Editing Shinovar

{{nation
|map=Locator_Shinovar.png
|ethnicity=[[:Category: Shin|Shin]]
|world=Roshar
|universe=[[Cosmere]]
|books=[[The Stormlight Archive]]
}}
{{update|sa4}}
{{quote
|The world is changing outside, but the Shin seem determined to remain the same. 
|[[Vstim]] to [[Rysn]] about the Shin{{book ref|sa1|i|4}}
}}
'''Shinovar''' is a nation on the western mainland of [[Roshar]].{{map ref|Roshar}} Due to the [[Misted Mountains|mountains]] separating it from the rest of the continent, Shinovar is distinct both ecologically and culturally from the rest of Roshar. Shinovar natives are known as the '''Shin'''.

== Etymology ==
''Shinovar'' is likely derived from the Silver Kingdom ''Shin Kak Nish'', which is derived from [[Ashyn]].{{wob ref|11368}}

== Geography and Ecology ==
{{image|Farmer by Adam J Marin.png|side=right|width=250px|A farmland in Shinovar}}

{{quote
|The entire landscape had an eerie feel to it, as if it were dead. Nothing moved. 
|[[Rysn]]'s opinion of Shinovar{{book ref|sa1|i|4}}
}}
Lying on the western side of continental Roshar, Shinovar is bordered to the east by the [[Misted Mountains]] and to the west by an unnamed mountain range. Multiple rivers flow through Shinovar from the bodies of water to both the north and the south. The Misted Mountains prevent Shinovar from bordering any other nations.{{map ref|Roshar}} The mountains also protect Shinovar from the worst of the [[highstorm]]s, so Shinovar experiences far more mild highstorms than the rest of Roshar. Regular storms also occur in Shinovar, particularly during the summer, and it can be difficult to tell the two apart based on strength.{{wob ref|5701}} The highstorm still recharges gems with the same amount of [[Stormlight]] despite its lower strength.{{wob ref|11482}} [[Spren]] rarely manifest in Shinovar, though that is unrelated to highstorm strength.{{wob ref|8714}} 

Shinovar has a vastly different ecology from the rest of the planet, as the flora and fauna there have not the need of adapting to survival in the highstorms, and in fact, cannot survive outside of Shinovar.{{book ref|sa1|48}} Much of the ecology there is based on the plants and animals brought to Roshar by the [[Ashyn]] refugees.{{book ref|sa3|113}} The ground in Shinovar is coated with a layer of soil, making the ground feel springy to outsiders. The entire land is coated with a thick layer of grass that does not move or react to movement. The trees dotting the landscape are straight upward with leaves that do not withdraw into the trunk. {{book ref|sa1|i|4}} Plants that are known to be farmed in Shinovar include wheat,{{book ref|sa3|106}} strawberries,{{book ref|sa1|48}} and grapes.{{wob ref|3978}} Animals that live in Shinovar include [[chicken]]s and horses. Horses are both domesticated and wild.{{book ref|sa1|i|6}} 

Buildings made of clay and earth seem to be common in Shinovar, as they remind [[Szeth]] of his home in the [[Valley of Truth]]. This is motivated by the Shin's beliefs that stone is sacred and cannot be used as a building material.{{book ref|sa1|i|6}} The weakened highstorms likely make this form of building viable when it would not be in other parts of Roshar. Shinovar contains an [[Oathgate]] somewhere inside the country, though its exact location is not known.{{file ref|Oathgate Locations.jpg|Oathgate Locations}}

== History ==
=== Pre-Expulsion ===
Little is known about the state of Shinovar before human arrival, except that [[Singer]] relationship with the land was as such that it was the land they decided to grant to humanity upon their arrival.{{cite}} The ecology was very different during this era, not yet introduced to Ashynite flora and fauna. 

=== Heraldic Epochs ===

==== Human Arrival ====
When humans first arrived on Roshar from [[Ashyn]] after leaving it inhospitable to human life, the [[singer]]s gave them the land of Shinovar to settle in. Because it is sheltered from highstorms, humans were able to grow the plants and animals they had brought with them there, and these became a defining aspect of the Shin ecology. 

