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{{settlement
|image=Urithiru.jpg
|ruler=King [[Dalinar Kholin]]{{book ref|sa3.5|1}}{{wob ref|14306}}
|world=Roshar
|universe=[[Cosmere]]
|books=[[The Stormlight Archive]]
}}
{{update|sa4}}
{{quote
|Urithiru was said to be the center of the Silver Kingdoms, a city that held ten thrones, one for each king. It was the most majestic, most amazing, most important city in all the world.
}}
'''Urithiru''' is a tower-city on [[Roshar]] that functioned as the home of the [[Knights Radiant]] and the central point of the [[Silver Kingdoms]] during the [[Heraldic Epochs]].{{book ref|sa1|45}} In the present day, it serves as the headquarters of the forces opposing [[Odium]], including the [[coalition of monarchs]], the refounded Knights Radiant,
== Location ==
{{quote
|Though many wished Urithiru to be built in Alethela, it was obvious that it could not be. And so it was that we asked for it to be placed westward, in the place nearest to Honor.
|''[[The Vavibrar]]'', line 1804{{book ref|sa1|35}}
}}
Urithiru is located almost exactly in the middle of the Rosharan continent, in the [[mountains
The plateau on which the tower is located is at
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 he believes wasn't "cheating" in any way).{{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.
There is an unnamed village in the foothills of the mountain to the south of the tower,
== Appearance ==
}}
{{image|Urithiru3 by Jacobo Montoya.jpg|Front view of the tower|side=right|height=250px}}
Urithiru is as wide as a city and as tall as a small mountain.{{book ref|sa3|24}} It consists of 10 semi-circular levels, with each level being 18 stories tall, for a total of 180 floors.
The lower levels "meld" into the mountain on either side, but the center and the upper levels have a flat side on the stormward side. Rooms in this flat side have windows facing the [[Origin]].
The center column of Urithiru is one solid window, also facing the Origin. This column has a footprint the size of a ballroom and is full of dozens of lifts, which look like the exterior balconies and crawl up and down vertical channels in the walls using Stormlight.{{book ref|sa3|4}} Large beams that support the center column (e.g. "Northbeam") seem to be rather prominent and used as landmarks when navigating the tower.{{book ref|sa4|25}}
Because the tower is high enough to be above
The interior of Urithiru is filled with tunnels that twist about in strange curves, which Dalinar hypothesizes was done to fool invaders.{{book ref|sa3|8}} Navani's scholars have also found oddly shaped groups of rooms and murals of fanciful animals (including some that might be lions, though those do not exist on Roshar), along with gold and copper metals embedded in the walls, presumably fabrials that they have been unable to understand.{{book ref|sa3|44}}
===Strata===
{{image|Shallan's Sketchbook - The Atrium.jpg|side=right|width=250px|A cross-section of Urithiru, showcasing the atrium}}
Each tunnel in Urithiru has distinctive patterns of strata.{{book ref|sa3|9}} Known strata colors include shades of brown, yellow, red, orange, and emerald green, though it would appear that only [[Surgebinder]]s are capable of perceiving the various colours.{{wob ref|10715}} The stone itself is smooth to the touch and hard enough that it can't be scratched with a knife.{{book ref|sa3|13}} Notably, the same strata patterns can be seen on the [[Kholinar]] windblades, indicating similar (perhaps shared) origin.{{book ref|sa3|61}}
* '''Room where Dalinar inspects the Honorblade''': "no strata"{{book ref|sa3|16}}
* '''Sparring room''': "grey and black"{{book ref|sa3|16}}
* '''Sadeas' quarters, side room''': "muted pattern of strata"; "oranges and reds that blended together so evenly you could almost pretend the wall was all one hue"{{book ref|sa3|
* '''Passageway to the theater''': "emerald cast"{{book ref|sa3|25}}
* '''Small chamber where Dalinar and Navani worked''': "like the folds of a fan"{{book ref|sa3|28}}
=== Notable locations===
==== The Breakaway ====
{{image|Breakaway by Marie Seeberger.jpg|side=right|width=300px|The Breakaway}}
The Breakaway is a large, cavernous hall as large as a small town within Urithiru's walls.{{book ref|sa3|2}} While its previous function is unknown, after the [[Alethkar|Alethi]] arrive at the tower, it becomes their central market area, with stalls, food stands, and taverns.{{book ref|sa3|18}} Many of the establishments are tents or simply roped-off areas, but an increasing number of permanent structures are being built there. Merchants from all ten highprincedoms mingle here and all kinds of goods can be purchased, including illicit ones like firemoss.{{book ref|sa3|41}} The atmosphere is chaotic, busy, and varied. The Breakaway has a large, round well at its center, which, like all wells at Urithiru, never seems to run out of water no matter how much is taken from it. It is unclear where the water comes from.{{book ref|sa3|18}}▼
▲The Breakaway is a large, cavernous hall as large as a small town within Urithiru's walls.{{book ref|sa3|2}} While its previous function is unknown, after the [[Alethkar|Alethi]] arrive at the tower, it becomes their central market area, with stalls, food stands, and taverns.{{book ref|sa3|18}} Many of the establishments are tents or simply roped-off areas, but an increasing number of permanent structures are being built there. Merchants from all ten
