Editing Meridas Amaram

{{character
|image=Amaram Shuravf.jpg
|relatives=[[Sheler]]{{book ref|sa3|i|10}}
|abilities={{tag+|Shardbearer}}
|titles={{tag+|Highprince|Alethkar}}
|groups={{tag|Sons of Honor}}, {{tag+|army|Amaram's}}
|bonded=[[Yelig-nar]]
|died=[[Battle of Thaylen Field]], killed by [[Lunamor]]{{book ref|sa3|120}}, {{Rosharan date|1174|2|10|5}}
|nation=Alethkar
|world=Roshar
|universe=[[Cosmere]]
|books=[[The Stormlight Archive]]
}}
{{update|sa4}}
{{quote
|I am sorry for what I did to you and yours. Sometimes, good men must die so that greater goals may be accomplished.
|Amaram to [[Kaladin]]{{book ref|sa2|76}}
}}

Highmarshal '''Meridas Amaram''' is a [[lighteyed]] general for the [[Sadeas princedom]] in [[Alethkar]] on [[Roshar]].{{book ref|twok|44}} A close friend of House Kholin,{{book ref|sa2|58}} and a hero to the darkeyes, Amaram once served as defender of northern Alethkar during the War of Reckoning.{{book ref|sa1|10}} After becoming a Shardbearer, Amaram traveled to the [[Shattered Plains]] to serve his liege, Highprince [[Torol Sadeas]],{{book ref|sa2|12}} and secretly further the goals of the Sons of Honor by trying to return the Heralds to Roshar.{{book ref|sa2|88}}

== Appearance and Personality ==
=== Appearance ===
{{for|/Gallery|more images}}
{{image|Meridas Amaram.jpg|side=right|width=250px}}
Meridas Amaram is a tall man,{{book ref|sa1|51}} even for an Alethi, with a lean build.{{book ref|sa1|44}} His face is square,{{book ref|sa1|44}} and has the appearance of chipped stone.{{book ref|sa2|37}} He has dark hair,{{book ref|sa1|47}} light tan eyes,{{book ref|sa1|44}} and an angular nose.{{book ref|sa2|52}} In his earlier years, Amaram was clean-shaven,{{book ref|sa1|44}} but by 1172 he wore a beard.{{book ref|sa1|47}} He speaks with a deep, strong voice.{{book ref|sa1|44}} Amaram is a dignified man{{book ref|sa2|12}} who carries himself with decorum{{book ref|sa2|37}} and pride,{{book ref|sa2|56}} walking with a straight back{{book ref|sa2|37}} and head held high.{{book ref|sa2|56}}

Amaram typically dresses in a green formal uniform that is always kept neatly pressed, with a sword at his side.{{book ref|sa1|44}} Wearing a true uniform is rare among the Alethi highborn,{{book ref|sa2|37}} but Amaram occasionally will wear a more modern lighteyes outfit for some occasions.{{book ref|sa2|52}} In that instance he typically wears a buttoned shirt under an open jacket with stiff trousers and a stock at his neck. After he is made head of the Knights Radiant, Amaram wears a bright yellow-gold cloak bearing the [[Double Eye of the Almighty|double eye]] glyph, symbol of the Radiants.{{book ref|sa2|55}} After he is stripped of this position, he abandons the cloak.{{book ref|sa2|76}} In combat, Amaram once wore silver plate armor,{{book ref|sa1|47}} until he became a Shardbearer, after which he wears his Plate into battle.{{book ref|sa2|29}} Amaram's personal glyphpair is [[Glyphs/Index#Merem|merem]] and [[Glyphs/Index#Khakh|khakh]], meaning honor and determination.{{book ref|sa2|47}} They are typically drawn in the form of a [[whitespine]]. His colors are burgundy and dark green.

=== Personality ===
{{quote
|The perfect lighteyed general—brilliantly capable, yet not lofty. A sword for his highprince to employ.
|Adolin on Amaram{{book ref|sa2|37}}
}}
Meridas Amaram is man who prefers to live his life honorably whenever possible. In most public situations, his conduct is above reproach. He refuses to take advantage of defeated dueling opponents, even when it would be socially acceptable.{{book ref|sa2|22}} He speaks to his men with respect,{{book ref|sa1|47}} paying and feeding them well and allowing some to take shelter in his warcenter during highstorms, switching squads with each storm.{{book ref|sa1|51}} He serves his highprince ably, following the commands of his liege, Highprince Sadeas, even if he does not agree with the man's actions.{{book ref|sa2|29}} He is kind to people regardless of their social status, knowing the names of his kitchen girls as well as details about their lives.{{book ref|sa2|52}} Amaram is also something of a traditionalist in his leadership style, setting high standards for the men under his command, requiring that they are always neat when in uniform. Amaram also keeps a collection of flutes, which is unusual for a man.

