Difference between revisions of "Royal Locks"

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(→‎History: added more history and removed the parts that didn’t matter)
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== History ==
 
== History ==
  +
The Royal Locks originally came from [[Vo]], the first Returned. Vo was a member of a [[Chedesh]] expedition that discovered a paradise-like valley, which would later become known as [[Hallandren]]. Vo died under unknown circumstances around the same time the valley was discovered, and soon Returned in the bay adjacent to modern-day [[T'Telir]]. During the eight days he was given Vo managed to impregnate his wife. His wife would, as elected monarch of the new nation of [[Hanald]], establish a royal line. Every potential heir in this line would have the Royal Locks, a sign of Returned ancestry.
The arrangement between [[Idris]] and [[Hallandren]] was in part due to the people of Hallandren calling for their future royalty to have the Royal Locks. This would further legitimize the current regime and quiet those who believed [[Dedelin]] was the rightful heir to the throne.{{book ref|wb|1}}
 
   
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The members of this line would continue to rule Hanald for three hundred years, all the way up to the [[Manywar]]. This war would eventually result in Vo's royal line leaving T'Telir to establish the nation of [[Idris]] in the highlands, while Hanald was renamed [[Hallandren]] and the priests there began downplaying the importance of Vo's bloodline.{{book ref|warbreaker|32}}{{wob ref|7400}}
While being bathed, [[Siri]] noticed a servant was struggling with snarls in her hair. She instructed her to "cut it off". After the hair was removed, Siri regrew it.{{book ref|wb|6}}
 
   
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The royal line continued to rule Idris for another three hundred years. The priests, wanting to reintroduce the Royal Locks back into the Hallandren monarchy to further legitimize their regime and quiet those who believed [[Dedelin]] was the rightful heir to the throne,{{book ref|wb|1}} arranged a marriage between an Idrian princess and the [[Susebron|God King]]. This marriage eventually happened, although it is unknown if the two had a child, and by extension, if the Royal Locks were reintroduced into the monarchy.{{book ref|wb|4}}
Vivenna, while living in the streets of [[T'Telir]], sold her hair in exchange for a small amount of food.{{book ref|wb|39}}
 
   
 
== Known Users ==
 
== Known Users ==

Revision as of 10:27, 6 May 2024

Royal Locks
Related to Returned
World of Origin Nalthis
Universe Cosmere

The Royal Locks are a hereditary trait of the Royal House of Idris on Nalthis.[1]

Members of the Royal House can change their hair color or cause their hair to grow quickly at will. Normally the color of the Royal Locks reflects the person's emotional state by default but this can be controlled through training and discipline. The ability to grow hair at will takes effort and leads to hunger and exhaustion.[1] Royal Locks abilities can extend to facial hair.[2]

Only members of the Royal House that are potential heirs to the throne have and can pass on the Royal Locks.[3]

Hair Color Indicators

  • Black: Calm or control[4]
  • Red: Anger, embarrassment[5], or passion[6]
  • Yellow (or Blond): Happiness or excitement[7]
  • White: Fear, intimidation, or panic[8][9]
  • Brown: Saddened or upset[10]
  • Green: Disgusted[11]
  • Pink: Unknown[11]

Wearers of the Royal Locks can imitate the grey hair of the elderly,[4] though it is unknown whether that color is associated with a particular emotion. They can also change their hair color to unnatural colors, like pink and green.[11] Which particular color that will match up with which particular emotion is based on associations that people in the culture give them and the user's own perspective.[12]

Other abilities

Like Returned, wearers of the Royal Locks can also change other aspects of the physical appearance.[13][14] With practice, wearers are able to change their age, height, and body shape.[15] They don't have as much ability as a Returned does though, as they cannot change their physical features enough to look like someone else.

Vasher suggests that all Returned can alter their appearance to an extent, and points to the Royal Locks as evidence that the Royals are descended from a Returned.[16] This indicates that all Returned could potentially mimic the effects of the Royal Locks. On the other hand, it has been revealed that Denth has the Royal Locks independent of his being Returned.[17]

Royal Locks can be regrown by the holder, but it requires energy and focus. Doing so makes them hungry and tired. Siri describes this feeling is like moving any other muscle.[18][19]

Those with the Royal Locks have a much easier time learning Awakening.[20][21]

The hair can be sold in the markets of T'Telir.[19]

History

The Royal Locks originally came from Vo, the first Returned. Vo was a member of a Chedesh expedition that discovered a paradise-like valley, which would later become known as Hallandren. Vo died under unknown circumstances around the same time the valley was discovered, and soon Returned in the bay adjacent to modern-day T'Telir. During the eight days he was given Vo managed to impregnate his wife. His wife would, as elected monarch of the new nation of Hanald, establish a royal line. Every potential heir in this line would have the Royal Locks, a sign of Returned ancestry.

The members of this line would continue to rule Hanald for three hundred years, all the way up to the Manywar. This war would eventually result in Vo's royal line leaving T'Telir to establish the nation of Idris in the highlands, while Hanald was renamed Hallandren and the priests there began downplaying the importance of Vo's bloodline.[22][23]

The royal line continued to rule Idris for another three hundred years. The priests, wanting to reintroduce the Royal Locks back into the Hallandren monarchy to further legitimize their regime and quiet those who believed Dedelin was the rightful heir to the throne,[1] arranged a marriage between an Idrian princess and the God King. This marriage eventually happened, although it is unknown if the two had a child, and by extension, if the Royal Locks were reintroduced into the monarchy.[9]

Known Users

Below is a list of those known to have the Royal Locks:

Trivia

Notes

  1. a b c d Warbreaker chapter 1#
  2. 17th Shard Forum Q&A
    Arcanum - 2012-09-26#
  3. Warbreaker chapter 22#
  4. a b c Warbreaker chapter 9#
  5. Warbreaker chapter 8#
  6. Warbreaker chapter 44#
  7. Warbreaker chapter 14#
  8. a b Warbreaker chapter 11#
  9. a b Warbreaker chapter 4#
  10. Warbreaker chapter 2#
  11. a b c FanX Spring 2019
    Arcanum - 2019-04-19#
  12. ICon 2019
    Arcanum - 2019-10-15#
  13. Boskone 54
    Arcanum - 2017-02-17#
  14. Warbreaker Annotations
    Arcanum - 2010-10-26#
  15. Warbreaker Annotations
    Arcanum - 2011-08-01#
  16. Warbreaker epilogue#
  17. /r/fantasy AMA 2013
    Arcanum - 2013-04-18#
  18. Warbreaker chapter 6#
  19. a b Warbreaker chapter 39#
  20. Warbreaker chapter 43#
  21. Warbreaker Annotations
    Arcanum - 2011-02-22#
  22. Warbreaker chapter 32#
  23. Warbreaker Annotations
    Arcanum - 2011-06-22#
  24. Warbreaker chapter 57#
  25. Warbreaker Annotations
    Arcanum - 2010-08-23#
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