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]]. Together, they cover roughly 414,000 km², putting Thaylenah in the middle of all Rosharan states, area-wise.{{url ref|url=https://www.17thshard.com/forum/blogs/entry/634-roshar-physical-characteristics-and-areas/|text=Roshar Physical Characteristics And Areas|site=17th Shard}} In comparison to real-world nations, it is a little larger than the total area of Paraguay.

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 nothwesternnorthwestern 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}}

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 devasteddevastated, 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}}

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}} WhileThe theruler kingdomis follows the [[Vorin]] division between [[lighteyes]] and [[darkeyes]], there doesn't appearsaid to exist a formalized noble caste analogous to [[Alethi]] or [[Veden]] [[highprince]]s and highlords. Rather than [[nahn]]s and [[dahn]]s,represent the Thaylen utilize their own systemguilds of ranksThaylenah.{{book ref|sa1|8}} The Thaylen monarch, however, still claims the first dahn.{{wob refsa4|400619}}

{{image|Contemporary Thaylen Female Fashion.jpg|side=left|width=250px|A Thaylen woman, with the characteristic long eyebrows and a glove instead of a full [[safehand]] sleeve.}}

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 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}}

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-length trousers tucked into socks along 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, though they have yet to cross over to the mainland.{{book ref|sa2|i|3}} Some Thaylens wear jewelry on their long eyebrows.{{book ref|sa3.5|1}}

=== Language and writing===

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}}

* ''[[babsk]]'' - master or teacher

* ''[[rebsk]]'' - shipmaster

* ''bah'' - possibly meaning "apprentice of"{{book ref|sa3.5|2}}

| Great Honor in you, Prince Adolin. Great Passion in me at this aid.

| [[Hrdalm]]{{book ref|sa3|120}}

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 cousinecuisine known beyond its borders is the bread, notable for being puffy like cake and dark, with a characteristic long and rounded shape, and is made with grain from [[Shinovar]] as well as yeast.{{book ref|sa1|42}}{{book ref|sa1|33}}{{book ref|sa1|24}}{{wob ref|12998}} Thaylen also have their own type of beer, made from [[lavis]].{{book ref|sa3|121}}

* The Thaylen linguistics, and the names in particular, are somewhat inspired by [[Wikipedia: Welsh language|Welsh]]. Brandon calls their difficult pronounciationpronunciation a practical joke on the people creating the audiobooks.{{wob ref|8749}}