{{sidequote
|Sadeas and I agree that the means we choose to reach an honorable goal are allowed to be distasteful. Your father and I agree on what that goal should be—a better Alethkar, a place without all of this squabbling.
|Amaram to Adolin{{book ref|sa2|37}}
|side=right|size=300px
}}

Amaram is a person deeply concerned about his reputation for honor and honesty,{{book ref|sa2|29}} and always acts with the intention of maintaining that reputation.{{book ref|sa1|57}} For the most part, he has done an excellent job keeping up the appearance of his nobility. Among the darkeyes, he is seen as a famous hero{{book ref|sa1|10}} and no one among the lighteyes questions his nobility.{{book ref|sa2|22}} He is considered by them to be the paragon of Alethi honor.{{book ref|sa2|52}} However, some think that his image is a little too perfect and wonder if he is concealing something.{{book ref|sa2|66}} His reputation for honesty is strong enough that others overlook any evidence to the contrary.{{book ref|sa1|57}} However, the revelation that he stole his Shards from Kaladin has damaged this reputation somewhat,{{book ref|sa2|76}}{{book ref|sa2|88}} although to what extent is still unclear. Amaram can also become a little obsessed with personal glory, sometimes trying to avoid the aid of others in order to make his accomplishments seem grander.{{book ref|sa2|76}}

However despite Amaram's public persona, when it comes to the goals that Amaram really desires, he is willing to set his honorable principles aside and get his hands dirty. It could be said that Amaram is an adherent of the Philosophy of Aspiration, which states that objectives are more important than the steps taken to achieve them.{{book ref|sa1|39}} For instance, he is willing to kill his own men and enslave [[Kaladin]], who had just saved his life, in order to gain Shards for himself.{{book ref|sa1|51}} This is not done merely out of greed though, Amaram legitimately believes that he is doing the right thing and is willing to sacrifice a few men for the greater good. Meridas thinks that as a practiced Shardbearer he can potentially save thousands of his men by sacrificing only a handful. Even still, Amaram's pragmatism wars with his honor and the result is the sense of guilt he often experiences for the things that he has done.{{book ref|sa1|51}} This causes him to internally questioning his own judgement and decisions, even while acting outwardly confident. For instance he tried to justify his betrayal to Kaladin. It is this guilt that causes him to show some measure of mercy to Kaladin by merely branding him a slave instead of killing him as well. For the most part though, Amaram is able to ignore this guilt in the pursuit of his lofty goals. Ultimately, it seems that Amaram believes himself to be an honorable man,{{book ref|sa2|76}} just one who is willing to go to lengths that others would not.{{book ref|sa2|37}}

Amaram is also something of a religious zealot, a facet of his personality that he typically keeps to himself.{{book ref|sa2|88}} As a member of the [[Sons of Honor]], Amaram wishes to return the [[Vorinism|Vorin Church]] to the state of power it once held during the [[Hierocracy]].{{book ref|sa2|88}} To do such a thing, he intends to return the Voidbringers,{{book ref|sa2|52}} hoping to trigger a Desolation.{{book ref|sa2|88}} Meridas believes this will cause the Heralds to return to Roshar and the Radiants to be reformed.{{book ref|sa2|88}} This is the ultimate expression of the code by which Amaram leads his life. He is willing to risk the world and cause the deaths of millions in order to return the Heralds to Roshar. As a result of Amaram's beliefs, he refers to Heralds, such as Taln as Great Prince.{{book ref|sa2|88}}{{book ref|sa2|63}} He also believes that Dalinar is a prophet of the Almighty, although he disputes the idea that the Almighty has died, believing it to be merely a metaphorical death in the minds of men.{{book ref|sa2|67}} Despite his attempt to return the Voidbringers, Amaram still considers them to be an existential threat to humankind and works to unify the Alethi in anticipation of their arrival.{{book ref|sa2|75}}{{book ref|sa2|76}}

== Attributes and Abilities ==
{{image|Amaram by Marie Seeberger.jpg|side=right|height=300px}}
=== Shardwielding ===
''See also [[Shardblade]] and [[Shardplate]]''

As of 1173, Amaram owns both a Shardblade and Shardplate. Shardblades are incredibly light and capable of cutting through nearly any material effortlessly and Shardplate makes a warrior nearly invulnerable to conventional weapons as well as incredibly strong.{{book ref|sa1|prologue}} The Shardblade allows Amaram to be extraordinarily deadly in combat; capable of killing hundreds of enemies in a short period of time.{{book ref|sa1|26}} The Plate allows Amaram to be a an unstoppable force on the battlefield. With the support of his honor guard, it is incredibly difficult to kill him in combat. Amaram has been trained in the sword since his youth, so he is well equipped to capably make use of both the Blade and the Plate by the time he gains them.{{book ref|sa1|51}}

=== Military Commander ===
Meridas Amaram is a very capable military commander. His primary skill is producing troops that are well-trained and disciplined, which he supplies to Sadeas on the Shattered Plains.{{book ref|sa2|37}} Without Amaram's troops, Sadeas's army would be much less effective. Amaram's force in Alethkar consisted of approximately six thousand men,{{book ref|sa1|47}} including spearmen, archers,{{book ref|sa1|1}} and cavalry.{{book ref|sa1|47}} Amaram also keeps a personal honor guard of around fifty men.{{book ref|sa2|76}} Common soldiers serve a four year tour in the army,{{book ref|sa1|44}} and are paid well and fed decently, which makes Amaram a popular general.{{book ref|sa1|51}} He prefers to take volunteers, but will conscript soldiers when his force is depleted.{{book ref|sa1|44}} Amaram typically recruits soldiers that have little to no experience in combat{{book ref|sa1|14}} and a tour in his army serves the purpose of forging practiced soldiers.{{book ref|sa2|37}} The force is overall an honest one,{{book ref|sa1|30}} although there is some mistreatment and corruption among the lower level officers and lighteyes.{{book ref|sa1|51}} Amaram's soldiers are also well-kept, wearing traditional uniforms with [[takama]]s and polished buttons on their coats.{{book ref|sa2|52}} Amaram is also a skilled leader{{book ref|sa2|22}} and a very capable general as well,{{book ref|sa2|37}} among the most accomplished in Alethkar.{{book ref|sa2|52}} Prior to gaining his Shards, Amaram preferred to enter battle himself late,{{book ref|sa1|47}} directing a cavalry charge against the enemy at an opportune moment.{{book ref|sa1|67}}