===== The Ten Rings =====
The Ten Rings is a section of the Breakaway that was planned by [[Navani Kholin]]. The streets are neat and orderly, with quaint wooden buildings that include both shops and living quarters. Merchants who agree to Navani's oversight receive reduced taxes and frequent guard patrols. The area lacks high-end shops due to wealthier [[lighteyes]] refusing to give Navani control, but it also lacks seedier establishments due to the presence of law enforcement. [[Adolin]] frequents a winehouse named [[Jez's Duty]] in the Ten Rings area.{{book ref|sa4|12}}
==== Oathgate Platforms ====
The chamber in which the [[Unmade]] [[Re-Shephir]] hides until being banished by [[Shallan]] can be reached from the tower's ground floor, from a room where a large pit with a stone spiral staircase leads down several stories. Rust marks on the wall indicate that part of the stone once served as a secret door, though the hinges have long since decayed and Shallan has to cut her way in with a [[shardblade]].{{book ref|sa3|29}}
At the bottom of the staircase, a large archway of individually-placed stones — unusual in Urithiru — leads to a hallway, the ceiling of which has a large mosaic of the [[herald]]s. The walls are also covered in mosaics, depicting the ten [[spren]] of the [[Knights Radiant]], with the three Bondsmith spren being depicted as a single type.{{wob ref|13647}} There is also other imagery: the [[Almighty]] as a cloud, a woman in the shape of a tree reaching with her hands toward the heavens, and a figure hovering above the ground embracing a blue disc, representing, respectively, [[Honor]], [[Cultivation]] and a [[perpendicularity]].{{book ref|sa3|29}}{{wob ref|13647}} Beneath the murals, two metal doors on opposite sides of the hall lead to two decayed libraries.{{book ref|sa3|29}}
Navani's scholars catalog and remove the debris, turning the area into a meeting hall for those working on uncovering the city's mysteries. Henceforth, it's there that the assemblies concerning the city's functionality and [[fabrial]]s are held.{{book ref|sa3|44}} As is later discovered, the tiles on the walls are actually drawers, holding the [[Urithiru gem archive]].{{book ref|sa3|53}}
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 composed of thousands of gemstones of all ten types melted together.{{book ref|sa3|33}}
On the far side of the room, a tunnel with carved stone steps leads even further below the tower. The passage runs through a long string of caverns, eventually leading to an exit in the foothills of the [[Tu Fallia]] mountains.{{book ref|sa3|53}} Re-Shephir uses this path to flee Urithiru after her confrontation with Shallan.{{book ref|sa3|30}}
==== The Top Platform ====
The platform atop Urithiru is the smallest floor of the whole tower. It is open-air, allowing the viewer to observe their entire surroundings. It appears to be [[Dalinar]]'s
==== The Gallery of Maps ====
The Gallery of Maps is located near the top of the tower. From the moment the Alethi arrive in the city, it is used as their main meeting room, both for discussing strategy and when speaking with foreign dignitaries. Though it is initially barren, a table is brought in at some point, which Shallan and Dalinar use to create a real-time map of Roshar.{{book ref|sa2|89}}{{book ref|sa3|8}}{{book ref|sa3|111}} It's named after a similar chamber back in the [[Pinnacle]].{{book ref|sa3|107}}
==== The Cloudwalk ====
The Cloudwalk is a garden balcony, an open stone pathway with a railing, set up around the base of Urithiru's eighth tier. During the year or so after the reclaiming of Urithiru during the True Desolation, this balcony, with its stunning view over the mountains, becomes a popular location for people of any nation and rank to meet and relax.{{book ref|sa4|16}}
== Mechanisms ==
{{for|Sibling#Urithiru}}
Urithiru displays a number 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 the Sibling withdrew from mankind
▲Urithiru displays a number 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 the Sibling withdrew from mankind and currently slumbers.{{epigraph ref|sa3|70}}{{book ref|sa3|111}} This may explain why many of Urithiru's systems are currently non-functional.{{wob ref|9498}}
▲Functioning fabrial systems include those for increased pressure{{epigraph ref|sa3|69}}, temperature{{book ref|sa3|53}}, and general conditions encouraging plant growth.{{epigraph ref|sa3|69}} Navani also theorizes that the air circulating through various shafts is powered by some sort of fabrial.{{epigraph ref|sa3|28}} In addition, the [[fabrial]] elevators connecting Urithiru's floors begin running when gemstones are inserted.{{book ref|sa3|8}} The gems in the [[Urithiru gem archive|gem archive]] which preserve recordings of human voices might also be considered fabrials.{{book ref|sa3|53}}
In a storage chamber near the top of the tower, the walls have veins of garnet, the gemstone classically associated with blood. Due to their connection to the tower, [[Navani]], [[Kaladin]], and [[Dabbid]] were able to communicate with the [[Sibling]] and with one another through the [[Sibling]]. Navani notes that the records in the gem archive “speak of this tower like a living thing. With a heart of emerald and ruby, and now these veins of garnet.
