Difference between revisions of "Nohadon"

'''Nohadon''' was a historic [[Roshar]]an king and [[Surgebinder]] who lived during the [[Heraldic Epochs]]. He's most famous as the author of [[The Way of Kings (in-world)|''The Way of Kings'']], a philosophical treatise in the form of a travelcollection of journalstories.{{book ref|twoksa1|18}}

"Nohadon" is not his real name, but rather a holy honorific given to him by the [[Vorin]] [[ardent]]s thousands of years after his death. Under Vorin rules, where the "h" can stand in for any letter, "Nohadon" is perfectly symmetrical, hencewhich is why it is used to refer to him. Elsewhere, he is known as '''Bajerden''' or '''Behardan'''.{{book ref|sa2|47}} His real name, however, has been lost to time.{{book ref|sa1|58}}

In his youth, Nohadon had dark hair, which he wore pulled back into a braid, and a short, pointedpointy beard. When dressed as a king, he had golden threads winding through his hair, coming together on his forehead in the shape of the [[Knights Radiant]] symbol, and wore white-and-gold robes with voluminous sleeves.{{book ref|sa1|60}} It can be presumed he was [[lighteyes|lighteyed]].{{ref|text=Dalinar would've likely commented on a [[darkeyes]] king.}} As he got older, his hair went gray and he gained numerous wrinkes, but the pointy beard remained.{{book ref|sa3|103}} When dressed as a king, he had golden threads winding through his hair, coming together on his forehead in the shape of the [[Knights Radiant]] symbol, and wore white-and-gold robes with voluminous sleeves.{{book ref|sa1|60}}

In his older age, Nohadon isbecame significantly more glib, whimsical and better-natured, having greatly matured over the decades. He hashad a wry, somewhat sarcastic sense of humor, and a charitable nature, givingchatting extrawith common citizens and giving food out to the poor. He enjoysenjoyed the simple pleasures of life, like chatting with his people or shopping. He doesndidn't hesistate to use his powers for the most banal things, like leavingjumping theseveral house by jumpingstories out of the window rather than climbing down the stairs. He was, in fact, very cavalier with his safety, never taking guards with him even when going out of the palace. Nonetheless, he iswas sombre when recalling the dark events of the past, and hashad no problem dispensing wisdom he hashad gathered over the years.{{book ref|sa3|103}}

Nohadon was a king of the country that would eventually become [[Alethkar]].{{book ref|sa1|24}} AtHe somebecame pointa [[Surgebinder]] early in his life, he became a [[Surgebinder]]. Heand took the throne young, during a time of a [[Desolation]] that lasted for eleven years, killing nine out of ten of his subjects. This, and a subsequent conflict with aanother [[Surgebinder]] named [[Alakavish]], left his kingdom in ruins and him jaded to the point where he considered abdicating.{{book ref|sa1|60}} He eventually attempted to unite other Surgebinders by force, but failed,. and wasThis forced him to find a different, more peaceful path.{{book ref|sa3|103}}

As decades passed, Nohadon rebuilt his kingdom, until eventually it became a bustling, colourful place. At some point, he went to war over access to trade routes of [[Makabak]], which took him near the border of [[Shin Kak Nish]]. He would stay there for a long time, in a house of a woman who would later meet a "very unfair"tragic fate. It was then that he learned to bake Shin bread, a habit he enjoyed during later years of his life.{{book ref|sa3|103}}

Around that time, Nohadon started a family and made his famous journey from [[Abamabar]] to [[Urithiru]]. He walked alone, without any guards or attendants, and no money, instead making a living bythrough singing and manual labor.{{book ref|sa1|58}} The trip took a very long time - the lowest number given is sixty days, and that was when he was still within his own lands - and when he eventually made it thereto Urithiru's gates, he was all but unrecognizable.{{book ref|sa3|28}}{{book ref|sa1|58}}

In his old age, Nohadon remained in his capital, the city now known as [[Kholinar]]. He would often take walks intooutside theof cityhis palace, shopping and haggling bywithout any himselfguards.{{book ref|sa3|103}}

Nohadon is implied to have been an absolute monarch.{{book ref|sa1|26}} TheHis ability to completely rebuild a ruined kingdom over several decades implies considerable amount of administrative talent. Additionally, he was capable of projecting military power across vast distances, andbeing couldable to take a large scout group all the way to the foothills of the [[Misted Mountains]], on the opposite side of the continent.{{book ref|sa3|103}}

He was a [[Surgebinder]] from a young age, though his [[spren]] is never seen and his order is unknown.{{book ref|sa1|60}} Nonetheless, he possessed enough ability to easily survive a jump from a considerable height without breaking a sweat. He also appears to have had some knowledge of [[Realmatic Theory]], as he educates Dalinar on the existence and nature of [[Physical Realm|Physical]], [[Cognitive Realm|Cognitive]] and [[Spiritual Realm]]s in a vision.{{book ref|sa3|103}}

Nohadon''[[The Way of Kings (in-world)|The Way of Kings]]'' is the oldest preserved text in [[Roshar]]'s human history. Among others, [[Gavilar]] and [[Dalinar Kholin]] were heavily impacted by it in their middle age, as it led them to rethink their life philosophy and, in Dalinar's case, led to him becoming a [[Bondsmith]].{{book ref|sa1|58}}{{book ref|sa2|89}} Nohadon's influence, however, spreads far beyond Alethi royalty. He's one of the most influential writers in the history of [[Roshar]], with his texts being read and analyzed by scholars to this very day. His name is well-recognizedimmediately therecognizable for people who study ancient history, logic and philosophy.{{book ref|sa1|15}}{{book ref|sa1|5}}{{book ref|sa1|59}}

There has been some speculation that Nohadon might've been a [[Bondsmith]], or even the very first Bondsmith, with either [[Nightwatcher]] or [[Stormfather]] as his spren. This is somewhat aided by Brandon stating that "even among kings and surgebinders, he was someone special".{{wob ref|9194}} However, when asked directly, Brandon answered with a [[RAFO]].{{wob ref|7945}}