=== Properties ===
As a lighteyed man of the third dahn,{{book ref|sa2|52}} Amaram also has extensive lands and properties that belong to him within the Sadeas princedom{{book ref|sa2|22}} in northern Alethkar.{{book ref|sa2|10}} Upon his arrival at the warcamps, Amaram also keeps a manor house inside of Sadeas's camp.{{book ref|sa2|52}} The manor was once likely a tavern or some similar building. The building itself is a rather humble and small two story building with  several windows and only a few rooms on each level. On the ground floor at the front doors, there is a entry hall with a staircase leading up to the second floor. There is also a study on this level, where Amaram keeps his flutes, and a kitchen with its own staircase as well as a back door. On the second floor is Amaram's secure room containing all his notes pertaining to the Sons of Honor and the Voidbringers, which is kept locked with the windows covered at all times. This manor is only temporary; a much larger building constructed of crembrick and stone is planned on the same site. There are several outbuildings around the manor which house his honor guard and a guard station at the front of the compound. There are no walls around the manner, just some striped posts, but Amaram's soldiers still try to keep a secure perimeter. Amaram also keeps a staff of several people, including a butler named [[Stine]], a [[Herdazian]] cook, and several kitchen girls, including [[Telesh]].

=== Literacy ===
Unlike most men in Vorin Roshar, Amaram possesses some level of literacy.{{book ref|sa2|52}} He knows how to write in the [[Stormwarden script]], a non-standard way to write in Alethi. This script makes use of logographic [[glyph]]s primarily, with some words spelled phonetically out of glyphs if they have no glyph of their own. Amaram uses this style of writing to record his thoughts and studies on the Voidbringers and Urithiru. While not as unusual as knowing the [[women's script]], it is still highly unusual that Amaram is literate at all and would be incredibly damaging to his reputation if revealed. Amaram's knowledge of writing allows him to complete his studies with complete secrecy{{book ref|sa2|52}} and write his own correspondence with the Sons of Honor.{{book ref|sa2|88}}

== History ==
=== Early Life and Gavilar's Assassination ===
{{image|Amaramportrait.jpg|width=300px|side=right|Amaram enjoying a feast}}
Little is known of Amaram's early life. He was born in Alethkar as a member of the third dahn.{{book ref|sa2|52}} His family is distantly related to that of Citylord [[Roshone]].{{book ref|sa1|44}} He became a close friend of King [[Gavilar Kholin]],{{book ref|sa2|64}} as well as his brother [[Dalinar]].{{book ref|sa2|58}} Over the decades, Amaram and Gavilar became convinced that the only way to return Roshar to its past glories is to attempt to bring back the Voidbringers, which they believed would trigger the return of the [[Herald]]s and the [[Knights Radiant]].{{book ref|sa2|88}} After Gavilar joined the [[Sons of Honor]] which pursued that goal, he brought Amaram into the fold as well.{{book ref|sa3|40}} It is unknown if Gavilar shared the knowledge of his visions with Amaram. Gavilar also came to believe Meridas was a fitting match for his daughter, Princess [[Jasnah]], but she was uninterested in the union.{{book ref|sa2|prologue}}

In 1167, Amaram attended the feast celebrating the treaty signed with the Parshendi.{{book ref|sa2|prologue}} Early on during the feast, he attended a meeting with King Gavilar and four other people,{{book ref|sa3|prologue}} potentially members of the Sons of Honor. When Eshonai accidentally walked into the meeting, Amaram invited Eshonai into the room, before leaving her alone with Gavilar. During the course of the feast, likely later in the evening, Amaram and Gavilar stepped away from the festivities to have a private conversation about some unknown thing. Jasnah interrupted their conversation. After Gavilar made a veiled comment suggesting that Amaram and Jasnah be wed, Amaram excused himself from the conversation and left. It is unknown if he spoke to Gavilar again before the king's death.

=== Absendiar Highmarshal ===
After the swearing of the [[Vengeance Pact]], Amaram remained behind in Alethkar as absendiar highmarshal in command of Highprince [[Torol Sadeas]]'s soldiers.{{book ref|sa1|44}} He was charged with the defense of northern Alethkar,{{book ref|sa1|10}} repelling border incursions from the [[Veden]]s and the [[Reshi]] while the bulk of the Alethi troops were away on the [[Shattered Plains]] fighting the [[War of Reckoning]] against the Parshendi.{{book ref|sa1|47}} In addition to this, Amaram defended the territory of the Sadeas princedom from the other highprinces, at times taking land from other highprinces that he claimed had been stolen from Sadeas. Amaram periodically sent his best soldiers to join Sadeas's main force on the Shattered Plains, aiding them in the conquest of gemhearts.{{book ref|sa2|37}} During his time as highmarshal, Amaram recruited most of the able-bodied men in the region.{{book ref|sa3|7}}

In 1168, Amaram visited his cousin Roshone in [[Hearthstone]].{{book ref|twok|44}} As his force had become depleted and he was already there himself, Amaram personally drafted several soldiers from among the townspeople, including Kaladin's brother [[Tien]]. Amaram promised to ensure that Tien serve only as a messenger boy for the first few years, and Kaladin joined Amaram's army as well in order to look after his brother. A few months later, Amaram's army fought a battle against Brightlord [[Hallaw]] in which they were positioned on a hilltop.{{book ref|twok|67}} The fighting went poorly for Amaram's forces initially, and despite Amaram's promise Tien was put into the battle and killed. Amaram himself rode into battle with his cavalry shortly afterward, routing the enemy.

