Baon
| Baon | |
|---|---|
 by botanicaxu
| |
| Abilities | Sand master,[1] Worldhopper |
| Aliases | Vao, Blunt |
| Groups | Seventeenth Shard, Dynasty[2] |
| Ethnicity | Darksider |
| Homeworld | Taldain |
| Universe | Cosmere |
“You know a lot about war, dear man. Of course, that’s what you’re paid for! ”
—Cynder to Baon[3]
Baon is a soldier from the Darkside of Taldain.
Appearance and Personality
Baon has a "brutish frame" and is a skilled fighter. He is perceptive and speaks eloquently.[3]
- Images of Baon
Portrait by User: Botanicaxu
On the White Sand Volume 1 cover by Julius Gopez
On the White Sand Volume 2 cover by Julius Gopez
History
On Taldain
Journey to Dayside
Baon was sent by Skathan to Dayside to investigate whether the sand masters posed a threat to the Dynasty.[4] Khrissalla hired Baon to guard her on her trip to Dayside to find prince Gevalden and the Sand Mages he was looking for. Baon went on the journey to Dayside with both of these purposes equally in mind.[4]
When Captain Deral and his lieutenant attempted to sell their party to the Dynastic[5] border patrol, Baon killed both of them to ensure that their escaped safely. He took Deral's pistols for himself thinking that no one would notice them for what they were.[2]
When their group was running low on water and found Kenton, Baon spoke to him in Dynastic, somehow detecting that he was being understood. At Baon's prodding Kenton showed them how to get water from the dorim vines. Kenton then guided Baon and his companions to Kezare. When their group was attacked by Kerztian warrior-priests, Baon used one of his pistols to kill two of the warriors and scare the rest of them away. When they arrived in Kezare the group parted ways with Kenton, who went to the Diem, and headed for the Darksider quarter, Lonzare.[6]
In Kezare
N'Teese, for a ten lak fee, brought the group to meet with Loaten. Baon tried to join Khriss in her meeting with the man, but the guards at the door would not let him through. Khriss told him that it was fine and entered. When Khriss was leaving the office, Baon caught a glimpse of Loaten through the door and recognized him for who he was, a traitor to the Dynasty. He immediately pulled out his pistol and made to attack him, Khriss calmed him down, and the group made a hasty exit.[7]
Baon accompanied Khriss as she attempted to meet with the Taishin, searching for information on Gevin.[8]
On Roshar
Blunt was the nickname Ishikk assigned to Baon when he was hunting for Hoid at the Purelake on Roshar with other members of The Seventeenth Shard.[9] He was described as tall and broad-shouldered, but lean and muscled, with hair that was short and dark. Ishikk believes the name he provided, Vao, is a false name, though it could be that Baon provided his actual name. Baon was accompanied by Galladon and Demoux.[10][11] Baon joined The Seventeenth Shard sometime after the events of White Sand.[12] Baon wondered if there was something to the abilities that the Purelakers ascribed to their fish, but Galladon thought he had a tendency to believe in superstition. Baon also spoke Selan well.
Attributes and Abilities
Baon has the ability to worldhop,[13] as well as the ability to use sand mastery.[1]
He is a skilled soldier and marksman. He is less sensitive to the sunlight of Dayside and, unlike the other Darksiders, does not wear sunglasses to protect his eyes from the glare.[3] He is very perceptive and skilled at reading body language.[6]
Relationships
Quotes
“There’s something they don’t teach you in your university, duchess—the unlearned aren’t as stupid as you think. ”
—Baon[3]
Trivia
- Long before the concept of the cosmere was developed, Baon appeared as Doram in the first story Brandon ever wrote.[14]
- Baon was also previously called Bowen before the linguistics of Taldain were worked out.[15]
Notes
- ↑ a b White Sand Volume 3 chapter 6#
- ↑ a b White Sand Volume 2 chapter 6#
- ↑ a b c d White Sand Volume 1 chapter 3#
- ↑ a b White Sand Volume 3 chapter 2#
- ↑ only stated explicitly in the prose.
- ↑ a b White Sand Volume 1 chapter 4#
- ↑ White Sand Volume 1 chapter 5#
- ↑ White Sand Volume 1 chapter 6#
- ↑ The Way of Kings interlude I-1#
- ↑ West Jordan signing
— Arcanum - 2011-08-04# - ↑ West Jordan signing
— Arcanum - 2011-12-15# - ↑ Arcanum Unbounded Chicago signing
— Arcanum - 2016-12-06# - ↑ Barnes & Noble B-Fest 2016
— Arcanum - 2016-06-11# - ↑ It's Here
— Brandon's website - 2010-8-31# - ↑ Salt Lake City signing
— Arcanum - 2014-03-29#