Editing Ardent

{{culture

|image=Kadash.jpg

|related=[[Vorinism]]

|world=Roshar

|universe=[[Cosmere]]

|books=[[The Stormlight Archive]]

}}

{{merge|[[Vorinism#Priesthood]]}}

'''Ardents''' are priests of [[Vorinism]] on [[Roshar]].{{book ref|sa1|7}} The entirety of ardents is called the '''ardentia'''.

== History ==

Ardents were presumably around since the rise of Vorinism, but only rose to power along with the [[Hierocracy]]. During that time, their word was absolute, as they claimed the sole authority to understand and interpret the scriptures and the [[Almighty]].{{book ref|sa1|18}} They dismissed the powers of [[Surgebinding]] as trickery, and sought to bury all knowledge of [[Knights Radiant]], but they themselves claimed to be able to know future through visions and prophecies.{{book ref|sa1|18}}{{book ref|sa1|26}}

The Hierocracy was eventually overthrown by the [[Alethkar|Alethi]] warlord [[Sadees]], the Sunmaker, during his campaign to conquer the entirety of Roshar.{{book ref|sa1|18}} Ever since then, the social status of ardents has fallen significantly. In the present day, they are considered the slaves of the [[lighteyes]].{{book ref|sa2|16}}

== Duties and Rights ==

=== Slavery ===

Ardents are, technically, slaves to [[Lighteyes|lighteyed]] nobles of [[Vorin]] countries, with some serving specific households while others are beholden to the national ruler. They can neither hold land nor own property - a safeguard to prevent a second [[Hierocracy]].{{book ref|sa1|59}} Though, like [[Parshmen]], they are not paid for their work, they are highly respected even by people above them in social hierarchy.{{book ref|sa2|16}} It seems one cannot be forced to become an ardent; rather, people join willingly, and can also leave if they so choose.{{book ref|sa2|26}}{{book ref|sa1|42}}

=== Spiritual Guidance ===

Ardents are forbidden from participating in politics or holding social offices. However, their word and opinions are still highly valued, and they hold authority in spiritual matters. The Curates, a group of ardents from the Holy Enclave in [[Valath]], maintain the right to excommunicate members of Vorinism thanks to the Covenants of Theocracy, even after [[Hierocracy]]'s fall.{{book ref|sa3|100}}

Ardents are responsible for the spiritual well-beings of their masters, and often tend to various rites and rituals in their stead, so as to allow the [[lighteyes]] to go on with their lives unburdened.{{book ref|sa2|i|12}} For the [[darkeyes]], ardents provide advice in pursuing their Calling, as well as education - [[Vorinism#The Right To Learn|the Right to Learn]] means that any person who asks for it must be taught by the ardents. For this reason, most major temples have ardents specializing in most common skills, from fighting to writing.{{book ref|sa2|64}} This also means that they are allowed to wield [[Shardblade]]s, as they must be capable of teaching [[Shardwielding]].{{book ref|sa2|18}}

They are the only people allowed to speak Almighty's tenth name, ''Elithanathile'', or He Who Transforms.{{book ref|sa1|7}}

=== Soulcasting ===

In [[Alethkar]], ardents are the only people allowed to use [[Soulcaster]]s. They surround the practice with mystery, carrying out Soulcasting at night and under heavy guard to prevent the general public from seeing. They are, however, not allowed to use Soulcasters on people. Those among the ardentia who use Soulcasters wear red robes, and are often worked until they die of [[savant]]hood as their bodies become more and more like the things they Soulcast.{{book ref|sa2|35}}{{book ref|sa3|i|4}}

== Culture ==

Ardents of different kinds can be recognized by the color of the long robes that are their symbol of office: regular ardents wear gray, the Curates wear blue and the [[soulcaster]]s wear red.{{book ref|sa3|100}}{{book ref|sa2|35}} In addition, the Curates carry gem-encrusted staves as an additional symbol of status.{{book ref|sa3|100}}

Many ardents have shaved heads, and men often have long beards. Both male and female ardents are considered genderless from the social standpoint: women do not need to cover their [[safehand]], while men are allowed to learn to read and write, and both can eat both sweet and spicy foods. This being said, while they are technically allowed to purse both masculine and feminine arts, they are often pushed to follow their gender.{{book ref|sa1|33}}

Ardents are separated into [[Vorinism#Devotaries|Devotaries]], sects devoted to different aspects of [[Vorinism]]. Devotaries come in different forms: some, like the Devotary of the Mind, are monastic, sequestered away from civillization to devote themselves, while others permit their members to remain in touch with the rest of the world.{{book ref|sa3|i|2}}{{book ref|sa1|7}} This being said, ardents are generally not allowed to marry outside of their orders, though at least some orders allow them to marry each other.{{book ref|sa1|42}}{{book ref|sa1|8}}

== Notable Ardents ==

{{for|:Category: Ardentia|a list of all known ardents}}

*[[Kabsal]] - [[Ghostblood]]s member who lives in [[Kharbranth]] and attempts to assassinate [[Jasnah]].{{book ref|sa1|7}}{{book ref|sa1|70}}

*[[Geranid]] - A scholar of [[spren]] who lives on a small [[Reshi]] island with her husband.{{book ref|sa1|i|8}}

*[[Ashir]] - Geranid's husband, who studies chemistry through cooking.{{book ref|sa1|i|8}}

*[[Kadash]] - head of the ardents under Dalinar’s household. He is a former elite solider who became an ardent after he witnessed the events at the [[Rift]].{{book ref|sa3|107}}

*[[Vasher|Zahel]] - warrior ardent who teaches [[Adolin]], [[Renarin]] and [[Kaladin]] swordmanship and how to fend off a [[Shardbearer]].{{book ref|sa2|16}}

*[[Ellista]] - scholar ardent from the [[Jokasha Monastery]] who works on deciphering [[Dawnchant]] texts.{{book ref|sa3|i|2}}

<gallery caption="Notable ardents">

Kadash.jpg | <center><small>by {{a|botanicaxu}}</small></center> [[Kadash]]

Rushu.png | <center><small>by {{a|treefin}}</small></center> [[Rushu]]

Ellista.png | <center><small>by {{a|treefin}}</small></center> [[Ellista]]

Kabsal portrait.jpg | <center><small>by [[User:Exmakina]]</small></center> [[Kabsal]]

</gallery>

== Trivia ==

* In the English language, the word "ardent" is an adjective meaning eager, zealous or passionate.

* Though the word shares some similarity with [[Arteth|arteth]], the name of [[Shu-Dereth]] priests from [[Sel]], ardents and arteths are not connected.{{wob ref|6823}}

* Though the ardents were around in some capacity back in ''[[The Way of Kings Prime]]'', back then they were simply called monks.{{wob ref|3808}}

== Notes ==

<references />

{{complete}}

{{Stormlight}}

[[Category:Professions]]

[[category: religion]]

[[category: Vorinism]]