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{{peoples
|species=[[Singer]]s, Human{{wob ref|14033}}
|world=Roshar
|universe=[[Cosmere]]
|books=[[The Stormlight Archive]]
}}
}}{{update|book=sa3}}
 
The '''Horneaters''', or '''Unkalaki'''{{book ref|sa1|14}} as they refer to themselves, are a race of people on the world of [[Roshar]]. They live on the tops of mountains called [[Horneater Peaks]]. They currently have no [[Shardplate]] or [[Shardblade]]s.{{book ref|sa1|23}} They are one of several races on Roshar with [[listener]] blood in their ancestry.{{wob ref|930}} As a result, they have a higher tendency to be asexual than other races without listener ancestors.{{wob ref|3400}} Furthermore, they seem to be able to faintly hear the Rhythms{{book ref|sa3|37}}, although it remains unclear whether they are able to distinguish them or attribute them to certain feelings. Features that are often associated with Horneaters are pale skin, tall stature, and red hair. {{book ref|sa2|69}}▼
{{for|pre=Horneater redirects here|Unpublished works|the planned [[Rock]] novella}}
 
The '''Unkalaki''', also known as '''Horneaters''' or '''Peakfolk''',{{book ref|sa1|14}}{{book ref|sa1|28}} are a race of people on the world of [[Roshar]]. They live on the tops of mountains called the [[Horneater Peaks]] in [[Jah Keved]].{{book ref|sa2|46}}
 
== Appearance and Anatomy ==
▲The '''Horneaters''', or '''Unkalaki'''{{book ref|sa1|14}} as they refer to themselves, are a human race of people on the world of [[Roshar]]. They live on the tops of mountains called [[Horneater Peaks]]. They currently have no [[Shardplate]] or [[Shardblade]]s.{{book ref|sa1|23}} They are one of several races on Roshar with [[listenersinger]] blood in their ancestry.{{wob ref|930}} As a result, they have a higher tendency to be asexual than other races without listener ancestors.{{wob ref|3400}} Furthermore, they seem to be able to faintly hear the Rhythms[[rhythm]]s of Roshar,{{book ref|sa3|37}}, although it remains unclear whether they are able to distinguish them or attribute them to certain feelings. Features that are often associated with Horneaters are pale skin, tall stature, and red hair. {{book ref|sa2|69}}
 
Features that are often associated with Horneaters are pale skin, tall stature, and red hair.{{book ref|sa2|69}} Their lines mixed with that of the [[Veden]]s at some point; by the era of the [[True Desolation]], traditional Veden coloring includes such features as red hair and freckles, inherited from the Horneaters.{{book ref|sa2|45}} Because of their singer heritage, the Unkalaki have extra jaw pieces at the back of their mouths which help them eat shells.{{wob ref|3922}} This is likely the reason they are called Horneaters.
 
=== The Sighted ===
Some Horneaters are born with the ability to see normally invisible [[spren]] like [[Sylphrena]]. These individuals are called ''alaii'iku'', or the [[Sighted]].{{book ref|sa1|21}} This congenital ability is hereditary, extremely rare, and seems to be a gift given specifically to the extended family to which [[Lunamor]] belongs.{{book ref|sa4|15}}{{book ref|sa3.5|9}} Some of the Unkalaki (although possibly only the Sighted) consider themselves 'Guardians of the Pool', which likely refers to [[Cultivation's Perpendicularity]].{{book ref|sa3.5|19}} There is also a specific role of "watcher of the pool" which [[Cord]]'s grandmother once served as.{{book ref|sa3.5|15}}
 
== Culture ==
=== Occupation ===
A Horneater's occupation is determined atby birth order. First and second sons obtain food, third sons are craftsmen, and fourth sons and younger are warriors.{{book ref|sa1|49}}{{book ref|sa3|37}} If siblings die, the younger ones advance in this order of professions, meaning a son that started training as a warrior would be forced to abandon his career in order to become a craftsman if his older brother died. It is unknownnot whatentirely moreclear fertilehow familiesdaughters dofit withinto the laterthis childrensystem. This regulation reflects the social status of each type of profession in the Horneater culture. Basic functions like gathering food are valued the most, while professions related to warfare are seen as least important. Therefore, a third son craftsman like [[Rock]] refuses to become a spearman soldier like the rest of [[Bridge Four]] because it would be "beneath him".
 