=== Assassination Attempt ===
{{quote
|You can't begin to understand the weights I carry, spearman. I can't worry about the lives of a few darkeyed spearmen when thousands of people may be saved by my decision.
|Amaram after killing [[Kaladin]]'s men and taking his [[Shardblade|Shards]].{{book ref|sa1|51}} 
}}
Several years later in late 1172, during another battle against Brightlord Hallaw's forces, a Shardbearer, [[Helaran Davar]],{{book ref|sa2|52}} attacked Amaram and his men during the battle,{{book ref|sa1|1}} killing members of Kaladin's squad.{{book ref|sa1|47}} During the attack, Amaram's honor guard scattered and his horse was killed, falling on his leg and shattering it in multiple places. Before Helaran could take Meridas's life, Kaladin and the remainder of his squad arrived. While Amaram crawled to safety, Kaladin managed to kill the Shardbearer at the cost of most of his men's lives. To Amaram's shock, Kaladin refused the Shards, giving them to [[Coreb]], one of his men.

{{image|Sas Nahn by Esther Schrader.jpg|side=left|height=250px|Betraying [[Kaladin]] and his men}}

In the hours after the attack, Amaram conferred with his counselors, attempting to determine the identity of his assassin,{{book ref|sa1|51}} as Helaran's face had been ruined by Kaladin's attack.{{book ref|sa2|52}} He communicated with [[Restares]], a member of the Sons of Honor, who convinced him that the [[Ghostbloods]] must have been responsible for the assassination attempt, despite Amaram's disbelief that they would make such a bold move.{{book ref|sa1|51}} Restares also convinced Amaram that he should take the Shards that Kaladin had won for himself. He had Kaladin and the surviving members of his squad brought to his warcenter. There he ordered his soldiers to kill the rest of Kaladin's squad and took the Blade for himself. Meridas explained to Kaladin that it was necessary that he possess the Shards, as he had trained as a Shardbearer and no one would believe that Kaladin had willingly given them up. As a reward for saving his own life, Amaram spared Kaladin's, having him branded as a slave and sold.

Several months later, Amaram revealed that he had won the Shards, concocting an elaborate lie with seventeen witnesses that all claimed that a Shardbearer had attempted to assassinate Amaram and he had killed the man himself.{{book ref|sa2|58}} With his newfound status, Amaram made plans to travel to the Shattered Plains.{{book ref|twok|55}}  At the warcamps, rumors began to spread among the soldiers and bridgemen about his upcoming arrival.

=== Life in the Warcamps ===
{{image|Her Brother's Sword by Marie Seeberger.jpg|side=right|width=250px|With [[Helaran]]'s [[Shardblade]]}}

In late 1173, several weeks after the [[Battle of the Tower]], Amaram arrived on the Shattered Plains and was greeted as an old friend by [[Dalinar]].{{book ref|sa2|12}} Kaladin was present for their meeting{{book ref|sa2|12}} and shortly afterward told Dalinar of Amaram's treachery.{{book ref|sa2|22}} Dalinar agreed to do some investigation, but expressed doubts about Kaladin's allegations. Amaram set up his residence within Sadeas's warcamp, inside a building that had once been an inn.{{book ref|sa2|52}}

While in the warcamps, Amaram spent time working with both Dalinar and Sadeas, in an attempt to bridge the divide between the two. Dalinar tried to convince Amaram to secede from Sadeas's princedom,{{book ref|sa2|22}} but Amaram refused to do so, as he believed it would worsen the friction between the two highprinces.{{book ref|sa2|37}} He and Dalinar still spent much time together though; Amaram visited Dalinar at his stables while Dalinar was supervising his men learning horsemanship.{{book ref|sa2|25}} Despite Amaram's friendship with Dalinar, Amaram continued to obey Sadeas's orders.{{book ref|sa2|29}} He even participated in a plateau run that violated Dalinar's new regulations, but afterwards argued with Sadeas in favor of cooperation with Dalinar and a united Alethkar. After the attempt on Dalinar's life by the [[Szeth|Assassin in White]], Amaram attended the highprinces's meeting on the attack, conversing with [[Adolin]].{{book ref|sa2|37}}

{{sidequote
|I am duty-bound to join you on the battlefield, Your Highness, but I want you to know that I do not approve of our actions here. We should be seeking to bridge our differences with the king and Dalinar, not trying to agitate them further.
|Amaram to Sadeas{{book ref|sa2|29}}
|side=left|size=300px
}}
During Amaram's time at the Shattered Plains, he spent much of his time attempting to locate the lost city of [[Urithiru]],{{book ref|sa2|52}} which he believed could be accessed via the [[Oathgate]] at [[Stormseat]], which he thought to be located on the Shattered Plains.{{book ref|sa2|60}} He also wished to make contact with the Parshendi to inquire about the Voidbringers.{{book ref|sa2|52}} He had the Plains surveyed further than even the best Alethi maps. Amaram wrote about all of this himself in the [[stormwarden script]]. He kept all of his research and speculation locked away in a secure room within his buildings, as the knowledge that he could write and the subjects of his writings could be incredibly damaging. He also had dinner with Dalinar, trying to convince him to explore the Plains more thoroughly.{{book ref|sa2|49}}