Over time, humanity grew dissatisfied with the territory they were granted, and chose to violently expand it, which begun what came to be known as the First Desolation.{{book ref|sa3|113}}

==== The Silver Kingdoms ====
{{image|Silver Kingdoms.jpg|side=right|width=450px|Map of the Silver Kingdoms}}
{{for|Shin Kak Nish}}
Shinovar was founded as [[Shin Kak Nish]] in the [[Silver Kingdoms]] Epoch.{{map ref|Silver Kingdoms}} 

Due to the Desolations, they were constantly returned back to primitive technological levels, often to the point to making use of stone tools. Though they advanced each time with the help of the Heralds whenever they returned, often helping them to enter into the bronze age, often receiving this assistance from [[Kalak]] and his [[Willshapers]].{{book ref|sa2|i|7}}{{book ref|sa1|part=prelude}}{{wob ref|13779}}

[[Nohadon]] claimed to have been in a war near the Shin border.{{book ref|sa3|103}} Shinovar seems to have been less isolationist during this period, as they had a working [[Oathgate]] and Shin people among the [[Knights Radiant]].{{cite}}

=== Era of Solitude ===

After the [[Last Desolation]], the Shin took control of the [[Honorblade]]s and brought them to Shinovar (save for [[Taln]]'s Blade, as it was with him on [[Braize]]).{{book ref|sa3|106}} Because of this history, they consider themselves the only ones who remember the truth about Rosharan history, though what they remember might not be entirely accurate.{{wob ref|5964}} [[Nale]] came back and retrieved his at some point without informing the Shin leaders.{{book ref|sa3|106}} Members of the Shin use and train with the Honorblades and [[surge]]s.{{wob ref|5090}} 

==== Shin Invasions ====

During the [[Era of Solitude]], the Shin tried multiple times to conquer all of Roshar, but they did not succeed any time.{{book ref|sa3|2}} They used Honorblades, Surges,{{wob ref|12700}} and cavalry, a fighting technique unfamiliar to the rest of the continent.{{book ref|sa3|75}} [[Shubreth-son-Mashalan]] was likely a leader during one of the invasions.{{book ref|sa3|19}} 

==== Lead-up to the True Desolation ====

Approximately seven years before the [[True Desolation]], [[Szeth]] announced that the [[Voidbringers]] were returning.{{book ref|sa2|i|10}} He was told by the Shin leaders that this was false, made [[Truthless]], and exiled, taking [[Jezrien]]'s Honorblade with him.{{book ref|sa2|33}}{{book ref|sa4|i|7}} He was traded to [[Vstim]], a [[Thaylen]] merchant who often traded successfully with the Shin, and exiled from Shinovar.{{book ref|sa1|i|4}} 

=== The True Desolation ===

After the [[Everstorm]] hit the first time, the Shin sent warnings to other countries, including [[Tashikk]], to prepare them.{{book ref|sa2.5|14}}

[[Dalinar]] sent word to them through a Thaylen merchant asking them to cooperate with his planned coalition.{{book ref|sa3|12}} The Shin were considered particularly important allies to gain because they controlled the westernmost Oathgate on continental Roshar.{{book ref|sa3|39}} When they received his message, the Shin declined to join, sending back only a congratulations to Dalinar.{{book ref|sa3|24}} While the Shin did not join the coalition, they also did not join [[Odium]] and were considered uncommitted by the end of the [[Battle of Thaylen Field]].{{book ref|sa3|122}}

At some point after the start of the True Desolation, various Unmade settled in Shinovar and the Shin made gods of them.{{book ref|sa4|i|3}}{{book ref|sa4|111}} [[Ishar]] claims that he saved the Shin from the Unmade, but the veracity of this statement is unknown.{{book ref|sa4|i|3}}{{book ref|sa4|111}}