Horneaters, when making a living outside of the Peaks, prefer to work in the same business as a family unit.{{book ref|sa3|21}} They work in a variety of professions, from masseuses and servants to guards.{{book ref|sa3|18}}{{book ref|sa3|21}}
 
=== Political Structure and Military ===
{{sidequote
|The nuatoma, they see our lack of Shards as a great shame. They want these weapons very badly. It is believed that the nuatoma who first obtains a Shardblade would become king, a thing we have not had for many years. No peak would fight another peak where a man held one of the blessed Blades.
|[[Rock]] to [[Kaladin]] and [[Teft]]{{book ref|sa1|23}}
|side=right|size=350px
}}
The Unkalaki are organisedorganized in clan-like social structures. The leaders of these clans are called [[Nuatoma]]. The relatives of a Nuatoma serve him and act as his household. Nuatomas regularly leave the Horneater homeland in attempts to win [[Shard]]sShards in duels with Shardbearers[[Shardbearer]]s. The first Nuatoma who couldto win a Shardblade would become the king of the Unkalaki.{{book ref|sa1|23}}. ThisIt positionis wouldunclear nowif beNuatomas givenare tofourth [[Rock]],sons afteror heif killedtheir [[Meridasposition Amaram]],excludes athem shardbearer, duringfrom the [[Battlenormal ofprofession Thaylen Field]]system.
 
Since the [[True Desolation]], the Unkalaki have obtained two sets of [[Shardplate]]. The first is obtained by [[Rock]] during the [[Battle of Thaylen Field]], where he uses a [[grandbow]] to kill [[Meridas Amaram]].{{book ref|sa3|120}} While he also wins the [[Shardblade]] [[Oathbringer (Shardblade)|Oathbringer]], he returns this to [[Dalinar Kholin]] in repayment of a debt.{{book ref|sa3|122}} The second set is discovered by [[Cord]] on the [[expedition to Akinah]].{{book ref|sa3.5|16}} When Cord bonds the Shardplate, she becomes the first Shardbearer among her people in a very long time.{{book ref|sa4|i|1}}
It is unclear if Nuatomas are fourth sons or if their position excludes them from the normal profession system.
 
The ruler of [[Jah Keved]] is able to levy troops from the population of Horneaters, which is one reason why the Vedens argue against ceding the Horneater Peaks to [[Odium]]'s forces.{{book ref|sa3|107}} The Unkalaki have also aided the [[coalition of monarchs]] by supplying batches of arrows for their armies. These arrows are unique, being fletched with white "goosefeathers."{{book ref|sa4|98}}
Some Horneaters are born with the ability to see normally invisible [[spren]] like [[Sylphrena]]. These individuals are called ''alaii'iku''.{{book ref|twok|21}}
 
=== Calendar ===
They make use of a different calendar than the Vorin calendar, with their first year being a different, currently unknown year. Some point between c. {{rosharan date|1158}} and {{rosharan date|1173}} in the Vorin calendar is considered the start of a new millennium, under their own system.{{book ref|sa3.5|4}}{{book ref|sa3.5|16}}{{wob ref|14531}}
 
=== Other ===
At one point, [[Rock]] tells [[Bridge Four]] about the Unkalaki dueling system, saying that the two men would drink [[mudbeer]] and sing until one of them gives up. The point is that by the end of the duel, no one will recall why they were fighting.{{book ref|sa1|27}}
 
Unkalaki names are usually entire sentences in the form of poems, thiswhich makes them hard to remember for people who are used to [[Alethi]] names. Insults with similar rhyme and structure as the poem name of the insulted party are valued especially highhighly in conflicts among Horneaters. {{book ref|sa1|27}}
 
Rock wears a beard style called ''humaka'aban'', which he says is the pride of every Unkalaki. Kaladin describes it as long sideburns that curve down to the chin. The chin itself and the area around the lips are cleanly shaven. Rock seems reluctant to the idea that other people besides Horneaters could wear the beard style.{{book ref|sa1|40}}
 
Unkalaki engage in trade with inhabitants of [[Shadesmar]], and [[aluminum]] is one of the commodities they have received.{{book ref|sa3.5|7}} In fact, there is a clan of Horneaters that lives in Shadesmar, including a handful that reside in [[Lasting Integrity]] during the time of the fortress' isolationist policy.{{book ref|sa4|75}}
 