Not long afterward, on the orders of the Ghostbloods, [[Shallan]] sneaked into Amaram's home.{{book ref|sa2|52}} Using her Lightweaving, she managed to break into Amaram's secure room, and discover his research and theories. Shallan recorded several of his maps and notes, returning them to the Ghostbloods for their analysis.{{book ref|sa2|54}} Amaram briefly spoke with Shallan as she left the property in the guise of a messenger.{{book ref|sa2|52}} During the conversation he showed her his Blade, which she recognized as having belonged to her brother. This confirmed Helaran's death to her, making her believe that Amaram had killed him.

=== Head of the Knights Radiant ===
{{image|Amaram shardblade.jpg|width=300px|side=right|Amaram as head of the Knights Radiant}}
When Dalinar decided to officially refound the Knights Radiant, he appointed Amaram as their leader.{{book ref|sa2|55}} That day, Amaram accompanied Dalinar to a menagerie in the warcamps, looking for Adolin. A few days later, during Adolin's disadvantaged duel against [[Elit Ruthar]], [[Relis Ruthar]], [[Abrobadar]], and [[Jakamav]], Dalinar tried to get Amaram to step in to help Adolin and [[Renarin]], but Amaram did nothing.{{book ref|sa2|56}} After Kaladin aided Adolin in his victory, Kaladin used his boon to accuse and challenge Amaram to a duel, declaring that Amaram stole the Shards from him and slaughtered his squad.{{book ref|sa2|57}} In that moment, Amaram recognized Kaladin as the man he had enslaved for the first time. Kaladin was imprisoned for this statement and King [[Elhokar]] demanded Kaladin be executed for this insult.{{book ref|sa2|58}} Immediately after the duel, Amaram spoke to Dalinar, claiming he had refused to intervene in the duel because as the head of the Knights Radiant, he needed to stay out of petty conflicts.{{book ref|sa2|67}}

During this same time period, Amaram heard from his men that one of their drinking companions, a man named [[Bordin]] had escorted a man claiming to be the [[Herald]] [[Talenel]] to the Shattered Plains. Reportedly the man had spoken of a cache of Shardblades hidden in a cave somewhere nearby. Meridas met with Bordin and had Bordin bring him to visit the man surreptitiously, who was being treated in a monastery in Dalinar's warcamp. Upon seeing the man, Amaram decided that he believed the man to be Taln and tried to get him to repeat his previous words, with no success. Worrying that others had heard Taln's words and would find the Blades first, the two men left to visit the cave with Amaram promising Bordin a reward. They successfully located the cave and found a Blade within, which Meridas took and gave to his men for safekeeping. Not long afterwards, Dalinar asked Amaram to look into Bordin's claims that the man had been speaking of Shardblades. {{book ref|sa2|75}} Amaram told Dalinar nothing of the Blade he had recovered from the cave, pretending to investigate Bordin's story.{{book ref|sa2|76}}

Later, after Kaladin had been freed from his imprisonment, Amaram attended one of Elhokar's feasts, where he was insulted by Hoid several times.{{book ref|sa2|67}} During the feast, he discovered that Dalinar had been receiving visions from the Stormfather when Navani's accounts were released in an attempt to discredit Dalinar. He told Dalinar of this political attack at the feast. He believed these visions to come from the Almighty, a sign that Dalinar was his prophet. He dismissed Dalinar's beliefs that the Almighty was dead, claiming it was a metaphorical death. Amaram also expressed concern that Kaladin had been returned to his place as the head of Dalinar's guard.

=== Departing on the Expedition ===
{{sidequote
|Each time you allow him to disobey openly, it drives a wedge between him and the Throne. We have bigger problems than you and Sadeas, my friend. Yes, he betrayed you. Yes, he likely will again. But we can’t afford to let the two of you go to war. The Voidbringers are coming.
|Meridas to Dalinar{{book ref|sa2|75}}
|side=right|size=300px
}}
On the day of the expedition, Amaram accompanied Dalinar as he inspected his troops and their preparations for the departure.{{book ref|sa2|75}} Leaning on his authority as head of the Radiants, Amaram attempted to get Dalinar to reconcile with Sadeas before leaving on the trip, claiming that Sadeas hoped that the expedition would fail and pointing out that Dalinar had no idea where the Parshendi lived. Dalinar ignored requests, much to Amaram's annoyance, as he believed that Dalinar was unable to permanently give away authority to others. Dalinar asked after the results of Amaram's investigation into Taln's Shardblades. Amaram lied to Dalinar, telling him that he believes what Bordin said, but believes Taln's words to be the ravings of a madman. When Kaladin and Shallan returned unexpectedly from the chasms, Amaram avoided seeing Kaladin.

