}
==== Writing ====
{{for|Thaylen script}}
▲Thaylen
The letters are known to interlock with each other.{{book ref|mb7|39}}
=== Religion ===
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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}}
=== Trade ===
{{image|Wandersail (1174 ship).jpg|side=right|width=250px|A Thaylen ship in port}}
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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}}
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 leave them 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 gender separation, with spicy dishes for men and sweet dishes for women. One product of Thaylen
=== Science ===
Thaylenah is a scientifically advanced nation. Many highly-skilled artifabrians are Thaylen, forming guilds such as the [[Vriztl Guild]] that hold closely-guarded secrets. Thaylenah also produces high-quality scientific instruments such as [[Wikipedia: vacuum tube| vacuum tube]]s from the Royal Insitute of Barometric Studies,{{book ref|sa4|97}} and telescope lenses.{{book ref|sa4|16}}
== Notable Thaylen ==
* [[Yokska]]
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== Trivia ==
* The Thaylen linguistics, and the names in particular, are somewhat inspired by [[Wikipedia: Welsh language|Welsh]]. Brandon calls their difficult pronunciation a practical joke on the people creating the audiobooks.{{wob ref|8749}}
* Compared to real-world nations, Thaylenah is slightly smaller than Sweden.
== Notes ==
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