== Cuisine ==
The Unkalaki received their common name "Horneaters" due to their ability to eat the hard shells of crustaceans. [[Rock]] ascribes this ability to their unusually strong teeth, but it is due to the extra jaw pieces at the back of their mouths{{wob ref|3922}}. Unkalaki cuisine utilizes less spices than [[Alethi]] cuisine.{{book ref|sa1|23}} One stew recipe that Rock divulges consists only of "Take everything you have, and put him in pot. Don’t let anyone airsick touch seasonings."{{book ref|sa4|54}}
 
{{quote
}}
 
In general, Horneater beverages have a quite sharp and immediately overpowering taste and smell.{{book ref|sa4|7}} Horneater lager has the reputation to melt teeth and cups. {{book ref|sa2|46}} Also, strongest among the Horneater beverages is the Horneater white. A clear, distilled moonshine, it is the strongest known alcohol on Roshar (with the possible exception of some violet wines). It is known to strip paint, and can apparently be deadly to non-Unkalaki.{{book ref|sa3|37}}{{book ref|sa3|18}} There is also a non-alcoholic beverage called [[shiki]], which is brown in color and is served chilled,{{book ref|sa3|37}} and a tea-like beverage that tastes of boiled grain but is an old, traditional recipe.{{book ref|sa3|46}}
Horneater lager has the reputation to melt teeth and cups. {{book ref|sa2|46}}
 
== Religion and Mythology ==
The Horneaters have three powerful sets of gods they once sought aid from: the gods of the waters, the gods of the mountains, and the gods of the trees.{{book ref|sa2|46}} Unkalaki stories teach that gods cannot be fought but must always be tricked.{{book ref|sa3.5|18}} Lunu'anaki is the name of the Unkalaki god of travel and mischief who cannot hurt man. Rock saw [[Hoid]] emerge from [[Cultivation's Perpendicularity]] and came to the conclusion that he must be Lunu'anaki.{{book ref|sa2|46}} [[Spren]] are also worshipped by the Unkalaki as gods; Rock offers to build a shrine for [[Sylphrena]] at one point.{{book ref|sa2|9}}{{book ref|sa2|46}} Unkalaki also have fairly extensive legends of a group called the [[Sleepless|Gods Who Sleep Not]] who are dangerous, secretive entities that guard terrible treasures and are composed of a swarm of [[cremling]]s that share one mind.{{book ref|sa3.5|9}} Lunu'anaki warned the Horneaters of this group during the time of [[Cord]]'s grandmother.{{book ref|sa3.5|15}} In addition to learning about these gods, Horneaters receive occasional monks from [[Jah Keved]], who preach [[Vorinism]] to them.{{book ref|sa3|55}}
*The Horneaters have three powerful gods they sought aid from: the Gods of the waters, the Gods of the mountains and the Gods of the trees. {{book ref|sa2|46}} This may refer to Roshar's three Shards.
 
*[[Spren]] are worshipped by the Unkalaki. Rock offers to build a shrine for [[Sylphrena]] at one point.{{book ref|sa2|9}}
*Naturally heated lakes on the Horneater Peaks are called ''Oceans''oceans by the locals. There is an Oceanocean on each of the Peakspeaks. Underneath the normal water is the so-called ''Water of life''. It is said to be connected to the Godsgods, and Horneaters who swim in the Oceansoceans can sometimes see the ''Place of the Gods'' (mostthis is likely theaccess to [[Shadesmar]], likely via [[Cultivation]]'s [[Perpendicularity]]). Swimming in the Oceansoceans is said to be lethal to outsiders, though, according to [[Sigzil]], this is only because the Unkalaki execute any outsiders who swim in their Oceansoceans.{{book ref|sa2|46}}
 
*''Lunu'anaki'' is the name of the Unkalaki god of ''travel and mischief who cannot hurt man''. Rock saw [[Hoid]] emerge from an Ocean and came to the conclusion that he must be ''Lunu'anaki''.{{book ref|sa2|46}}
There are ancient Unkalaki songs that refer to when the [[Dawnshard]] was brought to Roshar. It is possible these songs are considered sacred to the Unkalaki.{{book ref|sa3.5|19}}
 
According to Unkalaki legends, when someone draws the [[Bow of Hours]] it heralds "years of change."{{book ref|sa3.5|18}} Unkalaki legends speak of an ancient [[pact of the Seven Peaks]] which was made with gods. The Fal'ala'liki'nor, One Who Draws the Bow of Hours, may be involved with these treaties.{{book ref|sa3.5|18}}
 
=== The Story of the Horneater Peaks ===
Rock tells members of [[Bridge Four]] the story of how the Unkalaki claimed the Horneater Peaks.
 