Later that day, Amaram and his honor guard mustered on the edge of the Shattered Plains with the armies of the [[House Kholin|Kholin]] and [[Roion]] [[Shattered Plains|warcamps]].{{book ref|sa2|76}} When it became apparent that [[Sebarial]] intended to join the group, Meridas expressed his distrust for the man and he was truly stunned when [[Aladar]] joined the force as well. Amaram unsuccesfully attempted to convince Dalinar to turn the two highprinces away in order to make their success all the more glorious. When Kaladin came to watch the preparations, Amaram attempted to avoid him, but Dalinar forced him to speak to the man. Dalinar asked Amaram directly if there was any truth to Kaladin's claims that Amaram stole his Shards and killed his men. Amaram denied the allegations forcefully. Upon Amaram's denial, Dalinar revealed that he orchestrated the story of the Shardblade cache on the Plains, ordering Bordin to leak the rumor to Amaram's men and lead the highlord to a cave where they had already hidden the madman's Blade. At that point Amaram attempted to summon his Blade, but Dalinar summoned the madman's Blade himself first and held it to Amaram's throat. Dalinar revealed that he had bonded it before it was placed in the cave. Dalinar explained to Amaram that after he knew Amaram had recovered the Blade, he had asked Amaram to investigate the madman's claims, hoping Amaram would tell Dalinar about his discovery. After Amaram told Dalinar that he had found nothing in his investigation, Dalinar waited to confront Amaram, hoping the man would come forward with the truth. When Amaram did not do so, Dalinar determined that Amaram was not a trustworthy ally. With his treachery revealed, Amaram admitted to having killed Kaladin's men and stolen his Shards, claiming that he had done it for the good of Alethkar and accusing Dalinar of doing much the same by sending men to fight and die for gemhearts. Dalinar removed Amaram as head of the Knights Radiant, demanding that he surrender his cloak. Amaram removed the garment and left the expedition with his honor guard. Dalinar allowed him to leave, intending to try him for his crimes upon his return from the expedition.

=== Retrieving Taln ===
Several weeks later, following the [[Battle of Narak]] at the center of the Shattered Plains and the arrival of the [[Everstorm]], Amaram went to Dalinar's warcamp in a carriage to retrieve Taln.{{book ref|sa2|88}} As he traveled, he wrote a letter to [[Restares]] about the recent events; that the Voidbringers had returned, which he believed would prompt the Heralds to do the same. He arrived at monastery building where Taln was housed, cutting into his cell through the side of the building with his Blade. As he helped the man from the building, [[Iyatil]], an agent of the [[Ghostbloods]], attempted to assassinate Amaram with a blowgun. This attack triggered some of Taln's reflexes and he managed to catch both darts in midair. With her assassination attempt failed, Iyatil fled before Amaram could apprehend her and Taln fell back into his stupor. Amaram then put Taln into the coach and left the warcamps for Urithiru.

=== Trip to Urithiru and Elevation to Highprince ===
Amaram traveled over the Shattered Plains towards the Oathgate at Narak, so that he could travel to Urithiru.{{book ref|sa2|88}} During his trip over the Plains, Amaram and his attendants were caught out in an Everstorm.{{book ref|sa3|22}} It is likely that it was during this storm or perhaps another that Odium appeared to Amaram in a vision. Odium showed Amaram the truth of the [[Herald]]s' madness, proving to him that 

Afterward Amaram arrived clandestinely at the Oathgate, let through the portal to Urithiru by Shallan, along with a caravan and a scavenging crew.{{book ref|sa3|22}} After arriving at the tower city, Amaram remained anonymous until he made himself known to Ialai Sadeas alone. After his arrival Amaram recuperated for a time in hiding. Ialai chose to appoint him as the lead investigator in Torol Sadeas's murder, requesting that Adolin report everything from his investigation to Amaram. 

After the murder of Sadeas, [[Ialai]] names Amaram the heir of House Sadeas. This further perpetuates the tension between him and the Kholin family, notably [[Adolin]] and [[Jasnah]]. Soon after, Amaram receives [[Oathbringer (Shardblade)|Oathbringer]], which he inherited from Sadeas. Amaram and most of his troops are suspicious of Dalinar regarding Sadeas' death. Dalinar later sends the troops of House Sadeas to help rebuild and reinforce [[Thaylen City]]. Amaram is unhappy with this, wishing to be on the front lines in the battle against the parshmen. Amaram's frustration with Dalinar, and with himself eventually leads to him submitting to [[Odium]], and turning against Dalinar and Thaylen City.

=== Battle of Thaylen Field and Death ===
''Main article: [[Battle of Thaylen Field]]''

Amaram, heavily influenced by Odium, attacks citizens of Thaylen City, while Dalinar and the other Radiants try and minimize the damage. Odium has a Fused bring Amaram an uncut amethyst to serve as a housing for [[Yelig-nar]].{{book ref|sa3|118}} Amaram swallows the gem and bonds with Yelig-nar, undergoing a strange transformation hidden partially by his shardplate, and gains access to all ten [[Surgebinding#Surges|surges]]. He then fights Kaladin with two shardblades (one of them Oathbringer, one of them Helaran's Blade). He nearly wins but gets shot in the back by [[Rock]], who used a [[grandbow]] to kill him.{{book ref|sa3|120}}

== Relationships ==
=== Kaladin ===
Kaladin and Amaram's relationship has evolved greatly throughout the years. As a boy, Kaladin looked up to Amaram as a true lighteyes, one of the honorable commanders and leaders from the stories,{{book ref|sa1|10}} seeing the man as a symbol.{{book ref|sa3|10}} During Kaladin's time in the army, his belief in the nobility of lighteyes faded, but his faith in Amaram's nobility remained strong,{{book ref|sa1|47}} even when he noticed problems within Amaram's army.{{book ref|sa1|51}} Kaladin made no impression on Amaram,{{book ref|sa1|51}} even though he had recruited the boy himself,{{book ref|sa1|44}} until Kaladin saved Amaram's life from the Shardbearer.{{book ref|sa1|47}} Amaram was initially awed by Kaladin's actions and stunned by his refusal to accept the Blade. Despite this, Amaram was reluctantly persuaded to take the Shardblade, killing Kaladin's squad and enslaving Kaladin himself.{{book ref|sa1|51}} This caused Amaram some guilt, but he believed that he was better equipped to make use of the Shards. Kaladin was furious and horrified at Amaram's actions, which deeply altered his perception of Amaram and all lighteyes.

