Difference between revisions of "Thaylen City"

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|nation=Thaylenah

|ruler=Queen [[Fen Rnamdi]]

|books=[[The Stormlight Archive]]

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'''Thaylen City''' is the capital of [[Thaylenah]] on [[Roshar]], and the site of the [[Battle of Thaylen Field]].{{book ref|sa3|12}}{{book ref|sa3|121}}

 

== Geography ==

Thaylen City is located on the northwestern coast of the largest of the islands forming [[Thaylenah]]. It sits on the shores of [[Longbrow's Straits]], a strip of ocean dividing Thaylenah from the [[Roshar]]an mainland.{{map ref|Roshar}} The city was built inside a massive natural [[lait]] to protect it from [[highstorm]]s. It's also surrounded by mountains, offering additional protection.{{map ref|Thaylen City}} While the local climate is warmer than in the [[Frostlands]] across the Straits, it's still cold, especially at night.{{book ref|sa2|1}}{{book ref|sa3|117}} Thanks to its location, the city ordinarily suffers only the mildest of stormwinds, but once the [[True Desolation]] begins, it's exposed to the full brunt of the [[Everstorm]].{{book ref|sa3|58}}

 

== Layout ==

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Past the city wall lays the area now known as the '''Thaylen Field'''. Prior to the [[True Desolation]], this part of the city was well-developed, with numerous taverns, warehouses and shops. The famous Thaylen docks were located on the shore there, stretching across the southern portion of the peninsula.{{map ref|Thaylen City}} Unfortunately, the area was not built to withstand violent weather, due to the protection offered by the mountainside. As such, it was swept away by the [[Everstorm]], leaving it ruined and empty.{{book ref|sa3|58}}

 

=== Landmarks ===

 

==== The Oathgate ====

 

==== Temples ====

 

The most notable temples are:

* '''The Temple of [[Battah]]''' - located in the northwestern part of the Royal Ward, it's the second-oldest temple in the city. It's particularly notable for the [[Simulacrum of Paralet]], a massive statue that once adorned the plaza in front of it. The Simulacrum was knocked over by the [[Everstorm]], sending large chunks of it into the Loft Wards; Dalinar rebuilds it with his [[Bondsmith]] powers upon his first visit to the city.{{book ref|sa3|59}}

* '''The Temple of [[Ishi]]''' - the oldest temple in the city.{{book ref|sa3|59}} It sits in the southern portion of the Royal Ward.{{map ref|Thaylen City}}

* '''The Temple of [[Pailiah]]''' - located in the north-eastern part of the Royal Ward.{{map ref|Thaylen City}} It's open, allowing wind to flow through it.{{book ref|sa3|118}} [[Renarin]] goes there to pray when he begins seeing visions of the [[Battle of Thaylen Field]].{{book ref|sa3|117}}

 

The Gemstone Reserve is a national bank of [[Thaylenah]]. It's located in the Low Ward, near one of the entrances to the Ancient Ward.{{map ref|Thaylen City}} The structure is build like a fortress, to protect its contents.{{book ref|sa3|111}} It has no windows. Within are numerous vaults storing various gemstones, including some of the largest and most unique ones, like the [[King's Drop]]. People can sell and buy their writs of ownership, allowing them to trade large sums easily.{{book ref|sa3|i|13}}

 

 

== History ==

=== Heraldic Epochs and Era of Solitude ===

Thaylen City is one of the oldest settlements on [[Roshar]], though its exact origins are uncertain. The modern history dates it as about four thousand years old; however, the existence of the [[Oathgate]] and the [[cymatics|cymatic]] pattern of its appearance suggest that it's much older than that.{{book ref|sa3|12}}{{file ref|Four Cities.jpg|Four Cities}} During the [[Heraldic Epochs]], it was located in the [[Silver Kingdoms|Silver Kingdom]] of [[Thalath]].{{map ref|Silver Kingdoms}} Its proximity to the Thalath Oathgate indicates that it might've been the capital even back then. At the time, it was a far smaller city, consisting only of the district now known as the Ancient Ward.{{book ref|sa3|58}}

 

=== The Everstorm ===

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When the [[listener]]s summoned the [[Everstorm]] in the [[Battle of Narak]], [[Dalinar Kholin]] tried to warn the various cities of the world, including Thaylen, about the upcoming catastrophe.{{book ref|sa2|88}} The Thaylens believed him after confirming his information with [[New Natanan]], one of the cities struck earlier, and strove to prepare. There wasn't enough time, though, particularly as [[Odium]] targeted the city deliberately, both as a strategically-important location and as the stage for his confrontation with Dalinar.{{book ref|sa3|12}}{{book ref|sa3|107}} The once-extensive docks, along with the entire seaside district, were all but wiped out; most of the city's other Wards were heavily damaged by lightning, strong winds, and even debris falling from the terraces above.{{book ref|sa3|58}} The temple of [[Talenelat]] in particular was wrecked near-utterly, possibly out of grudge Odium might have against Taln for holding out for as long as he had.{{book ref|sa3|59}}

=== Battle of Thaylen Field ===

{{for|Battle of Thaylen Field}}

 

Following the revelations of the [[Eila Stele]], Thaylenah was one of the few countries to remain with [[Urithiru]], mostly because they had no other choice in their weakened state.{{book ref|sa3|113}} It was then that the Voidbringer armies, led by Odium himself, arrived on the shores of Thaylen City, having sailed there from the nearby country of [[Marat]]. Though the defenders attempted to prepare for battle, things changed dramatically when Odium first summoned a pair of [[thunderclast]]s, and then released [[Nergaoul]] upon the Amaram troops, turning them against the people they were supposed to protect.{{book ref|sa3|115}}

One of the thunderclasts breached the wall and made for the [[Thaylen Gemstone Reserve]], intending to secure the [[King's Drop]], a [[perfect gemstone]] that could trap Nergaoul. At the same time, Dalinar went down into the Thaylen Field to face Odium directly.{{book ref|sa3|116}} In the ensuing confrontation, Dalinar managed to open [[Honor's Perpendicularity]], providing the [[Knights Radiant]] present with much-needed [[Stormlight]].{{book ref|sa3|119}}

 

 

The battle once more left Thaylen City in shambles, now augmented by the corpse of one of the thunderclasts. Massive surgeon stations were set up in the Low Ward to care for the numerous wounded, and the various alliance members pitched in to aid with the rebuilding.{{book ref|sa3|121}}{{book ref|sa3|122}} However, much work remains to be done, and whether the city can be brought back to its former glory is questionable.

== Politics ==

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Thaylen City serves as the center of Thaylen commerce and politics. The reigning monarch resides there; likewise, the various merchant councils, as well as the Thaylen navy, have their headquarters in the city. Its vast port is home to numerous trading and naval vessels. Moreover, the [[Thaylen Gemstone Reserve]] holds vast majority of the country's wealth, allowing for long-distance trade via [[spanreed]]s.{{book ref|sa3|58}}{{book ref|sa3|111}}

 

== Notable citizens ==

* [[Fen Rnamdi]], the Queen of Thaylenah, who presumably resides in the Royal Palace.

* [[Kmakl]] and [[Kdralk]], the Queen's consort and son

== Notes ==

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{{stormlight}}