▲Non-functional fabrials include the plumbing and sewage systems, though pipes for these are present.{{book ref|sa3|104}} Taravangian theorizes that fabrial lights were used to increase plant growth and crop yields to make the tower self-sustaining.{{book ref|sa3|i|5}}
▲In a storage chamber near the top of the tower, the walls have veins of garnet, the gemstone classically associated with blood. Navani notes that the records in the gem archive “speak of this tower like a living thing. With a heart of emerald and ruby, and now these veins of garnet.”{{book ref|sa3|109}} These are perhaps related to the strange column of gems in the tower's lower levels, which Renarin calls a fabrial for "being a city."{{book ref|sa3|29}}
== History ==
=== Pre-Recreance ===
Urithiru was constructed at some point early on during the [[Silver Kingdoms]] era.{{ref|text=[[Nohadon]], who lived before the Knights Radiant were founded, visited it, so it had to be fairly early on.}} Initially, many wished for it to be constructed in [[Alethela]]; however, it was eventually built elsewhere, in a place considered to be "
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}}
Eventually, the
Between this and the [[Day of Recreance]], the [[Oathgate]]s in the 9 surviving cities were sealed, leaving Urithiru locked away from the world.
{{image|Urithiru by Elisgardor.jpg|side=right|width=350px}}
=== Era of Solitude ===
Some time after the tower was abandoned, [[Re-Shephir]] broke out of her confinement, but remained within the tower.{{book ref|sa3|29}}
Though Urithiru had faded into myth by the [[Era of Solitude]], [[Szeth]] was familiar with it, and would visit it often after becoming a [[Truthless]]. He had gone by the village at the bottom of the tower's mountain so many times that he mused that at some point, they had started thinking of him as some sort of god, leaving out tributes of [[sphere]]s for him to use for [[
[[Jasnah Kholin]] began an effort to rediscover the city after growing convinced that a new Desolation was coming.{{book ref|sa2|6}} While she herself was unable to do so, her student, [[Shallan Davar]], managed to complete her works and pinpoint the location of [[Stormseat]], an ancient city that possessed an [[Oathgate]], but was destroyed long before Urithiru was abandoned.{{book ref|sa2|47}} She eventually lead the [[Alethi]] army to Stormseat--now a [[listener]] city called [[Narak]]--and, as the listeners summoned the [[Everstorm]], transported them through its Oathgate, rediscovering Urithiru.{{book ref|sa2|86}}
=== True Desolation ===
Following the arrival of the [[Everstorm]], Urithiru became the
As a prelude to the [[Battle of Thaylen Field]], the [[Voidbringers]] attacked Urithiru through the subverted [[Kholinar]] Oathgate.{{book ref|sa3|i|14}} Although initially somewhat successful, they were eventually pushed back and out of the city.{{book ref|sa3|120}}
{{image|Urithiru Cognitive Realm by Hugh Hammons.jpeg|side=left|width=300px|Urithiru as it appears in [[Shadesmar]]}}
==== Capture of Urithiru ====
Around a year into the True Desolation, Urithiru was attacked by a large contingent of Fused soldiers, and the Sibling began to be corrupted by them when they found the central pillar, causing all the Radiants in Urithiru, sans Kaladin, to fall unconscious.{{book ref|sa4|39}}
During the occupation, the Sibling began to reveal themself and their powers, interacting with Kaladin, Dabbid, and Navani. Eventually bonding with Navani, leading to the birth of a new Bondsmith and the resurrection of Urithiru as a fully functioning city.{{book ref|sa4|110}}
== Culture ==
==== Problems ====
{{image|Urithiru Scenery 2 by Marie Seeberger.jpg|Scholars exploring Urithiru|side=right|width=350px}}
The tower city's economy suffers from three main difficulties: a lack of labor, a lack of supplies, and a lack of infrastructure.