{{sidequote
|They're all the same, Syl. The more noble they look, the more corrupt they are inside. It's all an act.
|Kaladin's thoughts on lighteyes{{book ref|sa1|21|}}
|side=right|size=300px
}}
Amaram's betrayal stoked a rage in Kaladin that he found it difficult to suppress.{{book ref|sa2|18}}{{book ref|sa2|25}} This manifested in several ways. Kaladin maintained a specific hatred for Amaram and he was determined to have his vengeance.{{book ref|sa2|2}} Once Meridas returned to the Shattered Plains, Kaladin many times considered murdering Amaram quietly in the night,{{book ref|sa2|41}}{{book ref|sa2|22}}{{book ref|sa2|16}}{{book ref|sa2|44}} straining his bond with Syl.{{book ref|sa2|52}} This hatred eventually culminated in Kaladin publicly challenged Amaram to a duel as a redress for Amaram's actions.{{book ref|sa2|47}} In addition to this, for years afterwards Kaladin nurses a hatred for all lighteyes.{{book ref|sa1|4}} He is convinced that no lighteyes was worthy of trust, and any reputation for nobility or trustworthiness was nothing but a lie.{{book ref|sa1|4}} This makes it difficult for Kaladin to later trust Dalinar,{{book ref|sa2|41}} especially given Meridas and Dalinar's friendship.{{book ref|sa2|16}} When Amaram is appointed head of the Knights Radiant, this makes Kaladin even more reluctant to reveal his abilities to Dalinar.{{book ref|sa2|56}} Amaram put Kaladin out of his mind, and did not recognize the captain of Dalinar's guard until, to Amaram's horror, Kaladin publicly challenged him.{{book ref|sa2|57}} After Kaladin's release, Amaram avoids Kaladin unless forced to interact with him.{{book ref|sa2|75}}{{book ref|sa2|76}} Amaram is still feels sorrow for what he did to Kaladin's squad, but still insists that he would do it again, as humanity needs practiced Shardbearers to have any hope of defeating the Voidbringers.{{book ref|sa2|76}} Upon further reflection, Kaladin's relationship with Amaram helps him to realize that he cannot allow Moash to kill King Elhokar, because that would mean that he too is sacrificing one life for the good of the many.{{book ref|sa2|77}} Amaram now wishes that he had not spared Kaladin's life.{{book ref|sa2|88}}

=== House Kholin ===
;Dalinar
{{quote
|Why, Amaram? Of all people, I thought that you . . . Bah!
|Dalinar to Amaram{{book ref|sa2|76}}
}}
[[Dalinar Kholin]] and Meridas had a friendship that spanned several decades.{{book ref|sa2|58}} For years, Amaram promised Dalinar he would eventually come to the Shattered Plains to fight in the War of Reckoning.{{book ref|sa2|12}} Once Amaram comes to the warcamps, he and Dalinar spend a good deal of time together, attending events and having dinners.{{book ref|sa2|49}} Dalinar initially believes that Amaram may secede from Sadeas to join his own princedom,{{book ref|sa2|22}} but Amaram still believes that he can get Dalinar and Sadeas to cooperate in the future.{{book ref|sa2|37}} Amaram believes in Dalinar's ideals about a unified Alethkar, but wishes he would bend some on his principles. He also considers Dalinar to be a prophet of the [[Almighty]] due to the [[Dalinar's visions|visions]] that Dalinar sees during [[highstorm]]s, which gives him a certain reverence for the man.{{book ref|sa2|67}} Dalinar himself considered Amaram to be a man whose honor was beyond question.{{book ref|sa2|22}} He believed him to be such a good man that he initally made him the head of the refounded Knights Radiant.{{book ref|sa2|55}} However, when Kaladin shares the story of Amaram's treachery with Dalinar,{{book ref|sa2|22}} Dalinar investigates Amaram hoping to prove the man's innocence.{{book ref|sa2|58}}{{book ref|sa2|i|7}} When Amaram lies to Dalinar about Taln's Shardblade, unaware that Dalinar is aware of his deception, Dalinar gives Amaram plenty of time to share the truth with him, out of respect for their friendship.{{book ref|sa2|76}} After he confronts Amaram about his lies and Amaram confesses to having stolen Kaladin's Shards, Dalinar's respect and trust in Amaram is completely broken and their friendship is ended. Amaram does not see how his actions of killing his own men is substantially different than Dalinar leading men to their deaths against the Parshendi. Dalinar's misjudgment about Amaram's character causes him to question his decision about refounding the Radiants, wondering if he is doing so in arrogance.{{book ref|sa2|78}} Amaram regrets the loss of Dalinar's friendship, and wishes he had killed Kaladin instead of sparing his life.{{book ref|sa2|88}} Amaram's later appointment to the position of Highprince Sadeas by Ialai does nothing to ease the tensions in their friendship, instead further dividing Alethkar and indicating that Ialai distrusts Dalinar's indictment of Amaram and indicating her opposition to the Kholins.{{book ref|sa3|22}}