The Unkalaki were at the brink of extinction due to their belligerent nature at that time. They had a leader called ''tana'kai'', who talked to the three most powerful kinds of gods on Roshar and asked them for shelter. They were the gods of the trees, the waters, and the mountains respectively.{{book ref|sa2|46}}
 
Both the godgods of the trees and the godgods of the waters refuse to give them shelter since they could notcannot guarantee the safety of the Unkalaki. The godgods of the mountains doesdo not outright decline the request but tellstell the ''tana'kai'' that his slopes are places only for spirits, and they could notcannot sustain life. The ''tana'kai'' solves the dilemma by asking the gods of the waters to place lakes on the peaks of the mountains, the mountain gods to heat them with their thermal energy from the depths of the earth, and the gods of the forests to bring edible plants to the now habitable areas on the mountain peaks. The gods were pleased with this solution, and the Horneaters moved to the peaks.{{book ref|sa2|46}}
 
The ''tana'kai'' solves the dilemma by asking the god of the waters to place lakes on the peaks of the mountains, the mountain god to heat them with his thermal energy from the deeps of the earth and the god of the forests to bring edible plants to the now habitable areas on the mountain peaks. The gods were pleased with this solution and the Horneaters moved to the peaks.{{book ref|sa2|46}}
Whether these three sets of gods are related to the three [[Shard]]s on Roshar is unknown.
 
== Language ==
The Unkalaki language is part of the Dawnate language family, with distant roots in the [[Dawnchant]]. Though the vocabulary is distinctive, it shares similar grammar with the [[Shin]] and [[Parshendi]] languages.{{wob ref|3977}}
 
When speaking Alethi or Veden, one feature of the Unkalaki 'accent' is a tendency to use gendered pronouns (e.g. "he") in places where a non-gendered pronoun ("it") would be more appropriate{{book ref|sa2|24}}. This is due to the fact the Unkalaki Language uses [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grammatical_gender grammatical gender]. This system appears to be Masculine–feminine contrast, with most nouns leaning towards masculine.{{wob ref|8540}}
 
Unkalaki is a [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pro-drop_language pro-drop language], meaning that pronouns can be dropped if the subject is known and/or easily inferable.{{wob ref|4584}}
 
Unkalaki names show a feature of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agglutination agglutination], combining a large amount of morphemes in order to encode significant degree of information into a word. Various basic words in their language appear to reflect this feature as well.
 
The reduplication of vowels seems to indicate the distinction between long and short vowels. The ' in most words seem to depict [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glottal_stop Glottal stops].
 
Sentences tend to start with a verb, meaning that Unkalaki is likely a [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Verb%E2%80%93subject%E2%80%93object_word_order VSO] or [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Verb%E2%80%93object%E2%80%93subject_word_order VOS] language.{{wob ref|4584}}
 
=== Names ===
Typical Unkalaki names are quite long, forming a poem.{{book ref|sa1|27}}
 
* [[Lunamor|Numuhukumakiaki'aialunamor]] - Rock's real name, shortened to Lunamor, describes a very special rock.{{book ref|sa1|27}}
* Lunu'anaki - The god of travel and mischief who cannot hurt man, probably a name for [[Hoid]].{{book ref|sa2|46}} He warned of the [[Sleepless|Gods Who Sleep Not]] in the time of Cord's grandmother.{{book ref|sa3.5|15}}
* Unulukuak'kina'autu'atai - One of [[Shallan]]'s aliases, meaning yet unknown.{{book ref|sa2|28}}
* [[Tuaka|Tuaka'li'na'calmi'nor]] - Lunamor's wife, shortened to Tuaka, translated as Song.{{book ref|sa3|37}}
* [[Hualinam'lunanaki'akilu]] - Lunamor's first daughter, translated as Cord.{{book ref|sa3.5|15}}
* [[Kuma'tiki]] - Lunamor's second daughter, a type of shell found in the Horneater Peaks.{{book ref|sa3|37}}
* [[Kef'ha]] - An Unkalaki Nuatoma, died in a fight against [[Torol Sadeas]].
* [[Sinaku'a]]
* [[Tifi]]
* [[Kali'kalin]]{{book ref|sa1|55}}
 
