In the fiction

Fiction

Fiction is the form of any narrative or informative work that deals, in part or in whole, with information or events that are not factual, but rather, imaginary—that is, invented by the author. Although fiction describes a major branch of literary work, it may also refer to theatrical,...

al world

Fantasy world

A fantasy world is a fictional universe used in fantasy novels and games. Typical worlds involve magic or magical abilities and often, but not always, either a medieval or futuristic theme...

 of Robert Jordan

Robert Jordan

Robert Jordan was the pen name of James Oliver Rigney, Jr. , under which he was best known as the author of the bestselling The Wheel of Time fantasy series. He also wrote under the pseudonyms Reagan O'Neal and Jackson O'Reilly.-Biography:Jordan was born in Charleston, South Carolina...

's fantasy

Fantasy

Fantasy is a genre of fiction that commonly uses magic and other supernatural phenomena as a primary element of plot, theme, or setting. Many works within the genre take place in imaginary worlds where magic is common...

 series The Wheel of Time

The Wheel of Time

The Wheel of Time is a series of epic fantasy novels written by American author James Oliver Rigney, Jr., under the pen name Robert Jordan. Originally planned as a six-book series, the length was increased by increments; at the time of Rigney's death, he expected it to be 12, but it will actually...

, Illian is a powerful merchant

Merchant

A merchant is a businessperson who trades in commodities that were produced by others, in order to earn a profit.Merchants can be one of two types:# A wholesale merchant operates in the chain between producer and retail merchant...

 nation

Nation

A nation may refer to a community of people who share a common language, culture, ethnicity, descent, and/or history. In this definition, a nation has no physical borders. However, it can also refer to people who share a common territory and government irrespective of their ethnic make-up...

 north of the Sea of Storms, with a capital city of the same name. It is a center of commerce specializing in fishing

Fishing

Fishing is the activity of trying to catch wild fish. Fish are normally caught in the wild. Techniques for catching fish include hand gathering, spearing, netting, angling and trapping....

, shipping

Shipping

Shipping has multiple meanings. It can be a physical process of transporting commodities and merchandise goods and cargo, by land, air, and sea. It also can describe the movement of objects by ship.Land or "ground" shipping can be by train or by truck...

, shipbuilding

Shipbuilding

Shipbuilding is the construction of ships and floating vessels. It normally takes place in a specialized facility known as a shipyard. Shipbuilders, also called shipwrights, follow a specialized occupation that traces its roots to before recorded history.Shipbuilding and ship repairs, both...

, and smuggling

Smuggling

Smuggling is the clandestine transportation of goods or persons, such as out of a building, into a prison, or across an international border, in violation of applicable laws or other regulations.There are various motivations to smuggle...

. Political deadlock often leaves residents free to pursue their mercantile ambitions without official interference. Illian has a thousand-year rivalry with its eastern neighbor, Tear

Tear (Wheel of Time)

In the fictional world of Robert Jordan's fantasy series The Wheel of Time, Tear is one of the richest nations in the land. This comes in part from controlling the greatest port on the Sea of Storms, at the mouth of the River Erinin. A great deal of Tear's wealth comes from the oil produced on the...

.

Government

Illian has three governing bodies: the Crown, the Council of Nine, and the Assembly. In theory, the king, the lords of the Council, and the representatives of the Assembly share power. In practice, little gets done but squabbling, leaving Illianers freer than most - especially Tairens, one reason Tear is held in such scorn. The seal of Illian bears nine golden bees.

After the Forsaken

Forsaken (Wheel of Time)

In the fictional world of Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time fantasy series, the Forsaken are the most powerful and favored servants of the Dark One. They were formerly Aes Sedai, but became corrupted by the desire for power and immortality...

 were released, Sammael

Sammael

Sammael is one of the primary antagonists of The Wheel of Time fantasy series by Robert Jordan. He is one of the Forsaken.-Origins:...

 seized control of Illian, sitting on the Council of Nine under the assumed name Lord Brend. After the Dragon Reborn

Rand al'Thor

Rand al'Thor, also known as the Dragon Reborn, is the fictional main character and protagonist of The Wheel of Time, a series of fantasy novels by Robert Jordan.Rand al'Thor has many other titles within the series:...

's invasion, the Council of Nine offered him the Laurel Crown, since King Mattin Stepaneos den Balgar had disappeared. This fulfilled the prophecy which foretold that the Dragon would wear "a crown of swords

A Crown of Swords

A Crown of Swords is the seventh book of The Wheel of Time fantasy series written by American author Robert Jordan. It was published by Tor Books and released on May 15, 1996...

." Several barbs protrude from the crown in all directions; the crown is a sharp reminder of the monarch's responsibilities.

Military forces

Illian's elite formation is known as the Companions. The Companions enlist and promote on the basis of merit

Meritocracy

Meritocracy, in the first, most administrative sense, is a system of government or other administration wherein appointments and responsibilities are objectively assigned to individuals based upon their "merits", namely intelligence, credentials, and education, determined through evaluations or...

 without regard for national origin; foreigners can even become Captain-General. They are placed wherever fighting is heaviest, and follow the king into danger. Rand al'Thor's father Tam was the Second Captain of the Companions during the Aiel War.

Language and culture

The dialect of Illian is distinct: Illianers use the emphatic tense of nearly every verb, shun the progressive tense, and use "no" in place of "not." Thus, "that man doesn't serve the Dragon Reborn" becomes in the dialect of Illian "that man do no serve the Dragon Reborn." "He made sure every stick of bread went to the army" becomes "he did make sure every stick of bread did go to the army."

Illianer men typically wear beards, but with shaven moustaches, creating a face-framing, circular effect.

Swearing and benedictions both invoke Fortune in Illian, e.g. "Fortune prick me" or "Fortune favor you."

History

The nation of Illian grew outward from the city after the War of the Hundred Years. The nearly circular anchorage at the city of Illian is considered "the greatest."

Whenever the Great Hunt for the Horn

Horn of Valere

The Horn of Valere is a fictional object in Robert Jordan's fantasy series The Wheel of Time. It is a horn that is able to call the heroes that are linked to it back from the grave. Sounding the Horn bonds the horn to its sounder. Until that person's death, only he can use the Horn of Valere to...

 is called, would-be Hunters seek the blessing in the Great Square of Tammuz in the city of Illian. A new Hunt has been called in Illian, the first in many years.

Illian fought alongside Altara

Altara

Altara is a fictional country in Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time fantasy series.-Geography:Altara is located between Illian and Amadicia. The river Eldar forms its western border.-Politics and government:...

 and Murandy against the Children of the Light in the Whitecloak War. Illian and her allies won the war, although King Mattin Stepaneos was captured and had to be ransomed back.

External links

• Encyclopedia of the Wheel of Time