Difference between revisions of "Adolin Kholin"

[[File: Adolin shardplate.jpg|thumb|right|<center><small>by [[User:Exmakina]]</small></center> Adolin wearing [[Shardplate]].]]▼

=== Ryshadium ===▼

{{for|Sureblood}}▼

He had a white stallion, a [[Ryshadium]] horse named [[Sureblood]],{{book ref|sa1|26}} one of only a dozen Ryshadium in all the Alethi warcamps on the [[Shattered Plains]]. Adolin believed there was an undefinable bond between him and Sureblood, that he could read the Ryshadium's emotions, though it was more delicate than the bond between a man and sword.{{book ref|sa3|10}}▼

Sureblood died during the Battle of Narak.{{book ref|sa2|81}} Adolin felt regret for not having spent more time with the Ryshadium by being distracted by the duels and courting Shallan.{{book ref|sa3|10}}▼

=== Shardbearer ===▼

Adolin was one of the few full [[Shardbearer]]s in the Alethi warcamps.▼

==== Shardplate ====▼

Adolin inherited his [[Shardplate]] from his mother's side of the family on his 16th birthday.{{book ref|sa1|12}} The Iriali Queen considered the Kholins to be thieves and wanted the plate returned to Rira.{{book ref|sa3|16}}▼

==== Mayalaran ====▼

{{for|Mayalaran}}▼

Adolin won a then unnamed [[Shardblade]] from Tinalar in a duel during his youth. From the age of five Adolin insisted on winning his own.{{book ref|sa3|52}}▼

Adolin had practiced being able to throw his Shardblade into a target. This appeared to be a rather extraordinary feat given [[Hrdalm]]'s amazement upon being saved by the technique.{{book ref|sa3|120}}▼

Adolin was able to learn [[Mayalaran]]'s name and summon her in seven heartbeats rather than the typical ten heartbeats required of a dead Shardblade. He was even able to sense her resigned agreement to being loaned to another Shardbearer,{{book ref|sa3|120}} hinting at a stronger bond between a human and the bonded [[deadeye]] spren than usual.▼

=== Duelling ===▼

{{quote▼

|This might be our last fight together […] I appreciate what you've done for me. I know you'd do it for anyone who held you, but I still appreciate it.▼

|Adolin to his Shardblade {{book ref|sa2|14}}▼

}}▼

Adolin's [[Calling]] is duelling and he frequently resorts to challenging other lighteyes to settle disputes. Since arriving at the [[Shattered Plains]], he has been unable to duel as much as he had previously due to his father's insistence that he follow the [[Alethi Codes of War]], which state that needless duels should be avoided during times of war so that commanding officers are not wounded.{{book ref|sa1|18}} Once Dalinar becomes [[Highprince of War]], he uses Adolin and his duelling as a key part in his plan to discipline the Highprinces by taking away their Shards in duels. {{book ref|sa2|5}}▼

Adolin has a series of traditions he performs before any duel he fights. While in the preparation room, which is used primarily for meditation, he talks to his unnamed Blade before continuing on to the staging room where his armorers help him into his Shardplate. [[Navani]] normally paints a glyphward for him though by his final duel he has moved to having [[Shallan]] paint them for him. Finally, [[Renarin]] will check to make sure Adolin has eaten chicken at some point before the duel and that he has their mother's chain on his person. {{book ref|sa2|14}} Navani passes these off as superstitions, which Adolin denies. However, before his final duel, when he forgot his mother's chain, both he and Renarin appear visibly shaken. Though by the time his armourers have finished, he seems mostly recovered. {{book ref|sa2|56}}▼

Adolin has employed various Shardblade Stances in his duels, though he relies most heavily on [[Windstance]] and diverse tactics. In the duel against [[Resi]], which is disguised as a friendly match, Adolin implements the defensive and offensive forms of Windstance, his style described as dancing{{book ref|sa1|58}}. Against [[Salinor Eved]] he switches to using [[Ironstance]] as well as employing elements of hand to hand combat for a rather brutal display, much to the ire of Highjudge [[Istow]]. {{book ref|sa2|14}} While fighting against [[Eranniv]], [[Torol Sadeas]] notes that Adolin is fighting far below his own capacity {{book ref|sa2|29}}, making it seem like a close fight. Against [[Elit Ruthar]], Adolin employs Windstance again, focusing on precision while implementing a tactic of exhausting Elit's plate of stormlight until it can no longer move. {{book ref|sa2|53}}▼

In the final duel against Elit, [[Relis Ruthar]], [[Abrobadar]] and [[Jakamav]] Adolin relies most heavily on Windstance, as it is the most effective against multiple opponents. At one point he backs himself up against a wall to protect his back. {{book ref|sa2|56}} Once [[Kaladin]] joins the duel, he remarks that two opponents actually seem like an even match for Adolin. {{book ref|sa2|57}} By the end of the duel, Adolin is pinned beneath Jakamav and holding him in a wrestling grip. ▼

It can be argued that Adolin is actually the most skilled duellist on the Shattered Plains, given that he is both capable of winning a fight while hiding his true level of skill and being an even match against two men. Sadeas remarks that Adolin is growing into the Blackthorn, a man who conquered Alethkar with his skill and power, and that thought terrifies him. {{book ref|sa2|58}}▼

=== Tactician ===▼

Adolin has been trained in battlefield tactics since a young age and has employed these skills during the [[Battle of Narak]], the Battle of Kholinar and the Battle of Thaylen City.▼