Order of Stonewards
| Order of Stonewards | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| |||
| |||
| Herald | Talenel | ||
| Spren | Peakspren | ||
| Surges | Cohesion & Tension | ||
| Plate spren | Unknown | ||
| World of Origin | Roshar | ||
| Universe | Cosmere | ||
The Order of Stonewards is an order of the Knights Radiant on Roshar.[1]
The Stonewards were Surgebinders who used the Surges of Cohesion and Tension, and they are associated with the topaz polestone. The patron Herald of the Stonewards is Talenel. In Shadesmar, the spren of the Stonewards, peakspren, look like stone and their skin cracks when they move.[2]
Philosophy[edit]
Those who join the Stonewards generally subscribe to a philosophy of team dynamics, on learning to work with others, and on being there for those who need them.[3] The core tenet of the order is be there when needed. They seek to take a difficult situation with few resources and make something better of it.[4] The order strives to exemplify resolve, strength, and dependability.[1] They tend to attract those who are most interested in warfare, prowess with weapons, or athletics of any sort.[3][4]
Ideals of the Stonewards[edit]
The Ideals of the Knights Radiant, also known as the Immortal Words, are a set of rules by which the Radiants live. The First Ideal is shared by all of the orders, and is used as a motto for the Knights Radiant as a whole. Each of the orders then have an additional four Ideals that are unique to that order.[5] The Ideals of the Order of Stonewards all focus on working with a team and supporting others, which led them to put others' interests before their own. Of the orders, they were some of the least likely to bend their Ideals.[3]
The First Ideal[edit]
“Life before death, strength before weakness, journey before destination ”
—The First Ideal of the Knights Radiant[5]
The Second Ideal[edit]
The Second Ideal of the Stonewards is focused on being there when needed[3]
Abilities[edit]
“The Shardbearer pressed his hand against the incline leading up to the Voidbringer, and again the stone seemed to writhe. Steps formed in the rock, as if it were made of wax that could flow and be shaped. ”
The Stonewards use the Surges of Cohesion and Tension. Like most Knights Radiant, the Stonewards have squires.[7][8]
Cohesion[edit]
Cohesion allows them to manipulate or alter objects at a molecular level.[9] Their exact Powers are so far unknown, but they are able to reshape stone to some extent.[6] This ability lets them reshape things other than stone, but not flesh or anything even slightly Invested.[10]
Tension[edit]
Tension allows them to alter the stiffness of an object.[11][12] Stonewards are able to control the hardness of an object, allowing them to harden clothing into weapons, and have the ability to shape stone at their will.[13] Much like Cohesion, Tension is highly resisted by Investiture.[10]
Shardplate Abilities[edit]
The glow of their Shardplate is amber.[14]
History[edit]
The ancient Stonewards were the infantry and the ground troops of the Knights Radiant; alongside the Windrunners, they were considered the finest soldiers.[4] They tended to attract people interested in warfare, but also challenge, prowess with weapons, and athleticism. Throughout the world, they were widely known for being dependable, strong and filled with resolve, but also stubborn to a fault and prone to taking on projects larger than themselves. This attitude was said to be a good representation of their patron Herald.[3][1] They took pride in this -- to be there when they were needed was a core tenet of their order.[3]
In battle, they served as the frontline troops.[15] In times of peace, on the other hand, they were often explorers, but also sportsmen, often organizing and engaging in various competitions and events.[3]
Notable Stonewards[edit]
- Zu (bonded to Ua'pam)
- Badali (bonded to an unknown peakspren)
- Talatin was a historic Stoneward from before the Recreance.
Quotes[edit]
“Now, as each order was thus matched to the nature and temperament of the Herald it named patron, there was none more archetypal of this than the Stonewards, who followed after Talenelat'Elin, Stonesinew, Herald of War: they thought it a point of virtue to exemplify resolve, strength, and dependability. Alas, they took less care for imprudent practice of their stubbornness, even in the face of proven error. ”
“As a Stoneward, I spent my entire life looking to sacrifice myself. I secretly worry that this is the cowardly way. The easy way out. - From drawer 29-5, topaz. ”
—Oathbringer, Chapter 58, Epigraph[16]
Notes[edit]
- ↑ a b c d Words of Radiance chapter 37 epigraph#
- ↑ JordanCon 2018
— Arcanum - 2018-04-22# - ↑ a b c d e f g The Ten Orders of Knights Radiant
— Arcanum - 2020-06-09# - ↑ a b c #SayTheWords
— Arcanum - 2024-02-21# - ↑ a b The Way of Kings chapter 59#
- ↑ a b Oathbringer chapter 38#
- ↑ Rhythm of War chapter 43#
- ↑ Mini-Con 2021
— Arcanum - 2021-11-22# - ↑ Words of Radiance Seattle signing
— Arcanum - 2014-03-08# - ↑ a b Orem signing
— Arcanum - 2018-03-10# - ↑ Words of Radiance Ars Arcanum#
- ↑ Words of Radiance Omaha signing
— Arcanum - 2014-03-13# - ↑ Rhythm of War chapter 32#
- ↑ The Way of Kings chapter 19#
- ↑ Skyward Atlanta signing
— Arcanum - 2018-11-17# - ↑ Oathbringer chapter 58 epigraph#