Urithiru's non-functional mechanisms have left it with a lack of infrastructure. Waste management has been a particularly notable issue. Communal privies have been set up over former bathing rooms, but these are plagued with long lines.{{book ref|sa3|16}} The plumbing of Urithiru keeps clogging, and Soulcasters are constantly working to eliminate the waste.{{book ref|sa3|104}} Additionally, at this altitude, heating is a constant problem without magical enhancements.{{book ref|sa3|18}}
Another minor issue affecting Urithiru's early economy
==
{{image|Urithiru by Geoff Shupe.jpg|side=right|width=250px}}
{{for|:Category:Residents of Urithiru|a full list see|here}}▼
Because Urithiru is rediscovered at the advent of the first [[Everstorm]] during the [[Battle of Narak]], it becomes the immediate refuge and then the de facto home of most of the nation of [[Alethkar]].{{book ref|sa2|86}} The Alethi, who have been at the [[Shattered Plains]] to pursue the fulfillment of the [[Vengeance Pact]], largely move away from their warcamps and populate the tower after its discovery.{{book ref|sa1|4}}{{book ref|sa3|2}} The nation of Alethkar is subsequently taken by the Fused, and efforts to defend the capital city, [[Kholinar]], are unsuccessful.{{book ref|sa3|58}}{{book ref|sa3|89}} This means that King [[Elhokar]], and later Queen [[Jasnah]], rules from Urithiru over the population that has resettled in the tower.{{book ref|sa3|12}}{{book ref|sa4|16}}
Elhokar's original desire is to swear allegiance to Dalinar as his highking. He means to retain his position as king of Alethkar but to cede authority to Dalinar when it comes to matters concerning Urithiru or the Shattered Plains.{{book ref|sa4|10}} The proposal is drafted and sealed, but its publishing is postponed until those at Urithiru receive word of Elhokar again after his disappearance in Kholinar.{{book ref|sa3|104}} This unwittingly gives [[Taravangian]] fodder for his efforts to undermine the stability of the [[coalition of monarchs]], and he reveals his knowledge of the matter at a meeting just prior to the [[Battle of Thaylen Field]].{{book ref|sa3|111}} When the Kholins finally receive confirmation of Elhokar's death, Dalinar declares that he cannot be king of Alethkar; he sees the need to separate himself from having power in his old land and instead to focus on the [[Knights Radiant]] and on leading the coalition. Jasnah is raised up as queen of Alethkar instead.{{book ref|sa3|122}} The coalition officially recognizes [[Dalinar]] and [[Navani Kholin]] as the rulers of Urithiru during the year following the battle in [[Thaylen City]] in exchange for an official renouncement of any claims to be a highking.{{book ref|sa4|10}}
== Notable Residents ==
{{columns|
* [[Dalinar Kholin]]
* [[Turinad Sebarial]]
* [[Adolin Kholin]]
* [[Szeth]]
* [[Shallan Davar]]
* [[Navani Kholin]]
}}
== Trivia ==
{{image|Urithiru Scale.jpg|side=right|width=325px|A comparison of scale between Urithiru and large structures on earth.|attribute=art-modified}}
* The stones of Urithiru being unhallowed is part of [[Shinovar|Shin]] culture rather than something magical.{{wob ref|6508}}
* Brandon has confirmed that Urithiru is not a spaceship used to travel from [[Ashyn]] to Roshar.{{wob ref|8762}}
* In similar vein, Brandon has stated that the [[Kholinar]] windblades
* The inspiration for the [[Breakaway]] was Korean [[wikipedia: Night market|night markets]], street bazaars that typically operate only at night.{{wob ref|8635}}
* Urithiru
* [https://www.17thshard.com/forum/profile/8975-ccstat/ ccstat] and [https://www.17thshard.com/forum/profile/18320-jofwu/ jofwu] on the [[17thshard.com]] forums have analyzed the scale and size of the tower in posts which can be found on the [https://www.17thshard.com/forum/topic/61009-ob-dimensions-of-urithiru/ 17th Shard] and [https://www.reddit.com/r/Stormlight_Archive/comments/b6t5lx/dimensions_of_urithiru/ Reddit].
== Notes ==
{{Stormlight}}
[[category: Knights Radiant]]
[[es: Urithiru]]
|