;Gavilar
Meridas and [[Gavilar]] were extremely close friends. It seems likely that their friendship is based upon their mutual desire to return the Vorin Church to dominance and the Heralds to Roshar.{{book ref|sa2|88}} Even though they were friends, Amaram acted still slightly subordinate to Gavilar, slouching in Gavilar's presence even though Amaram is the taller man.{{book ref|sa2|prologue}} It is unknown how Amaram reacted to Gavilar's death, but even years later Meridas's thoughts turn to Gavilar when working to achieve the goals of the Sons of Honor.{{book ref|sa2|88}}{{book ref|sa2|64}} For his part, Gavilar thought so highly of Amaram that he tried to arrange a marriage between his daughter Jasnah and Amaram, even though she had expressed disinterest in the union.{{book ref|sa2|prologue}}

;Jasnah
{{image|Jasnah vs Amaram.jpg|side=right|width=250px|Amaram arguing with [[Jasnah]] in [[Urithiru]]}}
Shortly before his death, Gavilar tried to set up his daughter with Amaram, and though Amaram expressed interest, [[Jasnah]] was steadfastedly opposed to the union.{{book ref|sa2|prologue}} Between Gavilar's assassination and Jasnah's apparent death aboard ''[[Wind's Pleasure]]'', the relation between them appears to have soured dramatically. When they meet again in [[Urithiru]], Jasnah reacts to Amaram with utter venom.{{book ref|sa3|53}} While he does initially attempt to bury the hatchet, he does so out of political needs, believing that Jasnah controls Dalinar. When it becomes apparent that there will be no peace, the two insult each other in increasingly personal way -- which Jasnah later regrets -- before Amaram storms off.{{book ref|sa3|53}}

;Adolin
Dalinar's heir [[Adolin]] and Amaram are on friendly terms, sometimes chatting casually at various events and meetings.{{book ref|sa2|37}} Amaram feels comfortable with Adolin, occasionally giving him small pieces of advice to him, such as advising him to find a wife and settle down. Adolin considers Amaram to be the perfect lighteyed general. However, he has always thought that Amaram seemed too perfect to not be hiding something.{{book ref|sa2|66}} As a result, when Kaladin challenges Amaram to a duel over past wrongs, Adolin believes Kaladin's account and puts himself in prison as well in solidarity with Kaladin.

Following the revelations of Amaram's true nature, Adolin's opinion of him changes drastically. By the time they meet again in [[Urithiru]], he has no compunctions against calling him a bastard to his face.{{book ref|sa3|27}}

=== Other ===
;Torol Sadeas
{{quote
|Don't give me that noble talk. It works fine for others, but I know you for the ruthless bastard you really are.
|[[Torol Sadeas|Sadeas]]'s assessment of Amaram.{{book ref|sa2|29}}
}}
Amaram is a loyal servant of [[Torol Sadeas]], despite the fact that he disagrees with many of Sadeas's divisive actions, such as ignoring the plateau run schedule.{{book ref|sa2|29}} However, he does agree with Sadeas that some things can only be accomplished via unsavory methods.{{book ref|sa2|37}} Meridas dutifully remained behind in Alethkar to train soldiers for Sadeas's army on the Shattered Plains, an important but unglamorous duty. Once Amaram became a Shardbearer, he chose to remain a member of Sadeas's princedom, even though he had the ability to secede from Sadeas's princedom and join Dalinar.{{book ref|sa2|33}} Sadeas for his part does not seem to value Amaram very highly, often acting dismissively towards Meridas.{{book ref|sa2|29}} Sadeas is also aware that some of Amaram's honorable reputation is a facade.

;Shallan Davar
Amaram himself does not have any real relationship with [[Shallan Davar]],{{book ref|sa2|52}} and initially she knows nothing about him.{{book ref|sa2|43}} However, Shallan herself mistakenly believes Amaram to be the man who killed her brother Helaran, as he carries her brother's Blade.{{book ref|sa2|52}} As a result, she feels a strong hatred for the man she believes to be his murderer.{{book ref|sa2|54}} With time, this hatred cools somewhat, as she comes to realize that Helaran had already abandoned his family and Amaram was just defending himself.{{book ref|sa2|64}} However, her loathing does not fade entirely and she still believes him to be a bastard.

== Trivia ==
* Once [[Moash]]'s eyes are lightened by his Shardblade, they are the same light tan color as Amaram's eyes.{{book ref|sa2|77}}
* In the original draft of ''[[The Way of Kings Prime]]'', Amaram wields two Shardblades.{{wob ref|6647}} He ultimately does this at the [[Battle of Thaylen Field]] in ''[[Oathbringer]]''.{{book ref|sa3|120}}
* In a draft of ''[[Words of Radiance]]'', [[Iyatil]] successfully kills Amaram when he tries to retrieve [[Taln]] from Dalinar's warcamp. In that same outline, Adolin does not kill Sadeas.{{wob ref|1876}}

== Notes ==
<references/>
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{{Stormlight}}
[[category: viewpoint characters]]
[[es:Meridas Amaram]]