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Saldaea
Banner: Three silver fish on a field of dark blue.
Sigil: Three silver fish, one above the other; the Silver Fish.
Stretching all the way from the Aryth Ocean to the northern edge of the Black Hills, Saldaea is the largest of the nations called the Borderlands. The area it covers is larger than Shienar and Arafel combined. Its eastern neighbour is Kandor, and to the southwest lies Arad Doman. The Ogier-built capital of Maradon lies on the Arinelle River, and is well-known for its high towers, from which one can see the Blight.
The nation of Saldaea was formed early in the War of the Hundred Years. The governors of Artur Hawkwing's five northern provinces met and agreed to form stable nations to preserve the peace and defend against the Blight. Rylen t'Boriden Rashad was the first King of Saldaea, and the nation's current ruler is the headstrong young Tenobia. Her full title is: Her Illumined Majesty, Tenobia si Bashere Kazadi, Shield of the North and Sword of the Blightborder, High Seat of House Kazadi, Lady of Shahayni, Asnelle, Kunwar and Ganai.
The national economy is strong. Built upon the trade of furs, wood, and ice peppers, Saldaean goods fetch high prices at markets as far away as Tear and Mayene.
The people are known for their tilted, almond-shaped eyes, and for their remarkable military skills. Their equestrian skills are far superior to those of any other Border nation, in fact; they are known as the finest light cavalry in the entire (known) world. The Saldaean cavalry are capable of performing mounted drills and maneuvers in units as large as nine thousand without a snigle horse or rider missing the mark. Many of these riders seem to be more at home in the saddle than on the ground, routinely performing stunts normaly only done by gleemen, but on the backs of galloping chargers. Standing in the saddle, on feet or on hands, riding two horses at once with one foot on the back of each, crawling completely under and around the charging animal... The Saldaeans does it all.
The person who holds the position of Marshal-General is responsible for defending the nation and commanding the military.
In Saldaea war is something that involves the entire family. Though women do not actively participate in battle, wives of most officers and all nobles traditionally accompany their husbands on all military campaigns except for those inside the Blight. Young girls are not tought the art of swordfighting, but most develop skills with knives or in hand-to-hand fighting. Many stories tell fo women taking up the swords of their fallen husbands to lead the men towards victory (which possibly could influence Saldaean girls' attitudes towards violence), and it is true that a highborn lady of Saldaea is expected to be able to ride to the hunt all day while reciting poetry, then play the cittern at night while participating intelligently in discussions of how to counter Trolloc raids.
Despite their otherwise formidable virtue, Saldaean women can be extremely sensual. Ladies of the court are known for the subtlety of their seductions, using the language of fans to communicate their thoughts to potential suitors. The infamous sa'sara is a dance outlawed by a number of Saldaean Queens for its indecency, and yet almost all noblewomen know how to dance it, though only a few may admit it publicly. The sa'sara, when danced by one who knows the moves, apparently has the ability to make men's blood boil. Saldaean history records three wars, two rebellions, and forty-seven unions and feuds between noble houses, as well as innumerable duels, sparked by women dancing the sa'sara.
The majority of Saldaeans have dark, tilted eyes and high cheekbones. Many sport a prominent nose recognizable as a Saldaean feature throughout the world. Dark hair is common, but red hair is not unknown. Most men wear thick beards and hanging mustaches. The usual mode of dress for women consists of high-necked dresses with long sleeves. Wealthy ladies wear elaborate embroidery down the sleeves and on the collar, and their dresses are often silk or brocade. Farmgils wear the same basic style, but in wool. Narrow divided skirts are worn for riding.
Men and women of all classes travel armed with at least one knife, though in Saldaea steel is never drawn except when the wearer intends to use it.
Known Saldaean Noble Houses are Bashere, Gahaur and Kazadi. Known regions are Asnelle, Bashere, Gahaur, Ganai, Kunwar, Shahayni, Sidona and Tyr. Cities or towns we learn about in the books include Maradon, Irinjavar and Mehar.
Written by Tallan
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