== Politics ==
The way Shinovar is governed does not seem to be well known outside of Shinovar, even to other monarchs like [[Taravangian]].{{book ref|sa3|24}} They have multiple leaders who [[Szeth]] views as corrupt for falsely making him [[Truthless]].{{book ref|sa3|121}} Other countries tend to view them as barbarians. When it comes to foreign policy, the Shin tend to be isolationist, declining to join Dalinar's coalition of countries when the Everstorm hit.{{book ref|sa3|24}}{{book ref|sa3|122}} This policy is due to their xenophobic nature.{{wob ref|10455}} The Shin leaders are involved in making someone Truthless.{{book ref|sa2|88}}{{book ref|sa3|121}} As the Stone Shamans are also involved in monitoring the Truthless, it is possible they are part of the Shin leadership.{{book ref|sa1|i|6}}

== Culture ==
=== Peoples ===
The Shin, natives of Shinovar, have round faces and are one of few ethnicities on Roshar whose eyes lack [[wikipedia:Epicanthic fold|epicanthic fold]]s. These features give them a wide-eyed look that, to outsiders, makes them appear to resemble young children.{{wob ref|4079}} The Shin also have lighter skin than people in other parts of Roshar and are often described as pale.{{book ref|sa1|19}} The average Shin is shorter than the average [[Alethi]].{{wob ref|6411}} Their distinctive features are the result of them being xenophobic and not intermixing with other races very much.{{wob ref|10455}} The Herald Ishar looks Shin.{{wob ref|11325}}

The Shin have a distinct naming scheme, seemingly unique to their culture. A person is identified first by their given name, then as either son or daughter, and finally their parent -- father for men, possibly mother for women.{{book ref|sa1|i|6}}{{book ref|sa1|5}} As such, a Shin would have a name like [[Thresh-son-Esan]] (Thresh, son of Esan) or [[Ali-daughter-Hasweth]] (Ali, daughter of Hasweth). In extraordinary circumstances, one can use the name of their grandparent instead, so as to avoid dishonoring their parent. One example of such a case is [[Szeth]]-son-son-[[Vallano]], meaning "Szeth, son of the son of Vallano".{{book ref|sa1|i|6}} The same pattern is applied to the names of [[Herald]]s in the Shin culture, with [[Honor]] being considered their parent -- [[Nale]] is known as Nin-son-God.{{book ref|sa2|88}}

=== Class Structure ===
The Shin have an extremely strict social structure based on profession. High on the social ladder in Shinovar are the farmers, who add to the land by growing plants and are as such considered holy. Each farmer is given the title '''he who adds''' and is referred to as such by other Shin. Farmers spend their days either working their fields or exercising their power to oversee negotiations, during which they wear fine, multicolored robes that tie in the front. The robes seem designed for horseback riding, as the robes reach almost to the ground from horseback. Farmers are able to own and trade warriors by way of stones similar to [[Oathstone]]s.{{wob ref|9754}} Because of their holy nature, outsiders are not allowed to visit farming villages or farmland.{{book ref|sa1|i|4}} 

Traders and merchants are lower in status than farmers, and are required to be supervised by the latter during certain transactions, as when trading with foreigners. They wear colorful capes to signify their status, and they may also ride on horseback.{{book ref|sa1|i|4}}

{{sidequote
|Here, warriors are the lowliest of men—kind of like slaves. 
|[[Vstim]] to [[Rysn]] on Shin culture
|side=right|size=300px
}}
Warriors are all viewed extremely poorly in Shin culture. To a Shin, since warriors exist only to destroy, they are far below the farmers and craftsmen who live to create, and even merchants, who trade in other's goods. All warriors are required to obey totally the person who holds their stone, voluntarily subjecting themselves into a state not unlike slavery. While a Shin warrior is able to distinguish his stone, it does not appear to be remarkable in any other way--their subjugation appears to be entirely voluntary. As a rule, Shin warriors cannot be given to outsiders, and the rules regarding the trading of warriors inside Shinovar are unknown. What is known, however, is that any person who picks up a weapon is required to take an stone and live the rest of their life as a warrior. Warriors are recognizable by the simple brown clothing they wear.{{book ref|sa1|i|4}}

Only the [[Truthless]] are considered lower than warriors in the Shin culture. At present, there is only one Shin Truthless, and there are not likely to be more in the foreseeable future. Truthless are exiled from Shinovar, and required to live the life of a Shin warrior outside of Shinovar. They are required to have a master, but are not allowed to seek or avoid a particular master, freely sharing information about their servitude to any who asks (assuming that a current master has not given contradictory orders). The precise nature of the offense that makes one Truthless is unknown.