=== Terms ===
* ''afah'liki'' - probably means “god”, likely related to ''mafah'liki''
* ''afah'liki''
* ''alaii'iku'' - "Sighted", can see spren {{book ref|sa2|12}}
* ''ali'i'kamura''
{{quote
{{quote
|You're crazy! You're ''ana'kai'' crazy.
|[[Ur (character)|Ur]]{{book ref|sa3|18}}
}}
* ''apaliki’tokoa’a'' - [[luckspren]], known by Unkalaki to lead to treasure and be associated with the [[Sleepless]], it includes the root liki, translating to Cognitive.{{book ref|sa3.5|12}}
* ''Fal’ala’liki’nor'' - He who drew the [[Bow of Hours]] at the dawn of the new millennium, heralding the years of change. A title used to refer to Lunamor.
* ''holetental'' - Likely related to the [[Knights Radiant|Radiants]] or spren.
{{quote
}}
* ''humaka'aban'' - A beard style. Long sideburns that curve down to the chin. The chin itself and the area around the lips are cleanly shaven.{{book ref|sa1|40}}
* ''Kama''{{book ref|sa1|35}}
* ''Kali'kalin'da''
* ''kaluk'i'iki'' - Only a woman can be called this title.
|Rock to [[Kaladin]]{{book ref|sa1|49}}
}}
* ''Kuma'tiki'' - A kind of shell found on the Horneater peaks{{book ref|sa3|37}}
* ''Kuma'tiki''
*''liki'' - Most likely translates to Cognitive.{{book ref|sa3.5|12}}
* ''Lunu’anaki'' - Likely a name for [[Hoid]]
* ''mafah'liki'' - Unkalaki concept of [[spren]].,{{book ref|sa1|21}} it includes the root ''liki'', translating to Cognitive.{{book ref|sa3.5|12}}
{{quote
|Uma'ami tukuma mafah'liki...
|the beginning of a respectful phrase about spren{{book ref|sa3|37}}
}}
* ''mala’lini’ka'' - unknown meaning, expressed by Cord when learning that [[Rysn]] can speak [[Veden]]{{book ref|sa3.5|9}}
* ''mohoray''{{book ref|sa1| 35}}
* ''namavau''{{book ref|sa1|23}}
* ''[[nuatoma]]'' - Unkalaki concept of nobility or ruling class, the same as [[Alethi]] [[lighteyes]].{{book ref|sa1|23}}
* ''Oo'kali'laa'e'' - unknown meaning, presumably a swear. {{file ref|Alethi Glyphs Page 2.jpg|Alethi Glyphs page 2}}
* ''tana'kai'' - Similar to a king, but has further meanings.{{book ref|sa2|46}}
* ''toa'' - Physical.{{book ref|sa3.5|12}}
* ''tuanalikina'' - Fourth son and younger{{book ref|sa3|37}}
* ''tukuma''{{book ref|sa3|37}}
* ''tuma'alki'' - Probably means "weak" or "of poor quality".▼
* ''tuli’iti’na'' - it appears this translates to "foolish lowlander talk"{{book ref|sa3.5|9}}
▲* ''tuma'alki'' - Probablylikely meanstranslates to "weak" or "of poor quality".
{{quote
|Spices they have for us to requisition are ''tuma'alki''!
|Rock{{book ref|sa2|9}}
}}
* ''Ula'makai'' - Captain
* ''Uli'tekanaki''
{{quote
|Rock{{book ref|sa1|49}}
}}
* ''uma'ami''{{book ref|sa3|37}}
* ''umalakai'ki''{{book ref|sa1| 35}}
* ''umarti'a'' - A cousin of someone.{{book ref|sa1|23}}
{{quote
 
== Trivia ==
* The Unkalaki peoples are a mixture of Hawaiian, Scottish, and Russian cultures.{{wob ref|10503}}
* Because of their Singer heritage, they have extra jaw pieces at the back of their mouths which help them eat shells.{{wob ref|3922}}
 
== Notes ==
Nightstar The Bright
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