Difference between revisions of "Urithiru"

Historically, there was some disagreement as to whether or not Urithiru is accessible by means other than [[Oathgate]] travel or flight. Ancient chroniclers Varala and Sinbian both stated that it was impossible, but in [[Nohadon]]'s eighth parable from [[The Way of Kings (in-world)|''The Way of Kings'']], he claims that he walked from [[Abamabar]] to Urithiru (which he confirms in Dalinar's dream, saying that he did not use an Oathgate, only a guide, which washe akinbelieves towasn't "takingcheating" ain ferryany across a riverway)."){{epigraph ref|sa1|34}}{{book ref|sa3|103}}. As is later revealed, there is an entrance at the bottom of the mountain which can be used to exit the tower on foot. {{book ref|sa3|4}}

There is an unnamed village in the foothills of the mountain to the south of the tower, {{book ref|sa2|i|10}} but it is apparently not visible from the tower, as all Dalinar can see is clouds and rocks.{{book ref|sa3|86}} In addition, Urithiru sits relatively closelyclose to the [[Valley]] of the [[Nightwatcher]].{{map ref|Roshar}}

The tower is comprisedcomposed of multiple rooms of different functionality, including sleeping quarters, meeting halls, libraries and bathhouses. Most of them have high ceilings.{{book ref|sa3|15}}

A room resembling a theater can be found on the tower's third level, near the Breakaway. It's a large chamber with round walls and rows of stone benches facing a raised platform that served as a stage. This stage can be reached both by stairs from the audience and by a separate entrance. The corridor leading to it is narrow enough to be touched on both sides, and goes by several smaller chambers, possibly dressing rooms. Past the theater's back door (the one which would be, presumably, used by the audience), there is a circular room with large vertical slits in the walls, some of which face Breakaway, although neither it, nor the theater itself can be reached directly from the market. It is there that [[Shallan]] puts on a [[Lightweaving Surgebinding#Illumination|Lightwoven]] play of [[The Girl Who Looked Up]] for [[Pattern]], and where they first encounter [[Re-Shephir]].{{book ref|sa3|25}}

At the end of the hallway is a bowl-shaped room. At its center stands a twenty-foot-tall column of gemstones, around which Re-Shephir coiled when discovered. The column is comprisedcomposed of thousands of gemstones of all ten types melted together.{{book ref|sa3|33}} Though its appearance is unusual, its purpose — and whether there is a purpose to it beyond decoration — remains unknown. [[Renarin]] theorizes that it's a giant fabrial that does "being a city."{{book ref|sa3|44}}

Urithiru wasdisplays oncea homenumber of unusual properties that allow humans to survive despite its high altitude. It is believed that these systems are somehow powered by or related to the spren known as the [[Sibling]].{{epigraph ref|sa3|87}} However, at some point itthe Sibling withdrew from mankind, and currently slumbers.{{epigraph ref|sa3|70}}{{book ref|sa3|111}} This explainsmay explain why many of Urithiru's systems are currently non-functional.{{wob ref|9498}} At the present, only some elevators work when gemstones are inserted, and the gem archive appears to be the sole functional fabrial remaining. Of the life support system, only increased pressure remains maintained.{{epigraph ref|sa3|69}}

Though it's unclear whether it was originally built for this purpose, Urithiru was the headquarters of the [[Knights Radiant]] orders, as well as the center of the [[Silver Kingdoms]], holding ten thrones, one for each king. Even following the temporary end of the cycle of [[Desolation]]s, it remained an important location as both the home of the Radiants and the [[Oathgate]] hub.{{epigraph ref|sa1|46}} During that time, Urithiru had a large population of not only Radiants, but also ordinary people - servants, traders, craftsmen and so on.{{epigraph ref|sa3|72}} At one point, the [[Unmade]] [[Re-Shephir]] invaded the tower, and was trapped and sealed by an unknown [[Order of Lightweavers|Lightweaver]].{{book ref|sa3|29}}