=== Religion ===
{{for|Stone Shamanism}}

The Shin follow [[Stone Shamanism]]. They believe stone to be sacred and that their soul is given to the stones upon their death, where they continue to exist.{{book ref|sa1|i|6}} They consider walking upon stones to be a heresy, and derogatorily refer to those who do as Stonewalkers. The stones of [[Urithiru]] are the one exception to this, as Urithiru is a holy site.{{book ref|sa2|i|10}} Similarly, mining in stone is considered to be a heresy. Because of this, metal is very valuable in Shin territory, with the Shin preferring [[Soulcast]] metal above mined metal because of the inherent blasphemy in obtaining the latter. Shin won't trade for fabrials apparently for religious reasons.{{book ref|sa1|i|4}} They called the period of darkest night between the first two moons the "hateful hour" and believed it was the only time their gods didn't keep watch over them.{{book ref|sa1|i|6}} Farm villages and farmland are considered holy, with outsiders not being allowed to visit them.{{book ref|sa1|i|4}}

=== Economy ===
{{quote
|Never try to cheat the Shin. Be forthright, tell them the truth, and—if anything—undervalue your goods. They will love you for it. And they’ll pay you for it too.
|[[Vstim]]'s lesson to [[Rysn]]{{book ref|sa1|i|4}}
}}
When it comes to trading, and as a result of their humble nature, haggling with the Shin usually involves both parties devaluing their wares to the other, until an agreement can be reached. The Shin value and reward honesty in negotiations. This unique attitude towards trading means it can be difficult for merchants to understand how to get a good deal from them. [[Vstim]] is one of the few [[Thaylen]] merchants to understand them, so he often gets good deals. Shin are known for raising and trading [[chicken]]s, an animal unique to this region of Roshar. They also commonly trade horses, cloth, and dried meats.{{book ref|sa1|i|4}}  They are famed for their horses, and many varieties of fruit, such as strawberries, can only grow in the soil of Shinovar.{{book ref|sa1|48}} In exchange, the Shin want metal, particularly [[Soulcast]] metal that does not require mining stones to get.{{book ref|sa1|i|4}}

=== Language ===
{{quote
|Tan balo ken tala,
|A presumably Shin greeting [[Vstim]] gives [[Thresh|Thresh-son-Esan]]{{book ref|sa1|i|4}}
}}
The Shin have their own language, which is part of the Dawnate family derived long ago from the [[Dawnchant]]. It shares grammar with other languages in the Dawnate family, like [[listener]] and [[Horneater]], but the vocabulary is vastly different because of how long ago the languages diverged.{{wob ref|3977}} Unlike languages spoken in the east, the Shin have multiple words for different kinds of [[chicken]]s.{{wob ref|1415}} The Shin language does not lend itself to simplifying words as well as the [[Vorin]] language family.{{wob ref|3978}} There is at least one written form of language, the warrior's script.{{book ref|sa1|i|6}}

== Notable Shin ==
{{for|:Category: Shin|more people from Shinovar}}
* [[Szeth]]
* [[Thresh|Thresh-son-Esan]]
* [[Neturo-son-Vallano]]
* [[Shauka|Shauka-daughter-Hasweth]]
* [[Ali|Ali-daughter-Hasweth]]
* [[Shubreth|Shubreth-son-Mashalan]]

== Trivia ==
* The Shin people are the only Rosharans that would look Caucasian.{{wob ref|2985}}
* The Shin people are the only group on Roshar who make wine out of grapes.{{wob ref|12890}}
* Cats at one point lived in Shinovar.{{wob ref|14703}}
* In [[The Way of Kings Prime]], Shinovar was named Shinavar, and was known as [[Silnasen]] during the Epoch Kingdoms period. Eventually, Silnasen was made into a city-state in Jah Keved and the modern country was renamed to Shinovar.{{wob ref|7116}}

== Notes ==
<references>
</references>
{{partial}}
{{Stormlight}}